ABSOLARE Preamplifier
User Manual
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ABSOLARE Preamplifier User Manual 0.9
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ABSOLARE Preamplifier User Manual 0.9
Contents'
1.#General#Description#..............................................................................................................#4#
2.#Safety#Issues#and#Warnings#..................................................................................................#4#
3.#Unpacking#and#Placement#....................................................................................................#4#
4.#Installing#the#Tubes#..............................................................................................................#6#
5.#Connecting#the#Cables#..........................................................................................................#7#
5.1.#Power#cable#...................................................................................................................#7#
5.2.#Signal#Cables#..................................................................................................................#7#
6.#Operating#the#Unit#................................................................................................................#7#
8.#Technical#Specifications#........................................................................................................#9#
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ABSOLARE Preamplifier User Manual 0.9
1.!General!Description!
The Absolare Preamplifier is a single chassis line stage preamplifier with an all tube
signal path and point-to-point construction. Inside the chassis, mains transformers
and DC regulators are isolated from the signal section by an internal partition, to
further reduce noise and hum. Balanced (XLR) and Single-Ended (RCA) versions
are available. The balanced version has 4 input channels and unbalanced version
has 3 input channels.
2.!Safety!Issues!and!Warnings!
- Ensure the voltage setting of the unit matches the voltage of the available AC
power. Operating voltage is fixed and must only be changed by an authorized
service agent.
- Do not touch tubes while operating. Tubes are extremely hot devices and also
contain very high voltages.
- There are no user serviceable parts inside the chassis. Do not open bottom covers.
3.!Unpacking!and!Placement!
After opening the top cover of the box, remove the upper layer of hard foam material.
You can then lift the unit from the box using the cloth underneath the chassis.
Feet can affect the sound quality significantly. Feet should be placed directly under
the aluminum base plate, not the MDF/leather plate. There are three areas where
the aluminum base plate is exposed through openings in the bottom MDF/leather
plate. These areas are where feet should be placed. You can use either three or four
feet. Adjusting their position will also affect the sound to varying degrees, depending
on the type of rack, location or interaction with other equipment. For most situations
the arrangement as shown in the diagram below is a good starting point.
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ABSOLARE Preamplifier User Manual 0.9
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ABSOLARE Preamplifier User Manual 0.9
4.!Installing!the!Tubes!
There are two tubes in the Preamplifier. 12AU7 / ECC82 is the standard tube, but
you can also use E80CC in Signature and Altius versions.
12AU7 / ECC82 tubes have one missing pin acting as a correct positioning key.
Align missing pin with the missing hole in the tube socket while inserting.
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ABSOLARE Preamplifier User Manual 0.9
5.!Connecting!the!Cables!
5.1.$Power$cable$
AC power input is via a standard IEC socket. Operating voltage must only be
changed by an authorized service agent.
The quality of the power cable used will affect the sound quality.
5.2.$Signal$Cables$
You can connect 3 unbalanced or 4 balanced source devices at the same time. The
selector knob on the left hand side switches between the input channels. Output is
single-ended RCA or transformer balanced XLR depending on the version.
6.!Operating!the!Unit!
Absolare Preamplifier will be ready to operate seconds after turning on the power,
but attaining full performance may take 15 to 30 minutes.
Signal ground and chassis/power ground is separate inside the Signal Stage and
they are connected by a high pass filter to reduce hum and noise. The outside parts
of the RCA connectors are connected to signal ground. Balanced (XLR) version has
transformer balanced input and output on pins 2 and 3; pin 1 is connected to chassis
ground.
There are no adjustments for the preamp.
With the motorized remote control option you can change the volume setting with the
IR remote control. Operating angle is approximately 45°.
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ABSOLARE Preamplifier User Manual 0.9
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ABSOLARE Preamplifier User Manual 0.9
7.!Troubleshooting!and!Maintenance!
Surface of the unit is dirty.
- Clean with a slightly damp cloth.
No power indicator light.
- Check AC line voltage, check the fuse.
Both indicator lights are on, tube heaters
are glowing, but no sound.
- Check the input selector position.
- Check input and output cables.
Noise / hum in the sound.
- Check grounding of input cables.
Input selector does not work.
- Check all DC power cords.
If the problem is persistent, contact your nearest ABSOLARE dealer.
8.!Technical!Specifications!
- All tube signal section, Single-Ended architecture in both models.
- Bandwidth: 10 Hz – 45 KHz +/- 1.0dB
- Input Sensitivity: Single-Ended version 2 Volts (Balanced version 8 Volts)
- Tubes: 2 x 12AU7 (ECC82) (or 2 x E80CC interchangeable in the Signature
and Altius models).
- Inputs: 3 x RCA with Single-Ended model / 4 x XLR with Balanced version.
- Input Impedance: 100 kohm
- Output: 2 x RCA with Single-Ended / 2 x XLR with Balanced version.
- 48 step or 64-step attenuator - remote control optional
- Output impedance: 750 ohms
- Gain: 18 dB
- Dimensions: 38.2 x 54.5 x 14.6 cm (W x D x H), excluding feet.
- Weight: 18.9 kg
ABSOLARE USA LLC
40 Pemberton Road, Nashua New Hampshire, 03063
Phone: +212-229-1842
E-mail: info@absolare.com
ABSOLARE SERVICE EUROPE
Mozartstraat 157, 1962AL Heemskerk, Netherlands
Phone: +31 61 399 3049
E-mail: info@absolare.nl
© 2015 ABSOLARE
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