Enlightened Audio Designs TheaterMaster Owner's Manual

Audiophile d-to-a converter and 5.1-channel surround sound processor

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Enlightened Audio Designs

TheaterMaster

Audiophile D-to-A Converter and

5.1-Channel Surround Sound Processor

Encore

Ovation

Signature

MPEG

AUDIO

Owner's Manual

3 / / 6 / / 00

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Summary of Contents for Enlightened Audio Designs TheaterMaster

Page 1 Enlightened Audio Designs TheaterMaster ® Audiophile D-to-A Converter and 5.1-Channel Surround Sound Processor Encore Ovation Signature MPEG AUDIO Owner’s Manual 3 / / 6 / / 00...
Page 2 (EAD). Encore ™ , Ovation ™ , Signature ™ , AutoSetup ™ , Digital Flywheel ™ and CinEQ™ are trademarks of EAD. © 1998 Enlightened Audio Designs Corporation. TheaterMaster Encore, Ovation and Signature screen designs copyrighted by EAD. All rights reserved.
Page 3 Manual. To set up and get started quickly, Chapters II, III, IV and VI are essential (about 20 pages, total). However, to obtain full performance from your TheaterMaster, you should also familiarize yourself with the advanced features described in Chapters VII and VIII as quickly as possible.
Page 4: Table Of Contents
IV. TheaterMaster Speed Setup ........
Page 5 A. The SRC-2000 Smart Remote Control ......B. TheaterMaster IR Learning Mode....... .
Page 6: Performance Features
• Auto Setup ™ : This remarkable software breakthrough greatly simplifies the TheaterMaster setup procedure. By providing automatic speaker level balancing and calibration of speaker delays, it eliminates two of the most time-consuming chores in home theater installation.
Page 7: Ovation
OVATION (add): ® ® • HDCD : The High Definition Compatible Digital (HDCD) process is a sophisticated dynamic-range-expansion and frequency-resolution enhancing algorithm used when recording and playing back a CD, allowing much greater resolution and dynamic range than previously possible. As much as 20 bits of musical resolution can be achieved with the HDCD process, rivaling the highest-quality analog master tapes.
Page 8: Signature
• Fully programmable: SwitchMaster’s six composite and six S-video inputs can be inde- pendently linked to any of the TheaterMaster’s audio inputs for maximum system flexibili- ty. “Video Follows Audio” design accommodates multiple audio outputs from a single video source.
Page 9: Installation And Setup
7. Owner’s Manual Save all original packaging materials. After unpacking your TheaterMaster, check to see that the AC voltage checked on the unit (100-120 Volts or 200-240 Volts) is appropriate for your national standard. WARNING: FAILURE TO CONFIRM THE APPROPRIATE VOLTAGE SETTING CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE UNIT.
Page 10: Hookup
LFE subwoofer. This satellite subwoofer, together with the left and right speakers, will be driven by the TheaterMaster’s LF and RF stereo outputs, not the output labeled SUB, which is reserved for the LFE subwoofer. For systems without full-range stereo speakers (or a satellite-subwoofer system), an HDCD override option is described in Chapter III: “G.
Page 11 AC-3 RF output to the RF demodulator input, and connect the RF demodulator output to one of the digital inputs on the TheaterMaster (see figure, below.) Be sure to also connect the standard PCM digital output on the laserdisc transport to a digital input on the Theater- Master for playback of non Dolby Digital material, such as the Dolby Surround-encoded linear PCM tracks on a laserdisc or a music CD.
Page 12 Connect your video sources (i.e., DVD player, video laserdisc player, satellite receiver, or VCR) to the composite and/or S-video inputs on the TheaterMaster, as appropriate.* It is not necessary to coordinate video inputs with audio inputs (e.g., to associate a DVD player with digital audio input #1 and with S-video input #1), since TheaterMaster’s A/V linking...
Page 13: Setup Preliminaries: System Configuration
TheaterMaster, pre-amplifier, or similar components connected to your power amplifiers. **Be careful not to press the TheaterMaster’s front-panel Power/Mute switch until the front panel display goes dim. Doing so will put the TheaterMaster into its special IR Leaning mode, which is used for reprogramming 3 -party remote control systems (see Chapter IX: “IR Learning...
Page 15 Remote Control Key Layout...
