Ada Silk System User guide

Ada
Brand
Ada
Model
Silk System
Category
Subwoofers
Type
User guide
System Design
and
Technical Documentation
602-610 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY, 10605, www.ada-usa.com, 1-800-HD-AUDIO, Fax (914) 946-9620
1
An Introduction to Silk
For nearly 25 years, Audio Design Associates has been creating terminology that would some
day be used by an entire industry. From such common phrases as “multi-room audio system”,
“source component”, “multi-source system”, “music control”, “media room”, and “multi-channel
home theater power amplifier”, to the latest expression “house-wide multi-channel audio”, ADA
has helped an industry understand its language. Through products that in themselves define the
standard of technology, ADA is proud to introduce a system, that like its predecessors, sets the
benchmark, the state-of-the-art Silk.
Basic Setup - Single Room Theater
To understand Silk, one must begin by thinking of Silk as nothing more than a super-advanced
home theater preamplifier. In its basic configuration, Silk is just that.
Front Panel Touch Screen
This 7 inch tall (4 rack units) chassis, fea-
tures a front panel full VGA color touch-
screen for setup and control. However,
unlike most any other product touch-
screen, Silks front panel features a true
glimpse of the future of integration. This
particular panel is in fact a fully contained
PC based on flash memory. There are no
moving hard-drives that are susceptible to
periodic crashes. The operating system of this user interface is Mircosoft’s Windows CE that
features many wonderful programs including a version of Internet Explorer.
By connecting an ethernet jack to the Silk’s rear panel RJ-45 connector, you can use the touch
screen to surf the web, email, or shop. Most important, you can use this user interface to el-
egantly setup and control the Silk System. When the Silk is turned on, the PC automatically
boots up and the program developed by ADA to control the Silk begins. For those who worry
about the reliability of a PC, suffice it to say that even if the front panel PC should fail, the Silk
System will still function to complete perfection.
MADE IN U.S.A.
SILK CONTROLLER
POWER
ON
OFF
2
Rear-Panel Card Slots
The rear panel of
the Silk features
a unique array of
card slots. There
are three types
of cards avail-
able for Silk. The
Silk Audio Input/
Output Card, the
Silk Video Input/
Output Card,
and the Quartet
Card. In its basic single-room home theater configuration, the Silk will con-
tain one of each of these cards.
Silk Audio Input/Output (I/O) Card
The Audio I/O Card permits connection of fifteen audio components. Eight
of these components can be analog and the Audio I/O Card includes three
built-in digital-to-analog convertors (DACs). The DACs employed in the
Silk are the same ones that are used in ADA’s heralded Cinema series home
theater preamplifiers as well as those used in the ATD-6 and ATD-1 (six
source and single source analog to digital convertors used with the Rhap-
sody System). The remaining seven inputs are for digital sources in the
form of coaxial (75Ω) cables.
For digital sources that feature only a TOS-Link (optical) output, ADA pro-
vides the OTD-3 Optical-to-Digital Coax convertor box. This small non-rack
mounted accessory converts up to three TOS-Link digital components to
coaxial cable for input into the Silk Audio I/O Card.
The Silk Audio I/O Card also features three independent analog record
outputs as well as another three independent digital audio outputs
(coaxial). The analog audio outputs permit only pass-through of ana-
log inputs, while the three digital audio outputs pass both analog and
digital sources independently of each other.
Silk Video Input/Output (I/O) Card
The Silk Video I/O Card, much like the Audio I/O, handles all forms of
video switching including composite video, S-Video, and RGBHV
(VGA). It features eight composite video inputs with three indepen-
dent composite video outputs. There are also seven S-Video inputs
with three independent S-Video outputs. Finally, there are four VGA
inputs with four independent VGA outputs.
To maintain the integrity of the video signal path, the Silk Video I/O
Card does not feature any up or down video conversion.
GND
AC INPUT
115V~/60Hz
230V~/50Hz
115V~
RS-232
ADA BUS
DATA PORT
ORCHESTRA
ADDRESS
230V~
S
C
R
E
E
N
V
O
L
T
A
G
E
S
E
L
E
C
T
O
R
1
2
3
4
D
O
W
N
L
O
A
D
WARNING! Risk Of Hazardous Energy! Make Proper Connections.
AVERTISSEMENT! Energie Electrique Dangereuse! Faire Des Connexions
Propres Pour L'Hautparleur. Voir La Notice De Fonctionnement.
CAUTION: Disconnect Supply Cord Before Servicing.
ATTENTION: Debrancher Avant Le Depannage.
