Anyone use different output levels for different sources?

Or do you just try to plug and play and use tone controls?
Denon X1200W
Sony BDP S-590
Mains Signature S60
Center Signature S55
Surrounds Polk RTi-4
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Comments

  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,116
    Never use tone controls myself, don't even have them on the 2 channel setup.
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    I adjust the volume to get the SPL I want at the time.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
  • In my system different sources do not sound the same.
    The TV tone is controlled by Audyssey.
    I do not have a separate music system.
    Mine does double duty. I do not use Audyssey for music
    because I do not think it sound good.
    I do not use tone controls and that is where the adjustment
    of levels comes into play for different sources.
    As good as my New S60's sound and they do sound really good,
    if you do not have the correct synergy between the source, receiver and speakers set---it ain't gonna work right.

    That's why I asked the original question.
    Some people might run the Sound Correction Program and that might be fine if you use it for all your sources and can tolerate it.
    If you do not use it for other listening, do you compensate for it?








    Denon X1200W
    Sony BDP S-590
    Mains Signature S60
    Center Signature S55
    Surrounds Polk RTi-4
  • WVHillbilly
    WVHillbilly Posts: 94
    edited March 2017
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I adjust the volume to get the SPL I want at the time.

    The question has nothing to do with SPL.
    SPL is done after the levels are set.


    Denon X1200W
    Sony BDP S-590
    Mains Signature S60
    Center Signature S55
    Surrounds Polk RTi-4
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I adjust the volume to get the SPL I want at the time.

    The question has nothing to do with SPL.
    SPL is done after the levels are set.


    Sorry, my mistake. I associate the phrase 'output level' with volume, or SPL.

    What levels are you referring to?
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,708
    BlueFox wrote: »
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I adjust the volume to get the SPL I want at the time.

    The question has nothing to do with SPL.
    SPL is done after the levels are set.


    Sorry, my mistake. I associate the phrase 'output level' with volume, or SPL.

    What levels are you referring to?

    Don't ask.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • I'm talking about speaker output levels from the receiver, from the main speaker settings for different sources.
    For instance, my CD sounds different from listening online.
    If I go to You Tube and I do this through my smart TV using an Optical Cable---My output level to my speakers, with the volume set at any number including zero---has to be set to a certain speaker output volume to achieve maximum fidelity, using no tone controls.
    Without setting the correct levels for the source output the sound suffers. I hope I explained this right.
    Denon X1200W
    Sony BDP S-590
    Mains Signature S60
    Center Signature S55
    Surrounds Polk RTi-4
  • afterburnt
    afterburnt Posts: 7,892
    Everything for me is always a volume adjustment, whether it be the source or the material. I wish everything would always be "right there" but it could be from song to song on a record that I have to mess with the volume. I keep the "tone" control out of it. Now that my systems are starting to sound decent it comes down to the quality of the recording that makes me turn it up or down. Man I would go crazierrrrr trying to tune a lousy signal.
  • F1nut wrote: »
    BlueFox wrote: »
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I adjust the volume to get the SPL I want at the time.

    The question has nothing to do with SPL.
    SPL is done after the levels are set.


    Sorry, my mistake. I associate the phrase 'output level' with volume, or SPL.

    What levels are you referring to?

    Don't ask.

    If you want to join in this conversation do it without your insults please.
    Denon X1200W
    Sony BDP S-590
    Mains Signature S60
    Center Signature S55
    Surrounds Polk RTi-4
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    Just curious. For example, I set the output level of my HT pre using a tone it generates. This balances all channels to the same SPL. Then when watching a movie, or listening to music, I use the volume to adjust the level what I like.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
  • That's what i said earlier, I do set my TV and Movies using Room Correction (Audyssey), but I do not use this for music playback.
    I find when I do not use room correction for music playback I get a more natural sound but it takes more effort to set the system up correctly between sources. It's not "plug & play".
    Denon X1200W
    Sony BDP S-590
    Mains Signature S60
    Center Signature S55
    Surrounds Polk RTi-4
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,708
    F1nut wrote: »
    BlueFox wrote: »
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I adjust the volume to get the SPL I want at the time.

    The question has nothing to do with SPL.
    SPL is done after the levels are set.


    Sorry, my mistake. I associate the phrase 'output level' with volume, or SPL.

    What levels are you referring to?

    Don't ask.

    If you want to join in this conversation do it without your insults please.

    I'll say what I want. You don't have to read it.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,776
    I was in Kansas City a couple weeks ago. A Home Theatre crawl gathering. SPL is a broad spectrum that sound quality (SQ) had no bearing upon.
    One house had a twin 18" cabinet driven by 4000 watts of stupidity.
    And he had several other bass modules in other rooms. SPL in droves but no SQ........
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,708
    I'm talking about speaker output levels from the receiver, from the main speaker settings for different sources.
    For instance, my CD sounds different from listening online.
    If I go to You Tube and I do this through my smart TV using an Optical Cable---My output level to my speakers, with the volume set at any number including zero---has to be set to a certain speaker output volume to achieve maximum fidelity, using no tone controls.
    Without setting the correct levels for the source output the sound suffers. I hope I explained this right.

