1 (323) 278-0001 [email protected]

Casablanca IV

Music and Cinema Controller

Simply The Best

The Casablanca IV remains the finest sounding, most flexible preamplifier / processor available today even 18 years after its initial appearance in 1996. Continuous upgrades have maintained our vision of a reference-worthy multi-channel audio processor with audiophile performance, come-hither cosmetics and world-class usability and maintained essential contemporary features. The 2012 revision to the III HD brought a new, Dave Reich designed power supply with HDMI and lossless audio decoding. Today’s upgrade to the Casablanca IV brings 4k HDMI video pass-through (when upgrading a Casablanca I, II or III. The 4k HDMI card is an option when upgrading the Casablanca III HD), state-of-the-art audio bandwidth to 192 kHz, increases DSP processing power by a factor of 10, adds world-class digital room correction and optimization from Dirac Live operating at a world-leading 96 kHz and our novel Jitter Jail II to fix insidious timing errors especially inherent in HDMI audio signals. Only Theta Digital has offered such quality and long-term value in this ever-changing product category. Operational control is improved in the Casablanca IV. Not only can it be easily controlled by its front panel buttons, or via standard IR remote control, or, for the ultimate in system control, by its powerful RS-232 protocol which interfaces with complete home automation systems from companies such as Crestron, Savant and (soon) Control 4, remote operation is now possible from a new range of devices including iPad, iOS and Android devices.

Contact Theta Digital by phone (323) 278-0001 or email ([email protected])  for pricing.

Specifications

Digital Input Section (32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz compatible)

Inputs (digital input board) 8: 4 coaxial (RCA), 4 optical (Toslink)
Outputs (digital input board) 2 digital tape out: 1 coaxial (RCA) 1 optical Toslink
Inputs (digital input board) 3: 1 AES / EBU (XLR), USB for Dirac Live® 96 kHz
Outputs (digital input board) 2 Volume Data (RCA)


Analog Input Section

Inputs 6 stereo pair on RCA jacks
Input Level 200 mV RMS minimum, 22 V RMS maximum
Input Impedance 10k ohms
Outputs 2 stereo pair on RCA jacks for analog tape out
Tape Output Impedance 36.5 ohms
A / D Conversion 20-bit Delta-Sigma at 48 kHz; separate delta-sigma modulator and high performance decimating digital filter Frequency response ±0.2 dB 20 Hz – 20 kHz
THD+Noise 0.0025%
Dynamic Range 104 dB
Signal to Noise Ratio 104 dB
Input volume control Theta proprietary switched resistor network in the analog domain
Automatic DC canceling circuit


Processing (DSP) Section

All DSP processing is 24 bit with 56 bit accumulator. Some processes, such as low pass crossovers, are 48 bit with 56 bit results.

Channels Supported Left, Right, Center, Left Surround, Right Surround, Center Surround, Left Front Sub, Right Front Sub, Left Surround Sub, Right surround Sub, Center Sub, Left Side, Right Side
Modes Matrix, Special Matrix, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS Neo:6, DTS, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS High Resolution Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, LPCM, Stereo, Mono, Analog Direct, Analog Matrix
Post Processes (applied in addition to selected mode) Stereo Front / Rear, Party,
EQ Four levels of high frequency roll-off (shelf-type) to compensate for overly bright sources
Crossovers Separate crossovers for each of the following: Front Left / Right, Front Center, Surround Left / Right, Surround Center. Crossover frequencies: 40Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz, 70Hz, 80Hz, 90Hz, 100Hz, 110Hz, 120Hz, 130Hz, 140Hz, 150Hz, 160Hz, 170Hz, 180Hz, 190Hz, 200Hz, 210Hz, 220Hz. Crossover slopes: 12dB and 24dB per octave.
Subwoofers Up to five subwoofers supported. 1- single subwoofer, 2- left / right subwoofers, 2- front / rear subwoofers, 3- left / right / surround subwoofers, 4- left / right / surround left / surround right subwoofers, 5- left / center / right / surround left / surround right subwoofers. Each subwoofer can be set to receive a full range signal in case the sub has an internal crossover that cannot be defeated.
LFE Phase adjustment (0, 180 degrees), level adjustment (0dB to -30dB, off)
Delays Master (applies to all channels) delay for syncing with video processors, comprehensive separate delay settings for all speakers including subwoofers.


