Need advice on Home Theater setup

[kyutip]

Is there any site that has great information on Sound System (Home Theater) set up ?
or can anyone help me with this ?

Just got a Pioneer VSX-D509S to replace my old Denon AVR-900.
But I'm still not satisfied with the sound quality. (kinda comparable with my old good Denon)
here's what I have: Pioneer VSX-D509S, APEX-600A, COX Digital Cable Box, Panasonic VCR.
Polk Reference Monitor Series with passive subwoofer and a pair of Polk M7 for surround speakers.
And a KLH 3-way center speaker ( got it cheap )
I'm using MC500 Monster Cable. (cable from speaker to sub and from sub to receiver)
I use Interlink Datalink 100 digital coaxial cable from APEX to Receiver.

my question is:
1. should I set the APEX audio output to SPDIF/RAW or SPDIF/PCM ?
2. on speaker setup --> front speaker should I set it to LT/RT or stereo ?
3. on Dolby Digital setting, what's the best setting for Operational, Dual Mono, and Dynamic Range
4. why is it on any Dolby Digital Pro Logic DSP setting (on Pioneer) the sound is kinda heavy on center speaker ? the sound from either front speaker is kinda faint. I have to turn off the DSP settings.
5. can anyone help me with any other usefull settings ?

I'd really appreciate any kind of help.
Thanks

 

[kyutip]

anyone ?

 

[luv2chill]

1. Set it to SPDIF/RAW if you want Dolby Digital/DTS decoding
2. Stereo
3. I don't understand what you mean here. What settings are you talking about and what are the choices for those settings?
4. Might just be the characteristics of the DSP. You can adjust the volume of the center channel independently of the L/R channels. Your user manual should be able to show you how to do that.
5. I don't have the same stuff as you, so I don't have any further suggestions.

l2c

 

[RKS]

Home Theatre Forum

 

[KameLeon]

**** REPEAT ****
Home Theater Forum - The best place for such stuff

 

[divinemartyr]

Boy that's a great post there KameLeon. Very informative, especially compared to the post before it. Thanks!

As to your questions kyutip, I think you made a mistake purchasing the Pioneer receiver. I'm a BIG fan of Denon stuff, and the Dolby Digital decoding is unbelievable on almost all denons. I own an AVR-1700 (one of the lower end models) and it sounds amazing. I'm actually in the process of upgrading myself.

Also, the Yamaha V800 seems to be one of the new 'favorite' receivers among audiophiles, for the price and features. It will cost you about $550 if you go to the right website. Print out the page, take it to your local Sears and have them pricematch it. Pay tax and be done with it.

If you're looking to get another Denon, don't forget checking out Marantz as well, these are two of my favorite receiver brands available today. Both excellent quality.

You might also check out AudioReview. They offer quite a good bit of information regarding home theatre setups. Also, are you looking to upgrade your speakers? Your center not being matched to your L+R speakers (Polk is quite a bit nicer than KLH) is most definitely the cause of your problem. Next time you do buy speakers, buy a center that is timbrally matched to your left and right front speakers. Any decent home theatre shop should be able to tell you which speakers will match up well.

dm