ARS BBE ® High Definition Sound Processor For Home Audio Systems USER MANUAL ® i TABLE OF CONTENTS Precautions ............................................................................................................i Table of Contents ......................................................................................................1 Product Description ...................................................................................................1 What Does BBE® Signal Processing Do? ........................................................................2 How BBE® High Definition Sound Works ........................................................................2 Controls and Connections ..........................................................................................3 Front Panel .........................................................................................................3 Rear Panel .........................................................................................................4 Specifications .........................................................................................................4 General Operation ...................................................................................................5 Use With an External Equalizer ....................................................................................5 Maintenance ............................................................................................................5 Service ..................................................................................................................6 Warranty Information ................................................................................................6 Installation Examples .............................................................................................7-10 Test Procedure ......................................................................................................11 Schematic Diagrams .............................................................................................12-13 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Congratulations on your purchase of a BBE ARS HIGH DEFINITION SOUND processor. This device is a versatile, two-channel signal processor that will benefit any audio system. With its patented BBE HIGH DEFINITION SOUND technology, audiophiles will delight in the ARS unit's ability to restore much of the original live performance sound quality to old LPs and tapes where the musical performance was outstanding but the recording technology was primitive. Today, the quality of CDs has made the reproduction of sound much more accurate and fulfilling. Unfortunately, the original recorded tapes from which the CDs are mastered may not have been recorded with the latest recording techniques, causing the program material to be distorted or muddy. Additionally, because the modern mastering process for CDs is digital, some of the natural audio characteristics are lost. The BBE ARS will help restore the sparkle and clarity of those original master recordings and will add warmth and natural musical presence to contemporary digitally recorded material. With the BBE ARS, low frequencies of bass instruments will be more evident in the mix. Voices will be clearer. Notes of a guitar or keyboard will have greater integrity and be more distinct from each other. Highs are clearer, cleaner and more finely detailed. The original program material is faithfully reproduced with more of the nuance, subtlety, and presence of live performance. Plucked and percussive sounds such as guitar, piano and cymbals are sharper and cleaner. The full harmonic texture of instrumental and vocal solos are heard. In ensemble music, each instrument and voice retains its integrity. Speech intelligibility is markedly improved. In summary, the BBE HIGH DEFINITION SOUND processing technology found in the BBE ARS will bring more depth, detail and definition to any home audio system. 1 WHAT DOES BBE® SIGNAL PROCESSING DO? BBE sound processing technology has been awarded over 40 US and international patents, and is essentially an audio circuit which compensates for deficiencies inherent in amplified sound systems. It is a program-driven process which restores the time-alignment of the whole frequency spectrum while dynamically compensating for amplitude loss in the uppermost and lowermost frequencies. A good analogy is that BBE signal processing technology acts like an automatic focus lens on a camera. Imagine looking through a camera lens and the image is dull and fuzzy, then you twist the lens and the picture comes into sharp view. Once you experience your BBE ARS, we believe you will understand this analogy clearly. HOW BBE® HIGH DEFINITION SOUND WORKS BBE HIGH DEFINITION SOUND technology works to overcome phase and amplitude distortion, which are the primary reasons why signals reproduced by amplifiers and loudspeakers have difficulty faithfully reproducing the original sound. Technically, it does this by imparting a linear phase shift across the entire frequency spectrum to compensate for phase distortion and simultaneously augmenting the amplitude of the upper and lower frequencies, performing both these functions in a program driven manner. It does this without adding any artificial content to the signal, such as using artificial harmonics or reverb-based 3D effects. The amount of high frequency processing is adjusted with the Process control, and is used to tailor a crisp, tight music program. The Lo-contour control is a bass processing adjustment. When turned clockwise, the Lo-contour feature will add power and warmth to the music program. Unlike an equalizer, increasing the Lo-contour on the BBE ARS will not produce a "boomy" or "muddy" sound, but will remain tight, clean and "punchy". As Music Connection magazine called BBE technology, "BBE is the most hearable advance in audio technology since high fidelity itself." 2 FRONT PANEL 1 LO CONTOUR 2 DEFINITION 3 4 PROCESS IN 5 POWER ® full frequency focusTM ARS MIN MAX MIN MAX STATUS OUT 1. LO CONTOUR This control regulates the amount of phase compensated bass equalization for both channels. This adjustment ranges from 0dBu (fully counter-clockwise) to +10dBu (fully clockwise). 2. DEFINITION This control regulates the amount of phase compensated high frequency processing for both channels. When the knob is in its minimum position (counter-clockwise), there is no processing. Turning the knob clockwise will introduce and increase the processing activity to a maximum level of 10dBu. Adjust the knob to mix the desired amount of processing. A good position to start with is the center position (12 o'clock). 