PIONEER VSX-03 Receiver Settings VS Yamaha 663

[ReggaetonSalsero]

Hey all. I just replaced my Yamaha rx-v663 Receiver with a Pioneer vsx-03thx receiver. I was ON POINT with the settings on the Yammie 663 it was so much easier to adjust & understand. Now with this pioneer elite 03 receiver it's VERY complicated to setup. I let it do the Mcacca auto calibration but it sounds worse then what the yammie sounded which i KNOW is not right. Any of u have an OPTIMAL Configuration/Setup for this elite receiver?

It's got the ps3, hdtv cable box, Sammie a650, polk 50's all around (2 fronts, 2 surrounds, 1 CS1 Center) & the eD a2-300 Subwoofer, all connected. How can i program the ed sub with the pioneer and what are the best settings for the receiver? I know it upconverts tv channels but i dont' want it to do that either cause the sammie does the tv upconversion so it's less work for the receiver not to do it. HELP N E 1? Thanks Oh it's all about blu rays and dvd movies for me as i don't listen to music too much.

[ReggaetonSalsero]

I'd like to know who has this receiver so i can ask a few questions like i notice every time the sound mode changes like watching tv for example, it will say mode -2 or +2 and i can't find anything on this in the manual.

[Slec]

Originally Posted by ReggaetonSalsero

I'd like to know who has this receiver so i can ask a few questions like i notice every time the sound mode changes like watching tv for example, it will say mode -2 or +2 and i can't find anything on this in the manual.

This is the Dialogue normalization kicking it. It tries to level out the sound when you change channels. too bad it can't do it for commercials which always seem to be 3x louder than normal programming.

[Slec]

Originally Posted by ReggaetonSalsero

Hey all. I just replaced my Yamaha rx-v663 Receiver with a Pioneer vsx-03thx receiver. I was ON POINT with the settings on the Yammie 663 it was so much easier to adjust & understand. Now with this pioneer elite 03 receiver it's VERY complicated to setup. I let it do the Mcacca auto calibration but it sounds worse then what the yammie sounded which i KNOW is not right. Any of u have an OPTIMAL Configuration/Setup for this elite receiver?

Unfortunately there isn't an 'optimal setting'. The MCACC uses the mic to take measurements of sound in your room and then adjust timing, delays, and cross over points based on this.

It's got the ps3, hdtv cable box, Sammie a650, polk 50's all around (2 fronts, 2 surrounds, 1 CS1 Center) & the eD a2-300 Subwoofer, all connected. How can i program the ed sub with the pioneer and what are the best settings for the receiver?

The MCACC will also set the level for your sub based on the system. I like my sub a bit louder so I bump it up a little bit

If you want to play with it manually, save the MCACC settings to a different memory channel. Also, go to page 40 of your manual. Read the last paragraph in the first column. it begins 'After a single calibration...'.

When I went through this, I ended up having 3 settings saved. The third one gave me unbelievable results.

Big daddy also has instructions on how to use an SPL meter if you want to do it yourself.

[ReggaetonSalsero]

Originally Posted by Slec

Unfortunately there isn't an 'optimal setting'. The MCACC uses the mic to take measurements of sound in your room and then adjust timing, delays, and cross over points based on this.


The MCACC will also set the level for your sub based on the system. I like my sub a bit louder so I bump it up a little bit

If you want to play with it manually, save the MCACC settings to a different memory channel. Also, go to page 40 of your manual. Read the last paragraph in the first column. it begins 'After a single calibration...'.

When I went through this, I ended up having 3 settings saved. The third one gave me unbelievable results.

Big daddy also has instructions on how to use an SPL meter if you want to do it yourself.

Hey thanks. Now the only trouble i'm really having is This pioneer does NOT let u alter the xover in the receiver itself for the subwoofer. I noticed that u can only change it for all of the actual SPEAKERS only from 80 to 100 to 150 to 200 and when u do any of those, as it doesn't have 120 as a choice, all of the speakers's crossovers change to that setting. It won't let u do it individually nor to the sub. I noticed u can change from small to large individually with the speakers only but for the sub it's either YES or NO as far as having one connected. That's it. Do u know about this or someone else who might have this receiver and knows about this? This receiver is already working my nerves. My old yammie let me change the xover of EACH speakers xover on it's own, not all in one shot only like this pioneer does. I can't believe it won't let me change the xover to 120 on the subwoofer.

Also, what is ur experience with the pioneer remote? I couldn't program ANYTHING on it. My old yammies remote was able to program everything. This really sucks. thanks

[Slec]

It's always easier with the unit you knew. That being said, they could certainly improve on it...

As for the cross-over point, if the point is set at 80, then the speakers get everything above 80 and the sub everything below. If you set it to 150, the sub gets everything below 150hz, the speakers everything above it. I wish the speakers had individual crossover settings, but at the end of the day it really isn't necessary.

