Using The TAP-X
The Front Panel - Continued
Just to the right of the Right channel numeric display are the source select functions:
Source Down Button:
Each button press changes the selected source to the next lower source. If this button is pressed while
source 1 is selected the source wraps around to source 6. The current source is indicated via a row of leds just
above the source buttons.
Buffer Button:
Pressing this button toggles the currently selected source between 'Normal' and 'Buffered' mode. The
selected Buffer mode is indicated via the source leds just above the source buttons. Normal mode is indicated by
a green led and buffered mode is shown by the source's led turning orange. There is a button on the remote to
toggle the buffer mode (upper right corner of remote handset).
Note:
Buffer mode places a unity gain buffer in the signal path before the Autoformers. It is only intended to
be used if one of your non critical sources (ie. a VCR or older Tuner) should have trouble driving a passive pre-
amp - the buffer can be selected to allow the source to be used in the system.
Please don't spend time trying to 'predict' if you need the buffer or not. It is VERY simple to experiment
with the buffer mode - just sit listening to music and toggle the buffer mode using the remote handset. The best
sounding mode is the correct mode! It is expected that you won't use buffer mode on your main sources - I have
yet to find a system where I like buffer mode better than 100% passive mode with the primary source. It's really
added as a helper in case any of your additional (lower quality) sources have trouble driving a passive pre-amp.
Buffer mode selection is automatically stored for each input in non volatile memory - so it will be saved
after power is lost. This way each source will remember its preferred mode so once those modes are set you do
not have to adjust the buffer mode buttons again.
As you toggle between Normal and Buffer Mode note there are 2 buffer modes - one has the decimal
point in the left volume display on and the next has the decimal point in the right volume display on. Right now
TAP-X pre-amps have both these modes running through identical buffers. There is a location inside the TAP-X
to allow a buffer daughter board to be added so the TAP-X would have two different buffer modes. This way if
we ever run into a buffer that we really like and one that could be useful even of very good sources it can easily
be added to units in the field without any re-programming needed.
Source Up Button:
Each button press changes the selected source to the next higher source. If this button is pressed while
source 6 is selected the source wraps around to source 1. The current source is indicated via a row of leds just
above the source buttons.
Source LEDs:
Above the source/phase buttons are a row of 6 leds. They indicate the selected source number. The left
most led is source 1 and the right most led is source 6.
Green = Normal (Buffer Mode Off)
Orange = Buffer Mode On
Red = HT bypass (lock to volume 'xx').