Page 16 TheaterMaster LCD Display Screens (Accessible from page 4 of the remote’s TheaterMaster device, by pressing DISP . Return to Main ↵ ↵ Screen from any screen by pressing ,* or scroll up by pressing DISP These two screens can Chap. VI...
Page 17 Chap. VII Features Selection Screen Chap. III Digital A/V Links Screen Chap. III Analog A/V Links Screen Chap. VII Input Data Status Screen Chap. VIII Digital Input Designators Screen Chap. VIII Analog Input Designators Screen Chap. IX Remote Control Test Screen...
Page 18: Phantom Mode
Bal Y/N button, while in this screen. *Balanced mode activates the TheaterMaster’s balanced outputs. It also ensures that when switching back and forth between stereo and multi-channel playback modes, there is no sudden change in volume.
Page 19: Programming A Tape/Monitor Lock-Out
Finally, once the desired audio and video inputs have both been selected, go to page 4 of the remote control’s Setup 1 device, and press press Link A/V. TheaterMaster will beep to con- firm. This programs the TheaterMaster to select this video input whenever this audio input is selected.
Page 20: Configuring Crossovers
Speakers which could be damaged by deep bass frequencies must be rolled off at the low fre- quency end of the audio spectrum. This is accomplished by pressing Bass RolOff on page 3 of the remote control’s Setup-1 device. This will bring up TheaterMaster’s Bass Management Screen (see figure).
Page 21 Choosing a crossover frequency is accomplished by pressing SUB on page 2 of the remote control’s Setup 1 device. This will bring up the TheaterMaster’s System Configuration Screen (see figure, page 18). While in this screen, the cross-over frequency, shown as...
Page 22 This could produce a “hole” in the frequency spectrum.) Alternatively, you can pick a TheaterMaster crossover frequency that is much higher than the sub- woofer’s internal crossover frequency, and let the subwoofer crossover network do all the work. This approach can only be used if the source speakers are being crossed over but not rolled off.
Page 23: Theatermaster Speed Setup
Before listening to music, you should ensure that your various speaker volumes are balanced properly and, for optimum soundstaging, that your speakers are properly time-aligned and properly phased. For this purpose, your TheaterMaster is equipped with AutoSetup ™ , Enlightened Audio Designs’ unique automated setup software, that comprises three propri-...
Page 24 When AutoSetup has finished, inspect the TheaterMaster’ s front panel display, which will show speaker distances in meters, and “+” and/or “-” signs. All speakers showing a “-” need to have their polarity reversed. Do this either at the speaker or the amplifier—but not both!
Page 25: Setting The Subwoofer Level
(if you have an active subwoofer) is set too high or too low. If this is the case, use the TheaterMaster subwoofer adjustment procedure described above to raise or lower the subwoofer “SB” level to be approximately equal to the “CR” level. Then, adjust the subwoofer volume control on your active subwoofer so that the subwoofer volume is approximately balanced with the rest of your speakers.
Page 26: Tweaking" The System
C. “Tweaking” the System: AutoSetup balances all five speaker precisely to the samr level. However, Theater- Master also allows for easy “tweaking” of the speaker volume levels to accomodate user preferences. For example, some listeners might feel that many movies are mixed too soft in the center chaneel to permit clear audibility of dialog, or are too soft in the surround channels.
Page 27: Saving Your Setup
Save Your Setup: E. Saving Your Setup: Now that your TheaterMaster is properly configured for your system and balanced for your home-theater environment, save these settings by pressing STO - Mem 1 on page 3 of the remote control’s TheaterMaster device [i.e., by pressing STO followed (within 2 seconds) by Mem 1].
Page 28: Manual Setup)
Chapter can be skipped by readers who have successfully accomplished AutoSetup. A. Manual setup using the Noise Sequencer: Press the Noise Sequencer key on page 1 of the remote’s Setup 1 device. TheaterMaster’s internal noise sequencer will begin cycling pink noise through the six speakers. You should hear this noise.
Page 29: Manual Speaker Delay Calibration
LF and RF speakers in this static noise generator mode, go to page 3 on the TheaterMaster device and press F - x - x (wher x - x is a two-digit number signi- fying the number of dB below full output, F - 0 - 0, or 0 dB) to set both speakers to the same volume level.
Page 30: Saving Your Setup
