MBL Corona Line, Corona C31, Corona C11, Corona C51, Corona C21 Owner's Manual

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MBL

CORONA LINE

Owner’s Manual

Bedienungsanleitung

unique high end audio

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Dear Music Lover!

Congratulations on your purchase of a high-end product from MBL – you’ve made an excellent choice we know you will not regret! You share with us our passion for the pleasure of music at the very highest level and our love of exclusive and exquisitely crafted products.

Along with me personally, the entire MBL team puts its heart, soul, and meticulous care into the development and fabrication of each MBL product. The fruit of all our eorts now stands before you, waiting to be connected and thrill you with your favourite music.

To give you trouble-free musical enjoyment and life-long use of your MBL product, in the following we oer you a few tips on how to connect and operate your new product. Not to place undue demands on your valuable time, we have deliberately kept our instructions short and direct, limiting ourselves to the most important points. I am convinced that if you follow our tips and recommendations, countless hours of pleasure with your MBL product lie before you.

Immerse yourself in the glorious sound. With my very best wishes for your musical pleasure,

Sincerely yours,

Christian Hermeling Proprietor, MBL Akustikgeräte

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Important Information!

Attention: The unit must be protected against humidity, vibration and excessive dust and should not be exposed to direct sunlight or intense sources of heat (radiators). Do not operate the unit in the immediate vicinity of sources of electrical interference (e.g. ﬂuorescent lamps or electric motors). The permitted operating temperature is 10°C up to 40°C (50°F up to 104°F). Avoid extreme variations in temperature.

Do not operate the unit under condensation! After exposure to low temperatures allow the unit to warm up for at least three hours.

Do not open the unit and do not make any alterations to it.

If you wish to place the unit on a rack, you must ensure sucient ventilation. Minimum clearances of 10 cm (4 inch) above the unit and 2 cm (0,8 inch) on all sides must be observed. The ventilation openings of the unit must not be covered with tablecloths, magazines, curtains and the like in order not to interfere with the heat dissipation.

WARNING: Do not connect any musical instruments (e.g. electric guitar etc.) to the pre-ampliﬁer. This use for a purpose

for which it is not designed – i.e. for a purpose other than playback - can result in irreparable damage to the equipment.

NEVER switch power ampliﬁer on when no speaker is connected!

KETI, CE-Marking

This product conforms to the requirements of the EMC directive and low-voltage directive. Your MBL component com-

plies with the household power and safety requirements in your area.

Warranty

Please pay attention to the details given in the warranty card which accompanies the unit. Warranty is only issued, if you send back the warranty card.

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Table of Content

1. Unpacking 4

1.1 What you still require 4

2. General Functions 4

2.1 Switching the device on and o 4

2.2 MBL SmartLink 4

2.3 Display Brightness 5

2.4 Standby 5

2.5 Using the Controls 5

2.6 Firmware Update 5

3. Menu navigation mbl C11 / mbl C51 5

3.1 Menu 6

3.2 Input Setup 6

3.3 C31 Input Mapping 6

3.4 Input Name 6

3.5 Volume Cut 7

3.6 Dim Standby 7

3.7 Info 7

3.7 Factory Default 7

4. Remote Control Functions 8

5. General Views 9

5.1 mbl C31 CD Player 9

5.2 mbl C11 Preampliﬁer 10

5.3 mbl C51 Integrated Ampliﬁer 11

5.4 mbl C21 Stereo Power Ampliﬁer 12

5.5 mbl C15 Mono Power Ampliﬁer 13

6. Wiring Set-ups 14

6.1 Wiring a system consisting of a CD Player and an Integrated Ampliﬁer

6.1.1 Wiring the CD Player with the

Integrated Ampliﬁer

6.1.2 Creating the MBL SmartLink Connection 15

6.1.3 Wiring the Loudspeakers with the

Stereo Power Ampliﬁer

6.1.4 Connecting the Power Supply Cable 15

6.2 Wiring a system consisting of a CD Player,

Preampliﬁer and Stereo Power Ampliﬁer

6.2.1 Wiring the CD Player with the Preampliﬁer 16

6.2.2 Wiring the Preampliﬁer with the

Stereo Power Ampliﬁer

6.2.3 Creating the MBL SmartLink Connection 17

6.2.4 Wiring the Loudspeakers with the

Stereo Power Ampliﬁer

6.2.5 Connecting the Power Supply Cable 18

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6.3 Wiring a system consisting of a CD Player, Preampliﬁer and Mono Power Ampliﬁers

