Problem with setting up surround sound system with an old AV receiver

[JLorenzo]

I'm guessing every 5.1 amplifier has a subwoofer connection, but just to be sure, this one also can connect the subwoofer right?

 

[Trebdp83]

Yes.

 

[-Jim-]

The Yamaha is definitely far more current (2018) than the others, and probably the direction I'd recommend, but I'm troubled that it doesn't seem to work with FLAC Files. I'm a junkie for FLAC tunes as they are lossless, so I'd be lost without the ability to play them on my "only" system. Maybe I just missed it in the Yamaha HTR-3072 Manual ?

Anyway it seems like the bargain of the bunch if it's totally functional.

 

[JLorenzo]

Thanks for all the information and I managed to buy it. (still needs to be send)

About the FLAC file thing, I dont really know what it is and all, but since I am mostly gonna use it for things like netflix/spotify and normal tv, I am guessing I don't have to really worry about it .

 

[-Jim-]

If your Laptop has an HDMI output you can easily connect it to the Receiver as well. Good Luck with your system.

 

[lovinthehd]

I went to the store and saw that getting the converter + cables etc. still would cost me around 60 euros (with the possibility that it does not work), while getting that AVR would be 80 euros. So I decided I will get a new AVR instead. (then I can at least also connect my laptop or in the future other devices on it)

Now I have been looking around a little bit and gave myself a budget of around 150 euros. (I'm a poor student don't judge me )
I got a few options and if any of you have some time could you help me with selecting the best one out of those?
All of them have HDMI cause then I won't have to buy a 5 meter long optical sound cable. (and for some reason I feel like HDMI ARC is better then the optical sound out?)
I will also add the links but the site is in dutch.

Option 1:
Onkyo Reciever TX-SR507 7.1 (75W) chanals, with 4xHDMI + Radio
Price: € 99,99
View attachment 58594View attachment 58595
(Link: https://www.jouw2dekans.nl/product/7036811/onkyo-reciever-tx-sr507-7-1-75w-kanaals-met-4xhdmi-radio)

Option 2:
Yamaha Htr 3072 Receiver
Price: € 90,00
View attachment 58600View attachment 58601

Option 3:
Receiver Marantz SR4003 7.1 (80W) 3xHDMI, DTS, Radio
Price: € 179,99
View attachment 58590View attachment 58591
(Link: https://www.jouw2dekans.nl/product/6738768/receiver-marantz-sr4003-7-1-80w-3xhdmi-dts-radio)

Option 4:
Denon Reciever 5.1 (120W) - Full HD, 6xHDMI, USB, Airplay, Internet Radio (Super Sound)
Price: € 159,99
View attachment 58596 View attachment 58597
(Link: https://www.jouw2dekans.nl/product/8401418/denon-reciever-5-1-120w-full-hd-6xhdmi-usb-airplay-internet-radio-top-geluid )

Option 5:
Amplifier Marantz NR1501 7.1 (as good as new) 5xHDMI
Price: € 179,99
View attachment 58598View attachment 58599
(Link: https://www.jouw2dekans.nl/product/8219231/mooie-versterker-marantz-nr1501-7-1-z-g-a-n-5xhdmi )

Generally ARC and optical carry the same lossy formats for 5.1. Be sure the avr is actually ARC capable (and your tv), just because it has hdmi doesn't mean it's ARC capable. Check manuals, not just seller info.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks for all the information and I managed to buy it. (still needs to be send)

About the FLAC file thing, I dont really know what it is and all, but since I am mostly gonna use it for things like netflix/spotify and normal tv, I am guessing I don't have to really worry about it .

FLAC is a lossless compression container, FLAC itself doesn't tell you what's in the container (can be mp3, altho it usually isn't, cd, or higher res files). Many devices/avrs can decode FLAC but best to check.

 

[lovinthehd]

As long as your subwoofer has it's own amp (i.e. active or powered sub), pre-out will work fine. If you have a passive sub then you'd need to separately source an amp. Most avrs will not work with a passive sub directly (some HTIB units do, tho).

