Setting up an AV2 to work with a preamp an Analogue out Bluray player

Are you have troubles with bluray to av2 or av2 to pre?

Are you using 5.1 analogues from the bluray or coax / optical?

Ocean, tks

I have a Denon 3800 usining analogue out, so I set speaker levels and distances in the player. I have 6 phono's to two 5 pin Dins, configured as per manual. The I have a 5pin pre cable connected to my 32.5, the Hicap is connected to 4 x 135's for the fronts then I have set up cables from the AV2 to connect to 3 more 135's (centre and rears) the Sub is connected via an 8033 sub room equalisation unit (So not in line with anything else)

So I only need the AV2 to link in for Bluray via analogue in. I don't have anything else in this room other than CD replay via the 32.5 and film direct to projector for picture and using the AV2 effectively as a good linked in pass through preamp for volume. I will not use any DSP at all

Have you configured the Versatile inputs, 1 & 2, for multi-channel input on the AV2 set up routine..?

Good question from Steve. Check this. Also make sure you are using the grey reverse I/C that came with the AV2 between the AV2 and the NAC32.5 tape input/output. Make sure this is selected on the 32.5. Also ensure you have the correct leads into the correct sockets on the NAP135s.

I think all of those are correct. I'll check and try again. From memory I may have taken out the tape loop boards from the 32.5

Are you running a cable from the Front out socket (used for connection to a power-amp) or from the 3rd DIN plug (which is the correct one to use)?

Boy this is frustrating I have ben trying since 5.30 this evening and now I have to give up as I am cooking and the plans for food and film are scuppered

I have the 32.5 connected via tape naim 5 pin cable, the Hicap feeds my front left/right. The rest looks right using the test volume I can get noise out of all 5. they seem particularly quiet but at least they seem to be connected correctly, except the sub (I used a sub via the rca sub connection)

I have set the input to multi and I think configured the variable input accordingly. I try to set the levels (How I configured my old AV8) by the denon and I can hear nothing.

My AV2 comes back and shows MIDN ? then numbers go up with the volume wheel but no noise............

Very frustrated

I can't help with your configuration problem as I suspect something is wrong between your connection with the AV2 and pre amp BUT with regards to your Denon, you should not set the speaker levels within the player as the AV2 retains the speaker level settings on the multi-channel analog inputs. You only need to set the speaker size and distances with the player.

MIDN means that the AV2 is set to "Midnight" mode, a mild compression to raise low level signals and lower high peaks. Surely if you're using the VIPS multi-channel input with management done from the player then you should have the AV2 set to direct mode?

Have you tried the old trusty?: Hard switch-off - wait a few minutes - switch on again.

I think I am now getting somewhere I seem to have some volume from all channels in multi mode.

Looking at the manual direct is for stereo only ?

I think you'll find none of the modes apply to the multichannel analogue inputs. The AV2 merely acts as a volume control and passes the signal direct to the amps with only the relative speaker levels being incorporated, as mentioned earlier.

If you play a 2-channel CD through your player then you'll just get stereo.

Let's look at your problem logically in a stepwise fashion.

1. MIDN means IIRC that you have have switched on the MIDNIGHT setting on the remote. Just press that button to get rid of it. All it does is compress the dynamics of the sound for late night listening. If you can't get rid of it, then try the usual power off/on routine. If that doesn't cure it, consult your dealer.

Assuming that is fixed, then ...

2. Ignore the bluray player problem and check that your Naim 32.5/power amp is actually supplying the signal to the front channels. I don't really think it matters which input you use on the 32.5 for the front channel signal from the AV2.

If that is OK ...

3. Set input 1 on the AV2 to multichannel. 6 for a 5.1 system, 8 for a 7.1.

4. Connect the multichannel analogue outputs from your bluray player to VI1 and VI2 inputs on the AV2. I've lost the bit of paper with which output goes to which RCA lead, but I worked it out by looking at the little diagrams for the tape in sockets on my NAC282 and assigning them using reference to the wiring diagram for the VI1 and VI2 sockets. Tedious, and I just wish Naim would supply a little aide-memoire for those of us going down this route.

4. When you've connected it up, just check, using the speaker test function on you bluray player that you've got it right. Don't be afraid to change it if (for instance) your R/L channels are reversed, or your centre channel is actually coming out through the sub. I made that mistake because in spite of all my checks, I managed to plug the into VI1 the lead which should have gone to VI2 and vice versa. None of us are perfect.

As Tony says, when you have done this, the AV2 merely acts as a volume control, and you have to do your speaker distance settings on your bluray player, although you can still leave your AV2 to control the relative speaker volume settings.

The only other thing you have to get right after that is your subwoofer settings. That can be a bit of a pain, but no pain, no gain.

I hope that helps.

Thanks guys, I'm going to have longer play tonight

All working, all set up. Just tweeking the last few settings

About to sit down and watch a film with lots of chrome bumber 135's and Sonus Fabers

Would be interested in your opinion on the AV2 vs your Arcam AV8. Had both pieces in the past and thinking on going back to one or the other. To be used strictly for DD, DTS and Bluray duties.

Okay, here is my views without the very painful A-B.....

I have lived with the AV8 for many years and have experienced the comparison using 2 channel with the Naim 32.5. The Naim is more Organic, natural, weighty and dynamic. The AV8 is perhaps a touch better with image width, depth and positioning.

I have new cables all round, so they are burning in with the AV2 but one thing I noticed straight away was better tonal integration across the front 3 channels, the sound from memory is a little fuller and richer.

I have has some superb sounds from the AV8 and I will get my bearings over the next few weeks. But my gut says that the AV8 is perhaps spacially better, slightly more detailed, a tad leaner and more etched but lacks the mid body and tonal richness and organic sound to the AV2.

I have committed to selling the AV8 and I have got fed up of leaning behind racks to unplug biamped 135's for the fronts and then changing to the RCA terminated AV8 for film. So as long as it is as good I will keep the AV2.

In my system I am using it in 6 channel pre, 2 channels via the 32.5 and the other four simply driving 135's for center, rears then also the sub.

So really my comparison is using the AV8 as a 6 channel line stage, vs the Naim as a 4/2 channel line stage.

One thing I have found with the two films so far is little to pin down about emphasis and I have simply been drawn into the film. The other very positive point is getting used to the CD source Bluray transport/DacMagic/3.5/Hicap/4x135/SF extremas I had found the first few minutes of the film somewaht lacking in the body and weight. This is now much less noticeable

I am in the throws of upgrading source and so far the blinking Denon 3800 seems to be very good..... So too is the DM after comparing NaimDAC/NaimDACXPS2/WeissDAC2/Bryston BDA-1/Bryston BDC-1/Tron I know where improvements will come from but for me only the TRON offered the potential for not compromising the small but significant qualities of the £230 DM......

I'll keep you all posted

Thanks

I watched a number of films over the weekend, I didn't get the opportunity to A-B, but played a few known clips as well.

From memory of the AV8 the AV2 has more body, greater tonal density and better F,L,C integration (This could be set up)

There also seemed to be more naturalness with the AV2, the AV8 by comparison sounding a little more digital. I do think the AV8 possibly had a little more detail with an increased presence band.

One thing that I have found is that the volume wheel when turned is a little noisy, showing some clicking when turned. Any thoughts here ?