[ReggaetonSalsero]

Originally Posted by Slec

It's always easier with the unit you knew. That being said, they could certainly improve on it...

As for the cross-over point, if the point is set at 80, then the speakers get everything above 80 and the sub everything below. If you set it to 150, the sub gets everything below 150hz, the speakers everything above it. I wish the speakers had individual crossover settings, but at the end of the day it really isn't necessary.

So what are ur settings? I put everything on PURE DIRECT so it doesn't use anything eq or digital processing or phase control. How is ur experience with the remote? I couldn't program anything on it.

[JJ]

The remote, I wouldn't know - I used a Harmony from Day 1 with it.

Slec explained the crossover, but yes, that is a catch with them, it only gives you a single crossover point for all your speakers. Go figure, I didn't like that either. But not a breaking point with it. Set it to 100 or 150, no big deal with the eD 300.

MCACC from my VSX-03 sounded leaps and bounds better than Audyssey from my old Marantz. But I've tweaked it myself as well, cuz I know sometimes it would give me these deranged subwoofer distances that made no sense. Do it yourself via SPL meter, if need be.

I use mine on Auto Surround - since I have an extra channel, it adds DD EX processing to PCM or TrueHD or DD signals - or DTS ES to HD-MA or regular DTS signals.

But then again, maybe because this stuff is now second nature to me, I found its setup to be a breeze!

I don't know about signal upconversion either, but since I don't watch TV on it or have a DVR connected to it...I wouldn't know about that.

[Slec]

Originally Posted by ReggaetonSalsero

So what are ur settings? I put everything on PURE DIRECT so it doesn't use anything eq or digital processing or phase control. How is ur experience with the remote? I couldn't program anything on it.

Ahhhhhh...there we are. Pure Direct bypasses the MCACC. You will only wanna use this when listening to music.

I didn't have any issues with the remote. What specifically are you having issues with? i only use my factory remote when playing with settings. for everything else I use my Harmony.

When watching tv I use Dolby PLII Movie (std surround setting). When watching blu's.. hmm let me pop one in.

[ReggaetonSalsero]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

The remote, I wouldn't know - I used a Harmony from Day 1 with it.

Slec explained the crossover, but yes, that is a catch with them, it only gives you a single crossover point for all your speakers. Go figure, I didn't like that either. But not a breaking point with it. Set it to 100 or 150, no big deal with the eD 300.

MCACC from my VSX-03 sounded leaps and bounds better than Audyssey from my old Marantz. But I've tweaked it myself as well, cuz I know sometimes it would give me these deranged subwoofer distances that made no sense. Do it yourself via SPL meter, if need be.

I use mine on Auto Surround - since I have an extra channel, it adds DD EX processing to PCM or TrueHD or DD signals - or DTS ES to HD-MA or regular DTS signals.

But then again, maybe because this stuff is now second nature to me, I found its setup to be a breeze!

Yeah it gave my distance with the sub a 7' 4" which is retarded cause i have that sub right next to me on the left side of my sofa. I left it like that cause i didn't think it made any difference to the sound.

[Slec]

Auto surround does a fairly good job. I like playing with the advanced surround settings because they give me more of the sound i want for certain types of movies. You'll get the hang of it, you just need to stretch your comfort zone a bit.

I watch blu's in Direct mode. No 'processing' being done, but the EQ and distancing are taken into account.

*by processing, I mean whatever signal my PS3 sends to it, is what it puts out. No matrixing, everything is to discrete channels.

[ReggaetonSalsero]

Originally Posted by Slec

Auto surround does a fairly good job. I like playing with the advanced surround settings because they give me more of the sound i want for certain types of movies. You'll get the hang of it, you just need to stretch your comfort zone a bit.

I watch blu's in Direct mode. No 'processing' being done, but the EQ and distancing are taken into account.

*by processing, I mean whatever signal my PS3 sends to it, is what it puts out. No matrixing, everything is to discrete channels.

I saw ur sub is close to the front next to the tv. Isn't the measurement of the sub the distance from the mic to where the sub is? That means urs should be around 7 feet right? Since mine is right next to me on the left side of the sofa, it would be like 2 ft right?

[cembros]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1112470

i am here to rescue you, this is a dedicated mcacc thread over at avs forum. The mcacc is difficult to master but the results are amazing, much better than auddesy if done correctly in my opinion. Read that thread throughly, run you mcacc correctly and get back to me with all of your praises,

[ReggaetonSalsero]

Originally Posted by cembros

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1112470

i am here to rescue you, this is a dedicated mcacc thread over at avs forum. The mcacc is difficult to master but the results are amazing, much better than auddesy if done correctly in my opinion. Read that thread throughly, run you mcacc correctly and get back to me with all of your praises,

lol, thanks i will check it out

[Waiterguy]

Hey there! I just picked this receiver up last week, and agree, the MCACC is very difficult to master, and the lack of crossover options just plain sucks. That said, I do have all of my components running through HDMI control, and it is pretty seamless. As far as using the factory remote to control anything....the only way I was able to control my elite dvd player with the receivers remote, was to switch it to the BD input, that way it was just one button that I had to push to program it. You have to work with the remote a little to get used to it. As far as sound output....I used the same setting as most for regular tv, then for movies I have been playing around. THX sounds great with some movies, some of the other advanced surround modes sound good with others. Its all a matter of taste I guess. It is gonna be a longer process with this one for sure. lol Good luck!!

