T+A K2 Blu User manual

Software Version V 1.1 Order No. 9103-0457, UK

USER MANUAL
K2 Blu

2
Welcome.
We are delighted that you have decided to purchase a product. With your new K2 Blu you have acquired a top-
quality piece of equipment which has been designed and developed with the wishes of the audiophile music lover as
absolute top priority.
This system represents our very best efforts at designing practical electronic equipment incorporating solid quality, user-
friendly operation and a specification and performance which leaves nothing to be desired.
All these factors contribute to a piece of equipment which will satisfy your highest demands and your most searching
requirements for a period of many years. All the components we use meet the German and European safety norms and
standards which are currently valid. All the materials we use are subject to painstaking quality monitoring.
Our robust all-metal cases exclude any possibility of external sources of interference affecting the quality of
reproduction. From the opposite point of view our products’ electro-magnetic radiation (electro-smog) is reduced to an
absolute minimum by the outstandingly effective screening provided by the metal case.
All sub-assemblies and mains sections are designed to be extremely efficient. A European EUP directive will come into
force in future, relating to energy efficiency and the avoidance of greenhouse gases which are harmful to the climate;
the directive’s requirements will be very stringent, but our equipment satisfies them in full even today.
Our range of accessories includes high-quality cables and connectors.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the faith you have shown in our company by purchasing this pro-
duct, and wish you many hours of enjoyment and sheer listening pleasure with your K2 Blu.
 elektroakustik GmbH & Co KG

Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.
“Dolby“ and the double-D Symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

“DTS” and “DTS Digital Surround” are trademarks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.
Manufactured under license from one or more of the following DTS, Inc. U.S. Pat. No's:
5,451,942; 5,956,674; 5,974,380; 5,978,762; 6,487,535 and other U.S. and world-wide patents issued
and pending. “DTS“ is a registered trademark of DTS, Inc. and “DTS 2.0 + Digital Out“ is a trademark of
DTS, Inc. Copyright 1996, 2002-2006 DTS, Inc.
All rights Reserved.

"iPod is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries."
"Made for iPod“ means that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod
and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards.
Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
About these instructions
The K2 Blu is available in two versions: the K2 Blu with Streaming Client module, and the K2 Blu without network
capability; these instructions apply to both versions. The ‘Streaming Client’ chapter and the network settings are
irrelevant to the K2 Blu model.
The K2 Blu amplifier, with its five output stages, can be used in various ways: it can provide sound to two associated
zones in a single room, or to two separate rooms.
It is also possible to use the K2 Blu’s integral output stages for audiophile bi-amping. For more details on these possible
modes of operation please refer to the appropriate chapters.
All the controls and functions of the K2 Blu which are frequently used are described in the first section of these
operating instructions.
The second part - 'Basic settings, Installation, Using the system for the first time' covers connections and settings which
are very seldom required; they are generally required only when the machine is set up and used for the first time. Here you will
also find a detailed description of the network settings required for connecting the K2 Blu to your home network.
For newcomers to networks we have prepared explanations of some of the important terms used in this technology and
other background information in the Chapter 'Network Terminology'.

All the components we use meet the European safety norms and standards which are currently valid. The ope-
ration instructions, the connection guidance and the safety notes are for your own good - please read them
carefully and observe them at all times.
This product complies with the Low Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC), EMV Directives (89/336/EEC, 92/31/EEC) and CE
Marking Directive (93/68/EEC).

3
Contents
Page
Operation
Controls .......................................................................................................................... 4
Remote control ............................................................................................................. 8
Basic functions of the K2 Blu .................................................................................... 11
Switching sources .......................................................................................................... 11
Volume adjustment ........................................................................................................ 11
Mode of operation .......................................................................................................... 12
Tone settings (Tone menu) ........................................................................................... 13
System settings (System configuration menu) .............................................................. 14
Alarm timer .................................................................................................................... 19
Alarm timer menu .......................................................................................................... 19
Operating the source devices in detail ........................................................ 21
Operating the radio ..................................................................................................... 21
Operating the disc player (media player) .................................................................. 23
Disc Player setup menu (Blu-ray player configuration) .................................................. 38
Operating the Streaming Client ................................................................................. 49
Access to media content via the main menu (Home menu) .......................................... 50
Access to media content via the Favourites list ............................................................. 51
Operating an iPod ........................................................................................................ 52
Operating the Bluetooth source ................................................................................ 54
Connections, using the system for the first time
Connections ................................................................................................................... 58
Listening zones and bi-amping....................................................................................... 60
Set-up and wiring ........................................................................................................... 61
Safety notes ................................................................................................................... 63
FCC Information to the user .......................................................................................... 65
Network configuration ................................................................................................ 70
The vTuner Premium service ..................................................................................... 72
TV Connect ........................................................................................................... 74
Activating optional functions .......................................................................................... 74
Miscellaneous
Trouble-shooting ............................................................................................................ 75
Network terminology ...................................................................................................... 82
Notes on Energy Saving ................................................................................................ 84
Appendix
Wiring diagram .............................................................................................................. 86
Specification .................................................................................................................. 88
Symbols used in these instructions


Caution!
Text passages marked with this symb
ol contain important information which must be observed if the
machine is to operate safely and without problems.


