Receiver being "bright"

FittyFieFo
FittyFieFo Posts: 482
edited August 2009 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hey Guys,

Need your opinions/guesses/facts.

As most of you know, the Yamaha Receivers seem to make the RTI's sound "bright." I have the Yamaha HTR 5890, and I recently just bought an optical cable (Wow...right?) When playing a movie, whenever the action/explosion scenes came on, it was very loud and it kinda hurt my ears.

Now, I worked with Freddy a.k.a. kawizx9r yesterday night to fix some settings on the receiver. Haven't tried it out, but I want to see if the "brightness" will go away.

I just bought an XPA-5 and waiting to hook it up. (Waiting on my Signal Cable Interconnects). Will the XPA-5 get rid of the brightness since all my speakers will be hooked up on there instead of being hooked up to the Yamaha?

If the answer is no, I will most likely look for an equal quality of my Yamaha and switch to a Denon or Pioneer (no HDMI inputs). And I know most people will say "Wait until you hook up your amp and let your ears be the judge," but I'm wanted to see if people know this as a fact or not.

As always, thanks!

Scott

PS: Freddy is a great helper!
Samsung LN52A850 (52" 1080P LCD TV) | RTi A9's (Fronts) | Csi A6(Center) | FXi A6 (Rear Surrounds) | SVS PB12-NSD (Sub) | Oppo BDP-103 | Panamax M5300-PM

Pre-Amp: Marantz AV7005 | Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 | Speaker wires: Signal Cables | Interconnects: Signal Cables
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited August 2009
    I am no pro regarding this scenario, but my guess would be that it would sound much different, because the Emo will be powering the speakers and not the Yammy. I'm sure the real experts will have better/more conclusive advice. My suggestion would be, like you didn't want to hear, is to wait and see what the Emo does, lol.

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
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    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
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    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited August 2009
    Lol, thats what we both came to the conclusion about. The emo should reproduce its own distinct sound in terms of the yammie being bright, so maybe that'll be hashed out. As far as the loudness level while watching a movie in surround I skimmed through the manual and thought it might be the Dynamic setting that was probably the culprit. It was initially set on MAX, and Scott went ahead and put it to Standard but we'll have to wait until later to see if that fixes the issue. I'm no yamaha-owner so maybe others know of an actual feature/setting that could fix this if I'm wrong? Btw his source is a PS3, thought I'd toss that in too ;)
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    heiney9 wrote: »
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,056
    edited August 2009
    Now you are saying during explosive scenes it was "loud and hurt your ears". Just trying to understand.... was it loud or were the highs too much in your face?
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  • FittyFieFo
    FittyFieFo Posts: 482
    edited August 2009
    Willow wrote: »
    Now you are saying during explosive scenes it was "loud and hurt your ears". Just trying to understand.... was it loud or were the highs too much in your face?

    I think the highs were too much in my face. I'll do more playing around when I get home from work.
    Samsung LN52A850 (52" 1080P LCD TV) | RTi A9's (Fronts) | Csi A6(Center) | FXi A6 (Rear Surrounds) | SVS PB12-NSD (Sub) | Oppo BDP-103 | Panamax M5300-PM

    Pre-Amp: Marantz AV7005 | Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 | Speaker wires: Signal Cables | Interconnects: Signal Cables
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited August 2009
    It will depend on how transparent is the EMO; the Yamaha will still do all the audio processing, so there should not be any change in the "tone" of sound (Assuming the EMO doesn't provide its own "coloring").
    _________________________________________________
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  • FittyFieFo
    FittyFieFo Posts: 482
    edited August 2009
    Lasareath wrote: »
    May be time to read this:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54463&

    As much as I would love to try that Acoustic Panels out, I don't think it is necessary. Thanks for your advice though. Those Acoustic Panels seems to be doing wonders for you?
    Samsung LN52A850 (52" 1080P LCD TV) | RTi A9's (Fronts) | Csi A6(Center) | FXi A6 (Rear Surrounds) | SVS PB12-NSD (Sub) | Oppo BDP-103 | Panamax M5300-PM

    Pre-Amp: Marantz AV7005 | Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 | Speaker wires: Signal Cables | Interconnects: Signal Cables
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited August 2009
    Panels will fix room issues, but if your system is bright, unless you hang some socks in front of the tweeters, it will continue being bright.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • FittyFieFo
    FittyFieFo Posts: 482
    edited August 2009
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Panels will fix room issues, but if your system is bright, unless you hang some socks in front of the tweeters, it will continue being bright.

