12
HDCD
®
Gain-Matching
Some HDCD-encoded recordings are mastered at a level which is noticeably lower
(6 dB) than conventional recordings, to allow for greater dynamic peaks. To avoid
unexpected changes in average volume when going from one disc to another, the
Nº30.6 can automatically reduce the volume of all recordings by six decibels. To re-
mind you of of when it is in this mode of operation, the Nº30.6 will display the
input’s name and “
6 dB PAD
” when locking on a digital input signal in the HDCD
AUTO mode.
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 in trodu ce
a compromise in s ound qu ality.
For Best Performance:
We strongly recommend that you use the HDCD MANUAL gain-
matching in your Nº30.6 digital audio processor.
If you are u sing the Nº3 0.6 with a Mark Levinson preamplifier
, simply name
the appropriate input on the preamplifier “No30” (explained in the preamp manual),
and connect the two products with a Communications Link cable. In this case, the
Nº30.6 will tell the preamplifier to change its volume setting as necessary to com-
pensate for differing CD mastering techniques, and you never have to think about it.
(
The preamp’s display will show “HD+6” to indicate a change required by the HDCD
recording being played through the Nº360S; it will revert to normal and show
“HD+0” when you return to conventional recordings. Older Nº38 and Nº38S pream-
plifiers 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 u sing the Nº3 0.6 with any other preamplifier
, follow the steps be-
low. (You will have to adjust the volume on some HDCD recordings manually.)
1
PRESS AND HOLD THE DIGITAL RECORD SELECT BUTTON ON THE FRONT
PANEL
After a few seconds, the display will change to show
NAME=
and the current
name of the selected input. When you let go, it will still show
NAME=
and the
current name of the 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 MANUAL”
Repeatedly pressing the polarity button will toggle the display between “
HDCD
AUTO
” (
meaning that the Nº360S automatically lowers its volume on conven-
tionally-mastered discs
) and “
HDCD MANUAL
” (
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 Nº380 is Linked, the Nº30.6 will display
“
No38 ACTIVE!
” (indicating that the equipment already knows what to do).
Using 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, beyond your usual settings.
