Quiet_Hollow

Perhaps only in the given situation. Fiber optic carries a multi-channel signal just fine. It seems like somethings not setup right, because on page 35 of the UMC-1 owner's manual, it indicates the sound field processing you enjoy most can be applied to any of the digital inputs. Are you certain your signal sources (PS3 , etc.) are set to output "bitstream" over their fiber optic outputs and that the UMC-1 is configured to recognize it as a legitimate digital input per pages 29 & 34? http://www.emotiva.com/umc1/manual.pdf If that's the case, lift the ground on the UMC-1 using a cheater plug. Then unplug and bypass that HDMI from cable box again. That'll spell relief. I also had bad hum problem with my subwoofer when I tried to use HDMI to feed audio to my receiver from the cable box, I feel your pain bro.

The best sounding amplifier / receiver for digital source amplification under $2500. No joke. They're blowing a little hot air your way by saying that. The most sought after Panny is the SA-BX500...which is still sold in Europe for around $700 US. The good news is the XR-25 sounds just the same (utterly splendid). I would recommend staying under $150 for a used one though, as the XR25 isn't quite as fully featured as its newer siblings. It's lowest x-over frequency is 100 Hz, for example, which could be an issue if you plan to use a sub.

Another couple of pure digital amps are the: NAD M2 http://nadelectronics.com/products/masters-series/M2-Direct-Digital-Amplifier and Tact Audio T-2 http://www.tactaudio.com/Products/T2/T2.html Both of which are significantly out of the price range of the OP.[]

Paul, What exactly do you mean by "Home DJ"? DJ's usually don't play at home. If you practice on your rig at home, with the intent to haul it around with you and perform, that puts you into Pro Audio territory. That being said, if that's your ultimate intent, you need to purchase equipment commensurate with that goal. To incorporate a subwoofer into your setup, you're going to need, at the very minimum, an active crossover (Rane, DBX, Behringer). You will also need a pro-audio grade horn-loaded sub worthy of accompanying your Hereseys the likes of Bill Fitzamurice, JTR, EAW, Danley, or Funktion One. Attempting to use home audio equipment for pro-audio use is the path of the Darkside and will only leave you lacking in the end. -Quiet_Holllow

Be aware that HDMI cables will also create a loop with your processor and cable box. If you run HDMI into your processor / receiver, there's a good chance that's where the majority of your hum is coming from. If that's the case, an excellent fix is to bypass the receiver completely in the HDMI chain, and run the audio from the cable box using fiber optic.

2.8 feet

No problem. PM me any time you folks get the itch for a road trip.[au][8]

No problem. PM me any time you folks get the itch for a road trip.[au][8]

The Sherwood R-904N has TI guts http://www.sherwoodamerica.com/site/sherwood/receiver/R904.php?mtype=1

The reason the AVR industry uses the labels "small" and "large" is because if you actually follow THX or pro-audio protocol setting your crossover point between 80-120 Hz, the cab size actually required to run down to those frequencies, at reference levels in a home theater environment, is for all intensive purposes "small". Think satellite....like KPT-250 / Heresy or smaller even in the case of some MTM's. I wholeheartedly agree with the "sub / no sub" moniker. If anything, it would remove any confusion pertaining to what the setting really means. If you're setting your crossover any lower than that, something else is awry with your system....shallow filter slopes, ineffective sub placement or performance.

Crown K2 (top) and Dayton SA-1000 (bottom) for further reference.

+1

If either of you two get chance to head north, your welcome to drop in and listen to a horn-sub paired with some La Scalas at my place. [H] Or you could just check out the video I made, but it feels more incredible in person:

I'm still not sure what the OP is trying to accomplish.. Are you trying to establish reference level or are you just matching everything up??

