Aragon Soundstage 17 Owners manual

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the Aragon Soundstage. The Soundstage was designed to eliminate
the need for a separate two-channel music system, and home theater system. We have integrated an
audiophile quality two channel analog preamplifier, based on the design of the Aragon Aurum, and a top­level digital surround sound processor into an easy to use preamp/processor.

The Soundstage maintains a simple design allowing audio and video to be selected at the push of a button,
while it also has numerous advanced features that allow the preamp/processor to be tailored to best suit the
system around it. As there are many advanced features available, you will get the most out of the
Soundstage if you read through this owners manual. The Version Number of the owners manual is located
at the bottom of this page. Updates will be provided on our website at

http://www.mondialdesigns.com/aragon

on the Soundstage page, in pdf format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to download this file and view it
on your computer and a link is provided on the website to download this free reader.

Please be sure to send in your warranty card so we can keep you informed about updates to the
Soundstage.

PAGE 1

On the website, you can also add your email address to our email update list to be sure that you will be
provided with notices on future upgrades, and other information.

Mondial Designs
20 Livingstone Avenue
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Email:

[e-mail]

www.mondialdesigns.com

Version Number 1.7

"Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. "Dolby", "Pro Logic" and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
Confidential unpublished works. © 1992-1997 Dolby Laboratories. All rights reserved."

Manufactured under license from Digital Theater Systems, Inc. US Pat. No. 5.451.942 and other worldwide patents issues and



pending. "DTS" and "DTS Digital Surround" are trademarks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.
Inc. All rights reserved.

1996 Digital Theater Systems,

PAGE 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SOUNDSTAGE FEATURES 4

FRONT PANEL DISPLAY SETUP WALKTHROUGH 6

FRONT PANEL LAYOUT 8

REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS 9

REAR PANEL OUTPUTS 10

REMOTE CONTROL 10

INPUT CONNECTIONS 12

AC INPUT 12

IGITAL INPUTS 12

D

NALOG INPUTS 12

A

IDEO INPUTS 12

V

ULTI CHANNEL ANALOG INPUT 12

M

IDEO EXPANSION PORT 13

V

SUGGESTED CONNECTION DIAGRAM 13

GENERAL OPERATION 14

INPUT SELECTION 14

UTO-FORMAT DETECTION 14

A

OLUME ADJUSTMENT BY SOURCE 14

V

ARIABLE EQUALIZER 14

V

N-THE-FLY ADJUSTMENTS 14

O

QUALIZER 14

E

TEREO DIRECT 15

S

IX CHANNEL ANALOG INPUT 15

S

IGHT MODE 15

N

ISPLAY 15

D

IGITAL/ANALOG SELECT 15

D

USIC MODES 15

M

PAGE 3

ADVANCED FEATURES 16

LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS BY MODE 16

ASS MANAGEMENT 16

B

EPARATE BASS MANAGEMENT SETTINGS FOR STEREO 16

S

NALOG INPUT LEVEL 16

A

EPARATE AUDIO AND VIDEO INPUT SWITCHING 16

S

YSTEM LOCK 17

S

RONT/REAR BALANCE 17

F

CUSTOM MENUS 17

1. SCROLL TEST TONES 17

EST TONE OFF 18

2. T

EPARATE ON/OFF 18

3. S

UTO POWER ON 18

4. A

OWER ON VOLUME 18

5. P

UTOMUTE ON INPUT 18

6. A

USTOM INPUT NAMES 18

7. C

ADDITONAL FEATURES 19

PROGRAM FORMAT DISPLAY 19

EMOTE CONTROL 20

R

MODES 21

DOLBY DIGITAL 21

TEREO DIRECT 21

S

IX CHANNEL ANALOG INPUT 21

S

ARTY 22

P

ALL 22

H

SOUNDSTAGE FEATURES

Two Channel Analog Preamplifier

The Soundstage offers an audiophile quality two channel analog preamplifier, based on the design of the
Aragon Aurum. Each analog input on the Soundstage can be configured as a Stereo Direct input.
Configured as a Stereo Direct input, the analog signal bypasses the DSP module allowing for
uncompromised analog reproduction. This allows for analog only sources to be connected without
unnecessary degradation from conversion to the digital domain and back to the analog domain. Super
Audio CD players, and DVD Audio players can be connected via their analog outputs and retain the full
fidelity of the new formats.

Full Autoformat Selection

The Soundstage will automatically determine what format a digital bitstream is encoded with, and switch
the system to that mode. Separate level settings are available for each mode, and are automatically loaded
whenever a new mode is loaded. This allows the system to be operated at the push of a button.

Analog Domain Volume Control

PAGE 4

The Soundstage channel balance, and overall volume settings are adjusted in the analog domain to retain
the full resolution of all formats

Fully Hardware and Software Upgradable Design

As the market changes, the Soundstage can change with it. With a modular design, and upgradable
software, we can implement changes in the design to accommodate new formats, or changes to old formats,
and apply these changes to the Soundstage. The analog output section is set up with 2 channel output cards
that can be modified, or more can be added, to accommodate future formats with 7.1, or more channels.
Digital expansion ports are provided for future digital inputs such as for DVD-Audio, and Super Audio CD.
Video expansion ports are provided for up and coming formats such as component video switching.

Balanced and Single Ended Outputs for All Channels

The Soundstage is provided with both Single Ended (RCA) and Balanced outputs for each channel. These
outputs can both be used simultaneously to provide a tremendous amount of flexibility in system setup.

24 Bit D/A Converters for All Channels

The Soundstage utilizes high quality 24 bit Crystal Semiconductor D/A converters for all six channels.
This module is also upgradable to accommodate future formats with more advanced D/A converter needs.

