bchild311 Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 Running RF-7's in the front and a RC-7 center. Just want to know what the optimal way to wire the Rotel to the Denon would be to get the most satisfying results. Right now I have a huge hummm/buzzz coming from the speakers because of the Rotel. I have some XLR cables on the way and am hoping that will resolve the issue there. Current wiring is I'm running straight RCA's out of the Denon front L&R preouts to the Rotel 1080 (hence the buzz). I have the old speaker wiring from the Denon going to the opposite prongs in the back of the RF-7's than before when I only had the Denon wired. The Rotel speaker wiring is going to the other set of prongs on the RF-7's. It sounds great - except for the buzz. I can REALLY tell a huge difference with the Rotel amp - that think is beautiful and has awakened my 7's to a whole new sound stage. They really sound like new speakers. I just want to make sure I'm wired right for both 2-channel stereo/music and also 6.1 movie surround. Anyone have this current or similar setup? Thanks guys ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easylistener Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 I have a similar set up, with no buzz. most likly you have a bad rca cable or one strand of wire is touching the other post on the speakers. I sure hope you took the jumper out of the speaker post to bi-wire like this. Otherwise get a 3 prong to 2 prong adaptor, Ground loop issue. You should have no buzz at all. The rotels are dead quit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzoz01 Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 Unscrew the coax from the back of your tv. 90% of the time, that's the problem. If it is the case, get a Jensen Ground Issolator. If not........ good luck buddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzoz01 Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 I have some XLR cables on the way and am hoping that will resolve the issue there.... And what are you planning of doing with those? Neither the amp nor reciever use that connection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2K Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 Disconnect the old speaker wire, receiver to speaker. Put jumpers back on (if you removed them). Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bchild311 Posted November 28, 2005 Author Share Posted November 28, 2005 I have some XLR cables on the way and am hoping that will resolve the issue there.... And what are you planning of doing with those? Neither the amp nor reciever use that connection. Because I own the 1080 and have actually seen the XLR connectors in the back of the machine I know for certain that it has them. The XLR inputs are for a balanced signal while using the RCA's is an unbalanced signal (hence the humm). Here is the back panel drawing for your consideration: http://www.rotel.com/support/pdfs/drawings/RB1080-back.pdf I'm quite certain the coax cable is not creating a hum. More importantly than the humm, for now, is my question to the appropriate way to wire this 1080 with the Denon. Is Bi-wiring really the way to go? Or should I simply connect the Rotel only to the speakers? Thanks guys ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bchild311 Posted November 28, 2005 Author Share Posted November 28, 2005 Disconnect the old speaker wire, receiver to speaker. Put jumpers back on (if you removed them). Keith T2K - I was under the impression that bi-wiring with the jumpers was a no-no. Do you know different? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easylistener Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 I would say the best way to wire the Rotel and Denon are NOT to bi wire. The rotel is a much better amp than the denon and you will only lose sound quality. Let me know how you like the the XLR cables I was thinking of getting some my self to try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Blacksmith Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Unless you are running pro gear with long speaker runs, XLR cables are a waste of money. 95% of home gear with XLR sockets are wired the same as RCA cables and you will not achieve any difference except for what is in your head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzoz01 Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 The 3802 does not have XLR outs. You can't run XLR. An RCA to XLR converter cable is not balanced and will not make a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2K Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Disconnect the old speaker wire, receiver to speaker. Put jumpers back on (if you removed them). Keith T2K - I was under the impression that bi-wiring with the jumpers was a no-no. Do you know different? I would forget about bi-wiring with your setup. But then, that's just me. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bchild311 Posted November 29, 2005 Author Share Posted November 29, 2005 The 3802 does not have XLR outs. You can't run XLR. An RCA to XLR converter cable is not balanced and will not make a difference. In your previous statement you said that NEITHER had XLR. I understand that the connection will be an XLR to RCA because of the Denon, but from everything I've read on Sound and Vision forum the XLR is a noise reducing coil and will take that buzz out. Hard to know til you really try though right? I'll let you all know if it solves the problem when they arrive. My uncle has a Parasound amp that is pre-amped with his Yamaha and the XLR cable reduced the humm completely. Out of curiosity JZOZ, if the XLR and the RCA are the same thing (so to speak) what would you recommend to take the humm out of the speakers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bchild311 Posted November 29, 2005 Author Share Posted November 29, 2005 I would say the best way to wire the Rotel and Denon are NOT to bi wire. The rotel is a much better amp than the denon and you will only lose sound quality. Let me know how you like the the XLR cables I was thinking of getting some my self to try. What you're saying definitely makes sense. I will try a straight feed from the Rotel into the RF-7's tonight and do some experimenting. Thanks ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thumpelstiltskin Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 I have a Denon 3802 hooked up to a McIntosh MC2205 amp driving my main speakers. I'd suggest you try your setup without bi-wiring, and just let the Rotel drive your RF-7s. It probably won't help the "buzz", though. Good luck, Rick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Blacksmith Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 ARGH!!!! People, REAL XLR connections place the entire sine wave of the signal on the positive side of the speaker cable. A transformer is required to then remove the signal from the + side of the cable and feed it to the speaker. The reason for this is to avoid induced signals into LONG runs of cable (say 500 + feet like in baseball stadiums!!!!) XLR jacks on CONSUMER grade gear are only wired the same as RCA cables, on consumer grade equipment, NEITHER IS BALLANCED!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzoz01 Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 not always true. there are a lot of amps on the market that are fully balanced or at least have balanced input stages. you are correct though as many cheaper amps and processors with xlr are the same connection as an rca, as pins 1 and 3 and connected. to the origional poster, the only reason rca to xlr conversation cables exist are so you can hook gear without xlr outs to gear such as active studio monitors whose only input is xlr. they do nothing to the sounds nor will they reduce interference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bchild311 Posted November 29, 2005 Author Share Posted November 29, 2005 ARGH!!!! People, REAL XLR connections place the entire sine wave of the signal on the positive side of the speaker cable. A transformer is required to then remove the signal from the + side of the cable and feed it to the speaker. The reason for this is to avoid induced signals into LONG runs of cable (say 500 + feet like in baseball stadiums!!!!) XLR jacks on CONSUMER grade gear are only wired the same as RCA cables, on consumer grade equipment, NEITHER IS BALLANCED!!!!!! OK - then explain to me why Rotel places a 'balanced' and 'unbalanced' label on the back of their amp for XLR and RCA wiring, respectively? Can you also explain why my uncle who is running a Parasound Halo amp with his Yamaha used XLR cables and it took the hum right out of his system? RCA = humm, XLR = quiet. Am I restating what you just said? Sorry I'm really trying to figure this problem out. Thanks ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Blacksmith Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Perhaps my qualifier was not clear. CONSUMER GRADE EQUIPMENT not semi pro or pro gear is wired as RCA and just uses the connectors for XLR. I can not explain your uncles example. Perhaps he had a bad RCA cable, it happens. For the most part though, consumer grade equipment may have the jacks for the same reason Klipsch has the jumpers on the inputs of the newer speakers, so that you can "bi wire" them. Neither does anything positive for the sound but shoppers know "just enough" to expect certain features, whether or not they are "value added" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sivadselim Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 bchild311 The Denon only has RCA outs. Using a cable that has RCA at one end and XLR at the other is NOT a balanced connection, so you will NOT get the interference-blocking benefit that a balanced connection can give you. Also, according to your initial description, you describe a passive bi-amplifiation situation where you use the Rotel to power your LF section but you still use your Denon's 2 front channel amps to power your HF section. Correct? Was this your intention? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 bc, did you understand my answer to your PM? That might clarify the situation. Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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