Quote:
Originally Posted by
beastaudio 
Sorry bud, but you're wrong here. The HTS link that NH linked to is much more compatible with regards to home theater and should be followed. There is more to gain structure than just letting audyssey knock your signal back down from max after you plug and go. You must take into consideration setting the system up so you can play it to 0, that is reference after all. Then you must take into account the noise floor. With the gains on the amp maxed it may bring up a ground loop hum that wasnt there before. Simply boosting the original signal and dropping the gains on the amp alleviate this. Gain structure should be followed properly, ESPECIALLY by anyone who plans on mixing consumer gear with audio gear.
If it worked out for you to max the gains and go, more power to ya, but for many, it just doesnt work quite like that. \m/ \m/
That article is good. I was talking about the one that smigro linked.
This is all you really need to know from the article smigro:
"You can use either analog L/R connections between the DVD player and the AVR, or a digital connection, but the latter is generally preferable. Don’t forget to change the speaker setting in the AVR’s menu to “Large.” Set the receiver to “Bypass” or “Stereo” mode if you want to measure the main left or right channels, or to “Dolby Pro Logic” if you want to measure the center channel.
We’re ready to proceed. My AVR has all speaker-level settings referenced to the main left and right channels, which are fixed and cannot be adjusted in the menu. If your AVR allows for adjustments for the front left and right channels, they should be set to maximum for this exercise, as should the center channel and subwoofer if you intend to measure those too. In addition, make sure any auto-EQ functions are disabled and/or tone controls are adjusted to flat (0 dB gain).
After setting the output levels, unplug all speakers from the AVR! Once that is done you can start the test disc, turn the AVR’s volume all the way up, and measure the output for the desired channel with the VOM. The meter should be set for low-range AC voltage. The measurement will be taken across the RCA connector’s tip and sleeve. If you don’t have easy rear access to your receiver, an RCA cable plugged into the output you want to measure and routed to where you can get to it is very helpful. It’s easier to take a measurement from a female RCA than a male, so you might want to acquire an RCA coupler before you start."
Subtract 30% from that voltage you measured at maximum volume, and that is your clean voltage. Turn your receiver's volume down to the clean voltage level by looking at the volt meter output. This volume is what you will use to set the pro amp gain.
"To begin, make sure all speakers are disconnected from the amplifiers! Also, make sure all speaker-level settings in the AVR’s menu are set to max, including the subwoofer output. Begin with the amplifiers’ gains all the way down (counter clockwise), and make sure the AVR is set for “Direct,” “Stereo,” “Bypass” mode, etc. – i.e. a straight two-channel signal.
Start the pink noise signal and turn the AVR’s volume control to the setting you previously determined delivered the highest clean (undistorted) signal. (See Part 7 if you’re unsure where that is). Then, increase the amplifier’s gain control until the clipping indicator begins to blink. Keep increasing the gain until the flickering indicator resolves to being lit steady. What we accomplish by setting the amplifier’s gain to clipping with a just-below clipping signal from the pre amp is that both will reach clipping at the same time in actual use. This is the goal of a successful gain structure."
Edited by WagBoss - 8/30/12 at 12:30pm
