Question:
Hi chaps, just got a MArantz SR5300 in luvverly gold, but wondering how best to get this set up for (shock!) 2 channel stereo.
The reviews raved about the musical capabilities, but I'm finding it a touch 'bass-light' compared to my old Sony Pro-Logic amp... to be fair I did use the evil Sony DMBR (loudness) button... :) Also, the Marantz does sound a lot more precise and less 'muddy', and really highlights some of the shabby CD recordings that are out there.
Is there something in the speaker setup I'm missing, or is this just how things should actually sound? I'm using Mordaunt Short MS25i Pearl floorstanders that can take anything I usually throw at them.
Any ideas chaps? Or do I have to adjust my ears to something a little more 'audiophile'? :) Also, any tips on Theatre setups appreciated, the DTS splash tune sounds AWESOME!
Assuming you've set your speakers to 'large' then you're probably just not used to the sound.. Loudness button indeed.. :gag:
I agree with the recording quality statement, some CDs are so bad as to be unlistenable on my system.. :gag: :gag:
Thanks for the reply Baps.
Yeah, it's amazing how pooer some CD's sound - incredible! I think that could be a problem as much as anything, as some of the DTS disk's mastering seemed beefy enough.
If I don't have a sub should I switch this option off? Will this put the sub's bass through the fronts? Also, I have a medium center (2 bass & a tweeter), if I set this to small is this a better bet for surround? It's not tiny but its no Linn Centrik.
Thanks for any more ideas chaps. :)
If you've got no sub, definately set it to; Sub? No. Set the mains to large and all the LFE will go to them. The rest of the speakers..? You'll have to experiment...
How are you listening to the CDs? DVD player hooked up digitally..?
If so, try running a pair of analogue cables from the player to a spare input on the amp and using that.. Might make a difference to CD playback..
:suspect:
Cool, I'll check those menu settings.
Tried the digital CD feed from my Wharfedale 750 DVD player and the analogue feed from my Technics SLPG580 and couldn't see a huge amount of difference - to be fair this is an area I need to upgrade as they're both budget.
Also, when I use the technics analogue CD feed, the PEAK light seems to come on a fair bit - any ideas? the manual doesn't say what this means, but it went away when I dropped the CD output by 4db's....?
Thanks again for any info.
Originally posted by home_bas
Cool, I'll check those menu settings.
Tried the digital CD feed from my Wharfedale 750 DVD player and the analogue feed from my Technics SLPG580 and couldn't see a huge amount of difference - to be fair this is an area I need to upgrade as they're both budget.
Also, when I use the technics analogue CD feed, the PEAK light seems to come on a fair bit - any ideas? the manual doesn't say what this means, but it went away when I dropped the CD output by 4db's....?
Thanks again for any info.
The "peak" means that the signal input level is too high, and needs to be reduced to prevent "clipping" (which would damage your speakers over time).
As for basse, as baps says, if you have a sub, tell it "yes", or no!
Then also tell it to send the LFE signal to both main front speakers and sub, then check your sub / bass / lfe menu settings under test and incress or decrease the output of the amp accordingly to your personal taste. If memory serves, theres also a setting for stereo use to use any connected sub, or not, so you might need to say yes if you find it bass light.
Hope that helps
Thanks Justin, guess I'll have to do a little pronto code to lower the level of the CD player... :(
In terms of the LFE, there doens't appear to be a menu in the 5300 manual about sending it to all 3 front speakers - the only place I can find it is an LFE db level in the Surround menu... I gather that setting Sub=No should chuck the LFE to the fronts anyway(?).
Sorry for being a gimp, only just upgraded from an 8 year old Pro-Logic amp! Just was suprised by the comparitive lack of bass in CD playback.
BTW - Justin a couple of questions about the Marantz DV4300 DVD player you do -
- is it fine for CD sound?
- Is it metal gold finish like the SR5300?
- and does it support PAL progressive scan?
More questions eh! ;) Ta, bas
Originally posted by home_bas
Thanks Justin, guess I'll have to do a little pronto code to lower the level of the CD player... :(
BTW - Justin a couple of questions about the Marantz DV4300 DVD player you do -
- is it fine for CD sound?
