Denon 3801 / RC-3 distortion

[hooligan]

I have mentioned this once before - I think to Boa. I have somewhat clarified the problem.

When playing a CD on 5 channel stereo or using the Matrix, etc surround effects, the center channel sounds terrible with a lot of distortion. Sounds like the horn is "vibrating" with the highs. The mains (rb-5) and rears (rb-5) remain sounding great. With four rb-5's, you can imagine why I prefer 5 channel stereo.

So I thought the problem was with the RC-3. However, when I switch to Dolby or Neo 6, the center channel "comes to life."

What gives? Defective amp in the 3801? Or does the 5th channel just sound bad due to its creation by the receiver, and so live with it?

Anyone else toggle the two (5ch and Dolby) with a CD and notice a difference? Most prevalent on less than stellar recordings.

[boa12]

yea h i thkn that was me & it continues to drive me nuts too. it only happens on movies in dolby (2.0/prologic or DD 5.1) either from the dvd or the digital cable box.

i keep thinking it's the dolby mix & receiver

effects overloading the rc when there's that loud voice or scream in a movie.

i'm going to take the rc to the dealer & have them do a frequency sweep just to rule out the rc. i'll let u know. Boa

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RF-3 (front), RC-3, Cornwall I (rear)

Velodyne HGS-18 sub

Monsterbass 400 sub cables & Monster Z-12 wire

Sony de935 a/v receiver

Sony DVP-C650D dvdp

Sony Trinitron 27" tv

Technics dual cassette deck

Technics direct drive turntable

Scientific Atlanta Explorer 2000 digital cable box

rock on!

[PhilH]

If you're unsure if the problem is in the speaker or receiver, just hook one of your mains to the center channel, play the same stuff that caused the bad sound before, and see if it still happens. If it does, it's definitely the receiver (my guess is with the receiver and it's DSP).