Music in Stereo using a 5-channel amp VERY underwhelming - Seeking advice!

[Blur2018]

I'll try to keep this brief and to the point:
I have a 5.1 system in the basement for movies. I'm using an Onkyo TX-SR805 as a preamp (fried the amplifier many years ago while watching Transformers...) and an Emotiva UPA-5 as a 5-channel amplifier. My mains are Def Tech 7002s, which are very capable speakers. Movies sound killer, but when I listen to music in 2.0 stereo, it sounds really unimpressive and unbalanced. Low end is especially lacking, which is odd given the capability of the 7002s. I've messed with some sound settings in hopes of figuring this out, but I can't find a fix. Not sure if it matters, but I'm just using the Blu-Ray player as the source while listening to CDs. My listening setup in the living room is a Sansui 2000X with ADS L710s. This is where I usually listen to music. Man, that sounds UNREAL compared to the basement setup.
I may need to provide more info in order to help with some potential advice, but does anyone have any ideas as to what might be the issue?
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

 

[Yamaki]

I'd check the Onk's settings for a pure stereo or direct stereo mode. It may be trying to continue to internally mix the input sound.

Also check your Blu-Ray player source settings to see if the signal is still being sent in 5.1 CH or a pure or direct stereo mode.

 

[swechsler]

The 7002s have powered subs. Do you have them set up as large or small? Do you have a separate line in going from the subwoofer out on the receiver to the inputs on the speakers, or are you simply running them full range? If the latter, is there a separate subwoofer connected to the system?

 

[Blur2018]

I'd check the Onk's settings for a pure stereo or direct stereo mode. It may be trying to continue to internally mix the input sound.

Also check your Blu-Ray player source settings to see if the signal is still being sent in 5.1 CH or a pure or direct stereo mode.

Really appreciate the response! I'll check on the Blu-Ray player, but if I always run the Onkyo on Pure Audio, it should switch between the two automatically, right?

 

[Blur2018]

The 7002s have powered subs. Do you have them set up as large or small? Do you have a separate line in going from the subwoofer out on the receiver to the inputs on the speakers, or are you simply running them full range? If the latter, is there a separate subwoofer connected to the system?

Appreciate the response! I have them set as large, with the crossover set at 40. I do have a separate sub connected to the Onkyo, but it's only active during movies.

 

[Yamaki]

I am not that familar with the Onk settings. I know my McIntosh MX151's set up menu allows me to select a sound field, or mode if you will, for each input. Your unit might have a similar setup mode.

As an example my No. 1 balanced input pair produces 2-channel sound with an output setting of Stereo. For my optical in or HDMI in from a TV or BluRay I have it set as one of the movie 5.1 output settings.

One other question on your setup...how is your BluRay player connected to the Onk? Do you have stereo analog outputs on it that can be used to send 2-channel analog to the Onk?

 

[swechsler]

I have the TX-SR705. I haven't experienced this problem, but did have other weirdness that was fixed with a factory reset (I forget the button combination but it's in the manual). This might be a last resort if you can't figure it out. Just make a note of all the settings ahead of time so you can revert them back afterwards.

 

[sqlsavior]

For the price of a $50 Schitt Sys passive preamp, you could find out if it is your Onkyo preamp section homogenizing the sound. And others may disagree, but for the price of a $30 Lepai LP-2020Ti, you can determine if your Emotiva is up to snuff as well. FWIW, I'd look at your settings again too, as others have said.

 

[hifitommy]

most AV receivers have a dolby pro logic circuit that can be used with stereo. just turn on DPL and adjust the rear channels to be barely detectable with regular stereo music. THEN when you play live music or music that has ambient sound like Tomita recordings, you will be surrounded. the whole idea is to make the sound natural.

 

[Blur2018]

I have the TX-SR705. I haven't experienced this problem, but did have other weirdness that was fixed with a factory reset (I forget the button combination but it's in the manual). This might be a last resort if you can't figure it out. Just make a note of all the settings ahead of time so you can revert them back afterwards.

JACKPOT! Spent plenty of time trying to figure it out, and I really appreciate all the input from everyone, but in the end the factory reset did it. Weird. The amplifier started working again, too! Ok, that's a lie. But music sounds GOOD again, and that's what matters.

Here's to a good weekend ahead.

 

[RunOutGroove]

I have no advice and it seems that it isn't needed anyway because the problem was solved... Still, I will say that I've helped a few friends set up systems with AV type receivers and in both cases it was a PAIN! Both of these folks wanted to use these things just for stereo and the options to set it up that way weren't all that obvious. There is something to be said for using two channel gear for two channel set ups. Still, I get that if you already have an AV receiver that you might use that thing for stereo...

 

[Blur2018]

I have no advice and it seems that it isn't needed anyway because the problem was solved... Still, I will say that I've helped a few friends set up systems with AV type receivers and in both cases it was a PAIN! Both of these folks wanted to use these things just for stereo and the options to set it up that way weren't all that obvious. There is something to be said for using two channel gear for two channel set ups. Still, I get that if you already have an AV receiver that you might use that thing for stereo...

Totally agree, and I do have a separate two-channel set up in the living room. I just want to be able to listen to music in the basement from time to time when that is being used by my kids. Although, I do get overwhelmed with pride when the Sansui and L710s are being used to showcase "YouTubers" playing Minecraft.