OK audio experts, I need your help. I'm not getting a signal from my 950 to my subwoofer (Paradigm OM-570). I've no idea why it stopped sending a signal - I don't think it's the sub. I unplugged the 950, but that didn't work. I don't want to reset it but if that's all that's left, I'll have to. Any suggestions? All other outputs are fine.

Just to run through the array of stuff... Make sure you don't have any loose cables (mainly thinking of sub interconnect). Make sure your source material has low frequency material to send to the sub (test tone discs like my Devious Tiny Disc would do this). Make sure the sub's turned on in the 950 setup and that your other speakers are set to small. Make sure the sub's plugged in and set to either "on" or "auto." If it is set to turn on automatically, make sure the gain is only about half way up (so that the 950's sub trim can be set high enough to provide enough signal for the auto-sensing circuit to react).

Everything is connected correctly. There's not even a test tone coming from the sub. It worked fine one day, then was out the next. Any other suggestions?

Hi,
Try swapping the sub input cable to another source that you know works (an iPod or similar, for instance). If the sub still doesn't work, then the problem is the sub, not the 950.

Peter

Hi and thanks for the help. I hate to admit it, but the problem was a switch being in the wrong position.

I have more questions.

First, I have a hook-up question. I just ordered the OPPO-971. Currently, my HDTV receiver (DirecTV-HD DVR - model #HR10-250) has a DVI cable going to my TV's lone DVI input. How will I connect the OPPO-971?

Second, is there a recommended test disk, especially in trying to set subwoofer levels. I've had a hard time trying to balance the sub.

I plan on coming here more often. I've had my set-up for quite some time and I'm sure I can take much, much more advantage of the equipment I have. Let me know any secrets you have to maximize what I have, or budget items to add to make things better.

With the Oppo 971H, you really want to use the DVI connection. That means that you either need a DVI switcher such as the ones offered by Gefen, or you need to start using component out of your HR10-250 so the 971H can have the DVI input.

Balancing the sub is tricky business. I've used internal test tones and Digital Video Essentials in the past, but both approaches left me further tweaking the sub level to personal taste. I've had the best luck using my SMS-1's frequency sweep, but if you don't want to drop $600 to balance your sub trim you may want to try either DVE or AVIA and leave yourself free to adjust beyond either one.

Thanks Gonk. I still need some clarification. First, will I get HD from my DirecTV channels if I use component cables out of the HR10-250? If not, which is the least expensive switch from Gefen that would work?

Yes, you will still get HD via component video cables (component can carry up to 1080i, which is the plenty for HD broadcasts). I've used both DVI and component with my HD digital cable box, and I wouldn't worry a bit about switching from DVI to component for that.

If you did decide to stick with DVI for both sources, you would probably be looking at something like this or this from Gefen. You may find a somewhat lower price elsewhere online or a different manufacturer (although Gefen has a huge share of that market), but you're still looking at a couple hundred dollars.