Arcam ALPHA AV50 - Amplifier Usage Details; Dolby Modes and Stereo Functionality; Level Adjustments and Volume Control; Unused Remote Functions

Dolby 3 Stereo feeds sound information through front
speakers. (L, R á C), but not rear speakers. You
should use either this mode or stereo mode for non
surround encoded video sources. Stereo mixes vary
so that it is worth trying this and STEREO mode to see
which one you prefer. If your system has no rear
loudspeakers, use this mode for surround encoded
material.
STEREO is real stereo. For optimal Hi-Fi sound quality
the Dolby Surround processing circuits are actually
bypassed when switched to STEREO. This prevents
the stereo signal being affected by unnecessary circuits
and retains the maximum fidelity. Use Stereo for your
regular hi-fi sources or for non surround encoded video
material.
CINEMA: Switching on Cinema EQ (Equalisation)
reduces the treble output of the centre channel.
Cinema EQ can improve films
recorded with excessive treble and
sibilance. The LCD display
CINEMA EQ legend will illuminate
when this mode is on.
EFFECT: Scrolls through the
available effects: None, HALL or
SIMULATED. This feature is
useful to enhance non-surround
encoded sources.
cD
HALL switches in a reverberation
effect giving added ambience
through the rear channels.
SIMULATED provides a simulated
surround effect sound. The HALL
or SIMULATED legend on the LCD
display on the front panel will
indicate which effect is currently
selected. You can trim the amount
of EFFECT by use of the rear +/-
level buttons (See 0). NB:
Selecting one of the EFFECTS will
override any Dolby mode selected.
CENTRE OFF: Switches the
centre channel off or on. Switching
the centre channel off is also
useful for Karaoke and for nulling
out unwanted sports
commentators! This function is not
available in STEREO MODE or during set up. In Dolby
MODE the MUTE and CALIBRATION legends
illuminate and CENTRE flashes on the LCD display. In
effects or EXT DECODER (PROCESSOR) modes
MUTE illuminates and CENTRE flashes. It cannot be
selected if the main MUTE, , has already been
selected.
DISPLAY: This button switches off the front panel
display.
REAR OFF: Switches the rear channel off or on. Useful
to demonstrate the effectiveness of the surround effect.
This function is not available in STEREO or Dolby 3
Stereo MODE or during set up. When selected MUTE
illuminates and SURR flashes on the LCD display. It
cannot be selected ifthe main MUTE, ®, has already
been selected.
TUNER SAT
PHONG
IE El El
- CENTRE + CENT OFF
Im
ARCAM
CENTRE +/-: Trims the level of the centre speaker in
1dB steps. This function is not available in STEREO or
EXT DECODER (PROCESSOR) mode.
REAR +/-: Trims the level of the rear speakers in 1dB
steps. This function is not available in STEREO,
DOLBY 3 STEREO or EXT DECODER (PROCESSOR)
mode.
When any of the +/- buttons are pressed the current level is
shown on the LCD display. The level display is blanked after
10 seconds if no further adjustments are made. The main
LEFT/RIGHT and CENTRE or REAR MUTE are cancelled
when these buttons are pressed. The settings are common
for the Dolby modes. Individual settings can also be made
for both the HALL and SIMULATED effect modes. The
range adjustment is -12dB to +6dB for Dolby modes and -
12dB to +15dB for the effects modes.
Note: Not all films are encoded for
surround identically. It is useful to trim
the rear or front levels slightly for some
recordings.
RESTORE: Restores the AV50 to
the condition saved in the set up
mode. This is very useful if the
centre and rear levels have been
adjusted afterwards as it restores
D them to the saved values. The
operating mode and any functions
K such as Cinema EQ that were
saved during set up are also
restored. The RESTORE legend will
| illuminate for about 3 seconds.
Note: To enter the set up mode press
Restore quickly followed by + (mode), see
Set Up Mode selection for more details.
© MUTE: Mutes and un-mutes the
sound to all loudspeaker and
preamp outputs. MUTE flashes on
the LCD display.
VOLUME: Master volume control for
the amplifier; this drives the
motorised volume control on the
front panel. Note that a volume up
or down command from the remote
will automatically un-mute the
amplifier if MUTE is on.
The following buttons on the remote control handset have no
function on the AV50. This is because the remote handset
can also be used on the Arcam Xeta One and Xeta2 home
cinema amplifiers.
AUTOBAL
<BAL
>BAL
SHIFT
SHIFT can be used simultaneously with the VOLUME,
MUTE, POWER or INPUT SELECTOR buttons to control
functions on the Arcam Delta Black Box 500 outboard digital
to analogue converter unit.