Drawmer HQ-r User Manual
DRAWMER
HQ-b
HQ
HQ-r
Precision Pre-Amplifier / DAC
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Warranty
Safety Consideration
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Introduction
Installation
Power Connection
Audio Connections
Remote Operation & Linking
Setup Input Levels
Hooking Up the HQ
Chapter 2 - Control Description
Control Description
Quick Operation
Safety Features
Chapter 3 - Remote Control & Linking using HQ-r and HQ-b
Remote Operation and Linking for Surround
HQ-b Description
HQ-r & HQ-b Installation
HQ-r Control Description
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CONTENTS
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Chapter 4 - General Information
Internal Jumper Settings
If a fault develops
Contacting Drawmer
Specification
Block Diagram
Exploded Diagram
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COPYRIGHT
This manual is copyrighted © 2011 by Drawmer Electronics Ltd. With all rights reserved. Under copyright
laws, no part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system or translated
into any language in any form by any means, mechanical, optical, electronic, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of Drawmer Electronics Ltd.
ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
Drawmer Electronics Ltd., warrants the Drawmer HQ
Precision Pre-Amplifier / DAC to conform substantially to
the specifications of this manual for a period of one year
from the original date of purchase when used in accordance
with the specifications detailed in this manual. In the case
of a valid warranty claim, your sole and exclusive remedy
and Drawmer’s entire liability under any theory of liability
will be to, at Drawmer’s discretion, repair or replace the
product without charge, or, if not possible, to refund the
purchase price to you. This warranty is not transferable. It
applies only to the original purchaser of the product.
For warranty service please call your local Drawmer dealer.
Alternatively call Drawmer Electronics Ltd. at +44 (0)1709
527574. Then ship the defective product, with transportation
and insurance charges prepaid, to Drawmer Electronics
Ltd., Coleman Street, Parkgate, Rotherham, S62 6EL UK.
Write the RA number in large letters in a prominent position
on the shipping box. Enclose your name, address,
telephone number, copy of the original sales invoice and a
detailed description of the problem. Drawmer will not accept
responsibility for loss or damage during transit.
This warranty is void if the product has been damaged by
misuse, modification or unauthorised repair.
Precision Pre-Amplifier / DAC
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
REPLACE THE MAINS FUSE ONLY WITH
A FUSE THAT CONFORMS TO IEC127-2.
250 VOLT WORKING, TIME DELAY TYPE
RATED AT 230V=T1A and 115V=T500mA.
DRAWMER
HQ
CAUTION - MAINS FUSE
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE
AND BODY SIZE OF 20mm x 5mm.
THE MAINS INPUT FUSE MUST BE
THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL WARRANTIES,
WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESSED, IMPLIED
OR STATUTORY. DRAWMER MAKES NO OTHER
WARRANTY EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR
A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.
PURCHASER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY
UNDER THIS WARRANTY SHALL BE REPAIR OR
REPLACEMENT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN.
IN NO EVENT WILL DRAWMER ELECTRONICS LTD. BE
LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
RESULTING FROM ANY DEFECT IN THE PRODUCT,
INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY,
AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, DAMAGE
FOR PERSONAL INJURY, EVEN IF DRAWMER HAS
BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES.
Some states and specific countries do not allow the
exclusion of implied warranties or limitations on how long
an implied warranty may last, so the above limitations may
not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal
rights. You may have additional rights that vary from state
to state, and country to country.
CAUTION - MAINS CABLE
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHANGE
OR TAMPER WITH THE
SUPPLIED MAINS CABLE.
CAUTION - SERVICING
DO NOT PERFORM ANY SERVICING.
REFER ALL SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
WARNING
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR
ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE
THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
In the interests of product development, Drawmer reserve the right to modify or
improve specifications of this product at any time, without prior notice.
2
DRAWMER HQ OPERATOR’S MANUAL
DRAWMER
PRECISION PRE-AMPLIFIER / DAC
Are you hearing what we’re hearing ?
How good is your Monitor Preamp ?
CHAPTER 1
The monitor preamp is possibly the most important piece of equipment for both audio professionals and Hi-Fi enthusiasts
alike. It is the last piece of equipment before the speakers, so it requires zero coloration, precise balance, low noise,
wide bandwidth and a wide variety of input sources.
Top of the range designs use relay attenuators with high accuracy resistors to achieve the best balance between
channels. Unfortunately, as the volume is changed, the relays can be heard chattering. This can be irritating and also
reduces the life of the relays. Drawmer have found an innovative solution to this problem, giving the feel and smoothness
of a potentiometer, but with the accuracy of relay attenuation.
