2.1 disability...


I am currently upgrading my system and am trying to do it slowly for financial reasons. For now, I am using a modified Pioneer 47ai universal player into an Audio Refinement Pre2DSP. I have a powered sub within my 5.1 speaker setup. For some reason, in order to listen to a 2 channel recording and add the sub (2.1) I must press a tape monitor button under the chassis in the preamp. This degrades the sound to some extent and I was wondering is anyone who still owns one of these dinosaurs can tell me a way around it? I have the universal also hooked up in analog 5.1 into the pre, as well as the 2 channel outs as this seemed to be the only way it would work. Should I just buy a new processor and be done with it? Basically I understand that 2 channel means 2 channel and I am asking the pre to add the sub to the 2 channel mix. Maybe it is just not capable of doing that? Help me!!
llippman
Everyone is so helpful - thank you again for trying...

I am using all of the 5.1 analog outs from the Pioneer universal (soon to be Oppo nuforce xtreme)and am ALSO using the 2 channel analog outs both going to the audio refinement pre2dsp (essentially 8 separate interconnects coming out of the universal). My speaker setup is all Reimer speaker systems. I have Tetons for the fronts and McColloughs for the center and rears. The sub is also a Reimer sub but is a powered sub. Not quite sure what the high level input would be... I believe there is only one RCA input on the rear of the sub but I'll check.
I don't think that there's any benefit, as far as the universal player, for having both 5.1 and 2.0 outputs connected. I would suspect that this is true for the Audio Refinement.

Have you tried just disconnecting the 2.0 connection and see how it sounds for 2 channel audio listning. What I'm not sure about is if you'll be able to select the subwoofer on or off.
Manual for the Pioneer DV48AV shows that if Audio Output mode is set to Stereo, then Center and Subwoofer outputs are disabled, and the 5.1 channel front Left and Right jacks act as a second pair of stereo outputs.

If these specs hold true for the DV47Ai, and if the Reimer Sub has high-level inputs, then there's a possible direct solution.

Connect all of your speakers, including front stereo speakers, to your 5.1 group of audio outs, with Subwoofer into LFE connection.

Then, connect your extra pair of Stereo Outs directly to the subwoofer high-level inputs.

Then with Audio Output mode set to "5.1", extra stereo out (and thus high-level sub feed) is disabled, and LFE feeds the sub.
When Audio Output mode is set to "stereo", LFE and center channel are disabled, with 5.1's L/R feeds driving the front speakers, and extra stereo outs driving the sub.

Of course, when your new Oppo arrives, all of the subwoofer options so well covered by Mceljo and more will be available.

BTW, your speaker selection looks fascinating!



Sand stone - I am ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY!!!!
No one and I mean no one has been able to figure out a solution to this and I have had this setup for close to ten years!! I have friends who are really good at this stuff and you have done it my friend - WOW!! I can't thank you enough - really man - thanks so much!!

I assume this also means at this point, if I want to keep my processor at this point, I need to get the Oppo 95 as it has the separate 2 channel outs besides the 5.1 analog outs just like my current Pioneer. The 93 only has the 5.1 outs so that would not work in this configuration that you have figured out, right?

It also means a lot to me that you appreciate my speaker setup - if you are ever on Long Island come check them out. Lots of people do and most are pretty blown away I must say - they really sound amazing - you can throw absolutely anything at them and they still have tons of room to breath - you would dig them.

To all of you, I so appreciate your willingness to help me with this. This is truly an amazing community of people.

With much gratitude,
Larry
Larry,
We're all very glad that it worked out for you!

With such a great ($13K+?) speaker system, I've gotta ask -have you considered setting up a dedicated stereo pre/amp pathway in the future? With 95 dB efficiency, bet they would also sing with tubes.

As to your qn: "The 93 only has the 5.1 outs so that would not work in this configuration that you have figured out, right?"

I believe that the 93 and the 95 provide a "stereo" mode where you can set front speakers to "small" (thus activating crossover for sub) and set subwoofer to "on", as pointed out by Mceljo above. This eliminates the need for the extra stereo out jacks to run your sub in stereo mode.

That being said, the 95 seems to be a huge improvement over the 93 for audio. Massively better power supply, superior DACs, dedicated, discreet pathway for stereo, and many other bonuses.
I think you should consider using the dedicated analog stereo out pathway provided by the 95. Modwright also is now modding the 95, and claims that the result is equivalent to its well-reviewed Sony 5400 tube mods. I hope to hear the modded 95 next weekend at THE audio show in Newport Beach. If I learn anything new, I'll try to post back here.

BTW, your Audio Refinement Pre2DSP is a true sleeper value, yes? Wasn't that designed by YBA?
Are you also using the matching 5-channel amp?

Thanks for the kind invite to hear your incredible system. If I ever have a chance to get back east, that would be a real treat. How would you describe your Tetons? And what's the back-story on Reimer's, anyway? Are they becoming collector's items now?
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