Six Channel Analog Input

The Soundstage provides a six channel analog input to allow direct connection of DVD players with built
in decoders, such as those expected for DVD Audio. A DB-25 connector is located on the back panel.

Combination Digital Domain/Analog Domain Bass Management

The Soundstage utilizes an advanced system for Bass Management that allows the system to retain the full
dynamic range of the signal when accommodating any loudspeaker system. High pass and low pass
crossover filters, and bass summing to the subwoofer is performed in the digital domain. This allows for
more precise crossover filters. In a system that does not utilize a subwoofer, the low frequency signals

(including the LFE channel in Dolby Digital, and DTS) is combined with the large speakers in the system
in the analog domain. This eliminates any need for digital domain attenuation when these signals are
combined. Processors that perform this function in the digital domain (which constitutes the majority of
processors on the market) must attenuate the channels to avoid overload in the DSP processor. This results
in a loss of dynamic range which can greatly effect the sound quality.

Analog Domain Dialog Normalization

To retain the same overall level from Dolby Digital, regardless of the source, Dolby requires that all Dolby
Digital processors perform Dialog Normalization. The Soundstage has the unique ability to perform this
normalization in the analog domain. If this function were performed in the digital domain the result would
be a loss of dynamic range due to attenuation in the DSP processor.

Adjustable Crossover Point

The Soundstage allows you to choose between Large and Small speakers, for each set of speakers (Front,
Rear, and Center) and to adjust the crossover frequency that these small speakers utilize. There are nine
different crossover frequencies to choose from. Separate crossovers can be selected for Stereo mode, and
Surround modes.

Separate Level Settings for Each Mode

PAGE 5

Through the front panel setup guide, the channel balance for every mode can be set. For more precise
setup, channel balances can be adjusted individually for each mode. These levels are automatically loaded
whenever a new mode is loaded.

Speaker Selection Grid

The center portion of the remote control is laid out to represent an overhead view of your speaker system
(See page 21) With this lay out, it is easy to access each speaker during setup without having to constantly
focus on the remote control.

Individual Selection of Audio and Video Sources

With the push of a button, the audio and video -can be selected independently of each other. This allows
you to watch one source, while you listen to another without any complicated setup menus. By first
selecting your video source, and then selecting your audio source, pressing the audio source a second time
will switch the video signal back to the previously selected source. Pressing the audio source again will
switch the video output back to the original source.

Front Panel Display Setup Walkthrough

The Soundstage is equipped with an easy to use Setup Guide that will walk you through
the initial setup procedures. It will provide settings for bass management, delay, and
individual speaker levels. All these settings can be further adjusted in more detailed
menus within the Soundstage.

The key to setup of the Soundstage lies in the remote control, and the Speaker Selection
Grid. The center of the remote, outlined in gold, contains all the buttons necessary for
setting up the processor. The Speaker Selection Grid is laid out as your speakers would
be laid out in your listening room. (see page 21)

The LVL UP[FF] and LVL DN[REW] buttons perform any adjustments to the current
field.
The SEL/PLAY button at the center of the Speaker Selection Grid is used to enter your
selection and continue on through the Setup Guide.

PRESS THE GUIDE BUTTON TO ENTER THE FRONT PANEL SETUP GUIDE

The Front Panel Setup Guide will take you through the following steps:

PAGE 6

SPEAKERS YOU HAVE
SEL/PLAY TO CONTINUE

In this section you will select the speakers that you have in your system, and indicate the
“size” of these speakers. [For more information on speaker “size” please see the section
on Bass Management] Press the SEL/PLAY button to begin this portion of the setup
procedure.

CENTER:LARGE

You can select Large, Small, or None. Use the LVL UP and LVL DN buttons to change
your selection, and press the SEL/PLAY button to continue.

FRONT SPEAKERS:LARGE

You can select Large, Small, or None. Use the LVL UP and LVL DN buttons to change
your selection, and press the SEL/PLAY button to continue

REAR SPEAKERS:LARGE

You can select Large, Small, or None. Use the LVL UP and LVL DN buttons to change
your selection, and press the SEL/PLAY button to continue

SUBWOOFER:YES

You can select YES, or NO. If you do not have a subwoofer connected to the system at
the subwoofer outputs, select NO. Use the LVL UP and LVL DN buttons to adjust.

SPEAKER DISTANCES

The next section allows you to indicate the distances from each speaker to your listening
position. This is necessary in order to provide the proper delay settings for each speaker.
The distances are measured in feet to the nearest half-foot. Measure the distance from the
indicated speaker to the main listening position. The distances are adjusted with the LVL
UP, and LVL DN keys. The SEL/PLAY button enters the selection, and continues on to

the next speaker. For the delay settings to be set properly, distances are measured for all
6 speakers in the following order: Left Front, Center, Right Front, Rear Right, Rear Left,
and Subwoofer.

SPEAKER LEVEL SETUP

The last section allows you to adjust your speaker level settings. An SPL meter can be
used, or they can be adjusted by ear. The more accurate method will depend on your
listening room, as well as your particular speakers. The test tones will scroll to each
speaker in two-second intervals. The LVL UP and LVL DN keys are used to adjust the
level of each channel. While seated at the listening position, you should adjust the
speaker settings to output the same level from each channel. Once this has been
completed for all channels, exit the setup guide by pressing the SETUP button.

Your initial setup is now completed. Channel balances have been set for all modes. More
advanced adjustments, such as adjusting the channel balances for each mode individually
are available to further tailor the performance of the Soundstage to best suit your listening
environment, and personal preferences.

PAGE 7