Sony DVP-NS999ES - Manual (Page 21)

ES Series DVD-Video/CD/SA-CD Players; Version 3.0 Page 21
Multi-channel DSD decoding is handled by a Sony Large-Scale
Integrated circuit (LSI), the CXD2753R. It's another of many exclusive
Sony LSIs in the ES Series DVD players.
Multi-Channel Management (all models)
Home theater speaker configurations vary considerably. Some
enthusiasts have built upon audiophile-grade stereo systems. These systems
may have large, full range Left and Right speakers that produce bass so deep
that any subwoofer would be extraneous. In this case, the Left and Right
speakers may well be considerably larger than the Center and Surround
speakers. Other systems may have five matching satellite speakers, plus a
subwoofer. Some systems may have no Center channel speaker, while others
have no Surround speakers. The DSD decoder LSI provides multi-channel
management to achieve optimal multi-channel reproduction with all these
speaker configurations.
Speaker Time Alignment (all models)
For optimum playback, the mastering engineers who create CDs need to
anticipate the speaker configuration over which the music will be reproduced. In
stereo, that configuration is simple: two identical speakers ideally set an equal
distance from the listener. In a multi-channel sound, the ideal is slightly more
complex. Multi-channel Super Audio CD is designed to conform to an
international standard, called ITU-R. This envisions that the listener sits in the
exact center of a circle of five identical speakers, with each speaker occupying a
specified position in the circle. (For the Low Frequency Effects or LFE channel,
the subwoofer can be flexibly placed outside the circle.)
The ITU-R circle makes a great reference for studio engineers. But few
home environments can accommodate exactly this setup. Even if you did have
five identical speakers all the way around, the rectangular shape of most rooms