2. amps-preamps
  3. 1219977824

Imaging problem, or lack thereof...any ideas

Not sure what/where the problem is, so I'm not really too sure where to post this, but here goes. I'm using a PS3 to send HDMI to my onkyo 805 receiver, which is playing the music in "direct" mode and sending the pre out to a musical fidelity A5 integrated amp (HT bypass input on A5). When I play music this way I get a great image, but of course I'm using the preamp section of the onkyo receiver so it's lacking a lot of power when compared with the A5's preamp section, especially in the lower freqs.

When I send optical out of the PS3 (2 ch 44.1 khz) to my musical fidelity A3 24 DAC and then to an input on the A5 integrated, I totally lose any image. All sound is put out of both speakers simultaneously and all sound is localized at the center. Overall the sound is much better/open/powerful coming from the preamp section of the A5, but I just can't go without an image...

I also have the same problem when sending 2ch analog out of the PS3. No distinction in the 2 channels.

I don't know if it's the player (doesn't seem like it should be, because it separates the 2 channels when playing out HDMI), or the MF A5 integrated (which also doesn't seem like it should be because it's distinguishing channels fine when received through the HT Bypass input from the receiver). Anybody ever have this problem? If so, how did you solve it?

After typing all that it seems like this might be a little confusing :D
joeshow750

Showing 7 responses by blindjim

blindjim
3,092 posts
 
With all those connections going on, have you somehow mixed the right and lefts up somewhere perhaps?

if not.... Sounds like something is inverting the phase. Which ever way you are losing imaging, do that but then before playing music, transpose the speaker leads, putting the neg onto the pos and vice versa. Start at low volume, and move it on up and see if things remain the same or the issue disappears.

I've ran my 805 into two differnt amps SS & tubed, with none of these 'loss of imaging' issues.

Lastly, perhaps making a change in the 805s speaker setup section to 2 main speakers only, might have an effect, especially if other speakers are attached to the 805 during this event. I'm not sure about this last part, but it's only a couple clicks away from finding out.

Past all that I'm at a loss too... and a bit curious as well.

Good luck.
blindjim
3,092 posts
 
After a few reading of your post, it seems the problems stem from the play station gizmo... perhaps using the digital links the play station is outputting multi ch info into a 2 ch signal path.

Can the video game thingy be configured to down mix to 2 ch only, regardless the outputs beinng used? If I read this rightly, it may ccme down to having to use the HDMI out to the 805, and analog out to the int... and setting the PS3 to multi or 2ch, when needed.
blindjim
3,092 posts
 
Other than re-checking the configs & connections, only this... go to Best Buy and get a new one... see if it does the same thing or not, then take it back.... or as you said, you might get another one to replace it, just keep the new one.

That ought to settle it then and there as to who's the real culprit. The PS3 OR the DAC.

having other similar items on hand for situations like this is a great thing for finding out what's up with the devices in one's rig..

Good Luck
blindjim
3,092 posts
 
Does the DAC have a ch selection for making both 2 ch (stereo) output the same? Like the Lavry DA10 had a switch on it which allowed you to output the right ch to both speakers, or the left to both speakers, or combine to mono a stereo signal. I forget why they said that feature was in place and never used it... except to see if it worked. It did.

The Lavry had a dedicated sw. for this purpose... maybe the MF DAC has it included under a multi function button...?? or is the default unless changed.

BTW... for what it's worth, via my HDMI cables in stereo config, the sound is very good indeed, until I step way up in ic price tags. I do mean way up too. Just my experience.
blindjim
3,092 posts
 
rEMEMBER TOO, THE 805 HAS A DIGITAL OUTPUT... FOR TRANSFERING AN AUDIO SIGNAL INPUT BY DIGITAL TO ANOTHER DIGITAL DEVICE.

it's justa a parralel port and won't change it at all, just passes it on. maybe going to Wally world and getting one of their $8 optical links and connecting from there to the to the MF DAC could help... it sure wouldn't seem as though it would but stranger things have happend.

Least ways, so far you know who is and isn't playing well with others.

Lastly, following the holiday weekend, making a call to MF distributor or a MF dealership will enlighten the situation more.

Be well.
blindjim
3,092 posts
 
Congrats on fidning the apparent problem. Perhaps there is some simple fix for it. Talking to MF ought to say so or not. Sorry that facet isn't working for you too.

Good luck in the hunt for another int. SET & a good int are the two things I've yet to try. As long as the int has preouts, and main ins, I'd not mind it I don't think. Of course I'd want a tube preamp stage and likely an SS main amp. BAT comes to mind.
blindjim
3,092 posts
 
RE Racks
I've got two. w/amp stands for the Dodds, and in need of a couple more shelves... or a head shrinker. Yikes.

Mine would have to be remote controled. All my gear is in a separate room from me and the speakers.
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