Jeff rowland CONSUMMATE User Manual

CONSUMMATE PREAMPLIFIER

OWNER'S MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
Initial Inspection
Features
Installation
Impedance Adjustments
Preamplifier Internal View
Impedance Adjustment Diagram
Overall Gain Adjustments
Gain Adjustment Diagram
Control Instructions
Remote Operation
Technical Specifications

Version II

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of what is unquestionably one of the finest analog preamplifiers
available today. With its combination of features such as full-function remote control, fully balanced
operation and state-of-the-art circuitry, your Consummate Preamplifier will give you many years of
trouble free, top-quality performance and enjoyment.

Please take a few moments to read this owner's manual. The Consummate offers a large number of
interconnect and user-operational possibilities. A thorough understanding of these features will
allow you to gain the maximum performance for which this preamplifier was designed.

The Consummate Preamplifier and the Consummate Preamplifier power supply each has its own
serial number. The preamplifier's serial number begins with the letter P, and the power supply's
serial number begins with the letter S. These numbers are located on the left side of each back
panel. All correspondence with your dealer or Jeff Rowland Design Group concerning this
preamplifier should include the complete serial numbers.

For any additional information or assistance, contact your dealer or the Jeff Rowland Design Group
factory.

Initial Inspection

Inspect the shipping container for damage. If the shipping container or packing material is
damaged, it should be kept until the contents of the container have been checked for completeness
and the preamplifier has been inspected both mechanically and electrically. This preamplifier was
fully tested and carefully inspected before shipment. It should be free of any exterior defects and in
perfect operational order upon receipt.

If there is any damage or defect or if the preamplifier does not operate correctly, notify your dealer
immediately. If the shipping container is damaged or the packing material shows signs of stress,
notify the shipper and Jeff Rowland Design Group. Keep the shipping material for the shipper's
inspection.

In the shipping box you will find:

• AC power cord

• replacement fuses

• infrared remote control transmitter

• infrared remote control receiver and interconnect cable

• warranty card

(This form must be completed and returned to JEFF ROWLAND DESIGN

GROUP [or its authorized distributor if outside the U.S.A.] within 14 days of
purchase. Not only will your preamplifier be registered, but you will, in the future, be
notified of possible design updates, improvements and new products.)

We strongly suggest that you save all packing materials

Features

• Six line inputs, three of which are balanced (both RCA and XLR connectors are
provided)

• Balanced outputs, in both RCA and XLR connector configurations

• Differential Mode(tm) technology maintained throughout all circuitry, from input
to output

• Separate regulated power supply with dual toroidal transformers

• Microprocessor-controlled volume and switching

• A digitally-controlled resistor matrix volume control provides 200 precise
individual steps

• User-stored level settings for all six inputs allow immediate recall of a "normal" level for each
source

• Dual-rate attenuator adjustment controls provide efficient volume control adjustments

• Fluorescent front panel display indicates operational status of the preamplifier under all ambient
lighting conditions

• User controlled display shut-off

• infrared remote control of all preamplifier operational functions

• Separate remote receiver permits remote operation of preamplifier from a distant
location

• Image shift control (instead of channel balance trim) maintains overall volume level while shifting
stereo image left or right

• Mono and left or right channel cut functions

• Main outputs are muted temporarily during initial A/C power up, power drop or power
interruption

• All signal amplification utilizes high-current, Class A solid state technology

• All inputs and outputs are direct-coupled, thus eliminating the effects of capacitors in the signal
path.

• Independent power supply regulators are located at each stage of each amplifier channel

• Mil-spec circuit board material, with oxygen-free copper traces and high- temperature mask,
provides superior electrical characteristics and long term protection against adverse climatic
conditions

• All signal switching is accomplished with hermetically sealed, gold-clad silver contact signal relays

• All critical circuitry is encapsulated in a thermally-conductive epoxy to ensure excellent

thermal stability, mechanical integrity and ease of service

• Ability to drive any length of interconnect cable into a balanced 600 ohm load

• Adjustable input and output impedance minimizes source, load and cable interactions in any
application

Installation

Place the preamplifier as close as possible to its final installation point. If possible, allow easy
access to the back panel for making signal and power connections. The preamplifier may be placed
above, beside or below its companion power supply with no interference from stray
electromagnetic fields.

The Consummate power supply has two completely separate yet identical internal power supplies.
The output of each respective power supply is designated as Power Supply A or Power Supply B,
and is available via two output connectors per power supply. The Consummate Preamplifier can be
connected via the D/C power cable to any one of these four outputs. Longer custom-made D/C
power cables can be ordered from the factory for special applications. If an additional unit such as
the Consummate Phono Stage is used, then the other power supply can be utilized. For example,
the Consummate Preamplifier can be powered from Power Supply A and the Consummate Phono
Stage can be powered from Power Supply B. This permits totally independent and isolated
operation of each unit with respect to the power supplies.

Please make sure that the preamplifier D/C power cable is connected to the power supply before
attaching the A/C line cord. Otherwise, the preamplifier may be damaged. The power supply is
equipped with a power switch, located and identified on the rear panel. The power switch should be
turned on initially after plugging in the A/C power cord. After turning on your preamplifier, there
will be a two second delay and then the words "THE CONSUMMATE" will be displayed. This will
remain for approximately ten seconds while the amplifier circuitry is stabilizing. The display will
then switch to its normal status-indicator format. Your preamplifier is now fully stable and will
accept commands.

The rear panel power switch should be left on at all times, thereby maintaining stable operating
parameters and improving performance, reliability and longevity. Power consumption in stand-by
mode is less than 30 watts, providing low-cost operation.

Your Consummate is equipped with an infrared remote control receiver box which can be attached
to the back of the preamplifier via the provided 3 meter interconnect if remote operation is desired.
The remote control receiver box may be placed anywhere within line of sight of the hand held
remote transmitter. A longer remote receiver cable may be ordered on a custom basis from the
factory for special applications.

It is recommended that inputs 4, 5 and 6 be used for single ended or unbalanced inputs
exclusively. If inputs 1, 2 and 3 are used for single ended or unbalanced operation, then XLR
shorting plugs should be used in the respective balanced input connectors for optimal sonic
performance. The XLR shorting plugs should electrically short circuit pin 1 and pin 2. This grounds
the unused inverting input when used in a single ended configuration.

Balanced Main output signals are always produced by the preamplifier circuitry and are available
regardless of the input source signal configuration chosen (balanced or single ended).