    In terms of being on a budget, wouldn't it be better off selling off my Yamaha and getting a similar receiver other than Yamaha? (specs wise)

    I still have to hook my XPA-5, so I'll have to wait and see.
    Samsung LN52A850 (52" 1080P LCD TV) | RTi A9's (Fronts) | Csi A6(Center) | FXi A6 (Rear Surrounds) | SVS PB12-NSD (Sub) | Oppo BDP-103 | Panamax M5300-PM

    Pre-Amp: Marantz AV7005 | Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 | Speaker wires: Signal Cables | Interconnects: Signal Cables
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited August 2009
    Ricardo wrote: »
    It will depend on how transparent is the EMO; the Yamaha will still do all the audio processing, so there should not be any change in the "tone" of sound (Assuming the EMO doesn't provide its own "coloring").

    That's what I was afraid of. I figured either 1. It will create its own sound or 2. Do the complete opposite of 1 by keeping its signal and sending it on down to the emo and out to the speakers.
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,056
    edited August 2009
    You could simply turn down the treble on the receiver. I had a yammie with my rti8 for a bit, yes I found it bright but not as you are describing.
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  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited August 2009
    I have a Yammy V665 as a pre\pro into a Emotiva XPA-5 powering LSI-15's, I don't find it overly bright, but that could be the laid back nature of the LSI's. That being said the Emmo has a very dynamic, up front sound, compared to the mellow sound of my Sunfire.

    I do agree with Sal (Lasareath) that the room acoustics may help you tame the brightness......My room is very large with wood floors and heavy throw rugs with over-stuffed furniture and I still feel I'm getting just a tad too much reflection. I'll take care of that (if the wife allows) when we change the draperies.

    As far as the dynamic setting on the Yammy, I think kawizx9r is correct, I've found it sounds best with the setting set to standard, Max in my room sounded harsh...

    Jimmy
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  • FittyFieFo
    FittyFieFo Posts: 482
    edited August 2009
    Willow wrote: »
    You could simply turn down the treble on the receiver. I had a yammie with my rti8 for a bit, yes I found it bright but not as you are describing.

    Thanks, I'll try that if nothing else seems to work. Although, the movie I was watching was Final Destination 2 (First movie I grabbed). When all the explosions were happening, it became very loud.
    Samsung LN52A850 (52" 1080P LCD TV) | RTi A9's (Fronts) | Csi A6(Center) | FXi A6 (Rear Surrounds) | SVS PB12-NSD (Sub) | Oppo BDP-103 | Panamax M5300-PM

    Pre-Amp: Marantz AV7005 | Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 | Speaker wires: Signal Cables | Interconnects: Signal Cables
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  • FittyFieFo
    FittyFieFo Posts: 482
    edited August 2009
    jimmydep wrote: »
    As far as the dynamic setting on the Yammy, I think kawizx9r is correct, I've found it sounds best with the setting set to standard, Max in my room sounded harsh...

    Jimmy

    Sweet, that's good to hear. I guess I have to wait 9 hours to test it out :(
    Samsung LN52A850 (52" 1080P LCD TV) | RTi A9's (Fronts) | Csi A6(Center) | FXi A6 (Rear Surrounds) | SVS PB12-NSD (Sub) | Oppo BDP-103 | Panamax M5300-PM

    Pre-Amp: Marantz AV7005 | Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 | Speaker wires: Signal Cables | Interconnects: Signal Cables
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited August 2009
    HK receivers are warm in comparison.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • FittyFieFo
    FittyFieFo Posts: 482
    edited August 2009
    Face wrote: »
    HK receivers are warm in comparison.

