32
OPERATION
Now that you have installed your components and completed a
basic configuration, you are ready to begin enjoying your home
theater system.
TURNING ON THE AVR 3600
Flip the rear-panel Main Power Switch to the “ON” position. The
Power Indicator on the front panel will turn amber, indicating that
the AVR is in Standby mode and is ready to be turned on. The
Main Power Switch is normally left on.
There are several ways to turn on the AVR 3600:
a) Press the Standby/On Switch on the front panel.
b) Using the remote, press the AVR Power On Button or any of the
Source Selectors.
To turn the receiver off, press either the Standby/On Switch on
the front panel or the AVR Power Off Button on the remote. Unless
the receiver will not be used for an extended period of time, leave
the Main Power Switch on. When the Main Power Switch is turned
off, any settings you have programmed will be preserved for up to
four weeks.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If the PROTECT message ever
appears in the Message Display, turn off the AVR and unplug
it. Check all speaker wires for a short. If none is found, bring
the unit to an authorized Harman Kardon service center for
inspection and repair before using it again.
VOLUME CONTROL
Adjust the volume either by turning the knob on the front panel
(clockwise to increase volume or counterclockwise to decrease
volume), or by pressing the Volume Control on the remote. The
volume is displayed as a negative number of decibels (dB) below
the 0dB reference point.
0dB is the maximum recommended volume for the AVR 3600.
Although it’s possible to turn the volume to a higher level, doing
so may damage your hearing and your speakers. For certain more
dynamic audio materials, even 0dB may be too high, allowing for
damage to equipment. Use caution with regard to volume levels.
To change the volume level display from the default decibel scale
to a 0-to-90 scale, adjust the Volume Units setting in the System
Settings menu, as described on page 45.
Dolby Volume
The AVR 3600 implements Dolby Volume processing, which can
improve the audio performance of the system by revealing subtle
details even at normal home-listening volumes.
One concern of the typical home theater listener is that volumes
can vary widely for different programs played by a source, e.g.,
television commercial advertisements are often much louder than
the main feature. Another is that details heard in the recording
studio at typically high reference volumes are lost at the lower
volumes used by many listeners.
The AVR 3600 uses two Dolby Volume techniques to address these
issues. The Leveler module maintains a consistent listening volume
within a source, e.g., while watching commercial television or while
listening to different tracks on a data CD. The Modeler module
endeavors to re-create the reference presentation that was heard in
the recording studio without losing portions of the program at the
typically lower volume levels often used in the home. When the
Modeler module is active, you may notice details of the performance
that were hidden when the program was played on other equipment.
NOTE: The Dolby Volume processor is not used to level
volume across sources.
To adjust the Dolby Volume setting, press the Audio Effects Button.
A screen similar to the one shown in Figure 26 will appear. Move
the cursor to highlight the Dolby Volume setting, and each press of
the OK Button will switch to one of the options in Table 3 below. The
settings do not refer to the volume level, which is adjusted normally
using the Volume Control, but rather to the amount of Dolby Volume
processing desired.
Figure 26 – Adjust Dolby Volume
Table 3 – Dolby Volume Settings
NOTE: Dolby Volume processing is compatible with sources
recorded at a sampling rate of 48kHz. High-resolution sources,
such as DTS 96/24, will be decoded at 48kHz. DTS 96/24
programs will be played in DTS 5.1 mode. To hear DTS 96/24
materials in high resolution, turn off Dolby Volume processing.
Dolby Volume Calibration Offset
Calibration Offset is a feature of Dolby Volume processing that
allows you to adjust the calibration of the AVR 3600 to optimally
match your speakers and listening environment. The AVR 3600 is
calibrated with the average speaker sensitivity in mind; however,
different speakers may have different sensitivities. Use Calibration
Offset to adjust the calibration of the AVR 3600 according to the
types of speakers you have.
The average home audio speaker sensitivity is 88dB SPL (8 ohms,
1 watt, 1 meter). Check the sensitivity specification for your loud-
speakers, found in the owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s
Web site. If your speakers have a sensitivity rating greater than
88dB SPL, increase Calibration Offset by the difference between
Setting Effect
Off No Dolby Volume processing
Low Only Dolby Volume Modeler module is active
Medium Both Modeler and Leveler modules are active;
Leveler module has a value of 3
Max Both Modeler and Leveler modules are active;
Leveler module has a value of 9