ROTEL RSX-1560 (01) PDF Document

WARNING: There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose the unit to moisture or water. Do not expose the unit to dripping or splashing. Do not place objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the unit. Do not allow foreign objects to get into the enclosure. If the unit is exposed to moisture, or a foreign object gets into the enclosure, immediately disconnect the power cord from the wall. Take the unit to a qualified service person for inspection and necessary repairs.

Read all the instructions before connecting or operating the ROTEL RSX-1560.

Keep this manual so you can refer to these safety instructions.

Heed all warnings and safety information in these instructions and on the product itself. Follow all operating instructions.

Clean the enclosure only with a dry cloth or a vacuum cleaner.

Do not use this unit near water.

You must allow a minimum of 10 cm or 4 inches of unobstructed clearance around the unit. Do not place the unit on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that could block the ventilation openings. If the unit is placed in a bookcase or cabinet, there must be ventilation of the cabinet to allow proper cooling.

Keep the component away from radiators, heat registers, stoves, or any other appliance that produces heat.

The unit must be connected to a power supply only of the type and voltage specified on the rear panel. (USA: 120 V/60Hz, EC: 230V/50Hz)

Connect the component to the power outlet only with the supplied power supply cable or an exact equivalent. Do not modify the supplied cable. A polarized plug has two blades, with one wider than the other. A grounding plug has two blades plus a third grounding prong. These are provided for your safety. Do not defeat grounding and/or polarization safety provisions. If the supplied plug does not fit your outlet, please consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet. Do not use extension cords.

The main plug of the power cordset is a disconnect device of the apparatus. In order to completely disconnect the apparatus from the supply mains, the main plug of the power cordset should be unplugged from the mains (AC) outlet. The stand-by LED indicator will not be lit up to show the power cord is unplugged. The disconnect device should remain readily operable.

Do not route the power cord where it will be crushed, pinched, bent, exposed to heat, or damaged in any way. Pay particular attention to the power cord at the plug and where the cord exits the unit.

The power cord should be unplugged from the wall outlet during a lightning storm or if the unit is to be left unused for a long period.

Use only accessories specified by the manufacturer.

Use Class 2 wiring for speaker connections to ensure proper installation and minimize the risk of electrical shock.

Immediately stop using the component and have it inspected and/or serviced by a qualified service agency if:

The power supply cord or plug has been damaged.

Objects have fallen or liquid has been spilled into the unit.

The unit has been exposed to rain.

The unit shows signs of improper operation.

The unit has been dropped or damaged in any way.

WARNING: The master power switch is located on the rear panel. The unit must be located in the open area allowing unobstructed access to the main power switch.

Place the ROTEL RSX-1560 on a solid, level surface away from sunlight, heat, moisture, or vibration. Ensure the shelf can support the weight of the unit. The unit can generate heat during normal operation. To ensure proper ventilation, follow these guidelines:

Allow a minimum of 10 cm (4 inches) of unobstructed space around all sides of the unit (top, bottom, left, and right).

Do not block ventilation openings.

If installed in a cabinet, make sure there is adequate ventilation.

Do not stack other components or objects on top of the unit.

The ROTEL RSX-1560 supports various video input and output formats. The receiver can upscale Composite Video or S-Video signals to higher resolutions for HDTV Component or HDMI monitors. Refer to the table below for specific format compatibility.

Note: Input video formats supported are 480i, 576i, 480p, 576p, 720p60, 720p50, 1080i60, 1080i50, 1080p60, 1080p50. A 60Hz video input gives a 60Hz video output; a 50Hz video input gives a 50Hz video output.

The ROTEL RSX-1560 can power up to seven speakers. Speakers should have an impedance of 4 ohms or higher. Follow these steps to connect your speakers:

1. Ensure the ROTEL RSX-1560 and all other components are turned off and unplugged before making connections.

2. Observe polarity for all connections. Each speaker terminal pair is color-coded: red for positive (+) and black for negative (-). Always connect the positive terminal of each speaker to the corresponding red terminal on the receiver, and the negative terminal to the black terminal.

