Bel Canto PRE3vb User Manual

TM

PRE3

Two C h a n n e l A n a l o g

Pre-A m p l i f i e r

VB

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Safety Information ……………………………………………………………………………………2
Certifications/Standards ……………………………………………………………………………………3

Warranty ……………………………………………………………………………………4

Unpacking ……………………………………………………………………………………4
Power Connection ……………………………………………………………………………………4
Setup and Placement ……………………………………………………………………………………5
Design Features ……………………………………………………………………………………5

Single Knob Control Functions and Display ………………………………………………………………6

Remote Control ……………………………………………………………………………………7
Connecting the LNS1 ……………………………………………………………………………………8
Rear Panel Connections ……………………………………………………………………………………9
Specifications ……………………………………………………………………………………9

Copyright © 2010 Bel Canto Design Ltd.

Bel Canto Design Limited

221 North 1

Minneapolis, MN 55401

United States

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by
any means, electronic,mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
The content of this manual is furnished for information use only, is subject to change without notice, and should not be
construed as a commitment by Bel Canto Design Limited. Bel Canto Design Limited assumes no responsibility or liability for
any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this manual. Trademarks used in this publication: Bel Canto and the Bel Canto
logo are registered trademarks of Bel Canto Design Limited. PRE3
Design Limited disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own. Printed in the United
States.

st

Street

VB

is a trademark of Bel Canto Design Limited. Bel Canto

Explanation of symbols used in this manual or on the
rear/underside of the apparatus:

The Lightning Flash with arrowhead symbol
within an equilateral triangle, is intended to
alert the user to the presence of uninsulated
"dangerous voltage" within the product
enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude
to constitute a risk of shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the

maintenance (servicing) instructions in the

presence of important operating and

literature accompanying the product.

• Read, keep and follow these instructions.

• Heed all warnings.

• Do not use the apparatus near water, ie near a

bathtub, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet

basement, near a swimming pool etc.

• Clean only with dry cloth.

• Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in

accordance with the Manufacturer’s instructions.

Site the apparatus so that its location or position

does not interfere with its proper ventilation. For

example, the apparatus should not be situated on

a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block

the ventilation openings, or placed in a built in

installation such as a bookcase or cabinet that

may impede the flow of air through the ventilation

openings.

• Do not install near any heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
apparatus that produce heat.

• This apparatus uses Class I construction and
must be connected to a mains socket with
protective earthing connection.

TO COMPLETELY DISCONNECT THIS APPARATUS
FROM THE AC MAINS, DISCONNECT THE POWER
SUPPLY CORD PLUG FROM THE AC RECEPTACLE.

THE MAINS PLUG OF THE POWER SUPPLY CORD
SHALL REMAIN READILY ACCESSIBLE.

Disconnect supply cord before changing fuse.
Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE AND OBJECTS
FILLED WITH LIQUIDS, SUCH AS VASES, SHOULD
NOT BE PLACED ON THIS APPARATUS.

• Protect the power cord from being walked on or
pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and at the point where they exit from
the apparatus.

• Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or
when unused for long periods of time.

• Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has
been damaged in any way, such as power-supply
cord or plug has been damaged, liquid has been
spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus,
the apparatus has been exposed to rain or
moisture, does not operate normally, or has been
dropped.

• Mains plug: Use the mains plug to disconnect the
apparatus from the mains supply. The mains plug
must be accessible at all times. Use the mains
switch (if applicable) when the apparatus is not in
use.

• Objects and liquid entry: Do not let objects or
liquids fall into the apparatus. Do not expose the
apparatus to dripping or splashing. Do not place
a vessel containing liquid on top of the apparatus.

• No naked flame sources, such as lighted
candles, should be placed on the apparatus.

• The apparatus has been designed for use in
moderate and tropical climates

Fuse replacement:

This appliance is fitted with a non-rewireable 10 amp
mains plug. The plug contains a 10 amp fuse. If the fuse
has blown it can be replaced as follows:
a) Pull out the black fuse cover/carrier.
b) Remove and dispose of the blown fuse.
c) Fit a new 10 amp BS1362 approved fuse into the carrier
and push the carrier back into the plug.

Bel Canto Design Ltd. declare that this product is in conformance
with the Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC and Electromagnetic
Compatibility 89/336/EEC as amended by 92/31/EEC and
93/68/EEC.

The conformity of the designated product with the provisions of
Directive number 73/23/EEC (LVD) is proved by full compliance
with the following standards:

EN60065 2002 General requirements

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant
to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does

Always ensure the fuse cover is fitted. If the fuse cover is
missing do not use the plug. Contact your Bel Canto
retailer to obtain a replacement fuse cover. Fuses are for
fire protection and do not protect against electric shock.

