General Tips for the Sony STR-DA777ES
- It is CRITICAL that you select the correct input-type for any connected components ( ie Co-ax for DVD etc. ) to avoid massively increased noise floor & input crosstalk. Use the "Analog/Digital" control on the Front panel to select the connection for each used input.
- I would suggest leaving the STR-DA777ES on as much as possible, despite the unit getting hot, as it appears to sound better after 12-24hrs "warm-up".
- When using the "kit" firmware I'd strongly suggest switching "Screen-Depth" off for the Cinema Studio EX A/B/C and Virtual Matrix 6.1 DSP modes. This will make the 6.1 mode sound a LOT better, and effectively turn the Cinema Studio EX modes into the equivilant Virtual Theater Mode ( ie A/B/C ) for easy DSP switching. You need to turn Screen Depth off for EACH DSP mode, turning it off on Cinema Studio EX A, for example, won't turn off Screen Depth for Cinema Studio EX B.
- The Virtual Theater modes are my DSP mode of choice for Multichannel material, although I use "Surround Off" for Music. ( I recommend you do too BTW ) Use Virtual Theater A for general TV viewing, and Virtual Theater B for active 5.1 soundtracks. The Virtual Theater Modes will ALWAYS do Pro-Logic decoding of Stereo or Surround sources, and for this reason are much better suited to general viewing IMO. Remember that the Cinema Studio EX A/B modes with Screen Depth [OFF] are the same as Virtual Theater A/B
- Make sure you use Virtual Matrix 6.1 ( with Screen Depth [OFF] ) for any Dolby Digital EX or DTS ES DVD's.
- If your subwoofer doesn't reproduce all the way up to 120hz, make sure to use the LFE High Cut setting! This could also be used to extend the LFE range sent to the subwoofer ( 120hz is default ).
- Mass loading lighter CD or DVD players provides a noticeable improvement
- If possible plug the 777ES & any digital sources into a seperate outlet to your power amps ( analog ). This still applies ( perhaps more so! ) if using any power conditioners, multiplugs etc. Also NEVER connect two connection types ( ie Optical & Co-ax, Co-ax & Analog ) to the same input. Connect to a different input ( ie DVD / CD ). Obviously it is important to setup the speaker distances and bass management correctly for optimal performance.
- I Strongly recommend the use of "Avias Guide to Home Theater" or "Video Essentials" to properly setup/calibrate your TV for optimal DVD reproduction. You should be able to find this ( R1 ) DVD from any decent Online retailer.
- Use component or RGB from your DVD player if at all possible, the increase in resolution, contrast and color fidelity is anything but subtle.
- If you are using S-Video, Component, or RGB, then turn the "sharpness" setting down as low as user-setting will allow, or at least a lot lower than default, since it is only really intended for use w/ composite. You sacrifice detail, depth-of field, and introduce noise and white edges to the image if using "sharpness".
- To improve depth-of-field considerably, with minimal cost, make sure there are no light sources which can have direct reflection