<> Precision relay volume control. Accurate channel balance to 0.05dB
<> Innovative (SilentRelay) volume management. (>100dB attenuation)
<> State of the art DAC (-100dB THD & Noise and -114dB DnR)
<> Ultra low crosstalk (> 100dB @ 20Hz to 20kHz)
<> 4 analog and 5 digital sources, with individual gain setting
<> Intelligent source select allows A-B comparisons.
<> Digital inputs to 192kHz 24bit with jitter reduction.
<> RIAA input for accurate replay of vinyl
<> Remote operation and linking for multi-channel systems
<> Dual Headphone outputs
<> Normal output levels up to +17dBu balanced
<> Hot output levels up to +27dBu balanced
<> Independent selection of Balanced and Unbalanced outputs for A/B speaker comparisons
<> Internal Linear power supply with multi-stage regulation
<> Additonal Dim, Mute and Mono controls, as well as preset volume levels, and a display
accurate to 0.5dB steps, via the HQ-r remote.
The Drawmer HQ sets a new standard in monitor Preamps, by combining a state of the art DAC with superior analog
design and an ingenious control system.
So what you hear is what you get - precisely.
DRAWMER HQ OPERATOR’S MANUAL
3
INSTALLATION
When you unpack your HQ you will notice that it has been
fitted with both the rack ears and feet attached, to help
during carriage, however, it has been designed so that it
can be installed in a rack or free-standing. If it is to be freestanding, in a cabinet for example, the rack ears can be
detached by removing the four screws that locate each ear
(see fig. 01), whilst leaving the feet in place.
If it is to be located in a rack detach the four feet underneath
the unit by removing the four screws. If replacing the feet
at some time ensure that the two locating pins on each
foot line up with the holes on the unit before tightening the
screws (see fig.02). The HQ will fit into a standard 19" rack
mounting and occupies 2U of rack space. Fibre or plastic
washers may be used to prevent the ears becoming marked
by the mounting bolts.
fig.02 REMOVING THE FEET
fig.01 REMOVING THE RACK EARS
Avoid mounting the unit directly above power amplifiers or
power supplies that radiate significant amounts of heat. In
addition, if in a rack, it is advised that you leave at least 1U
of space above to allow heat to dissipate. Alternatively, a
fan should be fitted somewhere near to the rear of the unit
to circulate cooler air and help expel any excess heat.
Any ventilating holes should remain unblocked at all times.
POWER CONNECTION
The unit will have been supplied with a power cable
suitable for domestic power outlets in your country.
For your own safety it is important that you use this
cable. The unit should always be connected to the
mains supply earth using this cable, and no other.
If for some reason the unit is to be used at a mains
input operating voltage which is different to that as
supplied, the following procedure must be carried out.
1: Disconnect the unit from the mains.
2: Remove the two screws holding the voltage
selection cover-plate.
3: Remove the cover plate and slide the switch
fully to its opposite end.
4: Rotate the cover plate one half turn (180 degrees)
and refit the two screws.
5: Replace with a correctly rated fuse for the
selected operation voltage in the IEC socket:
230V-T1A and 115V-T500mA
6: Re-connect to mains power source.
Never disconnect the earth
from the mains supply
fig.4 Altering the Voltage
4
DRAWMER HQ OPERATOR’S MANUAL
INPUTS
AUDIO CONNECTIONS
The Drawmer HQ features a total of nine inputs -
3 4 8B 9
D
1 A 5 6 72
ANALOGUE
Four analogue inputs: 1x Balanced via two XLR’s, 2x
unbalanced and 1x Phono/line (switchable) via RCA
connectors, as well as an earth connector for the phono
stage.
BALANCED
1
Electronically balanced on conventionally wired XLRs (pin
1 screen, pin 2 hot, pin 3 cold and XLR shell is connected
to chassis). Balanced use is recommended. Only use very
good quality microphone type cable.
2
PHONO / LINE
To connect a turntable, with the switch in the Phono (in)
C
position plug in the RCA cables into the relevant L/R
connectors and also be sure to connect the grounding
wire (if available) to the earth screw. The turntable cartridge
should be of MM type - to use a MC type cartridge a stepup transformer is required. Line input can be used if the
switch is in the Line position (in) and operates the same
as the unbalanced inputs (see below).
UNBALANCED
3 4
Unbalanced input is via RCA connectors . Though balanced
use is recommended where possible, analogue cd players,
FM revievers etc. are conventionally connected this way.
DIGITAL
Five digital inputs: 1x AES3 via XLR, 1x Toslink, 1x
S/PDIF via RCA and 1x AES3id via BNC (can be used as
S/PDIF with adapter) all operating upto 192kHz and 1x
USB, operating upto 48kHz. In addition the digital inputs
have a pass through output that converts the signal to
S/PDIF at the current input sample rate.
