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I wonder if many know how to do this?

Let me explain..... By optimizing the signal strength enables the power amp to run with greater headroom and lighter load.

On my system I first set the PS3 signal output (volume) to a 3/4 setting.
Then on my 875 (having got the balance adjusted on all the speakers to my room) raised the speaker output scale up to the 7 out of 10 region.

This now means that I have an enjoyable listening volume for TV between 52-60 on the volume scale, for films / loud music in the 60's, 70 plus is really loud!

Musicality is so much improved, rhythm and timing flows. It is a little like a car cruising comfortably on a light throttle.

Thanks Trevor!

Could you kindly elaborate on  how you performed these steps? Do you mean you increased the speaker levels on the 875 and the playback volume on the PS3?

 

Unless you were originally overloading the inputs on the amplifier, that cannot be true, as an amplifier doesn't work like that. Whether you input a source with alot of voltage, or not alot, the amplifier will still, at (let's say) 100watts be just as loud. It's all to do with the sensitivity of the inputs, rather than the output power of the amplifier. The amp will not change its characteristics because it is used at -20db instead of -15db, unless you are overloading its front-end.

alfredd:

Thanks Trevor!

Could you kindly elaborate on  how you performed these steps? Do you mean you increased the speaker levels on the 875 and the playback volume on the PS3?

 

On the PS3 increase the playback volume.

On the 875 change the speaker settings manually, the SP levels menu, increase the dB.

Amplifiers amplify the signal. A bigger signal needs less amplification to reach a certain dB level. Stepping up the signal has been done for years with moving coil cartridges with step up transformers.
AV amps have settings for speaker configuration, they can be adjusted to good effect.

Trevor, I did the same a few months back as I have a ps3 and onk 875 and you are right it works a treat over standard settings. Much better intergrated sound and output.

Yes it does, doesn't it.

I wondered how many people knew this. It is in the pre amp section of the amp where the 'gain' is increased so the amp works in a more effortless way.

Are you guys sure that increasing the speaker level of the Onkyo is different to simply increasing the overall volume?

I'm not saying your wrong (I really don't know either way), I'm just surprised. I can understand the change in output volume on the PS3, but not the speaker volume. Also does increasing the 'gain' on the speakers add any strain to the pre-amp section? Also will this work with any source or only one that you can adjust the output volume?

As far as I can see, this would only be of benefit if the preamp section of the amplifier was of lower quality than that of the TV/PS3...

fatboyslimfast:

As far as I can see, this would only be of benefit if the preamp section of the amplifier was of lower quality than that of the TV/PS3...

What?
How do you make that out is beyond me.

JohnNewman:

Are you guys sure that increasing the speaker level of the Onkyo is different to simply increasing the overall volume?

I'm not saying your wrong (I really don't know either way), I'm just surprised. I can understand the change in output volume on the PS3, but not the speaker volume. Also does increasing the 'gain' on the speakers add any strain to the pre-amp section? Also will this work with any source or only one that you can adjust the output volume?

Hi John,
Yes it is, let me try to explain.

Setting the individual (up to 7) channel levels in the pre amp is done before the signals are sent onto the volume control. (which will amplify what it is given).
In the Onkyo 875 the op amps are 'Burr Brown' ones which are regarded as the best. One is providing them with a stronger signal to process, and getting them to work in their 'sweet spot' increases the musicality.
The next important factor is the less 'amplification' that is called for (controlled by the attenuator (volume knob)) the higher headroom the reservoir capacitors have. This enables them to filter the charging current better and give a faster short term power response to the signal load.
In short things sound better to your ears when listening to the music!

Just been listening to Paul Simon's 'graceland' followed by Mike and the Mechanics.

Not bad, not bad at all!

trevor79:

Setting the individual (up to 7) channel levels in the pre amp is done before the signals are sent onto the volume control. (which will amplify what it is given).
In the Onkyo 875 the op amps are 'Burr Brown' ones which are regarded as the best. One is providing them with a stronger signal to process, and getting them to work in their 'sweet spot' increases the musicality.
The next important factor is the less 'amplification' that is called for (controlled by the attenuator (volume knob)) the higher headroom the reservoir capacitors have. This enables them to filter the charging current better and give a faster short term power response to the signal load.
In short things sound better to your ears when listening to the music!

Thanks Trevor.

Out of curiosity...why up to 7 and not 10? Can you over do the speaker level?

Trevor, let me get this right.

Are you saying that say in audio settings on my Sky HD box, where I can set the volume, I should set it say 3/4 or 7/8 to the max and on my receiver, after calibration, I get front -4db, left -4db, centre 0db....., that I add say 5db to all of the channels? This way I don't need to turn the volume on the receiver up as much? I'm I reading this right?

Hi John, You just need to be aware of setting the gain too high, as then you can get distortion setting in. ie if set to max.
I find around 70% - 80% gets to the top end of the sweet spot.

Hi Gerrard, Yes that's right, I would add that with the -4db etc examples you wrote I would try increasing those up to +5, +5, +9.

Then it gets you in the ball park, then put on your reference music and fine tune with your ears. Get the max gain you can whilst keeping it in the sweet spot with the amp volume runing around 50% output if you can.

I use Paul Simon's Graceland, Eric Clapton Unplugged, Mike and the Mechanics Beggar on the Streets of Gold.
Lots of background detail on these albums which really comes out on a good system.

Have any of you tried it yet?