Advancedsetup, Bi-amping | Cambridge Audio 551R instruction

Advancedsetup

Formostusersthebasicfourstagesetupprocess(Page14onwards)should besufficientfornormaluse.

Howeverthe551Ralsofeaturesmanymoreadvancedsettings foruserswho wishtofurthercustomisethesettingsandoperationtopersonalpreference.

Subcrossoversandbassmanagement

As covered in the ‘551R Setup’ section the 551R performs bass management for any speaker that is set to ‘Small’ in the OSD. This means that bass for speakers that are unable to reproduce bass effectively is insteadroutedtothesubwoofer.

Speaker Crossover Menu

Front L/R	:	80Hz
Centre	:	80Hz
Surr. L/R	:	80Hz
Surr. LB/RB	:	80Hz

Return : [OSD]

The crossover adjustments in the Speaker crossover menu are used to determinethepointaswhichthistransitionismade.Inotherwordstheyset the frequency below which bass is routed away from any ‘Small’ speakers and into the Subwoofer channel. It should be understood that bass sent to the subwoofer by bass management is different to bass encoded into the surround-soundmaterialasadedicatedLowFrequencyEffectschannel.

If the source material contains a separate LFE channel (ie DD or DTS material)thisisalwaysroutedtothesubwoofer(ifitisOn)andisnotaffected by the crossover setting. Some encoding types (Such as Dolby PLII/IIx and Neo:6)donotactuallyhaveaLFEchannel.

The default setting for all bass management crossovers is 80Hz and is a goodglobalstartingpoint.Ifyoudonotwishtomakeanyadjustmentssimply leaveallcrossoversatthisdefaultsetting.

Note:Thesesettingsare actually only used for speakers that have been set toSmallintheSpeakerConfigurationMenu.

For advanced users it is however possible to adjust the speaker crossovers usedforanyspeakerssetas‘Small’independentlytoallowforthefactthat you may wish to direct bass away from front floorstanding speakers (and to theSubwoofer)atperhaps50HzbutawayfromSurroundLeftandRightsat perhaps 100Hz. If you wish to make these adjustments it is best to consult your loudspeaker manufacturers documentation or contact your dealer to determine the frequency response of your system and where each speaker types bass response starts to tail off (often called the 3dB or 6dB roll off/cutoff point). This would be approximately the point the corresponding crossovershouldbesetto.

Bi-amping

If you a running a 5.1 (or less) speaker setup only the 551R allows for bi- amping of the front left and right channels. It will be seen in the Speaker Configuration menu that with the Decode mode set as 5.1 a Bi-amp On/Off itemappears.

	Speaker Config Menu
Decode Mode	:	5.1
Front L/R	:	Large
Centre	:	Small
Surr. L/R	:	Small
Subwoofer	:	Yes

Biamp	:	No
	Return : [OSD]

Whenselected,the551RsendsthefrontleftandrightsignalstotheSBLand SBRoutputsaswell.

In conjunction with bi-wireable/bi-ampable speakers this allows you to use two runs of speaker cable to each speaker with a dedicated amplifier channel for the bass and treble drivers of each speaker which can slightly increasethesoundquality.

See diagram below of a bi-amped system (only front left and right speakers shown).

Note:Bi-wirelinksmustberemovedonthespeaker’sterminals.

Speaker Impedance 4-8 Ohms

Surround	Surround	Front	Front		Surround	Surround
Back Right	Back Left/	Right	Left	Centre	Right	Left
	Surround Back

7.1

6.1

5.1

Tone/Sub/LFEconfiguration

Selectthe‘Tone/Sub/LFE’menu:

Tone/Sub/LFE Menu

Bass		0dB
Treble		0dB
LFE Trim		0dB
Dolby Digital/DTS Sub Trim	:	0dB
Dolby Digital/DTS Bass Aug	:	Off
Dolby PLIIx/NEO Sub Trim	:	0dB
Dolby PLIIx/NEO Bass Aug	:	Off
Stereo+Sub Trim	:	0dB

Return : [OSD]

TheBassresponsecanbeadjusted+/-10dB@100Hz(shelving).TheTreble responsecanbeadjusted+/-10dB@10kHz(shelving).The“Tone”iconwill lightuponthedisplayifthesecontrolsareadjustedawayfrom0dB(flat).The Subwoofer crossover point can also be adjusted from 40 to 150Hz in 10Hz stepsandalsoto200Hz.

