Millenium Technologies MILLENNIUM 2.4.6 Operation Manual

Millennium 2.4.6

DTS Decoder/Preamp

Operations Guide

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MASTER

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Toll Free Phone Number (888) 551 - 6789

Tech Support: [phone] M-F 9AM - 5PM Pacific Time

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Millennium Technologies

Incline Village, NV 89452-8359

Toll Free FAX Number (888) 515 - 3456

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MANUAL

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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

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TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT OPERATE THIS UNIT WITH THE METAL CHASSIS COVER
REMOVED.

1.To assure the finest performance, please read this manual carefully. Keep it in a safe place for
future reference.It is important that you adhere to any warnings and follow all instructions as
they pertain to the operation of this unit.

2. Install this unit in a cool, dry, clean place - away from windows, heat sources, sources of

excessive vibration, dust, moisture and cold.Avoid sources of humming (transformers,
motors).To prevent fire or electrical shock, do not expose the unit to rain and water.

3.This unit should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating
instructions or as marked on the unit. Power-supply cords should be routed so that they are
not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular
attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the
unit.

4. It is recommended that the power cord of this unit be unplugged from the outlet when left
unused for long periods of time.

5. Do not use force on switches, controls or connection wires.When moving the unit, first disco­nect the power plug and the wires connected to other equipment. Never pull the wires them­selves.

6. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall into and liquids are not spilled inside the unit.

7.This unit should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:

a. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the unit; or
b.The unit has been exposed to rain;or
c.The unit does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in

performance; or

d.The unit has been dropped, or the cabinet damaged.

8.The user should not attempt to service this unit beyond those means described in the operat­ing instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.

9. Precautions should be taken so that the grounding or polarization is not defeated.

10. Do not attempt to clean the unit with chemical solvents; this might damage the finish. Use a

clean, dry cloth.

11. Be sure to read the "TROUBLESHOOTING" section regarding common operating errors

before concluding that the unit is faulty.

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF

ELECTRONIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE

COVER (OR BACK) NO USER SERVICEABLE

PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO

QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Introduction ...................................................................... 4

What is DTS? .................................................................. 4

Loudspeakers, Location and Amplification ...................... 5

Features ........................................................................... 6

Installation ........................................................................ 6

Includes six hook-up diagrams

Down Mix Configurations ................................................. 13

Setting Levels .................................................................. 14

Manual Mode

Auto Mode

Playing DTS Encoded Source Material ........................... 16

Troubleshooting ................................................................ 17

Warranty .................. ........................................................ 18

Block Diagram .................................................................. 19

Specifications ................................................................... 20

INTRODUCTION

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DTS Digital Surround provides up to 6 discrete (separate) channels of high quality digital audio,
resulting in exceptional clarity throughout a "true" 360˚ soundfield. DTS Digital Surround delivers
up to 6-channels of transparent 20 bit audio at 44.1 kHz, resulting in a better than CD sound
with high bit-rates and minimal digital compression. DTS represents the highest quality multi­channel audio possible within the compact disc, laserdisc and DVD audio standards.

Any laserdisc, compact disc or DVD player with a digital output connector, can interface with the
Millennium 2.4.6 DTS Decoder/Preamp to deliver the 6 digitally encoded tracks to the appropri­ate amplifiers and loudspeakers.

In order to respect the "visions" of the artists/producers/engineers, the DTS format does not
interfere with the creative process but fully embraces it by flawlessly reproducing the multi-chan­nel masters as they were intended.Initially, the sensible approach for all artists will be to work
within the 5.1 audio configurations already installed in millions of home environments.
Therefore, DTS envisions the following variations for pre-recorded software:

4.0 Music - Or iginal 4-Channel Masters with unprecedented separation

4.1 Music - 4-Channel Masters with added Low Frequency Enhancement (L.F.E.)

5.0 Music- 5 full-range Channels, utilizing a center "fill"

5.1 Movies- Original 6-Channel motion-picture soundtracks

5.1 Music - New 5-Channel audio mixes with added L.F.E.

Thank you for your purchase of the Millennium 2.4.6, a sophisticated digital sound
processor/preamp designed specifically for the reproduction of DTS encoded laserdiscs, com­pact discs and emerging DVDs.

The Millennium 2.4.6 DTS Decoder/Preamp is simple to use and easy to install in any type of
existing home theater sound system.Balancing the individual channels only takes a few min­utes.With the addition of the Millennium 2.4.6, you can enjoy the superior audio performance of
DTS encoded 5.1 discrete digital 20 bit programs, a truly revolutionary new way to listen to
movies and music. Employ the Millennium 2.4.6 as a system upgrade, or as a stand-alone DTS
Decoder/Preamp - it’s your choice.

WHAT IS DTS?

NOTE OF CAUTION: When the Millennium 2.4.6 is inser ted into a pre-existing system,

rather than employed as a stand alone DTS Decoder/Preamp, you may notice an audible
artifact prior to the moment that the Millennium detects and locks to the DTS data stream.
This may manifest itself as a click or pop, but it is a brief instant of the raw DTS data
stream that you actually hear. It is important for you to follow the instructions in the section
“Setting Levels”and that you understand section ”Playing DTS Encoded Material” thorough­ly to insure proper performance and complete satisfaction of your Millennium 2.4.6.

