Revolution in Audio with  R-972 with Trinnov's Optimizer 

As Deserving of superlatives as our previous Newcastle components were, with our new R-972 receiver we've erupted onto new ground. Never before has Sherwood, or any other brand, integrated a $13,000 professional Room Equalization system into an audio/video receiver.

But our inclusion of Trinnov's Optimizer in the Sherwood Newcastle R-972 is only part of the story.  The 972 maintains the Newcastle brand's reputation for exceptional audio performance and adds contemporary creature comforts like : full support for HDMI 1.3; an Advanced Graphical User Interface (GUI) for user setup and control; a multi-brand, pre-programmed and learning remote control that communicates with the 972 via IR or RF and can operate the entries associated system from anywhere in your home; scaling and de-interlacing of all incoming video to any of several High Definition resolutions including 1080p; support for the lossless audio tracks now available on selected Blu-Ray and HD-DVD titles; XM Radio Connectivity; USB capability; RS-232 two-way communications port; advanced multi-zone capability and more. One can even add piano black end caps for a more Uptown appearance or rack adapters.

Our Newcastle engineers have been tasked with simple but exacting goals.   To the basic performance right and make the receiver easy-to-use. For the audio path, they insisted on the same circuit topology that earned our x65 series audio components rave reviews worldwide.  With 100 Watts RMS per channels from 20 Hz to 20kHz with no more than 0.02% THD they succeeded admirably. Noise levels are exceedingly low. S/N is rated at 105dB.

HDMI's latest 1.3 standard is fully accommodated. Video from the R-972's 11 inputs (4 HDMI, 3 Component, 4 composite/S-video) can be scaled by Silicon Optix Reon video processor to user selected standards including 1080p. The R-972's dual 32-Bit TI audio DSP chips provide complete audio control including native decoding for Dolby and DTS latest lossless formats.

With a 4-gand FM tuner and XM Radio connectivity, over the air broadcasts are fully supported. The R-972 even has a front panel USB input for use with appropriate hand-held devices.

The R-972's ease-of-use fully achieved our engineer's objectives.  The receiver's advanced Graphical User interface makes system setup a breeze. One need only follow the on-screen prompts to achieve state-of-the-art performance.  For typical operation, the R-972 comes with Newcastle's unique Dual-Mode Preprogrammed and learning remote control.  With the remote in the RF mode, the R-972 can be operated from anywhere within the typical home. Translation circuitry built into the receiver converts the RF output from the remote to a rear-panel IR output. Once the IR output is connected to a Blaster or IR connection block, complete system operation is available even when the components are located in a closed cabinet or an adjoining room.  Control via the R-972's rear panel RS-232 port is also available and Newcastle is already partnered with such companies as Crestron, AMX, Control 4, etc. whose code libraries typically already include Newcastle components.

Once set-up is complete, the R-972 (as well as many of its siblings) includes a key safeguard.  All operating parameters can be stored into a password protected memory bank.  Should the receiver cease to operate as expected due user errors, the installer or advanced home-owner can follow a series of button presses to restore the original operating conditions.  This "installer custom memory" can save many hours of troubleshooting.

The R-972 also supports such advanced features such as input renaming, adjustable audio/video synch delay by input, automatic digital/analog signal polling, front panel convenience input pack including USB, optical digital plus analog audio and video; automatic set-up, headphone output, Cinema EQ, and more.

The R-972 is fully equipped for whole-house audio/video.  It supports 3-Zone operation with independent preamp level audio and video available for Zone 2 with audio, only, available in Zone 3. Like many current receivers, the R-972 can use the rear-center surround amplifiers to fully power the speakers for Zone 2 or it can be configured in Room 2 Automatic mode. When in Automatic, the receiver changes from 7.1 operation to 5.1 plus stereo (for Zone 2) when required preserving the complete presentation in the main room.

      

Perfect audio reproduction requires we follow only one rule: duplicate the recording venue.
If your speaker's response and placement match the studio or dubbing stage, you're in!  But, of course in the real world, speakers are in the wrong spots, response isn't ruler flat, and room dimensions determine bass response.

The advanced mathematicians and acousticians who developed the Trinnov Optimizer recognized that to duplicate the sound of the original recording required the ability to electronically control not only speaker response but also speaker placement.  Accuracy demanded both frequency fidelity and spatial fidelity.
Trinnov's scientist recognized, mastered and patented the use of advanced mathematics called the Bessel/Fourier Transform to add direction and dimension to frequency and time. Their product is a dedicated computer commonly used to make recordings and soundtracks.  The two Optimizers 20th Century Fox uses on their dubbing stage to create movie soundtracks were $17,000 each.