The 551R incorporates a couple of advanced Bass Management features. TheoverallSubLevelforDD/DTSmodes,PLII/x/Neo:6modesandStereo+ Sub mode can be set to different levels. This can be useful if you prefer to have a high level of Sub operation whilst watching movies but a lower level formusicplayback.Thethreelevelsaresimplyadjustedbyupto+/-10dBin the OSD. The second feature is that the way Bass Management is applied canbechanged.

In normal operation (Bass Augment Off) if the Front speakers are set to ‘Small’ (in the ‘Speaker Config’ menu) their bass is re-directed by high-pass filtering the Fronts and sending that bass to the Sub channel (i.e. bass is removedfrom the Fronts and sent to the Sub). If they are set to ‘Large’ no filteringtakesplaceandnobassissentfromthemtotheSubchannel.

However with the Bass Augment function On and the Front speakers set to ‘Large’, bass from the Front Left and Right is now sent to the Sub channel without any filtering of the Front Left and Right taking place (i.e. these channels remain full range). In other words, the bass in the Sub channel is augmentedbyextrabassfromtheFrontLeftandRightchannels.IftheFront LeftandRightareset‘Small’,BassAugmenthasnoeffectandoperationis thesameasforBassAugmentOff.

Bass Augment can be On or Off separately for DD/DTS or PLII/IIx/Neo:6 operation.

There is no Bass Augment function for Stereo + Sub mode because in this mode if the Front speakers are set to ‘Large’ they will actually always be unfiltered.

Bass Augment can be a useful function with PLII/IIx and Neo:6 material because these encoding types do not include an LFE Channel. This would normally mean that if all the speakers in your setup were set to ‘Large’, the subwoofer would in fact be inactive (as no bass has been re-directed plus there is no LFE channel). If it is desired to have the subwoofer running with all Large Speakers and these encoding types, enable Bass Augment for PLII/Neo6andthensettheCrossoverpointsandlevelsbyear.ASubchannel will now be created from the Front Left and Right channels without filtering them. As with all adjustments it is a good idea to experiment to determine whatworksbestwithyourparticularsetup.

Note: These adjustments work in all digitally processed Stereo or Surround modesbutnotinAnalogueStereoDirector7.1Directmodes.

TheLFEchannel(forDD/DTSmaterial)canalsobetrimmedbyupto10dB in1dBstepsusefulforlatenightlisteningorothersituationswhereitmight bedesiredtoreducethelowfrequencyeffectlevelperhapstemporarily.

551R specifications

The Cambridge Audio 551R is a versatile and sophisticated A/V receiver that stands out in its class, designed for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts alike. Combining cutting-edge technology with elegant design, the 551R delivers a remarkable audio-visual experience.

At the heart of the 551R is its robust amplification system, which offers 100 watts per channel across seven channels. This provides ample power to drive a wide variety of speakers, ensuring dynamic sound across all listening levels. The receiver features a high-quality digital signal processing unit that enhances audio performance while accommodating the latest high-definition formats.

One of the standout features of the Cambridge Audio 551R is its extensive connectivity options. With multiple HDMI inputs, the 551R allows for seamless integration with various devices, such as Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. The HDMI inputs support 3D video and 4K pass-through, ensuring compatibility with modern home entertainment systems. Additionally, it includes multiple digital and analog inputs, allowing users to connect traditional audio sources.

The 551R employs a sophisticated user interface, complete with an intuitive on-screen display. This makes navigating through settings and configurations effortless, even for those who may not be tech-savvy. The receiver also comes with a remote control that offers convenient access to essential functions.

Cambridge Audio places high importance on sound quality, and the 551R is no exception. Its premium components, including a high-grade DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) and carefully selected capacitors, contribute to achieving an exceptionally clean and natural sound signature. The receiver also offers various sound modes and equalization settings, which allow users to tailor the audio output to their room’s acoustics and personal preferences.

Another key characteristic is the inclusion of advanced video processing technologies. The 551R can upscale standard video sources to near-HD quality, enhancing the overall viewing experience. This is especially beneficial for older content or lower-resolution media, allowing users to make the most of their display’s capabilities.

In summary, the Cambridge Audio 551R A/V receiver is a powerful and versatile product that brings together exceptional sound quality, extensive connectivity options, and user-friendly functionality. Whether for music appreciation or cinematic experiences, the 551R is designed to satisfy the most discerning audio and video aficionados, making it an excellent choice for any home entertainment setup.