I have been wondering what exactly the volume buttons on the 540D remote handset do. I saw a post somewhere that said that the volume of the 2-channel stereo outs are controlled by these buttons, but it was not clear whether they also control volume out of the 5.1 channel outs. If so, then one could use this player without a separate processor or receiver and run it straight into a multi-channel power amp. Anyone know?
To answer my own question, I got a response on the Cambridge Audio forums, and it seems that the volume control only works for the 2-channel out, not the 5.1.
To provide further insight to my own question, I travelled to my nearest CA dealer, and the salesman actually suggested, without me saying anything, that the 540D could be run direct into a power amp. When I mentioned the advice I got from CA themselves, he grabbed a DVD-Audio disc and played the 540D via the 5.1 outs into a 540R via the direct ins, and sure enough, the volume buttons on the player's remote controlled the volume of all channels. The 2 channel outs were not even connected, and it was very definitely the player not the receiver that was adjusting the volume. So CA was wrong about their own product!