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MODES
MODES
Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital from a DVD, or Laser Disc player can be anywhere from 1 channel where
just the Center channel is active, to 5.1 discrete audio channels. When in Dolby Digital
mode, the Soundstage front panel will show a Program Format Display, which indicates
which channels the bitstream is encoded with. (see Program Format Display for details)
Dolby specifications require that a 2.0 Dolby Digital soundtrack that is Pro Logic encoded
must be decoded in Pro Logic by default. By pressing the STEREO button, you can get
standard two-channel output. Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtracks that are not Pro Logic
encoded will decode in two channel by default. Pressing the P.LOGIC button on the
remote will decode the signal in Pro Logic.
Dolby Digital decoding allows for an adjustable compression scheme to be used for
playback in various environments. The Soundstage is set up to decode Dolby Digital with
the maximum dynamic range possible. To accommodate a situation where there is an
excess amount of noise present, or where it is desirable to lower the level of high level
sounds such as explosions, a "late night" mode is available. By pressing the NIGHT
button on the remote while in Dolby Digital, the overall volume level remains the same,
however the level of the quite sounds is raised, and the level of the louder sounds is
brought down. This allows the dialog to remain intelligible, and the more subtle sounds
to be heard, while keeping louder sounds from being obtrusive. Late night mode is
indicated to the left of the Program Format display as an "N"
Stereo Direct
The Soundstage contains a two channel analog preamplifier based on the design of the
Aragon Aurum preamplifier. The Stereo Direct mode allows for uncompromised two
channel analog performance, and a seamless integration of your high-end two channel
and home theater systems. While in the Stereo Analog mode, pressing the STEREO
button on the remote control will enter the Stereo Direct mode. Each analog input on
the Soundstage can be assigned as a Stereo Direct input. In Stereo Direct, the analog
signal bypasses the DSP module avoiding unnecessary conversion of the signal to digital,
and then back to analog. Separate level settings are allowed for the Stereo Direct mode
to accommodate for any gain differences that you may encounter. Press the SETUP
button to access the channel balance menu. The LVL UP and LVL DN keys are used to
make adjustments to the Front Left, Front Right, and Subwoofer channels. Lowering the
volume down below the -10 dB point turns off the subwoofer. These adjustments apply
only to the Stereo Direct mode. To save the settings and exit the Setup Menu, press
SETUP on the remote again.
Six Channel Analog Input
The Soundstage is equipped with a DB-25 connector on the rear panel allowing a DVD
player with a built in decoder to be plugged in. If the DVD player does not have a DB-25
output, than a Six RCA connector to DB-25 connector cable should be used. The Six
Channel Analog Input bypasses the DSP module, so any necessary bass management
should be performed in the DVD player, and the Variable Equalizer, and Fixed Equalizer
are not available in this mode. Separate level settings are available for the Six Channel
Input, although because the DSP module is bypassed, there are no Test Tones generated
in this mode. Press the SETUP button to enter the Setup Menu, and adjust your channel
