Vista/Depth i setup

[Satch]

Hey All,

I was following JonFo's thread "Timing is everything" and was wondering about how to set up the Depth i and the Vistas to get the best 2.1 stereo crossover alignment.

The Depth i manual shows three different 2-Channel setup modes.

1) 2-Channel mode. Preamp connected to line level in. This gives control of the low pass filter over to the Sub.

2) 2-Channel Mode Using Speaker Level Inputs. This also activates the subs low pass filter.

3) 2-Channel Mode With 2 Channel Output. This lets you set the High Pass filter.

I'll be using the Devils own Cary SLP-98 P preamp with an Ayre V-5xe SS amp.

Any advise for best setup would be a great help to this Newbie.

Satch

 

[JonFo]

Hi Satch,

I would recommend following the guidelines from page 13 of the Depth i manual for this setup and do a full 2ch active crossover through the sub.

That would give you the cleanest crossover between sub and main speakers.
A bit more cabling, and do watch for ground loops. So plug the preamp, sub and amp into a common phase outlet.
Now, to adjust the timing, I don't believe the crossover in the depth gives you much more control than just the phase. Which is important to work with to try and obtain the best match.

Try and calibrate for the best mid-bass performance when using the phase control, so use some recording that has clean double bass notes, like any Jacques Lousier trio or other small jazz trio type performance to adjust this with if not using measurement tools.

 

[Satch]

JonFo,

Thanks a lot for the info...

I'm still working off the payments on the amp, but hope to have it set up by this time next month.

I'll go ahead and order the extra set of cables.

Satch

 

[JonFo]

Satch, since the cable runs between pre-amp and the Depth will be longer than usual, I highly recommend going with the BlueJeans cable LC-1 audio cable as your interconnects:
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/audio/index.htm

It will provide the best all-around performance for this application, it can be ordered in the precise length you need, and even offers options like TechFlex jackets if you want it to look real spiffy.

Price for their stuff is very reasonable.

Cheers,

 

[magnaman]

I'm facing the same set-up issue as Satch, Vista to soon to arrive Depthi. Not having had a sub in the system before I'm still struggling to get my brain around the options.
- The recommendation from JonFo seems to make sense (2 channel mode with 2 channel output), as surely having the ability to control both low and high pass feed to your speakers makes most sense? I have a NAD763 and I could just remove the jumpers between pre and main channels and route the signal through
the sub
- If you only have a line in feed to the sub, the system is still giving the full signal to main speakers, making optimization a little harder. True?
- Adding an LFE/.1 feed to the LFE in on the sub would also be a good thing? I assume that a signal from this would override any signal through the line in/out feed. You would then rely on bass control from the original DVD source.
- Any comments appreciated from you guys.

 

[Satch]

magnaman,

I took JonFo's advice and set it up 2-Channel Mode With 2-Channel Output. Page 13 in the Depth i User Manual. It was a new concept for me but it worked out great. L/R out from Preamp > L/R Line level in to Depth i > L/R Line Level out of Depth i into L/R Inputs for the Amp. This way you can adjust the High Pass Filter and the Low Pass Filter. This Vista, Depth i combo Rocks!

Satch

 

[magnaman]

Thanks for the quick response Satch. Do I assume you're 2.1 only and hence ignore any LFE feeds?

 

[Satch]

magnaman,

Yes, I'm using 2.1 stereo only. If you want to hook up 2.1 stereo And a multi-channel H.T. set up through the Depth i there is a way to do that too using the LFE connection. That Depth i is a Swiss Army Knife of a Sub and sounds fantastic in my system.

Satch