Question regarding Kenwood VR507 & volume levels - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

NefCanuck · 2007-01-10, 03:25 PM

I have a question regarding the above receiver (Kenwood VR507) and volume levels when switching between sources.

My HT consists of the above receiver a PS2, JVC DVD player and a Rogers SA8300 set top box (the first two are connected to the receiver with standard RCA inputs, the last two with optical cable connections)

My receiver can't maintain a steady volume when switching between these sources despite me setting up each of the above to have the receiver deal with the volume of the various inputs (In fact with the Rogers box, going from a stereo broadcast whether digital or analouge to a DD 5.1 broadcast also results in a volume decrease)

Is there something wrong with the receiver or is this just the nature of switching between several audio sources?

NefCanuck

John D · 2007-01-11, 10:04 AM

I'll take a crack at this one. Hopefully the info will be of some help.

I have the VR409 myself and did check the manual for yours to make sure you have the same/similar features.

First, I don't know if I am reading your post wrong and not to be picky or anything, but it looks like you only have three sources connected to the Receiver (PS2, DVD player & Rogers box).

I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that different sources from different manufacturers may use slightly different output signal levels on their equipment. These differences in levels would then be amplified through the receiver. I'm not sure if there is any kind of standard on the digital output signals. Would I be correct in saying that the equipment connected through analog is a bit louder than the stuff connected though a digital connection? That is the way mine behaves.

There is a feature only available on the analog inputs that enables you to decrease the input level by 3 or 6 dB. This is done by selecting the source, then pressing the "sound" button until "INPUT ??" is displayed (?? being whatever level is selected). Once "INPUT ??" is displayed, you can turn your multicontrol knob (the one on the left) to change the value to 0, -3, & -6. The procedure is explained on page 20 of your users manual, if you still have it. If not, you can find the manual here.

You may be able to lower the input level on the louder sources to help keep everything closer together. If the digital inputs are louder than the analog inputs, then you may be out of luck.

Hope this helps.

NefCanuck · 2007-01-11, 10:55 AM

Oops, my bad, yeah there are only three things connected, the PS2 by way of RCA inputs and the STB & DVD by way of digital coax cable on the STB and optical cable on the DVD (I rewired everything recently and so my fingers were flying faster than my brain as I was typing my question)

Yes the PS2 and the tuner are louder than both the DVD player and the STB. Your suggestion may fix the PS2 issue (The other option is to get another optical cable for the PS2 to make sure all the inputs are digital)

However that still leaves me with two questions of the different audio levels on the receiver from the STB as I change channels and the audio type changes (from analogue stereo to digital stereo to DD 5.1, depending on the channel) as well as the change in volume levels as I change audio types while playing DVD's.

I do have the STB and DVD player set to produce a fixed output audio signal (which I maxed out just in case that was an issue) is this a issue with the receiver and how it handles the different audio types?

NefCanuck

John D · 2007-01-11, 12:02 PM

I don't think I can offer much more help, other than to say that my Kenwood seems to do the same thing (analog sources are a bit louder than digital sources at the same volume level on the receiver). Maybe some others with different brand receivers can offer their experience to determine if it is just the Kenwood receivers, or more likely the different sources having different output levels.

57 · 2007-01-11, 12:08 PM

I believe it may depend on the outputting device, not necessarily the receiver. For example, here are my typical volume settings for various components: You will note that my analogue components are much quieter - the opposite of that indicated above.

Turntable (analogue): -30 dB
Tape Deck (analogue): -30 dB
SA8300HD (DD2.0): -50 dB (CTV -50, Global -55)
SA8300HD (DD5.1): -40 dB.
Laserdisc used for CDs (PCM): -50 dB
DVD player (DD5.1): -50dB

NefCanuck · 2007-01-11, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 57

I believe it may depend on the outputting device, not necessarily the receiver. For example, here are my typical volume settings for various components: You will note that my analogue components are much quieter - the opposite of that indicated above.

Ah, I see... so I'm stuck with the yo-yo'ing volume thing then.... Which I find bizzare, I mean if I set my receiver at say -40 dB, then regardless of source the receiver should output -40dB worth of sound, unless that would require some sort of active listening by the receiver in order to realize the differences.

NefCanuck

John D · 2007-01-12, 09:50 AM

There may be some receivers that have this function. I believe that some televisions have a feature that sort of lowers the sound level and then gradually increases it so that you don't have a large blast of sound when changing channels. I may have lost my mind and could have dreamed (sp?) it, but I'm pretty sure I've seen/heard it somewhere. It shouldn't be that hard to monitor the analog signal to the speaker amplifiers to keep it at a somewhat constant level based on volume knob position.

This is why some receivers have in input limiting feature which helps take care of different sources that have different output levels. Handling loudness between television channels is a different issue though, because they all go to the same receiver input. I find that I usually have to turn the receiver down when I switch from regular channels to the movie channels as there is a large difference in volume.

Note to 57: Thanks for deleting my unnecessary quotes. I thought it was a little bit harsh at first, but then I realized there was only a two-way conversation and even my shortened quote wasn't really necessary. I've recently read through some of the Members comments threads and the point was even more understood. I will try to better monitor my use of quotes in the future.

