Panasonic SA XRS Digital amplifier/HT Receiver

BrunoB · « **Reply #260 on:** 8 Jan 2004, 06:45 pm »

Quote from: Code Chemist

Is the Sony also a digital amp? If so, is it a pure Sony design or are they using someone else's digital amp chips?

Dear Chemist,

here is the thread that will answer everything you want to know about Sony' digital amps:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=2297&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=62

Happy reading,

Another chemist.

dm · « **Reply #261 on:** 8 Jan 2004, 10:40 pm »

some new info on the new SA-XR70 from CES:

http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/pressroom/cont2.asp?Filter=12&cont_id=562

http://www.highfidelityreview.com/news/news.asp?newsnumber=18868399

Avail Aug 2004, includes HDMI, from the picture... no more back panel fan and two more bannana plugs added. $399 MSRP.

Code Chemist · « **Reply #262 on:** 8 Jan 2004, 10:57 pm »

Thanks for the link, BrunoB!

_scotty_ · « **Reply #263 on:** 13 Jan 2004, 03:18 am »

Update to all concerned. Hooked up the XR25 to the Teton GS HT for the last time until I try modding it. It might finally be broken in. The Panny is not quite as holographic or as dynamic as the DIY gear but it is closer than it was a month ago. The bass impact is not as forcefull as the Tripath based amp but it is much better than it was also. The fatigue factor is higher than the main system but still very acceptable. On less revealing gear it may not show up at all. One variable that I could not test for was what happens when a better transport feeds the receiver. My AIWA while quite good can certainly be bettered by other gear. Some of the fatigue
may be related to jitter problems. A good way to try to test this idea would be to put a Monarchy DIP between the transport and the receiver
and see how much of an improvement could be had for a very reasonable
investment. I am not asking as much of the Panasonic as someone who is using it as their main system anchor so I won't be upgrading it with a DIP. My wife is quite pleased with it's performance and stopped grumbling about the $300.00 it cost when I quit playing with it and put it the second system for good. If anyone tries the Monarchy DIP XR45/25 combination
please report your results. Scotty

P.S. To see my solution for hooking up large ga. speaker cable to the Panny and my feeble attempts at humor click on the gallery links
below.

Conteur · « **Reply #264 on:** 20 Jan 2004, 02:20 am »

Most of you probably know this, but this site does a pretty good job of describing the differences between an XR45 and an XR25.
http://www.videodirect.com/panasonic/receivers/sa-xr45.html

_scotty_ · « **Reply #265 on:** 21 Jan 2004, 03:14 am »

I don't know if those of you following this thread are aware of a parallel
thread over on the the Bolder Cable Co. circle that is discussing the performance gains possible from modding the XR25/45. The information there has very interesting ramifications for those of us on a limited budget and even
those on not so limited a budget. The future is closer than you might think.
Check it out ,Scotty

santiclaws · « **Reply #266 on:** 24 Jan 2004, 10:10 am »

Sooo, I'm still not sure what the proper setup is for both 2-channel and movies on this thing. The crossover is at 100Hz (WHY??) so if I have towers in front, I presume I want the setting to be at large for music? If speakers are set to large does nothing at all get then get sent to the sub? Now, what about movies? Do I set the speakers to small for 5-channel? Does that mean that everything below 100Hz get sent to the sub? Waaay, waay, too high, but on the other hand, if I set the speakers to large, nothing gets sent to the sub again? I'm confused.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #267 on:** 24 Jan 2004, 02:50 pm »

The Panny was designed for mass consumer HT types as a step up from HT in a box. Most of the speakers used in this type of HT do not have useable responce below 100 HZ and have "subwoofers" with 4" or 6" drivers.

When used with higher performance speakers, you can set everything to LARGE and still the signal gets routed to the sub. It will contain all information under 100 hz for the sub.

If you are feeding it information encoded in Dolby Digital or DTS, the .1 channel is separate and the Panny will send that information just to the sub.

My sugestion is to run all the speakers in large and adjust the internal crossover on your sub (if you have one) to 80 HZ or below, if possible.

santiclaws · « **Reply #268 on:** 24 Jan 2004, 05:57 pm »

Will go with your suggestion. Thanks, Wayne.

rblnr · « **Reply #269 on:** 26 Jan 2004, 01:05 am »

May have missed this in the thread (somehow), but would a sub hooked into the '45 require amplification, or can I run it off of one of the amps in the receiver? Seem to remember reading somewhere that it must be a powered sub, but the kit has six channels, so I'm confused.

Thanks.

JohnR · « **Reply #270 on:** 26 Jan 2004, 01:17 am »

I don't have one but I had the same question. From the manual it appears that the sixth channel is for the center rear. The only sub output is line-level.

azryan · « **Reply #271 on:** 29 Jan 2004, 05:45 pm »

It's just like any Rec. you really need to have a powered sub.

