Marantz av7701 help

[talbers23]

I recently upgraded my Denon 3808 to the Marantz av7701. I'm still using my Emotiva xpa5 but changed from unbalanced to balanced wiring. The issue that I'm running into is when I use Audyssey all the levels, except for the subwoofer, come back -12 which is the max where Audyssey recommends lowering levels and running again. I've used Audyssey way more then I care to admit with my Denon and the levels were always +2 or more each. I'm using B&W 683's, the 61 center and 685 for surrounds with a pair of 12cm's for subwoofers if that helps at all. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I'm very stressed trying to figure this out and use my new gear.

[Nick The Slick]

Man that sucks, that's where I give pro amps the advantage since you can adjust the gain on them. Anyways, I'd say it's because you're using balanced inputs now which output at higher voltages than unbalanced line-level, thus driving the Emo to max much much easier (and since you can't adjust the gain on it, Audyssey has to be the one to adjust it). This is just my best guess though. For example with my XLS if i run it with line level I have to crank the gain to max to bring the line level signal up enough to get the levels of my mains to match the other speakers, but with the ART CleanBox converting to balanced I can drop the gain to half or below and still have -dB's after calibration. I would say try switching it back to line-level and try again and see if the results differ, though I know that will probably be a pain if the rear of your gear is tough to get to like mine, but it just might be the easiest/cheapest option for right now. Unless someone else knows something I don't?

[talbers23]

Thanks for sharing that example. I don't want to but I suppose I could go back to unbalanced. Any other suggestions?

[aces high]

Originally Posted by talbers23

Thanks for sharing that example. I don't want to but I suppose I could go back to unbalanced. Any other suggestions?

These are what you need if you want to keep using your balanced cables.

http://www.parts-express.com/term/10...0db+attenuator

First I'd use an spl meter to see if at -12 the speakers are at 75db, if so you don't need anything. If the speakers are reading higher than 75db the processor obviously isn't able to dial them back enough and the attenuator's are needed.

[talbers23]

I didn't know something like that existed. Ill give it a try if all else fails. Would the attenuator have any negative affect on the sound quality? I spent way to much on the xlr wires and I would hate to add an intersection if it had a negative affect. The only reason I'm so hesitant to go back to unbalanced is a lot of what I've been reading is that using a low end balanced wire is better then an extremely high end unbalanced wire. I've been told to reset the microprocessor and recalibrate to see if that fixes the issue. I'll try the microprocessor reset and recalibration later today.

[talbers23]

This is the email I got back from Audyssey help.

This happens because Audyssey is trying to set the levels to reference. For smaller rooms, highly efficient speakers and high gain amplifiers (or all of the above) this can be difficult because the AVR is out of adjustment range.
Does the Emotiva have any level control? Some amps do.

That response makes me wonder, what size room is this equipment made for? I have a 11'x22' room and the furthest speaker away from the mic is 10.5'. Am I crazy in thinking that this should be working just fine or is my room really to small?

[Nick The Slick]

Originally Posted by talbers23

I didn't know something like that existed. Ill give it a try if all else fails. Would the attenuator have any negative affect on the sound quality? I spent way to much on the xlr wires and I would hate to add an intersection if it had a negative affect. The only reason I'm so hesitant to go back to unbalanced is a lot of what I've been reading is that using a low end balanced wire is better then an extremely high end unbalanced wire. I've been told to reset the microprocessor and recalibrate to see if that fixes the issue. I'll try the microprocessor reset and recalibration later today.

From everything I've read, going balanced really doesn't have much of an advantage over unbalanced until you start making really long runs where interference can become a problem as well as the need for the higher voltage to ensure the signal makes it across those long runs at a level high enough to drive the amps. If your pre/pro is close enough to the amp where you can use 6' or less of interconnects, there shouldn't be any audible (or inaudible really) difference in sound quality between the two (unless there is A LOT of emi/rmf between the run). I honestly can't tell any difference in sound between balanced/unbalanced with my pro amp, just the difference in the signal level as I said before.

If you're set on sticking with balanced though I would go with Ace's suggestions of first checking the levels with an SPL meter to make sure any action needs to be taken at all. If so, then the attenuators would have been my next suggestion. I just didn't suggest them at first because I was trying to suggest something that wouldn't cost you anything (except the time and hassle of switching out haha).

[talbers23]

Reset the microprocessor and re-calibrated. Same results. I'll try going back to my unbalanced interconnects tomorrow and see if that helps.

[talbers23]

I switched back to my old unbalanced interconnects and was able to calibrate, only slightly in -db's. I returned the 3 sets of king cobra balanced xlr wires and ordered 3 sets of king cobra unbalanced. Sounds fantastic with lower quality interconnects, cant wait to get the new ones. Thanks for the assistance, I wouldn't have thought to try anything but balanced.

[substance]

7701 as far as I know applies same levels to both subwoofer outputs. It doesn't process dual subs. It just has 2 sub output. Denon might have had dual sub ability. one of your sub is pushing too much volume maybe.

I own a McIntosh MX121 which is based on 7701. I used a DB meter to match volumes on both of my subs. I had to level down one of them by 2 desibels(its closer to a corner). my subs have 25hz and 50hz knobs I also adjusted those with 25hz and 50hz sound generator. Audyssey now gives much better results.

You need to get a tripod and tilt the mic 45 degrees point to your TV. take 8 measurements. you can google audyssey recommended mic positioning patterns.

Once audyssey is done. set all your speakers to small at 80hz. bump up your sub volume by 1 db (on 7701) that should give 78db average with 2 subs. Use LFE only (never use main+lfe)