Audio Note RIAA Zero Owners manual

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Congratulations on your purchase of the Audio Note™ RIAA-ZERO PHONO stage.
The RIAA-ZERO provides outstanding performance as an additional unit for line level

playback systems, is of a compact size and represents excellent value.
Please read over this manual carefully in order to obtain the best possible performance

and longevity from the RIAA-ZERO.

UNPACKING & INSTALLATION

We recommend that you store the packaging materials in case the unit requires shipping
at a later date. Also, check that no transit damage has occurred before installing the pre
amplifier.

Next, select a suitable location for the unit, not next to any large mains unit or damp
areas.

Worthwhile improvements may be obtained by locating the pre amplifier on a support
system specifically designed to reduce and absorb any vibrations.

AFTER CARE
Cleaning: No special maintenance is required for the RIAA-ZERO. A soft cloth or

brush similar to those sold by photographic stores for lens cleaning applications is best
used for cleaning.

Use a cloth lighty dampened with a mildly warm, weak soap solution to clean off grease
or oily substances. Strong or alcohol based solvents may damage the finish of this
amplifier.

Tube replacement: The vacuum tube used in the RIAA-ZERO should provide about
two years of continuous operation. With three hours of use per day, they should
provide a 10,000 hour life span.

Audio Note has taken considerable care in selecting and matching vacuum tubes
specially for the RIAA-ZERO, and so we recommend that you contact your Audio Note
dealer, who will be able to provide the correct tube should replacement be required.

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CONNECTION - Mains

Use the supplied mains cable to connect the phono stage to the mains supply, ensuring
that the plug is firmly inserted to the mains input socket.

Connection - Turntable

One set of RCA output connectors are provided marked `INPUT`. The connectors are
colour coded with red and white bands for quick channel identification with red being the
right channel and white being the left channel. Connect the turntable lead to these
sockets. If you have an earth lead connect it to the screw earth terminal.

Connection to Pre-amp

One set of RCA output connectors are provided marked `OUTPUT`. The connectors are
colour coded with red and white bands for quick channel identification with red being the
right channel and white being the left channel. Connect the RIAA to any line input on
your pre-amp (eg: aux, av, etc).

Special Note: Make sure that all connections are tight and clean. For best performance, use good
quality audio interconnect. Although several companies manufacture good quality interconnect,
those manufactured by Audio Note are excellent!

USING THE R-ZERO
Once all connections are completed and checked, flip the main on/off switch located next

to the mains input socket to the “on” position. The red indicator on the front panel should
now be glowing. Being vacuum tube, the pre amplifier will take about 45 seconds before
it is ready for operation. The power amplifier may now be turned on.
when not in use. The power consumption is minimal. You may, however, prefer to turn
the unit off when not in use by using the “ON/OFF” switch located on the rear panel, next
to the mains inlet socket.

Bedding in time: The new pre amplifier requires about 200 hours of initial use (called
“bedding in time”) before the circuitry becomes stable and optimum performance is
realised. As the amplifier “beds in”, the sound will become more lucid, detailed and
expansive.

Once the RIAA-ZERO is “bedded in”, a warm-up time of approximately 30 to 45 minutes
is required each time the unit is turned on before optimum sonic performance is reached.

The RIAA-ZERO is designed for continuous operation and may remain switched on,
even when not in use. The power consumption is minimal.

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