115 V
Made In The USA
2-1/2 ASB - 115V~
1-1/4 ASB - 230V~
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
S-video in
composite video in
S-video out
composite video out
2
1
21
43
65
87
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
32
1b1a
vga invga out
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
SILK by ADA
video i/o card
ANALOG IN
1
LRLR
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
4
6
1
3
1
2
3
1
3
5
7
2
DIGITAL OUT
ANALOG OUT
SILK by ADA
audio i/o card
DIGITAL IN
ANALOG IN
1
LRLR
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
4
6
1
3
1
2
3
1
3
5
7
2
DIGITAL OUT
ANALOG OUT
SILK by ADA
audio i/o card
DIGITAL IN
S-video in
composite video in
S-video out
composite video out
2
1
21
43
65
87
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
32
1b1a
vga invga out
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
SILK by ADA
video i/o card
3
GND
AC INPUT
115V~/60Hz
230V~/50Hz
115V~
RS-232
ADA BUS
DATA PORT
ORCHESTRA
ADDRESS
230V~
S
C
R
E
E
N
V
O
L
T
A
G
E
S
E
L
E
C
T
O
R
1
2
3
4
D
O
W
N
L
O
A
D
WARNING! Risk Of Hazardous Energy! Make Proper Connections.
AVERTISSEMENT! Energie Electrique Dangereuse! Faire Des Connexions
Propres Pour L'Hautparleur. Voir La Notice De Fonctionnement.
CAUTION: Disconnect Supply Cord Before Servicing.
ATTENTION: Debrancher Avant Le Depannage.
115 V
Made In The USA
2-1/2 ASB - 115V~
1-1/4 ASB - 230V~
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
S-video in
composite video in
S-video out
composite video out
2
1
21
43
65
87
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
32
1b1a
vga invga out
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
SILK by ADA
video i/o card
ANALOG IN
1
LRLR
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
4
6
1
3
1
2
3
1
3
5
7
2
DIGITAL OUT
ANALOG OUT
SILK by ADA
audio i/o card
DIGITAL IN
VCR or Other Analog Component
Analog
Audio Output
Video
Out
S-Video
Output
R
L
GND
AC INPUT
115V~/60Hz
230V~/50Hz
115V~
RS-232
ADA BUS
DATA PORT
ORCHESTRA
ADDRESS
230V~
S
C
R
E
E
N
V
O
L
T
A
G
E
S
E
L
E
C
T
O
R
1
2
3
4
D
O
W
N
L
O
A
D
WARNING! Risk Of Hazardous Energy! Make Proper Connections.
AVERTISSEMENT! Energie Electrique Dangereuse! Faire Des Connexions
Propres Pour L'Hautparleur. Voir La Notice De Fonctionnement.
CAUTION: Disconnect Supply Cord Before Servicing.
ATTENTION: Debrancher Avant Le Depannage.
115 V
Made In The USA
2-1/2 ASB - 115V~
1-1/4 ASB - 230V~
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
S-video in
composite video in
S-video out
composite video out
2
1
21
43
65
87
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
32
1b1a
vga invga out
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
SILK by ADA
video i/o card
ANALOG IN
1
LRLR
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
4
6
1
3
1
2
3
1
3
5
7
2
DIGITAL OUT
ANALOG OUT
SILK by ADA
audio i/o card
DIGITAL IN
DVD or Other Digital Component
Video
Out
Digital
Output
Component Video
YCrCb
4
TOS-Link Component Connections Using the OTD-3
The OTD-3 Triple Optical to Digital Coaxial Convertor is used when source components are
employed that feature only a TOS-Link Optical digital audio output. A single OTD-3 will accom-
modate up to three optical digital outputs, converting them to digital coaxial jacks for connection
to the Silk Audio i/O Card.
When using TOS-Link interconnects, please note that the most
basic optical cables are cut in such a way that tip is a smooth
and flat surface. As such, on occasion, the digital data carried
over the optical cable, emits to the receiver and may reflect
back into itself. This will disrupt the digital information. The end
result may include audio dropouts or even no audio at all. For
better results, ADA suggests using a premium optical intercon-
nect that has frosted tips. For the best result, ADA suggests
using optical interconnects that have rounded tips.
GND
AC INPUT
115V~/60Hz
230V~/50Hz
115V~
RS-232
ADA BUS
DATA PORT
ORCHESTRA
ADDRESS
230V~
S
C
R
E
E
N
V
O
L
T
A
G
E
S
E
L
E
C
T
O
R
1
2
3
4
D
O
W
N
L
O
A
D
WARNING! Risk Of Hazardous Energy! Make Proper Connections.
AVERTISSEMENT! Energie Electrique Dangereuse! Faire Des Connexions
Propres Pour L'Hautparleur. Voir La Notice De Fonctionnement.
CAUTION: Disconnect Supply Cord Before Servicing.
ATTENTION: Debrancher Avant Le Depannage.
