How to setup my avr as pre

EDUBAG
EDUBAG Posts: 403
edited May 2010 in Electronics
Hello everybody,

i currently own a pioneer elite vsx23txh and was using it to drive my rtia7 speakers.

Since everybody here knows that the rtia7 tend to be a little bright i went ahead and purchased a rotel rb990bx amp, because according to a lot of people here it provided a warm sound.

I went ahead and hooked to the pre outs on the avr and ran the mcacc automatic calibration software of the pioneer.

I did not like the sound at all it killed, i mean literally killed the brightness of the music.

Played some cd and it sounded muffled and not louder or fuller.

I am wondering if there is a way to know if i am using the avr correctly as a pre. I have to push the volume all the way to -10db to feel the speakers come alive.

I would like to know if there is a loud function on this avr or a proper way to set up so the speakers can sing and i can enjoy their full potential

any advice will be greatly appreciated

regards,

ed
HT:
POLK AUDIO RTI4 FRONTS
CSI3 CENTER
DEF TECH PROMONITOR800 SURROUNDS
PSW 125 SUB
PIONEER ELITE AVR23TXH AVR
APPLE TV 160GB
PANASONIC BLURAY PLAYER
50" PANASONIC PLASMA TCP50C2

2 CHANNEL:
KEF R300 THREE WAY BOOKSHELF GLOSS PIANO BLACK
ROTEL RC 990BX PRE
ROTEL RB 990BX AMP
OPPO DV980 (AS CD PLAYER)
PIONEER PL100 TURNTABLE WITH SHURE MX97E CART
MIT EXP2 SPEAKER CABLES
Post edited by EDUBAG on

Comments

  • yepimonfire
    yepimonfire Posts: 256
    edited May 2010
    you should be able to adjust the gain of your amplifier. try that.
  • EDUBAG
    EDUBAG Posts: 403
    edited May 2010
    it cannot be adjusted, most home amps do not have a gain control, most of them go by what the pre feeds them.
    HT:
    POLK AUDIO RTI4 FRONTS
    CSI3 CENTER
    DEF TECH PROMONITOR800 SURROUNDS
    PSW 125 SUB
    PIONEER ELITE AVR23TXH AVR
    APPLE TV 160GB
    PANASONIC BLURAY PLAYER
    50" PANASONIC PLASMA TCP50C2

    2 CHANNEL:
    KEF R300 THREE WAY BOOKSHELF GLOSS PIANO BLACK
    ROTEL RC 990BX PRE
    ROTEL RB 990BX AMP
    OPPO DV980 (AS CD PLAYER)
    PIONEER PL100 TURNTABLE WITH SHURE MX97E CART
    MIT EXP2 SPEAKER CABLES
  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited May 2010
    If I had that issue with that AVR, I would do a factory reset, and then see how it sounds WITHOUT running the automatic setup software. Worth a shot. I have had a Rotel amp, and I would definately NOT say it was 'muffled', warm, yes.

    I would NEVER use the "Loundness" button...good way to trash some speaks.
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited May 2010
    I would run your MCACC setup again to see what you think after that.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited May 2010
    disneyjoe7 wrote: »
    I would run your MCACC setup again to see what you think after that.

    You have to run MCACC with the amp installed and mentioned by DisneyJoe. Also suggest you break out the SPL meter and tweak a little. That Rotel should be making you feel even better about your setup.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
  • Amherst
    Amherst Posts: 695
    edited May 2010
    I ran that same receiver with three different out board amps with very good results. As Kcoc has suggested already do a reset and start from scratch. I would also recommend that you start out in pure direct mode and give a listen for sound quality. Another item is; Are you linking these together with a decent IC?
    Parasound C1, T3, HCA-3500, HCA-2205A, P/DD1550, Pioneer DV-79avi, Oppo BDP-83, WD Media Server W/HDD,
    Dynaudio Contour 3.3, Dynaudio Contour T2.1, Polk OWM3, Polk DSW micropro 1000 (x2),
    Pioneer Kuro 50" Plasma, Phillips Pronto Control w/Niles HT-MSU.
  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited May 2010
    After I installed my Rotel, I ran the MCACC again....I can't say enough good things about that AMP.
    Polk Audio Surround Bar 360
    Mirage PS-12
    LG BDP-550
    Motorola HD FIOS DVR
    Panasonic 42" Plasma
    XBOX 360[/SIZE]

    Office stuff

    Allied 395 receiver
    Pioneer CDP PD-M430
    RT8t's & Wharfedale Diamond II's[/SIZE]

    Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music. ~Ronald Reagan
  • EDUBAG
    EDUBAG Posts: 403
    edited May 2010
    like i said,

    i am sure that the amp is capable of bringing good sound, i just do not know if i am using the avr as a pre in a correct manner.

    anybody familiar with the vsx23txh can help by stating how they are using theirs, is there a loud mode in this avr? etc.

    regards,
    ed
    HT:
    POLK AUDIO RTI4 FRONTS
    CSI3 CENTER
    DEF TECH PROMONITOR800 SURROUNDS
    PSW 125 SUB
    PIONEER ELITE AVR23TXH AVR
    APPLE TV 160GB
    PANASONIC BLURAY PLAYER
    50" PANASONIC PLASMA TCP50C2

    2 CHANNEL:
    KEF R300 THREE WAY BOOKSHELF GLOSS PIANO BLACK
    ROTEL RC 990BX PRE
    ROTEL RB 990BX AMP
    OPPO DV980 (AS CD PLAYER)
    PIONEER PL100 TURNTABLE WITH SHURE MX97E CART
    MIT EXP2 SPEAKER CABLES
  • Amherst
    Amherst Posts: 695
    edited May 2010
    EDUBAG wrote: »
    anybody familiar with the vsx23txh can help by stating how they are using theirs

    Pure Direct, no mcacc.
    Parasound C1, T3, HCA-3500, HCA-2205A, P/DD1550, Pioneer DV-79avi, Oppo BDP-83, WD Media Server W/HDD,
    Dynaudio Contour 3.3, Dynaudio Contour T2.1, Polk OWM3, Polk DSW micropro 1000 (x2),
    Pioneer Kuro 50" Plasma, Phillips Pronto Control w/Niles HT-MSU.