Yamaha Receiver-Party Mode

[JDaBod]

I am still trying to fully understand my new RX-A1000 and am confused by the Party Mode feature. As I understand it, Party Mode activates zone 2 and runs the same source through the main zone and zone 2. Great concept, but when I turn on Party Mode the receiver automatically defaults to 7ch Stereo, which sounds like crap...especially from the single point in-ceilings in the other rooms. Is there any way to change this default? I would prefer it to run as 2ch Stereo or Straight, but it won't allow me to change that.

 

[Nestor]

I am still trying to fully understand my new RX-A1000 and am confused by the Party Mode feature. As I understand it, Party Mode activates zone 2 and runs the same source through the main zone and zone 2. Great concept, but when I turn on Party Mode the receiver automatically defaults to 7ch Stereo, which sounds like crap...especially from the single point in-ceilings in the other rooms. Is there any way to change this default? I would prefer it to run as 2ch Stereo or Straight, but it won't allow me to change that.

Why not simply activate zone 2?

 

[JDaBod]

Why not simply activate zone 2?

That's what it looks like I will end up doing. I am waiting on some accessories to arrive-need a down converter to switch the digital signal from the music source to analog so it can play in zone 2. I was just looking for a work around until the goodies get here. That post was probably a little premature-sorry...my head is spinning a bit.

 

[gene]

I am still trying to fully understand my new RX-A1000 and am confused by the Party Mode feature. As I understand it, Party Mode activates zone 2 and runs the same source through the main zone and zone 2. Great concept, but when I turn on Party Mode the receiver automatically defaults to 7ch Stereo, which sounds like crap...especially from the single point in-ceilings in the other rooms. Is there any way to change this default? I would prefer it to run as 2ch Stereo or Straight, but it won't allow me to change that.

You should be able to simply select 2CH stereo after you engage Party Mode. Also go into your menu and change the 7CH stereo levels for the center and surround speakers. I went in my RX-Z7 and set my center to 35% and my surrounds to 20-25% and 7CH stereo mode sounds awesome now. This won't affect your levels in DD/DTS, only for 7CH stereo and 7CH Enhancer.

 

[JDaBod]

Also, what is the main difference between 2ch stereo and "straight?"

 

[timoteo]

2ch stereo processes any incoming signal & plays it in stereo.

Straight will play the incoming signal exactly as it came in.

So for CDs which are already 2 channels of audio, Straight will sound identical as the 2ch setting. But if the incoming signal is say Dolby5.1 then Straight mode will play just that...5.1. If the incoming signal is 5.1 & you press 2ch Stereo then the signal will downmix to 2ch.
In other words, 2ch is a sound processing & Straight will play it as it is.

I leave my RX-A2000 in Straight pretty much all the time.

FYI: When watching TV with the Yammy in Straight mode though, HD channels will typically play in 5.1 but when i watch a SD channel the audio changes to stereo because that is how HD/SD channels are broadcasted.

 

[adwilk]

Having not used a yammy with "straight" mode, but other receivers with "direct", etc... Shouldn't straight mode also NOT apply any equalization or channel boosts? Just curious?

 

[3db]

Having not used a yammy with "straight" mode, but other receivers with "direct", etc... Shouldn't straight mode also NOT apply any equalization or channel boosts? Just curious?

That would be pure direct mode in Yamaha by passing all DSP/equalization.

 

[JDaBod]

2ch stereo processes any incoming signal & plays it in stereo.

Straight will play the incoming signal exactly as it came in.

So for CDs which are already 2 channels of audio, Straight will sound identical as the 2ch setting. But if the incoming signal is say Dolby5.1 then Straight mode will play just that...5.1. If the incoming signal is 5.1 & you press 2ch Stereo then the signal will downmix to 2ch.
In other words, 2ch is a sound processing & Straight will play it as it is.

I leave my RX-A2000 in Straight pretty much all the time.

FYI: When watching TV with the Yammy in Straight mode though, HD channels will typically play in 5.1 but when i watch a SD channel the audio changes to stereo because that is how HD/SD channels are broadcasted.

Thanks for the info. I too have resorted to leaving it on Straight for nearly all applications. As I understand it, if I hit the Surround Decode button and it only allows for Straight, then I am receiving a multi-channel signal from the source. If it resorts to the selected decoder (Pro Logic, Neo 6, etc.) then the signal from the source is not 5.1 and is being decoded as such, is that correct? I feel like the old Sony 555 did a good job of keeping me apprised of what type of signal it was receiving and how it was being processed and with the Yamaha I am kind of in the dark.

With the unit set to Straight does it still apply a selected sound field? I am not really a fan of DSP sound fields, so I just have it set to Standard. I assume that is similar to the "normal surround" setting on the Sony that was applied when PCM signal was being processed.

Getting there...slowly....