3. Route the speaker wires from the receiver to the speakers. If using bare wires, strip the insulation from the end of each conductor, being careful not to cut the wire strands. Unscrew the binding post collars, place the bare wire around the post shaft, and tighten the collars clockwise to secure the wire.

4. Connect the front left speaker to the binding posts labeled LEFT “FRONT/ZONE.”

5. Connect the front right speaker to the binding posts labeled RIGHT “FRONT/ZONE.”

6. Connect the center channel speaker to the binding posts labeled “CENTER.”

7. Connect the surround left speaker to the binding posts labeled LEFT “SURROUND.”

8. Connect the surround right speaker to the binding posts labeled RIGHT “SURROUND.”

9. Connect the center back left speaker to the binding posts labeled “CENTER BACK/ZONE/FRONT” 1/LEFT.

10. Connect the center back right speaker to the binding posts labeled “CENTER BACK/ZONE/FRONT” 2/RIGHT.

Note: Ensure no loose wire strands touch adjacent wires or connectors. After connecting the speakers, you must configure the receiver for the size and style of your speakers in the Setup menu.

The “Redirect” feature on the ROTEL RSX-1560 allows you to reassign the internal amplifier channels for different purposes. You can use the Front Left/Right or Center Back amplifier channels to power speakers in a remote zone, or use the Center Back channels to bi-amp the front speakers in the main room.

For example, if you use a separate stereo amplifier for your front speakers, you can redirect the receiver’s unused front amplifier channels to power speakers in a remote zone.

If your system does not have center back speakers, you can redirect the built-in Center Back channel amplifiers to drive a pair of speakers in Zone 2, 3, or 4.

This feature is configured using the Default Setup menu in the On-Screen Display system.

Important Note: If you wish to use REDIRECT, you must make this selection before any other speaker setup decisions, as the system will reset to factory defaults. Any setup programming done before selecting REDIRECT will be lost.

To connect a powered subwoofer to your ROTEL RSX-1560, follow these steps:

1. Connect a standard RCA audio cable from either of the two PREOUT jacks labeled SUB to the input on your subwoofer’s power amplifier.

2. Both SUB outputs on the receiver provide the same signal. You can use either connection for a single subwoofer. If you have two subwoofers, you can use both connections.

3. After connecting the subwoofer, you need to configure the receiver to use it and calibrate its relative volume level using the built-in test tones in the Setup section of the manual.

Power and Standby On/Off

The rear panel POWER switch is a master power switch that must be in the ON position for the unit to operate. In normal use, this switch is left ON. The receiver is then activated or put into standby mode using the front-panel STANDBY button or the POWER/ON/OFF buttons on the remote control. When activated, the unit is fully functional. In standby mode, minimal power is applied to the microprocessor.

Volume Adjustments

You can adjust the listening volume from either the front panel or the remote control.

Front Panel: Rotate the large VOLUME knob clockwise to increase the volume, and counterclockwise to decrease it.

Remote Control: Press the VOL UP button to increase the volume; press the VOL DOWN button to decrease.

The volume setting is shown on the front-panel display and on the on-screen display.

Muting the Sound

Press the MUTE button on the front panel or remote once to turn the sound off. A MUTE indication will appear on the displays. Press the MUTE button again or adjust the volume to restore sound.

You can select any of nine source inputs: CD, TUNER, TAPE, VIDEO 1, VIDEO 2, VIDEO 3, VIDEO 4, VIDEO 5, or MULTI INPUT (labeled EXT on the remote).

Selecting a Source for Listening from the Front Panel:

Press one of the eight INPUT buttons or the MULTI INPUT button.

Selecting a Source for Listening from the Remote:

Press and hold one of the DEVICE/INPUT buttons for more than one second. To select the MULTI INPUT, press and hold the EXT button. (Note: A short press only changes the device the remote controls, not the receiver’s input).

