5.1 setup not working properly- Yamaha dsp a1

[binny_jai]

Hi,
This is my first surround system and I'm new to audio stuffs.

Did some research and bought a used Yamaha amp(DSP A1) and JBL speakers.

Main speakers (JBL ES90 4-way)
Center Speaker(JBL es25c)
Rear Speakers(JBL es 10)

I'm really happy with the sound quality. Recently used some test sound files to test the 5.1 and not getting the expecting result.I can experience the 5.1 effect from the Main speakers and centre speaker.

Sounds are spilting in the main speakers and Center speakers but the Rear sound is coming out from Main speakers mostly and little from Left rear speaker and very little from rear right speaker .
This is the case when the sound is supposed to come out from Left and Right rear speaker.
Example if the sound was supposed to come out of rear left, most of the sound comes from Main left , a little from rear left and very little from rear right at the same time.

There is a test option inbuilt in DSP a1 , it works fine.

I've a PC, Panasonic Vierra TV and PS4.

Have tested connecting directly to each device using Digital output , same result.

Have gone through the manual multiple times, no progess. Wasted a lot of time in it, bought a good sound card yesterday for the PC but still the same.

Any advice will be much apprecited.

Binny

 

[gopher1369]

This answer assumes there is no fault with your equipment (ie both the amp and speakers are 100% functional and connected correctly):

TV: the vast majority of TVs only output 2.0 sound out of their optical ports. The only way to transmit 5.1 from a TV to an amp is via ARC
http/www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/hdmi-arc-explained-works-care/

PC: PCs use uncomprecced PCM audio. Optical cables have very limited bandwith, they're only capable of transmitting uncompressed (PCM) sound in 2.0. Some sound cards will allow you to compress the audio down so that it will fit across an optical cable; your sound card needs to support either Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect (I know both Asus Xonar and Creative Labs cards do, onboard sound cards probably don't). These technologies likely aren't on by default, you would need to enable it in your audio settings.

PS4: Again, it's probably defaulting to uncompressed PCM audio. There should be an option in the PS4 audio settings to compress audio so that you can get 5.1 across optical. Go into the sound options on your PS4 and look for either DTS or Dolby Digital as the default audio format.

 

[binny_jai]

Thanks Mate for the prompt reply.

PS4 - Tried the PCM,DTS and Dolby Digital long back but had the same problem if i remember correctly. Anyway will try it once again tonight.

PC.
My motherboard dint have optical output, so connected to TV using the HDMI output from graphics card and digital output from TV to amp.
I bought Asus Xonar sound card yesterday and connected using digital output from sound-card to amp. Now it the sound settings I can see two new option in supported format tab DTS Audio and Dolby Digital checkbox which I font see previous one(HDMI setting) but still no 5 channel options in setting. I can see 5 channel option if i connect to speakers directly from sound-card.
Sound were the same if I use both the above option and same problem in 5.1

 

[gopher1369]

I actually own an Asus Xonar card for this exact reason, the U7. It supports Dolby Digital Live, that's what you need. This is how to enable it:

Right click the volume icon in the bottom right hand corner of your desktop
Playback devices
Right click on the Asus Xonar and choose properties.
Go to the Advanced tab
Set "Default format" to Dolby Digital Live (for me it's the very botom option).
And finally Apply of course.

Now all audio your PC produces, your sound card will capture it and re-encode it all to Dolby Digital 5.1 before outputting it over your optical cable.


If your amp still doesn't give you proper 5.1 sound then there's a fault somewhere with your amp/speakers/cables.

 

[jsmithepa]

If the testing went well then your basic hardware is OK. It has to be because the player is not properly told "I have 5.1 hardware out there, you should output 5.1" or you are using the wrong decoder. The symptoms you described sounds like you are using a fake surround mode (takes 2 channels and plays 5.1) instead of a discrete decoder like Dolby Digital.

 

[binny_jai]

Hi Alaric,

Found the problem.