USB
5
Connect to PC, laptop or Apple Macintosh via a standard
USB type B connector for playback upto 16bit/48kHz. The
HQ should automatically be recognised by any modern
Macintosh or Windows 98 onwards operating system and
load the drivers accordingly.
To connect, turn off the HQ and attach the USB cable
between it and the PC. Turn the HQ back on and rotate the
‘Source’ control to USB - the Windows “Found New
Hardware” should appear and load the drivers automatically,
displaying the HQ driver as ‘USB Audio DAC’. The HQ
USB interface should now act as the default audio playback
device. It should be as easy as Plug’n (quite literally)Play.
Unfortunately, at present, the HQ is unable to connect and
control any other usb driven device, such as a flash drive
or hard drive, as it is purely an audio interface. Doing so
could result in damage to either the drive or HQ.
6
TOSLINK (or EIAJ)
The real benefit of TOSlink is that it is not susceptible to
electromagnetic noise, however, it is highly recommended
that a very good quality cable is used as the plastic
conductors used in cheap cables can damage data.
Additionally performance is compromised over long lengths
of cable, as the signal strength weakens due to impurities
in the conductive material, therefore lengths of no longer
than five metres is recommended unless using a signal
booster.
Though the connectors are the same TOSLink and ADAT
Optical are not compatible with each other.
7
AES/EBU
Is via an XLR connector designed to be used with standard
balanced microphone cable (20 metres maximum), wired
pin 1 screen, pin 2 and 3 balanced data, and the XLR shell
connected to the chassis. Having many short cables joined
together is not advisable as each connector can cause
undesirable signal reflections.
The output socket fully conforms to the EMC standards; if
the unit is to be used where it may be exposed to high
levels of disturbance, such as found close to a TV or radio
transmitter, it is suggested that the screen of the data cable
be connected to the chassis connection on the XLR type
connector rather than to pin 1.
DRAWMER HQ OPERATOR’S MANUAL
5
.... AUDIO CONNECTIONS CONT.
S/PDIF
8
Is via a high quality RCA type phono jack where the data
conforms to the SonyJ PhillipsJ Digital InterFace format.
Because this connector only provides an unbalanced
termination, the recommended maximum length for this
cable is 3 metres, even with very high quality cable.
An additional S/PDIF input is available via the AES3id
connector (see below).
AES3id
9
A subset of the AES3 digital audio interface standard that
uses an unbalanced 75 ohm connection, making the
AES3id hardware requirements the same as S/PDIF
connections, though utilising BNC rather than RCA type
connectors. The data contained
within the transmission is
identical, therefore it is possible
to connect a standard S/PDIF
output to this AES3id input via a
Female RCA to Male BNC adapter
without any need for further
alteration.
Use only good quality 75Ω digital or video coax (not aerial
downlead) cable for the AES3id signals, terminated with
the correct type of 75Ω BNC connectors - inferior cables
will introduce jitter.
OUTPUTS
The Drawmer HQ features five outputs of various types -
A
1x ANALOGUE BALANCED
Electronically balanced on
conventionally wired XLRs (pin
1 screen, pin 2 hot, pin 3 cold
and XLR shell is connected to
chassis). Balanced use is
recommended if outputting to
high quality active speakers or
other proffessional equipment.
Only use very good quality
microphone type cable.
B
1x ANALOGUE UNBALANCED
Unbalanced output is via RCA connectors. Unbalanced
outputs can be used if routing
the audio to consumer
specification equipment such
as a power amplifier or an
analogue recorder.
Generally, it is better to use the
balanced outputs where
possible.
As a factory setting both of the outputs are variable (the
level set in conjunction with the level control) but can be
independantly altered to a fixed level - this is done via
internal jumpers (see ‘Internal Jumpers Settings’).
C
1x DIGITAL S/PDIF
A pass through digital output is supplied that converts the
incoming digital signal to a S/PDIF output via 1 RCA
connector, at the same sample rate as recieved by the
input. In this way the USB audio can be converted to very
high quality S/PDIF output to be sent to a HDD recorder,
for example. It will not work as an A/D converter, and does
not function when an analogue source is selected.
2x HEADPHONE
(front panel)
Two 1/4” headphone
jack sockets are
located on the front
panel (below the
Speakers control) that
supply a buffered
output simultaneously
to both headphones.
As factory standard
the right headphone
socket will mute the
main outputs when plugged in, whilst the left
socket leaves the outputs as is - though this can be altered
via the internal jumper settings (see ‘Internal Jumpers
Settings’).
A B
D
Remote Operation & Linking
See Chapter 3
6
DRAWMER HQ OPERATOR’S MANUAL
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