O W N E R ' S M A N U A L affordable audio for the critical listener P/SP-1000 AV Processor/Preamplifier Congratulations on your purchase of this precision component and thank you for your selection of Parasound. Your P/SP-1000 AV Processor/Preamplifier has been designed with the latest technology to become the heart of the finest home theater systems. Premium parts and advanced design combined with full remote control make the P/SP-1000 one of the finest AV Processor/Preamplifier values ever offered. You have made an excellent choice. Please take a few moments now to read these instructions thoroughly so you may fully understand the sophisticated capabilities of your new AV Processor/Preamplifier. Level P/SP-1000 AV Processor/Preamplifier Pro Logic Stadium Hall Club DOLBY SURROUND PRO - LOGIC Subwoofer Rear Center On-Off/Bypass Video 1 Video 2 Video 3 Tape Audio Line Audio Preamp Direct USF Center Bass EQ Delay mS 15 20 30 L test C Rear R Overload L R Unpacking Remove the remote control handset and the AC cord packed separately inside the carton. We recommend using only this specially selected cord for the best musical reproduction. Save your carton and the inserts for future safe transport in case you move or the unit requires shipping for repair. The actual printed carton is not strong enough for safe shipping by itself; you must place this carton into an additional outer carton before shipment. Before you proceed, find the serial number which is located on the rear panel of the unit and note it here for future reference or in case the unit is ever stolen. ____________________ Placement of the P/SP-1000 Keep your Parasound P/SP-1000 out of direct sunlight that will interfere with the remote control infrared sensor. It should also be placed away from heat sources such as hot air ducts or radiators. -1- Input Connections to Your P/SP-1000 Refer to Drawing # 1 Before making any connections, make sure your P/SP-1000's power is off and its volume control is turned fully counterclockwise. Also, make sure the power is turned off to your power amplifiers. After making connections, make sure there is no strain or tension on any wires that could cause them to pull loose later on. Audio/Video Input Connections Your P/SP-1000 comes equipped with three audio/video inputs and two audio-only inputs. The audio inputs are compatible with any typical analog line level source such as a CD player, D-A converter, tuner, DAT, cassette deck, or the audio output of a laser disc player or VCR. The three audio/video inputs also have switching capability for both NTSC composite and S-Video. Two of the A/V connections and one of the audio-only inputs also provide recording capability. You may also use just the audio sections of the A/V inputs if you wish. LD Input (Play Only) Connect the audio and video outputs of any audio/video source such as a laser disc player to this input. The LD input accepts either S-Video or NTSC composite video connections, but it does not provide an A/V record output. Video Input 1 (Play Only) Connect the audio and video outputs of any audio/video source such as a VCR of TV tuner. The VIDEO 1 input accepts either S-Video or NTSC composite video connections, but it does not provide an A/V record output. Video Input 2 (Record and Play) Connect the output of a audio/video source such as the VCR you use for recording. The VIDEO 2 input has accompanying NTSC and S-Video video switching and full A/V recording output capability. Tape Input/Play (Audio Only) Connect an audio tape deck, DAT or DCC to this input or any other line level source. This input has play and recording capability for audio only. Connect the OUTPUT of your analog deck to the PLAY jacks of the P/SP-1000 and connect to the INPUT jacks your deck to the REC jacks of the P/SP-1000. Line/Audio Input This input is for the connecting a line level audio source such as a CD player or D-A converter. You may also connect this input to the main line output of your existing preamplifier. When using your P/SP-1000 primarily as a processor, use this input to take advantage of the Off/Bypass feature. Whenever the P/SP-1000 is powered off, a precision gold-plated relay automatically loops the signal from the Line/Audio input directly to the Bypass output jacks making a direct connection from your preamp to your power amp this makes the P/SP-1000 "sonically invisible". Important Note: When the unit is off in its bypass mode, the signal from the source connected to the Line/Audio input is passed to the P/SP-1000 Bypass output jacks at its full level. Be sure to turn on the P/SP-1000 before you turn on the source component connected to the LINE/AUDIO input and Bypass output. Otherwise, the high signal level may overdrive the amplifier and speakers. -2- -3- Video 2 Record/Playback Connections Audio Connections Connect the left and right audio INPUT jacks of the VCR you will use for recording to the VIDEO 2 REC jacks of the P/SP-1000. Connect the left and right audio OUTPUT jacks of the VCR you will use for recording to the VIDEO 2 PLAY jacks of the P/SP-1000. S-Video and NTSC Video Connections Your P/SP-1000 comes equipped with NTSC composite RCA and S-Video circuits with separate video amplifiers for each. If you connect a video signal to the NTSC composite RCA input, the signal will only be available through the NTSC composite RCA output connections. Likewise, if you connect a video signal to the S-video input, the video signal will only be available through the S-video output connections. NTSC Composite Video Connections (Yellow RCA Jacks) Connect the video INPUT jack of the VCR you will use for recording to the VIDEO 2 REC jack of the P/SP-1000. Connect the video OUTPUT jack of the VCR you will use for recording to the VIDEO 2 PLAY jack of the P/SP-1000. S-Video Connections (5 Pin DIN Jacks) Connect the S-video INPUT jack of the VCR you will use for recording to the VIDEO 2 REC jack of the P/SP-1000. Connect the S-video OUTPUT jack of the VCR you will use for recording to the VIDEO 2 PLAY jack of the P/SP-1000. Connections to the TV Monitor Connect the RCA composite or S-video Monitor OUTPUT jack of the P/SP-1000 to the INPUT jack of the TV monitor or projector. If you have a monitor with separate inputs for S-video and NTSC composite, connect the S-video OUTPUT to one input (such as External 1) and the NTSC composite RCA OUTPUT to another input (such as External 2). Tape Record/Playback Connections Connect