To accurately identify speaker response, placement and room modes, the Optimizer uses a 4-capsule Acoustic Probe to measure the room and speaker system in three dimensions. Speaker distance from the probe is measured to the nearest centimeter.  Azimuth and elevation are accurate to ± 1 degree. Once the data has been acquired, Newcastle's Trinnov module reports the results, uses the advanced mathematics of the Bessel-Fourier transform to calculate appropriate playback filters and uses the calculated digital IIR and FIR filters to optimize speaker response.  The Optimizer can raise or lower the sonic locating even a single speaker.  The Newcastle with Trinnov, you can put the loudspeakers where they fit, use the Optimizer to overcome the shortcomings of speaker placement, speaker placement, speaker response and room interaction and still achieve virtually perfect imaging.

An interesting byproduct of Trinnov's accurate 3-dimensional measurements are its ability to auto-correct and auto-assign both speaker phasing and channel assignment.  With Trinnov and Newcastle, even speakers connected out-of-phase and to the wrong channel will be properly recognized, corrected and assigned.

R-972 users have several performance options.  EQ choices include Left/Right; Bass Only; Audiophile, and Accurate. When the filters to achieve these targets have been implemented, the user can select to remap his speakers so their virtual location conforms to either the ITU Standard for Surround Music or the SMPTE Cinema Standard.  In addition, two sound-stage orientations can be saved.  With the R-972 these choices can even be stored by input making them transparent in use.  With Newcastle and Trinnov, it is easy to assign the Audiophile target with ITU remapping for the CD input with the soundstage centered on the fireplace and to then use the Accurate target with SMPTE Cinema remapping for all Video with the image centered 30 degrees to the left and aimed at the television.

Key Features

ㆍHD Audio Decoding for Blu-Ray & HD-DVD
---- DTS-HD (Master Audio/High Resolution Audio)
---- Dolby TrueHD
---- Dolby Digital Plus
ㆍLegacy Audio Decoding
---- DTS-ES (Discrete/Matrix)
---- DTS 96/24
---- DTS Neo : 6(Cinema/Music)
---- Dolby Digital EX
---- Dolby Headphone ver 2
---- Dolby Virtual Speaker ver 2(2/3/4/5/ Speaker
---- Layout)
---- Dolby Pro Logic IIX (Movie, Music)
ㆍMusic Channel PCM Decoding
ㆍMP3/WMA Decoding
ㆍ10 DSP Modes (Theater, Movie, Hall1,2/Stadium/
ㆍChurch/Club 1,2/Game/Matrix/4 Stereo)
ㆍDigital Audio Re-mastering for Greater Detail &
ㆍClarity
ㆍPure Audio [Source Direct] for the Purest Stereo
ㆍReproduction
ㆍDigital Video Upscaling (1080p Full HD)
ㆍA/V Sync
ㆍOne touch Automatic Speaker Setup
ㆍAutomatic Room EQ (Trinnov Optimizer)
ㆍ192kHz / 24bit D/A Converter (All Channels)
ㆍ7.1 Channel Analog Input
ㆍ7.1 Channel Preamp Output
ㆍUSB Memory Slot
ㆍ4 HDMI Inputs & 1 Output (Ver 1.3)
ㆍVideo Up-conversion
ㆍ(HDMI↔Analog&Composite→S-Video→
ㆍComponent)
ㆍAdvanced Multi Room Function - Dedicated Remote ---Controller
ㆍGraphic OSD (On-Screen Display) from All Video
ㆍOutput
ㆍLearning Remote Control with LCD
ㆍProgrammable input Labeling for-Front Panel
ㆍDisplay and OSD

Amplifier

ㆍ100 Watts X 2@8Ω, 20Hz, 0.05% THD in Stereo
ㆍ Mode
ㆍ130W x 7(1kHz, THD 0.05%)@8Ω/Only Channel
ㆍWide Range Amplifier Stage (10Hz ~ 100kHz)
ㆍHeavy-Duty Speaker Binding Post
ㆍAssignable 2 Channel Power AMP
ㆍ(Surround Back L/R, Room2 or Bi-AMP)

Tuner

ㆍQuartz Synthesized Digital Tuning
ㆍ30-Station Presets (Random)

General

ㆍ5 A/V & 3 Audio Inputs
ㆍFront Panel A/V Input
ㆍ(Including S-Video and Optical In)
ㆍ3 Component Video Inputs & 1 Output
ㆍ(HDTV Compatible)
ㆍAssignable 7 Digital Inputs
ㆍ(5 Optical & 2 Coaxial) & Digital Output (Optical)
ㆍColor-Coded Terminals
ㆍHeadphone Output Jack
ㆍ12V DC Trigger Output
ㆍIR Input and Output Jack on the Rear Panel
ㆍDimensions (W x H x D) : 440 x 196 x 450mm
ㆍWeight (Net) : 27.0kg