How to adjust volume in my new setup?

[mistergsf]

I haven’t posted in a long time so PLEASE let me know if this question belongs in a different section.

My living room home theater system is currently a 5.1 setup (but without a sub right now). My AVR is an Onkyo TX-SR706, main front L/R are DALI Ikon 7’s, center is DALI Vokal 2, and surrounds are DALI Ikon 2’s.

I’ve always felt my mains were lacking some oomph so I decided to add my Onkyo Integra A-809 integrated amp into the mix to power my mains and take a load off the AVR. This setup would also allow me to have a nice 2-channel setup for listening to my vinyl in the living room in addition to the man cave.

After making all the proper connections and making sure it was working, I set the volume knob on the A-809 to 12 o’clock and ran Audessey. This is where things are really fuzzy for me; the proper way to control the volume.

When I first turn on my system to watch TV or a Blu-ray, the volume is at a low level. If I turn up the volume on the AVR, do I also have to adjust the volume on the amp as well? It seems I would have to have the volume in sync on both. Is that correct? This is where I need help. I am totally lost with how to manage the volume.

Please help!!!

FYI, since both AVR and amp are Onkyo, using my universal remote will control the volume on both.

BTW, my fronts sound ridiculous!!! I should have done it sooner.

Marcus

[4Dblu]

you can set the amp half way and use the AVR for your volume control

[mistergsf]

Originally Posted by 4Dblu

you can set the amp half way and use the AVR for your volume control

Thanks, 4Dblu. Now I'm in my Harmony Ultimate One app trying to figure out how to make the Harmony remote control the Volume on the AVR only and not the other amp. It's tricky with both being same brand.

[Stilljoe]

I'm surprised no one has suggested this. I have two Pioneer receivers (one is just used as an amp for Atmos speakers) and obviously the same problem.

The answer is black electrical tape over the IR receiver of the power amp.

That takes away remote on/off, so unless you have a trigger system, the second amp is "always on". I don't think the power usage is significant.

[mistergsf]

Originally Posted by Stilljoe

I'm surprised no one has suggested this. I have two Pioneer receivers (one is just used as an amp for Atmos speakers) and obviously the same problem.

The answer is black electrical tape over the IR receiver of the power amp.

That takes away remote on/off, so unless you have a trigger system, the second amp is "always on". I don't think the power usage is significant.

Thanks, Stilljoe. That was always my easy option but part of the reason I added the Onkyo integrated amp was to have a nice 2-channel set up so I could listen to my vinyl in the living room and not just in my "other" room. I still wanted to be able to use the remote for it in certain situations.

I did finally find a solution. Digging through the manual, I discovered that the Onkyo AVR allows you to change the remote ID in the settings. It's specifically for this kind of overlap with two components of the same brand. It works so far.

Now, I'm having to reconfigure my device settings for my Harmony Ultimate One remote as the final step. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Stilljoe]

Good to know! I 'll take a look and see if Pioneer have a similar option.
Cheers,
Joe