Yet another "How to Wire" thread...

Mike Sedai

Hi Polk folk

Back with another couple of concerns, and you guys are the experts!

My system is almost complete, to the point I am ready to start setting it up and wiring it. Just not sure How I should wire everything through the new AVR.

Here are the compnents I have:

H/K AVR 630z
sony-dvp-nc685v DVD Changer
Sony Playstation II
Digital Cable DVR Box
Sony 27" Trintiron (With NO Component Video IN....boooooooo)
Various Polk Speakers.... (5.1)

So, yeah, my TV has issues, but I can't replace it anytime soon.

So, I guess my question is, how should I link all this stuff together wiring-wise to get the best results? Everything into my AVR and then out to TV/Speakers?

Should I just use the cable Coax for the video? Should I go S-video out from my DVD to my TV , as I have it set up now, with digtal co-ax from the DVD to the AVR for audio? I am somewhat confused at all my options...

Everything is component video capable except the parmin TV, so it is my limiting factor right now...

Thanks for the help folks!

bobman1235

I'd go component from everything to your receiver, and then just S-Video to the TV. I know my H/K 525 downconverts, so I assume the 630 does as well. That way when you get a better TV someday, you just need to change that one connection.

As for audio, whatever you can do digital, do.

Mike Sedai

Awesome, thanks Bob.

Will do! tis what I figured, but I wanted to make sure before I went out and dropped a ton on the component cables.

Mike Sedai

Ok... Got stuff hooked up last night, and...trouble.

Previously, I had just a Stereo receiver hooked up, with a sub wired through my fron floors using the polk method, for some extra bass. I got the new receiver, pulled the old one out, cleaned and dusted, and put the new receiver in. I didn't have much time (before 24 started), so I decided to hold off on setting up the full 5.1, as I haven't wired the rears yet.

Anyway, I just wanted to hear the new box, so I left the current wiring up and just exchanged the new for the old. I fire it up, pop a cd in, and the right channel has some oddness to it. There is dome distortion in the right channel that is especially apparent in quiet sections of the music/television track. I had marked the speaker wire carefully when I diud the change over, and I checked the wiring again after I got the thing up and rrunning just to make sure I hadn't inadvertantly hooked the right channel up in reverse.

At first I thought it might be configuration on the Harman Kardon itself, so I stepped through all the set up functions, assigned my speakers properly, and got it set for two channel Stereo. I can tell the thing sounds great, if the right channel would just clear up!!

So, is the sub causing problems? I plan on just cutting two lengths of wire and going straight in to my mains to see if I can get a clean signal, I just didn't have the time or the patience last night with my girlfriend going off about how we just wasted money on a **** receiver (it's under warranty, so we didn't, but, well you know;)) and she just wants to watch her show!

How have I bunggled this one up? I am sure it's human error somewhere, and I actually remember this problem cropping up Waaaaay back when I got the Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble system a number of years ago, and the right channel had this exact same issue. However, it hasn;t been there since I moved and set up my system again, so I had just chalked it up to a ground issue at the old apartment. I have a monster power center on the system, and the ground light is green, so I am pretty sure everything is grounded well. I am thinking this Ensemble sub just has issues, and it doesn't even have a jack to go into my pre-out on the new H/K.

I think my concern is whether or not the cause of the problem is the new H/K, meaning I would need to pack it back up and return it (booooo), or if it is some typical wiring snafu you folks have heard about dozens of times, that is an easy fix (yaaaay).

Any ideas?

bobman1235

You bought the H/K refurb right? I've heard a few people have issues with the refurbs. From what I hear H/K is good with warranty exchange.

Anothing thing maybe to try would be using the "B" outputs on the receiver. If that works it you could pretty much guarantee the problem is in the receiver itself.

Mike Sedai

Really... Even though I had the same issue with these speakers a few years ago? Hmmm, regardless, I will try the method you recommended to test the receiver. First I think I will just directly wire the two mains with new speaker wire to get the CSW sub out of the loop, as to me, since this same problems has happened with these speakers in the past, I have a feeling there is something up with the sub.

Now, when I was thinking of going through Harman Audio, many people said it was a good way to go to save money and get a decent receiver. So, this isn't the case? The used market is now not good? Should I just return this thing and forget about it?

I mean, I guess I could just blow this whole thing off, return the receiver, forget about setting up the HT and go back to my shabby Sony Stereo receiver, as the frustration levels are rising....

This stuff is a pain in the ****....

I guess I shouldn't have ordered a crappy refurbished receiver.... but people said they would be good...and I cannot, and will not be able to afford a new receiver of this quality....

Anyway, thanks for the help Bobman.

bobman1235

Not saying they're not good - they're definitely teh best deal you'll get for the money, IMO. You j ust get an occasional lemon. Considering it costs you nothing but time to get it exchanged I would say it's still a decent deal.

I missed when you said that this had happened with these speakers before, so your idea of taking the sub out of the loop seems valid, and tends to not point to the receiver as the problem. But it can't hurt.

Are you using a digital audio connection? If not, is it possible one of your RCAs is loose / bad?

Mike Sedai

Yes, I stepped everything up to digital Coax when I got the new receiver.

I just found abnother thread on here called "Distortion", where a fellow had the same problem, using the same sub wiring method. This guy actually had his receiver looked at two different times, and it came back as "just fine" both times. Unfortunately, he never posted any sort of resolution, so I don't know how it turned out for him.

Someone mentioned a crossover interference problem between the sub, it is and old CSW sub, which, come to think of it, doesn;t plug into the wall, so am am wondering just what is up with the old Emsemble III stuff.

Regardless, that thing is coming off as soon as I get home from work, and I am wiring my mains straight in. if it cleans up, I will get a real subwoofer with the correct interconnects.... Should have done that anyway, I guess...

mldennison

bobman1235 wrote:

Anothing thing maybe to try would be using the "B" outputs on the receiver. If that works it you could pretty much guarantee the problem is in the receiver itself.

yeah, that is a good idea, or you could just try flipping the L and R on the receiver, if the distortion shifts to the other channel, then your problem is in the sub.

i would not worry too much about your receiver. HK is definately a reputable company and if there is a problem and it is under warranty, they will fix it. it might take a little while :mad: but it will derfinately be worth it in the end!

Mike Sedai

mldennison wrote:

yeah, that is a good idea, or you could just try flipping the L and R on the receiver, if the distortion shifts to the other channel, then your problem is in the sub.

i would not worry too much about your receiver. HK is definately a reputable company and if there is a problem and it is under warranty, they will fix it. it might take a little while :mad: but it will derfinately be worth it in the end!

Love the smiley, as that is right what I would be feeling, right at that point in your sentence!

Yeah, that is the kicker with all this. The receiver is amazing in every other way, and, even with the distortion, is sounding great. The more I research this, the more I see that hooking my old shabby sub up to my system was just a bad idea.

Off it comes.

I think I will have time to rewire my speakers at lunch, and I will report on the issue after a few tests....

Mike Sedai

Did the different tests at lunch, also tried a different set of speakers.

Same results. Sending the receiver back, never to buy a refurbished item ever again....

I should have known.