WARNING: THIS APPLIANCE MUST BE
GROUNDED.

The conformity of the designated product with the provisions of
Directive number 89/336/EEC (EMC) is proved by full compliance
with the following standards:

EN55013 2001 Conducted emissions
EN55013 2001 Absorbed emissions
EN55020 2002 Immunity

The conformity of the designated product with the provisions of
Directive number 2005/32/EC ecodesign requirements is proved
by full compliance with the ‘off mode’ setting power of 0.0 Watts.

cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help.

Bel Canto products are automatically covered by a 90 day factory warranty that covers all internal parts and labor.
Register online (
authorized dealer to automatically extend your warranty for 2 years starting from the date of purchase. If you do
not have web access, please contact your dealer for assistance. Upon fully completing registration, within 5
business days you will receive an email that officially validates your warranty. Your information will be used for
internal use only and will not be sold or released outside Bel Canto. Your comments and suggestions are
appreciated and help us continually improve our products and services.

The warranty is only valid to the original owner and is non-transferable. Damage caused by unauthorized
modification, abuse, or neglect of product will void your warranty. Any cost associated with return of product is
the sole responsibility of the owner. All returns require a return authorization number issued after completing the
RMA form in the support section of our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us online at

[email protected].

http://www.belcantodesign.com/Belcanto_Warranty.html) within 30 days of purchase from an

PRE3VB box contents include the following:

1 (one) – PRE3
1 (one) – PRE3
1 (one) – VB Power Cable
1 (one) – Remote Control

VB

Preamplifier

VB

User’s Guide

Carefully unpack each piece and check for shipping
damage. If there is any damage, or if anything is
missing, please contact your dealer, distributor or
Bel Canto Design.

IMPORTANT: Save all packing materials as they
are specially designed to protect the unit during
transportation or shipping. If the packing becomes
lost or damaged, please contact your dealer,
distributor or Bel Canto before attempting to
transport your unit

.

The power supply on the PRE3VB is preset for the
proper power voltage. The power cable should have
the correct plug for your local power system. If you
believe this to not be true, please contact your
dealer immediately.

This product, like any electrical component, can be
dangerous and cause injury unless correct handling
procedures are observed and used. Before
powering this product, it is necessary to read and
follow proper setup and procedures.

WARNING!

Do not connect power
to this product yet!

Because the PRE3VB runs cool, it can be placed in
many system locations without compromise. We do
not recommend placing weights or other objects

VB

directly on the PRE3
chassis finish. Do not use harsh chemicals when
cleaning the outside of your PRE3VB.

. This may scratch or mar the

IMPORTANT!

Make all connections before
powering your unit!

Single Ended RCA and Balanced XLR connectors
are available. XLR jacks allow balanced hookup
using the standard North American pin configuration:

Pin 1 Ground
Pin 2 Signal +
Pin 3 Signal -

The Bel Canto PRE3VB represents a powerful statement in high performance audio control preamplifiers. Its
superb audio performance and transparency renders it a modern standard in control preamplifier design:

• All analog, low noise, low distortion
architecture for controlling up to six (6)
2-channel inputs including 1 balanced input

• Fully balanced XLR outputs for optimum
interface with the power amplifier

• 4-layer PC board design for superior signal
routing, grounding and power supply routing

• Latest generation of low-noise, low-distortion
high speed audio buffers, level controls and
output drivers provide superb measured and
subjective audio quality

VB

The sonic performance of the PRE3

will begin to stabilize after 100 hours of continuous power up.

• Independent digital and analog transformers
with multi-stage power supplies for precise
power to the sensitive analog circuitry

• Precision audio grade resistors and no
capacitors in the audio signal path

• Ultra low noise second stage regulation for
the analog amplifier sections

• Home Theater Bypass mode on Input 5

• Digitally controlled analog volume control for

optimum signal architecture

• New Single-Knob user interface provides
Simple, intuitive control function

Front Panel Control Knob:

The control knob is a continuously rotating control
with a push-switch function.

