Krell Industries Preamplifier KAV-250p Owner's Reference Manual

CONTENTSKAV-250p

Preamplifier

Krell® Industries, Inc.

45 Connair Road
Orange, CT 06477-3650 USA

TEL [phone]

FAX [phone]
E-MAIL krell @ krellonline.com

Page

INTRODUCTION

3

UNPACKING

3

PLACEMENT

3

AC Power Guidelines 4

CONNECTING THE KAV-250p
TO YOUR SYSTEM 4

Inputs 4
Outputs 4
Connecting the KAV-250p 5
Additional Connections 5

PREAMPLIFIER AND REMOTE
CONTROL OPERATION 5

Battery Installation and Removal 6

OPTIONAL CONFIGURATIONS ~ 8
WARRANTY

9

RETURN AUTHORIZATION
PROCEDURE 10

SPECI FICATIO N S 12

ILLUSTRATIONS

REMOTE CONTROL
S-3/PR OPTIONAL INPUT

CONFIGURATION

Page

7

8

© 1997 by KRELL® Industries, Inc. All rights reserved

P/N 19608,0240,0000

CE Marking

This product complies with the EMC direc­tive (89/336/EEC) and the low-voltage
directive (73/23/EEC).

Introduction

Thank you for your purchase of the Krell

KAV-250p. To obtain the best performance

from your KAV-250p preamplifier, pay care­ful attention to its placement, installation,

and operation. A thorough understanding of
these details will help insure satisfactory

operation and long life for the KAV-250p
and related system components.

THERE ARE NO USER-SERVICEABLE

PARTS INSIDE ANY KRELL PRODUCT.

Please contact your authorized dealer,
distributor, or KrelP, if you have any

questions not addressed in this refer­ence manual.

Unpacking

1. Open the box and remove the top layer of
foam. You will see these items:

1 KAV-250p
1 KAV-250p remote control
1 T-10 Torx wrench
1 AC power cord
1 packet containing the Owner’s

Reference and the Warranty
Registration Card

NOTE: ff any of these items are not includ­ed, please contact your authorized Krell
dealer or distributor immediately for assis­tance.

2.

Carefully remove the unit and acces­sories from the box. Remove the protec-

tive plastic wrap from the unit.

NOTE: Save all packing materials. If you
must ship your KAV-250p in the future,
repack the un# in its original packaging to

prevent transit damage.

Placement

WARNINGS

The preamplifier must not be located where
it could be exposed to dripping or splashing
fluids.

Before you install the KAV-250p into your
system, review the following guidelines to
choose the location for the KAV-250p. This
will facilitate a clean, trouble-free installation.
The KAV-250p does not require any type of
special rack or cabinet for installation. For the

dimensions of the KAV-250p, see Specifi­cations, on page 12.

KRELL®KAV-250p English Page 3 of 12

Placement, continued

Place the KAV-250p on a firm level sur­face, away from excessive heat, humi-

dity or moisture. Other components may be
placed on or around the KAV-250p, since

the KAV-250p is not particularly hum sensi­tive.

You may experiment with feet or cones as

long as they are not permanently affixed to
the chassis. Any unauthorized modifications
to the electronics or chassis will void the war-

ranty.

AC Power Guidelines

WARNING

Do not remove or bypass the ground pin on
the end of the AC cord. This may cause RFI

(radio frequency interference) to be induced

into your playback system.
The KAV-250p has superb regulation and

does not require a dedicated AC circuit.
Avoid connections through extension cords
or multiple AC adapters. High quality 15 amp
grounded AC strips are acceptable. High
quality AC line conditioners or filters can be

used if they are grounded.

Connecting the KAV-250p

to Your System

WARNING

When making connections to this compo­nent or any other, make sure the power
amplifier is Off and the KAV-250p is in the

Mute or Stand-by mode. Make sure all cable

terminations are of the highest quality, free
from frayed ends, shorts, or cold solder joints.

Inputs

The KAV-250p is equipped with three pairs
of single-ended inputs via RCA connectors
(S-1, S-2, and S-3/PR), one single-ended
tape input via RCA connectors (Tape), and
one pair balanced input via XLR connectors
(B-l). The S-1 and S-2 inputs are standard
single-ended inputs. The S-3/PR has a user
configurable option. The S3/PR input is ~et
as a standard input from the factory, and it
may be set for use as a surround processor
throughput. See Optional Configurations,
on page 8.

The XLR input pin configuration is described
below:

Pin 1 Ground
Pin 2 Non-inverting (0

°)

Pin 3 Inverting (180

°)

Outputs

Outputs include one pair single-ended output

via RCA connectors, one single-ended tape

output via RCA connectors, and one pair bal­anced output via XLR connectors. Both RCA

and XLR outputs are active at all times,
allowing simultaneous connections to sepa­rate amplifiers or separate systems. Do not
connect both outputs to a single stereo ampli-

fier at one time.