6.3.1 Wiring the CD Player with the Preampliﬁer 19

6.3.2 Wiring the Preampliﬁer with the

Mono Power Ampliﬁers

6.3.3 Creating the MBL SmartLink Connection 20

6.3.4 Wiring the Loudspeakers with the

Mono Power Ampliﬁers

6.3.5 Connecting the Power Supply Cable 21

7. Cleaning the Unit 22

8. Speciﬁcations 23

8.1 mbl C31 CD Player 23

8.2 mbl C11 Preampliﬁer 25

8.3 mbl C51 Integrated Ampliﬁer 27

8.4 mbl C21 Stereo Power Ampliﬁer 29

8.5 mbl C15 Mono Power Ampliﬁer 30

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1. Unpacking

Included in the packing of your MBL Corona Line device you will ﬁnd:

• A power supply cable

• A system remote control*

• White gloves

* the remote control is not included in the packing for the mbl C21 Stereo Power Ampliﬁer nor the mbl C15 Mono Power Ampliﬁer.

1.1 What you still require

To connect the components of your Corona Line stereo system, you will need the following cables:

• Audio connection cable

• Loudspeaker cable

• RJ45 patch cable

Your dealer will gladly advise you on the choice of the best audio cable. Please also read the “5. Wiring Set-Ups” a little further down in this document.

For wiring the MBL SmartLink busses, you can use standard RJ45 patch cable of the type used for networking computers. We recommend UTP – unshielded category 6 (CAT 6) cable.

2. General Functions

2.1 Switching the device on and o

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Before you switch on the device, make sure that it is compliant with the voltage requirements of

your country. Voltage requirements are given on the rear panel of the device.

Always make sure that the power switch on the rear panel of the device is fully switched o before adding or removing connections.

Once all the wiring has been properly connected, you can switch on the device by turning on the “Power” switch (on the rear panel).

2.2 MBL SmartLink

All the components of the MBL Corona Line can be connected to one another using MBL SmartLink cable. This enables interconnected components to exchange various pieces of information. With MBL SmartLink cable, operation of the “Standby” and “Display Brightness” functions applies simultaneously to all devices and there is synchronisation of the selected input source between the CD player and the preampliﬁer or power ampliﬁer.

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2.3 Display Brightness

By activating the „Corona button“ the display may be dimmed in ﬁve steps. This setting is transmitted to all mbl devices which are connected via MBL SmartLink (required cable type Cat.5 UTP or Cat.6 UTP).

Hint: When the menu is active, the display cannot be dimmed.

By keeping the “Corona button” pressed for more than two seconds the device is being removed from the common dim function and the brightness of the display may be adjusted separately. This change of state is indicated by a brief ﬂickering of the Corona ring. A further longer press of the “Corona button” brings the device back to the common dim function. Pressing any standby key of a device within the MBL SmartLink chain switches the complete chain on or o.

2.4 Standby

Pressing any standby key of a device within the MBL SmartLink chain switches the complete chain on or o.

By pressing the standby button for more than two seconds this device may be switched of or on separately. The next time the MBL SmartLink chain is switched on the device is back in the chain and switched on as well.

2.4 Using the Controls

The control buttons are known as “softkeys”. Their respective functions are shown in a context-sensitive manner in the display beneath the buttons.

2.6 Firmware Update

Your Corona Line device features an interface that enables simple and uncomplicated updating of the device’s software (Firmware) using a standard SD card.

If you wish to update your device’s software, please contact the dealer from whom you purchased the device.

3. Menu navigation mbl C11 / mbl C51

After switching on the device by pressing the standby button, the standard display is shown.

By turning the volume control knob the volume can be adjusted. The current value is displayed via bargraph and a number (0…100) next to it.

Below the control buttons (“softkeys”) the currently assigned function of each button is displayed.

“Mute“ switches the speaker outputs o when pressed, and switches them on again when pressed another time.

“Amp on/o” deactivates the built in ampliﬁer stage so the mbl C51 can be used as preamp only.

“Menu” shows the menu for further options which can be left by pressing “Exit”.

