The Yamaha RX-V663 thread. HDMI 1.3 upconversion, TrueHD, DTS MA decoding. - Page 367

Hi folks - quick question about the test tones -

Its been year since I set up the unit the first time, so I don't remember for sure, but should the test tones sound the same from the same type of speaker? I'd expect the test tones to sound different from one speaker type to the next, say a left surround speaker versus the center, but in my case there is a noticeable difference in pitch, possibly volume too, but certainly pitch between speakers of the same type - so take the front left and right channels - same speaker, so I'd expect them to sound the same, but they don't. I thought perhaps the test tone was deliberately slightly different in pitch / tone as it moves around so that its easier to pick out when it switches speaker - but I've no idea if that's true and I don't remember how it sounded the last time when the speakers were new.

I checked the speaker levels and other settings, all the same for speakers of like-type so there should be no difference. The only other difference (though I cant believe t would make this much of a difference) is the speaker wire. One has 16 gauge wire, the other smaller, probably 18, though otherwise good quality wire.

These speakers aren't exactly high quality either, so it is possible the difference is in the speaker itself - I wouldn't take a bet on how matched they were from the factory.

Thanks

Allan.

Yeah front-left and front-right should sound the same. Maybe it's the speaker wire. Maybe a setting or dial on one of the speakers...

Well, I changed the speaker wire to the same 16 AWG wire, and the same issue. I also switched the speakers over to see if it was the speaker, - its not, the right channel is higher pitched. I noticed that the same issue occurs in all other channels, but I also noticed that the pitch variance between speakers of the same type (so rear surround versus rear surround) seems consistent - suggesting that the pitch is purposefully different. Either that or my receiver is sending higher pitched test tones to one speaker in each channel.

Is your Yamaha set so that the left and right speakers are both large, or both small? To be honest, maybe someone else can chime in. Do the speakers sound the same when watching a movie, or music or any other sounds?

The test tones are generated the same for each channel, but what you hear is affected by the room (e.g. a speaker close to a side wall will sound different from the same speaker not close to a wall), and by the level and EQ settings. If you've run YPAO then it will have attempted to correct for room issues, but it's never perfect. Also a speaker that sounds much lower in pitch than another could have a blown tweeter (listening to test tones was how I recently confirmed I had a broken tweeter in a surround speaker).

@ asif9t9: Best as I can tell, they sound the same in the front L/R channel, but I think I can hear a difference in the rear surround channels. I need to do more testing with sounds other than the test tones to be sure. I think they are all set to small.

@kriktsemaj99: I've never run the YPAO, I thought about doing so just to see how it would change the settings. I have the EQ and levels set the same for all speakers for this test. I know its not the speaker because I switched the left and right speakers with each other, but the right channel is still higher pitched. I also thought it may just be the room dynamics - so I placed the speakers 6-inches apart, in the middle of the room - same deal - right channel higher pitched.

I had hoped it was the speakers because I'd have more incentive to upgrade. But there is a definite pitch change between the speaker pairs in the front, rear and back channels and it does not appear to be speaker-related

I would run the YPAO and see if it helps. The program uses microphones and software that are unaffected by our over thinking brains and placebo effects. When you run the YPAO, it does a series of test tones at the end, so you can see if its better.

But like kriktsemaj99 said, it will never be perfect. There will always be slight differences from the room geometry and other variables.

can the yahama rxv 663 be used with the LG Cinema Screen 55LM7600 55-Inch Cinema 3D 1080p 240Hz LED-LCD HDTV

can the yahama rxv 663 be used with the LG Cinema Screen 55LM7600 55-Inch Cinema 3D 1080p 240Hz LED-LCD HDTV

Can't answer the question about the LG tv. But sort of the same question perhaps. I have had this receiver for a few years now and it works fine. But just wondering, what do the newer amps do that this one can't do? Is there anything to do with 3D tv? Any new audio options? Noob question I know, but just wondering. Thanks.

The 663 won't pass 3D, but it does plays all the latest audio codecs. Also the newer models are networked --- they can be controlled via network and play network audio sources.

Is there a way to program so that when I turn on my TV the sound field on the 663 is automatically is set to 7 CH Enhancer?

Not sure what you mean. It does that automatically I believe. When I switch between inputs the sound field changes with it to the last setting I had it on.

dbl

When I power off my system and then power back on it goes back to "TV Viewing" and it is not in the 7 Ch enhanced that was on before I powered off.

Hi there! I have a single question about this receiver.

First, Im from Argentina.

Im interested in buying one in the US, but I have one single doubt: The US Version of this receiver, can be set in Spanish OSD/display? And, I dont actually know, but I think that theres a option about the "metric" (feets or meters)?

Thanks!

For both of these questions I'll have to check after the holidays. I'm out of town right now, but I'm sure someone can chime in here and answer by the time I get to check things out.


dbl

Thanks! Looking forward to your thoughts.

The 663 shuts down at the higher volume. It used to be fine but lately the problem is too frequent. Is there any setting to correct this problem?