LOUDSPEAKER, LOCATION & AMPLIFICATION

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Since 5.1 channel discrete music surround programs are mixed with full frequency and dynamic
range in all channels, including the surrounds (except, of course, the LFE .1 subwoofer chan­nel), it is recommended that you employ a minimum of four matched loudspeakers (L & R Front;
L & R Rear) in your listening environment.You might even consider the placement of these four
primary loudspeakers as two identical sets of stereo loudspeakers, so that no matter which way
you turn, 90˚ to the left or right, or 180˚ to the rear, you should be able to reproduce a satisfacto­ry stereo soundstage between any pair of loudspeakers.Your center loudspeaker may be
restricted in size due to space considerations, but it should at least match the timbre of your four
mains. Fur ther, you should consider recessing the center loudspeaker creating somewhat of an
arc between the left and right front soundstage area. If the center loudspeaker is too dominant,
either by volume or placement, your left-right frontal soundstage image will be negatively impact­ed.

For the serious listener, there is the optimum “sweet spot”, which should mirror the vantage point
of the recording/mix engineers position. It is equidistant from all five main loudspeakers, includ­ing the center.Other than this “preferred” vantage point, if the entire listening space is energized
with a balanced mains loudspeaker system, than the phase and frequency coherence of the 5.1
channel surround program is maintained.You will be able to move around and never lose the
sense of dimension or spatiality.

Placement for the subwoofer, may take some experimentation on your part. In many cases one
sub will be satisfactory. However, space permitting, you might consider using two subwoofers in
your system.Tr y using a pair of forward firing subs, placed equidistant between the L & R front
loudspeaker. Or put one sub between the L & R front loudspeakers, and another sub, between
the two rear loudspeakers.This is really a subjective call and the experts change their minds just
about as often.

Amplification should be applied equally to all channels in order to complete the matching, bal­ancing and positioning of your loudspeaker system.We do not recommend the use of dipole
loudspeakers, as some suggest, to “diffuse” the surround image. The surround image is created
by the mixing engineer, artist and /or producer when the program is recorded and mixed, not by
loudspeaker design or placement.

By following these suggestions, you may be able to closely emulate the conditions present dur­ing the actual mix of the program.While motion picture soundtrack mixes may not conform
exactly to the conditions we’ve noted here, music surround mixes that require a much higher
degree of accuracy, phase and frequency coherence most cer tainly do.

NOTE:

2-Channel Stereo Installation
If your current sound system is only 2-channel stereo, there is no installation diagram in this

manual for implementaion, however, it is a simple and straight-forward hook-up. Connect the
Left Front (channel 1) output of your stereo preamplifier/receiver to the Left Front input of the
Millennium 2.4.6; likewise with the Right Front (channel 2) I/O connections.Then, connect the
CD or LD Player’s (coax or optical) digtal output to the corresponding Millennium digital input.
Stereo analog program material will then pass through the Millennium untouched, to the Left
Front and Right Front channel power amplifiers(s)/loudspeakers.

For a complete 5.1 DTS upgrade you need to add power amplifiers/loudspeakers for the Center,
Left Surround, Right Surround, and LFE (subwoofer) channels. See the installation diagram on
page 7.

FEATURES

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Stand alone DTS Decoder/Preamp

Simply connect the Millennium’s digital input to your disc player’s digital output and you now
have a stand alone DTS 20 bit 5.1 channel decoder with volume control.

In-line, ‘pass-through’ design

The Millennium 2.4.6 can be inserted in-line between virtually any audio component where line­level analog audio is present.It may also stand alone as a DTS Decoder/ Preamp if DTS is the
only 5.1 digital format you are decoding.

Automatic and Manual modes of operation

When a volume controlled line-level source is used, the Millennium 2.4.6 has the ability to match
its output volume to that of the analog source, and is controlled by the source.

Re-equalization

The Millennium 2.4.6 contains a proprietary re-equalization curve which is optimized for clarity
and smoothness from the 20-bit ultra-live and multi-dimensional DTS 5.1 channel digital audio
format.

Down-mixing capability

The Millennium 2.4.6 has the ability to down mix the surround, center, and/or sub audio into the
main left and right channels, accommodating systems with two to six channels.However, it is
recommended that to fully appreciate DTS 20 bit 5.1 channel digital surround programs, no
down mixing options be engaged, by leaving switches 1-2-3 in their factory preset (up) position.

Automatic prioritized digital input selection

If both coaxial and optical digital inputs on the Millennium 2.4.6 are simultaneously presented
with digital data, at the user’s option a configuration switch may favor one or the other automati­cally.

Individual trim adjustments

There are three ± 15dB tr im adjustments ( center, sub and surrounds) for optimizing the balance
of your loudspeakers relative to listening positions.

12V DC operation

The Millennium 2.4.6 is supplied with a separate 12V DC power supply, to keep noisy AC lines
away from the sensitive line-level signals. AC noise is kept near the wall outlet – where it
belongs. 12V DC operation also readily allows use in an RV, vessel or automobile installation.

Depending on the components currently in your sound system there are several possibilities for
the proper installation of the Millennium 2.4.6.We’ve provided diagrams for the most common
multi-channel system configurations on the following pages. If you encounter any problems with

interfacing the Millennium 2.4.6 into your existing system please contact us at (888) 551- 6789.

INSTALLATION