Yamaha RX-V661 Owners Thread. - Page 121

Hmmm... I was planning to do just that - adding a 5-channel amp and letting the V661 drive the backs only... I'll be following this. Please post an update if you learn more!
Thanks,
Ed

The 661 will pick-up and play the MPCM lossless TrueHD or DTS-Masters without engaging "straight".
Just another option.

It happens right after the power amp switches itself on (auto-on). It'll prolly just wind up being a permanent annoyance. Some kind of a discharge from the 661? Who knows.

Like you, I use my v661 as a pre-amp with a 5-channel amp (mine is an Emotiva XPA-5), and I have the v661 powering my rear surrounds in a 7.1 setup. They sound awesome together. I've never experienced the problem you're describing. I have no idea what would cause such a sound.

The only thing I've been able to demonstrate is that the volume of the sound is relative to the volume setting on the 661.

I just upgraded to 7.1 tonight, I used PLIIx tried the memory guard thing and setting it to last, but when i turn it off, it still goes back to mpcm, am i doing something wrong?

Actually it sticks it seems for 2 channel, but not for 5.1 on my ps3 bluw ray.

The Ext Sur setting does not survive a power cycle, it has to be re-set each time you use the AVR.

It sounds like your subwoofer is kicking on. I have the 661 and it makes a a sound similar to what you are describing when it kicks on.



RTR

Well that's a plausible an explanation as any, and explains why changing amps didn't affect it. Now I just need to switch off the subs one at a time and decide which it is. (I have 4 running). Since it happens a short while after everything else is on, it makes sense.

Can anyone please help me, I am using ypao to set up the 7.1 and i have a velodyne sub, athena speakers, and polk audio rc80i for rear surrounds.

Ypao keeps suggesting I set cross over to 160, isnt that to high? I put it down to 120. It also wants to set speakers to large but from research I learned to go with small.

Everyone said I have my sub hooked up proper, I have cross over set to the lowest 40 (someone told me to turn it all the way and let the receiver handle it), I have it set to direct (not internal x crossover)


I just dont get why the 160, i even got 200 once. Again I moved it down to 120. Can anyone help me.

Im a video guy and know next to nothing about speakers.

Just a thought maybe because my rc80i polk audio in ceiling speakers I noticed were producing poor bass at 80, that anything below 160 the ypao felt should go to the sub?

You are bound to a single bass XO setting for all speakers, so any that are lacking will alter the YPAO setting for all. Go into the YPAO results and look at the EQ results for each speaker, particularly the low end settings. That will show you what each speaker is being set at and where the bass performance is being boosted the most. You will need to compromise on the XO setting to give the best balanced results. Leave it set for a week or so of listening once you arrive at a setting and get a feel for how it behaves in a variety of source material. The 120 range may well be about right. You may also find that adding a 2nd sub will help. None of the Athena speakers are exactly bass monsters. You may also have room issues that are causing the bass to drop out in the area that the microphone is placed. If possible, try moving the speakers or furniture.

Ok guys, I have read thru the first 30+ pages but was unable to find the answer so was hoping to get right to you guys for the help.

There are times that when I am watching a DVD that when I am done watching and switch back to watching satellite mode (Directv) that the audio is out of whack...main sound coming through the front speakers and not the center. I have to fix it by hitting "AMP" button on the remote then hitting the "4" (Surround Decode) to get it back to Pro Logic II Movie. Is there somthing I have missed on the setup that will allow me to have it automatically go to Pro Logic II: Movie whenever I come back to Satelitte mode? I would really appreciate any help you can give.

Currently have the V661 hooked up with PS# and a 42" Samsung. All connections made via HDMI

Depending on your setup, the 661 can remember the last decoder setting used for each input. Similarly, you can custom create a Scene Template button for each of 4 inputs which will include a decoder setting. Consult the manual for each of these things.

I've had 661 for about a year, been working great with PS3 and my Athena Point 5s.

I moved the cabinet which holds the receiver because of carpet shampooing time. When I moved it back, the front L & R speakers are not working.

I did not disconnect anything during the move, I rechecked the wires, only center, sub and rear speakers are working. I moved the center speaker wires to Front L & R inputs and no sound. I moved the speaker wire of Front L into center and speaker worked.

At first hand looks like the receiver is not working for the two front L&R speakers.

Did I accidentally push some kind of button for only center front to work?

Did you try the Speakers button on the front panel of the receiver? I have pushed mine by mistake a few times.

As an owner of the 661 I am no expert on audio but I had a simple question
regarding the amplification.

I understand its rated at 90w/channel and 630watts total.

If I am running this amp just for front channel is it using 90w x 2
or is it using the total amplification divided by 2 speakers? 315w x 2?

Thanks

Does the YDS-11 Dock work with this amplifier?

Why would you want PLIIx over MPCM?
MPCM is lossless, PLIIx is not.



philttz......still only uses two channels. So rated 90w x 2.

PLIIx is a decoder, it has nothing to do with "lossy" or "lossless". Using it over 5.1 PCM simply adds the back surrounds and has no negative impact on SQ.