115 V
Made In The USA
2-1/2 ASB - 115V~
1-1/4 ASB - 230V~
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
S-video in
composite video in
S-video out
composite video out
2
1
21
43
65
87
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
32
1b1a
vga invga out
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
SILK by ADA
video i/o card
ANALOG IN
1
LRLR
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
4
6
1
3
1
2
3
1
3
5
7
2
DIGITAL OUT
ANALOG OUT
SILK by ADA
audio i/o card
DIGITAL IN
DSS or Other Optical Digital Component
Video
Out
S-Video
Out
HDTV
Out
Digital TOS-Link
Output
C
HANNEL
2
D
IGITAL
O
UTPUTS
O
PTICAL
I
NPUT
C
HANNEL
1
D
IGITAL
O
UTPUTS
O
PTICAL
I
NPUT
C
HANNEL
3
D
IGITAL
O
UTPUTS
O
PTICAL
I
NPUT
+
-
12V DC
500mA
P
LUG
I
N
C
LASS
2
T
RANSFORMER
POWER
ON
OTD-3
OPTO
TO
DIGITAL
CONVERTOR
CHANNEL 2
DIGITAL
OUTPUTS
OPTICAL
INPUT
CHANNEL 1
DIGITAL
OUTPUTS
OPTICAL
INPUT
CHANNEL 3
DIGITAL
OUTPUTS
OPTICAL
INPUT
+
-
12V DC
500mA
PLUG IN
CLASS 2
TRANSFORMER
POWER
ON
OTD-3
OPTO TO DIGITAL CONVERTOR
5
Quartet Preamplifier Card
The Quartet is more than just a basic preamplifier. It is actually a full surround sound
decoder/preamplifier, capable of decoding Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital (AC-3), DTS,
Surround EX, all with THX Ultra Enhancements. In addition to the standard modes just
mentioned, there are also modes for non-encoded material including, Hall, Church, and
Stadium. The Quartet provides complete auto-detection of the encoded material to
make certain that mode changes occur without user intervention.
The Quartet Card features one of the most advanced DPS processing modules to home
theater. Capable of being controlled from either the front panel color touch screen, the
ADA PC software program, IR, or RS-232, the Quartet Card offers preamplifier options
that are truly unique to ADA. While these control options will be discussed later in this
guide, suffice it to say that most any imaginable surround sound options, and then some,
is available in the Quartet Card.
The Quartet Card, measuring only 0.9 inches wide,
has a single digital coaxial input. The remaining
eight RCA outputs are for center, sub, left, right,
left surround, right surround, left back surround
(back center), and right back surround (back cen-
ter). This 7.1 channel preamplifier also features a
removable screw terminal connector that provides
low-voltage triggers for engaging external power
amplifiers when on.
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
Back (Center) Right
Back (Center) Left
Right Surround
Left Surround
Right Front
Left Front
Subwoofer
Center Front
Digital Audio Input
GND
AC INPUT
115V~/60Hz
230V~/50Hz
115V~
RS-232
ADA BUS
DATA PORT
ORCHESTRA
ADDRESS
230V~
S
C
R
E
E
N
V
O
L
T
A
G
E
S
E
L
E
C
T
O
R
1
2
3
4
D
O
W
N
L
O
A
D
WARNING! Risk Of Hazardous Energy! Make Proper Connections.
AVERTISSEMENT! Energie Electrique Dangereuse! Faire Des Connexions
Propres Pour L'Hautparleur. Voir La Notice De Fonctionnement.
CAUTION: Disconnect Supply Cord Before Servicing.
ATTENTION: Debrancher Avant Le Depannage.
115 V
Made In The USA
2-1/2 ASB - 115V~
1-1/4 ASB - 230V~
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
S-video in
composite video in
S-video out
composite video out
2
1
21
43
65
87
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
32
1b1a
vga invga out
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
SILK by ADA
video i/o card
ANALOG IN
1
LRLR
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
4
6
1
3
1
2
3
1
3
5
7
2
DIGITAL OUT
ANALOG OUT
SILK by ADA
audio i/o card
DIGITAL IN
6
Quartet Card Home Theater
Features and Software
The Quartet Card features a powerful
DSP that makes it the most adjustable
preamplifier in the market.
A single
Unmute/On command en-
gages the preamplifier in the Quartet
Card. The preamplifier also features
two types of mute functions.
The Hard Mute completely drops the
volume in all channels completely off.
This is different than the Zone Off func-
tion as the amplifiers will remain on.
The
Soft Mute function is a wonderful
feature as it mutes the sound stage to
a very low level. While the sound is
audible, it is reduced such that one
could answer the phone or carry on a
conversation, while still being aware of
the sound in the background.
To disengage either the Hard Mute or
Soft Mute function, simply engage the
Unmute/On command.
The Quartet Card also features four
Master Recall settings. These settings
contain the systems volume levels.
With four possible settings, one can pre-
pare a touch-screen with four volume
presets perhaps including a Low, Me-
dium, High, and Extremely Loud button.
Thus the user can select a predeter-
mined volume level with just the touch
of one button. Setting these levels is
accomplished by pressing the appropri-
ate Master Store button.
