Imaging problem, or lack thereof...any ideas

I had the same problem when using the PS3 as a source. I find its image weak at best, tilted on top and weak bass performance.

I couldn't find any switch like that anywhere on the DAC Jim. There are only two switches on the assembly; the upsampling 96/172khz switch and the on/off switch. You had me hoping though. I'll also try sending the digital out of the receiver...yeah it doesn't seem like that would have any effect on the signal, but who knows--I'll try anything. I'm a Radio Detection and Ranging systems tech, and I've come across a lot "fix actions" over the years that didn't seem to make sense to me electronically, but worked nonetheless.

Kool39, yeah the PS3 probably isn't the best sounding or imaging source out there, but I know for a fact that it is sending out two separate channels of audio because I can hear them when listening through the 805's DAC and pre, and then through the HT bypass on my 2ch integrated MF A5. And when using the PS3 optical out directly to the MF A3 24 DAC to the MF A5--I think the bass is greatly improved, mostly due to the DAC. Although it doesn't sound very "live" due to the mono/imageless output.

So it has to be either the DAC or the pre section in the MF A5 integrated that is mixing the 2 channels and I think I figured out a way to discern which. I'm going to send the analog out of the MF DAC to the receiver and from receiver to the HT bypass on the MF A5. If I don't get a proper image I'll know for sure that the DAC is the problem, because I know that the receiver when in "direct" mode will send exactly what it is getting on the the HT bypass which will only amplify what it's being fed. I know this because as I said before, when sending digital out of the PS3 through the receiver's dac and pre section I get a proper image. If I do get a proper image, I'll know that the DAC is, in fact, sending out to separate ch's and the pre section of the MF A5 is somehow mixing the ch's in it's preamplification.

We'll see what happens, but it looks like either way I'm gonna have to buy something :/

Well the MF A5 integrated (preamplifier stage) seems to be the problem. Using the PS3 optical out to the MF DAC to the one of the receiver's analog line level inputs and then out to the HT bypass input on the A5, I was able to hear two distinct channels. But when I took the analog out of the DAC directly into any one of the MF A5's inputs, I lost the two separate channels. I tried swapping the speaker inputs just in case either the amp or speakers' ground and hot leads were mismarked--with no effect. Went through the manual for the A5 and it talks about imaging in there a few times, so I'm thinking this isn't normal for these amps, especially since it's not like this is a bottom of the barrel integrated or anything. Just for good measure I hooked up my Onix SP8 tube integrated amp up and did not have the same problem.

I'll try contacting MF, but I'm going to start looking for a new 2ch integrated...or possibly separates with the pre having a HT bypass.

Congrats on fidning the apparent problem. Perhaps there is some simple fix for it. Talking to MF ought to say so or not. Sorry that facet isn't working for you too.

Good luck in the hunt for another int. SET & a good int are the two things I've yet to try. As long as the int has preouts, and main ins, I'd not mind it I don't think. Of course I'd want a tube preamp stage and likely an SS main amp. BAT comes to mind.

Yeah, you might be right about the simple fix. There must be a setting or something that can change it, because I'm sure that they all can't be like this. I would pop the top on it and see if there are any dip switch settings or anything like that and just visually inspect the components, however, that would void the warranty.

I've never used separates myself and I'd rather not just because I already have a six shelf rack and it's completely full. I'm thinking about going the PS Audio way--variable gain control amplifiers.