Clueless newbie needs help Sony ES

[HenryJ]

I am posting here as I am hoping someone can help me with my system.

I have a Sony STR-GX99ES preamp/tuner that I have used by itself for years. Recently, I obtained a TA-N80ES power amplifier and am having trouble having them work together.

I am using RCA phono plugs to connect the two. I am coming from the preamp from the "surround out rear speaker" output to the fixed input on the amplifier. I am using the unbalanced settings and have the "amp mode" switch on the preamp set to "ext".

The problem is that I am getting good sound from the right channel and a very low output on the left channel. Also, the balance knob on the preamp has no effect.

So, my question is, do I have this setup correctly? I know that the STR-GX99ES is a system designed for Audio/Video surround sound, but I use it just for audio. Is it capable of doing what I want it to do?

Thanks,
Henry

[buzz1167]

Why don't you try plugging the amp into a source like a cd player or your computer which you know the output. This will verify if the amp is bad or the preamp is not doing something right.

Tell me how it goes...

[Mooly]

Have you proved the power amp is OK by swapping the L and R inputs over ?

[HenryJ]

I have switched the L and R and have verified that the power amp is good with a CD player. The problem seems to be either the pre-amp or the way I have it hooked up.

[buzz1167]

It could still be the cables... You can check that by swapping L/R on both ends of the cable (not just one). If the same speaker is loud before and after, then its the preamp. If the sounds swaps sides, then its the cable.

I don't know all about that preamp so I can't really help you anymore then that. Sry.

[frenzic]

Sounds like you are having few surround channels sent to your amp. Find a stereo output (L+R).

[Mooly]

Maybe post a (clear ) photo of the sockets and which you are using.

[HenryJ]

According to Sony and a technician I brought the unit to, my tuner/pre-amp cannot be used with a power amp. There are no stereo line outputs; surround sound speaker outputs only.

I guess I am now in the market for a vintage Sony ES tuner/pre-amp.

[cbdb]

This sounds wierd, a pre amp that only does surround and has a tuner? I googled Sony STR-GX99ES and found out they are speakers? Whats the real model number? What are the inputs to the pre amp? What happens when you use the tuner? Is it a dolby surround proccesor? What are all the outputs? A picture of the back would sure help a lot !

[cbdb]

Found some info on the net (so maybee not reliable) But it might be a 3 channel dolby surround pre, centre and stereo surrounds (which is funny because I thought dolby surround had a mono rear channel). So you might be listening to the center and a surround channel (which wont have much coming out of it.) Try playing with the surround modes if it has them and set it to stereo. ( The tuner part is really bizzare )

Why sony would sell somthing so limited is beyond me so I think there is more to it than this. Do you have a users manual?