DTS is working only from Playstation. I tried by using an original Bluray movie and change the audio setting to BitStream Mix and in the amplifier the DTS option was on.

My digital output from PC and TV are only PCM for Bluray content.

So to gets DTS digital output from PC, I need to get a new sound card which can encode the PCM to DTS ?

Is there any options?

Thanks all for your advice.

 

[gopher1369]

So to gets DTS digital output from PC, I need to get a new sound card which can encode the PCM to DTS ?

Is there any options?

I've already mentioned in an earlier post, but to recap you need a soundcard with either DTS Connect or Dolby Digital Live. I own an Asus Xonar U7 with DDL in a very similar setup to the one you have and it works perfectly. Some of the Creative Soundblaster cards support DTS Connect.

 

[binny_jai]

Hi Mate,

Thanks for you reply.

I'm still considering soundcard option, its quite pricy.

I'll be buying either one if I gonna buy for soundcard,
https/www.asus.com/Sound-Cards/Xonar_D2X/specifications/
https/www.amazon.co.uk/Xonar-Essence-STX-II-Sound/dp/B00ONSBF4K/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1479250707&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=Xonar+D2X

While researching for options,
I came across HDMI Splitter , will it solve the problem
https/www.amazon.co.uk/Tendak-Optical-Extractor-Converter-Splitter/dp/B0119J94FM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1479221151&sr=8-3&keywords=hdmi%2Bsplitter%2Bdts&th=1#Ask

https/www.amazon.co.uk/Neet-Splitter-Pass-Through-Control-Functionality/dp/B00UALBKIK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479220569&sr=8-1&keywords=hdmi%2Bsplitter%2Bdts&th=1

Let me know, what you think.

 

[gopher1369]

That splitter isn't going to work - the fundamental problem is that you cannot send 5.1 PCM audio across an optical cable, somewhere along the line you have to have a device capable of compressing it to either Dolby Digital or DTS.

This is what I use, much cheaper:
https/www.amazon.co.uk/Xonar-U5-Soundcard-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00MI8IDRE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479292146&sr=8-1&keywords=asus+xonar+U5
Supports Dolby Digital Live.


Alternative suggestion: Sell the amp you bought on Ebay and replace it with an amp that has HDMI inputs, eg:
http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ONKYO-TX-SR507-AV-Receiver-Amplifier-BLACK-Excellent-Condition-/302117802097?hash=item46579fd071:g:6OwAAOSw44BYDhyU

 

[binny_jai]

Thanks Mate.

You are right, I need a soundcard to encode the PCM to DTS and send it to amplifier else need to buy a new amplifier.

Right now I've spend a considerable amount of money for speakers , so instead of buying a new soundcard I can buy a amplifier as you said.

The problem with buying new amplifier is, I've DSP A1 which was a flagship model when released but I don't have any problem with it in sound quality. So if I going for new one I need to buy a good one, so will save up some money and do some research in finding the worthy successor.
I've read in many forum ppl who upgraded the DSP A1 with good amplifier were unhappy with the sound quality.
So its not an easy decision to make.
Note:
Right now I'm saving up money for a good sub woofer(SVS) as well.

 

[binny_jai]

Hi Mate,

what you think about these soundcards

https/www.amazon.co.uk/Terratec-Aureon-7-1-PCIe-audio/dp/B009RGA18E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480422635&sr=8-1&keywords=Terratec+7.1+PCI-e

Or
https/www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Labs-Sound-Blaster-Express/dp/B009S1NTUU/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1480422468&sr=1-2&keywords=creative+sound+blaster+z

At the moment yamaha rxv 581 has been priced £349, is it worth to scrap the soundcard and go for this amp?

 

[gopher1369]

I've never used a Terratec soundcard, but I've used Creatives int he past and been happy with them. Asus or Creative cards are my usual recommendation if someone needs a soundcard.