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“In- / In+” activates the desired input channel including the inputs of the mbl C31. In case a digital input of the mbl C31 is selected, no functions of the CD player are available.

3.1 Menu

Within the menu two control buttons, ““ and ““ on the right side, are used to move the cursor (*), “Select” enters the chosen menu point, “Exit” leaves it.

3.2 Input Setup

Use the control buttons ““ and ““ to navigate. The buttons “Enable“ and “Disable“ activate or deactivate the input channels which shall be shown in the standard display. When the little square next to the input name shows a tick, the input channel is activated. It is not possible to deactivate “CD1”. When the new setting is complete, you leave the screen via “Exit”, then another screen shows up. “Save” saves the new setting, “Discard” rejects it and “Cancel” brings you back to the last shown screen where you can make further alterations.

3.3 C31 Input Mapping

Here you can assign the input channel where you want to connect the mbl C31. Default setting is “CD1”, you may choose “CD2” or “SYM”, the symmetrical XLR input, as well. When the new setting is complete, you leave the screen via “Exit”, then another screen shows up. “Save” saves the new input setting, “Discard” rejects it and “Cancel” brings you back to the last shown screen where you can choose another input.

3.4 Input Name

At this point you can rename input channels. The character set is capital and small letters, ciphers 0…9, furthermore -/: and a blank. The new name is shown in the standard display, but not within the ”Input Setup”, where the factory default name remains. The maximum length of the new name is 8 characters. The new name is generated by tripping one of the two control buttons „“ / „“ until the desired character is shown. After a pause of a second the question mark moves one character to the right, and the procedure starts over. In case of a mistake the last shown character can be erased by pressing the backspace button (arrow to the left). When the new name is complete, you leave the screen via “Exit and then another screen shows up. “Save” saves the new name, “Discard” rejects it and you get back to the menu. “Cancel” brings you back to the last shown screen where you can continue to change the input name.

3.5 Volume Cut

You can choose the maximum volume setting when the device is switched on. In case the device has been switched o with the volume adjusted beyond this level, the volume is reset to the chosen volume while the device is being switched on. When the new maximum setting is chosen, you leave the screen via “Exit”, then another screen shows up. “Save” saves the new setting, “Discard” rejects it and you return to the menu. “Cancel” brings you back to the last shown screen where you can choose a new maximum value.

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3.6 Dim Standby

At this point you can adjust the brightness of the ring around the “standby“-button when standby is activated. This setting is sent to all other devices within the MBL SmartLink chain. If the value has been readjusted, and “Exit” has been pressed, further Options appear, “Cancel, “Discard”, and “Save”. “Save” keeps the change, “Cancel” rejects it, and you return to the menu. “Cancel” brings you back to the screen where you can change the value.

3.7 Info

Here you ﬁnd the ﬁrmware version of the device as well as the type of an optional input module. “Exit” brings you back to the menu.

3.8 Factory Default

Here you can reset the whole device. All changes to the factory default settings will be lost. To start the reset procedure, press The “Execute” button for two seconds.

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4. Remote Control Functions

To use the remote control please remove the cover panel by unscrewing it using the supplied screwdriver. Please insert the batteries in the direction shown in the battery case. Then screw the cover panel back in. When changing the batteries, please discard the old batteries in accordance to your country´s laws.

All the functions of your MBL Corona Line equipment can be activated by the remote control. The table below gives you an overview of the functions assigned to each respective button.

1211

Function Button

Switch to Ampliﬁer Control Mode 1 Switch to CD Player Control Mode 2 Switch to Tuner Control Mode 3 Decrease Volume 4 Mute 5 Increase Volume 6 Display Brightness 13 Standby / On 14

Ampliﬁer Control Mode

Input Selection Previous 10 Input Selection Next 12

CD Player Control Mode

Play / Pause 8 Skip to previous title 7 (press brieﬂy) Fast-backward 7 (press and hold) Skip to next title 9 (press brieﬂy) Fast-forward 9 (press and hold) Shue / Repeat / Continuous 10 Stop / Eject Disc 11 Input Selection* 12

Tuner Control Mode

Previous Channel 7 (press brieﬂy) Tune backward 7 (press and hold) Next Channel 9 (press brieﬂy) Tune forward 9 (press and hold)

* Only when not connected via MBL SmartLink, otherwise Input Selection via preamp.

