Pioneer VSA-AX10 operating instructions Listening Modes, STEREO modes, STANDARD modes, Basic

Basic Operation

Listening Modes

The five listening mode types on the amplifier are explained here. These can be turned on from the front panel or from the AMPLIFIER MAIN screen on the remote control. To select listening modes see page 46.

The kind of playback you can get in the listening modes depends on what kind of source (DVD, etc.) you are using. The basic distinction is between 2 channel sources and multichannel sources. The playback available to you with these modes will differ depending on the source, speaker configuration the LISTENING CH SELECT setting. This is explained below.

Basically the ADVANCED CINEMA mode is for movie sources and the ADVANCED CONCERT mode is for music sources. The STANDARD, HOME THX and STEREO modes can be used with any source though the latter won't offer surround sound. Try different settings with various soundtracks to see which you like.

You must choose one of the surround modes in order to get surround sound. Depending on your setup, in STEREO mode only the front two speakers, and sometimes the subwoofer (if you have one), are used.

STEREO modes

When a source is played in this mode, it plays through just the front left and right speakers (and possibly your subwoofer depending on your speaker settings). Dolby Digital, MPEG and DTS multichannel sources are downmixed to stereo.

STEREO

In STEREO mode the audio plays according to the surround setup settings and you can still use Acoustic Calibration EQ, Digital NR, Midnight mode, Loudness mode and Tone Control functions.

DIRECT

In DIRECT mode, the audio passes through the shortest signal path possible to remain as close to the source audio quality as possible.

Note: If you switch on Acoustic Calibration EQ, Digital NR, Midnight mode, Loudness mode or Tone Control when DIRECT is selected, the amplifier automatically switches to STEREO.

STANDARD modes

This mode is for pure decoding of Dolby Digital, MPEG, Dolby Surround and DTS sources as well as surround matrix decoding of 2 channel sources. It is good for enjoying regular movies/videos that have been recorded in Dolby Digital, Dolby Surround. DTS, STANDARD TX/SX is also the basic mode for enjoying sources with surround and surround back channels. For more detailed information see p.12, 26, 38-40. The display will show you what kind of source (Dolby Digital, DTS, etc.) is being played.

For 2 Channel Sources:

2PRO LOGIC II MOVIE

This mode gives 5.1 channel surround sound. It is suitable for movies, especially those recorded in Dolby Surround. The channel separation and movement of surround effects is comparable to Dolby Digital 5.1.

2PRO LOGIC II MUSIC

This mode gives 5.1 channel surround sound and is suitable for music. Compared to the Movie Mode, the surround effect is more enveloping.

2PRO LOGIC

This mode gives 4.1 channel surround sound. It is less sensitive to the quality of the source material, so may be useful when PRO LOGIC II MOVIE/ MUSIC modes do not give good results.

NEO:6 CINEMA

This mode gives 6.1 channel surround sound and is suitable for movies. The NEO:6 Cinema mode delivers good channel separation for movie soundtracks.

NEO:6 MUSIC

This mode gives 6.1 channel surround sound and is suitable for music. The NEO:6 Music mode plays the stereo source as is through the front left/right speakers, and generates a natural, ambient surround and center sound.

BASIC

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