Buying the amp is the best option if you want the absolute best sound quality. DTS and Dolby Digital are compressed audio formats. The Yamaha RX-V581 will allow you to use uncompressed/lossless audio over HDMI (eg LPCM / DTS:MA / DolbyHD).

I have a Yamaha RX-V371 in my living room and I'm very happy with it, but it's a budget model. I don't know enough about amps to give a recommendation, or whether using your kit you'd hear a significant difference between, say DTS and DTS Master Audio. Here is a good place for technical questions, somewhere like the AV Forums would be a better place for a question like that.

 

[binny_jai]

I've bought the creative sound to check whether it can decode the 5.1 PCM to dts which might be a temporary fix.
Meanwhile I'm going to definitely going to upgrade the amplifier in the next few months but need to find the right successor.
After the research I might go for RXV 571 or RXA 1050 but will look for some more options as well.

thanks for your tips mate.

 

[gopher1369]

You're welcome.


The Creative card you linked to earlier definitely can, just look in the instructions for turning on DTS Connect. It won't be on by default. I've never used DTS:C, but assuming it works the same as Dolby Digital Live:

Right click on the sound icon in the bottom right.
Playback devices
Right click on the Creative sound card and set it as default playback device
Right click on the Creative sound card and choose properties
Go to the advanced tab at the top and from the drop down box pick DTS Connect as the Default Format

 

[Mark B]

Hi,
This is my first surround system and I'm new to audio stuffs.

Did some research and bought a used Yamaha amp(DSP A1) and JBL speakers.

Main speakers (JBL ES90 4-way)
Center Speaker(JBL es25c)
Rear Speakers(JBL es 10)

I'm really happy with the sound quality. Recently used some test sound files to test the 5.1 and not getting the expecting result.I can experience the 5.1 effect from the Main speakers and centre speaker.

Sounds are spilting in the main speakers and Center speakers but the Rear sound is coming out from Main speakers mostly and little from Left rear speaker and very little from rear right speaker .
This is the case when the sound is supposed to come out from Left and Right rear speaker.
Example if the sound was supposed to come out of rear left, most of the sound comes from Main left , a little from rear left and very little from rear right at the same time.

There is a test option inbuilt in DSP a1 , it works fine.

I've a PC, Panasonic Vierra TV and PS4.

Have tested connecting directly to each device using Digital output , same result.

Have gone through the manual multiple times, no progess. Wasted a lot of time in it, bought a good sound card yesterday for the PC but still the same.

Any advice will be much apprecited.

Binny

 

[Mark B]

Hi Binny_jai,

So you bought an amazing Yamaha DSP-A1 and probably got a great price on it...back when it was first released back in 1999ish it was Yamaha's flagship receiver at about $2599 and it was/is amazing... I still have mine and while I've bought many since...it's still my favorite for many reasons...but to keep this short and on point I'll try to help you out...

There are many settings for this DSP-A1 including one that takes the 5.1 surround mode and it actually has a 7.1 capability but the 2 extra are effects speakers in the front and up high above the two main speakers...it really has the ability to reproduce the sound characteristics of music halls, clubs, as well as Scifi Movies etc. and it does it very well instead of being gimmicky...it just sounds beautiful...

So if you look in your manual and find 'how to configure speakers' you may find that if you 'select off' for a speaker like turning off your rear speakers that their sound comes through the mains... you can also check to see if it's in 'Party Mode' which sends right to all the right speakers and left sound to all the left speakers like a big stereo system...some of the many DSP modes will send extra sound to other areas to create an effect...also the remote is fully programmable so you can reset it by pushing a button in the battery area...I don't think it will clear the programmed macros but if the remote but you can try it...

If you can't find it just let me know and I'll look it up in my manual which is available and downloadable online from Yamaha...

http/download.yamaha.com/search/result/?site=usa.yamaha.com&language=en&search=DSP-A1

I hope you enjoy your DSP-A1 as much as I have...and get some help carrying it...it weighs a ton...

Mark