Owner’s Manual RCS 2.
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WARNING TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
Important Safety Instructions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Read these instructions entirely before installing or operating this equipment. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Do not use this equipment near water or allow it to become wet. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 6.
Acknowledgments © 2003 Tact Audio Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or other wise, without the prior written consent of the Tact Audio Corporation. The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Registration IMPORTANT! Please record your serial number here for future reference.
Table of contents Safety instructions 4 Acknowledgments/Registration 5 Unpacking the RCS 2.2X 7 Introduction 6 Tact Audio CAUTION 8 Connecting the RCS 2.
Unpacking the RCS 2.2X Carefully remove the RCS 2.2X and accessory kit from the carton and visually check for shipping damage. Contact both the shipper and TacT Audio immediately if the unit shows any sign of damage from rough handling. All TacT Audio equipment is carefully inspected before leaving our factory. KEEP SHIPPING CARTON AND PACKING MATERIALS for future use or in the unlikely event that the unit needs servicing.
Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of your RCS 2.2X. You have now acquired the most advanced stereo Preamplifier / Room Correction System ever developed! The RCS 2.2X has four times the processing power of the famous TacT RCS 2.0 and even better AD and DA conversion. This now combined with new features and a more user-friendly interface takes TacT Audio’s room correction to new heights. The RCS 2.2X has no noise and extremely low distortion, yielding amazingly transparent CAUTION accurate sound.
Introduction Modular design The internal layout of the RCS 2.2X is completely modular. All of the expensive components such as DSP’s, D/A and A/D converters are a plug-in type and are placed on a motherboard. This allows for easy and inexpensive future upgrades. Even the rearpanel, including the sockets, can be exchanged to accommodate future interfaces.
RCS 2.2X Connections Digital input The RCS 2.2X has 5 digital inputs: - Three RCA (S/PDIF) - One AES/EBU (XLR) - One TosLink (S/PDIF) All of the digital inputs supports PCM audio data with sampling rates from 32kHz to CAUTION 96kHz /16-24 bits however, the AES/EBU and RCA/coaxial input also supports 192kHz. Digital output 1 main channels The RCS 2.2X has three digital outputs for the main channels : - One RCA (S/PDIF) - One AES/EBU (XLR) - One TosLink All outputs are 24-bits at 44.
RCS 2.2X Connections Digital output 2 subwoofers The RCS 2.2X has three digital outputs for subwoofer(s) : - one RCA (S/PDIF) - one AES/EBU (XLR) - one TosLink All outputs are 24-bits at 44.1, 48, 88, 96 or 192 kHz sampling rates. The output sampling rate is set in the “DOUT” menu. (TosLink does not support 192kHz) The sub output is for your subwoofer(s) and can be configured for either mono or stereo. Use the “MODE” menu to set the appropriate output mode 2.0, 2.1, or 2.2.
RCS 2.2X Connections Analog input (optional ADC module) The RCS 2.2X has 4 stereo analog inputs when the optional ADC module is installed: - three analog stereo single ended (RCA) - one analog stereo balanced (XLR) NOTE: A/D conversion is always performed at 24-bits/192 kHz. CAUTION NOTE: The optional ADC module is required for analog inputs. Analog output main channels (optional DAC module) The RCS 2.
RCS 2.2X Connections Analog output subwoofer(s) (optional DAC module) The RCS 2.2X has 2 analog outputs for subwoofer(s) when the optional DAC-SUB module is installed: - one analog stereo single ended (RCA) - one analog stereo balanced (XLR) NOTE: The optional DAC module is required for analog outputs. Microphone input Connect the supplied measurement microphone to the “Mic Input” connector when taking a room measurement for room correction.
RCS 2.2X Connections RS-232 interface ports The RCS 2.2X has two RS232 interface ports: - INPUT - AUX Use the “INPUT” port for communication with your Personal Computer. CAUTION Use the “AUX” port to connect to TacT digital amplifiers, or to daisy chain with multiple RS232 components. AC mains input & mains switch Connect the RCS 2.2X to the AC mains wall socket. Use the mains switch to turn power ON or OFF. CAUTION: Use the supplied IEC mains cable, or a 3-prong grounded cable only.
Front panel controls The front panel controls on the RCS 2.2X will allow you to access and control all menu settings. Digital Input Selector Standby Mute Input Display Volume Level Master Volume Menu Navigation/Enter Analog Input Selector Standby Use the “STANDBY” button to toggle between Standby mode and ON. The display will indicate Standby mode by displaying a small green light in the left side of the display. When the unit is placed in Standby mode all user settings are saved.
Remote Control The remote control is used to access the front panel display controls and menus.
Remote Control 1 - STANDBY The STANDBY button will turn the RCS 2.2X on or it will place it into standby mode. When in stand by mode, the unit is placed into a low power “idling” state. The standby button is also used to save changes that were made in the menu parameters. By placing the unit into standby mode the current menu settings are saved. 2 - DIGITAL The DIGITAL button will scroll sequentially, allowing the selection one of the 5 digital inputs.
