Problems using multi-channel connections

[tombowlus]

I recently picked up a Denon 5900 modded by Dan Wright, and while it sounds phenomenal in 2-channel, I am having difficulty using the multi-channel outputs into my RSP-1066. I get signal from L/R (and sub, using bass management), but nothing from the center or surround channels. I presumed that this was a problem with the 5900, and I talked to Dan about it. But, when I put my old JVC DVD player back in my system and tried the multi-channel connections (which I had not done before with the JVC), I get the same problem. Well, you would assume that this would be a pre/pro issue, but when I tried the center channel output into the L or R inputs on the Rotel, I still get nothing.

To investigate things further, I took both units out of my system, and using a single RCA cable, mono pre-amp, and a set of headphones, I played DVDs and multi-channl SACDs (Denon only, of course), and tested the outputs from the multi-channel outs on each player. Both gave me signal from L/R, but nothing from center or surrounds. Using digital connections, on DVD's with either player I get all 5 channels. But when I switch to multi-channel, I get L/R (and sub with the 5900 using bass management) only.

It would seem that either both units are defective, or both are not set up properly. Does anyone have any new ideas on how to troubleshoot this or know if there is any trick to setting up the 5900 to output all signals to its multi-channel outs? The icons on the front panel of the 5900 indicated that there was signal to all 5.1 channels, and I setup the audio so that it had all five speakers.

I am really baffled on this one. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Tom.

[eelco74]

I own a dvd-2900 and a RSP-1068, so I will try to help.

First of all setup the Denon to accept mulichannel.
Did you calibrate the channel-level on the denon. It is in the setup menu. there you can test all channels with pink noise.
SACD and DVD-a can only be (properly) played over 5.1 analogue.
On the front of the Denon there is a button to select CD-layer, SACD stereo and SACD-5.1. Try to change channels.

What happens if you connect the L+R of the denon to the L+R surround of the 1066 input. Does it play stereo over your surrounds. This would indicate that the 5.1 input of your 1066 is OK.

[tombowlus]

Thanks for the reply. After playing with it some more last night, I do not think that the RSP-1066 is the culprit. If I take the L or R signal into the center or surround input on the multi-channel input, I get sound. It's something to do with the 5900. I have set the front panel SuperaudioCD settings to multi-channel. I have also set the OSD audio setup to multi-channel, and selected the size and distance for all speakers. However, when I try to set the levels (using either the auto or manual setting), I do not get any sound. Perhaps this is a related problem?

Thanks, Tom.

[aud19]

It sounds like you might be listening to a disc that only has stereo information or you have (likely the players default) selected the stereo track. The only reason you'd get multichannel output from the digital connections as that they would be playing a lower quality CD or Dolby Dogital layer that might also be going through DPL II in the case of a CD layer. Make sure you carefully read the lable of the disc do determine if it even has a high-res multichannel soundtrack (not just stereo) and carefully read your players instructions to properly set it up for multi-channel playback.

Jason

[eelco74]

If the 5.1 input, like you say, is okay, then then you have to search for the problem in the denon.

However if your level settings in the menu do not produce any pink-noise during setup, your 5900 might be defective. Regardless of the disc the testtones should produce pink noise.

[tombowlus]

If the 5.1 input, like you say, is okay, then then you have to search for the problem in the denon.

However if your level settings in the menu do not produce any pink-noise during setup, your 5900 might be defective. Regardless of the disc the testtones should produce pink noise.

Yes, this is the real kicker, and might definitely show the Denon to be the culprit. What I don't understand, though, is how my JVC would give me similar problems. A disk without multi-channel information would certainly explain this, but I did use SACDs with multi-channel mixes in the Denon and DVDs in both players (which both decode DD and DTS on-board).

Still, from all that I have tried, it seems that the RSP-1066 is working just fine.

Thanks, Tom.

[aud19]

SACD/DVD-A do not use DD or DTS. They will only play high resolution, multichannel tracks if all of the following are done. The disc has a multichannel track. You have gone in to the players setup menu and properly set up the surround settings for the analog outs including likely changing the default to multi-channel format from stereo. Even then some discs require you to also select the multichannel track in the discs menu. I also have one disc that won't play the multi-channel track unless the player has all speakers including the sub set as on which I originally had set as off and all channels full range or "large". You also need to confirm you are listening through the analog multi-channel inputs of the Rotel as well.

Jason