"now I need help" I felt you needed help before you bought all the Vinyl, but I got here too late

A case can be made for AVR's when they package them with insanely beautiful sounding amps and sell them at an 1/8th of the price of the nearest component equivalent. For example As is the case with Sherwood and Panasonic vs. Tact, Lyngdorf, and NAD. To step up into components with this technology means quite a hike in price. The marriage of small sales and extremely satisfied customers makes this product tough to find on the used market in order to save some money.

He was right. It's stems from the directivity of the horns and is why we don't try to listen to them off-axis. The tweeter's the limiting factor dispersion-wise in the La ScalaInside it's zone= sonic bliss Outside of it's zone= sounds "horny" or "not at all" The only reason the factory went flush mount was because they were tired of us consumers whining about it all the time.

In order to use the DD-1500 you also need an accompanying SP-1500. So for now, it's a paperweight, and can be set aside. Connect the disc player, pre-amp, and Rotel with the shortest RCA patch cables that will work. Looks like 1 footers from CableWholesale will do. If you ever want to hook it up in the future, you're going to need the signal processor (SP-1500), DB25 patch cable, tos-link cable, and preferably a 5 channel amp (if you intend surround use); however, you could certainly continue to use the Rotel for 2 channel listening regardless. Once you acquire a SP-1500, you'll no longer have use for the LD-1100 and can set that aside. Details for the SP-1500: http://wardsweb.org/audio/psp1500.html []

Lyons, Noticed your Mc has onboard EQ. If you find the LaScala bottom end lacking, just dial up 7-10 dB on the 30Hz knob.

Lyons, I wouldn't change a thing in the cabs as long as they are stock. I've heard this song and dance about La Scalas not having enough bass, especially in comparison to other direct radiator cabs like KG2's, Cornwalls and horn cabs from other manufacturers. The issue becomes quite apparent if you do the math. The La Scala bass bin is only on the horn down to 90-100 Hz, then runs as a bandpass-filtered sealed box down to around 50-60Hz depending on boundary loading. From 30-60Hz is full octave ( a lot of sub bass information) and that is were the La Scala's response is finally rolling off in half space. Not cool. Large kettle drums, string bass, or pipe organs can certainly can duck out of the La Scala's bass range. A direct radiating sub introduces too much distortion at the volume levels required to play nice with horn-loaded cabs, even a sealed one. The solution is one of two things: 1. Bi-amp them 2. Buy or build a horn-loaded sub Bi-amping the the bass bin requires good electronics to keep it sounding right. The crossover to the squawker at 400 Hz has to be maintained flat and in time, but then the response needs to be curved (EQ'd) below 100 Hz. Doing this would allow you to keep a SET or what ever your flavor powering the squawker and tweeter, and use an appropriate switching amp to put the spurs to the bass bin. They'll oblige just fine. There's a 15" down there for goodness sake. The other solution is to turn the system into a 4-way by using a horn-loaded sub. You could build one or buy one. Integration is a little easier as the crossover point is at a significantly lower frequency and the handshake is a little more forgiving in the time domain. The downside there is the introduction of another cab into the room. As far as them sounding screechy? What material are you playing? Vinyl, CD, Bakelite cylinders, Squeezebox? Here's a video of my setup before I even had a chance to EQ it properly: They are anything but harsh, even through YouTube. They are completely stock.

Sounds like a good horn-sub is in order. Just as musical. That's what I did with mine. I'll never go back. Makes low volume listening such a pleasure. You either need to EQ the La Scala's bottom end, use a separate horn loaded sub to keep the bass on the Fletcher Munson curve (ISO226:2003) , listen to them loud all the time, or have an amplifier with dynamic EQ. Once relieved of bottom duties...The LaScalas become a whole 'notha animal. [6] My $.02 -Quiet_Hollow P.S. - Sweet trade BTY. You certainly got the better end of the deal IMHO

Newly posted HQ video of the La Scala's demonstrating instrumental music: Cheers!

Video of La Scalas and a 20 Hz tapped-horn subwoofer I just finished, stretching their lungs a bit with some movie clips.

Video of my two-channel setup posted on YouTube.