 

[-Jim-]

Generally ARC and optical carry the same lossy formats for 5.1. Be sure the avr is actually ARC capable (and your tv), just because it has hdmi doesn't mean it's ARC capable. Check manuals, not just seller info.

The Yammy is eArc capable via Firmware update. And his Hisense TV is ARC / CEC as well.

 

[JLorenzo]

It's an powered sub I think (it has volume buttons etc, and a power cable). So I think it should work fine

Thanks all of u for helping me trough setting this stuff up and getting the right fix!

Now the only thing is hoping that my tv/laptop etc can actually output 5.1

 

[-Jim-]

Did you ever tell us the Speakers and Sub make / models?

 

[lovinthehd]

The Yammy is eArc capable via Firmware update. And his Hisense TV is ARC / CEC as well.

I didn't dig into details, thanks.

 

[JLorenzo]

Did you ever tell us the Speakers and Sub make / models?

The speakers don't show the models, the brand is "GM Hifi" but I found out that its a dealer. So its not their own speakers. I am pretty sure they are from DanWeigh but don't have an speaker type of it.

Those are some pictures
Speakers:

And the sub:

I am guessing this wont give alot of extra information so I will just find out the brute forcing way whenever I receive the AVC

 

[lovinthehd]

The speakers don't show the models, the brand is "GM Hifi" but I found out that its a dealer. So its not their own speakers. I am pretty sure they are from DanWeigh but don't have an speaker type of it.

Those are some pictures
Speakers:
View attachment 58606 View attachment 58609
And the sub:
View attachment 58607 View attachment 58608

I am guessing this wont give alot of extra information so I will just find out the brute forcing way whenever I receive the AVC

Can you take off the speaker grills and take pics of the drivers?

 

[JLorenzo]

Can you take off the speaker grills and take pics of the drivers?

I'll do that tomorow, I'm on my way to a concert right now so can't really do that today.

The only thing I can tell you about how they look is that they have a bright copper-yellow ish colour. And there is either 3 or 4 of those drivers on top of eachother.

But I will send a picture of it tomorow

 

[-Jim-]

More Sub photos too please!

When you first hook up the Sub use a low level (RCA) cable, turn the crossover frequency to max (clockwise), with the Phase fully counter clockwise, and volume to approximately 1/2.

Then you can plug it in and run the receiver setup with the YPAO mic once you have the rest of it connected (speakers, antennae, laptop, etc.) Early on be very careful with the volume.

 

[Trebdp83]

If fully functional, the Yamaha will be fine. The FLAC omission may be an issue for some but I'd bet streaming services will output to it in AAC without FLAC support and some music apps will output Dolby audio from some Smart TVs. ARC will support DD+ but audio improvement may not be noticeable compared to DD.

 

[lovinthehd]

More Sub photos too please!

When you first hook up the Sub use a low level (RCA) cable, turn the crossover frequency to max (clockwise), with the Phase fully counter clockwise, and volume to approximately 1/2.

Then you can plug it in and run the receiver setup with the YPAO mic once you have the rest of it connected (speakers, antennae, laptop, etc.) Early on be very careful with the volume.

That brings up a good point on used avrs....make sure they come with the accessories, or at least the mic....

ps mic and remote would be the most important

 

[JLorenzo]

That brings up a good point on used avrs....make sure they come with the accessories, or at least the mic....

I will ask if they have the mic, I have not seen it in the pictures and the sellers seems to be an older-ish woman. She does not seem to have alot of knowledge about the avr so am expecting that it has been her husbands..
I hope they still have it, but if thats not the case, I would have to buy a new one?

Are there any other specific accessoires that I should ask about?

 

[-Jim-]

I will ask if they have the mic, I have not seen it in the pictures and the sellers seems to be an older-ish woman. She does not seem to have alot of knowledge about the avr so am expecting that it has been her husbands..
I hope they still have it, but if thats not the case, I would have to buy a new one?

Are there any other specific accessoires that I should ask about?

The mic would be required to use the Room Correction function (YPAO) but not really critical. Sort of a nice to have feature.

Of course the Remote is #1. IMHO that's a critical piece. Other than that it originally came with an AM & an FM antenna which you may or may not be interested in. And if they aren't there, you can usually pick them up cheap.