Illusonic IAP4 User manual

Illusonic IAP 4 Owner’s Manual

Illusonic IAP 4 Owner’s Manual 1

2 Illusonic IAP 4
Version 1.0.0
Published by Illusonic GmbH
Illusonic GmbH, registered offices:
Bahnstrasse 23, 8610 Uster, Switzerland
www.illusonic.com
Illusonic is a registered trademark of Illusonic GmbH
Copyright c Illusonic GmbH, 2011–2014
All rights reserved
Printed in Switzerland

Illusonic IAP 4 3
Important Information
FCC Notice
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
– Adjust or relocate the receiving antenna.
– Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
– Connect the equipment into a mains outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected.
– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Disposal – Environmental Care
Directive 2002/96/EG of the European Parliament requires
consumer electro-technical appliances to be disposed sepa-
rately and have to be indicated with the symbol on the left.
Should you dispose this component, please do so in confor-
mity with local and global legal and environmental regulations
and according to best practices. We strongly encourage you to
recycle any batteries used with this component.

4 Illusonic IAP 4
Safety Notice
Make sure to respect the following rules:
– Install the Processor on a stable base.
– Do not install the Processor near water.
– Do not expose the Processor to any kind of liquid.
– Do not install the Processor near any heat source
or in direct sun light.
– Do not install the Processor in a confined space and make
sure sufficient air can flow around it.
– Do not operate the Processor under high (>35C) or low (<5C)
ambient temperature. See operating conditions in Chapter 11.1.
– Do not operate the Processor under extremely high humidity.
See operating conditions in Chapter 11.1.
– Do not open the Processor nor try to service it by yourself.
Always refer to a qualified technician for service and maintenance.
Failure to do so will void the warranty.
– Make sure to use 3 terminals (phase, neutral, and earth) power cables
with ground conductor. Make sure your local AC voltage matches
the voltage printed next to the Processor’s AC power connector.

Illusonic IAP 4 5
Contents
Important Information 3
FCC Notice .............................................. 3
Disposal – Environmental Care .............................. 3
Safety Notice ............................................. 4
1 Introduction 7
1.1 Foreword ........................................... 7
1.2 How To Use This Manual .............................. 8
1.3 IAP 4 Overview ...................................... 9
2 Getting Started 15
Step 1: Unpacking ........................................ 15
Step 2: Installing the AC Power Cable ........................ 15
Step 3: Choosing a Loudspeaker Setup ....................... 16
Step 4: Connecting Audio/Video Devices ..................... 17
Step 5: Using IAP 4 ....................................... 18
Advanced Setup .......................................... 19
3 Usage 21
3.1 Front Panel and Remote Control ........................ 21
3.2 Back Panel .......................................... 22
3.3 Common Usage ...................................... 25
3.4 Sound Settings (Presets) .............................. 26
3.5 Menu Mode ......................................... 28
3.6 Cleaning ............................................ 30
3.7 Maintenance and Service .............................. 30
4 Menu: Speaker Setup 31
2 (Stereo) ............................................. 32
2.1 (Stereo + Subwoofer) ................................ 32
2.2 (Stereo + 2 Subwoofers) ............................. 33
2+2 (Double Stereo and Cross-Overs) ..................... 33
3 (Stereo+Center) ...................................... 34
3.1 (Stereo+Center+Subwoofer) .......................... 34
4 (Surround) ........................................... 35

6 Illusonic IAP 4
2+2H (3D) ............................................ 35
5 Menu: Inputs 37
6 Menu: Outputs 39
7 Menu: Bass Management 41
7.1 Introduction ......................................... 41
7.2 Bass Management Use Cases .......................... 42
7.3 Bass Management Menu .............................. 44
8 Menu: Equalizer 45
8.1 Introduction ......................................... 45
8.2 Equalizer Menu ...................................... 45
8.3 Equalizer Types and Parameters ......................... 47
9 Menu: System 49
10 Software Tools 51
10.1 IAP Controller ....................................... 51
10.2 IAP Calibration ....................................... 52
11 Specifications 53
11.1 Technical ........................................... 53
Index 55

