Help with an AV processor

Hello wemfan,

      Both Loomis and Al above are correct, you can use your Oppo 105D as a preamp processor to do what you want.  Here's how to do it:


1.  Connect an HDMI cable from the output on your cable box to the HDMI input on the back of your Oppo.  Note: this input is listed as "3. HDMI IN-Back" when you later use your Oppo remote "Input" button, located on the top of the remote between the red "Power" button and the disc drawer white "Open" button, to select the proper cable box source.  
     Once setup is complete, you'll be using the Oppo remote to control volume and the cable remote to select the channel.

2.  Connect another HDMI cable from the "HDMI 1" output on the back of the Oppo to the HDMI input on your TV.  Note: you'll also need to select the proper input on your TV.  It's also important to use the HDMI 1 output on the Oppo because it's the only output that benefits from the Oppo's excellent Marvell QDEO video processor. 

3.  Connect a pair of XLR balanced audio cables from the left and right XLR "Stereo Outputs" on the back of the Oppo to the "CH 1" and "CH 3" 
XLR inputs on your A-31 amp.  For wiring simplicity, I suggest using CH 1 for the right channel/speaker and CH 3 for the left channel/speaker.  Set the "Gain" knob to the middle 12:00 position and the "Balanced/Unbalanced" switch to the balanced position on both channel CH 1 and CH 3 inputs. Use speaker wire to connect the right LS50 to CH 1's  speaker outputs and the left LS50 to CH 3's speaker outputs.


4.  Connect a single RCA unbalanced cable from the "Center" output on the back of the Oppo to the "CH 2" RCA input on the A-31 amp.  Set the "Gain" knob to the middle 12:00 position and the "Balanced/Unbalanced" switch to the unbalanced position on CH 2. Use speaker wire to connect the KEF center channel speaker to CH 2's speaker outputs.
     If you want to add a sub, just connect a single RCA unbalanced cable from the "Subwoofer" output on the back of the Oppo to the sub's RCA input.

5.  The final step is to use the Oppo's remote to navigate to the Audio Processing Setup Menu to optimize the audio configuration.  This is the section in which you're able to match the relative volume of your speakers, indicate whether a center ch speaker and/or a sub is being utilized, set the crossover frequency for the sub and determine which speakers will have bass assistance from the sub and which will not.  You can read all about this section beginning on page 63 of your Oppo manual. 

     I'm certain this setup will work well for you since I also use a Panasonic plasma, Oppo 105 (not a D version) and multiple amps in my combo 2-ch music and 5.4 HT system.  The Oppo 105 are excellent serving as surround processors up to 7 channels with a sub or subs.  There's no Atmos but all channels utilize high quality Saber dacs capable of up to 24 bit/192kHz hi-res playback.

Tim

Hello wemfan,

Did you do Step#5 on my procedures?


Under the Setup Menu, go into Audio Processing and then into Speaker Configuration- You’ll then see a diagram on your tv of a 5.1 system with 5 speakers, a sub and a guy sitting on a couch. Then follow this procedure:


1. Use the left or right arrow key on your remote until the "Test Tone" area is highlighted (located in back of the couch) and hit enter to turn the test tone on (there’s a speaker symbol at the bottom left of the screen that will indicate if the test tone is on or off).

2. Once the tone is on, use the left or right arrow key to scroll to the FR/Front Right speaker and press enter. You’ll hear some pink noise being played through your FR speaker and you then need to set the following for this speaker:

Size: Set this to "Large" if you want this speaker to run full-range and "Small" if you’re using a sub and want to limit the low frequency output of this speaker. You don’t have a sub yet so set this to "Large".


Distance: Set this to the number of feet away from the speaker your listening position is located.

Trim: Set this to "0dB" initially. Later, you can go back into this section and adjust the relative volume/trim of all 3 of your speakers so they're level matched or set to your preference.

3. Repeat Step#2 for your C/center channel and FL/Front Left speakers.

4. Sit at your listening position and scroll through all 3 speakers and, using the test tone, adjust the Trim on them by ear until all 3 sound the best to you.

     It sounds to me like your center speaker may have been set to "Off" by default. It may help you to read the Oppo manual on this subject starting on page 63. Please let me know if this fixes your issue.

Thanks,
Tim

Hello wemfan,

     I'm glad you got it up and running.  I think any improvements in sound quality, by using a separate expensive AV preamp/processor, would be highly unlikely no matter which exact unit you used and how much it costs.  Even if there were improvements, they'd probably be marginal improvements that are not worth the extra cost, cabling and complexity.  I believe adding a good quality sub would provide a much more obvious improvement in sound performance and enjoyment.  The Oppo 105D will outperform the majority of AV receivers and preamp/processors available  and it's also a much simpler and more elegant solution for your needs. 

     I've never tried what auxinput described, but you could always give it a try and see if you like the sound better with his configuration suggestion. 


Tim   

Hey wemfan,

    In my opinion, good quality bass reproduction makes music and HT (home theater movies and TV) sound a lot better.  You'll notice more improvements than just the deep bass from about 20-50 Hz that your KEF LS50s are unable to reproduce.  You'll notice the soundstage will become wider and deeper on music and everything will be more interesting and exciting on movies and TV.  Currently, you're not even aware of all the good bass you're not hearing so there's not a sense of anything missing or how much better your system will sound with 1 or 2 good quality subs.

    My system is a combo music and HT living room system and I use four relatively small (1'x1'x2' 44lb) subs in my room driven by a separate 1,000K watt class AB amp/controller.  You'll be amazed how much good quality bass exists on free, satellite and cable tv, even on commercials.

     I'd suggest you try 1 or 2 relatively small good quality subs in your room and position them where they sound best using the "crawl method" (google it).  Based on my experience, I definitely know that 2 subs will perform about twice as good as 1 sub in your room.  Or, start with 1 sub optimally positioned using the crawl method and add a 2nd later on if you think you need it.  
    Of course, you can use any sub or subs you like but, if you're looking for good quality bass at a bargain price, I'd recommend either the REL T-Zero https://rel.net/shop/powered-subwoofers/zero/ or the SVS-SB-1000  
https://www.svsound.com/products/sb-1000?wiz_medium=cpc&wiz_source=google&wiz_campaign=Brand...  They're both similarly priced and the main difference between them is that the SVS will go a bit deeper than the REL.  I know the SVS offers a free home-trial period but I'm not sure about the REL.

      Overall, I think you'll improve your system's performance significantly by adding 1 or 2 subs and it won't be a subtle improvement.  However, I'd still suggest you buy subs with a free in-home trial period just to take all the financial risk out of your decision.
     If you do decide to try a sub or two, I can assist you with proper setup and configuration if you'd like.

Later,
 Tim