Well after 5 years of solid performance I think my Yammy is on its way out! I've changed nothing but recently I've noticed that the volume has been fluctuating somewhat and sounding kind of thin where as other times it sounded fine. Now I have noticed that audio is kind of cutting out sporadically in various speakers……. the outage seems to float around all speakers and gets extremely thin sounding where there is audio everywhere else. If I turn the receiver off and back on sometimes that corrects the issue for a while. I should also point out that it is happening on all devices. I only paid around $338 at Best Buy when I originally purchased it so I’m not that concerned if I need to replace it but before I jump into something else I wanted to see if anyone else here can tell me of the 663 is a lost cause?

Don't worry Steve. We here at AVSForum fully understand when something "breaks down" and needs replacement with the latest tech.

You almost sound as convinced as my wife. Apparently I still have some work to do on making the case for a new one.
Edited by SteveCaron - 1/29/13 at 7:45am

Haha, I hear ya. Thing is, I will see all these new receivers released every year, but since I have my Yamaha V663, and since it actually does work quite well, I've often wondered why/when I'll ever get the chance or be inclined to upgrade. The only reasons I see these days are for more HDMI ports, or running an HDMI 1.4 through it, for 3DTV (which I don't care for). Or eventually 4KTV. But even then, if that time comes, I could probably bypass my receiver with the video feed.

I'm about to replace mine as well.
Seems that the bass like to cut in and out at random times and I can't figue out why.

I think it's a subwoofer issue.
My Polk RT 1000 towers have the subs in the base of the tower and I wonder if the issue is with them.
At the start of a song the bass will be present, and then cut out for most of the song, maybe coming back in for
3-5 secs. and disappearing again.

Anyone else encounter this?

I can't 100% confirm the base aspect of your issue but what I have notice in addtion to the issues I mentioned above in my post is the audio does trend a bit on the thin side (aka probably no base) just before I experience some of the other issues I'm having. I do have a brand new RX-A820 sitting ready to be unpacked and implemented in the event my RX-V663 is going. One thing I have not tried is a factory reset so once I try that should the problem persist the 820 will have a new home.

I've got mine setup with a lot of airflow. Out of curiosity, those with issues, how good is your airflow? I'm wondering if overheating is causing issues over time. If you do have good airflow, then it just tells me....I guess these things just break down over time?

I have good airflow and I've had fans installed into the cabinet from day that automatically turn on to remove heat at 86 degrees. I could adjust it lower if I needed to but I would would think at that temp it shouldn't be an issue. I should also mention that the issue shows up at intial start up so I don't think that is the issue.

This is probably the wrong place to post this but I did pick up the Yamaha RX-A820 to replace my 663 and my first impressions are how vastly superior in sound the 820 is to the 663. I'm not saying that in the 5 years I used it that I wasn't able to dial the unit in to sounding fairly good but the biggest issue I've had with that model was how lacking in base it was. This is not the case with the 820.

Probably mostly due to setup. It would be interesting to compare all the settings on the two (everything, including speaker distances, levels, crossover, EQ etc.), and it might explain the difference. Also it's possible the volume is different at the same reading on the control, which would bias things towards the louder one.

I use mine with Monitor Audio RS6 speakers, and never felt the base is missing.. and I don't even have a sub.

Anyways, I have writen you for another reason, unfortunatelly

The facts:
I have a very stressing problem with my HT setup, and I really could use some help please. First of all, I have made a graph with my hardware:





The problem:
When I connect the PC as in the picture above, the black on my TV it's getting grey-ish.. It's like a fine fog covers the entire image. There is no more deep black, and all the colors seem a bit (just a bit) washed. I am guessing that the AVR is doing some sort of cut-off.. and don't know/see why would such a function be in a receiver.

If on the other hand, I connect the TV directly to the HDMI cable coming from the PC, everything comes back to normal: black is black again, and image quality is as should be. BUT, in this case, bye bye DTS-HD Master Audio & Co when playing Blu-Rays, because SPDIF doesn't have enough band to pass it.

The question:
Does any one knows why and most importantly what should be done to correct this ?

Thank you. Hoping to be able to sleep again soon..

PS: I have tried using different cables, changing resolutions, using the XBOX as a source (instead of the PC in the config above).. no change.

You probably have the PC set to output full range video over HDMI (values of 0 to 255, where 0 is black and 255 is white). The problem with that is that the 663 can only pass the standard video range of 16 to 235 (where 16 is black and 235 is white), so everything below value 16 is changed to 16. Since everything looks OK without the receiver, your TV is probably set up to show 0 as black as well.

You need to look for a setting on the PC to output limited range video (16 to 235), then everything will pass through the 663. Then you'll also need to change settings on your TV so that black at level 16 looks black and not grey.

This behaviour was on all the Yamaha models from the same year as the 663, but Yamaha eventually released a firmware update to fix it for the RX-V1800 and RX-V3800. Unfortunately they never fixed the problem for the 663.