Jazz Speaker Digital Audio Decoders

The Jazz DE – 006, which is smaller than a college chemistry book boasts snazzy looks, lots of features -some quite useful- and a nice compact casing.

One of it’s six buttons on the front panel functions as the power switch with a standby mode. The other is the master volume control, and another switches betweens 3 different types of inputs, the options being – optical, coaxial or a line in. Notably! An important button would be the “Mode”, it gives the user a manual selection of several audio modes; choices are Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic or Stereo.

The DE-005 also boasts all these features, however it lacks in appearance. (This is a subjective issue, but I find the DE-006 to be cooler)

It also has a lesser output than the DE-006; nevertheless this is hardly noticeable due to the use of amplifiers. Another factor I noticed with the DE-005 was that it heats up much more than its counterpart. So a quick check with the JazzSpeakers support team and was told that this was well within the heat safety range and there’s nothing to worry. A tad smaller than the DE-006 it’s truly amazing to see how well both these decoders perform.

Please make note that in order to get true DTS performance you need to use a fiber optic cable as the input source as DTS requires a digital audio source. So if you plan on taking advantage of this feature (which I truly recommend if you plan on watching DVD movies) make sure you get a standard optical cable. Thanks to Vivian over at Jazz Speakers I received a Fiber Optic cable from solteam.com.tw.

If you plan on getting one of these cables why not check out their wide selection. Only a Coaxial cable is supplied with the package, which will support Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.

The front panel of the DE-006 also houses two sets of L.E.D displays relaying useful information the user might need to select the ideal setting. Separately! The DE – 006 can make use of it’s pre-amp outputs for all five main channels plus the sub so you can use it simply as a processor if you decide to add a high power amplifier later on.

The DE – 006 is equipped with a 21-function infrared remote that lets you control all it’s functions, a seeming requisite for all flagship home theater equipment.

Both decoders come with the same functional remote and here are some of the features it offers.

5.1 CH	Manual Selection of Dolby Digital audio mode
Pro Logic	Manual Selection of Dolby Pro Logic audio mode
Stereo	Manual Selection of Stereo 2 channel audio mode
Line	Manual selection of Line input mode
Optical	Manual selection of Optical input mode
Coaxial	Manual selection of Coaxial input mode
C_Delay	Center speaker audio delay when in the Dolby Digital or Dolby Pro Logic audio modes. 0-5ms Delay
S_Delay	Surround speaker’s audio delay when in the Dolby Digital or Dolby Pro Logic audio modes. 0-15ms Delay
Dynamic	Dynamic range adjustment between the loudest and softest sounds being reproduced. Ranges are 0%, 25%, 50% and 75%
SPCFG	This function is for Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic modes only. Distributes low-bass frequencies usually reproduced by the subwoofer, to the front, center and surround speakers.
Mode	Selection of audio type; between Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic or Stereo.
Test	Auto test individual speaker volume adjustment when in Dolby Digital or Dolby Pro Logic modes. Press and hold the button for 2 seconds and adjust the volume of each individual speaker as required.
Trim	This is same as the above test button but instead of a test signal it uses your audio input signal. Adjust each speaker’s volume using the volume +/- buttons
Theatre/ Hall/ Stadium buttons	Used only in Stereo mode. Selecting Theatre/ Hall or Stadium modes create various levels of simulated surround sound effects from a 2-channel stereo audio source.

As mentioned before the DE-006 and the DE-005 decodes Dolby Digital (AC-3) and DTS 5.1 channels as well as 2 Channels, Dolby Pro Logic in the normal mode, and traditional 2-channel stereo. You have the option of selecting 3 choices in the Stereo mode, namely Theater, Hall or Stadium. All these functions are integrated into this 21-function remote, so once you sit down you never need to get up again. Ain’t that convenient or what??

Taking a look at the DE-005, it has only a single front panel relaying all the information required. The DE – 005 too can make use of it’s pre-amp outputs for all five main channels plus the sub in order to use it simply as a processor if you decide to add an amp in the future.