AV Reciever Working Right?

Question

My new AV Receiver that I have just purchased today, the Yamaha RX-V461 5.1 AV Receiver, seems to be having some issues.

I have four speakers and a sub connected to it, and I have it setup in a stereo formation, with the front speakers on the ground and the sorround speakers on top, and the sub in the corner to the right.

Now when I have it on with nothing playing, the speakers make this staticy/whitenoise sound, and the sub makes a heart beat like noise, it's not really noticible unless I have it on full volume, but I don't think that is suppose to happen.

Also, according to reviews this amp has great clarity and sound, but I can't ever seem to get the right sound and it always sounds muddy and a little staticy.

Although it could just be me being parinoid/picky, but is something wrong here?

Answer 1

Check to see if your speakers are out of phase, and that your sub is connected correctly.

Answer 2

First - do NOT put the rear speakers on top of the L/R speakers. Put them at the back of the room.

Second - If you dont have anything playing from a source (CD, DVD player) and crank the volume, the receiver will amplify the noise in your system or the noise on your AC line.

The problem gets worse if you run your speaker wires next to your AC power wires. (This goes for the subwoofer wire as well).

Try to create 3 bundles of separated wires in the back of your rack:

- AC power wires

- Speaker wires

- Interconnects (RCA & Video cables)

It helps to put the receiver on the lowest shelf of your rack so the speaker wires flow out and away from everything else.