Dolby PL IIx in 2ch and fiber

[nopat]

My setup: 1068 used as a 2-ch processor and a cheap-o Sony 5-disc changer through fiber in PCM 2CH mode. No other speakers besides L+R and sub at the moment.

Has anyone ran their 2-channel in this mode (PL IIx Music)? Just curious your experiences. Seems like the soundstage widens, but I can't tell if you're just getting the reverb from the rears through the L+R.

Also, what's the word on the DACs in the Sony units? I would assume that the Rotel DACs are far superior, considering the price difference between a (new) $2K preamp and a $200 cd changer. Then again, I could be wrong. I usually am, and would probably find out for myself if room logistics didn't make this less than convenient. That, and I have some HDCD discs that this player can't process.

Thanks.

[Kevin D]

You have to setup up your PLII settings to get the best results. Go into the input setup, change default sound to PLIIx, then go to advanced.

Center-width changes how much center is used, panorama sets whether the rears are used or not, and depth adjusts the front to rear bias.

Kevin D.

[nopat]

You have to setup up your PLII settings to get the best results. Go into the input setup, change default sound to PLIIx, then go to advanced.

Center-width changes how much center is used, panorama sets whether the rears are used or not, and depth adjusts the front to rear bias.

Kevin D.

Except I don't have any of those speakers, only L+R. Is data still being sent, or does the programming default to the speakers currently present. For the record, I only have l,r, and sub setup with the rest of the speakers set at "none."

[Nolan B]

You have to setup up your PLII settings to get the best results. Go into the input setup, change default sound to PLIIx, then go to advanced.

Center-width changes how much center is used, panorama sets whether the rears are used or not, and depth adjusts the front to rear bias.

Kevin D.

this is good info. Do you just adjust to ear or is there a way to properly calibrate it?

[Kevin D]

Except I don't have any of those speakers, only L+R. Is data still being sent, or does the programming default to the speakers currently present. For the record, I only have l,r, and sub setup with the rest of the speakers set at "none."

Ah, missed that part. It is still being processed, but then gets mixed back into the fronts and sub. I would not run it (or any other digital surround) until you have more speakers. The processor in the 1068 era series can get bogged down when taxed with too much to do. Basically it processes the sound, divides it into 7.1 channels, applies bass management, then combines unused channels back into the used channels.

It's been my experience that a 4 channel system with a sub will experience a dramatic decrease in dynamics and sound quality (especially in DTS). I doubt that going to a 2.1 channel setup would be better. A 4 channel system with no sub sounds good, a 5.1 or 6.1 channel setup (with no front center) sounds fine, but if you kill the center rears and center it's just too much extra processing for it to keep up.

So I would stick with just running everything in stereo until you can get a center and rears.

Kevin D.

[Kevin D]

this is good info. Do you just adjust to ear or is there a way to properly calibrate it?

Personal preference. Panorama is a definite yes, and I usually spread the width out a hair and kick the depth up +1.

Kevin D.