- Is it metal gold finish like the SR5300?
- and does it support PAL progressive scan?
More questions eh! ;) Ta, bas
1. For the money, yes.
2. Yup.
3. Pal prog - no.
pal prog is over-rated IMO. Heres why - Component out developed as a high-quality standard output for non-EU areas ( europe has "euroscart" - RGB & sync).
NTSC prog scan via component = 60 frames per second to your plasma / projector. Pal = 50 frames per second, regardless of prog via component or RGB
RGB = direct drive (less small amount of circuitry) to drive the screen. Component, although less component stages then s-video, still has more stages then RGB.
Therefore, on good quality, correctly setup systems, with decent cabling, RGB for R2 will look as good, if not cleaner, against prog pal.
I`m yet to be convinced that pal prog is better then a decent, well configurered RGB output, I run my R2 stuff as RGB, and NTSC as pal regardless of the player used (Arcam FMJ27, Sony 9000Es).
Just my optinion, but if you are looking for pal prog at an affordable price, the only real option thats half decent is the Harman Kardon DVD25.
Hope this helps:)
Thanks Justin, if I can sell my CDDJ gear in the classifieds I'm sure there'll be an order coming soon! ;)
Bas
Justin,
Are you sure about the lack of PAL prog on the DV4300? Scott:confused:
I just took delivery of my DV4300 yesterday. To set up the video menus - you must specify your TV type (multi, PAL or NTSC), output line (Composite, S-Video, Component or RGB) and Progressive Mode (On/Off) all seperately. When I set my TV type to "multi", the output line to "component", and Progressive Mode to "On", the DV4300 switches output between NTSC & PAL automatically depending on the disk. If the disk happens to be NTSC - I get NTSC progressive, as one would expect. However, if the disk is PAL encoded, I get blue screen (but the sound is OK). If I switch Progressive OFF - both NTSC and PAL interlaced output are fine.
Since my Tosh telly (36ZD26) only takes NTSC progressive input - it seems to me that the blue screen must be PAL prog output - why else would the image fail? The owners manual makes NO reference to progressive scan being only NTSC. Nor does it warn you that the machine does not support PAL prog. Could marantz have quietly slipped a PAL-prog upgrade in recent models?
Scott
AFAIK, some people have found the DV4300 to be Pal Prog out of the box... :suspect:
I have one myself, but no prog-scan display to test it with I'm afraid.... :(
home_bas
Is there a hack for the DV4300 to permanently enable autoswitching between regions and skip the copyright warnings? The handset hack I have been given for switching region is a bit tedious......!
Scott
home_bas
Is there a hack for the DV4300 to permanently enable autoswitching between regions and skip the copyright warnings? The handset hack I have been given for switching region is a bit tedious......!
Scott
Sorry mate, the one I bought was from Home Cinema Heaven and has been modded, so its all regions out of the box without a hack. Hopefully that won't affect any potential Pal Prog functionality if other people have got it working.
I can't skip the warnings on mine.
Also, when I use the technics analogue CD feed, the PEAK light seems to come on a fair bit - any ideas?
I had this with my 7300, there's an attenuate function on the amp (on the remote it is labelled 'Att') which will compensate for an overly loud source. Agreed, you could turn down the output from the CD but my player doesn't have that option and any new one you may buy might not either.
I assume the 5300 has the same Attenuate feature as it's roughly the same amp but with a little less power.
Originally posted by Marcw
I had this with my 7300, there's an attenuate function on the amp (on the remote it is labelled 'Att') which will compensate for an overly loud source. Agreed, you could turn down the output from the CD but my player doesn't have that option and any new one you may buy might not either.
I assume the 5300 has the same Attenuate feature as it's roughly the same amp but with a little less power.
Thanks Mark, that's the approach I took in the end. Thankfully the amp remembers which inputs have ATT seleted, so I only have to have it on my CD input. :)
I'm now well happy with my setup, just a shame my pronto's dead after an accident with a floor.... and Richers never seem have them in stock for a replacement :(
The reviews raved about the musical capabilities, but I'm finding it a touch 'bass-light' compared to my old Sony Pro-Logic amp... to be fair I did use the evil Sony DMBR (loudness) button... :) Also, the Marantz does sound a lot more precise and less 'muddy', and really highlights some of the shabby CD recordings that are out there.
