RSP-1068 set up suggestions???

[whoaru99]

Picked up a 1068 over the weekend to replace my old Yamaha C80 pre-amp and Sony SDP-E800 processor (DD only).

I've set up the 1068 and ran through the settings fairly quickly, but at the same time I think fairly completely. My initial impressions are that the surround setup is pretty good - i.e. generally the surround sound is smoother and more enveloping with the 1068 than with the Sony processor.

However... when I go to the 2-ch stereo bypass, the overall sound seems pure, but does not seem to have the fullness/richness in the lower and mid-bass that I had before.

Is it more likely that there is a setting I've missed or the difference in the equipment? As of right now, I'm not sure I'll keep the 1068 because of it.

Perhaps I'm answering my own question, but in the 2-ch bypass mode, there aren't really any settings to be made, are there?

I don't think it's a tone control issue from old to new because I always ran the Yammie pre-amp in tone bypass and had a bypass around the Sony processer for 2-ch listening and for 1068 there appear to be no adjustments for 2-ch bypass.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks!

[aud19]

Actually chances are you've been listening to overly bloated midrange from the other equipment and your ears are used to the "wrong" information...

Rotel gear is much more neutral than average, mainstream consumer gear and will give you all of the musical info you're supposed to get and not much more. However lesser gear tends to over emphasize certain frequencies (especially mid-bass) to boost perceived performance at the cost of accuracy. Of course years of listening to gear that does this makes the brain think that's what it's supposed to hear. Give it a few weeks and try to listen to lot's of music you may be surprised how you start to realize how much better the accurate music is even though it sounds wrong now.

Another problem you may be having is good integration between your sub and mains (if you're using a sub for 2-chanel listening). If not depending on your mains, perhaps you should? Or at least experiment...

Jason

[whoaru99]

One thing I forgot to mention is that the Yamaha has a variable loudness contour. You can vary the degree of loudness compensation in a continual manner just as you can vary the volume control, in fact, the loudness adjustment and the volume are two concentric knobs, loudness contour on the outside ring and volume in the center.

The loudness contour adjustment on the Yamaha has a "Flat" setting, would this be the correct adjustment for comparison between the two pre-amps?

I do understand the freq response is not necessarily indicitative of audio tone, but the Yamaha spec is 20 - 20000 +0, -0.2 dB, if that means anything as to how the lows and mids might sound. I also always left the 15 Hz subsonic filter engaged.

Did not typically use the sub with my front speakers for 2-ch, they're Def Tech BP-30's. They don't have subs built in like the newer models, but generally seem to do a decent job with the low end.

[Aussie Geoff]

Whoareu99,

The loudness contour adjustment on the Yamaha has a "Flat" setting, would this be the correct adjustment for comparison between the two pre-amps?

Absolutely. If you fine you like a non flat setting then use the RSP-1068 Contour control to increase the HF and LF by a similar amount (e.g. +2). However most people, once used to it, prefer the flat setting.

However... when I go to the 2-ch stereo bypass, the overall sound seems pure, but does not seem to have the fullness/richness in the lower and mid-bass that I had before.

Is it more likely that there is a setting I've missed or the difference in the equipment? As of right now, I'm not sure I'll keep the 1068 because of it.

Re set-up parameters, some general advice:

• Speaker Distances - get them right - measure each speaker (even the sub) from a central listening point and then enter the details accurate to nearest 0.3m - makes a big difference to the coherence of the sound field.
• Speaker Levels - by a sound pressure level meter if you don't have one (less than $50 from Radio Shack / Tandy) and set each speaker level based on the RSP-1068 test tones – makes a big difference to the balance of the surround sound.
• Subwoofer Level – Some people (including me) have had an issue with the subwoofer test tones on the RSP-1098. There is a reasonable chance that this could also apply to the RSP-1068. Essentially the Dolby Specificiation has Reference level for the Sub woofer at 10dB higher (115db) than the speakers (105db). Rotel have implemented a test tone at -30db to reference – which means that you may need to set the speaker levels at 75db and the subwoofer level at 85db using a sound pressure meter. You can tell this by testing the levels using a DVD set-up disk and playing there levels, if you find that with the sub set at 75 db using the RSP-1068 test tones, it plays 10 db too soft on the DVD disk – then you have this problem and should up the sub level by 10db… (PS - this problem could absolutely explain your symptoms!)
• Source Interconnects – They do make a difference… Get a good Coax Digital for the DVD. For the CD player (if you have one) I’d get both good Analogue and good Coax Digital. The reason here is for anything other than pure stereo (i.e. no sub, no extra speakers) the RSP-1068 will digitise the analogue signal anyhow – so you get a better result sending the RSP-1068 a digital signal to start with. A good dealer should be happy to lend you some cables to try – you’ll soon know what you like. Alternatively forum sponsor Doug at www.catcables.com makes some nice cables and usually offers helpful advice.
• Speaker Cables – Often neglected but good speaker cables, especially bi-wire on speakers set-up for them, can really add to the clarity of the sound. Similar advice to the interconnects – try some different types from your dealer or try www.catcables.com. There are several posts in www.htguide.com you can find by speaking on speaker cable

With higher quality amplification and processors all these things make a difference.

Geoff

[hedi]

Hi I have a Suggestion for you. I dit it on my own RSP1068 because I had the
Same feeling as you.

In the Adv speaker setup you change the following

Dolby
DTS
Stereo/MPEG
Music

From master to Large.

I think you vil get all you have missed.

Henrik