BM and the Denon 2900

[Jeff Hartford]

Sorry- Did not mean for this to be a new post. Meant to add it to the existing Denon BM thread.

Heard from Tim Wyatt at Rotel- my RSP-985 has no bass management ability and I will have to rely solely on the Denon 2900. Does this mean I am screwed with the bass drop out issue if I cannot boost it with the processor? Is it only with the sub channel? I am not running a sub, just biamping my front speakers. Any ideas?

Jeff

[Bill Blank]

The solution Denon has come up with for users who's processor does not allow a +10dB boost of the LFE channel is this:

Set the Denon 2900's levels for all 5 channels to -10dB and leave the SUB channel level at 0. This should compensate for the apparent 10dB difference.

I DO have the ability to boost the sub's channel by as much as 10dB but found that much gain to make the bass sound VERY boomy and sloppy. Use your ears in the end, the 2900's always returnable for 30 days if you're not happy.

Bill




Rotel RSP-1066
Rotel RMB-1075
Rega Planet 2000
Denon DVD-2900
Mitsubishi WS-55411
Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v3
Paradigm Reference Studio CC-470 v3
Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v3
Velodyne CT-120

[Jeff Hartford]

Bill-

As I mentioned, I do not use a sub. Will this be more or less of a problem? Do I need to set the sub channel at all if it will not be used.

Jeff

[Bill Blank]

If you're not using a sub the only bass you might miss out on is anything the producer/engineer mixed discretely to the ".1" channel.

I haven't delved into the manual for this situation but it's quite possible that if your speakers are set to LARGE in the player, SUB to NO that it might redirect that ".1" channel's info to any speakers you have set to LARGE. The Denon's also got a "FILTER" setting on it that may play a factor in redirecting the SUB channel's info to LARGE speakers.

I'm at work now but I'll try to remember to check the manual when I get home. In the meantime perhaps someone else here could help out.

Bill




Rotel RSP-1066
Rotel RMB-1075
Rega Planet 2000
Denon DVD-2900
Mitsubishi WS-55411
Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v3
Paradigm Reference Studio CC-470 v3
Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v3
Velodyne CT-120

[Jeff Hartford]

Bill-

Thanks for the thoughfulness. I either figure because I don't run a sub, just biamp my VT2.4's I'll either have no problem, or be totally screwed. I hoping for the first option. It would make sense to redirect anything to the fronts if there is no sub. I was a bit concerned when reading the Denon tech sheet on the "special filter" where you toggle "off" if you have no "analog external subwoofer" control and it boosts the signal 5db or 15db(SACD) but automatically sets the all the speakers to large and subwoofer yes. As I mentioned I want to set my VS2.4 center and surrounds to small. Again, without a subwoofer, will this be an issue?

I would really like to use the Denon as I can only accomodate one DVD-A/SACD/5.1 source and it has to run through the 25DB connector on my pre/pro. Just had cables made for this (6RCA to 25DB). I understand this is a pure anolog channel with no D/A conversion. I have sent Denon and email but I suspect they are getting so sick of questions on the 2900 they may not get back to me in this lifetime.

Again, appreciate your thoughts and welcome any other Rotel/Denon guru to add there expertise.

Jeff

[Lex]

Jeff, this is really a question for audio, not Club Rotel, since really, the Rotel has little to do with this situation. I suggest reposting in the Home Theater section, as you may get other Denon folks to chime in.

Lex

[Jeff Hartford]

Lex-
Will gladly take it there but there had been so much discussion about this DVD unit and bass management issues with other Rotel processors (1066, etc.)it seemed reasonable to bring this up here. On a brighter note, finally plugged in the cables you made up from me, along with a slightly better CD player and what a difference!!! So much more detail and depth in the sound. I sing your cables praises Lex. Will need you to make me some component videos as soon as I can resolve the DVD question.

Jeff