AV2 and DPL II performance
Posted by: markusp on 15 April 2007
Hi everyone. I just picked up an AV2 and have a question / concern re: its DPL II performance.
Prior to the AV2, I was using an Arcam AVR-350 for my processor (movies and tv viewing only) partnered with my Nait 5i and NAP150. DPL II performance on the Arcam was stellar, with a strong mix of information coming out of my surround speakers. Ever since I switched to the AV2, I find little to no information emanates from my surrounds, despite having all my speakers correctly calibrated with an SPL meter and fiddling around with all the DPL II Movie and Music settings (Panorama, Width, Depth) etc.
Do I have something wrong with my unit or is this normal for the AV2? Do my fellow AV2 owners also suffer from having little to no output through their surrounds when using DPL II?
Any help or comments would be most appreciated.
Thanks.
Prior to the AV2, I was using an Arcam AVR-350 for my processor (movies and tv viewing only) partnered with my Nait 5i and NAP150. DPL II performance on the Arcam was stellar, with a strong mix of information coming out of my surround speakers. Ever since I switched to the AV2, I find little to no information emanates from my surrounds, despite having all my speakers correctly calibrated with an SPL meter and fiddling around with all the DPL II Movie and Music settings (Panorama, Width, Depth) etc.
Do I have something wrong with my unit or is this normal for the AV2? Do my fellow AV2 owners also suffer from having little to no output through their surrounds when using DPL II?
Any help or comments would be most appreciated.
Thanks.
Hi markusp.
Since the AV2 was my first own surround processor, I can't compare with other brands. But when it comes to "upscaling" standard 2 channel TV sound, I have made the same experience as you. The difference between the modes is quite small. Usually there is not much coming from the surrounds. I guess this is normal...
I don't think you can have directional surround effects without having a (digital) signal directly addressing the 5+ channels. But with a good digital surround signal (eg. dvd player), it's a completely different world
Some of the settings work only with some modes. I think panorama + width work only for PLII music, and depth only for NEO:6.
Of course it depends from the quality of the source, the room, the setup (as usual). But I have found NEO:6 is often a slightly better alternative to PLII (as long as there is no analogue dolby surround signal coming in). Your milage may vary.
happy listening
Adrian
Since the AV2 was my first own surround processor, I can't compare with other brands. But when it comes to "upscaling" standard 2 channel TV sound, I have made the same experience as you. The difference between the modes is quite small. Usually there is not much coming from the surrounds. I guess this is normal...
I don't think you can have directional surround effects without having a (digital) signal directly addressing the 5+ channels. But with a good digital surround signal (eg. dvd player), it's a completely different world
Some of the settings work only with some modes. I think panorama + width work only for PLII music, and depth only for NEO:6.
Of course it depends from the quality of the source, the room, the setup (as usual). But I have found NEO:6 is often a slightly better alternative to PLII (as long as there is no analogue dolby surround signal coming in). Your milage may vary.
happy listening
Adrian
Aaah Tony. Not really a surprise to find you lurking here too. 