Is there something in the speaker setup I'm missing, or is this just how things should actually sound? I'm using Mordaunt Short MS25i Pearl floorstanders that can take anything I usually throw at them.
Any ideas chaps? Or do I have to adjust my ears to something a little more 'audiophile'? :) Also, any tips on Theatre setups appreciated, the DTS splash tune sounds AWESOME!
Answers:
Assuming you've set your speakers to 'large' then you're probably just not used to the sound.. Loudness button indeed.. :gag:
I agree with the recording quality statement, some CDs are so bad as to be unlistenable on my system.. :gag: :gag:
Answers:
Thanks for the reply Baps.
Yeah, it's amazing how pooer some CD's sound - incredible! I think that could be a problem as much as anything, as some of the DTS disk's mastering seemed beefy enough.
If I don't have a sub should I switch this option off? Will this put the sub's bass through the fronts? Also, I have a medium center (2 bass & a tweeter), if I set this to small is this a better bet for surround? It's not tiny but its no Linn Centrik.
Thanks for any more ideas chaps. :)
Answers:
If you've got no sub, definately set it to; Sub? No. Set the mains to large and all the LFE will go to them. The rest of the speakers..? You'll have to experiment...
How are you listening to the CDs? DVD player hooked up digitally..?
If so, try running a pair of analogue cables from the player to a spare input on the amp and using that.. Might make a difference to CD playback..
:suspect:
Answers:
Cool, I'll check those menu settings.
Tried the digital CD feed from my Wharfedale 750 DVD player and the analogue feed from my Technics SLPG580 and couldn't see a huge amount of difference - to be fair this is an area I need to upgrade as they're both budget.
Also, when I use the technics analogue CD feed, the PEAK light seems to come on a fair bit - any ideas? the manual doesn't say what this means, but it went away when I dropped the CD output by 4db's....?
Thanks again for any info.
Answers:
Originally posted by home_bas
Cool, I'll check those menu settings.
Tried the digital CD feed from my Wharfedale 750 DVD player and the analogue feed from my Technics SLPG580 and couldn't see a huge amount of difference - to be fair this is an area I need to upgrade as they're both budget.
Also, when I use the technics analogue CD feed, the PEAK light seems to come on a fair bit - any ideas? the manual doesn't say what this means, but it went away when I dropped the CD output by 4db's....?
Thanks again for any info.
The "peak" means that the signal input level is too high, and needs to be reduced to prevent "clipping" (which would damage your speakers over time).
As for basse, as baps says, if you have a sub, tell it "yes", or no!
Then also tell it to send the LFE signal to both main front speakers and sub, then check your sub / bass / lfe menu settings under test and incress or decrease the output of the amp accordingly to your personal taste. If memory serves, theres also a setting for stereo use to use any connected sub, or not, so you might need to say yes if you find it bass light.
Hope that helps
Answers:
Thanks Justin, guess I'll have to do a little pronto code to lower the level of the CD player... :(
In terms of the LFE, there doens't appear to be a menu in the 5300 manual about sending it to all 3 front speakers - the only place I can find it is an LFE db level in the Surround menu... I gather that setting Sub=No should chuck the LFE to the fronts anyway(?).
Sorry for being a gimp, only just upgraded from an 8 year old Pro-Logic amp! Just was suprised by the comparitive lack of bass in CD playback.
BTW - Justin a couple of questions about the Marantz DV4300 DVD player you do -
- is it fine for CD sound?
- Is it metal gold finish like the SR5300?
- and does it support PAL progressive scan?
More questions eh! ;) Ta, bas
Answers:
Originally posted by home_bas
Thanks Justin, guess I'll have to do a little pronto code to lower the level of the CD player... :(
BTW - Justin a couple of questions about the Marantz DV4300 DVD player you do -
- is it fine for CD sound?
