Center sounds, well, awful...

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erinrobb
erinrobb Posts: 16
edited November 2002 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
First of all, I need to say the *speaker* sounds fantastic. Through the process of elimination, I found out the CS175i I bought from our forum's own Frank Z sounds great.

It seems to be, not the speaker, not the wires, but the center channel out itself which sounds tinny and distorted (it makes my other Polks sound bad when hooked up to it, too). My question is, is it necessarily the receiver? Or, and here's what I'm thinking, do I need to get something other than a regular RCA cable for the digital connection between the DVD and the receiver?

Am I being obtuse?
Post edited by erinrobb on
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  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited November 2002
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    Try the TOSLink from your DVD to the receiver... that will make for an interesting comparison and NO your not being obtuse.

    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
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  • erinrobb
    erinrobb Posts: 16
    edited November 2002
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    I think I got the answer from another discussion....

    I actually need a digital coaxial cable, not just a good RCA cable, for the DVD-receiver connection.

    Sound right? Send me off to the store?
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  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited November 2002
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    That would be correct. Buy a TOSLink also and do a comparison...

    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
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  • NDTA
    NDTA Posts: 83
    edited November 2002
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    I can't believe you used the regular RCA cable for the coax digital connection (it will work but the result is crab), get yourself a good decent AR or MC coax cable, and if your DVD player and receiver has the optical connection, you may want to try it as well, less the 6 ft, use coax, more than 5ft, use optical. Remember, when you open the box on your new DVD player, all cable comes with it are garbage, get rig of them.
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  • erinrobb
    erinrobb Posts: 16
    edited November 2002
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    Well, 3 feet of digital coax later, as well as tried with optical, and that's not the problem.

    Anyone have any thoughts, other than "your center channel amp is fried?"
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  • Frank Z
    Frank Z Posts: 5,860
    edited November 2002
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    Does the center output sound bad with just DVD/CD's or does it sound bad with any source (VCR,RADIO,TV)?
    9/11 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! (<---<<click)
    2005-06 Club Polk Football Pool Champion!! :D
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  • erinrobb
    erinrobb Posts: 16
    edited November 2002
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    Hi Frank,

    Just as bad with every other source. Weak and distorted-sounding.
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  • Frank Z
    Frank Z Posts: 5,860
    edited November 2002
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    Do you have the ability to return the receiver to the factory preset condition? I hate to say it but sounds like the receiver may be the problem. What are you using?
    9/11 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! (<---<<click)
    2005-06 Club Polk Football Pool Champion!! :D
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  • erinrobb
    erinrobb Posts: 16
    edited November 2002
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    Floor model JVC... ugh. I knew it was too good to be true. It drove everything else so well, too, and I got away cheap, which is good for me right now.

    Ah, well, who needs a car? :)
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  • Frank Z
    Frank Z Posts: 5,860
    edited November 2002
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    Ah, well, who needs a car?

    I hate to say this but I think you do...at least for one trip to the A/V store to check on an exchange. (Just Kidding)

    Any chance that it is still under warranty?
    9/11 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! (<---<<click)
    2005-06 Club Polk Football Pool Champion!! :D
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  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited November 2002
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    If your jvc has preamp outs then try crossconnecting 1 of the main left or right speakers with the center and see if the problem persists.

    Just trying to help you prove your case with the store...

    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
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