Why does one of my receiver's sound better than the other?

[pancakeplease]

I have a 11 year old Denon AVR-2800 and a newer brand new Onkyo TX-SR506 with HDMI, 7.1, the works. They both have DACs onboard. But when I hook them up to the same speakers and subwoofers, the Denon noticeably sounds better. It's a lot more clear, detailed, and 'live'. The Onkyo doesn't sound as good. The Onkyo is newer and from the specs I can read, they both have the 196/24 or whatever specs. Why is this?

I have to keep the Onkyo even though the Denon seems to be better quality. Is there a way to improve the Onkyo receiver? Can I get an external DAC to improve this or is this some other issue?

I can't buy another receiver and originally bought 1 receiver on a budget (used) but I had to get the Onkyo to replace the Denon cause of the smell coming from it. (I made another thread about that).

 

[Audiocd]

Did you do the audessy set up on the Onkyo?

 

[pancakeplease]

Did you do the audessy set up on the Onkyo?

Yeah you know what, after I tinkered with this machine for an hour (and reading the manual) I found out what the problem qwas. I had the input on "DVD" and on "CD" or some audio input. On the Denon it doesn't matter but on the Onkyo it seems that depending on which input you have selected, the listening "modes" are different. Initially when it was in DVD input, it would only allow "Movie, Game, Matrix, etc." and "Multi Channel". Which sounds like crap on my front 2 speakers. It wouldn't detected the subwoofer either.

When I switched to the CD input (computer as source) it allowed me to choose stereo, direct, neo blah blah, etc. And sounds much better. I might keep the Onkyo now.



Which leads to one question. Is there a way to get direct mode on a 2.1 system or is it purely for a 2.0 system? The direct mode actually sounds more natural, live music. When listening to some Christmas saxophone by Kenny G or Radiohead's "Nude", it feels like the instruments are so close by and real on direct mode. And this is coming directly from "headphone out" on my computer with no external amp or DAC. "Stereo" mode is more full and saturated sounding which is fine but doesn't sound as natural. Direct mode doesn't utilize the LFE out as far as I can see and doesn't allow for me to use my powered subwoofer. How can I bypass this?

For example, if I got an external DAC and ran it as "direct" so it leaves the processed signal untouched, it would obviously sound better than the onboard DAC on the Onkyo but would I be limited to a 2.0 setup? Essentially wasting the subwoofer?

 

[DD66000]

In by-pass/direct all speakers should be working, including the sub. So it would seem that you have not setup the dvd properly or in the receiver. In the dvd setup menu, the 5.1 output has the mains set to 'large' and/or the subwoofer is not hi-lighted then you only get sound from the mains. You have to set the mains to 'small' to direct the bass to the sub(s).

 

[mtrycrafts]

Yeah you know what, after I tinkered with this machine for an hour (and reading the manual) I found out what the problem qwas. ...?

Yep, not easy to compare in a fair manner as you just found out the setup was different If you didn't dig into it, you would have made an unnecessary purchase

 

[M Code]

To balance the comparison..
Turn OFF the Audyssey in the Onkyo, set all tone controls flat, loudness OFF.
Calibrate their output levels to be the same..
Now play the same source, preferably a CD through an analog input so NO DSP modes are ON in the Onkyo.

Now compare their sonic quality and post back..

Just my $0.02...

 

[agarwalro]

the Denon noticeably sounds better.

I would be seriously disillusioned if a 10 year old AVR beat out any current generation comparable product.

I might keep the Onkyo now.

DBT or your results are meaningless. I kid, I kid

To balance the comparison..
Turn OFF the Audyssey in the Onkyo, set all tone controls flat, loudness OFF.
Calibrate their output levels to be the same..
Now play the same source, preferably a CD through an analog input so NO DSP modes are ON in the Onkyo.

Now compare their sonic quality and post back..

Just my $0.02...

+ 1. Your comparison should be made with minimum uncontrolled variables. How DSP of listening modes alter the sound is a major unknown.

I will make an exception for room effects correction (Audyssey, YAPO, etc.) though. That is a positive for untreated rooms.