Front Panel Display Main screen When the RCS 2.2X is powered on the main screen will be displayed. CAUTION To move the cursor indicator (10) use the front panel or remote control navigation buttons. To select an option press the “ENTER” button. 1 - Correction preset selection 2 - EQ preset selection 3 - Correction menu option 4 - Parametric EQ menu option 5 - Tone control menu option 6 - Output sampling frequency indicator 7 - Input sampling frequency indicator 8 - RCS 2.
Front Panel Display Correction menu option Move the cursor to the CORR (3) option and press the “ENTER” button to enter the main room correction menu. Parametric EQ menu option Move the cursor to the PAR EQ (4) option and press the “ENTER” button to enter the main parametric EQ menu. Note: An EQ preset must be enabled from the main screen for the PAR EQ and TONE menus to be active. If the EQ preset is set to “BP” the PAR EQ and TONE controls are disabled.
Front Panel Display MAIN menu The main menu screen lists all of the RCS 2.2X general menus. To highlight a menu option(1) use the navigational buttons. To enter a highlighted option press the “ENTER” button. CAUTION MODE menu The RCS 2.2X can be set to one of four operating modes. To highlight an option use the navigational buttons. To enter a highlighted option press the “ENTER” button. - STEREO 2.2 This mode produces 4 output signals. Left, Right, Left SUB, and Right SUB. - STEREO 2.
Front Panel Menu ADC menu (optional ADC module) The RCS 2.2X can be equipped with a state of the art Analog to Digital Converter (ADC module optional) . To further enhance the converters performance, the system offers two selectable gain values for the ADC input stage. These values can be assigned to each input independently. NOTE: The optional ADC module is required for analog inputs.
Front Panel Display POL menu The polarity menu allows for an independent polarity setting for each channel. Each channel can be set to “+” (0) or “-” (inverted). CAUTION Tttt To select an option use the “UP” and “DOWN” navigational buttons and to change cc its value press the “ENTER” button to toggle between a “+” or “-” setting. TEST menu The test menu is designed to allow for a quick system check. When engaged it will produce pink noise on all selected channels (1).
Front Panel Display DISPLAY menu The display menu allows for control over the front panel display appearance. To select an option use the “UP” or “DOWN” navigational buttons and then use the “LEFT” and “RIGHT” buttons to change the value. - Timeout - This option is used to turn the front panel timer “ON” or “OFF”.
Front Panel Display COMM menu The communication menu allows for the RS232 baud rate selection and device address assignment. By default the RCS 2.2X is set to baud rate of 57600. CAUTION To change the system baud rate use the “UP” and “DOWN” navigational buttons to highlight the desired baud rate and then press the “ENTER” button to select it. The new baud rate will be displayed on the bottom of the screen.
Front Panel Display OPTIONS menu The options menu allows for control of the systems maximum signal level, signal detection threshold (SDTH), wheel speed, and remote control. To select an option highlight it using the “UP” and “DOWN” navigational buttons. To modify a selected option use the “LEFT” and “RIGHT” buttons. - Max Level - This option controls the systems maximum signal level. For example, if this option is set to -3.0 dB, the volume control can not go above -3.0 dB.
Front Panel Display DOUT menu The DOUT menu offers two options. Option “1” will force the system to output Left and Right channel signals at digital output 1, and Left SUB and Right SUB channel signals at digital output 2. Option “2” will output Left main channel and Left subwoofer at digital output 1 and Right main channel and Right subwoofer at digital output 2. CAUTION This menu is designed to support TACT digital amplifiers.
Front Panel Display NOTE: When a TacT digital amplifier is controlled by the RCS 2.2X, all of the amplifiers front panel and IR controls are disabled. Use the RS232 port and/or daisy chain to link the components. CAUTION: The AMP setting should only be set to ENABLED if you have Tact amplifiers connected to the RCS 2.2X. When the AMP option set to ENABLED both the analog and digital output with will output a full level signal regardless of the RCS 2.2X master volume setting.
Front Panel Display LEVELS menu The level menu allows for control of the system channel balancing. You can adjust the system balance by changing the attenuation on any of the four output signals. To highlight an option use the “UP” and “DOWN” navigational buttons. To change the current value use the “LEFT” and “RIGHT” buttons. CAUTION 1 - Currently selected correction option. 2 - Individual channel level settings. NOTE: The RCS 2.
Front Panel Display NOTE: The RCS 2.2X provides a unique set of four delay times (Left, Right, SUB Left and SUB Right) for each room correction preset including bypass. NOTE: System balancing is automatically implemented by the room correction software. You would change these parameters only if you needed additional adjustments. NAME menu The name menu allows for selection of Room Correction presets based on their symbolic names rather than based on their numbers.
Front Panel Display Parametric EQ menu The Parametric EQ menu is used to apply up to twelve bands of parametric equalization for the left and right channels. The EQ processing can be applied in two different ways. Both the left and right channels can be linked together to apply processing globally, or both the left and right channels can be processed independently for unique settings for each channel. Note: An EQ preset must be enabled from the main screen for the PAR EQ and TONE menus to be active.