This symbol marks text passages which provide supplementary notes and background information; they
are intended to help the user understand how to get the best out of the machine.

4
K2 Blu Multi Source System
Controls
All the K2 Blu’s important functions can be operated using the buttons on the machine’s front panel. Direct operating
buttons are provided for basic functions such as selecting sources and tracks, whereas more rarely required functions
are controlled by means of menus which are called up using the 

and 

buttons.
The integral screen constantly displays all the information relating to the machine’s current state, the track currently
playing and the radio station currently tuned. The main item of information is emphasised on the screen in a context-
sensitive manner, so that you can see it clearly from a distance. The following section describes the functions of the
front panel buttons and the screen information in greater detail.
On / Off switch




 




(On and Off switch)
A brief press on the 

button switches the machine on and off.






Caution!
The mains button is not an isolation switch. Certain parts of the machine
remain connected to mains voltage even when the screen is switched off
and dark. If you know you will not be using the machine for a long period,
we recommend that you disconnect it from the mains by withdrawing the
mains plug from the wall socket.
Please see the chapter entitled 'Notes on Energy Saving' for details of
power consumption.
Front panel connections




(Headphones)
Socket for stereo headphones with a minimum impedance of 50 Ω.
When headphones are plugged in, the loudspeakers connected to the K2 Blu
for the primary room (listening zone 1) are automatically switched off.






Note regarding the use of headphones
Continuous listening to programme material at very high volume using
headphones or earphones can result in permanent loss of hearing. You
can avoid subsequent health problems by avoiding continuous listening
at high volume through headphones or earphones.


USB BD
Socket for a USB memory stick.
This USB port can be used to reproduce audio and video files. The method of
operation is described in the chapter entitled ‘Operating the disc player
(Media Player)’.
The storage medium must be formatted using the FAT16 or FAT32 file system.
The USB memory can be powered via the USB port provided that its current
drain is in accordance with the USB norm (< 500 mA).

5


Disc drawer The drawer is opened and closed by pressing the 

button.
Alternatively the drawer can be opened with a long press on the 

button
on the remote control handset, and closed again by pressing the 

button
on the handset.
Operating buttons 





Source select
Pressing this button selects the desired listening source. Press the button
repeatedly until the desired listening source appears on the screen.
The signal generated by the selected source can now be reproduced via the
loudspeakers. The signal is also present at the TAPE-OUT output sockets for
recording.
Disc mechanism functions





STOP / OPEN
Button for opening and closing the disc drawer.





STOP
Ends playback


 




PLAY / PAUSE
Starts playback
Halts current playback (pause)
Resumes playback after a pause
Menu functions


 




Source menu
Brief press: opens the menu for the selected source (DVD/Blu-ray track
menu, Tuner menu, etc.)
A long press opens the Setup menu for the following sources:
Source Setup menu
Streaming Client: network setup
(see chapter ‘Network configuration’)


 




System menu/
Alarm Timer
Brief press: opens the ‘System Configuration’ menu
(for further details see the chapter entitled ‘System settings’)
Long press: opens the alarm timer menu (see chapter entitled ‘Alarm
Timer’)



Returns to the previous point / change button



Confirms the input / change button



Selects the next point within a list / select button



Selects the previous point within a list / select button



Confirm / select button in menus and lists
A brief press selects the highlighted menu point / list point
Loudspeaker / Volume


 




Switches the loudspeaker output on and off:
If speakers are connected to loudspeaker output B, you can cycle through the
following modes of operation by repeatedly pressing this button:
Brief press: loudspeaker group A B* A+B*
* only if loudspeakers B are connected
Long press: Switches the loudspeakers off
A brief press on the button terminates muting.