Selecting a Source for Recording:

From Front Panel: Press the SEL button once (“RECORD” appears in the display) and then press one of the eight INPUT buttons within 5 seconds.

From Remote: Press the REC button. Then, press and hold one of the DEVICE/INPUT buttons within 10 seconds. Alternatively, press REC and use the +/- buttons to scroll through available sources.

Selecting a Source for a Remote Zone (2, 3, or 4):

From Front Panel: Press the SEL button two or more times to select the desired zone, then press one of the INPUT buttons within 10 seconds.

From Remote: Press the REC button two or more times to select a zone. Then, press and hold one of the DEVICE/INPUT buttons within 10 seconds. Alternatively, press REC, select a zone, then use the +/- buttons to scroll through sources.

Party Mode allows you to play the same input source for listening, recording, and all remote zones simultaneously. It links the inputs for recording and remote zones to the input selected for listening.

To activate Party Mode: Press and hold the ZONE button on the front panel or remote for at least 3 seconds. The words “PARTY ON” will appear briefly in the display. The record and remote zone inputs will show as “SOURCE,” indicating they are linked to the main listening input.

To cancel Party Mode: Press and hold the SEL button on the front panel or the REC button on the remote for at least 3 seconds. The words “PARTY OFF” will appear. The recording and remote zone inputs will revert to their previous selections.

While the ROTEL RSX-1560 offers automatic surround mode detection, you can manually select or override modes for different types of recordings.

For Dolby Digital 5.1 or Surround EX discs:

Dolby Digital decoding is auto-detected. However, you can select other options.

On a 5.1 system: Press the SUR+ button on the remote, then use the +/- buttons to switch between DD 5.1 channel and DD 2.0 channel downmix playback.

On a 6.1 or 7.1 system: Press the SUR+ button, then use the +/- buttons to step through options like DD 2.0 downmix, DD 5.1, DD Surround EX, DD with Pro Logic IIx, or DD with Rotel XS center back processing.

For Dolby Digital 2.0 discs:

Use the SUR+ button and +/- buttons to step through options like DD 2.0 channel, DD with Pro Logic II/IIx Cinema, DD with Pro Logic II/IIx Music, or Dolby Digital 3 channel stereo.

For DTS 5.1, 96/24, or ES 6.1 discs:

DTS decoding is auto-detected. You can select a 2-channel downmix or add Rotel XS center back processing using the SUR+ and +/- buttons.

For Digital Stereo discs (PCM 2-channel):

Press the SUR+ button and use the +/- buttons to select from various modes including Stereo, Dolby Pro Logic II/IIx, DTS Neo:6, and DSP modes.

For Analog Stereo:

Press the 2CH button on the remote to toggle between Stereo (with digital processing) and Analog Bypass (pure 2-channel with no digital processing). You can also use the SUR+ button to access other surround modes like Dolby Pro Logic II/IIx and DTS Neo:6.

You can make temporary adjustments to several audio settings on your ROTEL RSX-1560.

Speaker Level:

To temporarily adjust the relative volume of the center, surround, center back, or subwoofer channels:

1. Press a selection button on the remote to select a channel: C for Center, S for Subwoofer, R for Rear Surround/Center Back.

2. Use the UP or DOWN buttons on the remote to adjust the output level of the selected channel(s).

These adjustments are temporary and reset when the input is changed or the receiver is turned off.

Group Delay (Lip-Synch):

To correct for situations where video and audio are out of sync, you can adjust the group delay:

1. Press the C button on the remote twice.

2. Use the UP or DOWN buttons on the remote to adjust the amount of delay (0 to 500ms) applied to all channels.

Dynamic Range (for Dolby Digital only):

To adjust the dynamic range of Dolby Digital recordings:

Press the DYN button on the remote repeatedly to cycle through the settings:

MAX: Full dynamic range.

MID: Slightly reduced dynamic range.

MIN: More heavily reduced dynamic range.

The ROTEL RSX-1560 features a digital AM/FM tuner with 30 presets and RDS capability.

Selecting AM/FM: Press the BAND button to toggle between AM and FM reception.