I misunderstood his situation, didn't read thoroughly before typing.

Yep. I have that dock and a (now discontinued) 160GB iPod Classic and they play very well together. You can use the V661 remote to control the volume, skip back and forth between songs, pause, stop, and play. Don't expect much from the video interface though. Song info does show on the TV, but it's in the same black and white block text as the setup menu on the V661. One quirk: I've found if I'm listening to songs with "shuffle" turned on, when I press stop on the receiver's remote and press play again, it doesn't continue with the song that was just playing- it completely resets the shuffle playlist. As a workaround, I press pause on the remote and walk over to the dock and manually put my iPod to sleep. When play is later pressed, the iPod wakes up and continues where it left off.

Please help with your knowledge:

I currently own a 661 being used with a PS3 via HDMI. I have a 7.1 speaker system consisting of Magnepan MMG (4ohms) in the Front. All other speakers are 8 ohm speakers with average efficiencies (these are relatively cheap but sound good). The sub is a klipsch Sub 10.

I am quite happy with the sound quality in my home theater---both for music (concerts) on blu-ray discs and other concerts on DVD. Music on CDs is OK and MP3s stored on my PS3 sound alright.

Home Theater Experience via blu-ray discs is very good. The subwoofer fills in very nicely.

My overall satisfaction is about 6-7 out of 10.

I hear about things like "headroom" and "dynamic range", and I think I can get to satisfaction level of 8-9 with either a more expensive receiver ($2-3K) or by adding an external amp (e.g. Emotiva UPA-7 for about $700) to my 661. I am resigned to the fact that level 10 satisfaction will not be achieved with my frugality.

I can afford to add the external receiver, but I hate wasting money. I also don't like returning things unless they are defective.

2 questions:

A) Do external amps improve the sound quality by improving the "dynamics and head room". I play music/movies at moderate volume and have never felt my 661 distorting. I don't know what clipping is. But volume is not an issue---The reason i want to add an external amp is I actually want to listen at lower volumes. I just want to hear all the frequencies. I want a hand clap to sound like a hand clap. I want a drum to sound like a drum. I want cymbals to.........!

B) Has anyone paired an external amp in the price range above like the Emotiva 7.1 and felt it made a difference?

I am currently listening to TRONDHEIMSOLISTENE on blu-ray with Linear PCM 5.1 Ch in my PS3 and Yammy 661 anchored system as I type this. My speakers are fine and the enjoyment level is very good. Earlier I watched Celine (Dolby 5.1 HD) on blu-ray and The Eagles Melbourne Farewell Concert on DVD (DTS 5.1) and I am happy. I took out the family for dinner so they are leaving me alone for now. Maybe. I will play a little Wii later and let the kids beat me at Mario Kart.

I am not looking for a major improvement, but enough to nod my head and say OK--"that was worth it". I am not looking for increased volume, but actually lower volume enjoyment.

Thanks in advance,
Imu

You really can't separate your speakers from the amp in terms of the quality of what you hear. 2 things would be considered a major upgrade for your current situation with respect to surround sound. 1st is a matched set of speakers and 2nd is more power. One without the other will be lacking and impair your ability to get the max quality. That's not to say you can't make improvements. I use my 661 with a separate amp and love the results. I use a 5-ch amp and let the 661 run the 6th and 7th channels. The back surrounds require almost no power.

It's never cost-effective to get a bigger AVR if all you want is more power. You're paying for a range of added features that you may not even want or need. I think your plan is a good one, but again without a matched set of speakers the benefits will be reduced. The 661 is capable, with YPAO, to match speakers fairly well but it's not a perfect solution and is intended more for equalizing differences related to the room.

Personally, with a limited budget I would go for a matched speaker set 1st, and power later.

Thanks for above reply---But if not changing speakers would added power improve the dynamics/sound quality even if incrementally?

Like I said I am happy with the speakers, PS3 and the 661. Just looking for a real incremental improvement, not placebo.

Actually, I am looking at Emotiva UPA-7. What amp did you get that made a difference for you?

Thanks,
Imu

Yes, particularly with the 4u mains. The 661 is not designed to handle 4u speakers very well. A dedicated amp that is fully rated at 4u will yield much better power. But, as stated, I would go with a 5-ch amp, as the back speakers require very little, and you can afford more power that way. 200-250 WPC recommended, but 150 would produce some improvements. At the least you could get a 2 or 3 ch amp for the fronts which will free up the 661 to adequately handle the rest. Bottom line: if you're going to spring for some power, get plenty.

Thanks. I hope the Emotiva 7.1 is adequate as I am leaning towards it. It should be sufficient to drive my 4ohms front well.
Imu

If you want Emotiva, consider their 5-ch amp. More power. The 7-ch will also put out more power in 5-ch use. But I'd expect you could get more power for $700 in a 5-ch amp. The Emotiva line is not terribly efficient, but many people like their sound.

I second the recommendation to go with the Emotiva XPA-5. I have one hooked up to my V661, and it allows every little detail in the sound to come through. Let the V661 drive your rear surrounds and enjoy the higher power for the other speakers.