Control Section

RS232 Complete ability to control and read status of every operational parameter of unit.
IR Receiver 3.5mm stereo phone jack (rear panel), unmodulated.
IR Receiver Front panel IR window for hand-held remote control.
Remote Power 4 rear panel 3.5mm mono phone jacks: +12 VDC triggered (Can be set to Pulse or Continuous DC), pulse time variable from 0 to 255 mSec. Up to 100 mA each. See page 77 of Operator’s Manual for more detail.


Video Section

HDMI Input/Output cardHDMI Input Four HDMI 1.4a compatible input
HDMI Output 1 output.

Full video bypass compatible with 4k and all current 3D video formats. Audio is extracted from the HDMI signal for processing by the Audio DSP board.


Miscellaneous

Power Requirements 117 VAC, 50-60 Hz, 120 watts with all options installed
Dimensions 19″W x 16″D x 7.5″H (483 x 406 x 191 mm)
Weight 43 Lbs (19.5 Kg) Stand alone, 50 Lbs (22.7 Kg) Boxed with accessories
Environment Operating Temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
Storage Temperature: -22° to 167° F (-30° to 75° C)
Relative Humidity: 95% maximum without condensation
Remote Control 1 Pre-programmed and learning hand-held, battery powered control unit uses 2 AA batteries

DAC Cards
Xtreme D-3 Balanced D/A Card

Output Options – Slot 1-2 (One of the following, each)

  • Slot 1-a Front Left, Right, Center, Surround Left, Surround Right, Sub 1
  • Slot 1-b Front Left, Right, Surround Left, Surround Right, Sub 1, Sub 2
  • Slot 1-c Front Left, Right, Surround Left, Surround Right, Surround Back Left, Surround Back Right
  • Slot 2-a Surround Back Left, Surround Back Right, Sub 2, Sub 3, Sub 4, Sub 5
  • Slot 2-b Surround Back Left, Surround Back Right, Sub 2, Sub 3 Height 1, Height 2
  • Slot 2-c Surround Back Left, Surround Back Right, Height 1, Height 2, Height 3, Height 4/p>
  • Slot 2-d Sub 2, Sub 3, Height 1, Height 2, Height 3, Height 4
  • Slot 2-e Sub 2, Sub 3, Sub 4, Sub 5, Height 1, Height 2
  • Slot 2-f Surround Back Left, Surround Back Right, Height 1, Height 2, Wide 1, Wide 2
  • Each output channel has a balanced (XLR) output connector only.

Miscellaneous D / A Conversion 24-bit, 192K. One Stereo PCM-1792A DAC per channel (6 per board) configured for true differential operation. Volume Control Theta proprietary switched resistor network in the analog domain. Digital Filter 8x oversampling Theta proprietary FIR filter running on FPGA . Single-Ended Output None Sample Rates Supported 32KHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.1 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.2, 192 kHz. Balanced Output Specifications Output Impedance 100 Ohms. Maximum Output Level 20 Vrms balanced. Frequency Response 20 Hz-40 kHz, ± 0.025 dB, Ref. 1KHz. THD+Noise Less than 0.0006% @ 1KHz, maximum output level. Dynamic Range 120 dB minimum, 20 KHz bandwidth, Ref. 1KHZ, A-weighted. Signal to Noise Ratio 120 dB, A-weighted referenced to rated output. Crosstalk -105dB Right – Left, >-120dB Center-Left @ 20KHz.


