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12
HDCD
®
Gain-Matching
Some HDCD-encoded recordings are mastered at a level which is noticeably lower
(6 dB) than conventional recordings. To avoid unexpected changes in volume when
going from one disc to another, the Nº36 automatically reduces the volume of all
recordings to this volume level as required by Pacific Microsonics, Inc. Thus, this
“HDCD AUTO” gain-matching is the default setting as shipped. To remind you of
this fact, the Nº36 will display “
-6 DB PAD
” when locking on a digital input signal,
unless this feature is defeated as indicated below.
In our listening tests, we have determined that the only sonically transparent gain-
matching technique is to
raise
the volume of the preamplifier by the requisite 6 dB
when playing those few discs that require it.
All other design options introduce
a compromise in sound quality.
For Best Performance:
We strongly recommend that you turn off the HDCD AUTO gain-
matching in your Nº36 digital audio processor.
If you are using the Nº36 with a Mark Levinson Nº38 or Nº38S preampli-
fier
, simply name the appropriate input on the preamplifier “No36” (explained in
the preamp manual), and connect the two products with a Communications Link
cable (page 21). In this case, the Nº36 will tell the preamplifier to change its volume
setting as necessary to compensate for differing CD mastering techniques, and you
never have to think about it. (
The Nº38 display will show “HD+6” to indicate a
change required by the HDCD recording being played through the Nº36; it will revert
to normal and show “HD+0” when you return to conventional recordings. Older
preamplifiers may require a new EPROM to take advantage of this feature.
) This
technique ensures that you always get the best possible sound from your system,
without any unexpected changes in level, regardless of the recordings you play.
If you are using the Nº36 with any other preamplifier
, follow the steps below.
(You will have to adjust the volume on some HDCD recordings manually.)
1
PRESS AND HOLD THE MODE BUTTON ON THE FRONT PANEL
After a few seconds, the display will change to show
NAME
and the current
name of the selected input. (Ignore this for now. You’ll learn how to rename
your inputs to match your sources later on in this manual.)
2
PRESS THE POLARITY BUTTON SO THE DISPLAY SHOWS “HDCD MAN.”
Repeatedly pressing the polarity button will toggle the display between “
HDCD
AUTO
” (
meaning that the Nº36 automatically lowers its volume on convention-
ally-mastered discs
) and “
HDCD MAN.
” (
meaning that gain-matching is turned
off; HDCD-encoded discs will still be decoded properly
). If you try to change
from one to the other while a Nº38 is Linked, the Nº36 will display “
No38
LINK
” (indicating that the Nº36 and Nº38 already know what to do).
Changing to manual gain-matching ensures that the HDCD digital filter always
operates at its maximum resolution, although you may now have to manually
turn up the volume on some HDCD recordings.