Newbie setup questions...

usathyan

Please help me setup my system:

1. The receiver manual says that i only need to connect the digital out from the DVD player to the recevier. Is this it? no need to connect the Left and right audio out? Just one single coax?

2. In the receiver, when i crank up the volume, the DB level keeps going down...shouldnt it increase when i increase the volume? Is 30dB high or low as compared to 40dB?

3. The sorrounds - although there seems to be some audio coming out of this, they are more subdued...can i increase the volume from the sorrounds?

4. Subwoofer - does adding a Y-cable improve performance? do i need it?

My System:
Front - R30
Sorrounds - R15
Center - CSi 20
Sub - Velodyne CHT10
Receiver - Pioneer D514K

I know this is a budget system, fits my budget and beats most HTIB hands down!

Willow

Welcome,

1- yes for DVD's this is all you need either a dig coax or toslink

2- yes most receivers will work this way the lower the dbls the more sound -louder it will be

3-you can calibrate with the receivers test tones so all speakers sound the same or you can buy a SPL from ratshack with a set up disk to have a better set up...but def. you can increase the sound of your rears...remmeber they are meant to be ambiant not in your face like the fronts

4-performace No....it will increase the output (loudness of the sub) you can buy one then turn your sub down or don't buy one and turn your sub up

as per your last line........read my sig about what Zero wrote me...

Frank Z

Welcome to the forum!
#1) 1 connection is all you need, you can use either a toslink (fiberoptic) or a digital coax. These cable will carry the digital signal from your player to the receiver for decoding. The L & R connections do not need to be connected.

#2) Most, if not all current receivers are setup this way. "0" is Reference Level. Reference level is basically the ideal playback level as defined by Dolby Labs. Click here for more info. As you increase the volume you will see the negative numbers decrease in value. Lets say your reference level is 75 decibels (db), as you start turning the volume up the level indicated will start at -75 and get smaller ast the volime increases (-70, -60, -55, etc.)

#3) Sure you can, but you should do it the right way to get the best performance from your system. You'll need to pick up a Sound Pressure Level Meter from Radio Shack and read through your receivers manual to find out how to set the surround channel output levels. Basically you are trying to get the same output (volume) from each speaker in your system. Click here to learn more about SPL Meters and calibration.

#4) A Y-cable added to your sub can get you a 3db gain and it's a real cheap upgrade. You don't have to have one, but as I said, it's a cheap upgrade.

Sami

To add to Franks response, you really need to calibrate your system for Dolby reference level in your room. That 0dB is the receivers reference point, not Dolby Reference Level. That 40dB you see is actually -40dB. If you go by 0dB you will start to see positive numbers.

Frank, by adding a second line in you're doubling the signal going to the sub. Can't you accomplish the same by adding 3dB to your channel output from the receiver? It doesn't add anything to the subs capability, just doubles the signal strength (which you will need to calibrate anyway).

usathyan

Thanks all! this is very encouraging...Glad that i chose good speakers...Its been a while since i heard good audio....listening to bose now sucks...

gregit

Welcome to clubpolk. Stick around and you'll be amazed at the things you'll learn here. I didn't even know about the things i didn't know. You'll find that most members here are eager and willing to help out.

btw: Listening to bose always sucked...it's just that now you realize it.