Owner`s manual
SURROUND SOUND PROCESSOR RSP-966
10
About Rotel
A family whose passionate interest in music led them to manufac-
ture high fidelity components of uncompromising quality founded
Rotel over 30 years ago. Through the years that passion has re-
mained undiminished and the family goal of providing exceptional
value for audiophiles and music lovers regardless of their budget,
is shared by all Rotel employees.
The engineers work as a close team, listening to, and fine tuning
each new product until it reaches their exacting musical stan-
dards. They are free to choose components from around the world
in order to make that product the best they can. You are likely to
find capacitors from the United Kingdom and Germany, semi con-
ductors from Japan or the United States, while toroidal power
transformers are manufactured in Rotel’s own factory.
Rotel’s reputation for excellence has been earned through hun-
dreds of good reviews and awards from the most respected re-
viewers in the industry, who listen to music every day. Their
comments keep the company true to its goal - the pursuit of
equipment that is musical, reliable and affordable.
All of us at Rotel, thank you for buying this product and hope it will
bring you many hours of enjoyment.
Getting Started
Thank you for purchasing the Rotel RSP-966 Surround Sound Pro-
cessor. The RSP-966 combines a digital audio/video processor to
decode Dolby
®
Pro Logic
®
analog and Dolby Digital
®
and DTS
®
digital surround sound signals with a full-featured audio/video
control center for analog and digital components.
RSP-966 Key Features
•
Rotel’s Balanced Design Concept combines advanced circuit
board layout, comprehensive parts evaluation, and extensive lis-
tening tests for superior sound and long term reliability.
•
Dolby
®
Pro Logic
®
decoding for analog sources. Dolby Digital
®
and DTS
®
decoding for 5.1 channel digital sources
•
5.1 channel input for outboard adaptor and future upgradeabilty
•
User friendly ON-SCREEN DISPLAY with programmable labels for
video components.
•
Comprehensive digital and analog input and output connections
for audio and video sources, including digital inputs, composite
video inputs and S-Video inputs
•
User friendly ON-SCREEN DISPLAY with programmable labels for
video components.
•
Programmable remote control to operate the RSP-966 and up to
seven other components.
Unpacking
Remove the unit carefully from its packing. Look for the handheld
remote control and other accessories. Save the packing and box
as it will protect the RSP-966 if you move or need to return it for
maintenance.
Placement
Place the RSP-966 on a solid, dry, level surface away from direct
sunlight, excessive heat, high humidity, or strong vibrations.
Make sure the RSP-966 is close to the other components in your
audio/video system and, if possible, place it on its own shelf. This
will make initial cable routing, hookup, and any subsequent sys-
tem changes easier. It also minimizes potential interference or
heat buildup from other components.
The RSP-966 can generate heat during normal operation. Do not
block ventilation openings. Allow a minimum of 10 cm (4 inches) of
unobstructed open space around the unit. If installed in a cabinet,
make sure that there is adequate ventilation.
Make sure there is enough room behind the RSP-966 for easy
hookup. Remember, you are connecting many other components
to this unit and you’ll probably need more space than you think.
Don’t stack other objects (components or other items) on top of
the RSP-966. Don’t let water fall into the RSP-966 as this could
damage delicate circuitry.
Front Panel: Basic Controls
We suggest you look over the RSP-966’s front and rear panels be-
fore you start connecting other components to it. The following
explanations will help you get familiar with the units connections,
features, and controls, with number references corresponding to
the illustrations at the front of this manual.
Most functions are duplicated on the front panel and on the
handheld remote control shipped with your unit. A few may be
available only on one or the other. When two numbers appear, one
refers to the location of the button on the front panel, the other to
the location of the button on the handheld remote control.
Power Switch
1
and Standby Switch
2
35
The RSP-966 has two pushbuttons for powering on and off. The
POWER switch completely shuts down all of the circuitry, similar
in effect to removing the power cord from the AC outlet. The
STANDBY switch deactivates the unit, but preserves power to
some circuits such as those that store memorized circuits. When
in STANDBY mode, a front panel STANDBY LED indicator lights.
The STANDBY Switch is duplicated on the RSP-966's remote.
In normal operation, use the STANDBY switch to deactivate the
unit when you are finished listening and leave the POWER switch
ON at all times. This will preserve memory functions.