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4-8
Controls & Modes Mark Levinson
SSP (Surround Sound
Processor) Mode
• Allows for complete integration between the Nº 320S and a
multi-channel surround sound processor.
In the past, the difference between the number of channels in
each component made integration difficult.
• Sending multi-channel processor output signals to a stereo
preamplifier distorts calibrated processor output levels. Multi-
channel processor volume controls adjust the relative volume
level of all channels in unison. However, stereo preamplifier
volume controls adjust the relative volume level of just the
front left and right channels, leaving the center, surround,
and subwoofer channels unaffected.
Different techniques have been used to compensate for this,
including marking a calibrated point on the preamplifier volume
control or using Dolby Pro Logic for volume level adjustments.
But these techniques are crude, time consuming, and imprecise,
resulting in an inconsistent performance at best.
• Sending stereo preamplifier output signals to a multi-channel
processor interferes with some Dolby noise reduction processing.
Processors that feature Dolby Pro Logic decoding sometimes
also feature a form of Dolby noise reduction similar to the
Dolby B noise reduction found in cassette decks. Designed to
respond to input sources based on their strength, Dolby noise
reduction requires input sources to be calibrated to Dolby
standards. Variable preamplifier output signals cause Dolby
noise reduction to mis-track and, in extreme cases, Dolby
circuits to overload.
To avoid these problems, SSP mode allows input sources to
pass through the Nº 320S without interference. When SSP
mode is activated:
• The front panel display appears as shown to the left, indicating
that the Nº 320S is sending line-level input signals to the
associated processor.
• The Gain parameter for the selected input is set to a fixed
level of +0dB for inputs using balanced (XLR) connectors and
+6dB for inputs using single-ended (RCA) connectors.
• All Nº 320S volume controls – including master volume,
balance, and volume-related parameters – are deactivated to
prevent the Nº 320s from distorting channel balance. As a
result, the processor controls the relative volume level of all
channels while maintaining its calibrated output levels.
SSP LINE