Save Your Setup: D. Saving your setup: Now that your TheaterMaster is properly configured for your system and balanced for your home-theater environment, save these settings by pressing STO - Mem 1 on the remote control. This must be done before disconnecting TheaterMaster from AC power or shutting off the rear-panel AC power switch, or you will lose your settings! These saved settings can be recalled at any time by pressing RCL - Mem 1.
Page 31: Basic Operation
Selecting a digital input can be accomplished in two ways. One is to press the desired input button, Inp 1, Inp 2, Inp 3, Inp 4, Inp 5 or Inp 6 on page 1 of the remote’s TheaterMaster device. The other way is to repeatedly press the NEXT input or PREV input buttons on the lower part of the remote control, until the desired digital input is reached.
Page 32: Selecting A Tape/Monitor Or 2 Nd Audio Zone Input
2 Volts rms.* If you cannot easily turn down the volume of your analog source, you can program TheaterMaster to attenuate this analog input by -6 dB, so that it will accept up to 4 Volts rms without clipping.
Page 33: Choosing A Playback Mode
Audio/Video links (see Chapter III: “F. Programming Audio/Video links”), video switching with the TheaterMaster Signature follows the same procedure described above. With the SwitchMaster, however, the composite connection from the SwitchMaster’s “Main” video outputs to the projector/TV monitor is optional, due to Switch- Master’s internal composite-to-S-video converter (comb filter).
Page 34 2. Dolby Digital source material: Dolby Digital decoding is enabled automatically whenever a digital input is selected with an active AC-3 data stream. “Dolby Digital” will be displayed on the TheaterMaster’s main LCD display screen (see page 29). When a Dolby Digital 5.1-channel soundtrack is present on a laserdisc, this soundtrack will provide far superior surround-sound effects than the conventional Pro Logic sound- track.
Page 35 The original Dolby Digital playback mode can be restored simply by pressing the Surround button. In the case of a Dolby Digital stereo signal, TheaterMaster also allows you to override the automatic Stereo playback mode. This is achieved by pressing the Matrix or Surround- keys to give Matrix mode or Pro Logic decoding, respectively.
Page 36 If a DTS-encoded CD or LD is paused for more than ten seconds, or when scan-forward or scan-backward are exercised aggressively. Dedicating a DTS input: To avoid noise bursts, digital inputs on the TheaterMaster can be dedicated as DTS inputs, either temporarily or “permanently”. Thereafter, DTS discs will play through these inputs without the aforementioned DTS artifacts.
Page 37: Raising And Lowering The Volume
The user may wish to raise or lower the volume of individual speakers (i.e., adjust the bal- ance of the system) . This procedure is straightforward, and is described in Chapter IV: “C. Tweaking the system”. Generally, once TheaterMaster is setup properly, it should not be necessary to repeatedly adjust the balance of the system.
Page 38: Standby Mode
(daisy) blink slowly. Pressing mute again restores nor- mal output. J. Standby mode: When not in use, it is recommended that TheaterMaster be switched to Standby by double-   clicking the POWER button while the TheaterMaster device is slected, or by double-click- ing the front-panel Power/Mute switch.
Page 39: Advanced Features
This high-frequency equalization is activated or deacitivated by pressing CinEQ on page 4 of the remote’s TheaterMaster device. CinEQ is remembered input-by-inpu, and it is can- celled automatically by going to Standby mode. When CinEQ is active, “EQ” is displayed on TheaterMaster’s Main Screen (see figure, page 31).
Page 40: Late Night Compression
You may cycle through these three levels of late night compression by repeatedly pressing the LatNit button on page 4 of the remote’s TheaterMaster device. Pressing LatNit momen- tarily, brings up the Features Selection Screen, where the degree of compression is displayed as: “LN=off, low, med or high”.
Page 41: Controlling Vfd Brightness
To use this feature, connect your video screen remote control line to the jack labeled “Screen” on the TheaterMaster rear panel. To toggle the 12-volt trigger on or off, press the octagonal icon with the double-ended arrow, on page 1 of the remote control’s TheaterMaster device.
