Question about Carver Amp and Integra Receiver

chonk
chonk Posts: 20
edited April 2013 in Electronics
Hello,
I ended up buying a Carver TFM-45 to power my Polk LsiM705s and hooked it up to my Integra receiver (DTR 6.8). However, I still have to crank up the volume on the receiver to hear it a decent level (not even close to ear bleeding volume).

The receiver goes from -81db and I'm at -15. Is this right? Do I need to adjust a setting on the receiver?

This is my first time ever using an external amp so I am very new to this all. Thank you in advance for your replies.
Post edited by chonk on
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited April 2013
    Dont know your AVR but what is the channel level settings for mains on AVR ?
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited April 2013
    No idea but someone will ask anyways..

    How do you have the receiver and amp hooked up? Pre-Outs or line outs on the receiver? Is there settings on the back of the amp that your using?
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
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  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited April 2013
    I can see from pics that theres a button near the left side that says "Push in for mono Bridged" Is that pushed in? You don't want that active if your using 2 channels (2 speakers).

    Unplug the amp before messing with that button though.
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited April 2013
    I'm sure it is a setting issue within the receiver.
    Jake
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  • chonk
    chonk Posts: 20
    edited April 2013
    eclypse wrote: »
    No idea but someone will ask anyways..

    How do you have the receiver and amp hooked up? Pre-Outs or line outs on the receiver? Is there settings on the back of the amp that your using?

    I am using Pre-Outs. On the back of the amp the MONO button is turned off.
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  • chonk
    chonk Posts: 20
    edited April 2013
    eclypse wrote: »
    I can see from pics that theres a button near the left side that says "Push in for mono Bridged" Is that pushed in? You don't want that active if your using 2 channels (2 speakers).

    Unplug the amp before messing with that button though.

    It is pushed out (off).
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  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited April 2013
    Ok well as long as you have the speaker wire removed from the same channels on the receiver end and you have the mode on stereo it should be pumping loud. Just don't keep it cranked on the receiver while you mess with the settings cause when you get it straightened out its gona blast you with serious volume! haha.
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
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  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited April 2013
    Are you hooking the amp up to the Front Left and Right out or using the Zone 2 outs?
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chonk
    chonk Posts: 20
    edited April 2013
    eclypse wrote: »
    Are you hooking the amp up to the Front Left and Right out or using the Zone 2 outs?

    I am using the L & R on the pre-outs.
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  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited April 2013
    I looked in your manual and it said something about having to set what controls the volume if your using zone 2 nothing really about what settings to make using just pre-outs. Only other thing I seen was settings to make for using bi-amping but your not doing that.

    Only other thing was in the beginning they mention that theres no digital to analog transfer on this receiver.. meaning if you have HDMI in it will not convert that and send sound out the analog channels. No idea if that's related or not?

    Have you tried just playing different sources like the Radio atleast?
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited April 2013
    thsmith wrote: »
    Dont know your AVR but what is the channel level settings for mains on AVR ?

    If your channel levels are say -16db you will get the result you described.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • chonk
    chonk Posts: 20
    edited April 2013
    thsmith wrote: »
    If your channel levels are say -16db you will get the result you described.

    My channel level settings are at 0db.
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  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited April 2013
    Heres another stupid question.. Do you have the receiver set to the right ohms for the speakers if that matters since he's using a sep amp and is the amp rated for the ohms of the speakers? Meaning the amp will work with 8ohm speakers and your speakers are 8 ohms?

    No idea of the speakers your using.
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited April 2013
    Oh and the speakers are set to large or small on the receiver? Crossover settings?

    No idea as its been years since I've ran a separate amp for my fronts and then I was just playing around with it.
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chonk
    chonk Posts: 20
    edited April 2013
    Well, this is interesting (maybe it is). My receiver says +7db but the needles on the amp are reading the db for each channel is between -40 and -30.
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  • chonk
    chonk Posts: 20
    edited April 2013
    No its not a stupid question.

    Yes, I am using 8ohm speakers and the receiver is set to the correct ohms.
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  • teekay0007
    teekay0007 Posts: 2,289
    edited April 2013
    eclypse wrote: »
    Heres another stupid question.. Do you have the receiver set to the right ohms for the speakers if that matters since he's using a sep amp and is the amp rated for the ohms of the speakers? Meaning the amp will work with 8ohm speakers and your speakers are 8 ohms?