Volume Control Mode:

VB

The PRE3
change volume level by rotating the knob. The
volume down function (counter-clockwise rotation) is
very rapid and allows quick changes in the volume
level. Volume up (clockwise rotation) functions
rapidly up to a displayed volume level of 50.0. There
is a pause at 50.0 until the display dims then the
volume up function continues more slowly to a
displayed value of 60.0 and then slower yet above

60.0. This operation makes it difficult to accidentally
set a volume level that is too high.

Input Selection Mode:

Pressing the control knob in briefly will toggle into
the input selection mode. The selected input will be
displayed for 5 seconds. During this time you can
rotate the control knob to scroll to the desired input.
Pressing the knob again will select the indicated
input. The volume level will automatically ramp down
and up during this selection process. If the control
knob is not pressed for 5 seconds, the indicated
input will automatically be selected and the PRE3
will return to the default volume control mode.

default operating mode allows you to

VB

Home Theater Bypass Operation:

Input 5 can be set to a home theater bypass mode
(htb) that is used to pass the front left/right outputs
from a multichannel processor output through the
PRE3

VB

to the main L/R power amplifiers. This

mode must be used with a preamp output which
has volume control function as the PRE3
volume and mute controls will not function while
the PRE3VB remains in the htb unity gain setting.

When in the Input Selection Mode, Input 5 can be
toggled between the normal operating mode (In 5)
and the bypass mode for (htb5) by pressing the
control knob 2 times. You will note that the Input
display will toggle between htb5 and In 5. The
display simply reads htb (home theater bypass)
when the bypass mode is active.

Pre In:

This is used to scroll through the inputs, when
initially pressed it will indicate the currently selected
input.

VB

The PRE3VB Remote Control has a comprehensive
set of control features that are not available on the
front panel.

To access all PRE3VB control features press the
button marked PRE on the remote control. The Main
CD controls will still operate in the DAC, PRE and
Tuner modes.

PGM: Used for programmable functions.

Display: Toggles through display modes. When in

OFF mode, the Display will come on momentarily
when operating the front panel or remote control.

Mute: When in variable output mode this will toggle
the analog outputs from Soft to Hard Mute and Un­muted modes. Soft mute is indicated by two decimal
points in the far right of the display . . and Hard mute

is indicated by 4 decimals on the display . . . .

VOL>: Increases the volume setting in Variable
Output mode. This will Punch Through to any Bel
Canto unit in Variable Output mode. The display will
show the volume level while changing.

<VOL: Decreases the volume setting in Variable
Output mode. This will Punch Through to any Bel
Canto unit in Variable Output mode. The display will
show the volume level while changing.

CH/SCAN+: This will toggle the input selection up in
number and wrap around. Note that the first press of
this control will show the active input selection.

CH/SCAN-: This will toggle the input selection down
in number and wrap around. Note that the first press
of this control will show the active input selection.

Number Buttons: These will directly select the
inputs numbered from 1-5 and Balanced IN (6).

• The PRE3VB must be powered by either the VBS1 or the LNS1. If using the VBS1, please refer to the
VBS1 User’s Guide for connectivity. If using the LNS1, please read the following

• The LNS1 is designed to power Bel Canto VB equipped products only. Use of any cable other than the
supplied power interconnect may damage either the LNS1 or VB equipped unit and will void any
warranty. Certain non-VB equipped units can be factory upgraded. To begin the upgrade process, fill out
the RMA form in the Support Section of our website

• When connecting your VB unit to the LNS1, be careful to observe the alignment notches on both units
power receptacles and the power interconnect cable

• When inserting the power interconnect cable, align the notch on the cable end and the alignment teeth on
the outer sleeve to the 12 o’clock position. This will allow the interconnect cable to fully seat and ensure
that the plug mates correctly with the power receptacle

• Once the power interconnect cable is fully seated in the receptacle, lock in the power interconnect cable
by turning the outer sleeve clockwise one quarter turn. Proper seating of the LNS1 cable will ensure safe
and secure operation of the LNS1 and all connected components

• The LNS1 has been designed to run on non-regulated, non-filtered AC Mains. Usage of any additional
isolation or filtration from the AC Mains supply may compromise LNS1 performance

• VB power interconnect jack to interface with
either the VBS1 or LNS1 power supplies

• XLR Balanced line outputs

• XLR Balanced line inputs

• RCA Line out

• RCA Record out

• RCA Inputs

Bandwidth: DC-200KHz

Volume setting for unity gain: 80.0

Signal to Noise Ratio @ 2 Volt RMS: >105 dB A weighted, 20Hz-20kHz

Distortion @ 2 Volt RMS/1kHz: <0.001%

Dynamic Range: 120 dB

Input overload: 10 V RMS

Output Impedance: 500 Ohms Single Ended, 200 Ohms Balanced

Input Impedance: 10K Ohms Single Ended, 20K Ohms Balanced

Maximum Gain: 20dB/10X

Maximum Output Level: 9.5 V RMS

Idle power draw : <10 Watts

Power Requirements: 100-120 VAC 50-60 Hz or 220-240 VAC 50-60 Hz

Dimensions: 8.5” W x 12.5” D x 3.5” H (216 mm x 318 mm x 75 mm)

Weight: 10lbs. (4.5 kg)

version 2.0