A/V Receiver Setup, Help?

[BadAssHskr]

Not being much of an audiophile, i do hold a simple interest in having cool crap. I recently purchased a Pioneer SC LX501 Elite. I have it setup as a 7.1 system.

Essentially, all i did was plug everything in and then ran the auto setup as recommended.

Is there more i can be doing here? I don't know what it is, every few years i upgrade, and i don't know what it is, it's always a bit of a let down.

This amp, no question sounds night and day cleaner compared to my previous (Denon AVR-??? yeah i can't remember the model), but with this, i have to creep the volume much closer to 0 to generate the same sound level. So this plays huge on my psyche.

My understanding is that at say -45db should be a pretty standard power conversion from amp to amp? So just comparing amp to amp these two db levels are not even close.

So basically i sit around and fret that i'm only utilizing about ½ of the receivers true potential.

Can anyone walk me off the cliff here, i don't understand, what i don't understand.

[FlyingFinn]

Re: A/V Receiver Setup, Help?

I would stick with the receivers's auto setup provided it used a microphone to measure your acoustic environment during setup.

From THX.com:

THX Certified Audio products are designed to let you experience movies the way they were meant to be heard. On every THX Certified AV Receiver the “0” on the volume dial represents THX Reference Level, a setting designed to mirror the exact volume level used by moviemakers and sound artists in the studio.

[BadAssHskr]

Re: A/V Receiver Setup, Help?

I would stick with the receivers's auto setup provided it used a microphone to measure your acoustic environment during setup.

From THX.com:

THX Certified Audio products are designed to let you experience movies the way they were meant to be heard. On every THX Certified AV Receiver the “0” on the volume dial represents THX Reference Level, a setting designed to mirror the exact volume level used by moviemakers and sound artists in the studio.

ah, i was unaware of that fact..

[p_rushing]

Re: A/V Receiver Setup, Help?

I would stick with the receivers's auto setup provided it used a microphone to measure your acoustic environment during setup.

Yep. Unless you pay someone to set it up for you, the auto should work good enough. Most people probably won't be able to hear much of a difference. The auto measures the sound waves and everything in your room to adjust it. That includes timing, volume, etc.

[Blzer]

Re: A/V Receiver Setup, Help?

Yep. Unless you pay someone to set it up for you, the auto should work good enough. Most people probably won't be able to hear much of a difference. The auto measures the sound waves and everything in your room to adjust it. That includes timing, volume, etc.

See, I think it makes a massive difference. Room correction is just something that people don't do enough of, and they are either running things off-balanced, bloated, too flat, non-sloping, harsh, or with many nulls. If there are certain things you are limited by because of the room dimensions, size, acoustics, etc. then I understand... but use that mic and let it try to level some things out for you, for sure!

I would also check to make sure that any dynamic range control and enhancers are shut off. Let things play as intended.

[BadAssHskr]

Re: A/V Receiver Setup, Help?

Thanks for the help everyone. I finally pulled some new HDMI cables last night, and am going to do a Re-Setup when i have a house that's quiet again. my problem is, i don't do much in the way of music and movies, but love having a decent av system for gaming and such.

I likely never take any advantage of what the system has to offer. I spend a lot of time judging how well Trippld D sounds in comparison to the last receiver.

My speakers are several years old, that should actually be my focus over amps..