Test Tone Differences, Preamp vs. Set Up Disc Experience

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Hello Everyone,
Just wanted to share my experience using the DTS set-up disc in my home theater. For the last several years I have calibrated my system using the built-in test tones in my Parasound AVC-1800 preamp thinking that this should suffice. I decided on a whim to use the DTS set up disc I had lying around for several years to compare using my Radio Shack meter. I was quite surprised to see that there was an 8-10 dB difference using the preamp vs. the set up disc. The preamp had the rears up 8-10 dBs. The set up disc in my opinion correctly set my speakers and subwoofer correctly. No more overemphasis in bass and rear surrounds that overpower the fronts with dialog that was hard to hear. The DTS disc correctly set my center channel up another 3 dBs to keep up with the mains.
I am wondering if others experienced the same thing with their preamps vs. comparing it with a set up disc. I was surprised to see such a big difference comparing the two. Now I am quite happy with my system much more.
My system:
Parasound AVC-1800 Preamp
Parasound HCA-1205 5-channel amp
Eminent Technology LFT-XII Center channel speaker
Magnepan 1.5 Main speakers
Magnepan 0.5 Rear speakers
Velodyne HGS-12 Series II Subwoofer
APL Hi-Fi Designed Pioneer 563a DVD player
Project 1.2 Turntable
Parasound PPH-100 Phono preamp
Cobalt Cable Interconnects and speaker cables
Mitsubishi 52" DLP rear projector TV
slbenz

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Topic - Test Tone Differences, Preamp vs. Set Up Disc Experience - slbenz 18:19:38 01/28/06 (3)

Re: Test Tone Differences, Preamp vs. Set Up Disc Experience - Auricle 10:31:42 02/16/06 (0)

I found the same thing... - bocephus 13:03:35 02/02/06 (1)

Re: I found the same thing... - slbenz 18:13:49 02/02/06 (0)

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