BBE Sound ARS2 User Manual

ARS

BBE®High Definition
Sound Processor

For Home
Audio Systems

USER MANUAL

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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.

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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.”

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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.

FRONT PANEL

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1

LO CONTOUR DEFINITION

MIN MAX MIN MAX

PROCESS

IN

full frequency focus™

STATUS

OUT

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POWER

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