Well, here I am again, reporting upon more audio setup "discoveries". Perhaps I shall never learn all there is to learn about the setup options for my system. In any event, I thought I would share what I have most recently learned, in the event that my new-found knowledge might be useful to some of my GE Forum Friends.

I have Triton Ones as my Fronts, SuperSat 3Cs as my Front Wides and Triton Sevens as my Rear Surrounds. They are all connected to my Onkyo NR 3009 9.2 channel AV Receiver. I want all of my wonderful GE speakers to be active when I listen to music, so I listen in All Channel Stereo Mode. I have tried listening to music in various sound simulation modes and I just don't like the result.

All of my music is stored in Lossless FLAC files on an external HD which is connected to a Toshiba Laptop dedicated to playing music files. Decoding for playback is accomplished through a Peachtree Audio high-resolution DAC, which is connected to my Onkyo via standard L/R RCA-type audio cable.

My Triton Ones LFE inputs are connected to Subwoofer One output on my Onkyo. I also have two powered subwoofers connected to Subwoofer Two output on my Onkyo

My Onkyo processes incoming analog audio signals differently than incoming digital signals,which means that various audio options function differently when the input is audio versus digital. For example, with an analog audio input signal and listening in All Channel Stereo Mode, if I set all speakers to Full Range and turn Double Bass OFF, there will be no signals present at either of the two Onkyo Subwoofer Outputs. The Double Bass option is only available if my Front Speakers are set to Full Range.

I have never been satisfied with the bass sound when I set the Fronts to Full Range, but do not use the Double Bass option. Therefore, I have set all speakers to Full Range and turned Double Bass ON. With Double Bass ON, I set the Triton Ones LFE control to minimum. Nothing really new so far, but, there is more to this story....

Because I am using a software program to play my music, I have a very accurate volume control available in that program. I have found that there is a very accurate relationship between the two volume controls. Each time I increase or decrease the Onkyo volume control by 6 db, I am changing the sound by 50%, as compared to the previous or reference setting. The same change happens when I increase or decrease the software volume control. So, for example, if I begin with the Onkyo volume control set to the 0 db reference setting and the software volume control set to 10% of full volume, then I reduce the Onkyo to minus 6 db, I can return to the same loudness level by increasing the software volume control to 20%. Reducing the Onkyo to minus 12 db requires an increase in the software volume to 40% to maintain the same loudness level.

I have been able to investigate the effects upon the musical sound of varying these two controls level. I have found that there are subtle, but noticeable, differences in sound reproduction between various settings combinations. For example, with the Onkyo set to the Reference Volume level of 0 db (pretty loud), and the software volume level set to a very low setting (10%), the bass sounds are a bit "boomier" when compared to reducing the Onkyo volume control by 12 db and boosting the software volume control to 40% (doubling from 10% to 20%, then doubling again from 20% to 40%).

Because I am listening to music with Double Bass ON, I want to find the best combination of settings for these two controls to provide deep and satisfying bass with a minimum of "bass boom". When I listen to classical music, I want to both hear and feel the bass drum when it is employed. I want to hear rich, but not excessive, double bass tones and thick orchestral coloration. When I listen to jazz with a pronounced double bass line, I want to hear a deep, but not "boomy" thump.

At present, I have settled on an Onkyo volume setting of -12 db. I am also, for the first time, using the Equalizer in my Onkyo to reduce several frequency points for my subwoofers by several db. This change eliminates some excessive "boom" in the bass.

I vary the software volume control, depending upon the recording to which I am listening. This capability is critical to my ability to balance sound levels for different recordings.

If you use a CD or DVD player as an audio source and have that player connected to their receiver or amplifier via audio cables, I suggest that you conduct some experiments with your equipment to learn about how different settings affect the sound. If you are listening to CDs via digital connections, then a whole different range of options are probably available for exploration.

Thanks for reading my musings and I hope they help. I'll be pleased to answer questions.

Happy listening,

Art

Hi Art,
I have to admire how you keep playing with it.
I want to share my OPINION, and it is only that, my opinion/thoughts on your system. You have invested so much money and energy, time and trouble, careful listening, etc. And the Triton Ones are so awesome speakers, etc. etc. etc. Can I suggest that your Onkyo might not be up to the challenge? IMHO, and it is just opinion from having listened to it or similar before, the Triton Ones and your experienced ears deserve more than it can provide.
I hope that is not offensive, I do not mean it to be. I just think there is way better out there that will serve you and your system much better. In my mind, the Ones deserve separates. Every time I read what you write, my thoughts stumble over Onkyo and cannot get past my thoughts that is the weak link by far in your efforts!!! It might be great in lesser systems and for someone who does not expect/demand as much from his listening as you do.
That is all I want to say, and just hope that it MIGHT prove helpful and hopefully not offensive.
Happy Listening, God Bless,
Wayne

Hi Wayne,

Thanks for your comments and heart-felt thoughts. No offense meant and no offense taken. I agree that there are plenty of sound processors available that would surpass my Onkyo. At some point, I may consider purchasing a better-quality 2-channel integrated amplifier. Or, I might consider upgrading to a better-quality AV Receiver. My decision to upgrade will be very heavily influenced by music reproduction and the fact that I stream my music from my lossless FLAC files on my computer.