Page4 of 12 English KRELL® KAV-250p

Connecting the KA V-250p

The left and right channel RCA and balanced

inputs and outputs are labeled on the back­plate. Maintain the correct left/right orienta-

tion.

To prevent the introduction of hum or other

noise into the system, organize all wiring
between the KAV-250p and other system

components neatly. Separate AC wires from
audio cables.

1.

Connect the left and right outputs of
your source components to the inputs

on the KAV-250p.

2. Connect the output of the KAV-250p to

the input of your power amplifier.

Krell® recommends the use of balanced
interconnects. Balanced interconnects not

only have the ability to minimize sonic loss

but also have immunity to induced noise,
especially for installations using long cable
lengths. Balanced connections have 6dB
more gain than single-ended connections.

When level matching is critical, keep this

specification in mind.

Additional Connections

RC-5 IN

This input accepts baseband RC-5 input

commands from various remote devices,
facilitating custom installations. The input

allows the KAV-250p to be controlled via
hard-wired signals sent from such units.

12 VDC REMOTE POWER OUT

These outputs send 12 volt power on/off
signals to other Krell components, as well
as to other devices that incorporate a 12
volt power on/off trigger input. This allows

for remote turn on/off of other components
when the KAV-250p is powered on/off.

NOTE: Consult the owner’s reference of
any device used in a custom installation to

take full advantage of the remote capability
of the KA V-250p.

Preamplifier and Remote

Control Operation

The KAV-250p provides input selection and
volume control from the front panel. The
KAV-250p remote provides complete pre­amplifier functions as well as Krell CD trans­port and power amplifier remote functions.

NOTE: Not all buttons on the remote control

function with the KAV-250p. Press the
Amp/Pre button on the remote to access
preamplifier commands.

NOTE: When a function button on the

remote control is pressed, the blue pilot led

will flash on the KAV-250p. When the but-

ton is released the flashing stops.

1. Engage the power switch on the
KAV-250p either manually or using the
remote control. After pressing the power
switch, the red Stand-by led on the
KAV-250p will turn off and the blue
Power led on the KAV-250p will illumi­nate. The preamplifier is now ready for
operation.

2.

Choose a listening source and select

that input either manually or via the

remote control.

3. Start play of the source.

4.

Set the volume to a comfortable listen­ing level.

5.

When changing sources, lower the vol­ume to the Off position or Mute the out­put (see Mute, on page 6). This insures

KRELL® KAV-250p English Page 5 of 12

that the next source played will not dam­age your system with a high output tran­sient.

A description of the buttons on the
KAV-250p and the KAV-250p remote is
provided below.

PWR Power On/Off Button
AVOLUME Raises volume

¯’VOLUME Lowers volume
¯ L Bal R (remote control only)

Shifts the balance to the left in ldB incre-

ments. The "1" position mutes the right

channel.
¯ L Bal R (remote control only)

Shifts the balance to the right in ldB incre-

ments. The "R" position mutes the left chan­nel.

BALANCE and LEVEL

When either the "12 or the "R" on the

Balance control button is pressed on the

remote, the Balance led on the KAV-250p
will illuminate and the volume control leds
convert to a Balance control indicator. The

center led (Level) will always remain dimly

illuminated indicating the center balance

position. As balance is adjusted either left or

right, another more brightly lit led illumi-

nates to indicate the now modified balance
setting. After 5 seconds of inactivity or a vol-

ume adjustment, the leds revert back to vol-

ume control indicators. If the Balance has

been set to an off-center position, the

Balance led will remain lit after the adjust-

ment period. If returned to a centered

Balanced position, the Balanced led will

extinguish after the adjustment period.

MUTE (front panel only)

Press the input button of the active source

to mute the output.

UNMUTE (front panel only)
Press the input button of the active source
again to unmute the input. If the active
source is changed while the KAV-250p is
muted, press the input button of the new
active source a second time to unmute the
KAV-250p.

MUTE (remote control only)
Press the mute button of the remote to mute

the output of the active source.

UNMUTE (remote control only)
Press the mute button of the remote to
unmute the output of the active source.

NOTE: When the mute led on the KAV-250p
is illuminated, there is no signal output.

B-1 Selects the B-1 input
S-1 Selects the S-1 input
S-2 Selects the S-2 input
S-3 Selects the S-3/PR input*

TAPE Engages the tape monitor

Battery Installation and Removal

NOTE: Batteries should be replaced when
functions from the remote control become
intermittent. The KAV-250p remote uses
two AAA size 1.5 volt batteries.

