Bose 901 VI Equalizer Question

[Stefan_MELO]

Hey folks,

Short and simple - I picked up an old pair of Bose 901 VI speakers with accompanying equalizer from an old friend who hasn't touched them in decades. The speakers connect and work fine, but with this receiver I don't seem to have the correct Tape or Pre-Amp connections to work the equalizer into the circuit. All of the speakers are hooked up as the should be, and the front A/B is kind of nice to change and have a totally different audio flavor from the Bose as opposed to what my Yamaha speakers and sub put out. I really just want to be able to hook the Equalizer into the chain so that the Bose 901 VI pair can really shine to full potential.

Most modern receivers don't have tape monitor in/outs. I'm currently using a Yamaha RX-V363 which doesn't appear to have a PRE AMP OUT/MAIN AMP IN which the Bose manual also states as a connection option. Would this be able to somehow work with the MD/CDR In & Outs - see image below.

Link to Yamaha & Bose manuals below.

I've moved all sorts of wires around already and no matter what I try, the Equalizer's changes show zero affect in terms of sound quality, so I'm assuming that I missing something in the programming setup of the receiver, or this Yamaha RX-V363 is just flat out not compatible with the Bose Equalizer VI





MANUAL Yamaha RX-V363 https://usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/6/319936/RX-V363_U.pdf

MANUAL Bose 901 VIs: http://audio.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/bose/901_series_vi.html?p=9

Appreciate the insight.

Cheers

 

[swechsler]

No, you need a tape monitor loop, which is what older receivers had which allowed you to switch between tape and source, so you could monitor the tape as it was recording, and compare it with the original by switching the monitor on and off. Since 3 head analog decks are a thing of the past, there's no need for it any more.

To listen properly to the system, you can connect the Bose EQ's output to one of the analog inputs (like CD), then you can connect two of your analog components to the EQ (one to the main input, one to the tape in/play), and use the tape switch on the EQ to choose between them. You won't be able to listen to the tuner or any digital or multichannel inputs on the receiver. Obviously this isn't ideal. Very few modern receivers have preamp in/out; some have preamp out but you need to provide your own power amp. You could also look for a processor loop, but I think that's pretty much extinct as well.

If you want to keep the receiver and the speakers, you can get a separate 2 channel power amp and a speaker level to line level converter, send the output of that to the EQ, and then the output of the EQ to the new amp. You could continue to use the surround amps on the receiver for the other channels.

 

[Stefan_MELO]

No, you need a tape monitor loop, which is what older receivers had which allowed you to switch between tape and source, so you could monitor the tape as it was recording, and compare it with the original by switching the monitor on and off. Since 3 head analog decks are a thing of the past, there's no need for it any more.

To listen properly to the system, you can connect the Bose EQ's output to one of the analog inputs (like CD), then you can connect two of your analog components to the EQ (one to the main input, one to the tape in/play), and use the tape switch on the EQ to choose between them. You won't be able to listen to the tuner or any digital or multichannel inputs on the receiver. Obviously this isn't ideal. Very few modern receivers have preamp in/out; some have preamp out but you need to provide your own power amp. You could also look for a processor loop, but I think that's pretty much extinct as well.

If you want to keep the receiver and the speakers, you can get a separate 2 channel power amp and a speaker level to line level converter, send the output of that to the EQ, and then the output of the EQ to the new amp. You could continue to use the surround amps on the receiver for the other channels.

I'm not sure what you by "To listen properly to the system, you can connect the Bose EQ's output to one of the analog inputs (like CD), then you can connect two of your analog components to the EQ (one to the main input, one to the tape in/play), and use the tape switch on the EQ to choose between them. You won't be able to listen to the tuner or any digital or multichannel inputs on the receiver."

I don't have any analog components.

I've got a smart TV connected to the digital input (2) - DTV / CBL (left side of the picture abode). I run that channel on my receiver 100% of the time because I just use music apps on the TV. I don't have any analog components hooked up (no tuner, turntables, CD player, DVD, VCR, etc. none of that). So I'm not worried about any of the other stuff. B

I realize this probably isn't the norm - but I don't mess around with CDs/ Tapes/ and Vinyl. Too much **** to keep track of. So is there an issue because I'm using a digital signal from the Optical Input?

Kind of trying to get around having to buy a second old audio receiver just to run these, but it looks like I might have to.

 

[swechsler]

I don't have any analog components.

I realize this probably isn't the norm - but I don't mess around with CDs/ Tapes/ and Vinyl. Too much **** to keep track of. So is there an issue because I'm using a digital signal from the Optical Input?

The issue is that you need to be able to send a line level output to the EQ, and from the EQ back to the receiver. Since all your sources are digital, you won't be able to do this. So your choices are either a speaker level to line level converter, as I stated above, or

buy a second old audio receiver just to run these, but it looks like I might have to.

But if all your sources are digital, what are you going to plug into it?


I just had one more thought: If your TV has stereo RCA audio outputs, or a headphone output, you could run that into the Bose EQ input, and from there into the CD input. Of course you won't have surround sound then. But at least you'll be able to try the system out.

 

[Old-School]

If you want to keep the receiver and the speakers, you can get a separate 2 channel power amp and a speaker level to line level converter, send the output of that to the EQ, and then the output of the EQ to the new amp. You could continue to use the surround amps on the receiver for the other channels.

This is not good advice. You will loose a lot of quality doing this and waste a lot of money.

And yes using a digital input on a modern receiver is your problem. There is no real way to integrate the Bose EQ and speakers in that system.

You could use RCA outs on your TV, if it has them, to the EQ then to a CD input just for testing..
That wont work for movies cause you loose the surround processing. Then switching back to the digital input will loose the effects of the Bose EQ. Without that EQ those 901's will sound like an AM radio.

Best advice for you if you want to use the 901's is to just do a second system. Those are classic 2 channel speakers and dont really fit into the modern system that you have.
If you do a second system just make sure what ever you buy has a tape loop so you can connect it properly.
901's, Unless they are restored and in perfect placement dont sound that great anyway. There I said it. I've heard many sets of 901's.
For somebody who dont want to "keep up with a lot of ****" I think you might have to change your approach..

 

[Stefan_MELO]

This is not good advice. You will loose a lot of quality doing this and waste a lot of money.

And yes using a digital input on a modern receiver is your problem. There is no real way to integrate the Bose EQ and speakers in that system.

You could use RCA outs on your TV, if it has them, to the EQ then to a CD input just for testing..
That wont work for movies cause you loose the surround processing. Then switching back to the digital input will loose the effects of the Bose EQ. Without that EQ those 901's will sound like an AM radio.

Best advice for you if you want to use the 901's is to just do a second system. Those are classic 2 channel speakers and dont really fit into the modern system that you have.
If you do a second system just make sure what ever you buy has a tape loop so you can connect it properly.
901's, Unless they are restored and in perfect placement dont sound that great anyway. There I said it. I've heard many sets of 901's.
For somebody who dont want to "keep up with a lot of ****" I think you might have to change your approach..

Roger that. i was assuming i needed a second system to backdate technology to these. appreciate the insight

 

[Bushikan]

Also: The more power the better. There’s no “limit” on power handling with the 901s. And they really begin to kick with more juice. I ran mine with 210 WPC.