Audio Design Associates Cinema Reference Mach II PTM-8150 - Manual (Page 49)

Page 48
Multi-Pin Speaker Setup
The Cinema Reference Mach II has a secondary Large/Small setting for multi-channel DVD Audio or
SACD connections. This crossover applies only to the Multi-Pin (25 pin D connector) and takes place
in the analog domain because the DVD Audio or SACD input completely bypasses the DSP and D/A
convertors. As such, the crossover has more limited features than those internal to the DSP.
The Multi-Pin crossover frequency is fixed to 80Hz and offers four options; all speakers Small, all
speakers Large, front right & left Large with others small, or front right and left small with all others
large.
This feature is an important circuit in the Cinema Reference Mach II because unlike Dolby Digital or
DTS decoding, where there is ample bass management, DVD Audio or SACD offers none. This is an
extremely important issue because DVD Audio and SACD are mixed such that all channels output full
range. When playing full range on a THX speaker system, the main speakers end up getting signals
well below 80Hz. Furthermore, the subwoofer may also end up receiving a full range signal. This will
result in an extremely poor sound field as speakers that are not designed to deliver bass have to do so
while the subwoofer, designed just to play low frequencies, has to put out full range. As such, this
aspect of the Cinema Reference Mach II makes it an ideal choice for those looking to add DVD Audio
or SACD to their system.
While the standard speaker setup options, including the variable crossover frequency point, apply to
all input labels set to track either analog or digital audio inputs, the Multi-Pin speaker setting is inde-
pendent and only is activated for input labels that are linked to the Multi-Pin audio input. For example,
if you are using full-range front and right speakers but setup these speakers as Small in the previous
page for the best movie audio experience, you may opt to run these speakers as Large for the Multi-
Pin input, as this input is designed to primarily play music from either DVD Audio or SACD discs.
The Cinema Reference’s Out of the Box Multi-Pin speaker setup is set to all speakers Small. To alter
this:
1 Turn the Mode knob clockwise until the display’s second line reads SETUP MENU and then
press the Mode knob.
2 Turn the Mode knob clockwise until the display’s second line reads MULTI-PIN and then press
the Mode knob.
3 Turn the Mode knob to select the desired speaker option as described above and then press
the Mode knob.
4 To exit the setup mode completely, turn the Volume knob.
At this time, you have set the Multi-Pin output to conform with your speaker system.