Pioneer VSX-D606S "Sub-output" questions +

[blueribb]

I'm putting together a man-cave stereo system from retired equipment I had in storage. I will be using it strictly for music sourced from a desktop computer in my basement (computer shop). Here's the equipment: Pioneer VSX-D606S (1997) AV Receiver, Dahlquist DQM-9C main speakers, Pinnacle PN-6 secondary speakers, Velodyne VA-1012 subwoofer (1991), HP Pavilion HPE-500y desktop computer.

I use the computer's "digital output" rear panel jack to feed the Pioneer Receiver. (AC-3 digital input jack)

Here's my first issue / question: When I connect the subwoofer to the Pioneer's "sub-output" jack, there is no sound from the sub, UNLESS I activate the receiver's DSP Mode (digital sound processor) OR Surround Mode. This receiver doesn't have a pre-out jack. I'm guessing the sub output is meant for surround modes only and not meant for 2-channel stereo applications. Since I'm feeding this receiver from a "digital" source, I am able to activate the Pioneer's Surround Mode.

This brings up my second question. My secondary speakers (Pinnacle) are connected to the REAR (surround) channel jacks on the Pioneer. When I'm listening to music with the Surround Mode turned on, there is sound from the Pinnacle's (although at lower volume) but since the source is 2-channel stereo, why is there any sound at all from the rear channels ? After all, they are meant for surround sound from Video sources, right ?

When I connect the Pinnacle's to the Pioneer's "B" speaker jacks, the Dahlquist's volume drops considerably along with the bass since the impedance must drop quite low and the speaker's sensitivities may be mis-matched. That's why I chose to connect the Pinnacle's to the REAR surround jacks since they have their own amp channels.

 

[j_garcia]

Stereo will not output via the sub unless you have at least some speakers set to small. If you have them all set to large, the only time the sub will be active is when there is a track with a .1 LFE track OR in a DSP mode as you've found.

 

[blueribb]

Stereo will not output via the sub unless you have at least some speakers set to small. If you have them all set to large, the only time the sub will be active is when there is a track with a .1 LFE track OR in a DSP mode as you've found.

I have the Dahlquist set to LARGE, center is OFF and the rear is SMALL. Crossover is set to 100Hz. My sub works all the time now when Surround is ON and I'm sure the music doesn't have a .1 LFE channel. I listen to Pandora a lot and all speakers are active. I can't figure it out.

Back in the 70's & 80's, I had 4 large speakers - one in each corner of the room and they were hooked up to A & B on my Pioneer SX-1980 Receiver. I always liked the fullness of 4 speakers when listening to music. I'm finding it hard to re-create that same sound with today's AV Receivers.

 

[j_garcia]

You are correct stereo music has no LFE, so the speakers would need to be set to small, crossing them to a sub for the sub to be active. The sub does the heavy lifting and the speakers handle the octaves above. There's no difference in getting that full sound, but the full sound you're talking about might not have been as "accurate" so much as "full". Speakers in each of 4 corners? Not good for sound unless they're the corner Hereseys IMO. A lot of us are from that era of "loud" and "ton of midrange" and have found that while it might have been fun, it isn't good sound.

The principles for getting great sound are the same today as they were - good speakers and adequate power to drive them. 100Hz is too high in most cases, try the lowest setting you can for the sub. The Dahlquist list their bottom as 28Hz, so you should be good with a 40 or 60Hz x-over if that receiver is adjustable. The sub itself should be set to the highest point and then make adjustments both on the receiver and the sub to get the volume where you want it.

 

[blueribb]

You are correct stereo music has no LFE, so the speakers would need to be set to small, crossing them to a sub for the sub to be active. The sub does the heavy lifting and the speakers handle the octaves above. There's no difference in getting that full sound, but the full sound you're talking about might not have been as "accurate" so much as "full". Speakers in each of 4 corners? Not good for sound unless they're the corner Hereseys IMO. A lot of us are from that era of "loud" and "ton of midrange" and have found that while it might have been fun, it isn't good sound.

The principles for getting great sound are the same today as they were - good speakers and adequate power to drive them. 100Hz is too high in most cases, try the lowest setting you can for the sub. The Dahlquist list their bottom as 28Hz, so you should be good with a 40 or 60Hz x-over if that receiver is adjustable. The sub itself should be set to the highest point and then make adjustments both on the receiver and the sub to get the volume where you want it.

The 100Hz crossover setting is for the Pinnacle bookshelf speakers. 100Hz is actually the lowest frequency setting available. My large speakers back in the early 80's were Klipsch Cornwall II's (still have them today) and Cerwin Vega 316R's. They were rated at 101/102 db sensitivity, so even 1 watt made some impressive volume. I was a bass-aholic but I demanded clean sound too with no distortion. My Pioneer SX-1980 was one of the most powerful receivers ever made (270 watts per ch). When I grew up in the 50's and 60's, frequency response was 20-20,000 cps (cycles per second). My first amplifier was a Scott Kit which I built in 1965. It had tubes. Further equipment was a Dynaco PAT-4 and STEREO 120, followed by a Marantz 2270.

I realize that corners are not the best placement for speakers but sometimes there's no other choice.

 

[j_garcia]

I thought that the model 1980 sounded familiar and yes that's a lot of power and that makes it difficult to compare to the current market. Today if you want power, you add an amp.