Yamaha RSV2500...confused.

[GoodSon]

Hey guys, I got this receiver for my dad for christmas. Today, I took it out of the box to do a quick test with his speakers. I hooked up his KEF 105.4's to the receiver, and a dvd player. Popped in a dvd hoping to be blown away. Instead, barely any sound came out.....actually had to turn volume to around -4db's before it was decent (equivalent to 2-3/10 for other receiver/speaker combo's). I tried changing the surround modes but nothing worked.

I'm new to this home theatre stuff so don't know what could be wrong. Also, didn't have much time to fiddle around since I had to put it back in the box before dad got home. Could you guys give me some insight? Here are the specifications of the speakers: http://www.kef.com/history/1980/model105_4.htm

 

[zumbo]

There is a WHOLE LOT of set-up to do. Read this & see if it can be of any help:
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/YamahaRX-V2500review01.php

 

[GoodSon]

Yeah, I read that already..........but shouldn't a receiver be able to play something a decent volume levels without major setup?......Because, my computer speakers are louder at 1/4 of max volume than the recevier is at -4db's.... Is that cause for concern or does a detailed setup make that MUCH of a difference?

 

[zumbo]

My RX-V1400 sucked "out-of-the-box". I have had my system for about a year & just, as we speak, improved the sound.

 

[GoodSon]

"Because, my computer speakers are louder at 1/4 of max volume than the recevier is at -4db's"........sucked this much though??

 

[zumbo]

Can't say. I'm sure the unit is fine though. That is one he!!-of-@ gift for dad.

 

[FNG]

I had no problems

I have had my RX-V2500 for about two weeks. Love it. I hooked it up to a set of Axiom Epic 50's. Sounded great the first time I turned it on. Very loud way below -4db. I have watched a few DVD's to break it in and if I remeber right, I think I found -10db to be a good-loud-level for watching action movies.

I'd bet you didn't connect something to the right input or output. Come Christmas Day, I'm sure you'll get it right when you have the time.

 

[DTbull]

I noticed the same thing, when i use my dvd,vcr output it takes a lot turning of the volume to get loud as opposed to when i am in tunner mode. any ideas why?

 

[superman180]

Was the DVD player hooked up directly to the receiver or was it going thru the monitor (TV) first. if it was going thur the tv you may have had the volume down to low.

 

[GoodSon]

Nope......I had it hooked directly to DVD player.

And I hope you're right FNG.

 

[FNG]

I just check, my wife was watching the news at -30db. If all is OK with your system, it should ROCK!

 

[marius]

-20db is too loud for me. I think something's wrong with your receiver or your connection, Goodson.

 

[BMXTRIX]

My guess would be that you likely have hooked up 2 speakers and now have your receiver setup for 5.1 audio. So, most of what is being sent out is going directly to the center speaker... which you don't have.

That would just be a completely random guess though.

My RX-Z1 which I switched from a surround setup to a strictly stereo setup when I moved had the exact same issue you are describing. When I switched the audio output from a surround mode, to STEREO, everything was perfect.

 

[threewheel42]

I just got mine set it up tonight... about -27db is good for ordinary tv.

 

[GoodSon]

Hmm....thanks for the comments guys. I wish it was currently hooked up so I could follow some suggestions but can't. Oh well, gotta wait for another day I'm home alone or til Christmas.

As for the surround mode......I'm pretty sure the receiver screen said 2 Channel Stereo.

 

[toquemon]

It depends on the size of your listening room; if you tried the receiver in a very large area (greater than 3000 cubic feet) you'll need a lot of power to generate adecuate levels of sound pressure, on the other hand, the computer speakers generally are "in your face" and if you're in your bedroom the effect is maximized, that's why you hear them louder. Or maybe your receiver do has a fault. I have a RXV1400 in a less than 1500 cubic feet listening room with moderately efficient (91db) speakers and it sounds pretty loud at -15 db.

Another thing, these receivers a particularly complicated to use, you'll need to read the manual like 5 times and a few weeks of tweaking to get the full potential of your system.

 

[threewheel42]

Very good point...my listenting room is about 1800 cu. ft. and my speakers are reasonably efficient (89db) and I agree with toquemon that -15db is pretty loud.

I also concur that the manual is very comprehensive and will require a bit of study...since I just set it up last night.

Contrary to some others experience, the YPAO system correctly designated the speaker sizes of all 7 speakers, the distances and set excellent levels for starting points. I think I still have the sub output a little high (the Velodyne has quite a bit of output).

 

[zyepod]

The YPAO adjust the EQ to the negative side on all my speakers. I'm just getting started myself so I'm sure I didn't do something right for that to happen. Do a manual set-up, and adjust the EQ to +5 or more. That should get things closer for you until you have time to read the manual.

 

[Ambient Fish]

Zumbo, -10 to -4 seems a bit excessive but in my experience with the RX-V2400RDS you do need to open the "Tap" just a little more than you do with say an equivalent Sony for example, to listen to DVD movies I have to set the amp to -20, for CD -38 and both the internal tuner and PS2 are happy at around -44. I can't explain why this is so but after a while it won't matter to your dad as I am sure he will be delighted with the sound of his new reciever.

 

[Electone]

I have a Yamaha RX-V2400 hooked up to KEF C95 speakers that are from the same era as you dad's KEFs. These speakers are 4 ohm and a little current hungry, but wonderful sounding.

Hook the DVD/CD player's analog output to the amp and put it in Pure Direct Mode. See if there is a volume difference.