7
The Master Recall settings are the func-
tions that are also used for
Turn On Pre-
set Volume Level. While one option
does permit the Turn-On settings to
engage as “Last Used”, you will most
likely wish to have the preamplifier en-
gage to preset you determined.
By selecting the Turn-On Preset Up/Dn
function, you will be able to scroll be-
tween Master Recall 1-4 and the Last
Used Option.
The
Volume Limiter function is used
to determine the maximum allowable
volume level. This will prevent the sys-
tem from playing too loud perhaps caus-
ing damage to speakers. By selecting
the Volume Limiter Up/Dn function, you
will be able to increase or decrease the
Maximum Volume Level.
The Quartet Card also features three
different
Volume Command options.
The first option raises and lowers vol-
ume in 0.5 dB steps one shot at a time.
The second raises or lowers volume in
0.5 dB steps continuously (moderate
speed volume control). The third op-
tion raises or lowers volume in 1.0 dB
steps (high-speed volume control.
8
The Quartet Card also permits you to
poll the preamplifier for information.
Basically, there are several different
Update Request functions, from a sin-
gular command that updates all of the
preamplifier’s status information, to in-
dividual commands that request an up-
date for only portions of the preamplifi-
ers status. In the software, the red
boxes are Update Request commands.
As you position the cursor over the but-
ton, a yellow box will appear indicating
what that particular update request is.
Once pressed, the update is automatic.
The
Mode tab permits you to select the
desired decoding enhancement.
Please note, that PCM, Dolby Digital
(a.k.a. AC-3), and DTS are not options
as the Quartet Card will auto-detect the
proper decoding mode without addi-
tional instruction. As such, the mode
features shown here are merely en-
hancements to either PCM, Dolby Digi-
tal, or DTS encoded material. You will
also be able to see the actual number
of channels that are encoded (i.e. PCM
2.0.0.0 or Dolby Digital 3.2.1.0). Finally,
for Dolby Digital, you can determine the
setting for Dynamic Range from mini-
mum, to medium, to maximum.
One feature truly unique to the Quartet
Card is the
Parametric Equalizer that
takes place inside the DSP engine.
When dealing with a perfectly acousti-
cal room, theory would have it that no
additional equalization is necessary as
the room is perfectly designed to play-
back the film or sound-track as it was
intended to be heard. However, in the
real world, regardless of all attempts to
make a room acoustical perfect, we still
deal with less than ideal environments.
The Quartet Card features two sets of
Tone Controls, Group A and Group B.
9
When you select a Tone Group, you can
then determine which speakers are ac-
tive in that group. The second group
can include different speakers or some
speakers can be in both groups on in
no groups at all. For example, because
the front three speakers are typically
similar in a theater, you may wish to
engage these speakers on Group A.
The surround speakers because of their
like construction might be placed to-
gether on Group B. Each group per-
mits you not just to adjust the
Bass and
Treble Levels (in dB), but also the Fre-
quency Point for bass & treble (in Hz).
This powerful feature will permit you to
compensate for a room’s acoustical
deficiencies. Best of all, the equaliza-
tion takes place directly inside the DSP.
As you proceed to acoustically calibrate
the room, you can save settings by stor-
ing the levels in one of the four
Tone
Presets available on the Quartet Card.
As such, touch screens can also be pro-
grammed to recall different bass and
treble options based on the type of per-
formance. For example, films may be
played back with heavier bass settings
while concerts may offer better highs.
10
As you would expect with most pream-
plifiers, the Quartet features individual
Channel Time Delays permitting you
to single-point delay an entire room.
To increase or decrease the delay set-
ting for a particular channel, simply
press the appropriate up or down but-
ton on the associated screen.
The Quartet Card also features
Indi-
vidual Channel Balances along with
four
Balance Presets. This is where
you determine the level of each chan-
nel. This tab also permits you to selec-
tively engage
Pink Noise to each chan-
nel for ease of calibration. The combi-
nation of presets and pink noise allow
you to calibrate channels based on not
just one ideal seating position, but
rather, multiple seating positions with in
a single room.
To activate Pink Noise select the desired
Noise Channel. At that time, pressing
the channel’s Volume Up/Dn button, will
cause that channels noise level to in-
crease or decrease accordingly. Using
an SPL meter, one can quickly adjust
balance levels and once set, store them
into one of the four presets.
For example, if a room were to include
both theater seating, a sofa or love-seat,
and throw cushions, you could create
three Balance Presets, each one ideal
for one of the three areas. A touch
screen could illustrate a rooms layout
and as the various areas are pressed,
the appropriate Balance Recall is ac-
cessed.
This feature is ideal for theater environ-
ments as well as music only environ-
ments where balance levels may vary
based on seating positions or areas.
11
The Quartet Card also features an ex-
tremely flexible
Speaker Setup that
while set only once, provides functions
not found most other preamplifiers.
