Help! RSP-1068 & DirecTV Sound Issues

[aaron]

I have tried everything I can think of but I can't figure this out.

I have a DirecTV Tivo (Hughes branded) box connected to the Optical 1 input on my RSP-1068. The sound quality through the preamp is horrible. I have the default sound mode as "pro logic II cinema". The sound is tinny; sorta like listening to an MP3 at a 64k bitrate or sound coming through a paper cup. I have had this setup for close to a year, but only recently have I been experiencing this issue.

I've tried everything I can think of and I can't resolve it.
*rebooted the DirecTV Tivo box
*tried a different cable
*I am running the latest firmware from Rotel
*Switched to Optical 2 (no change)

My DVD player sounds fine (hooked up via coaxial).

It is the only device I have that uses toslink so I can't try something else to rule out the preamp's optical inputs as the problem. At this point I am guessing something is wrong with the Directv box or transmission. Interestingly, if I switch from Pro Logic II Cinema to Music or to any of the DSP modes it still sounds horrid. But if I switch to DTS Neo Music it seems to go away.

Any ideas where to go from here? It's driving me crazy.

The preamp needs to go in for a defective flourescent display so maybe I can ask them to bench test the optical inputs while there.

TIA.

[Kevin D]

I know the Directivo's had an issue with the optical cutting out, but I've never heard your problem before. Since it needs to go in anyway I would just have them test it.

Kevin D.