 

/ 





Increases / reduces volume

6
Display elements / Remote control receiver


Remote control
receiver
(below the screen)






When using the remote control system please point the FM100 handset in the
direction of the receiver.
The line of sight between the FM100 and the remote control receiver in the
K2 Blu must not be interrupted by any obstacles. Installing the K2 Blu behind
the glass doors of a cabinet will also adversely affect the remote control
system. It is essential to prevent potentially interfering light (from fluorescent
lamps and energy-saving bulbs) falling directly on the receiver, as this may
markedly reduce the effective range of the remote control system.


Status LED
The Status LED glows in different colours to indicate various operating states.
These are as follows:
LED colour State Note
off Stand-by Alarm timer operation possible
red Comfort stand-by Clock display and on / off switching
possible using the FD 100
blue Comfort stand-by Alarm timer is programmed
white Switched on Flashes when the machine has been
switched on by the alarm timer
green Switched off Only in two-room operation when
loudspeakers B are switched on


Display
The graphic screen of the K2 Blu displays all information regarding the status
of the machine, the music track currently being played and the radio station
currently tuned. The display is context-sensitive and varies according to the
capabilities and facilities of the service or medium to which you are currently
listening.
The most important information is highlighted on the screen in a context-
sensitive manner. Supplementary information is displayed above and below the
main text, or by means of symbols. The symbols used are listed and explained
in the table below.
The screen can display the time of day in 'Comfort Standby' mode, and is
dimmable (variable brightness); it can therefore be adjusted to suit your
personal preference and requirements. (see chapter 'System settings
(System configuration menu)')
e.g.
The displays and symbols which appear on the screen vary according to the
currently active function (SCL, Disc, etc.) and the type of music currently being
played.
The basic areas of the screen:
•Display field (a) shows information relating to the piece of music being
played. The essential information is displayed enlarged in the main line.
•Display field (b) shows information relating to the device / network / state of
reception.
•The bottom line (c) displays supplementary context-sensitive information and
operating notes:






The K2 Blu provides different screen displays for the Streaming Client and the
radio.
•Large-format display:
Enlarged display of the most important information, clearly legible even from
a distance
•Detail display:
Small-text display showing a large number of additional information points,
e.g. bit-rate etc.
A long press on the button on the remote control handset is used to
switch between the display modes.

7
Screen symbols and their meaning
Making connection (Wait / Busy)
The rotating symbol indicates that the K2 Blu is currently processing a
command, or is attempting to connect to a service. These processes may take
some time to complete depending on the speed of your network and the load
upon it.
During such periods the K2 Blu may be muted, and may not respond to the
controls. Please wait until the symbol disappears, then try again.
Indicates a music track which can be played, or a playlist.
Indicates a folder which conceals further folders or lists.
Indicates that a source is being reproduced via a cable connection.
Indicates that a source is being reproduced via a radio connection.
Indicates that the K2 Blu is reproducing a station or playing back a music track.
Pause indicator
Indicates that the speakers A and B are switched off. (in 2-zone mode only if
speakers A are switched off)
Buffer display (fullness indicator, memory display) and data rate indicator (if
available):
The higher the data rate, the better the quality of reproduction.
Display of the elapsed playback time.
This information is not available for all services.
Indicates that the 

button can be used to switch to a higher menu or
select level.
0 / 0 Position indicator in select lists. The first number shows the current position in
the list, the second number the total number of list entries (length of list).
Indicates that the selected menu point or list point can be activated by pressing
the 

button.
ABC or Display of the symbol input modes
123 or
abc

8
Remote control
Introduction
In general terms the function of the buttons on the remote control handset is the
same as the corresponding buttons on the machine’s front panel.
The Infra-Red sensor for the remote control system is located within the screen
area of the K2 Blu. There must be unobstructed line of sight between the FM100
and the machine’s integral screen.
The following tables show the remote control buttons and their function when
operating the machine.
SCL
DISC
TUN
REC
MODE
V
O
L
+
3
6
9
2
5
8
0
OK
1
4
7
D1
abc
jkl
tuv
ghi
pqrs
def
mno
wxyz
SYS
F1
D2
VID
F2
RADIO
AUD
F3
SRC
F4
FM100
MENU
I / II


 
(red)
Switches the device on and off
Direct source select buttons






Brief press: selects the K2 Blu’s Streaming Client function
(Internet radio, access to music server)
Long press: selects the iPod as source device






Selects the K2 Blu’s disc player as source device











Repeatedly pressing the button selects the following sources on
the K2 Blu: AUX IN, DIG IN 1, DIG IN 2, Bluetooth.











Brief press: TV input of the K2 Blu











Brief press: Radio function of the K2 Blu



Brief press: Recorder input (TAPE) of the K2 Blu










abc
...





xyz





Direct alpha-numeric input, e.g. track number, quick station
select, radio station
Special characters are also assigned to the 

and 


buttons.
During the text input process it is possible to switch between
numerical and alpha-numeric input, and between capital and
lower-case letters, using the 

button.