1. Remove the backplate to expose the
batteries.

2. Remove the old batteries.

3. Install the new batteries, following the
battery position diagram on the plastic
battery receptacle.

4. Re-install the backplate.

5.

Check to make sure the remote control
is functioning properly.

*See Optional Configurations, on page 8.

Page 6 of 12 English

KRELL® KAV-250p

THE KAV-250p REMOTE CONTROL

Pwr CD D/A Amp/Pr~

Mode--Dim Dig In

Display ~

Tape

B-1 B-2 S-1

Gain

S-2 S-3 S-4

Phase

Tuner ¯ ¯

lntro

r~

A/B Rep Rnd

Scan Mem ]

Mute

Volume

Track Pause Play

[~ [_~__~ ~ [.~_~Search Stop

Press
this button
to access
preamplifier
commands

KRELL® KAV-250p

English Page 7 of 12

Optional Configurations

S-3/PR

For simplified integration of an ,adV surround
sound processor, the S-3/PR input can be

set to operate as a unity gain stage. In this

Theater Throughput

TM

mode, when the
S-3/PR input is selected, the volume and
balance controls of the KAV-250p are dis-

abled. Volume control is transferred from the
KAV-250p to the A/V surround sound

processor connected to the S-3/PR input.

The left and right channel volume settings

become independent from the volume con­trol of the KAV-250p and the overall system
level is determined exclusively by the A/V
surround sound processor.

NOTE: The factory default position sets the
S-3/PR input as a standard input.

To enable this option, it is necessary to

remove the top cover of the KAV-250p.

1. Unplug the KAV-250p from the AC out­let.

Remove the KAV-250p top cover screws

with the supplied T-10 Torx wrench. Lift
the cover from the KAV-250p.

3. Find the section labeled Input Configure
located behind the faceplate directly in

back of the KRELL logo. The factory
default setting is shown in Figure 1
below. Remove the jumper from the S-3
side and place it on the side labeled

proc as shown in Figure 2 below.

4.

Place the top cover back on the KAV-250p
and insert the cover screws.

5.

Plug the KAV-250p back into the AC out­let.

S-3/PR OPTIONAL INPUT CONFIGURATION

FIGURE 1 S-3/PR configured

as a standard input

proc

Input Configure

S-3

Figure 2 S-3/PR configured

for Theater Throughput

TM

proc

Input Configure

English Page 8 of 12

KRELL® KAV-250p

Warranty

This Krell product has a limited warranty of five years for
parts and labor on circuitry. Should this product fail to per­form at any time during the warranty, Krell will repair it at
no cost to the owner, except as set forth in this warranty.

The warranty does not apply to damage caused by acts of
God or nature.

The warranty on this page shall be in lieu of any other
warranty, expressed or implied, including, but not limited
to, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose. There are no warranties which exceed
beyond those described in this document. If this product
does not perform as warranted herein, the owner’s sole
remedy shall be repair. In no event will Krell be liable for
incidental or consequential damages arising from pur­chase, use, or inability to use this product, even if Krell
has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Proof of purchase in the form of a bill of sale or receipted
invoice substantiating that the unit is within the warranty

period must be presented to obtain warranty service. The
warranty begins on the date of retail purchase, as noted

on the bill of sale or receipted invoice from an authorized
Krell dealer or distributor.

The warranty for Krell products is valid only in the country
to which they were originally shipped, through the author­ized Krell distributor for that country, and at the factory.
There may be restrictions on or changes to Krell’s warran­ty because of regulations within a specific country. Please
check with your distributor for a complete understanding of
the warranty in your country.

If a unit is serviced by a distributor who did not import the
unit, there may be a charge for service, even if the product

is within the warranty period.
Freight to the factory is your responsibility. Return freight

within the United States (U.S.A.) is included in the warran­ty. If you purchased your Krell product outside the U.S.A.

and wish to have it serviced at the factory, all freight and
associated charges to the factory are your responsibility.

Krell will pay return freight to the U.S.A.-based freight for-

warder of your choice. Freight and other charges to ship the

unit from the freight forwarder to you are also your respon-

sibility.

Krell is not responsible for any damage incurred in transit.
Krell will file claims for damages as necessary for units

damaged in transit to the factory. You are responsible for fil-

ing claims for shipping damages during the return ship-

ment.

Krell does not supply replacement parts and/or products to
the owner of the unit. Replacement parts and/or products
will be furnished only to the distributor performing service
on this unit on an exchange basis only; any parts and/or

products returned to Krell for exchange become the prop­erty of Krell.

No expressed or implied warranty is made for any Krell
product damaged by accident, abuse, misuse, natural or

personal disaster, or unauthorized modification.