    No idea of the speakers your using.

    He's using the LSiM705s...you know, the same ones you're getting delivered today!?! :redface: :razz:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?147600-HELP!-Going-to-order-something-tomorrow..-either-Old-LSi-or-New-LSIM..-cant-decide!&p=1909705#post1909705
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  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited April 2013
    **** man.. someone help this guy to bring those babies to life!

    Still waiting and freakin out. FedEx states that its coming today but tracking shows its just sitting there at a warehouse since 5:33am this morning.

    Its like don't come right now while my family is out shopping and stuff!
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,451
    edited April 2013
    I think your worried that the numbers do not match up Correct?

    Those numbers are for the power section of the AVR disregard them I have a Denon 3805 that I'm running a TFM25 through I routinely have it at +25 or more by the numbers in the receiver it means nothing just keep an eye on the meters and don't worry about what your receiver says.
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  • chonk
    chonk Posts: 20
    edited April 2013
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    I think your worried that the numbers do not match up Correct?

    Those numbers are for the power section of the AVR disregard them I have a Denon 3805 that I'm running a TFM25 through I routinely have it at +25 or more by the numbers in the receiver it means nothing just keep an eye on the meters and don't worry about what your receiver says.

    Ok, Thank you.

    I changed out the cables that were connecting the amp and the receiver and that made a difference.
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  • chonk
    chonk Posts: 20
    edited April 2013
    eclypse wrote: »
    **** man.. someone help this guy to bring those babies to life!

    Still waiting and freakin out. FedEx states that its coming today but tracking shows its just sitting there at a warehouse since 5:33am this morning.

    Its like don't come right now while my family is out shopping and stuff!

    You are getting the 705s? You are going to love them. I have them in the Cherry finish. Not only do they look gorgeous they sound fantastic.

    Thank you for your help. I think by changing out the RCA cables it did the trick.
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  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited April 2013
    Glad you may of got'r fixed!

    Yeah I got just a single 705 coming today along with a pair of 703s and a 706c. I know! Like what the hell i'm I gona do with a single 705? haha.. I guess stare at it while I have the 703s running the fronts for the mean time. The other 705 is shipping out right now.

    I got the Midnight Mahogany for all. I loved both finishes but the wife said the darker one.
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited April 2013
    :) No problem.. I had nothing better to do while I wait for FedEx. hehe. I'm gona be getting some amp eventually and i'll need to know what to look out for when the FUN time begins. :)

    Crank them babies out as i'm sure there loving the wattage now ;)
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,451
    edited April 2013
    chonk wrote: »
    Ok, Thank you.

    I changed out the cables that were connecting the amp and the receiver and that made a difference.

    That may very well be and I do not doubt that but wires well never get the numbers to match like if you were just using the amp section in the receiver.
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  • chonk
    chonk Posts: 20
    edited April 2013
    That's awesome. I really liked how the Lsi15's sounded but pushing 4ohms seemed a bit crazy to me. Also, me and my husband think these look a lot better than the 15s.

    Do you recommend any certain type of cable to connect the amp and the receiver?
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  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited April 2013
    http://www.amazon.com/Emotiva-XRCA-Meter-RCA-Interconnect/dp/B008O37FJO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1366310968&sr=1-1&keywords=Emotiva+XRCA

    Some will also say premium RCA cables from monoprice will do fine as well.. me i'd go with the above! :)
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited April 2013
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021814&p_id=2869&seq=1&format=2

    http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021814&p_id=5346&seq=1&format=2

    Pretty damn cheap!
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,451
    edited April 2013
    buy better cables than either one posted. You have top grade speakers so do not skimp. Better inexpensive cables can be found at Blue Jeans cable or signal cable and we get a small discount at signal cable just tell Frank you belong to club Polk.

    well both of those work yes
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  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited April 2013
    Freakin pouring out like something else and of course no speakers yet! 3:32pm and I have no idea if there coming today or not.
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • teekay0007
    teekay0007 Posts: 2,289
    edited April 2013
    eclypse wrote: »
    Freakin pouring out like something else and of course no speakers yet! 3:32pm and I have no idea if there coming today or not.

    Whenever I've got something comin' from FedEx, it says, "On truck for delivery" (or similar) on their website when I've entered the tracking #. So, if for your order, it's saying, "At the warehouse", then you probably aren't getting them today, unless they've changed the status when tracked.
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