(green)
Switching between the following modes of operation: STEREO,
3-channel MUSIC, 3-channel MOVIE, VIRTUAL SURROUND.





(yellow)
Brief press:
Switches the loudspeakers on in turn:
A B * A+B *
* only if loudspeakers B are connected
Long press: Mute
A brief press on the 

button terminates muting.
- 

+
(yellow)
Reduces / increases volume (volume control rocker)


 Tone settings
A brief press opens the menu for altering the tone settings:
Treble / Bass / Loudness / Balance / Fader / Center /
Sub-woofer / Sound (sound fields)
The menu points are called up using the 

/ 


buttons, and can then be altered using the 

/ 


buttons.
For a more detailed explanation please refer to the chapter
entitled ‘Tone settings’ (TONE menu).

9
Radio Streaming Client Disc-Player iPod
Navigation buttons


 Back to the previous
point
Back to the previous
point
During alpha-numeric
character input the


button can be
used to erase a
character.
Cursor movement left Back to the previous
point


 Confirms the input
- Opens a folder
- Starts a piece of music
- Selects an Internet
station
Cursor movement right Confirms the input






Selects the previous
point within a list
Selects the previous
point within a list
Cursor movement up Selects the previous
point within a list


 Selects the next point
within a list
Selects the next point
within a list
Cursor movement down Selects the next point
within a list


 Confirmation button
during input procedures
Confirmation button
during input procedures
Opens a folder,
starts a piece of music,
selects an Internet
station.
Confirmation button
during input procedures
Confirmation button
during input procedures
Disc mechanism control


 Selects the previous
piece in the playlist
Rewind / fast forward to
search for a particular
passage
Selects the previous
piece in the playlist









Brief press:
manual fine-tuning
Long press:
Search
Rewind / fast forward to
search for a particular
passage
Rewind / fast forward to
search for a particular
passage
Repeatedly pressing this
button varies the search
speed. The search is
terminated by pressing
the 

button.
Rewind / fast forward to
search for a particular
passage


 Selects the next piece in
the playlist
Selects the next track
during playback Selects the next piece in
the playlist



(REPEAT)
Repeat function
(see the chapter
‘Operating the
Streaming Client')
Repeat function
(see the chapter
‘Operating the Blu-ray
disc player’)
Repeat function
(see the chapter
‘Operating the iPod')






(STOP)
Terminates playback Brief press:
halts playback
Long press:
opens and closes the
CD drawer in STOP
mode
Terminates playback
and unloads the playlist






(PLAY/
PAUSE)

Selects station from the
Favourites list •Starts playback of titles
/ folders (Play function)
•During playback: halts
playback (Pause) or
resumes playback
•Starts playback (Play
function)
•During playback: halts
playback Pause) or
resumes playback
•Starts playback (Play
function)
•During playback: halts
playback (Pause) or
resumes playback

10
Radio Streaming Client Disc-Player iPod
Menu functions






Opens the System configuration menu (e.g. for adjusting screen brightness)






Opens the Favourites
menu if the Favourites
list is currently displayed
Brief press:
switches to the main
(Home) menu
Long press:
opens the Network
Configuration menu
Brief press:
opens the Disc menu
Special functions






(red)

Long press:
Removes a favourite
from a station list
Long press:
Removes a favourite from
the Favourites list created
on the K2 Blu
Red button in menus






(green)

Adds a favourite to the
Station list
Adds a favourite to the
Favourites list created
on the K2 Blu
Green button in menus






(yellow)

Button for switching
between Stereo
reception (display 

)
and Mono reception
(display )
Yellow button in menus






(blue)

During character input:
Repeated presses switch
between numerical and
alpha-numeric input, and
between capital and
lower-case letters
In lists:
Search function (alpha
search)
Blue button in menus






Displays the Favourites
list
Displays the Favourites
list created on the
K2 Blu
BD / DVD only
During playback: selects
the sub-title language and /
or switches sub-titles on
and off.






Memory button for quick
station select
Memory button for quick
station select
BD / DVD only:
Switches between
soundtracks present on
the disc






Long press:
Switches between
different screen displays
Toggle switch between
display of current music
track and list navigation
Long press:
Switches between
different screen displays
Superimposed
information



Switches the radiotext
function on and off.
DVD only: if the angle
symbol is displayed:
switches between
different camera angles






Selects the audio track Shuffle function
(see chapter ‘Operating
the iPod’)