Hello all,

I'm struggling with my 950's ability to play SACD/DVD-A in 6 channel surround. This did work for me originally, but hasn't for a year or two. Whatever I try (and I've tried all of the 'tricks' to try and get 6 channel output) Whenever I select '6 channel bypass' on the remote, I get front R&L only, no sub, no center/surround. Is there any way to determine what the problem may be? I am using Floyd's DSOTM and the WHO's Tommy as reference, both 6 channel SACD's...It USED to sound great...

Please help!

You have to be in a multichannel mode before hitting bypass, otherwise it only outputs stereo. Set it to ProLogic or something multichannel, then go to bypass.

I have set it in multi-channel mode before...Prologic, 5-channel, I've tried everything. As soon as I hit 6 channel bypass button, I get stereo only (no sub, no surround).

Is there anything specific that I can try?

And you hit 6 channel bypass on the remote?

I tried different methods to duplicate your problem (with the same discs). One instance that could be true for your playback problem is that maybe your DVD player "Downmix" setup somehow was changed to "Stereo" instead of 5.1 or some multi-channel selection. I would check your DVD player audio setup to see if a similar setting may have been accidentally changed years ago when the problem started.

Thanks to all for the replies..To answer a few queries, yes I hit 6 channel bypass on the remote, my understanding is this is the only way to access the 6 channel functionality, correct?

I have checked all my DVD audio settings (Pioneer DVD-563A) and it doesn't have a very robust change list, unfortunately not the answer.

Like I said, this has worked in the past, for both of these SACDs, that is the most frustrating part!

It sounds like you are using the 950 properly. I grabbed the manual for the DV-563A, so just to be sure everything is correct there I'd check the following (all under "Initial Settings"):

• Options | SACD Playback: Multi-Ch Area
• Speakers | Audio Output Mode: 5.1 Channel
• Speakers | Speaker Installation: set all to "Large" and Sub to "On"

With those settings, the 563A should play multichannel SACD's back properly. If you then select the 6CH button after being in a multichannel mode and play a multichannel SACD or DVD-A, you ought to have multichannel output. If all of that fails, I'd double-check the cables between the player and processor (make sure some haven't come loose). I'd also try a standard DVD with a 5.1 track to help troubleshoot matters.

Gonk - I certainly appreciate the help and I will try re-affirming the Pioneer settings tonight. interesting thing is that the Pioneer/Outlaw 950 team up perfectly on DD 5.1 DVD's, I run Atlantic Tech's (evenly matched) all the way around, and it's a pretty nice home theater setup, sounds great in 5.1...

I will report back on re-confirming settings. Thanks again to all who chimed in!

I assume you do the DVD's via coaxial or optical digital, right? If so, the Pioneer's speaker settings are bypassed.

Update - and Solution!

Here's what triggered my 'a-ha' moment...on the Pioneer DVD player, SACDs used to come up with a display of 'SACD' on the player, I noticed that it now reads as 'CD' - This, coupled with another issue as of late that the Pioneer no longer plays Dual-layer dvds (reads 'No disc') led me to believe one of two things was happening. One, that this cheap Pioneer had broken, or two, that the laser was dirty.

Bottom line, took player apart, cleaned lens, put it back together and the first SACD I loaded, came up with a 'SACD' description and played perfectly through the 6 channel bypass. No fault of the 950, and another reminder to KISS (keep it simple stupid!)

Thanks for the help to all who responded!

King James