    I'll be looking at HK or Denon's if my Yamaha seems too bright.
    Samsung LN52A850 (52" 1080P LCD TV) | RTi A9's (Fronts) | Csi A6(Center) | FXi A6 (Rear Surrounds) | SVS PB12-NSD (Sub) | Oppo BDP-103 | Panamax M5300-PM

    Pre-Amp: Marantz AV7005 | Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 | Speaker wires: Signal Cables | Interconnects: Signal Cables
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited August 2009
    NADs are known to be warmer.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited August 2009
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    NADs are known to be warmer.

    Varies, depending on what you are doing...
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • FittyFieFo
    FittyFieFo Posts: 482
    edited August 2009
    How about Denon's? I heard they are really nice.
    Samsung LN52A850 (52" 1080P LCD TV) | RTi A9's (Fronts) | Csi A6(Center) | FXi A6 (Rear Surrounds) | SVS PB12-NSD (Sub) | Oppo BDP-103 | Panamax M5300-PM

    Pre-Amp: Marantz AV7005 | Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 | Speaker wires: Signal Cables | Interconnects: Signal Cables
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,056
    edited August 2009
    Face wrote: »
    HK receivers are warm in comparison.

    I agree. I found a major difference between my old yammie and my current HK
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  • jacob.simpson
    jacob.simpson Posts: 481
    edited August 2009
    There is a nice price on Denon on Amazon right now for AVR 2809 /989 (saw here in audio deals post.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited August 2009
    FittyFieFo wrote: »
    How about Denon's? I heard they are really nice.

    I use a Denon with an Adcom and that combo sounds fairly neutral to warm. The highs are clear and defined, the lows are controlled and have authority and the mids are a bit more refined. Overall reasonable for an AVR pre-amp.

    The set-up does 'retain' much of the Denon sound but takes it to ANOTHER level...that is better than the AVR itself!

    You could do better with a dedicated pre, but if you want to run HT...Denons are not bad as a pre/pro.

    I have the AVR 2807 which sounds very much like the 3800 series as a pre/pro.

    The Adcom adds the ooomph and dynamism that Mantis finds wanting in more recent Denon AVRS.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • FittyFieFo
    FittyFieFo Posts: 482
    edited August 2009
    jacob.simpson wrote: »
    There is a nice price on Denon on Amazon right now for AVR 2809 /989 (saw here in audio deals post.

    That's...lol..outside of my budget for sure. I'm not really looking into HDMI right now. Waiting it out for them to perfect it.

    I heard a lot of upscaling bugs in the HDMI receivers.
    Samsung LN52A850 (52" 1080P LCD TV) | RTi A9's (Fronts) | Csi A6(Center) | FXi A6 (Rear Surrounds) | SVS PB12-NSD (Sub) | Oppo BDP-103 | Panamax M5300-PM

    Pre-Amp: Marantz AV7005 | Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 | Speaker wires: Signal Cables | Interconnects: Signal Cables
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited August 2009
    FittyFieFo wrote: »
    That's...lol..outside of my budget for sure. I'm not really looking into HDMI right now. Waiting it out for them to perfect it.

    I heard a lot of upscaling bugs in the HDMI receivers.

    HDMIs are pretty much de-bugged at this point!

    If you're thinking about Denon check out their site...there is a link there for B-stock (refurbs) that carry a one year warranty.

    You could get my model for less than 550 and others for less. The lower model carried pre-outs until my year (887/2307).

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • FittyFieFo
    FittyFieFo Posts: 482
    edited August 2009
    cnh wrote: »
    I use a Denon with an Adcom and that combo sounds fairly neutral to warm. The highs are clear and defined, the lows are controlled and have authority and the mids are a bit more refined. Overall reasonable for an AVR pre-amp.

    The set-up does 'retain' much of the Denon sound but takes it to ANOTHER level...that is better than the AVR itself!