Tuning to a Station:

Manual Tuning: Press and release a TUNING button (CH UP/DOWN on remote) to move to the next frequency step.

Auto Search Tuning: Press and hold a TUNING button for about one second to scan for the next receivable broadcast signal.

Direct Frequency Tuning: Press the DIRECT button (or FRQ DIRECT on remote) and then enter the station’s frequency using the NUMERIC buttons.

Storing and Recalling Presets:

To Store a Preset:

1. Tune to the desired station.

2. Press the MEMORY button on the front panel or remote. A MEMORY indicator will flash.

3. While it is flashing, press the numeric button(s) for the preset location where you wish to store the station (e.g., press ‘5’ for preset 5; press ‘1’ then ‘5’ for preset 15).

To Recall a Preset:

Press the numeric button(s) for the desired preset. Alternatively, select PRESET mode with the remote’s PRESET button, then use the TUNING (CH UP/DOWN) buttons to cycle through presets.

The OSD menu system on the ROTEL RSX-1560 is navigated using the remote control.

MENU/OSD button: Press to display the SYSTEM STATUS screen. From there, press ENTER to display the MAIN MENU. If a menu is already visible, press this button to cancel the display.

DOWN/UP Buttons: Press to move the highlight up and down through the list of menu items on the OSD screens.

+/- Buttons: Press to change the current settings for a selected (highlighted) menu item.

ENTER Button: From the SYSTEM STATUS screen, press ENTER to display the MAIN MENU. From any other OSD screen, press ENTER to confirm a setting and return to the previous menu.

To configure an input source, navigate to the MAIN MENU and select INPUT. Then select the input you wish to configure (e.g., CD, VIDEO 1). The INPUT SETUP menu provides the following options:

VIDEO INPUT: Assigns the physical video connection for the source (Component 1-3, S-Video 1-3, HDMI 1-4, or OFF for no video).

INPUT LABEL: Customize the eight-character name that appears on the display for the selected input.

AUDIO INPUT: Assigns the physical audio input connection to use as the default (OPTICAL 1-4, COAXIAL 1-3, ANALOG, or HDMI Audio).

INPUT ATT.: Attenuates the audio input from 0dB to -6dB to match the level of louder sources to quieter ones.

CINEMA EQ: Turns the Cinema EQ feature on or off as the default for the selected input. This reduces high-frequency content to simulate a theater’s acoustics.

12V TRIGGER: Assigns specific 12V trigger outputs (1-6) to turn on when the source is selected.

DEFAULT MODE: Sets a default surround sound mode for the input. This setting is used unless the source material triggers automatic decoding (like Dolby Digital 5.1).

GROUP DELAY: Also known as “lip-sync,” this delays the audio signal (0ms to 500ms) to match a delayed video signal.

The SPEAKER SETUP menu is used to configure the receiver for your specific loudspeakers and to set the bass management. Access it from the MAIN MENU.

FRONT SPEAKERS (small/large): Set to LARGE for full-range speakers that can handle low bass. Set to SMALL to redirect bass away from these speakers to a subwoofer.

CENTER SPEAKER(S) (large/small/none): Set to LARGE for a full-range center speaker, SMALL if it has limited bass capability, or NONE if you do not have a center speaker.

SURROUND SPEAKERS (large/small/none): Set to LARGE for full-range surround speakers, SMALL if they have limited bass capability, or NONE if you do not have surround speakers.

CENTER BACK SPEAKER(S) (large1/large2/small1/small2/none): Select the appropriate setting based on whether you have one (6.1) or two (7.1) center back speakers, and their bass handling capability (large/small). Select NONE if you have no center back speakers.

SUBWOOFER (yes/no/max): Select YES if your system has a subwoofer. Select NO if it does not. Select MAX for maximum bass output where normal bass is duplicated by both the subwoofer and any LARGE speakers.

ADVANCED: Select this and press ENTER to access the ADVANCED SPEAKER SETUP menu for more detailed, mode-specific configurations.

