Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Calibration / Avia test disk

Does it also happen with toslink cable? Another option is 5.1 analog

Yeah Mike, that is a great feature of the receiver. I agree that it is very nice to have. It has the processing power to convert the multi-channel analog inputs to digital so you can apply any of the modes, bass management, a fantastic feature if you need to use the analog outs from your HD player. I'm doing the same thing right now with my RV-8 since it doesn't have HDMI. Sounds great for now, and when I get HDMI then I will have the full benefit of the extra rear channels (for the disks that have the extra surround content).

Ya Chess, another bug for me to eat...... I found a few bugs with my VP50 too. DVDO engineering is trying to figure out how to fix them. Then I found a bug with my Anamorphic lens and I'm working with Prismasonic to fix that one. I must have a freaking stencil on my forehead "screw with me, please, I really like it".

The weird LFE issue happens no matter what input I use withe the exception of the six channel direct inputs. The HK is doing something with the LFE channel to where it's only present with the Mains.

I am running the 5.1 analogues from the X1. I'm getting a 96k and the AVR is converting those channels to digital and then applying its own bass management. Sounds very good with the exception of the weird LFE thing. But at least I'm getting a very clean 7.1. Plus, the 600 makes up for any shortcomings of the AVR.

I am a bit confused (even after reading the PCM vs Bitstream from mdrew).

Last night, when first testing my surround sound, nothing was coming on the receiver with Bitstream, as soon as I switched to PCM a light came on the receiver as "recieving Dolby Digital".

I read another article today to keep your DVD player audio set to Bitstream and PCM off, so how does that explain that the only way for me to get a signal was to have PCM on? Was I using the wrong audio output?

Need more info to diagnose your problem.

Multi-chanel PCM in a lossless format can only be transmitted via HDMI. If you select bitstream on your dvd player, I'm at a loss why your receiver would not recognize it.

I wouldn't jump to conclusions or make assumptions just yet.

Pick up the Avia disk, a meter and do a good job calibrating your system first. I don't have much faith in internal test tone generators.

This may seem like a dumb question so please forigve me in advance.

Since my speakers are crossed over at 80hz, what frequency should the sub be calibrated at?

Yeah Robb, how 'bout them M22s(especially for solo classical piano)! On the sub cal bit, the receiver calibration is at 75dB, and this applies to the low bass tones for the sub as well. I used a different receiver to calibrate my EP500, but the test tones are essentially the same level; although I wouldn't call it a "barely hear" level, the calibration at that level isn't intended to shake the room either, so I suspect that what you heard the 659 do was about right. The fact that the LOTR segment was shaking things up would tend to confirm that the sub calibration was done well and the test tones you heard from the sub were at the intended level.

Another point on the EP500 is the importance of setting the trim control. You might find, depending on room size and sub location, that the half or even full setting better balances the room gain.

Robb,

Not sure I understand your question.....but it's early and I'm still slamming espresso.

When you use the Avia disk, just run through the steps. First you calibrate the speakers, then the sub. It's a piece of cake. You will come to the part where the LFE cycles between each speaker and the sub. The disk sends a High freq to each speaker and a LFE tone to the sub. They say these test tones should match in volume. I never could get them to match with the 745, but was able to with my previous HK's. I haven't tried the Marantz yet, but will sometime today. If you can't get all the speakers to match, concentrate on matching the LFE tone to the mains.

The theory of matching all speakers like this is for proper X-over setting for each group of speakers. You may not have that option with your AVR.

I like my sub running at a -5 DB setting on the AVR, but about 5 DB higher in volume than the mains. (that way I can always bump it up some with the AVR and keep my fingers away from the sub's volume knob after it's set)

I played with the EP 600's trim in a much smaller room than yours. I keep it flat. I don't like using the trim on the sub. It seams to kill some of the kick ass LFE tracks.