Here are my concerns.

One: Cost to really make a noticeable improvement in music reproduction.

Two: Being able to really enjoy all of my GE speakers while listening to music.

Three: The Onkyo provides 9.2 channel capability, which I use to reproduce 8.2 channel stereo music (8 stereo channels plus 2 subs - my center speakers are silent during music listening). With the same speaker connections, the Onkyo also provides multi-channel sound for movies. So, how do I upgrade and retain all of these capabilities?

Four: How much does my room size and my speaker-placement limitations affect best possible sound? In other words, do my room limitations overwhelm possible musical improvements from equipment upgrades?

I solicit thoughts and suggestions.

Thanks and best,

Art

Thanks Art for your kind-hearted response. I was sorta worried about my post hitting you the wrong way, as I know it was meant kindly but some might not take it that way. Thanks that you did!!!!!
You listen differently than anyone I know, so I can see your conundrum.
Am I right that you are mainly using the 9.2 setup from your Onkyo so that you can control the volume of the various speakers around the room to mesh well in an all stereo playground???? Didn't you say somewhere that you are not using this for surround sound movies? Is that right?
I mean, many a high powered amp could send output to four speakers each side of the room, but then their relative volumes would not be controlled. OR several good quality integrated amps daisy-chained could do the same and give you volume control (but the cost would probably be prohibitive).
What about a real champ of a two channel amp for the T Ones, with a home theater bypass that can then go to the Onkyo to play the rest of the surrounding speakers?
Just some thoughts, probably others will have better ideas than I do.
Have fun with it, God Bless,
Wayne

Wayne,

Thanks for the suggestions. I use the Onkyo for music and movies. When listening to music, I use the "All Channel Stereo" setting, which sends two-channel stereo sound to all speakers. My Center Speakers are connected to a separate two-channel amplifier, which I do not employ while listening to music. So, then net effect for me is 8.2 channel sound for music, with the 8 channels being 4 pair of L/R stereo channels.

When I watch movies, I use a multi-channel setting on the Onkyo, which provides 9.2 channel sound. I engage the separate center-channel amplifier for movies

Tell me more about a two-channel amplifier with a home theater bypass.

1. Would this feature send the two-channel signal to the Onkyo so that I could use the Onkyo to drive all of my other speakers while listening to two-channel music?

2. What are some specific two-channel amplifiers that I should consider?

3. What sonic improvements might I notice with a premium two-channel amplifier?

4. If my Triton Ones were connected to a separate two-channel amplifier, how would they be able to be used when playing movies?

Best,

Art

Hi Art,
Forgot or didn't catch that you use your system for movies too.
Anyway, there are LOTS of ways to skin the cat, I am sure with your inventiveness you might find lots more than I can suggest.
Keeping it simplest, not putting a surround processor in the equation (such as the Emo XMC-1 that I use, there are many other good to great quality ones), and going with an integrated amp with a home theater bypass (just to keep it simple for now) then this integrated amp will take your source signal from your FLAC files and play them to the Triton Ones. Connect the HT bypass taking that same signal to the Onkyo and let it do the rest for your surround setup.
There are lots of integrated amps which will send out that signal (some don't call it a HT bypass, but may have a rec out) like my tube integrated, or the Prima Luna many talk about on this forum. Conrad Johnson, ARC etc. It does not have to be tube mind you (but that would be a SWEET system and sound), probably Peachtree and many others would do the same in solid state.
1. Yes
2. Above
3. A good preamp and power amp combo will be cleaner sounding, much better resolution of details in the treble and bass with more natural sounding vocals, MUCH more musical IMHO, and more power could be available for greater dynamics. I could go on and on, and a good integrated will give probably 95% of the benefits I am describing. But honestly, Art, you will need to listen for yourself and see IF you hear any benefits and IF they are worth the additional investment. Obviously you can hear the difference great speakers make or you would not have the T Ones. I just think if they were fed a better signal they would be allowed to shine more.
4. Again, several ways to skin this cat, you could just play movies directly into the Onkyo and take a pre-amp output to the integrated amp for the Ones, or do the split before the Onkyo for even better movie sound, depending on how you process the movie sound.
Hope this helps and again in just a friendly spirit of sharing MY OPINIONS. Many may disagree with me.
I actually heard the Triton 2s demoed with an Onkyo receiver in an audio store in Singapore. So the store owner must have thought it was a good sound. I thought it sounded terrible and would never have bought my T 2s based on that audition. But then he let me hear the Aon 3s with a Simply Italy SMALL tube amp, and the sound was to die for. So I knew there was nothing wrong with the GEt brand I had come to hear, and asked if we could audition the T 2s with a different setup. He let me hear them with much better gear (I forget now) and I knew I had to get me a pair of these!!!!
I guess it is that experience (and a few other times I have heard Onkyo at friend's homes) that I am basing my comments on. But they should just be taken in my limited experience context.
Again, thanks for letting this just be a friendly conversation.
Happy listening.
God Bless,
Wayne