the left and right audio INPUT jacks of the audio tape deck to the TAPE REC jacks of the P/SP-1000. Connect the left and right audio OUTPUT jacks of the audio tape deck to the TAPE PLAY jacks of the P/SP-1000. -4- Output Connections to Your P/SP-1000 Refer to Drawing # 1 Front Left and Right Preamplifier Outputs Connect the left and right FRONT/LINE outputs of your P/SP-1000 to the inputs of the amplifier that will power your front left and right speakers. If you are using your P/SP-1000 as a processor with an existing preamplifier, use the FRONT/LINE BYPASS jacks in order to take advantage of the Off/ Bypass feature (see page 2). You can also use the these jacks to drive an auxiliary zone amplifier. Center Channel Output Connect the CENTER output of your P/SP-1000 to the input of the amplifier that will power your center channel speaker(s). Rear Left and Right Preamplifier Outputs Connect the rear left and right REAR outputs of your P/SP-1000 to the power amplifier channels that will power your left and right surround speakers. Subwoofer Output Connect the SUBWOOFER output of your P/SP-1000 to the input of the power amplifier that will power the subwoofer, or to the line input of a powered subwoofer. Subwoofer and Center Channel Selection Switches Subwoofer Low Pass Frequency Selector This rear panel switch allows you to select the built-in 12 dB per octave roll-off frequency for the subwoofer. The roll-off points can be selected at 80 Hz, 120 Hz, or FLAT (full range). If your subwoofer has a built-in crossover set this switch to the FLAT position. Note that this is a low pass filter only, it does not attenuate low frequencies to the front speakers. Center Channel Speaker Selector Set this rear panel switch to accommodate the type of center channel speaker you will be using. Small (Normal) Switch to the SMALL position for smaller size center channel speakers. In this position, bass frequencies are diverted to the left and right channels to insure front channel imaging remains tonally balanced even with the limited bass capability of a smaller center channel loudspeaker. Large (Wide Band) Switch to the LARGE position for center channel speakers that have the same low bass response as your front left and right speakers. In this position the entire audio bandwidth is sent to the center channel output. None (Phantom) Switch to the NONE position when a center channel speaker is unavailable. In this position the mono center channel signal is partly reproduced by the right and left speakers to create a "phantom" center image. However, without the center channel, you will be missing one of the key benefits of Dolby Pro Logic processing. -5- Other Rear Panel Connections External Remote Control Input Your P/SP-1000 is compatible with most popular infrared repeater systems for remote control operation from another room or when it is installed in a cabinet where remote control handset signals cannot reach its front panel remote control sensor. The EXTERNAL REMOTE INPUT connector is a standard 1/8" mini jack. The outer conductor is for "- " and the center conductor is for "+". Your Authorized Parasound Dealer or Custom Installer can recommend a compatible repeater system. AC Line cord The IEC standard AC cord supplied with your P/SP-1000 is an audiophile-grade component. Please connect it directly to an AC wall outlet that is always live. Avoid use of an extension cord or power strip; these can degrade sound quality. Calibrating Your Home Theater System Once you have decided where you are going to locate your speakers, you'll need to adjust the relative output levels of each speaker for equal sound pressure level. System calibration should be performed at your listening/viewing position. Although this can be done by ear with good results, you may prefer to purchase a sound pressure level (SPL) meter to verify proper levels. You can purchase an inexpensive SPL meter such as the Realistic Sound Level Meter (cat. # 33-2050) available from Radio Shack for around $30.00. System calibration can be performed with any mode or source selected. Test Tone and Indicators The test signal can only be activated with the remote control and can only be activated in the Dolby Pro Logic mode. Begin by setting your P/SP-1000's master volume at a nominal level. First, make sure the P/SP-1000 is in the Dolby Pro Logic Mode. Next, press the TEST button on the remote and listen for the pink noise signal; it will start in the left channel. Each time you press the test button, the test signal will advance in the order of left, center, right, both left and right surround, and then off. The TEST LEDs on the front panel will illuminate in response to the pink noise sequence heard through the speakers. Adjusting Level Adjust the individual channel levels on the remote control so they have the same apparent loudness. This is where the SPL meter is especially handy. Of course, you may want to adjust the individual levels to suit your particular tastes, but equal levels in all channels is a good reference point. Operating Your P/SP-1000 Refer to Drawing # 2 Front Panel and Remote Control Functions The front panel and remote control share all functions with the following exceptions: the front left and right BALANCE and input OVERLOAD control can only be controlled from the front panel and the MUTE function and TEST tone can only be activated with the remote control. On-Off Switch Push once to turn on. Push again to turn off. The MUTE LED mounted in the VOLUME control knob will flash during a 3-4 second delay after turn on. After the circuits stabilize, the protective muting is defeated. Whenever you turn your P/SP-1000 on, it will select the same source and resume the same volume setting you were playing before the last time you turned it off. This memory feature is dependent upon leaving your P/SP-1000 plugged into an AC outlet that is always live. -6- -7- Volume Adjusts listening level; the knob controls a premium-quality, precision 6-gang Alps potentiometer. If your power amplifier has gain controls, they should first be adjusted to accommodate an 11 AM - 1 PM setting of your P/SP-1000 VOLUME control knob for your most frequent listening level. The slight resistance you feel when turning the VOLUME control by hand is normal and is caused by the gearing of its remote control actuator motor. Subwoofer Level These controls adjust the SUBWOOFER level in +/- 2 dB increments Center Channel Level ...