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5. General Views

5.1 mbl C31 CD Player

Corona-Button

(Display Brightness)

Standby-Button

Display

Context-Sensitive

Control Buttons

“softkeys“

CD-Input

Digital Inputs

USB (MBL MCMI) Toslink (S/P-DIF) Digital Coax (S/P-DIF)

Analog Outputs

XLR (symmetrical) Cinch (asymmetrical)

MBL SmartLink

Update

Interface

Connector

for Power Cord

Power Switch

Fuse Holder

Digital Output

Digital Coax (S/P-DIF)

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5.2 mbl C11 Preampliﬁer

Corona-Button

(Display Brightness)

Standby-Button

Display

Context-Sensitive

Control Buttons

“softkeys“

Volume Control

XLR Input

(symmetrical)

Cinch-/RCA Inputs

(asymmetrical) CD 1 | CD 2

Processor Aux 1 | Aux 2

MBL SmartLink

Update

Interface

Connector

for Power Cord

Power Switch

Fuse HolderBalanced

Output

Cinch-/RCA Outputs

(asymmetrical) Record Out

Out 1 | Out 2

Optional

Input

Ground Connector

for optional

Phono Modul

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5.3 mbl C51 Integrated Ampliﬁer

Corona-Button

(Display Brightness)

Standby-Button

Display

Context-Sensitive

Control Buttons

“softkeys“

Volume Control

XLR Input

(symmetrical)

Cinch-/RCA Inputs (asymmetrical)

CD 1 | CD 2 Processor Aux 1 | Aux 2

MBL SmartLink

Update

Interface

Connector

for Power Cord

Power Switch

Fuse Holder

Speaker

Terminals

Cinch-/RCA Outputs

(asymmetrical) Record Out

Out 1

Optional

Input

Ground Connector

for optional

Phono Modul

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5.4 mbl C21 Stereo Power Ampliﬁer

Speaker Terminals

right

Cinch-/RCA Input

(asymmetrical)

MBL SmartLink

Update

Interface

Connector

for Power Cord

Power Switch

Fuse Holder

Corona-Button

(Display Brightness)

Standby-Button

Display

Speaker Terminals

left

XLR Input

(symmetrical)

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5.5 mbl C15 Mono Power Ampliﬁer

MBL SmartLink

Update

Interface

Connector

for Power Cord

Power Switch

Fuse Holder

Speaker Terminals

Corona-Button

(Display Brightness)

Standby-Button

Display

Context-Sensitive

Control Buttons

“softkeys“

Cinch-/RCA Input

(asymmetrical)

XLR Input

(symmetrical)

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6. Wiring Set-ups

In the following section we take you step by step to ensure correct wiring of the components in your MBL Corona Line Stereo System. The Corona Line also oers you other wiring set-ups in addition to the recommended installations given here. Your hi-ﬁ dealer will be glad to advise you.

6.1 Wiring a system consisting of a CD Player and an Integrated Ampliﬁer

As you wish, your CD player may be connected to the mbl integrated ampliﬁer either using cable with Cinch/RCA plugs (asymmetrical or “single-ended” connection) or with XLR plugs (symmetrical or “balanced” connection). For this connection we recommend that you use a single-ended connection through high quality cable terminated with Cinch/RCA plugs.

You will need:

• 1 pair of audio interconnect cables, Cinch/RCA terminated

• 1 UTP-CAT 6 cable

• 2 loudspeaker cables

6.1.1 Wiring the CD Player with the Integrated Ampliﬁer

Take the pair of Cinch/RCA cables and connect the “source” end securely to the CD player in the pair of sockets labelled “RCA” in the “Output” group of connections. If the cable features a drawing of a signal direction arrow, secure the cable end in the socket of the CD player whose arrow is pointing away from the CD player.

Secure the other end of the pair of cables in the sockets on the integrated ampliﬁer labelled “CD 1” or whichever input you desire. Please ensure that the same channels are connected together in the two devices (right to right; left to left).

mbl C31 CD Player mbl C51 Integrated Ampliﬁer

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6.1.2 Creating an MBL SmartLink Connection

Plug one end of the MBL SmartLink cable into either one of the two MBL SmartLink sockets on the CD player and the other end of the cable into one of the two MBL SmartLink sockets on the mbl integrated ampliﬁer.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: When connecting the MBL SmartLink, please make sure that you do not create a closed circle. In each system chain, two Corona devices must always be connected with only one plug.

