Audio Optical Connection to Marantz M-CR603

[Coll]

I have a LG 26in flat screen TV. Connected to this by HDMI leads is a Blu Ray player and Freeview HD Recorder. I have then connected the TV to my Marantz M-CR603 system with an optical audio lead.
When I listen to TV and Disc the sound level is governed by the TV sound level and the volume level of the disc player ie the signal is not constant as it would be if I say connected a CD player to an amplifier. Also the signal (sound) level when watching TV is very low compared to playing a disc. When play a disc the Marantz volume controlo is 12 to 15 but whwen watching TV it is around 30 and this is with the TV at 50 and the Freeview recorder at full volume.
Any ideas on how r to resolve these issues, should I connect differently?

 

[chebby]

I don't know.

I have had a Sony BDP-S370 and a Panasonic DMR-EX78 DVD recorder connected via optical to my M-CR603 at different times. I have also had the TV (in my signature) connected with optical to the Marantz too.

In all cases, the TV and Blu-ray player (and DVD recorder) had the same levels and the volume was controlled by the Marantz like any other source.

When my TV was connected by optical to the M-CR603, the TV volume control only determined the volume of the TV's internal speakers and not the 'level' on the optical connection (which I assume is just a digital bitstream with no 'volume' or 'level' until converted inside the Marantz).

In all cases the TV/Blu-ray player/DVD recorder are connected with HDMI.

I don't know why you are getting such differences in volume levels or even how your TV controls the volume when connected with optical to the Marantz.

(The only thing that takes over control of the volume on my M-CR603 is AirPlay.)

 

[Coll]

Just to clarify a point in case there is a misunderstanding. The Marantz volume control does work, but the signal is also boosted by the YV volume control and the set top box and the Blu Ray player volume controls

 

[Mr. Iceman]

I don't think you should worry about the differences in sound levels, this is something quite normal. Not every device outputs and/or amplifies or processes line signal at the same level. Things also become more complicated when a DAC is introduced, particularly with several different sources.

I have a Freesat and PS3 connected to my TV via HDMI, with optical coming out from TV to 603 and can confirm there is a difference between various sources, i.e. volume at 20 will produce different sound levels for different sources. I also have a NAS connected to the Marantz, which is a different story but adds to the argument.

 

[Coll]

Just realised that the TV volume control does not adjust the sound levels it is the volume controls of the Blu Ray disc player and HD recorder that do this which I presume is normal as the two items are connected to the TV and then the TV is connected to the Marantz.
Presumably if I connected the individual items this would not happen. To do this I would need some sort of switching device I assume.

 

[Mr. Iceman]

Optical coming out from your LG TV into Marantz should be a fixed-output level. But Freeview (perhaps BR player as well?) can have variable output via HDMI. Still, if by adjusting individual inputs/outputs you cannot match the level of your CD player, I don't think installing a switch is worth the hassle.