All I'm running into some real issues when trying to set up my 4600 and SP1000 for Hi-res audio via the analog outs on the source unit.
My current setup is a follows:
Yamaha RX-V4600 (as a pre-pro)
Paradigm Studio compliment (100s, CC570, ADP470, PW2100)
Parasound Halo A51
Onkyo SP1000 (source unit)
Both the SP1000 and Yammy 4600 support I-link and hence, I’m able to pass DVD-A and SACD digitally to the 4600, where the processing (bass mgmt etc.) and D/A conversion occurs. The issue that I’m running into, and I’m hoping you can help with, is when trying to setup my configuration for Hi-Res material without I-link i.e. having the SP1000 handle the D/A conversion, bass mgmt etc. and send the analog feed to the 4600’s Multi-Channel inputs. I just don’t think I’m doing this correctly.
The channel delays and levels were set on the 4600 (at 75db reference) using an RS soundmeter and test signals from Avia through the Toslink output of the SP1000 (4600 registered Dolby Digital during the setup process). Crossover was set at 80hz, although, I do tend to switch to 60hz at times. Following this, the I-link feed works like a charm, since the 4600 is handling everything save for the digital source feed from the SP1000
Now comes the hard part. I was originally under the impression that when the multi-channel analog inputs were used on the 4600, they acted as a straight pass through i.e. none of the aforementioned levels (delay, channel level, bass mgmt etc.) had any impact. As such, my original thought was to connect the SP1000 to the multi-channel inputs on the 4600 and then go into the setup menu of the SP1000 and set the channel levels, delays, sub crossover etc. using Avia. Well, this hasn't been as easy as I originally thought.
Here are some of the issues I’ve run into.
1. I don’t believe the multi-channel analog inputs on the 4600 are a direct pass through. Based on one of the reviews I read on the 4600, it does have "Bass Management for 5.1 analog input". How does one set the levels etc. on the source unit (SP1000) if the 4600 itself is processing the analog feed?
The 4600 has a Pure Direct mode, which bypasses the DSP processors and sends the full bandwidth signal to each speaker, however, the subwoofer is not active in this mode.
2. When trying to set levels etc. on the SP1000 using Avia, everytime I enter into the setup menu, the disk stops playing, making it impossible to set levels, delays etc. using a sound meter.
3. When attempting to set levels using the internal test tones on the SP1000, I am not able to achieve the reference 75db target. I’ve seen folks mention that Avia/ DVE should be used to achieve the correct levels, but, I’ve never quite understood this because I run into problem #2 above, when trying this.
4. The Subwoofer output is too low when using the analog feed from the 4600 despite setting the level to the max on the SP1000. As such, I have to adjust the sub level on the 4600 (which I thought shouldn’t have any impact in the first place, if the analog inputs on the 4600 are pass throughs....but it does) to compensate. This is very annoying b/c the sub level then becomes much to high when watching DD or DTS sources via toslink.
So, as you can see, I’m having a hell of a time with this. Any insight you can provide would very much be appreciated.
PS: The SP1000 only supports HMDI 1.0 and hence, cannot pass SACD through HDMI. As such, in the event that I upgrade to a new SSP that does not support I-link, this become critical.