6.1.3 Wiring the Loudspeakers with the Integrated Ampliﬁer

Take one of the loudspeaker cables and connect one end to the loudspeaker terminal on the ampliﬁer and the other end with the loudspeaker. If the cable is directional, please follow the direction of the cable so the signal ﬂows away from the ampliﬁer towards the loudspeaker. Please ensure that the red part of the cable is connected to the positive terminal (red) on both the ampliﬁer and the speaker. Please also make sure that the correct loudspeaker (left or right) is connected to the proper terminal (“L” or “R”) on the ampliﬁer. Repeat this procedure with the second loudspeaker cable for the other side connection.

5.1.4 Connecting the Power Supply Cable

Now connect your Corona Line devices with the power socket (or multipoint connector) using the power supply cable supplied (or appropriate 3rd party cable), and switch on your devices with the “Power” switch on the rear panel.

When you have completed this stage, your music system is activated and ready for operation. All you have to do now to enjoy music is insert a CD, start the player and select the correct input source on the integrated ampliﬁer.

We wish you many hours of joy and pleasure with your MBL Corona Line music system!

mbl C31 CD Player mbl C51 Integrated Ampliﬁer

mbl C51 Integrated Ampliﬁer

Right Speaker Left Speaker

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6.2 Wiring a system consisting of a CD Player, Preampliﬁer and Stereo Power Ampliﬁer

Your CD player as well as the preampliﬁer and the stereo power ampliﬁer can be connected either using single-ended cables with Cinch/RCA plugs (asymmetrical or “single-ended” connection), or with cable using XLR plugs (symmetrical or “balanced” connection). Any connection methods may be combined. For both connections we recommend that you use a high quality single-ended cable with Cinch/RCA plugs.

NOTE: The connection between the preampliﬁer and the stereo power ampliﬁer should consist of either cables with Cinch/RCA plugs or of cables with XLR plugs but NOT of both types together simultaneously. Connections consisting of both types of cable lead to interference and impairment of sound quality.

You will need:

• 2 pairs of audio interconnect cables, Cinch/RCA termination

• 2 UTP-CAT 6 cables

• 2 loudspeaker cables

6.2.1 Wiring the CD Player with the Preampliﬁer

Secure the other end of the pair of cables in the sockets on the preampliﬁer labelled “CD 1” or whichever input you desire. Please ensure that the same channels are connected together in the two devices (right to right; left to left).

mbl C31 CD Player mbl C11 Preampliﬁer

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6.2.2 Wiring the Preampliﬁer with the Stereo Power Ampliﬁer

Take the pair of Cinch/RCA cables and connect one end securely to the preampliﬁer in the pair of sockets labelled “OUT 1”. This time the arrow on the cable (if existing) needs to be pointing away from the preampliﬁer. Secure the other end of the pair of cables in the input sockets on the stereo power ampliﬁer labelled “RCA”. Please ensure that the same channels are connected together in the two devices (right to right; left to left).

6.2.3 Creating the MBL SmartLink Connection

Plug one end of the MBL SmartLink cable into one of the two MBL SmartLink sockets on the CD player and the other end of the cable into one of the two MBL SmartLink sockets on the preampliﬁer. Take the second MBL SmartLink cable and plug one end into the vacant MBL SmartkLink socket on the preampliﬁer and the other end of the cable into the one of the two MBL SmartLink sockets on the stereo power ampliﬁer.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: When connecting the MBL SmartLink, please make sure that you do not create a closed circle. In

each system chain, two Corona devices must always be connected with only one plug.

mbl C11 Preampliﬁer mbl C21 Stereo Power Ampliﬁer

mbl C31 CD Player mbl C11 Preampliﬁer

mbl C21 Stereo Power Ampliﬁer

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6.2.4 Wiring the Loudspeakers with the Stereo Power Ampliﬁer

side connection.

6.2.5 Connecting the Power Supply Cable

We wish you many hours of joy and pleasure with your MBL Corona Line music system!

mbl C21 Stereo Power Ampliﬁer

Right Speaker Left Speaker

+ 44 hidden pages

MBL Corona Line, Corona C31, Corona C11, Corona C51, Corona C21 Owner's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual