Hi guys!

I'm a total HT noob and I finally decided to upgrade my lame HTIB (Kenwood). I'm planning to buy some Axiom speakers pretty soon. I have already bought a new receiver, a Yamaha RX-V2500 and it already makes a big difference! I can't believe how much better those little Kenwood speakers sound! Even the little subwoofer has gotten a big boost from it.

The question I have is why is it that I have to set the level close to -20 -15 dB before I reach I level comparable to my old Kenwood receiver (at around -34db). The difference is that with the Yamaha I can keep increasing the sound where the Kenwood would usually shutdown if I try to push it. For instance in Star Wars Episode II, when Padme's ship blows up on landing in Coruscant anything louder than -32dB would make my old receiver shut down.
Now the Yamaha works fine no matter what I throw at it, I'm just wondering why it needs to be set at a higher level before it matches the old one. Any ideas as to why that is?

Thanks,

Sky

The numbers on the volume are just arbitrary. Don't sweat it. They will hardly match up between manufacturers.

Just be happy your new receiver works well!

Yeah I'm very happy with it. It works great and I can't wait to get some axioms!
I understand that the numbers won't match up, I just was wondering why the Yamaha needs its level to be that high. What is usually the maximum level on a receiver? 0dB? More? Can you tell I don't know much about receivers lol.

Sky

Zero is considered "reference" level, but I don't think there is any kind of industry standard to appoint it as such. Usually, by the time you get to "0dB" it's pretty damn loud.

I don't think I'd want to try to find the maximum level on a receiver. My ears might start bleeding before I even get close.

Cam, welcome. As the previous replies indicated, the setting of the volume control on different receivers is no indication of their relative power capabiliies; it's simply a question of how the control is calibrated by the manufacturer. For example, it's entirely possible that a 60 watt unit would provide a louder sound at its 50% setting than would a 120 watt unit, but the 120 watt unit still would have the capability to play a brief peak 3dB louder.

I also own the RX-V2500 and it pushes my M60ti's effortlessly. Its a great receiver in my book, but I'm pretty much a noob as well. A lot of people on this board turn their noses up to Yamaha because they don't do well with 4 ohm speakers (M80ti's).

All I know is my M60ti sound absolutely beautiful in my average size living room and I don't even own a sub yet (EP500 my next purchase).

I'm glad to hear that. I think I will get a pair of M22ti's a VP150 and 2 pairs of QS8's. I'm not sure what subwoofer I'll get (possibly a SVS PB12 ISD).
KC23, at what level do you usually set your RX-V2500 when watching movies?