Illusonic IAP 4 Chapter 1 Introduction 7
1
Introduction
1.1
Foreword
Conventionally in high end audio, people “mix and match” devices. They
may use a DAC, an analog pre-amplifier, a phono stage, an equalizer, and
a processor.
Illusonic Audio Processors integrate these functionalities - because they be-
long together from a quality, technical, and usage perspective. The number
of signal transmissions and conversions (AD, DA, digital clock sync) are
minimized.
IAP 4 has four output channels (“Stereo + 2”), providing flexibility and in-
novation beyond stereo. A stereo system may be amended by a subwoofer,
center channel, surround channels, or even height channels. To make most
of such additional channels, corresponding world-class signal processing is
built into IAP 4.
Additionally, IAP 4 can calibrate each of its output channels with gain, delay,
and parametric equalizers, to adapt to the room and loudspeaker positions.
Depth/Immersion adds a new dimension to room adaptation, controlling spa-
ciousness. The following pages give a more detailed overview over IAP 4’s
features.
I hope you’ll enjoy countless hours of quality listening and entertainment!
Yours truly,
Christof Faller
Founder and Owner of Illusonic

8 Illusonic IAP 4 Chapter 1 Introduction
1.2
How To Use This Manual
– The manual is structured to be read through from beginning to end.
– In case you read the manual only punctually, there are many pointers
within the text, referring to related information and chapters. Detailed
contents in the beginning and an index in the end help you find desired
information quickly.
– You will find text and figures with additional information and insights
placed in the info margin.11This text is in the info margin.
This symbol indicates important information.
General knowledge and tutorial information is indicated with this symbol.

Illusonic IAP 4 Chapter 1 Introduction 9
1.3
IAP 4 Overview
Inputs
IAP 4 can connect to a variety of sources. There is usually no need for a
device between the source and IAP 4. In addition to conventional analog
and digital inputs, IAP 4 features a phono stage, USB audio, network media
rendering, and four HDMI inputs with multi-channel support.
Analog, Digital Hi Res
HDMI, USB, Network Phono Stage
Outputs
IAP 4 features four symmetric XLR and corresponding four RCA line outputs,
which directly connect to power amplifiers or active loudspeakers. Its HDMI
output connects to a TV or projector, if needed.
22.1 2.2 2+2
33.1 4 2+2H
The figure above illustrates different loudspeaker configurations supported
by IAP 4. These are discussed in Chapter 4.

10 Illusonic IAP 4 Chapter 1 Introduction
Volume Control
In order to be able to connect directly to power amplifiers or active loud-
speakers, IAP 4 features volume control, implemented digitally. Volume con-
trol is applied just before the DACs using 32 bit floating point arithmetic,
followed by a dithering process.
Room Equalization and Depth/Immersion
Each channel features gain, delay, and fully parametric equalizers. These are
usually used to calibrate the system and for room equalization.
Immersion
Depth
Calibration
Depth/Immersion adds a new dimension to adaptation of the sound system
to the room. The specific room, loudspeakers, and loudspeaker positions
determine how a room reacts to the sound. Depth/Immersion adds free-
dom to modify the perceived spaciousness beyond these traditional physical
parameters.

Illusonic IAP 4 Chapter 1 Introduction 11
Tone Control
While room equalization has the goal to mitigate dominant characteristics of
your room, tone control is used to subjectively adjust the level of low and
high frequencies. Not bass and treble gain can be adjusted, but also the
corresponding frequencies.
Center Loudspeaker
When IAP 4 receives a center channel via HDMI, it will reproduce it over the
center loudspeaker. For stereo audio, IAP 4 can reproduce phantom center
over the center loudspeaker, for precise and interference-free audio repro-
duction. Sound stage and timbre of the reproduction are vastly improved
outside of the sweet spot.