3. STATUS LED DISPLAY This bi-colored LED lamp glows green when the BBE process button is in the "on" position, and red when the process button is in the "off" position. 4. PROCESS This switch activates the entire processing circuit. When depressed, the "in" position, the processor has been engaged. When in the "out" position, the processor has been disengaged. 5. POWER This switch applies AC power to the BBE ARS. When the power is on, the STATUS LED lamp will illuminate. 3 REAR PANEL 1 2 CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN 3 4 FUSE 230 8 WATTS 50/60Hz v ATTENTION: UTILISER UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE MEME TYPE DE T63mA, 250V. AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIC NE PAS OUVRIR! ! v ARS full frequency focusTM OUT IN ® CAUTION: FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION AGAINST RISK OF FIRE, REPLACE ONLY WITH SAME TYPE T63mA, 250V FUSE. MADE IN U.S.A. HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA L R L R 1. POWER CORD: USA configuration shown in illustration above. 2. FUSE: Replace ONLY with same type Fast-blow fuse. USA, Canada and Japan models: 250Vac, 1/2A Fast-blow Standard model: 250Vac, .125A Fast-blow 3. INPUTS: The signal input to the BBE ARS is to be applied to the RCA jacks labeled "IN", Refer to the "CONNECTIONS" pages for proper hook-up. 4. OUTPUTS: The signal output of the BBE ARS is to be taken from the RCA jacks labeled "OUT". Refer to the "CONNECTIONS" pages for proper hook-up. SPECIFICATIONS (0dBu = 0.775mVrms) Frequency Response ..........................................process on: program controlled process off: DC to 20kHz Absolute noise in process mode ...........................-90dBu below rated max output of 0dBu THD in process mode .......................................less than 0.1% @-10dBu level Input Characteristics Input Impedance ..........................................50K Ohms Nominal Input Level ....................................-10dBu Output Characteristics Minimum load impedance for full output level ......1K Ohm Nominal Output Level....................................-10dBu Maximum Output Level .................................+16dBu Power Requirements USA / Canada / Japan models...........................100-120Vac, 50/60Hz, 10 Watts Standard model ..........................................200-240Vac, 50/60Hz, 10 Watts AC Line fuse protected.......................................USA Model: 250Vac 1/2A Fast-blow fuse Standard Model: 250Vac .125A Fast-blow fuse Terminations/Connectors ....................................Gold-plated RCA jacks Dimensions ...................................................16.5"(W) x 8.5"(D) x 1.7"(H) 419mm(W) x 216mm(D) x 43mm(H) Shipping Weight .............................................6.5 lbs. Note: Due to continuing product improvement, specifications and design are subject to change without notice. 4 GENERAL OPERATION THE BBE ARS IS A LINE LEVEL SIGNAL PROCESSOR AND IS TO BE CONNECTED PRIOR TO THE POWER AMP OUTPUT IN ANY AUDIO SYSTEM. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE MAY BE INFLICTED TO THE BBE ARS OR ANY SUBSEQUENT COMPONENT IN THE SYSTEM IN THE EVENT THE OUTPUT OF A POWER AMP IS CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE BBE ARS. In order to reduce the risk of damage to any equipment, properly connect all cables and power cables before turning on any components in the system. Most important of all, ALWAYS TURN ON THE POWER AMPLIFIER LAST TO AVOID DAMAGING THE SPEAKERS OR THE AMP. The BBE ARS may be used in a number of different environments and its results may vary accordingly. Generally, the tape loop or a processor loop of an audio system is the ideal placement. The tape loop will only work if your audio system has a "tape monitor" control for that loop. If so, this will allow the user to apply the BBE HIGH DEFINITION SOUND process to as many source signals as possible. Alternatively, other sources having line-level RCA outputs may be plugged directly into the ARS, such as a CD player's outputs, a cassette player's playback signal, or the audio outputs from a video source such as a VCR or video disk player. Once in operation, adjustment of the Process and Lo-contour controls is made to suite the listening tastes of the user. Some source material may benefit from higher settings while others may sound better with a lower setting. However, in typical usage owners do not often make adjustments to the control settings once a preference has been established. USE WITH AN EXTERNAL EQUALIZER The BBE ARS can be used in conjunction with an external equalizer unit, and it may be placed in the signal path either before or after the equalizer. IF THE EQ IS BEING SET TO GIVE THE ROOM A FLAT RESPONSE AS DETERMINED BY A SPECTRUM ANALYZER, THE BBE ARS WILL WORK WELL EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE EQUALIZER, ALTHOUGH AFTER IS PREFERABLE. If the EQ is being used for substantial tone alteration, the recommended placement of the BBE ARS is before the equalizer. Neither of the above configurations will harm the BBE ARS. MAINTENANCE Maintenance of the BBE ARS is limited to proper cleaning of the unit with a mild household cleaner such as Formula 409® or Windex®. The chassis and cover are steel finished with a durable polyurethane paint, while the front panel is as anodized aluminum extrusion. There are no user replaceable parts in the BBE ARS. Only qualified technicians should remove unit cover for inspection or repair. This unit was designed with high quality audio components that should exhibit little or no electronic drift of the components which would cause a change in specifications. The BBE ARS adopts a robust and conservative design from BBE Sound's experience in producing HIGH DEFINITION SOUND professional sound processors in use worldwide by musicians, recording studios, broadcast facilities, nightclubs and other commercial applications. The BBE ARS is similarly designed to provide many years of listening enjoyment. 5 SERVICE Customers within the US and Canada may contact BBE Sound directly at our corporate facility in Huntington Beach, California: Tel. (714)897-6766 ext. 116 for service · Toll-free (800)233-8346 ext. 116 for service We request that a "return authorization" number be acquired prior to return of defective unit, either through a retailer where the unit was purchased or by contactin ...