First, you can determine what speaker
channels are active in the room as well
as their size. Small refers to a speaker
lacking the ability to play bass informa-
tion fully. Speakers set to Small will
automatically roll-off to the specified fre-
quency. The bass information for all
Small speakers is summed and com-
bined with the LFE (if present) which
are then sent to the subwoofer.
Speakers set to Large, will operate at
full range. Their bass information is not
combined with that of the Small speak-
ers and as such, not sent to the
subwoofer.
The
Bass Management features of the
Quartet Card are extraordinary. Not
only can you determine whether a
subwoofer is active on the system, but
you can also determine the
Cross-Over
Frequency Point. You can also en-
gage a
Bass Limiter and set the Bass
Limiter Level which is useful, especially
for subwoofers that may bottom out.
The Quartet Card also features ADA’s
unique Solo Mode. In Solo Mode, as a
speaker channel is selected, only it will
play through the system. All other chan-
nels become completely muted. This
is useful when trying to determine if a
speaker has a blown driver or if the
speaker is connected out of phase. It
is also extremely useful for demonstrat-
ing the effects of multi-channel music,
especially if the different artists or in-
struments are mixed on dedicated chan-
nels. By isolating these sounds, you
can demonstrate the in room mixing
effects of a multi-channel recording.
12
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
Home Theater
Amp Trigger
-
+
DC Triggers - Quartet Card Low Voltage Amplifier Triggers - Theater Mode
The Quartet Card features a five-pin removable screw terminal connector which is used to trigger
power amplifiers on and off based on usage. The diagram to the left illustrates the terminals to
use when the Quartet Card is running in Multi-Channel mode as a single rooms surround pream-
plifier. Since all channels need to engage at once, simply use the ground pin and one low voltage
line to run to your amplifier’s triggering device or input. If you are using a PTM-650, PTM-6150,
MPA-501*, PF-2501*, PF-4000*, BPA-500*, or PBA-2000* for home theater amplification, you
should also be using an ACC-3 Low Voltage Triggered AC Controller (* - these units should each
have their own ACC-3 running to a dedicated AC circuit). The two wires illustrated here, are run
directly to the ACC-3(s).
If you are using the PTM1260, then you will not need an ACC-3.
The PTM-1260 features a built-in low voltage trigger.
It is also capable of being bridged
from a twelve channel mode, to
ten, eight, or six channels. Basi-
cally, each stereo pair can be in-
dependently bridged. In the
bridged, high-power mode, the
PTM-1260 delivers 350W/Ch @
4Ω. However, it is important to
note, that in the bridged mode, it
is only stable to 4Ω. In the
unbridged, medium power mode,
the amplifier provides 135W/Ch
@ 4Ω and is stable to 2Ω. The
diagram to the right illustrates a
room with two back-surround
channels. These two channels
are running on two unbridged
PTM-1260 channels. All other
channels are bridged (high-power
mode). The diagram on the next
page shows one back surround
speaker on a bridged channel.
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
115 V
115 V
115 V
115 V
BRIDGED
UNBRIDGED
C
R
L BACK
R SUR
L SUR
L
POWERED SUB R BACK
13
Connectivity - Single Room Theater
As imagined, in a basic Silk system with
one Audio I/O, Video I/O, and one Quar-
tet Card, the Silk packs a great deal of
home theater punch. Source compo-
nent audio and video connections are
connected directly to the appropriate
inputs on the Audio I/O and Video I/O
cards.
The room’s video display (TV, monitor,
projector, or plasma) connect to the
appropriate output 1 connectors.
Please note, that if some of the sources
provide only composite video, while oth-
ers offer S-Video, and some even
RGBHV, you will need to output all of
these video signals to your display.
Outside of the audio connections be-
tween the Quartet Card and the home
theater amplifier(s), you will also need
to connect the Digital 1 output of the
Audio I/O Card to the Digital Audio In-
put on the Quartet Card. A quality 75Ω
video coaxial cable is all that is needed
here.
Summary - Single Room Theater
In conclusion, assuming the Silk Quartet Card sounds as good as other ADA preamplifiers, upon
which a great reputation has been built, what other home theater preamplifier feature:?
• A full color front-panel touch screen.
• A self-contained flash-based PC with network browser.
• A 7.1 surround sound preamplifier w/control features that include parametric equalization.
• Two independent digital record outputs.
• Three independent analog record outputs..
• Two independent composite video record outputs.
• Two independent S-Video record outputs.
• Three independent RGBHV (VGA) record outputs.
• Room to grow!
This is where a single room home theater ends and Silk begins.
GND
AC INPUT
115V~/60Hz
230V~/50Hz
115V~
RS-232
ADA BUS
DATA PORT
ORCHESTRA
ADDRESS
230V~
S
C
R
E
E
N
V
O
L
T
A
G
E
S
E
L
E
C
T
O
R
1
2
3
4
D
O
W
N
L
O
A
D
WARNING! Risk Of Hazardous Energy! Make Proper Connections.