[Slec]

Originally Posted by ReggaetonSalsero

I saw ur sub is close to the front next to the tv. Isn't the measurement of the sub the distance from the mic to where the sub is? That means urs should be around 7 feet right? Since mine is right next to me on the left side of the sofa, it would be like 2 ft right?

Exactly, its the distance from the mic to the sub. Mine is 7'02" so great guess!

Cembros, thanks for that link, I hadn't seen that thread. I know what I'll be doing this weekend!

[ReggaetonSalsero]

Originally Posted by Waiterguy

Hey there! I just picked this receiver up last week, and agree, the MCACC is very difficult to master, and the lack of crossover options just plain sucks. That said, I do have all of my components running through HDMI control, and it is pretty seamless. As far as using the factory remote to control anything....the only way I was able to control my elite dvd player with the receivers remote, was to switch it to the BD input, that way it was just one button that I had to push to program it. You have to work with the remote a little to get used to it. As far as sound output....I used the same setting as most for regular tv, then for movies I have been playing around. THX sounds great with some movies, some of the other advanced surround modes sound good with others. Its all a matter of taste I guess. It is gonna be a longer process with this one for sure. lol Good luck!!

I'm actually using that blu ray hdmi connection for the ps3 connection, then the int 1 for my cable box connection via hdmi, then the int2 hdmi, i have something else connected to that so i can't do what u did and let me tell u that NOTHING, not even my samsung a650 tv was able to be programmed on that remote. It's weird cause FEEL wise, it feels so much stronger and better made then the yammie 663's remote but yet the yammie is easily programmed and took all my stuff, it easily programmed everything where as the pioneers remote, although built with a better/tougher feel, u can't program JACK to it. I had a harmony 1000 but that was just way too bulky to deal with and i'm not trying to spend another 450 bucks on a remote.

I did the mcacc again and it gave me a reading totally different from my last setup. How WEIRD is that. I think i just might need to go to radio shack and buy that spli meter only i don't know how to use that LOLOL. Such hassle for perfection lol

[Slec]

There are cheaper harmony remotes out there than the Harmony One and 1000/1100. I have the 670?, the one that looks like a Tivo remote. i wouldn't trade it for anything, not even the One or the 880. I got it for like $99. I didn't try to program anything other than the AVR with mine... now i see why I couldn't understand your problem, I was looking at it wrong, sorry

[ReggaetonSalsero]

Originally Posted by Slec

There are cheaper harmony remotes out there than the Harmony One and 1000/1100. I have the 670?, the one that looks like a Tivo remote. i wouldn't trade it for anything, not even the One or the 880. I got it for like $99. I didn't try to program anything other than the AVR with mine... now i see why I couldn't understand your problem, I was looking at it wrong, sorry

Hey no sorry is necessary, especially when ur one of a FEW trying to help and u took the time to try and i can appreciate that, so thanks I notice alot of people on this site like to judge u based on ur knowledge of tech stuff here which to me it makes them full of $h!t since some think they are better than others cause they know more. U do have others that are VERY NICE and genuine in wanting to help without the judgements, which is why i can surely appreciate ur help

Yes i tried programming everything to mine. U said u programmed ur avr to ur harmony? Did that take EVERY key of the original pioneers remote to that? I mean, can u use the same keys the same way as the pioneers remote on that harmony?

I can't believe this elite 03 is supposed to be better than the marantz 7002, denon 3803 or 4308. It's very complicated. It shouldn't be so difficult to get good sound. If only things were made SIMPLE so we can all enjoy it equally lol.

[Slec]

The devil is in the details when it comes to sound. The more you tweak the more you want better control. Every line has its own sound. Some people love the way Denon's sound. Some love the way Pioneer Elite's sound. Find what works and run with it!

The Harmony software takes the important keys and ports them over. The first page of my LCD screen has DVR info (cable mode) and PS3 controls (movie mode). The 2nd page has all the sound mode settings for my AVR. I use the volume knob more than anything else so i'm not overly concerned about it. I generally do all the setup with the factory remote. Day-to-day use is through the Harmony.

There is a wealth of knowledge on this site. Sometimes questions get asked over and over (this thread is NOT one of them) so long term members get 'creative' with their responses. Hang around a bit, ask questions. There are plenty here who would love to help you out......and if you're so inclined when upgrade-itis hits, to spend your money