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Test Tone Differences, Preamp vs. Set Up Disc Experience

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Hello Everyone,
Just wanted to share my experience using the DTS set-up disc in my home theater. For the last several years I have calibrated my system using the built-in test tones in my Parasound AVC-1800 preamp thinking that this should suffice. I decided on a whim to use the DTS set up disc I had lying around for several years to compare using my Radio Shack meter. I was quite surprised to see that there was an 8-10 dB difference using the preamp vs. the set up disc. The preamp had the rears up 8-10 dBs. The set up disc in my opinion correctly set my speakers and subwoofer correctly. No more overemphasis in bass and rear surrounds that overpower the fronts with dialog that was hard to hear. The DTS disc correctly set my center channel up another 3 dBs to keep up with the mains.
I am wondering if others experienced the same thing with their preamps vs. comparing it with a set up disc. I was surprised to see such a big difference comparing the two. Now I am quite happy with my system much more.
My system:
Parasound AVC-1800 Preamp
Parasound HCA-1205 5-channel amp
Eminent Technology LFT-XII Center channel speaker
Magnepan 1.5 Main speakers
Magnepan 0.5 Rear speakers
Velodyne HGS-12 Series II Subwoofer
APL Hi-Fi Designed Pioneer 563a DVD player
Project 1.2 Turntable
Parasound PPH-100 Phono preamp
Cobalt Cable Interconnects and speaker cables
Mitsubishi 52" DLP rear projector TV
slbenz

Follow Ups:

Re: Test Tone Differences, Preamp vs. Set Up Disc Experience - Auricle 10:31:42 02/16/06 (0)
The difference is in the electronics before the tone generator in the amp (or equalizer/processor).
All such setups whether DVD, CD, Laserdisc, Videotape, or even vinyl should be done from a source . . . not the amp/processor/equalizer.
There are setup discs (or records) for all media. They should be used. And (unless you are luckier than anyone I know) each source will have a different setting.
Ain't life grand?
I found the same thing... - bocephus 13:03:35 02/02/06 (1)
I recently had a similar experience (though my pre-amp test tones had actually led me to over-emphasize the center channel, not the rears). I was tweaking some video settings on my projector (built a new screen), and decided to check the speaker levels while I was at it.
Interestingly, the discrepancy between pre-amp tones and Avia's test patterns was mentioned in one of the intro videos; if I recall correctly, they claimed that their tones were broader-spectrum pink noise signals than most pre-amps/receivers provide, therefore giving a more accurate reading, as it interacts more realistically with the room acoustics. I'm paraphrasing, so I could be misstating, but that seemed to be the gist of their argument.
- Re: I found the same thing... - slbenz 18:13:49 02/02/06 (0)
  Thanks for confirming my experience that the preamp vs. the set up disc difference is real. I was definitely surprised to see such a hugh difference. Thanks again for sharing your experience as well.

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