    Makes no sense. Use the volume control, that's what it's there for.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    Okay. I don't know if it exists, but it sounds like you need a preamp that allows different settings to be applied to the various inputs. My Onkyo SC5509 doesn't let me do that. Then again, maybe it does. These things get pretty complicated to set up. LOL.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
  • F1nut wrote: »
    I'm talking about speaker output levels from the receiver, from the main speaker settings for different sources.
    For instance, my CD sounds different from listening online.
    If I go to You Tube and I do this through my smart TV using an Optical Cable---My output level to my speakers, with the volume set at any number including zero---has to be set to a certain speaker output volume to achieve maximum fidelity, using no tone controls.
    Without setting the correct levels for the source output the sound suffers. I hope I explained this right.

    Makes no sense. Use the volume control, that's what it's there for.

    You might not be able to learn anything but this is for people who actually want to improve their listening experience--but thanks for your thoughtfull insight.
    Denon X1200W
    Sony BDP S-590
    Mains Signature S60
    Center Signature S55
    Surrounds Polk RTi-4
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,708
    edited March 2017
    First off, I wasn't talking to you in my original post. Secondly, I've forgotten more about audio than you could ever hope to know, so it's you that needs to get their learn on.

    You are over complicating a very simple matter.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • BlueFox wrote: »
    Okay. I don't know if it exists, but it sounds like you need a preamp that allows different settings to be applied to the various inputs. My Onkyo SC5509 doesn't let me do that. Then again, maybe it does. These things get pretty complicated to set up. LOL.

    No--this can be done from any AVR.
    When I switch between sources--my AVR remembers my settings, doesn't yours?
    Denon X1200W
    Sony BDP S-590
    Mains Signature S60
    Center Signature S55
    Surrounds Polk RTi-4
  • WVHillbilly
    WVHillbilly Posts: 94
    edited March 2017
    F1nut wrote: »
    First off, I wasn't talking to you in my original post. Secondly, I've forgotten more about audio than you could ever hope to know, so it's you that needs to get their learn on.

    How do you know what you think I know?
    Denon X1200W
    Sony BDP S-590
    Mains Signature S60
    Center Signature S55
    Surrounds Polk RTi-4
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,708
    LOL......you make it easy to know how little you do.

    If you aren't willing to learn, to accept solid advice you will be forever lost, so bury your ego or whatever issue you have.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • I'm sorry guys, I'm trying to talk audio and some serious discussion about playback but someone is trying to sidetrack this thread.
    Denon X1200W
    Sony BDP S-590
    Mains Signature S60
    Center Signature S55
    Surrounds Polk RTi-4
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Okay. I don't know if it exists, but it sounds like you need a preamp that allows different settings to be applied to the various inputs. My Onkyo SC5509 doesn't let me do that. Then again, maybe it does. These things get pretty complicated to set up. LOL.

    No--this can be done from any AVR.
    When I switch between sources--my AVR remembers my settings, doesn't yours?

    Okay. Then if that's so, what is the problem?

    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
  • F1nut wrote: »
    LOL......you make it easy to know how little you do.

    If you aren't willing to learn, to accept solid advice you will be forever lost, so bury your ego or whatever issue you have.

    Learn what--you have nothing to offer me but insults that I don't need. I said if you want to join in this discussion go ahead but you declined and the insults fly from you. I don't need you or your advice.
    Denon X1200W
    Sony BDP S-590
    Mains Signature S60
    Center Signature S55
    Surrounds Polk RTi-4
  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,776
    @WVHillbilly ......
    The out put of every source i.e. cdp, brp, dsd from laptop....whatever. They all have different output voltages. When that signal is sent to a preamp, prepro, amp.
    The voltage input will dictate the "volume" output from the control.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,708
    Like talking to a brick wall.......VOLUME CONTROL is the answer.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,776
    ...and F1 is a cranky old phart.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,708
    Yeah, I cranky the ol' volume control.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • F1nut wrote: »
    Like talking to a brick wall.......VOLUME CONTROL is the answer.

    The answer to what?
    Volume control has nothing to do with this.
    Can't you read and understand the concept?

    Denon X1200W
    Sony BDP S-590
    Mains Signature S60
    Center Signature S55
    Surrounds Polk RTi-4
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,708
    You have to change the volume level when you change the source.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • F1nut wrote: »
    Like talking to a brick wall.......VOLUME CONTROL is the answer.

    Your so bent on trying to be right, you don't understand the what this is all about--HAHAHAHAHA
    Denon X1200W
    Sony BDP S-590
    Mains Signature S60
    Center Signature S55
    Surrounds Polk RTi-4