How to have 6.1/7.1/DDes/DTSex with the Sony STR-DA777ES

DIY DOLBY 6.1

The easiest way of achieving Dolby Pro Logic 'decoding' of the digital rear channels is to dust down an old Pro Logic amplifier - which will provide both decoding and amplification. With setup it actually possible for you to have 3 front speakers and 5 rear speakers. Gearheads can now go through their movie collections and hear them as never before - with a third surround dimension...

HOW TO WIRE 6.1

Simply wire your system as in our diagram, below. Take the rear right and rear left preamp outputs from your Dolby Digital amplifier (or receiver) to the analogue CD (or indeed any line) input of the old Pro-Logic amplifier. Now disconnect your existing rear right and rear left speakers and wire them to the right front and left front outputs of the Pro-Logic amplifier. Wire the centre output of the Pro-Logic amplifier to a new speaker placed centrally at the back of your room. Or you can keep your rears connected to your 777es and run 3 different speakers from the prologic receiver. You would put the right and left rears from your 777es to the right and left of the listening area and the right, center and left from the pro logic receiver to the rear of the listening area.

SONIC SETUP

For setup, it's essential to use an SPL (sound pressure level) meter. I have tried two methods of balancing levels. Use the one which readily gives equal levels on all channels on your equipment.

Method 1. Switch on the test tone generator of the Pro-Logic amplifier, set the main volume control at half-volume then adjust so the rear right/left speakers produce 75dB SPL (sound pressure level) at the listening position. Carefully regulate the (rear) centre output for the same SPL. Once set, do not touch the Pro-Logic amplifier's volume control again. Now switch on the test tone of your existing Dolby Digital amplifier and set the front right, left and centre volumes for 75dB SPL.

Method 2. This is best used if the CD (or line) input sensitivity of the Pro Logic amplifier is not an ideal match to the preamp output level of the Dolby Digital amplifier. Switch the Pro-Logic amplifier to the CD (or chosen line) input. Set the volume control at around 50 per cent. Ensure the centre channel adjustment is set at 0dB by using the onscreen or front panel display. Do not touch the Pro-Logic amp's volume again. Now use the test generator in your Dolby Digital amplifier to produce test tones of 75dB SPL on left, centre, right, rear right, rear left (the latter two being via the Pro Logic amp). The test tone will not be output from rear centre yet effects will be reproduced at the same level as rear right and left, providing the centre output level is left at 0dB and the amplifier's volume control tracks all channels correctly. Finally, (for both methods) select straight Dolby Pro Logic on the Pro-Logic amplifier and Dolby Digital on the main amplifier. The Pro-Logic amp will 'decode' the rear channels, giving a 3-channel rather than a stereo rear effect. The volume for all six or eight channels can be regulated by the Dolby Digital amplifier. This setup also provides a great soundfield for music material. This setup should also work for your 6.1 & 7.1 configuration upgrade. Keep in mind that you can have additional surrounds processed through the prologic receiver also. Just connect additional speakers to the front speakers output on the prologic receiver and it'll process surround information in the normal surround mode.

Or Honestly, I can't believe what I may have just discovered after experimenting on this amazing piece of equipment, and some of you may not totally agree. The STR-DA777ES to me is secretly designed as a 7.1 multi-channel receiver. You will wonder how could that be since there is only a normal 5.1 analog channel inputs and 5.1 analog outputs. Where is the extra 2 channels? Well, you can get the extra 2 channels by using the "2nd audio out". This is where the secret is. In its manual, the "2nd audio out" is simply described and intended to be used as a sub-room audio listening. Everybody seems to forget and doesn't mind this set-up, in fact I have not read a single review about the 2nd audio out because it is written for sub-room audio purposes only aside from the fact that you will be burdened with buying another amplifier. It seems useless. Well, it's not quite correct. Think of it this way and ask a question why can't i just use the 2nd audio out in addition to the 5.1 analog channel in just one room. Is it possible? Yes. I have just tried it with my extra amplifier added to the STR-DA777ES. Now, you'll ask. Where is the 2 channels input into the receiver for the 2nd audio out if you play dvd? Quite interesting. Remember, if you notice, there is an analog input for dvd as a source and the audio signal will pass through the 2nd audio out into the extra amplifier. All you have to do is just set the program in the receiver for 2nd audio out to "source" and there you are. You've got 7.1 analog channels. Again, you will wonder Where did i get a 7.1 encoded dvd and a dvd player with 7.1 analog out? Well i used a 5.1 audio encoded dvd disc in my Pioneer 515 model. I hooked up the normal stereo output to the dvd analog input in a receiver (plus the 2nd audio out connected to an extra amplifier) and when i played the disc, i have additional two channel audio signal from the Pioneer dvd player. The key therefore, is use a dvd player with 6.1 or 7.1 analog output, use the 2nd audio out as your front channels and the modify the 5.1 analog inputs of the receiver according to the other audio signals from your multi-channel dvd player or 7.1 decoder.