AVERTISSEMENT! Energie Electrique Dangereuse! Faire Des Connexions
Propres Pour L'Hautparleur. Voir La Notice De Fonctionnement.
CAUTION: Disconnect Supply Cord Before Servicing.
ATTENTION: Debrancher Avant Le Depannage.
115 V
Made In The USA
2-1/2 ASB - 115V~
1-1/4 ASB - 230V~
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
S-video in
composite video in
S-video out
composite video out
2
1
21
43
65
87
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
32
1b1a
vga invga out
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
SILK by ADA
video i/o card
ANALOG IN
1
LRLR
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
4
6
1
3
1
2
3
1
3
5
7
2
DIGITAL OUT
ANALOG OUT
SILK by ADA
audio i/o card
DIGITAL IN
TV, PROJECTOR,
or LINE DOUBLER
VIDEO INPUTS
Video
Input
S-Video
Input
HDTV
Input
14
Expanding Silk
While a Silk System with just a single Quar-
tet Preamplifier Card is a most formidable
home theater preamplifier, Silk is specifi-
cally designed to be expanded. Assuming
the basic setup of a Silk as previously dis-
cussed, with one Audio I/O Card, one Video
I/O card, and one Quartet Card, you can
add one or two more Quartet Cards to the
Silk chassis.
At this time, Silk becomes not just one
home theater preamplifier, but actually up
to three home theater preamplifiers. Thus,
you can drive three high-end home theaters
off of a single Silk chassis. Each zone, can
select an independent source, while enjoy-
ing the amazing benefits that the Quartet
Card provides. In this configuration, the
three Digital Audio outputs from the Audio
I/O Card provide signal to the three Quar-
tet Cards. Video is provided by the Video
I/O Cards three independent video out-
puts for both composite video, S-Video,
and VGA (RGBHV).
Because additional Quartet Cards can be added to the Silk at any time, you can provide Silk for
what may initially be a single-room home theater system. At any time, the system can be ex-
panded to incorporate additional theater (multi-channel) rooms. This makes Silk not only the
obvious choice for a home theater, but provides the user with a mainframe that is capable of
expansion. But wait....there’s still more.
GND
AC INPUT
115V~/60Hz
230V~/50Hz
115V~
RS-232
ADA BUS
DATA PORT
ORCHESTRA
ADDRESS
230V~
S
C
R
E
E
N
V
O
L
T
A
G
E
S
E
L
E
C
T
O
R
1
2
3
4
D
O
W
N
L
O
A
D
WARNING! Risk Of Hazardous Energy! Make Proper Connections.
AVERTISSEMENT! Energie Electrique Dangereuse! Faire Des Connexions
Propres Pour L'Hautparleur. Voir La Notice De Fonctionnement.
CAUTION: Disconnect Supply Cord Before Servicing.
ATTENTION: Debrancher Avant Le Depannage.
115 V
Made In The USA
2-1/2 ASB - 115V~
1-1/4 ASB - 230V~
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
S-video in
composite video in
S-video out
composite video out
2
1
21
43
65
87
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
32
1b1a
vga invga out
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
SILK by ADA
video i/o card
ANALOG IN
1
LRLR
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
4
6
1
3
1
2
3
1
3
5
7
2
DIGITAL OUT
ANALOG OUT
SILK by ADA
audio i/o card
DIGITAL IN
GND
AC INPUT
115V~/60Hz
230V~/50Hz
115V~
RS-232
ADA BUS
DATA PORT
ORCHESTRA
ADDRESS
230V~
S
C
R
E
E
N
V
O
L
T
A
G
E
S
E
L
E
C
T
O
R
1
2
3
4
D
O
W
N
L
O
A
D
WARNING! Risk Of Hazardous Energy! Make Proper Connections.
AVERTISSEMENT! Energie Electrique Dangereuse! Faire Des Connexions
Propres Pour L'Hautparleur. Voir La Notice De Fonctionnement.
CAUTION: Disconnect Supply Cord Before Servicing.
ATTENTION: Debrancher Avant Le Depannage.
115 V
Made In The USA
2-1/2 ASB - 115V~
1-1/4 ASB - 230V~
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
S-video in
composite video in
S-video out
composite video out
2
1
21
43
65
87
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
32
1b1a
vga invga out
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
SILK by ADA
video i/o card
ANALOG IN
1
LRLR
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
4
6
1
3
1
2
3
1
3
5
7
2
DIGITAL OUT
ANALOG OUT
SILK by ADA
audio i/o card
DIGITAL IN
GND
AC INPUT
115V~/60Hz
230V~/50Hz
115V~
RS-232
ADA BUS
DATA PORT
ORCHESTRA
ADDRESS
230V~
S
C
R
E
E
N
V
O
L
T
A
G
E
S
E
L
E
C
T
O
R
1
2
3
4
D
O
W
N
L
O
A
D
WARNING! Risk Of Hazardous Energy! Make Proper Connections.
