Help with DVD-A Setup/Sound Quality (1 Viewer)

[Chris-V]

I'm fairly new to DVD-A and am having some problems getting set up. I used to just use the Dolby Digital mix on my DVD-A's, but recently decided it was time to upgrade to a true DVD-A player using 5.1 analog connectors. I picked up a low-end Toshiba universal 5-disc changer (don't have the model number handy). I hooked up the 5.1 analog outputs to my receiver using standard RCA cables I had sitting around.

The surround effects are fantastic...light years ahead of the Dolby Digital I had been listening to. Unfortunately, the low end completely dropped away. Bass drums sound more like snare drums, and the sub-woofer is barely firing. The result is music that's wonderfully enveloping but incredibly bright and tinny.

This effect occurs when I set my receiver (Pioneer VSX-D912K) to the "DVD 7.1" setting. If I switch over to "DVD," with an analog source (I understand that this makes the receiver's decoder kick in) the music fills out nicely but I lose the DVD-A precision and surround effect.

Can anyone offer suggestions as to why I would be losing the low end when using the 5.1 analog? Could it be cables? A cheap decoder in the player? Any thoughts on how I might fix this problem? Thanks.

 

[Ferdinand*T]

There is nothing wrong with the equipment you have. I had the same problem but its just the way the format is. The only thing you can do is turn the bass volume up in the player or I think the receiver too, or turn the volume on the sub up. I don't know why this format is like this but it is. Hoped I helped a little.

 

[Citizen87645]

You are experiencing issues with the bass management (or lack thereof). When using the 5.1 analog connections the crossover on the receiver is not enabled, so the frequencies below 80Hz (or whatever your receiver's crossover frequency might be) are not getting directed to the subwoofer. Instead your speakers are getting the full range, but unable to produce the full range. As you do searches about DVD-A and SACD players you'll eventually run into discussion about bass management. As far as I know the only sub-$200 player to have bass management is the Pioneer 563-A, and even with that unit it is not perfect (e.g. the crossover is rather high, like over 100 Hz or something).

 

[Citizen87645]

Also, you need to calibrate your speaker levels for the 5.1 analog. That might help, but it won't be as it should be with the crossover.

 

[gene c]

I agree with Cameron that it is probably a bass mngt issue. The model number of your Toshiba is 6915. I had two for a couple of days and it does do bass mngt but I didn't have them long enough to guess at a cross-over point (I know. It's a slope, not a point). Make sure speakers are set to "small" and the sub is "on" on the players speaker menu. Anyway, during the short time I had them, I didn't notice any loss in bass response so keep fiddling with things. And I hope you have better luck with your's then I had with mine. BTW, the 563's cross-over seems to be at 200hz which is WAY too high. I think the 6915 is a little lower but not sure.

 

[Ed Moxley]

You mentioned "DVD 7.1 setting" and "DVD" setting.
Neither one of these is the setting for listening to the High Resolution tracks of DVD-A or SACD. When using the 6 analog outputs of the player, you need to be using the "Multi-channel" setting of the receiver.

 

[Brian L]

I answered you in the other thread, but for those that missed that, check out this FAQ:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...22#post1800722

Question 6 has a discussion of low bass level with hi-rez players.

BGL