    You could do better with a dedicated pre, but if you want to run HT...Denons are not bad as a pre/pro.

    I have the AVR 2807 which sounds very much like the 3800 series as a pre/pro.

    The Adcom adds the ooomph and dynamism that Mantis finds wanting in more recent Denon AVRS.

    cnh

    http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=Denon+AVR+2807&_sacat=See-All-Categories

    One guy is selling it for $315. Is this the one you have?
    Samsung LN52A850 (52" 1080P LCD TV) | RTi A9's (Fronts) | Csi A6(Center) | FXi A6 (Rear Surrounds) | SVS PB12-NSD (Sub) | Oppo BDP-103 | Panamax M5300-PM

    Pre-Amp: Marantz AV7005 | Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 | Speaker wires: Signal Cables | Interconnects: Signal Cables
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  • jacob.simpson
    jacob.simpson Posts: 481
    edited August 2009
    FittyFieFo wrote: »
    http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=Denon+AVR+2807&_sacat=See-All-Categories

    One guy is selling it for $315. Is this the one you have?
    seems like a decent deal.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited August 2009
    That's it! Only has 2 HDMI v.1.1. and one out. But has everything else you need.

    Will also pass HDMI signals untouched to 1080p to your TV and allow Multi-channel PCM decoded by a Blu-ray HD to pass to the Denon so you can have Tru-Hd sound--over HDMI if your Blu-ray has this ability...like my PS3.

    This unit has also been pretty bullet proof for me....mine is Japanese made.

    Weight of unit is actually 14 kilograms or almost 31 lbs. not 13.5.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • FittyFieFo
    FittyFieFo Posts: 482
    edited August 2009
    I've been looking at Denon 2807, 2809. Not sure if I want to purchase it just yet, but I tempted, but then again, I'm not giving my Yammy a chance :(. Any thoughts? I heard Denon's are reliable as well.
    Samsung LN52A850 (52" 1080P LCD TV) | RTi A9's (Fronts) | Csi A6(Center) | FXi A6 (Rear Surrounds) | SVS PB12-NSD (Sub) | Oppo BDP-103 | Panamax M5300-PM

    Pre-Amp: Marantz AV7005 | Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 | Speaker wires: Signal Cables | Interconnects: Signal Cables
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  • FittyFieFo
    FittyFieFo Posts: 482
    edited August 2009
    cnh wrote: »
    That's it! Only has 2 HDMI v.1.1. and one out. But has everything else you need.

    Will also pass HDMI signals untouched to 1080p to your TV and allow Multi-channel PCM decoded by a Blu-ray HD to pass to the Denon so you can have Tru-Hd sound--over HDMI if your Blu-ray has this ability...like my PS3.

    This unit has also been pretty bullet proof for me....mine is Japanese made.

    cnh


    I read on some of the HDMI versions (1.1, 1.2 1.3a). I think all my equipment uses 1.3a. Will I be able to use this receiver for all my uses? (I do have a PS3 as well :))
    Samsung LN52A850 (52" 1080P LCD TV) | RTi A9's (Fronts) | Csi A6(Center) | FXi A6 (Rear Surrounds) | SVS PB12-NSD (Sub) | Oppo BDP-103 | Panamax M5300-PM

    Pre-Amp: Marantz AV7005 | Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 | Speaker wires: Signal Cables | Interconnects: Signal Cables
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited August 2009
    As far as Denon's being reliable, I'll have to say that in all my years of experience with them, yes they are very reliable! :D
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited August 2009
    FittyFieFo wrote: »
    I read on some of the HDMI versions (1.1, 1.2 1.3a). I think all my equipment uses 1.3a. Will I be able to use this receiver for all my uses? (I do have a PS3 as well :))

    All of those are 'backward' compatible. I have no problem with my PS3 hooked to the Denon! The real problem is the lack of extra HDMI inputs. 1.3 allows you to bitstream true HD sound formats...but so far, video can be handled pass through by 1.1 at 1080p no problem. And the Denon can't decode HD sound formats by itself so you need a BDP that can do that.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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