Zektor Clarity Prowler™ - Manual (Page 22)

22 Prowler 8x8 User Guide, Version 1.4, 7/15/11
Rear Panel Connections
Dolby 5.1 Digital, and DTS Audio Handling
The Prowler 8x8 does not decode compressed digital audio streams. When any digital audio that is not
standard PCM audio is detected, the Prowler 8x8 switches to a digital pass through mode with the fol-
lowing features:
• Digital data is passed through unchanged by the Prowler 8x8.
• The analog audio inputs become active, and analog audio is passed through to the analog out-
puts.
• Volume and tone controls will affect only the analog audio outputs.
This behavior applies to both the local coax output and the CAT5/6/7 outputs.
This behavior can also be changed using serial commands.
Using Volume and Tone Controls
The factory default settings for master volume and individual zone volumes is 0dB. The factory
defaults for input gain settings is 0dB. The factory defaults for all tone and equalizer settings is 0dB.
By setting all gains and tone controls to 0dB the factory default for audio is pass through. Audio is
unchanged from inputs to outputs.
This leads to a caveat when using the tone and equalizer controls of the Prowler 8x8. When adjusting
the tone or equalizer controls it’s easily possible to exceed the 0dB threshold.
The S/PDIF standard’s maximum level is 0dB. Depending upon the level of signals coming into the
Prowler 8x8, it’s quite possible, with gain and tone controls to exceed this, causing the signal to clip, in
turn causing a very unpleasant crackling and popping type of distortion.
If you choose to use the tone and equalizer settings of the Prowler 8x8, it is highly recommend that you
lower the Master Volume at least -12dB, and possibly lower if you plan on using the full +20dB range
of the tone and equalizer settings. This will prevent the S/PDIF digital audio (and analog outputs) from
clipping.
Using Input Gain Settings
The same warning given above for Volume and Tone controls also apply to the input gain settings.
The input gain settings can be used to amplify an input a full +24dB, well beyond the S/PDIF standard
of 0dB.
The input gain settings should be used to bring a weak signals up to the 0dB point, but should not be
used to increase the levels beyond that.
Using Output Gain Settings
Output gains settings allow adjusting the overall gain of each individual zone.
Different amplifiers require different audio levels to drive them to their full power ratings. Using the
output gain settings you can adjust each zone’s output level to match the sensitivity of your power
amplifier.
This also balance the volume of each room so that the same volume level, sounds the same in each
room.
The range of the output gain is +/-24dB, this value is added to any input gain, allowing for a full
+48dB of gain through the Prowler 8x8, and this doesn’t take into account the tone controls, which are
added to this value. This is way beyond the gain needed for any power amp, so use care when adjusting
gains; +48dB of gain will cause nearly any input signal to be driven to distortion.