2007-01-10, 03:25 PM	#1
NefCanuck Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 256	Question regarding Kenwood VR507 & volume levels I have a question regarding the above receiver (Kenwood VR507) and volume levels when switching between sources. My HT consists of the above receiver a PS2, JVC DVD player and a Rogers SA8300 set top box (the first two are connected to the receiver with standard RCA inputs, the last two with optical cable connections) My receiver can't maintain a steady volume when switching between these sources despite me setting up each of the above to have the receiver deal with the volume of the various inputs (In fact with the Rogers box, going from a stereo broadcast whether digital or analouge to a DD 5.1 broadcast also results in a volume decrease) Is there something wrong with the receiver or is this just the nature of switching between several audio sources? NefCanuck

2007-01-11, 10:55 AM	#3
NefCanuck Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 256	Oops, my bad, yeah there are only three things connected, the PS2 by way of RCA inputs and the STB & DVD by way of digital coax cable on the STB and optical cable on the DVD (I rewired everything recently and so my fingers were flying faster than my brain as I was typing my question) Yes the PS2 and the tuner are louder than both the DVD player and the STB. Your suggestion may fix the PS2 issue (The other option is to get another optical cable for the PS2 to make sure all the inputs are digital) However that still leaves me with two questions of the different audio levels on the receiver from the STB as I change channels and the audio type changes (from analogue stereo to digital stereo to DD 5.1, depending on the channel) as well as the change in volume levels as I change audio types while playing DVD's. I do have the STB and DVD player set to produce a fixed output audio signal (which I maxed out just in case that was an issue) is this a issue with the receiver and how it handles the different audio types? NefCanuck Last edited by 57; 2007-01-11 at 12:10 PM. Reason: Unnecessary Quote Removed

2007-01-11, 12:02 PM	#4
John D Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: St. John's, NL Posts: 35	I don't think I can offer much more help, other than to say that my Kenwood seems to do the same thing (analog sources are a bit louder than digital sources at the same volume level on the receiver). Maybe some others with different brand receivers can offer their experience to determine if it is just the Kenwood receivers, or more likely the different sources having different output levels. Last edited by 57; 2007-01-11 at 12:10 PM. Reason: Unnecessary Quote Removed

2007-01-11, 12:08 PM	#5
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,301	I believe it may depend on the outputting device, not necessarily the receiver. For example, here are my typical volume settings for various components: You will note that my analogue components are much quieter - the opposite of that indicated above. Turntable (analogue): -30 dB Tape Deck (analogue): -30 dB SA8300HD (DD2.0): -50 dB (CTV -50, Global -55) SA8300HD (DD5.1): -40 dB. Laserdisc used for CDs (PCM): -50 dB DVD player (DD5.1): -50dB __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

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2007-01-11, 10:04 AM	#2
John D Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: St. John's, NL Posts: 35	I'll take a crack at this one. Hopefully the info will be of some help. I have the VR409 myself and did check the manual for yours to make sure you have the same/similar features. First, I don't know if I am reading your post wrong and not to be picky or anything, but it looks like you only have three sources connected to the Receiver (PS2, DVD player & Rogers box). I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that different sources from different manufacturers may use slightly different output signal levels on their equipment. These differences in levels would then be amplified through the receiver. I'm not sure if there is any kind of standard on the digital output signals. Would I be correct in saying that the equipment connected through analog is a bit louder than the stuff connected though a digital connection? That is the way mine behaves. There is a feature only available on the analog inputs that enables you to decrease the input level by 3 or 6 dB. This is done by selecting the source, then pressing the "sound" button until "INPUT ??" is displayed (?? being whatever level is selected). Once "INPUT ??" is displayed, you can turn your multicontrol knob (the one on the left) to change the value to 0, -3, & -6. The procedure is explained on page 20 of your users manual, if you still have it. If not, you can find the manual here. You may be able to lower the input level on the louder sources to help keep everything closer together. If the digital inputs are louder than the analog inputs, then you may be out of luck. Hope this helps.

2007-01-12, 09:50 AM	#7
John D Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: St. John's, NL Posts: 35	There may be some receivers that have this function. I believe that some televisions have a feature that sort of lowers the sound level and then gradually increases it so that you don't have a large blast of sound when changing channels. I may have lost my mind and could have dreamed (sp?) it, but I'm pretty sure I've seen/heard it somewhere. It shouldn't be that hard to monitor the analog signal to the speaker amplifiers to keep it at a somewhat constant level based on volume knob position. This is why some receivers have in input limiting feature which helps take care of different sources that have different output levels. Handling loudness between television channels is a different issue though, because they all go to the same receiver input. I find that I usually have to turn the receiver down when I switch from regular channels to the movie channels as there is a large difference in volume. Note to 57: Thanks for deleting my unnecessary quotes. I thought it was a little bit harsh at first, but then I realized there was only a two-way conversation and even my shortened quote wasn't really necessary. I've recently read through some of the Members comments threads and the point was even more understood. I will try to better monitor my use of quotes in the future.