The TEST TONE menu uses filtered pink noise to set equal volume levels for all speakers, which is a critical step in calibrating your system for proper surround sound.

1. Access the OSD menu system and select TEST TONE from the MAIN MENU.

2. When you enter the menu, you will hear a test tone from the highlighted speaker.

3. While seated in your normal listening position, use the UP/DOWN buttons to move the highlight to different speakers. The test tone will shift to the selected speaker.

4. Listen for any speakers that are noticeably louder or quieter than the others. Using one speaker as a reference, adjust the levels of the other speakers up or down in 1dB increments using the +/- buttons until all are at the same volume.

5. For more precise results, use an SPL (Sound Pressure Level) meter. Set the meter to C-weighting and SLOW response. Increase the master volume on the receiver until the meter reads 75dB for one of the front speakers. Then, use the individual channel adjustments in the TEST TONE menu to adjust each speaker, including the subwoofer, to read 75dB on the meter.

6. When finished, press the ENTER button to return to the MAIN MENU.

The DELAY SETUP menu allows you to set the delay for each speaker to ensure that sound from all speakers arrives at your listening position simultaneously, even if they are at different distances.

1. Navigate to the DELAY SETUP menu from the MAIN MENU.

2. Measure the distance (in feet or meters) from your primary seating position to each speaker in your system.

3. In the menu, use the UP/DOWN buttons to highlight the line for each speaker.

4. Use the +/- buttons to enter the measured distance for that speaker. The menu provides a range of up to 99 feet (30 meters).

5. Repeat for all speakers configured in your system.

6. Press the ENTER button to save the settings and return to the MAIN MENU.

If your ROTEL RSX-1560 does not turn on, please check the following:

Make sure the power cord is securely plugged into the rear panel of the unit and into a live AC outlet.

Make sure the rear panel master POWER switch is in the ON position.

If you have no sound from any input, check these possible causes:

Make sure that MUTING is turned off and the VOLUME is turned up.

Ensure that the preamp outputs are correctly connected to a power amplifier and that the amplifier is turned on.

Verify that the source inputs are connected and configured correctly in the setup menu.

Check that the setting for HDMI AUDIO in the VIDEO/HDMI on-screen menu is set to AMP MODE.

If you have no sound from digital sources specifically:

Make sure the correct digital input connector is assigned to the source input and that the source is configured to use the digital input, not an analog one.

Check the configuration of your source component (e.g., DVD player) to ensure that the bitstream and/or DTS digital output is activated.

If you have no sound from some, but not all, speakers:

Check all power amplifier and speaker wire connections.

Check the Speaker Configuration settings in the Setup menus to ensure all speakers are properly configured (e.g., not set to NONE).

If you are not getting a video signal on your TV, check the following:

Make sure the TV monitor is connected properly to the ROTEL RSX-1560’s monitor output, and check the input assignments in the setup menu.

Remember that S-Video and Composite Video TV monitors can only be used with interlaced Standard Definition (SD) sources. HDMI and Component TV monitors can be used with both SD and High Definition (HD) sources.

An HDMI 1080p source can only be sent to a 1080p-compliant TV monitor.

Component Video output at 720p or 1080i may not be available if the source signal includes HDCP copy protection.

Ensure that your HDMI cables are 5 meters or less in length.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is an advanced digital connection that carries both video and audio in a single cable. DVI (Digital Visual Interface) is an earlier digital standard that can also carry high-definition video signals (and can be connected via an adapter), but it does not carry audio signals. HDMI also automatically sets the picture screen to the correct size, which DVI does not.

The HDMI connection includes a security system called HDCP (High Definition Content Protection). In some cases, a picture may not display correctly due to the action of Digital Rights Management (DRM) or an issue with the “handshake” between the connected devices. HDMI cables contain circuits that exchange a handshake signal multiple times per second to maintain signal integrity and prevent unauthorized copying. These handshake signals can be disrupted for several reasons. If problems persist, you can try power cycling the devices or consult your Rotel dealer.