AVERTISSEMENT! Energie Electrique Dangereuse! Faire Des Connexions
Propres Pour L’Hautparleur. Voir La Notice De Fonctionnement.
CAUTION: Disconnect Supply Cord Before Servicing.
ATTENTION: Debrancher Avant Le Depannage.
115 V
Made In The USA
2-1/2 ASB - 115V~
1-1/4 ASB - 230V~
4
75‰
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
4
75‰
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
4
75‰
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
S-video in
composite video in
S-video out
composite video out
2
1
21
43
65
87
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
32
1b1a
vga invga out
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
SILK by ADA
video i/o card
ANALOG IN
1
LRLR
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
4
6
1
3
1
2
3
1
3
5
7
2
DIGITAL OUT
ANALOG OUT
SILK by ADA
audio i/o card
DIGITAL IN
15
Totally Silked Out
By adding another Silk Audio I/O Card to the chassis described on the previous page, you can
opt to include up to three more Quartet Cards for a total of six cards. While video switching would
remain at three independent zones (four independent VGA zones), the additional Quartet Pream-
plifier cards could be used for music only rooms.
GND
AC INPUT
115V~/60Hz
230V~/50Hz
115V~
RS-232
ADA BUS
DATA PORT
ORCHESTRA
ADDRESS
230V~
S
C
R
E
E
N
V
O
L
T
A
G
E
S
E
L
E
C
T
O
R
1
2
3
4
D
O
W
N
L
O
A
D
WARNING! Risk Of Hazardous Energy! Make Proper Connections.
AVERTISSEMENT! Energie Electrique Dangereuse! Faire Des Connexions
Propres Pour L'Hautparleur. Voir La Notice De Fonctionnement.
CAUTION: Disconnect Supply Cord Before Servicing.
ATTENTION: Debrancher Avant Le Depannage.
115 V
Made In The USA
2-1/2 ASB - 115V~
1-1/4 ASB - 230V~
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
S-video in
composite video in
S-video out
composite video out
2
1
21
43
65
87
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
32
1b1a
vga invga out
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
SILK by ADA
video i/o card
ANALOG IN
1
LRLR
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
4
6
1
3
1
2
3
1
3
5
7
2
DIGITAL OUT
ANALOG OUT
SILK by ADA
audio i/o card
DIGITAL IN
ANALOG IN
1
LRLR
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
4
6
1
3
1
2
3
1
3
5
7
2
DIGITAL OUT
ANALOG OUT
SILK by ADA
audio i/o card
DIGITAL IN
While Silk can be configure as strictly a home theater preamplifier, it is also intended to provide
multi-channel music to rooms that do not have any type of video display. Now a formal living,
dining room, kitchen, master bath, and even outdoor area, can enjoy music in 5.1.
Already, some of the music industry’s most prominent artists, recording engineers, and produc-
ers are already working with 5.1 mixes. Many more are still learning how to adapt their two
channel mixes into 5.1. Bear in mind, that taking an existing two channel recording and turning it
into 5.1 does not mean rerecording the song or album. The original masters are laid on individual
tracks and only these masters need to be remixed for 5.1. This implies that a world of music,
classic hits and major albums, are being mixed and encoded in 5.1. While multi-channel film
sound tracks are as commonplace today (on DVD & Laser) as stereo is on CD, the world of music
is still waking up to multi-channel formats. The future of music is still being written and one day,
not too far from now, 5.1 will replace stereo, much like stereo replaced mono. It is inevitable.
While the creative side of the music industry embraces recording in multi-channel 5.1, the busi-
ness side of the industry is already grappling with the problem of controlling the distribution
channels of stereo music. The combination of the internet and broadband have laid the founda-
tion for the slow demise of the compact disc as we know it. As a business model, DVD Audio
(and Super Audio CD) have provided the music industry with a medium in which they can sell
both existing and new material in a format that will not be as easy to spread from one PC to the
next. Much like the movie industry, which is successfully selling movies previously purchased on
video tape now on DVD, the music industry is ramping up to sell the consumer market multi-
channel audio. There are already multi-channel discs available that even permit the user to
select the listening perspective. Using the DVD menu, if you wish to listen to the performance
from the audience, select that perspective. If you wish to listen to the performance from the on-
stage perspective, simply select that option. Stereo is dead, it just doesn’t know it yet.
16
Quad Mode
ADA does however
realize, that not ev-
ery room can be
configured with 5.1 or 6.1 speaker arrays. As such, the
Quartet card can also be configured as a stereo card.