- Is it metal gold finish like the SR5300?
- and does it support PAL progressive scan?
More questions eh! ;) Ta, bas
1. For the money, yes.
2. Yup.
3. Pal prog - no.
pal prog is over-rated IMO. Heres why - Component out developed as a high-quality standard output for non-EU areas ( europe has "euroscart" - RGB & sync).
NTSC prog scan via component = 60 frames per second to your plasma / projector. Pal = 50 frames per second, regardless of prog via component or RGB
RGB = direct drive (less small amount of circuitry) to drive the screen. Component, although less component stages then s-video, still has more stages then RGB.
Therefore, on good quality, correctly setup systems, with decent cabling, RGB for R2 will look as good, if not cleaner, against prog pal.
I`m yet to be convinced that pal prog is better then a decent, well configurered RGB output, I run my R2 stuff as RGB, and NTSC as pal regardless of the player used (Arcam FMJ27, Sony 9000Es).
Just my optinion, but if you are looking for pal prog at an affordable price, the only real option thats half decent is the Harman Kardon DVD25.
Hope this helps:)
Answers:
Thanks Justin, if I can sell my CDDJ gear in the classifieds I'm sure there'll be an order coming soon! ;)
Bas
Answers:
Justin,
Are you sure about the lack of PAL prog on the DV4300? Scott:confused:
I just took delivery of my DV4300 yesterday. To set up the video menus - you must specify your TV type (multi, PAL or NTSC), output line (Composite, S-Video, Component or RGB) and Progressive Mode (On/Off) all seperately. When I set my TV type to "multi", the output line to "component", and Progressive Mode to "On", the DV4300 switches output between NTSC & PAL automatically depending on the disk. If the disk happens to be NTSC - I get NTSC progressive, as one would expect. However, if the disk is PAL encoded, I get blue screen (but the sound is OK). If I switch Progressive OFF - both NTSC and PAL interlaced output are fine.
Since my Tosh telly (36ZD26) only takes NTSC progressive input - it seems to me that the blue screen must be PAL prog output - why else would the image fail? The owners manual makes NO reference to progressive scan being only NTSC. Nor does it warn you that the machine does not support PAL prog. Could marantz have quietly slipped a PAL-prog upgrade in recent models?
Scott
Answers:
AFAIK, some people have found the DV4300 to be Pal Prog out of the box... :suspect:
I have one myself, but no prog-scan display to test it with I'm afraid.... :(
Answers:
home_bas
Is there a hack for the DV4300 to permanently enable autoswitching between regions and skip the copyright warnings? The handset hack I have been given for switching region is a bit tedious......!
Scott
Answers:
home_bas
Is there a hack for the DV4300 to permanently enable autoswitching between regions and skip the copyright warnings? The handset hack I have been given for switching region is a bit tedious......!
Scott
Answers:
Sorry mate, the one I bought was from Home Cinema Heaven and has been modded, so its all regions out of the box without a hack. Hopefully that won't affect any potential Pal Prog functionality if other people have got it working.
I can't skip the warnings on mine.
Answers:
Also, when I use the technics analogue CD feed, the PEAK light seems to come on a fair bit - any ideas?
I had this with my 7300, there's an attenuate function on the amp (on the remote it is labelled 'Att') which will compensate for an overly loud source. Agreed, you could turn down the output from the CD but my player doesn't have that option and any new one you may buy might not either.
I assume the 5300 has the same Attenuate feature as it's roughly the same amp but with a little less power.
Answers:
Originally posted by Marcw
I had this with my 7300, there's an attenuate function on the amp (on the remote it is labelled 'Att') which will compensate for an overly loud source. Agreed, you could turn down the output from the CD but my player doesn't have that option and any new one you may buy might not either.
I assume the 5300 has the same Attenuate feature as it's roughly the same amp but with a little less power.
Thanks Mark, that's the approach I took in the end. Thankfully the amp remembers which inputs have ATT seleted, so I only have to have it on my CD input. :)
I'm now well happy with my setup, just a shame my pronto's dead after an accident with a floor.... and Richers never seem have them in stock for a replacement :(
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