IF you used the Party mode just for 2-chan. use all the time then you could send a full range line level signal to a pair of subs and then use a x-over to filter out the range the mains play.

Basically adding an extra 'way' to your main speaker (whether 1,2,3,4- way, etc...)

I'd think this would be a very bad way to do it though. That's not the optimal way to hook up a sub, nor is this thing really able to handle a good, deep sub IMO.

Just use the line level sub out and get a tight sub and fast amp I'd say.

Edit -Too bad though you can go into the set-up menu and tell the Pannie where you want what signals to go to what amps. Maybe someday we'll be able to get something like this to switch from a rear center chan. to just getting a 80Hz and below signal for a sub.

Then add say 2 or 3 parametric e.q. points to fix any tough room probs (I don't actually believe in full blown room e.q. though as room echo can't be fixed by counter distorting your speaker).

One day I figure we'll be able to mess with these Recs. as if they're computers and set them up to do whatever the hell we want them to do.

Someday....

pdxdennisj · « **Reply #272 on:** 9 Feb 2004, 06:25 pm »

Hi Guys, I just opened up my XR45 to check everything before I ordered a Balck Gate replacement PS cap and found the topology not as described on previous poses on this board. The large PS cap is 820uF, 200V (approx. 34mm x 30mm) and it is located on a large circuit board that takes up half the chasis. It is black with gold printing stamped on it. The circuit board has multiple attachment screws as well as all speakers connections and ribbon connections to the front control paneland other panels. Replacing the PS cap with a Black Gate is not a simple project

. It is, in fact, one that I am quite hesitant to tackle. I have moded Cd players in the past and had one that was useless after my attempts

. Is there someting I'm missing. Does anyone else have a SR45 with a large integrated PS board?

Wayne1 · « **Reply #273 on:** 9 Feb 2004, 07:10 pm »

The power supply cap mod described on these pages earlier was for a Philips SACD player. Not the SA-XR45. The main power supply cap for the Panasonic is exactly as you describe it. It you are a novice, I would not attempt it.

I replace that cap with a Jensen four pole that requires quite a bit of circuit and circuit board modification to fit. I also replace quite a few other parts on that board.

Ears · « **Reply #274 on:** 11 Feb 2004, 12:33 am »

Quote from: pdxdennisj

Hi Guys, I just opened up my XR45 to check everything before I ordered a Balck Gate replacement PS cap and found the topology not as described on previous poses on this board. The large PS cap is 820uF, 200V (approx. 34mm x 30mm) and it is located on a large circuit board that takes up half the chasis. It is black with gold printing stamped on it. The circuit board has multiple attachment screws as well as all speakers connections and ribbon connections to the front control paneland other panels. Replaci ...

The BG ps cap upgrade for the Philips 963sa would not work whith the Pany and BG has no relpacenent cap of the proper size for the Pany.

I would listen to Wayne as I had to take the board your reffering to out of my first 45 and managed to short something out and got a code.

The 45 is much harder to modify then your average cd/dvd player and I would not reccomend any part swappers or novice modders messing whith it.

Send it to a pro imo.

Greg

HarleyMYK · « **Reply #275 on:** 14 Feb 2004, 06:53 pm »

OK, this remote works OK on the SA XR-45, but none of the codes work on any of my DVD, VCR, or my CD players.
()*$*!_@*$_!*$

()*$*!_@*$_!*$

Why don't manufacturers provide a wider range of compatible models?
How about spending the extra $5 to make a learning remote, so I don't need to go out and spend a minimum of $30 to buy one?

Jack Gilvey · « **Reply #276 on:** 15 Feb 2004, 01:58 pm »

This one's not even listed on the J&R.com site anymore...they do have the "replacement" models 50 and 70 available for pre-order, though.

garryjw · « **Reply #277 on:** 17 Feb 2004, 06:05 pm »

Quote

OK, this remote works OK on the SA XR-45, but none of the codes work on any of my DVD, VCR, or my CD players

At least you worked out how to change them. All my UK model says in the manual is refer to the seperate remote manual but there isn't a remote manual.

Does anyone know how to change codes on the Panny Remote - I want to control my Sony TV (I can do this from my Panny DVD-Recorder remote so i should think its possible)

Thanks in advance

HarleyMYK · « **Reply #278 on:** 18 Feb 2004, 02:08 am »

Press the TV button and then press 04.

04 is the only code provided for Sony TVs. It did not work with my Sony TV.

Good luck!

garryjw · « **Reply #279 on:** 18 Feb 2004, 06:24 pm »

Quote

Press the TV button and then press 04.

Thannks I'll give it a try. Do I need to hold the TV button down?