Xtreme D-2 Balanced D/A Card

Output Options – Slot 1-2 (One of the following, each)

  • A4-a Front Left, Right, Center, Sub 5
  • A4-d Front Left, Right, Side Left, Right
  • A4-c Front Left, Right, Center, Sub 4
  • A4-g Sub 1, Sub 2, Sub 3, Sub 4
  • A4-f Front Left, Right, Center, Sub 3
  • A4-j Side Left, Right, Sub 3, Sub 4
  • A4-i Front Left, Right, Center, Sub 2
  • A4-m Front Left, Right, Sub 1, Sub 2
  • A4-l Side Left, Right, Sub 2, Sub 3
  • A4-p Surround Left, Right, Sub 1, Sub 2
  • A4-o Sub 2, Sub 5, Side Left, Right
  • A4-s Surround Left, Right, Sub 2, Sub 3
  • A4-r Front Center, Surround Left, Right, Sub 2
  • A4-v Front Center, Sub 1, Sub 2, Sub 3
  • A4-u Front Center, Side Left, Right, Sub 2
  • A4-x Front Center, Sub 1, Surround Left, Right
  • A4-b Front Left, Right, Surround Left, Right
  • A4-e Surround Left, Right, Side Left, Right
  • A4-h Front Left, Right, Center, Sub 1
  • A4-k Sub 1, Sub 2, Sub 3, Sub 5
  • A4-n Surround Left, Right, Sub 5, Sub 1
  • A4-q Surround Left, Right, Sub 5, Sub 2
  • A4-t Front Center, Sub 5, Surround Left, Right
  • A4-w Front Center, Sub 5, Side Left, Right
  • A4-y Sub 2, Sub 3, Sub 4, Sub 5
  • Each output channel has a balanced (XLR) output connector only.

Miscellaneous D / A Conversion 24-bit Ladder (8x oversampling – 4x @96K). Two DACs per channel (8 per board) for true differential operation. Volume Control Theta proprietary switched resistor network in the analog domain. Digital Filter 8x oversampling (4x @ 96K) Theta proprietary FIR filter running on Freescale DSP 56362. Single-Ended Output None Sample Rates Supported 32KHz, 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz, 88.1 KHz, 96 KHz. Balanced Output Specifications Output Impedance 20 Ohms. Maximum Output Level 20 Vrms balanced. Frequency Response 20 Hz-20 kHz, ± 0.025 dB, Ref. 1KHz. THD+Noise Less than 0.0015% @ 1KHz, maximum output level. Dynamic Range 105dB minimum, 20KHz bandwidth, Ref. 1KHZ, A-weighted. Signal to Noise Ratio 105dB typical, idle channel, A-weighted. Crosstalk -105dB Right – Left, >-120dB Center-Left @ 20KHz.

Accessories
Six Shooter Robot Analog Pre-Amplifier

How the Best Gets Better Theta’s solution for the purest transfer of analog signals from SACD and DVD Audio players, integrating with the digital signals processed in Casablanca III. Once a signal has been converted from digital to analog, it is vulnerable. In the SACD and DVD-A players currently available, the analog signal is subjected to enough abuse to negate most if not all of the sonic advantages of these theoretically superior formats. SACD and DVD-A routinely sends fragile analog signals through their digital processors –routed through inexpensive volume control chips, irradiate with radio frequency spuriae. Theta protects the analog signal by isolating it from Casablanca: Six Shooter is simply a fine straight-line analog preamplifier, controlled seamlessly by the Casablanca. The multi channel signal’s volume is controlled by individual metal film resistors, just like in the very best audiophile 2-channel preamplifiers. Expect the sonic transparency of analog preamplifiers, selling for $5,000 to $10,000. Since Six Shooter is controlled entirely from the Casablanca, and can be hidden away, we have not given it lavish cosmetics, and its simpler functionality allows for some savings; otherwise it would be in the same price range. Does everyone need such a component? Of course not. We all know that the sound from CD and DVD is good enough for most people. However, for those who demand the very best from their SACD and DVD-Audio, there is nothing else on a level with Six Shooter. Six Shooter at first glance might seem like an expensive switcher. However, this is a perfectionist piece at a realistic price once the quality is considered. For more specific information, along with diagrams showing connectors and illustrating signal paths, please see the technical addendum which is being added to the Casablanca manual. We think that every Casablanca owner who listens to multi-channel music will be interested in Six Shooter.

Contact Us

Theta Digital
7133 Telegraph Road
Montebello CA 90640
USA

Phone: +1 (323) 278-0001