Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hi - Just joined the group.  I'm trying to hook up my DTXpress with a 
stereo receiver which is connected to a pair of speakers.  Years ago, 
I connected it to a TV with the cable I have and that worked, but I 
cannot get sound out of the speakers with this setup.  I have a cable 
connected to the phones port on the module and then to the two ports 
on the receiver for Video 1/Aux.

The only communication I saw on this list regarding this problem had 
as the answer not to attempt this and to use an amp.  This is the only 
possibility I have for the time being.  Can I make it work, even if 
it's not the optimal solution?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Hi Shirlee,

Welcome to the group!

Don't listen to the nay-sayers - I've been using an old stereo 
receiver and speakers since I got my DTXpress IIIsp (which I bought 
right after they came out), and the entire setup has been completely 
trouble free.

I connected the 1/4 inch outputs on the back of the DTXpress module to 
the "Tape 1" inputs of my receiver, using a pair of mono cables that 
have 1/4" phone connectors for the DTXpress end, and RCA connectors on 
the other end for the stereo receiver.  These cables were inexpensive 
and should be available at any well stocked music store, or any of the 
online music equipment outlets.  This also keeps the headphone jack 
available for headphone use without having to change anything.  I 
should add that I'm unfamiliar with earlier versions of the DTXpress 
module so I can't tell you whether these are the right cables if you 
have an earlier version.

The stereo speakers I'm using are a pair of 25 year old Polk 
"bookshelf" studio monitors (these were considered pretty good 
speakers when new - about $400 each as I recall).  My stereo receiver 
is a 13 year old Kenwood rated at 200 watts/channel.  Since I wanted a 
strong kick drum, I added a cheapo KLH powered subwoofer ($80 at 
Costco) to the setup.  My receiver doesn't have a separate "sub out" 
connection, so I made sure the sub had "speaker level" inputs.  The 
speaker wires run from the receiver to the sub and then from the sub 
to the Polk monitors.  This has the added advantage of filtering the 
very low frequencies out of the signal that goes to the stereo 
speakers.  I strongly recommend the addition of a subwoofer if you can 
afford it.

I usually practice at moderate volume levels, but just for grins, I 
occasionally get a little nuts and crank it up.  In my VERY large 
practice room (60'x15' - the room doubles as an indoor archery range),
this system is capable of clean output at volume levels approaching 
the threshhold of pain!

I hope this info helps.

Jim (sixtiesrokker)


--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Shirlee Berman" <shirlee_b@...> 
wrote:
>
> Hi - Just joined the group.  I'm trying to hook up my DTXpress with 
a 
> stereo receiver which is connected to a pair of speakers.  Years 
ago, 
> I connected it to a TV with the cable I have and that worked, but I 
> cannot get sound out of the speakers with this setup.  I have a 
cable 
> connected to the phones port on the module and then to the two ports 
> on the receiver for Video 1/Aux.
> 
> The only communication I saw on this list regarding this problem had 
> as the answer not to attempt this and to use an amp.  This is the 
only 

> possibility I have for the time being.  Can I make it work, even if 
> it's not the optimal solution?
> 
> Thanks in advance for any help!
>

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Jim" <sixtiesrokker@...> wrote:
> Don't listen to the nay-sayers - I've been using an old stereo 
> receiver and speakers since I got my DTXpress IIIsp (which I bought 
> right after they came out), and the entire setup has been completely 
> trouble free.

Nonetheless, you can count me with the naysayers. Not only are the 
transients that an ekit routinely creates potentially damaging to all 
of the components along the chain of a home-audio system, but also, by 
and large, any system that doesn't allow the kit to achieve its full 
dynamic range at an appropriate volume can't do it anything like the 
justice that it deserves. It ain't for nothing that good pro audio 
equipment is built like a tank. Unless you're willing to risk frying a 
receiver and speakers, or are willing/forced to listen at low levels 
to protect it, I'd recommend a good set of headphones--even better, in-
ear monitors. I use Etymotics myself. Those who think the natural 
frequency response through IEMs too lean can get one of the models 
with the tipped-up bass.  But this post is opening up a whole new can 
of worms (not that there's anything wrong with that).