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In Reply to: question regarding ht preamp outputs.... posted by dude on October 08, 2004 at 16:50:56:

Play a CD through the Integrated. Turn the Balance control all the way to one side. Adjust the volume to a reasonably loud setting (about 75dB A-weighted in Slow mode on an SPL meter should do it). Remember that setting: mark it somehow for accuracy's sake. An easy method is to get a pack of those small "dot" stickies. Put one on the face of the INT to mark the location. If your INT's Volume control doesn't have a mark/line, also put a dot on the V control corresponding to where the dot on the face of the INT is located. This is just a suggestion to make things easy and convenient for you in the future. Turn the Balance control back to the mid-point and shut off the INT.
Use a calibration DVD (such as Digital Video Essentials or Avia) with at least 5.1 audio calibration tones/pink noise. You can use the processor/receiver's built-in test tones, but they are not as reliable as a calibration disc. Plug in the L and R outputs from the P/R's preamp section to an unused input (like AUX) on the INT. Turn on the P/R first, then the INT, and switch the INT to the AUX input.
Play the calibration disc in your DVD player (or use the built-in test tones of the P/R, if you must). Gradually increase the volume (the tones/noise will play in one channel at a time) until the L and R speakers get to 75dB on the SPL meter. Without changing the Master Volume control setting on the P/R, adjust the rest of the channels via the P/R's individual level controls to get the rest of the channels (LS, RS, C) to equal the 75dB that each L and R channel, on its own, produces.
Using these instructions, you set the INT (which has essentially become a pass-thru device when watching movies) at the "mark" when you want to watch movies and the volume of all of the speakers is essentially controlled by the P/R's Master Volume control. Your INT's V control stays put and the P/R's V control can be changed to suit your needs. Your CD player stays directly connected to the INT and the P/R has nothing to do with audio from the INT.
As for the SUB, I set it where I want it. But in order to not overload and potentially damage the driver, I'd use a DVD with serious LFE/.1 output and be sure that playing your system at the level you want doesn't cause the driver to bottom out. If it does, change the individual level setting on the P/R for the SUB or decrease the SUB's volume (if you use a powered sub) to a point that eleviates the bottoming.
If you're using the 5.1 outputs of your DVD player (if it has 5.1 outputs) to the 5.1 inputs on your P/R, the above still applies -- just do the individual level setting in the DVD player's set-up menu.
I hope this helps.

Video Asylum

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