Page 42 1) Many video sources have multiple video outputs, so that one video output can be connected to the TheaterMaster, and a second connected to the VCR. This will allow you to record a program while viewing it through the projector/TV monitor connected to the Theater- Master’s video outputs;...
Page 43: Rs-232 Control
For conventional VCRs with no S-video input, the composite video outputs from your video source AND from the TheaterMaster must be used. However, when recording on a Super-VHS (S-VHS) VCR equipped with an S-video input, best results will generally result from using the S-video outputs of video sources equipped with such outputs.
Page 44: Activating The Vertical Enhancer
The +5 Volt, +9 Volt, and -9 Volt signals are included to provide power to the optional SwitchMaster™ 150 MegaHertz professional-grade video switcher. (See Chapter XI: “Options”.) The IR-Rx pulse line can be used to connect the TheaterMaster to an optional IR extender. The remaining pinouts conform to the RS-232 standard.
Page 45 6. The nature of any digital errors detected in the incoming data stream: The TheaterMaster’s Main Screen includes a digital source error indicator. Errors in the incoming digital data stream are indicated by an asterisk “ ” appearing next to the digital input.
Page 46: Temperature Readout
M. DIP switch settings: The following page presents a summary of all the TheaterMaster DIP switch settings, together with their functions:sion is displayed as: “LN=off, low, med or high”. Late-night compres- sion is only active in Dolby Digital, and is automatically cancelled when one goes to Standby...
Page 47 Reserved Leave OFF* CAUTION: DIP switches must be changed only while the TheaterMaster is switched OFF at the rear panel AC power switch. In this state, the light-emitting diodes on the motherboard are all OFF. Use a flashlight and a long, narrow screwdriver, inserted through the left top-cover cooling vents.
Page 48: Customizing Your System
TheaterMaster remembers up to ten different setups. To take advantage of this great flexibil- ity most easily: 1. Start with a known setup. For example, in Chapters III and IV, the TheaterMaster was configured, and speakers balanced, for your system. You may recall that this setup was stored in memory location #1 by pressing STO - Mem 1.
Page 49: Restoring Factory Defaults
3. Store this new setup by going back to page 3 of the remote’s TheaterMaster device, and- pressing STO - Mem 2, Mem 3, Mem 4, Mem 5, Mem 6, Mem 7, Mem 8, Mem 9 (and in some models of the remote control, Mem 0).
Page 50 #1 - #0. Warning: This procedure clears all global and memory-specific parameters. It is intended mainly for owners seeking to restore their TheaterMaster to pristine factory condition. The TheaterMaster’s factory defaults are: •...
Page 51: Ir Learning Remotes
2. Switch ON the AC power switch, and then press the TheaterMaster’s front-panel Power/Mute button within 1 second (before the VFD turns ou). This will put the TheaterMaster into the special IR learning mode. In this mode, it will transmit a continuous sequence of IR com- mands that can be taught to various IR remote control systems.
Page 52: Upgrades
TheaterMaster’s sonic performance. Signature Upgrades: The TheaterMaster Encore and Ovation are designed to be easily field upgraded to a The- aterMaster Signature. The upgrade consists of the installation of a special, ultra-high-quality A-to-D board, and a new DAC board which offers (see Chapter I: “Performance Features, Signature”):...
Page 53: Options
RF Demodulator: Enlightened Audio Designs offers an RF Demodulator to convert the AC-3 RF output of most laserdisc players to the SPDIF digital format required by the TheaterMaster and other similar products. (Performing this RF-to-Digital conversion outside the TheaterMaster pro- tects against possible RF contamination of the musical signal.)
Page 54: Specifications
XIV. Specifications Digital Frequency Response Encore: DC to 20 kHz ± 0.5 dB Ovation: DC to 20 kHz ± 0.1 dB Signature: DC to 20 kHz ± 0.1 dB Analog Frequency Response Encore: 10 Hz to 20 kHz ± 1 dB Ovation: 10 Hz to 20 kHz ±...
Page 55 Digital Inputs and Outputs Bi-phase Mark Code, 32-48 kHz; Consumer Standard SPDIF Professional Standard AES/EBU 16- to 24-bit linear PCM Dolby AC-3 bitstream DTS 5.1 bitstream MPEG2 bitstream HDCD-encoded linear PCM Coax: 75 Ohm, 0.4 Volt p-p (input) 75 Ohm, 0.8 Volts p-p (output) TOSLINK Optical Input: EIAJ Standard CP-340 Digital Audio Interface;...
Page 56 Enlightened Audio Designs 406 West Depot Avenue Fairfield, Iowa 52556 Tel: (641) 472-4312 • Fax: (641) 472-3566 www.eadcorp.com...