Source Direct and Marantz receivers

AjayRAV · 07-10-2003, 11:09 AM

Hi guys,

I have a Marantz SR6200 receiver, VC5200 DVD changer, Klipsch KSB 2.1 fronts, KV2 center, KSB1.1 rears and Adire RAVA sub. I've set the speakers to small and sub on. It sounds OK in the Auto mode, but the soundstage widens dramatically in source direct. Would it be best if I fed the SW from the LR pre-outs, set the receiver settings as follows: LR Large; rears and center small,sub off and use the sub level and frequency to blend in the bass. I listen to both music and movies. Comments, suggestion???

Thanks,
Ajay

John Garcia · 07-10-2003, 11:46 AM

Using source direct sets all your speakers to large and defeats all tone adjustments. The reason it seems like a wider soundstage is beause your mains extend below the x-over slope, and the x-over point (100Hz) is probably a bit too high. I have a 6200 also, and experience the same thing. If you use the sub to handle the x-over of the mains, you will likely get better results, as you can select a better point for the mains to blend.

AjayRAV · 07-10-2003, 12:15 PM

Actually, it almost seems like the top-end is affected. When I switch from SDirect to 2 channel or auto, the top end actually loses some sparkle, resulting in a duller sound. Since only the lower frequencies should be affected by the receivers crossover, I am curious as to this alteration in the treble.

ChrisDixon · 07-10-2003, 01:51 PM

Are you connected to your CD player via analog or digital? If analog, it will sound much better in SD. Here's why:

Source direct: 1. CD player DACs convert digital to analog, 2. Marantz sends amplified signal to speakers.

Stereo/Auto: 1. CD player DACs convert digital to analog, 2. Marantz converts analog to digital and applies tone controls and bass manangement, 3. Marantz converts digital back to analog, 4. Marantz sends amplified signal to speakers.

As you can see, there is a lot more processing that is prone to loss of clarity in Stereo/Auto. Source Direct is much better at passing the "pure" sound.

If you have a digital connection from your CD player, the Marantz is doing the initial digital-to-analog conversion (whether in source direct or not). A good CD player will usually do a better job of it, so I would recommend using analog source direct with the 6200.

Chris

John Garcia · 07-10-2003, 02:49 PM

Since you are using a DVD player to play CDs, I would say the 6200 has better DACs, so I would stick with a digital connection. A decent stand alone CDP will likely have better DACs than both your DVD and the 6200, though I had a CC4000 (not OSE) and I was not impressed at all with it's analog output. I am using a Sony 222ES via analog to my 6200 and it sounds great. If I play music with my DVD, I get better results with digital and source direct, but it still does not compare to the DACs in the 222.

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ChrisWiggles · 07-12-2003, 11:15 AM

I have a 5300, but the setup is similar. In Source Direct, all bass management is bypassed, and your mains are set to large, sub to ON. You can then use the sub's crossover to blend it in with your mains. This is essentially exactly the same as using the pre-out L/R. You sould leave the sub connected to the sub out, NOT the L/R preout.

When you listen to music, engage the crossover in your subwoofer, put your system in source direct, you'll get stereo full-range out of your front two speakers, and the sub should be blended in to help in the lowest registers.

Then when you listen to movies, disengage, turn up the sub crossover, and take the receiver out of S. Direct, and then bass management will be engaged. Note that you will want to set your speakers to small (or however you prefer the settings) for movies, and leave them that way. When engaging S. Direct for music, the receiver automatically sets the mains to Large and the sub to on. Afterwards, it reverts back to your settings of small, etc.

As much as you'd want to listen in S. Direct for movies, the difference is hard to hear, (i can't in movies anyway), this defeats any bass management, so your sub will not be getting any of the bass from the main channels, and I am also pretty sure that no time alignment is done either. Here the benefits of S. Direct is most likely surpassed by the negatives of these two things, so I would recommend you set it up as I have, by only using S. Direct for music and regular for movies, it works best (sounds better to me too), relieves strain on the receiver and speakers by sending all the bass to the sub.

Jason.Soko · 07-12-2003, 12:13 PM

Have you ever tried using the preouts on your sr6200? I cannot get ANY sound to be played out of them if the source is digital.

Steve Lucas · 07-12-2003, 04:00 PM

This may be a little off topic, but since we are talking about Marantz SP-6200 recievers, I thought I'd ask.
In my HT, I am running 6.1 channels. No complaints with the Marantz's sound, but in order to engage the 6th channel, I have to specifically keep the surround mode in 6.1. However, most previews on DVD's and main menu sounds effects don't work in 6.1 mode. To hear them, I have to use auto or Pro-Logic II, etc. Am I missing something? Is there a way to use Auto and have the recieve drive the 6th channel? Or a way to get sound from the previews while in 6.1 mode? I love this reciever, but this one problem is annoying.

Thanks,
Steve

John Garcia · 07-12-2003, 05:29 PM

My 6200 does not seem to have a problem picking up 6.1 signals and selecting the appropriate mode. I leave it in auto all the time.

Mark Ro · 07-12-2003, 07:15 PM

Since were still talking about the 6200, does anyone have any recommendations for an illuminated universal remote for around