Official Onkyo TX-NR808 Receiver Thread

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by fraXis

I purchased my 808 from Amazon last week.

I ran into two problems with it.

1). When I first turn on the receiver to watch something in THX Cinema mode (doesen't matter what input I am using), the front display on the receiver will show that I have 5 channels active (left, center, right, surround right, and surround left). However, when I play a movie the surround speakers are not on. I need to go into Speaker Configuration and turn either the center channel all the way to off and then back to on, or the surrounds all the way to off and then back to on, to get them to kick back on.


2) I also noticed that if I have the amp set to 80 or higher (82 is ref when not using the THX reference level), I can hear a lot of noise from the front speakers. Not hiss, but actual noise. It is hard to describe but my cheap Pioneer amp did not have this type of noise with my same speaker setup that I am using with my Onkyo. It happens when playing a DVD, listening to a TV show in TV Logic, or even pausing a movie.


Do you have any of these two problems?

Alright, you'll have to learn a few things with your new toy.
Are you familiar at all with Onkyo receivers? If not, please, read the manual.
There are a lot of adjustments to make in your 808, and the best place to start is ... yes, you got it, RTFM.

1) First, THX Cinema mode sucks! ...That is my PERSONAL opinion, so don't panic!
There is a "Listening Mode Preset" in your 808 where you have to select each source and each audio mode for those sources, please, check in your manual and it will guide you through this, very important that you set those as it will determine how many speakers are active for each audio mode from each source! Ouf!

2) At that volume level it's normal to have noise. What are you trying to do, check for total black silence even with the volume turn on at max reference level and without anything playing? Are you a reviewer for the Ultra High End Magazine where they checked for Signal to Noise Ratio in a practical improbable life experimentation just for the sake of comparisons with other receivers like Pioneer? ...Like I said, you will always have some type of noise, and it's not from your 808, it's from the sum of all parts in your system plus your electric circuitry in your own home.
If it truly bothers you, just get back your cheap Pioneer amp that's all, right?
> Sorry if I sound a bit too direct, I'm just not that serious after all (just tryin' to put some noiseless humor).

So to recap, set your 808 properly (it's a heck of a nice receiver), and it will play from all the speakers you wish for if only you set the right audio mode for each audio codecs anf from each individual sources.

As for the noise, make sure all your connections are sound, and that your cabling and wiring is organised in a favorable fashion. Cross your A/C power cables at 90 degree angles with your interconnects if they have to intercede (or intersect) with each other, and try to leave your speaker's wires alone.
Also, shut down any dimmer light or halogen light.

When all done, let me know how it goes. And hopefully your receiver is working properly, but first you have to make sure that everything else is perfectly connected with all in good working cable's condition. We'll have to take it one step at a time to try locating what seems abnormal to you so far.

Cheers & Regards,
Bob