Front Panel Display Parametric EQ Table - Linked This is an example of the linked parametric EQ filter table. Its display allows for adjustment of all filter parameters: Level, center frequency and Q factor. The filter parameters will be applied globally to both the left and right channels. 1 - Indicates that this table is for linked filters. 2 - Current parametric EQ preset. 3 - Filter order. For more filters scroll down the list. To change a parameter first highlight it and press the “ENTER” button.
Front Panel Display TONE menu The tone menu allows for easy and very detailed system tonal control. Use the navigation buttons to highlight an option. To select the highlighted option press the “ENTER” button. To modify the selected option use the “UP” and “DOWN” navigational buttons. To deselect the selected option press the “ENTER” button again. CAUTION 1 - Level control is used to set the low, mid and high frequency filter attenuation. Filter level is given in dB and can be changed in increments of 0.
TacT 2.2X Room Correction Software The RCS 2.2X employs some of the most advanced audio-software ever developed. In order to use the proprietary TacT Room Correction System, you will have to install the supplied software on your computer. Complete instructions for using the room correction software can be found in the online help available in the software. To make the room correction process easier for the first time user there is a Quick Setup feature that is described later in this manual.
Tact 2.2X Room Correction Software Connect your RCS 2.2X to your Computer Your RCS 2.2X must be connected to your computers serial port in order for it to communicate with your computer and to run the Quick Setup and correction process. Please follow the steps below to connect your RCS-2.2 X to your computer. 1 - Connect the RS 232 “Input” jack on the back of the RCS 2.2X to your computers serial port using the supplied cables and adapters.
Quick Setup The Tact 2.2X Quick Setup wizard is designed to help both the first time and experienced user perform complete room correction and create nine correction presets quickly and easily. To run the Quick Setup successfully you will need to know your speaker configuration, your loudspeakers lower cut-off frequency, and the type of amplifier(s) that you have connected.
Quick Setup STEP I Select the speaker configuration setting that you have set for the RCS 2.2x Operating Mode. This setting is found in the "MODE" menu on the front panel of the RCS-2.2 X. CAUTION Select: 2.2 operating mode - If your system uses two main loudspeakers and two subwoofers. 2.1 operating mode - If your system uses two main loudspeakers and one subwoofer. 2.0 operating mode - If your system uses only two main loudspeakers.
Quick Setup - If you have selected 2.0 operating mode you will need to set the: - Loudspeaker lower cutoff frequency (this is the lowest frequency that your loudspeakers can reproduce) STEP II Do you have one or more M/S 2150 digital amplifier connected to your TacT-2.2 X? - If you do not use Tact digital amplifiers select “No”. Then select the “Next” button and go to Step III.
Quick Setup STEP II CAUTION - If one or more M/S 2150 digital amplifiers are connected to your RCS-2.2 X select “Yes”. You will now need to select the options that match your RCS-2.2 X connections to your M/S 2150 amplifier(s). If you have more than one digital amplifier you will need to select more than one option. - Next you will have to enter the unique address number that is assigned to each amplifier in the “Amp panel” section.
Quick Setup STEP III Verify that the selections you made are correct and start the Quick Setup automation. - If the settings listed are not correct select the “Back” button to go back and make the appropriate changes and return to the finish screen when you are ready to start the Quick Setup. - If the settings listed are correct select the “Finish” button. This will start the Quick Setup measurement and programing automation.
Update the RCS-2.2 X Firmware Your RCS-2.2 X has been pre-programmed with the latest firmware when shipped from our factory and does not need to updated with the program CD that came with your unit. TacT Audio may occasionally release updated versions of the RCS software that will be available on our website “www.tactaudio.com”. This new software may contain updates or enhancements for your RCS-2.2 X.
Update the Tact-2.2 X Firmware 5 - Press and hold the “DIGITAL” and “ANALOG” buttons on the front panel of the RCS-2.2 X simultaneously while you turn the unit back ON from the rear-panel mains switch. Hold the buttons until the display shows the “PROGRAMMING MODE” screen. Tact-2.2 X Programming Mode RAM Test: OK STATUS : READY 6 - From the TacT-2.2 X RCS software main screen, click on the “Add-Ins” and then select the “Standard” option. You should now see the Add-Ins window.
Update the Tact-2.2 X Firmware Step IV: Reprogram the System Files After updating the firmware the System Files now need to be reprogrammed. CAUTION 1 1 - From the TacT-2.2 X RCS software main screen, click on the “Program TacT2.2 X” button. You should now see the programming window. 2 - Press and hold the “Control” key on your computer keyboard and then press the “S” key simultaneously. This should display the System Option (1) in the bottom center of the programming window.
Step V: Restoring the Default RCS2.2X Settings This step is optional and is only required if you would like to reset all internal settings in the unit to their factory defaults. If you proceed you will erase your custom user settings. Restore the default settings for the new firmware installed on the RCS-2.2 X. 1 - From the TacT-2.2 X RCS software main screen, click on the “Options” menu selection at the top of the screen and then select the “Default Settings” option.
TacT Audio, Inc. 201 Gates Road Unit G, Little Ferry – New Jersey 07643, USA Phone: +1 201 440 9300 – Fax: +1 201 440 5580 – Email: info@tactaudio.com www.tactaudio.
