I listen to SACDs and DVD-As with a Marantz DV9600 connected to an Anthem AVM30, speakers are B&W with a SVS 20-39 PC-Plus Sub. Recently whenever I listen to SACDs or DVD-As there's no signal going to the sub and the overall sound is terrible. Regular CDs played through another player produce bass just fine.

I checked all of the hook-ups and everything appears to be connected. The stand-by light on the SVS stays red when playing CDs through the DV9600 (however movies produce bass just fine). I checked the menu options for audio on the DV9600 and everything is set-up correctly. I tried the test tones on the DV9600 and the sub tone is almost inaudible.

My question: It appears something is wrong internally with the DV9600, does my analysis seem reasonable? I want to be sure before I go un-hooking components for warranty service.

Thank you.

I presume that you ARE listening via the multichannel analog outputs, correct?

Does the player have a sub-out boost available in the setup? This will be like an option to boost the sub out by either a single value, like +10dB, or multiple values like +5dB, +10dB, +15dB.

Does the Anthem have a similar multichannel, sub-in boost available?

Yes they both do and I've cranked both to 11 with no luck. However on regular CDs (on another player) and movies on the DV9600 the bass rocks.

Are you listening to hirez via the multichannel analog outputs?

To what size have you set your speakers in the player? And in the Anthem?

How are you istening to CDs and movies? Via the multichannel, analog connection or the digital connection?

Have you properly calibrated both the digital and analog connections?

I don't see a sub-out boost in your player's manual. Can you tell me what page it's on?

I haven't looked in the Anthem's manual.

I'm not talking about the level trim adjustment that all the speakers have.

-Yes I'm using multichannel analog outputs
-I've used both settings (large and small), when the sound was working I had the speakers set to small.
-Analog for multichannel, digital (optical) for DVDs and CDs
-Yes I've calibrated the system
-The sub boost is on the test tone menu screen for the DV9600, this my actually be just a level adjustment

Thank you for your help. When I get a chance I'm going to play every source and see which ones don't produce bass. So far the only one I notice is the multichannnel.

I listen to SACDs and DVD-As with a Marantz DV9600 connected to an Anthem AVM30, speakers are B&W with a SVS 20-39 PC-Plus Sub. Recently whenever I listen to SACDs or DVD-As there's no signal going to the sub and the overall sound is terrible. Regular CDs played through another player produce bass just fine.

I checked all of the hook-ups and everything appears to be connected. The stand-by light on the SVS stays red when playing CDs through the DV9600 (however movies produce bass just fine). I checked the menu options for audio on the DV9600 and everything is set-up correctly. I tried the test tones on the DV9600 and the sub tone is almost inaudible.

My question: It appears something is wrong internally with the DV9600, does my analysis seem reasonable? I want to be sure before I go un-hooking components for warranty service.

Thank you.

Sounds like a problem I had with lack of bass on SACD recordings.

What I discovered is that the signal going to the sub (I have the SVS 20-39 PC+) was -15 db from where it should be when I was balancing the speakers for the external in on my receiver (a Denon 2805). I eventually discovered a +15 db boost setting on the external in jacks in the setup menu. That was step one.

Next, in the DVD player I was using (Pioneer DV45A), I set the speaker configuration to all small, but with a sub. That was step two.

Finally, I leave the sub always in the "on" position. The "auto-on" is nothing more than a muting circuit. The amp itself is really never "off" unless you physically unplug it from the wall. This ensures that if there really is a signal reaching the sub, even a low one, it will be reproduced. That was step three.

Now, the SACDs have the properly balanced bass. Note, that the +15db boost I mentioned on the Denon isn't +15db above 0 db. You aren't boosting the level of the sub +15 db above all the other speakers. What you are doing is bringing the level of the sub up to where the other speakers are. For some reason, some SACDs have this reduced bass issue.

For some reason, some SACDs have this reduced bass issue.

It is done to preserve the headroom and avoid overload on the analog inputs on the receiving end. It's not just the recordings it is how the player set up as well, also not all MCH recordings have utilised the LFE channel, even if it is encoded as such[the LFE icon lights] but there is nothing on it.

In the past I have noticed a lack of bass in SACD recordings however the Eagles DVD-A used to have excellent bass on my system and now it simply falls flat. Frustrating but I will get the the bottom of this, I've invested too much $ and time to not enjoy my music to the fullest.

Mundis:

May I make a suggestion?

I have a Marantz 9500. What I do is run a separate stereo cable from the "front 2" outputs on the Marantz to my subwoofer. This requires changing the cables at the subwoofer when going back and forth between movies and my SACD/DVD-A music, but it works fine for me.

Just a thought.

Though usually not the recommended option, here is a system I used until I could finally get the levels right:

On the SACD player, set Mains to Large and subwoofer to "none".
On the receiver set Mains to Large and subwoofer to "none".

Connect the sub to the receiver via the speaker level connections, then the mains to the sub.

What will happen is that any bass that should be passed will be. This actually works well not only for SACD/DVD-A, but for regualr DVDs and CDs as well. For a while, Polk was actually recommending this type of connection for its subs.