When I play a multi-channel SACD, and select the 6 channel bypass, I do not get multi-channel sound unless I first select a surround format (DPL II or Dolby Digital for example) before hitting the bypass input. I know these do not affect the analog inputs, but if I don’t, I only get two channel output. It does not matter what source I use to select the surround format, in fact I even used the FM tuner to make this work. The manual does not mention having to do this, is this correct?

911ron: this is correct. or, should i say, this is the way the 950 is set up.

Thanks for the reply. I thought this was a strange way to get all channels to work. What is strange is my SACD player has a test-tone feature for the 6 channel outputs, and when I do the one for the sub, I still don’t get anything from the 950. I guess I don’t have to worry about any “double bass” problems.

Well, let's say that it's not the only "strange" model 950 user interface feature.

I must admit, though, this one surprised me. I can't even think of a way that digital surround modes would affect the 6 channel "bypass" input.

Could it be possible that your SACD player's test tone is too high a frequency, and being cut out by the sub's LPF? Or perhaps it's not loud enough to be easily heard. The 950's sub test tone is very hard to hear in my system.

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Matthew J. Hill
matt@idsi.net

It is possible that my test tone is too high; you would think that you would hear something however. I did not have any trouble setting my sub with the 950’s tone, so what did was to set the SACD player’s setting to the same level as the Outlaw.

By the way; SACDs sound fantastic!! I honestly didn’t think I would hear such an improvement over regular CDs.