I am still listening to two-channel music with "secondary multi-channel support". However, I decided to convert my separate "movie" AV system to use two of my older Sony Receivers - one for 6.1 Sound (meaning 2 surrounds, 2 surround backs, fronts and a sub) and the other for separate Center Channel volume control. The connection between these two Receivers is via an Optical cable.

This arrangement allowed me to use my Onkyo for the separate "Surround Sound" provider for my music system.

A happy discovery with the employment of the two Sony's was that, with the optical connection between the two units, I could enjoy the benefits of having the dedicated Center-channel unit actually process the Center channel sound.

Using the Onkyo with the Audio system allows me to experiment with its many sound-processing simulations.

Having a separate surround sound receiver also allows me to vary the surround sound volume independently, depending upon the volume setting of my 2-channel Cambridge and the content and recording technology employed in creating the music source. So far, my listening preference is Dolby II for Music with the volume setting just lound enough to provide surround without me actually noticing it unless I turn it off.

Happy listening,

Art

After a lot of listening over the last several weeks, I have decided that, with my particular setup, setting the Onkyo to play the sides and rears in all-channel stereo provides a more pleasing experience as compared to setting the Onkyo to one of its sound-simulation modes.

This decision is somewhat influenced by the design problem within my Onkyo unit whereby the Onkyo does not successfully decode an incoming monaural signal into clear multi-channel sound. I have reported this issue to Onkyo both verbally and in writing, but Onkyo has chosen to not respond to my data and info. The problem does not occur when all-channel stereo mode is active.

So be it. I prefer the overall sound of all-channel stereo for my side Triton Sevens and my rear SuperSat 3Cs, so the Onkyo's little problem handling mono signals in multi-channel modes is of secondary concern to me.

I have made one additional adjustment to the Onkyo speaker settings which I believe has improved the sound. I have set the side and rear speaker distances to very small numbers (pretending that the speakers are very close to me). The effect of these settings is that the sound is pushed "further away" by the Receiver's circuitry. This effect provides a deepening of the sound stage in my room. I set both the Cambridge Stereo Amp and the Onkyo to the same volume levels.

I am a happy listener.

Regards to all my GE Forum Friends,

Art

Keep after it Bro Art!!!!
I am glad to hear you say you are a happy listener!!!!
That is a clever trick to set the distances small and thereby increase the time the sound reaches your ears.
Glad you are having fun with it and getting satisfying results.
Funny about the Onkyo people, they probably don't know what MONO means. They might not be old enough.
ha ha
God Bless,
Wayne

Hi Wayne,

Yes, it has been an interesting series of exchanges with Onkyo. The amusing element of this issue is that, buried in the back pages of their extensive manual for this receiver, there is a statement to the effect that the receiver's sound processing circuits may not handle a monaural signal properly in all sound simulation modes.

I have older Sony and Denon multi-channel receivers and none of the have this issue. So, whatever the cause, it is specific to Onkyo. It is unfortunate because, when I bought this receiver, it was Onkyo's flagship receiver. The one I have now is the third unit I have owned. The first one died within a month and it's replacement was recalled and replaced.

I will certainly never purchase another Onkyo product, nor would I recommend Onkyo to friends. And, that is unfortunate because I think that Onkyo has had a good reputation in the AV world. But, it appears that I have presented them with a problem that they could not figure out how to resolve, so they have ended up ignoring me. And, I have gone away - except for the telling of the tale as I am doing here.

I have a fair number of mono recordings in my music library because they are outstanding performances. If I were not enjoying the all-channel stereo mode, I would replace the Onkyo in my setup with my older 7-channel Denon, which is idle and on the shelf at the moment.

Happy listening.

Art

Well, here I am again - reporting upon my latest system arrangement. As I have mentioned previously, I have separate systems for listening to music and for watching movies/TV. My primary interest is music, so all of my GE speakers are dedicated to music.

My latest arrangement:

Triton Ones in Front, driven as "A" speakers by my Cambridge 851A Integrated Amp.

SuperSat 3Cs as "front- side- highs" - mounted near the ceiling and slightly forward of the Ones and connected to the Cambridge 851A "B" speakers terminals.

Triton Sevens in the rear of the room and connected to my Onkyo AV Receiver as "A" speakers.

The Triton Ones LFE inputs connected to the Onkyo Sub 1 and Sub 2 outputs.

The Paradigm DSP 3400 Sub connected to the Cambridge Preamp output.

The Cambridge Line Out connected to the Onlyo BD/DVD line in input.

This arrangement may be my last re-arrangement. After extensive listening with other configurations, I have determined that the Triton Ones and the SuperSat 3Cs match well when driven by the Cambridge. Driving the Sevens with the Onkyo allows me to separately set their ambient levels to balance their use in the room.

Connecting the Ones LFE inputs to the Onkyo Sub outs allows me to separately set the ambient level of the subs. The Paradigm sub has a level control, so I can balance its ambient level.

This arrangement allows me to enjoy the benefits of adding bass via the Ones LFE inputs, but also being able to reduce the bass level to balance the bass with the Triton Ones LFE levels set to the neutral 12:00 O'Clock position.

I am running the Onkyo in the "Pure Direct Mode" with the subwoofer enabled to provide 2-channel music with the minimum of other electronics in operation.

The presence of the SuperSat 3Cs mounted high and forward of the Ones widens the sound stage without detracting from the Ones as the primary speakers.

Happy listening to all and Happy New Year.

Art

Bro Art,
Enjoy this "last" iteration/setup/arrangement!!!!!!
BUT
We are not falling for that last arrangement stuff for a second. At least, I will not hold my breath, ha ha ha.
Enjoy, happy listening, hope this one does it for you!!!! Looks good on paper.
Happy New Year,
God Bless,
Wayne