This is where good gets even better. Each Quartet card
features a digital audio coax input and eight RCA analog
outputs (to amplifiers). These eight outputs refer to cen-
ter, sub, front left, front right, surround left, surround right,
back left, and back right. When the Quartet card is set to
Quad Mode, these eight outputs are paired together (4
pairs). Each pair acts as an independent room. Thus,
when set to stereo, a single Quartet card
can run four rooms. While all four rooms
share the same source (the Quartet has
only one digital audio input), the rooms
can turn on and off independently of
each (also trigger amps on and off in-
dependently), adjust volume indepen-
dently as well as bass and treble, and
even have different volume presets and
balance settings. Radically amazing.
The ability to activate Quad Mode does
not require a different Quartet Card or
add-on module. Simply select the Main
Setup Page and press the Quad Mode
Configuration Start button. A moment
later, press the Quad Mode Confirma-
tion 1 button. A moment after that, press
the Quad Mode Confirmation 2 button.
At this time the selected Quartet Card
is now programmed to operate in Quad
Mode as a single zone with four inde-
pendent rooms.
To alter the state of other Quartet Cards,
press the appropriate Card Slot Address
number and repeat the process as
stated above. To convert a Quartet
Card back to Cinema Mode, begin the
process by selecting Cinema Mode
Configuration buttons in order.
4
75Ω
IN
R
RCS
DIGITAL
ZONE 5VDC
L
LCS
3
R
RS
L
LS
2
R
RT
L
LT
1
R
SUB
L
CEN
RM 4
RM 3
RM 2
RM 1
Gnd-
5
4
3
2
1
Right
Left
Room 4
Right
Left
Room 3
Right
Left
Room 2
Right
Left
Room 1
Digital Audio Input
17
When a Quartet Card is set to Quad
Mode, many of the same features found
in the Cinema Mode translate to the four
rooms that the card now serves. On
the Setup Page, each room can be set
to a
Turn-On Preset Volume Level,
which can include either one of the
rooms four volume presets or the op-
tion of Last Used. While all four rooms
will be sharing the same source signal,
they do still operate independently in-
cluding the Turn On Volume Level. As
such, no room will ever turn on too loud
or too soft.
Each room also has the ability to set a
Volume Limiter Level. This maximum
volume setting is in dB and is also ad-
justed in the Setup page.
As such, no room can exceed its maxi-
mum volume setting, providing for a
more enjoyable listening experience
while protecting the speakers in that
room. Again, here each room can be
set to its own ceiling level by pressing
either the Zone # Volume Limiter Up or
Down buttons.
On the Zone Control tab, you can ac-
cess the controls for each zone. Please
note, that the word zone does not imply
independent source selection.
To turn on a room, simply select the
Unmute/On command. Much like the
Cinema Mode, each sub room features
both a
Hard Mute and Soft Mute, in
addition to
Zone Off. When in mute the
low voltage trigger that powers ampli-
fier channels on and off is left on. When
the Zone is off, the corresponding amp
channels turn off.
18
Each room (sub zone) also features a
Parametric Equalizer. In order to ad-
just these features, you must first se-
lect Tone Controls to be on. After that
you can select the
Bass Frequency
Point in Hz as well as the Bass Level
in dB.
The same can be done for the Treble
Frequency Point and the Treble Level.
Please note that the Treble frequency
point is measured and displayed in KHz
while the Bass frequency point is dis-
played in Hz. This permits you to con-
tour the sound to each sub-room.
Once you have set certain tone levels
for a particular sub room, you can se-
lect to save these parameters into one
of four
Tone Presets.
By simply pressing the Tone Store but-
ton of choice, these parameters will be
locked into memory.
As such, you can opt to recall presets
based on music styles or volume lev-
els.
19
Even Volume is controlled in one of two
ways. The
0.5 dB Volume control but-
tons ramp volume up and down at a
medium pace. The
1.0 dB Volume con-
trol will ramp volume at a faster pace.
Once the volume is selected, you can
opt to store the volume in one of the
four Volume Presets. These same pre-
sets are also used as the
Turn-On Vol-
ume Preset (unless Last Used is se-
lected). Again, you can offer the user
several volume presets from a soft level
button to a thrashing sound button. The
choice is yours.
The Quartet Card when in Quad Mode
is a unique in more ways than one.
When playing 5.1 encoded material into
the Quartet Card, all channels are
down-mixed to two channels, even the
LFE channel. As such, the Quartet Card
when in Quad Mode, is among a rare
breed of two-channel preamplifiers that
can actually play 5.1 material without
loss of a single channel, note, etc.
A sub room also has the ability to
Down-
Mix to Mono. Again, no information is
lost in this process. While one sub-zone
is playing in mono, others can still be
operating in stereo.
The Quartet Card when in Quad mode
also offers a host of feed back options
including Bass and Treble settings, Vol-
ume Levels, AC-3 data, down-mix in-
formation, etc. This information can be
accessed on a sub-room by sub-room
basis through a simple
Update Status
Request command.
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Ada Silk System User guide

Ada
Brand
Ada
Model
Silk System
Category
Subwoofers
Type
User guide
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