C1 has arrived 1st impressions blows away Rotel

[misterdoggy]

Well the C1 arrived and I was amazed how light it was compared to the Rotel 1098. Everything wasn't evident and I am still not 24 hours into it. I don't fully understand how the lcd works as it comes on with picture sometime and sometimes not. I don't ever want the picture on the lcd really. I wired it with no ocd to the plasma screen.

SOUND: Well I just tried stereo with the Krell 2250 and the sound was outstanding. Its everything we were searching for in the 60's and couldn't find. This blows away the Rotel 1098 1090 combo which had no depth, warmth, and muted midtones and very light bass tones reasonance is the word.. WOW is all I can say for the moment. I am looking forward to trying some films and have watched satellite TV with prologicII movie and I'm not sure if I am 'aware' of the surrounds in this mode.

Questions:
1. Is there a way to listen to stereo incorporating the subwoofer
2. When selecting surround on the remote how can I get it to show the choices on the lcd
3. If I have 5.1 system which is the best mode to use for DVDs with either DD or DTS. I put on a DVD and saw something to the affect DD3/2.1 and wasn't sure what was going on ? Is there a way to tell which speakers are operating other than knowing the modes.

I don't have a PC but have bought a small laptop that's coming in the mail to do updates for my HIFI equipment so its a bit difficult with the remote. I ordered a mx 500 in the mean time as well to appease the situation. More later.

[Chris D]

:banana:

Just take a quick glance in the manual about how to select the LCD screen display. It's selectable with the "Zone" and "Main" buttons below the screen, obviously that whichever one you push will be the video source that's shown on screen. Also, multiple pushes of the "main" button will cycle between having the screen show a video preview of the video source most recently selected in the main zone, displaying only the "status" of the C1, such as volume level, input, surround mode, etc, or turning the video screen all the way off. All 4 possible options rae great to use for different purposes. (zone video, main video, status, off)

1. Yes, if you play a 2 channel signal (or any sound format, for that matter) with the corresponding speakers set to SMALL, the bass portion of those channels below the selected crossover frequency will be sent to your subwoofer.
2. Set the LCD to either "Main Video Preview" or "Status" like I described above, and you'll see the current surround format on the LCD and OSD when the input signal changes or you press "status" on the front panel/remote (in Video Preview mode) or always. (in "Status" mode)
3. Up to you. For a pure signal that hasn't been sound processed, use "Direct". I prefer to use "Dolby Pro Logic IIx", which gives a greater spaciousness, but does process the sound so it's not pure. You can also use THX processing with the "THX" button on your remote. Try out the options and see what you like. The DD3/2.1 means that the C1 is receiving a 5.1 Dolby Digital signal (3 front channels, 2 surround, .1 LFE) In contrast, a 2-channel DD signal might show as DD 2/0

[misterdoggy]

Chris,

thanks for the notes. One last question. If I'm putting a DVD with Dolby Digital, does the C1 automatically chose dd3/2.1 as it recognizes the dvd or do I have to manually make a choice each time.

thanks
Bruce

[Peter Nielsen]

1. Yes, if you play a 2 channel signal (or any sound format, for that matter) with the corresponding speakers set to SMALL, the bass portion of those channels below the selected crossover frequency will be sent to your subwoofer.

Or, if set to LARGE, you can simply enable the "Enhanced Bass" function. (There is even a soft-key for toggling enhanced bass on the bigger remote).

Peter

[misterdoggy]

Peter,
I had both the (optical) french canal + satellite and also the Sky Satellite (analog) set to Stereo and at 80hz with volume 1/2 way on my ASW 825 1000 watt B&W Subwoofer and it stayed shut off in "auto" mode as there was no signal coming, however when I went and switched the surround selection to Dolby Pro Logic II Cinema it quickly recognized a signal and the red standby light switched to green and it started putting some output. I have 80hz selected for the subwoofer. I was thinking something lower, but am experimenting. So I'm not sure there is a signal from Stereo to the Subwoofer or else it would detect it ? Non ?

[Peter Nielsen]

So I'm not sure there is a signal from Stereo to the Subwoofer or else it would detect it ? Non ?

Did you enable Enhanced Bass (called EBASS on the remote) ?

In Stereo mode you can enable the subwoofer by activating EBASS.

Here's what the manual says about the EBASS function:

EBASS, or Enhanced Bass, is for use in systems that have some “Large” speakers, i.e. those
able to deliver adequate bass on their own. (See “Size” under “Speaker Setup,” next chapter).
When EBASS is off, bass from the program channels with “Large” speakers goes only to those
speakers, and the subwoofer receives bass from the LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) channel and
bass from the channels whose speakers you selected as “Small” during setup. With EBASS on,
bass from all program channels goes to the subwoofer as well. This can lead to a bass increase,
which will probably be more welcome with movie soundtracks and with pop and rock music
than with classical music. However, in some rooms it can lead to decreased bass at specific frequencies,
caused by interference between the subwoofer’s bass output and that of the other
speakers; if that occurs, you can try reversing the polarity of your sub or simply shut EBASS off.

Peter

[goldear]

"One last question. If I'm putting a DVD with Dolby Digital, does the C1 automatically chose dd3/2.1 as it recognizes the dvd or do I have to manually make a choice each time."
-----------------------------------------------------

The Halo should automatically default to the native format (which, if I recall is the "Direct" mode or DD-3/2.1)...that's as long as the DVD doesn't default to the DD 2.0 track, in which case you'll have to change that in the audio menu of your DVD player. However, if I also recall correctly, the Halo does have a memory so that if you do make changes, it will pull up that last change made. You'll have to double check this since I no longer have the Halo to be sure.

Also, since you are only using a 5.1 speaker system, you will not have access to many of the other processing modes (such as DPLIIx or THXU2...or any of the discrete/matrix extensions that accompany DD/DTS) since they need 7.1 speakers. Although as noted, you can add THX. If you are into HT...and have the room and money, you may find 7.1 to be worthy investment; I know I can't go back to 5.1 at this point...and the Halo even gives you more channels if you need them.

[misterdoggy]

First to Peter, thanks for the info. I had read about ebass and chose not to use it since I have large fronts and small for the center and surrounds. I'm going to run the system either with pure stereo without the sub or with Pro Logic II I guess.

Goldear, I wish I had space for 7.1 but I am already jammed with 5.1 and for the moment I have the amps for it with the showcase 5 and the 2250 that's 7. But there is no back. The Couch is against a window and the surrounds are at either side of the couch. the backs would have to be at the sides and the surrounds would have to be 1/2 way to the fronts. Not to mention if I move another set of speakers in the room I would have to find a new wife to accept more speakers.

[Peter Nielsen]

I would have to find a new wife to accept more speakers.

That sounds like something I would refer to as "a tough upgrade path" :B

Peter

[Chris D]

Does your dealer offer a trade-in plan for that?

[misterdoggy]

That sounds like something I would refer to as "a tough upgrade path"

Does your dealer offer a trade-in plan for that?

Yeah, definitely an uphill climb !! Chris Do you know someone who takes trade -ins ? I'll throw in the in-laws for free !! Just kidding. Would much prefer my spouse to a Stereo. Both are warm a cuddly, both talk to me, both are good lookers, but I don't see taking my C1 to bed. Although my wife tells me I keep
changing my "remotes" has something to do with sexual potency. The bigger and more powerful the remote, if you get my drift.

[nicholtl]

Do your wives know what dirty little boys you guys are on this? =)