Stereo96 mode disables subwoofer?

[netarc]

A question re: Stereo96 mode - have folks found that this this mode does *not* support a subwoofer?

In some trials I've run over the past few days (fronts set to "small", s/w set to "on", enhanced bass set to "off"), I've found that my s/w won't output in Stereo96 mode, but _will_ in Stereo mode. If this is the case, it seems like a potential flaw - what if one has fronts set to "small" ... in this case, everything below the x-over point is rolled off, no? (i.e., no s/w output)

[Scarp]

Hi Netarc,

If you look at the manual at page 12 you will see the answer.
It states that for stereo96 there is no tone control and no bass management. So it upsamples the input, does volume control and passes it to the front speaker outputs.

[nicholtl]

So I have a question that slightly pertains to this -- if you wanted to listen to music in 2 channel stereo, what mode would engage the main L and R speakers ONLY. As in, not even the sub would be engaged, so it would stricltly be 2 channel stereo the way audiophiles like to hear it? Is it the "2 channel stereo" mode? Cause I think the sub still plays in this mode...?

[Scarp]

The manual is a bit unclear on this topic. Only for the balanced audio input it is clear that there is a bypass mode, which does no A/D conversion for the analogue input, but directly goes to the volume control and output.

The stereo96 does do A/D conversion, but then doesn't do anything else.
The stereo mode seems to only output to the front speakers according to the manual. However if its A/D converted or not is unclear. Also for digital inputs its not clear of the speaker settings are used.

I guess you should experiment to see what gives the best result.

[netarc]

The stereo96 does do A/D conversion, but then doesn't do anything else. The stereo mode seems to only output to the front speakers according to the manual. However if its A/D converted or not is unclear. Also for digital inputs its not clear of the speaker settings are used.

My experience has been that the s/w output is not active in Stereo96 mode, but *is* active in Stereo mode (this with analog RCA inputs); since the sub is not active in 96, I can only presume that the L/R channels are getting the full output (i.e., the x-over is overridden) ... the page in the manual that Scarp refers to seems to support this.

[Scarp]

I found this question from another site to Parasound and also their answer:

• Does the C2 allow subwoofer output in 2 Channel analog bypass mode?

Yes, unless its 2 of the 8 channels of the 7.1 Analog Audio input which is routed only through the analog volume control, and for which there's no bass management.

[nicholtl]

Yes, I know I dug this up from the grave...

I did a search and didn't find much info regarding stereo96 mode, or using the balanced L and R source inputs on the C2 (the 2 XLR inputs in the upper left corner, if you're facing the rear panel). I'm wondering if anyone has any experience on this? I ask because in a week's time, my newly ordered Classe CDP-10 CD player is arriving, and it features very high quality DAC's and XLR outputs. So I guess it's the perfect chance to test out what this bypass mode on the C2 can do. Supposedly it just takes the analog signal and passes it through the volume control and directly to the speakers.

[Chris D]

Well, bud, if nothing else, I'd like to hear how it turns out for you. I've been secretly hunting around for a piece of equipment that would give me an excuse to use the balanced inputs. The T3 tuner would be nice, but I really only listen to radio in my car, so I just don't think I'd ever use it.

[NMyTree]

I thought the Classe' CDP-10 , was discontinued and no longer available?


That's what I heard.

[nicholtl]

Ya, it was discontinued last year for the new Delta Series components. The CDP-100 booted the CDP-10 out. I got the CDP-10 from Audio Resource, an authorized Classe/Theta/Krell/Wilson/You Name It dealer in New Orleans. It's a perfect condition unit that is 8 months old, 3 year warranty still applies, and after much haggling I brought their price down significantly.

[NMyTree]

Good hunting, nicholtl !