Any unauthorized voltage conversion, disassembly,
component replacement, perforation of chassis,
updates, or modifications performed to the unit will
void the warranty.

The operating voltage of this unit is determined by the f~c­tory and can only be changed by an authorized Krell dis-

tributor or at the factory. The voltage for this product in the

U.S.A. cannot be changed until six months from the origina~
purchase date.

In the event that Krell receives a product for warranty serv­ice that has been modified in any way without Krell author­ization, all warranties on that product will be void. The prod-

uct will be returned to original factory layout specifications
at the owner’s expense before it is repaired. All repairs

required after the product has been returned to original fac­tory specifications will be charged to the customer, at cur-

rent parts and labor rates.
All operational features, functions, and specifications and

policies are subject to change without notification.

To register your product for warranty benefits,

please complete and return the Warranty

Registration Card enclosed in the shipping box
within 15 days of purchase. Thank you.

KRELL® KAV-250p

English Page 9 of 12

Return Authorization
Procedure

IMPORTANT: If you be/ieve there is a prob­/em with your unit, p/ease contact your dea/-

er, distributor, or the Kre// factory immedi-

ate/y. Do not return any unit to Kre//~ for

repair without first discussing the prob/ern

and obtaining a Return Authorization

Number.
To return a product, the owner

is required to:

¯ Obtain a Return Authorization Number

(R/A number) and shipping address

from the Krell Service Department.

¯ Insure and accept all liability for loss or

damage to the product during shipment
to the Krell factory and prepay all ship­ping charges. The product may also be

hand delivered if arrangements with the
Service Department have been made in
advance. Proof of purchase may be re­quired for warranty validation at the time
of hand delivery.

¯ Use the original packaging to insure the

safe transit of the product to the factory,
dealer, or distributor. The use of any

packaging material other than the original

packaging materials is not recommend­ed. Krell® may, at its discretion, return a

product in new packaging and bill the
owner for such packaging if the product

received by Krell® was boxed in non­standard packaging or if the original

packaging was so damaged that it was

unusable. If Krell® determines that new

packaging is required, the owner will be

notified before the product is returned.
To purchase additional packaging,

please contact your authorized Krell
dealer, distributor, or the Krell Service
Department for assistance.

Krell® is not responsible for any damage
incurred in transit. Krell® will file claims for
damages as necessary for products dam­aged in transit to the factory. The owner is
responsible for filing claims for shipping dam­ages that occur during the return shipment.

Replacement parts and/or products will be

furnished on an exchange basis only; any

parts and/or products returned to Krell® for
exchange become the property of Krell

®.
No expressed or implied warranty is made

for any Krell product damaged by accident,

abuse, misuse, natural or personal disaster,
or unauthorized modification.

In the event that Krell® receives a product
for warranty service which has been mo.di­fied in any way without Krell authorization,
all warranties on that product will be void.
The product will be returned to original fac­tory layout specifications at the owner’s
expense before it is repaired. All repairs
required after the product has been returned
to original factory specification will be
charged to the customer, at current parts
and labor rates.

To contact the Krell Service De )artment

TEL [phone]

Monday-Friday

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST

FAX [phone]
E-MAIL krell @ krellonline.com

KAV-250p

PRODUCT SERIAL NUMBER

To register your product for warranty benefits,

complete and return the Warranty
Registration Card enclosed in the shipping
box within 15 days of purchase.

Page 10 of 12 English

KRELL® KAV-250p

Krell® Industries, Inc.
45 Connair Road
Orange, CT 06477-3650 USA

TEL [phone] FAX [phone]

E-MAIL krell @ krellonline.com

KAV-250p

Specifications

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

.5Hz-132KHz + 0, -3dB

SIGNAL TO NOISE, "A" WEIGHTED

-105dB

DISTORTION

< 0.007%THD 20Hz-20KHz

INPUT TO OVERLOAD

10.3 Vrms

GAIN

12dB (balanced)

INPUT IMPEDANCE

160K ohms

OUTPUT IMPEDANCE

15 ohms

POWER CONSUMPTION

35 Watts

INPUTS

1 pair balanced via XLR connectors

3 pairs single-ended via RCA

connectors

1

single-ended tape input
via RCA connectors

OUTPUTS

1 pair balanced via XLR connectors
1pair single-ended via RCA

connectors

1single-ended tape output

via RCA connectors

REMOTE CONTROL

WireleSs infrared

DIMENSIONS

19w x 3.5h x 15.5d in

48.3w x 8.9h x 39.4d cm

WEIGHT

Shipping 17 Ibs, 7.7 kg
Unit only 13 Ibs, 5.9 kg

All operational features, functions, specifications, and
policies are subject to change without notification.