12 Illusonic IAP 4 Chapter 1 Introduction
Surround Loudspeakers
When IAP 4 receives surround channels via HDMI, it will reproduce them
over the surround loudspeakers. For stereo audio, IAP 4 can generate sur-
round channels, which are used to render room information in the recording
more naturally.
Height Loudspeakers
Adding loudspeakers above the left and right loudspeakers, adds to the
perception of depth and immersion. The sound stage appears more three-
dimensional.

Illusonic IAP 4 Chapter 1 Introduction 13
Double Amping and Cross-Overs
For systems using two amplifiers for each stereo channel, the “2+2” loud-
speaker setup gives out left and right twice. Different gain, delay, and equal-
izers can be applied to each channel. Gain, delay, equalizers, and polarity can
also be used to implement and optimize cross-over filters.
Bass Management
IAP 4’s versatile bass management enables optimal use of different loud-
speaker sizes and/or subwoofers. If a loudspeaker is smaller than others, or
for room acoustic reasons, the bass can be removed from it and be repro-
duced over other loudspeakers and/or subwoofers.

14 Illusonic IAP 4 Chapter 1 Introduction
Softwares
The latest versions of IAP Controller and IAP Calibration softwares can be
downloaded from the Illusonic web site. Both, Windows and OS X ver-
sions are available. IAP Controller presents all IAP 4 parameters for comfort-
able setup. IAP Calibration makes multi-point room measurement easy and
helps setting up calibration related parameters (channel gain/delay, equaliz-
ers, cross-overs, bass management).

Illusonic IAP 4 Chapter 2 Getting Started 15
2
Getting Started
Step 1:
Unpacking
Unpack IAP 4. Store the packaging for future transportation. The package
contains:
– IAP 4 unit
– AC power cable
– Remote control
– This user manual
Step 2:
Installing the AC Power Cable
1
3
2
1. Make sure that the indicated voltage matches your local AC voltage.
2. Make sure that the main power switch on the back is set to off (0).
3. Install the AC power cable.1
1Make sure to use 3 terminals (phase, neutral,
and earth) power cables with ground conductor.

16 Illusonic IAP 4 Chapter 2 Getting Started
Step 3:
Choosing a Loudspeaker Setup
You need to decide which loudspeaker setup you use and connect
the amplifiers/loudspeakers to IAP 4. Follow Chapter 4 to:
– Learn about the supported loudspeaker setups.
– Decide which setup to use.
– Tell IAP 4 which loudspeaker setup you use.
22.1 2.2 2+2
33.1 4 2+2H

Illusonic IAP 4 Chapter 2 Getting Started 17
Step 4:
Connecting Audio/Video Devices
1
32 6
7 4
5
Connect audio and video devices to any of the above shown connectors:
1. HDMI sources, such as Blu-ray players, game consoles,
and set top boxes.
2. Digital audio sources, such as CD players.
3. A PC or audio server over USB.
4. A network, PC, or audio server via Ethernet.
5. An analog audio source.
6. A turntable.
7. If you want to watch video, connect a TV or projector.1
1If you use IAP 4 only for enjoying audio, then there is
no need to connect a TV or projector. All necessary
information is shown on the built-in display.

18 Illusonic IAP 4 Chapter 2 Getting Started
Step 5:
Using IAP 4
2
4
3
1
5
1. Push the rotary to switch IAP 4 on.
2. Select an input source, using the <>buttons below the display.
3. Adjust the volume by turning the rotary control on the right.
4. Play sound with the selected input source.
5. Once you are done, push the rotary control for two seconds to put
IAP 4 to standby.1
1When you set the main power switch to off or
disconnect the main AC power, without going
to standby first, IAP 4 does not save its current
settings.
To get more familiar with usage of IAP 4, continue with Chapter 3.
Advanced setup of IAP 4 is outlined on the next page.