Need some help with a few Panny XR-50 questions...

Jonathan · « **on:** 27 Mar 2005, 04:26 am »

Hi guys,
First of all, sorry for the dumb questions, but I'm a complete novice with this multichannel, digital amp stuff.

I'm borrowing a buddy's XR-50 for a few days, and although I have gotten it to work just fine in 2-channel stereo mode using the digital outs from my Pioneer PD-65, I'm confused about which mode to use for a basic analog surround setup using my Sony NS500V for SACD playback (two front, two rear, and a sub).

I know I have all of the inputs and speakers wired and configured correctly (because I hear sound coming from everywhere it's supposed to), but there are several options at the bottom of the remote for selecting surround sound, and I don't know which one to use. They all output signal to the rear speakers, but they all sound a bit different. Which one gives me just a basic multichannel mode without any digital effects added?

Finally, can I run both the coax output from the Sony NS500V and the multichannel analog outs at the same time? This way I could easily switch between stereo Red book playback and SACD surround playback using just one source.

Thanks for your help!

Jon

timbley · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Mar 2005, 06:32 am »

You need to hold down the DVD button on the remote until the display changes to "DVD 6CH." Then the analog inputs will be used and all of the other surround settings will be bypassed.

Jonathan · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Mar 2005, 03:05 pm »

Thanks much for the tip.

Jon

Jonathan · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Mar 2005, 07:59 pm »

When I push and hold the DVD button, it does go into DVD 6 channel mode, but then I hear only the fronts--nothing from the side surrounds or sub. I only hear the surrounds and sub when I enter one of the three surround options (Dolby, DTS, and whatever that third one is called).

Clarification or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jon

timbley · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Mar 2005, 09:28 pm »

If you are using the 6 analog inputs, you'll need to configure the DVD player to make sure it's in multi channel mode and that the subwoofer is turned on. The DVD player will be controlling all of the surround functions.

Jonathan · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Mar 2005, 09:45 pm »

Well, actually, it's only a 4.1 SACD set up I'm after: I have two fronts, two rears (referred to as 'side surrounds' in the Panny) and a sub. I have no center speakers, either front or rear.

I run the front outs and the rear outs from the DVD/SACD player to the front and L/R surround inputs of the Panny. Then, the DVD input is configured to show LR and Surround on, center off, and sub on. My DVD player is showing the multichannel light as being on, so I assume it's in multichannel mode. As I said, in other surround modes on the Panny, I do hear all four speakers and the sub.

I might have to drag my TV downstairs so I can see the onscreen commands of the DVD player. What a pain.

.

The only way I can think of that would be differrent would be to also run the main L+R 2-channel audio outs to the Panny as well (into the DVD inputs), but that seems weird to me.

timbley · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Mar 2005, 04:28 am »

Well, I think you need to drag the TV down and make sure the DVD player is set up right. When you get the mutlichannel using the Panasonic settings, it's basically synthesizing the other channels, which isn't what you want to hear. When you use the DVD 6CH mode, all the speaker settings on the Panasonic are over-ridden. It'll play whatever you send it through the analog inputs. It basically just gives you volume control.

timbley · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Mar 2005, 04:28 am »

Actually, you could take your DVD player up to the TV!