Arcam AV8 PReamp Processor E-2 - Manual (Page 5)

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GENERAL
The inputs are named to make it easier to reference when connecting
e.g., a DVD or VCR, but they all have the same input circuit, so there
is no reason why you should not connect a different device to any of
the inputs. For example, if you had two DVD players and the AV input
was not being used, then the second DVD player can be connected to
the AV input.
CABLES
We recommend the use of high quality screened analogue, digital and
video cables, as inferior quality cables will degrade the overall quality
of your system. Only use cables that are designed for the particular
application as other cables will have different impedance characteristics
that will degrade the performance of your system.
Video and digital connections must be made with cables that are
designed for this purpose, i.e., coaxial cable with a 75Ω impedance. If
substandard cables are used you may suffer from poor picture quality
such as ghost images and or grainy picture quality (snow).
Speaker cables should be kept short and low impedance wire should
be used throughout to ensure efficient power transmission and avoid
audible distortion.
All cables should be kept as short as is practically possible.
It is good practice when connecting your equipment to make sure that
the mains power supply cabling is kept as far away as possible from your
audio and video cables, as this will provide the best sound and picture
quality. Failure to do so may result in unwanted noise in the audio and
video signals.
SPEAKER INSTALLATION
The AV8 allows you to connect up to seven channels of amplification
and three active subwoofers in the main system. The output channels
correspond to speakers installed in the front left, centre, front right,
surround left, surround right, surround back left, surround back right
and an active subwoofer (see diagram).
Surround
back left
Surround
back right
Centre Front
left
Front
right
Subwoofer
Surround
left
Surround
right
GENERAL
All speakers, with the exception of the subwoofer, should be arranged
around your normal viewing/listening position (see diagram). The
subwoofer can be placed almost anywhere and we recommend
experimenting with it in various positions to obtain the best result.
The configuration and placement of your speakers are very important.
For THX surround EX playback we recommend that you use a THX
speaker system that is certified by Lucasfilm Ltd. If you are not installing
a full THX surround EX system then ignore the instructions regarding
the surround back left and right loudspeakers.
FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT
Position your front left and right speakers to achieve a good stereo
image for normal musical reproduction as well as for the multichannel
modes. If they are placed too close together there will be a lack of
spaciousness; if they are placed too far apart a stereo image will appear
to have a large ‘hole’ in the middle and will be presented in two halves.
If there is no practical alternative to placing the speakers widely apart,
this effect can be overcome in music reproduction by using centre
sound extraction from the left and right speakers (see Dolby ProLogic
II Music Mode).
CENTRE
The centre speaker allows for a more realistic reproduction of dialogue
and centre sounds. The centre speaker should have a similar tonal
balance to the front left and right speakers and be positioned at a
similar height.
SURROUND LEFT AND RIGHT
The surround left and right speakers reproduce the ambient sound and
effects present in a multichannel home cinema system and should be
installed approximately one metre higher than the listener’s ears.
SURROUND BACK LEFT AND RIGHT
The surround back left and right speakers are used to add extra depth
and better sound localisation and should be installed approximately
one metre higher than the listener’s ears. Place the two surround
back speakers such that there is an arc of approximately 150 degrees
between each surround back speaker and the centre speaker. The
surround back speakers should face the front of the room as shown
in the diagram to provide the largest ‘sweet spot’. You will then need
to measure the distance between the two surround back speakers
and set the ‘Advanced Speaker Array’ line of the ‘THX Settings’ menu
accordingly.
SUBWOOFER
A subwoofer will greatly improve the bass performance of your system.
This is useful for reproducing special cinema effects, especially where
a dedicated LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) channel is available, as with
many Dolby Digital or DTS encoded discs.
Multiple subwoofers may be required for larger installations, particularly
in rooms of a timber frame construction. Multiple subwoofers need
care in placement because there may be cancellation effects between
the units. Seek expert advice on multiple subwoofer placement.