ANSWERS: 1
  • I take it from your question that you want to connect a stereo (two-channel) analog source to an amplifier with a 5.1 channel capability. Connect the two-channel analog source to the Left and Right inputs of an unused line-level input on the amplifer. Most of these are functionally the same; they have labels such as CD and Tuner for your convenience, not for any electrical reason. If the amplifier has a Phono input, do *not* use it. The Phono input is designed to work with a phono cartridge, which does not have a line-level output and has specific filtering requirements. Set the selected channel to stereo mode and there you go. For more than stereo, read on. You will not be able to produce a true 5.1 surround output from such a configuration, as you only have a two-channel source. You can, however, use the amplifier to synthesize surround sound from the two-channel source. This can be done using any of the following amplifier settings: - Dolby Pro Logic II: Movie - Dolby Pro Logic II: Music - DTS Neo6: Cinema - DTS Neo6: Music I have found that the two music modes, in particular Neo6: Music, are superior to the movie modes for general listening. The movie modes are not suitable for music. I use Neo6: Music with regular stereo television broadcasts and am pleased with the results more often than not. The effectiveness of decoders and their algorithms on the source material is variable: sometimes good, sometimes bad. The output generated for the surround channels can be full of unplesantly harsh and distorted sounds. Most amplifiers also have some 'enhanced' settings, although I use the word with some hesitance. Most of these (e.g., 'Arena', 'Club', 'Padded Cell') seem to be little more than echo generators, producing something that sounds unrealistic and unpleasant. I have yet to find one that I like. You may find yourself dissatisfied with any of these options. If so, you may want to investigate using an external processor, such as the Cantares SSP-1 (http://www.cantares.on.ca/). This type of processor can produce very good results with music.

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