No audio sound when playing CD on Anthem receiver MRX 700, why??

[hifiwise]

Additional details regarding the installation: My DVD player is an Onkyo Blu-Ray Disc player. I used it to play CD's, DVD's and Blu-Ray's. There is an HDMI cable connected from the TV to the Blu-Ray player and another HDMI cable connected from the TV to the cable box. This Onkyo player has only one HDMI out jack which is already connected to the TV; has an optical, coaxial digital audio output and an analog audio output. Are all the cables and HDMI's properly connected to mamixise the capabilities of the MRX?? If not, please give your suggestions and ideas on how to get the best sound and picture qualities from the MRX. Thanks.

[AlienTech]

There are basically 2 ways to hook up a system;
1) connect sources to the TV - and then connect audio back to receiver
2) connect sources to the receiver - and then connect video to the TV

Your system seems be be setup in configuration 1

Personally I prefer configuration 2

You have to decide if you will use your receiver ALL the time. Config 1 is for people who may watch TV without using their receiver. If, like me, you prefer the quality sound from your HT setup and you would never use the TV speakers then config 2 is better.

To setup config 2 you would connect your source HDMI cables to the receiver and one HDMI out cable from the receiver to the TV. In this configuration your receiver become like a hub that can then distribute audio and video where it needs to go. In this configuration all your digital data (video and audio) can easily be converted and controlled by the receiver.

[hifiwise]

I don't use the receiver all the time, basically I use it when listening to CD's and for watching DVD's and Blu-Ray discs. I watch the TV on its own using their speakers. Rarely do I use the home theatre system speakers when watching the TV. I press the "satellite button" on the MRX with the receiver on to get the HT sound if I don't want to hear the TV speakers. Hope the hook up for the system is done right.

[AlienTech]

there no "done right", it's a very flexible process, what you may like in configuration may not be the way I would like it but it doesn't mean the 2 ways are done wrong

I'm just trying to explain basic concepts, i.e DAC's, where they are and what they do so YOU can make the decision on how YOU want your system to function.

The manuals for your devices will show various ways to hook things up, once you understand the concepts of how things work and work together, then you can make intelligent decisions on how you want things to function.

I'm not the kind of guy who's going to say hook wire B to input A because the way I like things is not necessarily they way you want your system to function.

[hifiwise]

Hi AlienTech. My present setup falls under your configuration # 1, that is, I do not want to use the MRX all the time when watching regular TV. Rather I want the best sound quality when listening to CD. But, what connections/hook-up I need to do to get the best sound quality when watching DVD's, Blu-ray discs when the MRX is on. Even though I don't watch a lot of DVD's, Blu-rays's, I would like to get the best sound when I am watching them. Right now, I have a digital coaxial cable connected from the Blu-ray player to MRX. If I connect an HDMI cable from the Blu-ray player to MRX, will that keep the MRX on all the time when watching TV?? Thanks

[AlienTech]

your BluRay is connected correctly (digital audio out to the MRX) for the way you want to use it, no need to change anything.

[hifiwise]

AlienTech, so if I want the best picture from the Blu-Ray player, do I have to run an HDMI cable from the Blu-Ray player to the MRX? If doing so, does that mean I have to use the MRX ALL THE TIME even for regular TV watching using the TV speakers?

[hifiwise]

Anyone out there who can respond to my question: so if I want the best picture from the Blu-Ray player, do I have to run an HDMI cable from the Blu-Ray player to the MRX? If doing so, does that mean I have to switch on the MRX ALL THE TIME even for regular TV watching using the TV speakers?

[AlienTech]

it does not matter if you run the HDMI to the MRX or the TV as far as video quality goes. either way is "equal"

[hifiwise]

Let me clarify: what I want to know is do I have to turn the MRX on ALL THE TIME whenever I want to watch regular TV (not DVD's, Blu-ray discs) if I run an HDMI cable from the Blu-Ray player to the MRX as I do not want to use the MRX all the time. Thanks.