JL Audio CR-1, Owner'S Manual, Page: 5 / 28

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| CR-1
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
CR-1 acts an audiophile-grade “bridge”, seamlessly connecting a two-channel
audio system with a top-flight, powered subwoofer system. Powerful features and
a pristine, all-analog signal path make it a key component in optimizing an audio
system’s spatial and spectral performance. To minimize distortion and noise,
CR-1 employs top-grade component parts in its all-analog audio circuitry: 1%
precision resistors, JFET-input audio-grade op-amps, polypropylene film-and-foil
capacitors and metallized-polypropylene film capacitors, to name just a few. This
attention to component quality makes CR-1 a worthy partner to the finest audio
preamplifiers and amplifiers.
CR-1’s input-output design makes it equally adaptable to studio, mastering
suite or audiophile, two-channel playback environments. Inputs and outputs are
provided for balanced (XLR or 1/4-inch TRS) and unbalanced (RCA) sources.
Independent buffering of balanced and unbalanced outputs is employed, to
reduce the likelihood of noise. JL Audio’s differential input technology effectively
rejects common-mode hum and noise on the unbalanced inputs.
From the CR-1’s stereo inputs, you can derive either a single “mono” (Left
+ Right) subwoofer signal, or separate signals, for separate left and right
subwoofers. A front-panel switch allows you to select between these modes.
The CR-1’s crossover functionality is built around two banks of high
precision, low-pass and high-pass Linkwitz-Riley filters. These can be set as
12 dB/octave (moderate cutoff slope) or 24 dB/octave (steeper cutoff slope), via
a front-panel switch. For each filter pair, the cutoff frequency is fully variable
from 30 Hz – 150 Hz via rotary controls. Behind these knobs, multiplying DACs
with monolithic ratio matching are employed to adjust the analog circuit’s filter
frequencies. This digitally–controlled, analog filter circuitry allows for high
precision in making frequency adjustments and facilitates precise matching
between the left and right channels for the ultimate in crossover fidelity and
transparency. The CR-1 offers 167 individual cutoff frequency choices between
the 30 Hz and 150 Hz limits, in 0.70 Hz steps.
Another of CR-1’s unique and powerful features is the ability to alter the
damping behavior of each filter bank. Properly used, the CR-1’s damping controls
can improve the acoustic summing through the crossover region, compensating for
each speaker system’s frequency response and the way they acoustically interact.
At the center of the CR-1’s front panel, a convenient balance control permits fine
level adjustment of the subwoofer and satellite speakers, relative to one another.
This is useful for tweaking the sub/satellite balance to compensate for listening
conditions or program material, while always being able to easily return to the
reference setting. Each of the CR-1’s output channels can also be independently
muted via front-panel switches to aid in system setup and troubleshooting.
To facilitate sharing your subwoofer(s) between a home theater system and
a dedicated 2-channel system, the CR-1 has a special bypass feature, accessible
via a front-panel switch. When this bypass is engaged, the CR-1 will pass signals
connected to its dedicated managed bass inputs, completely bypassing the CR-
1’s crossover circuitry and level controls. This allows you to use your room’s
subwoofers for both 2-channel audio (via the CR-1’s bass management) and
multichannel audio (via your pre-pro or receiver’s bass management).
As you can see from this brief introduction, the CR-1 packs a lot of useful
technology and functionality. Please read the following sections thoroughly to
properly connect and set up your CR-1.