Millennia M2-B User Manual

READ THIS FIRST!

Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by MILLENNIA MEDIA, INC. could
void your authority to operate this equipment under the CE or FCC rules.

1. Copyright: You acknowledge that no title to the intellectual property in the M-2b is trans­ferred to you.

2. Inspection: Inspect packing boxes, M-2b, and cables for damage, unusual marks, or short­ages. It is your responsibility to report damage, shortage, or misshipments in a timely manner.
Millennia Media and/or its dealers will not be responsible for claims arising from damage in
shipping, nor will claims for shortage or misshipments be honored, more than 10 days after
ship date.

3. Read this manual carefully and completely before attempting to use the M-2b. Improper
operation could result in damage to product. It is the user's responsibility to understand the
safe use and operation of this device.

4. The shipping box of the M-2b system will include (1) Owner's Manual, (2) M-2b, (3) a UL
approved power cord, (4) Owner's Registration Card. Fill out the Owner's Registration Card
and return to Millennia Media at your earliest ability.

1

The material contained in this manual consists of information that is property of Millennia
Media, Inc. and is intended solely for use by the purchasers of the equipment described in this
manual. Millennia Media, Inc. expressly prohibits the duplication of any portion of this manual
or the use thereof for any purpose other than the operation and/or maintenance of the equip­ment described in this manual without the express written permission of Millennia Media,
Inc.. Under copyright laws, this manual may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the
written consent of Millennia Media, Inc..

M-2b is a trademark of Millennia Media, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their
respective holders. Serial numbers are located on the rear left side of each unit. We suggest
that you record the serial numbers in the space provided below. Refer to it whenever you call
an authorized Millennia Media repair facility or the manufacturer. Make sure that you return
your completed warranty card immediately.

Features and specifications subject to change without notice.
© 1999 Millennia Media, Inc., All rights reserved

Serial Nos. ______________________________________________________________
Purchase Date ___________________________________________________________
Where Purchased _________________________________________________________

M-2b

2

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

For your safety and the safety of others, be sure to read and understand all safety and opera­tional instructions before attempting to use the M-2b. WARNING: The M-2b internal cir-
cuitry carries lethal voltages. Carefully observe all warnings, precautions, and instructions on
the M-2b and as described in the instructions supplied with the unit.

1. WATER, MOISTURE, AND SPILLAGE
Do not attempt to use the M-2b in, near, or around water or in unusually moist environments,
such as near a sink or swimming pool. Prevent liquids or any other materials or objects from
spilling or falling into the M-2b unit.

2. HEAT AND VENTILATION
Be sure to allow adequate ventilation to M-2b and avoid using or installing unit in close proximity
to heat sources, such as heaters, stoves, radiators, power amplifiers, spotlights, or other heat­producing appliances or equipment.

3. POWER SOURCES AND POWER CORD PROTECTION
The M-2b Power Supply should be connected to a power source only of the type described in the
operating instructions or as marked on the Power Supply. Route the power cord so that it is not
likely to be walked on or pinched by having objects placed on it. Pay particular attention to plugs,
receptacles, and the point where the AC power cord exits the M-2b.

4. GROUNDING
For your safety, it is extremely important that the grounding pin of the 3-wire power cable (in­cluded with unit) be inserted into a grounding type 3-pin power outlet. If you are unable to insert
the plug into an existing outlet, contact an electrician to install a properly grounded 3-pin power
outlet.

5. DAMAGE REQUIRING SERVICE
This unit should be repaired or serviced by qualified personnel whenever:

· The AC power cord has been damaged, or

· Objects have fallen or liquid has spilled into any M-2b unit, or

· The unit does not function properly or exhibits a marked change in performance, or

· The unit has been abused, dropped, or damaged, or

· The unit has been exposed to rain or moisture

6. SERVICING
Lethal voltages are found inside the M-2b chassis. The user should not attempt to repair or
service this unit. All servicing and/or repairs should be referred to Millennia Media.

If, after reading all instructions, precautions, and warnings, you have remaining questions, please
contact Millennia Media directly before attempting to use your M-2b. Retain this owner’s manual
as a record of your purchase to aid positive identification in the event of loss.

M-2b

QUICK START!

READ THIS!! The M-2b operates with lethal operating
voltages -- the voltage inside the M-2b can kill you. Never,
under any circumstances, remove the top cover. Refer to a
qualified electronics technician any and all servicing, tube
replacement, and other operations which require the top
cover to be removed.

Congratulations on your purchase of the Millennia Media M-2b vacuum tube microphone
preamplifier. The M-2b is the result of meticulous listening tests on numerous circuit, topol­ogy, and packaging designs. Your M-2b is a finely tuned instrument intended for critical profes­sional applications — we feel it offers the world's most elegant vacuum tube mic preamplifica­tion. With the emergence of 24+ bit digital audio, recording engineers are faced with a new
requirement for undistorted dynamic range. The M-2b meets this challenge exceptionally well.

3

Before connecting power to the M-2b, assure that the rear panel voltage selection fuse block
switch is set correctly. In the USA, the M-2b is shipped with the voltage selection block set to
100-120 VAC. At this voltage setting, a pair of 1 amp 5 x 20 mm slow blow fuses have been
factory installed. If you change the voltage selection block to 200-240 VAC usage, be sure to
change both fuses to 500 milliamp (0.5 amp) slow blow types.

The M-2b enclosure measures 19" wide x 3.5" high x 13.75" deep and is designed for mounting
into a standard 2U, 19" equipment rack. If the M-2b is mounted into a road case or other rack
which is prone to strong vibration or shock, it is recommended that the rear of the M-2b be
supported or otherwise reinforced to withstand such conditions. The M-2b requires adequate
ventilation. To assure proper air circulation and operation, leave at least one rack screw space
open above the M-2b chassis.

The M-2b is designed on a common ground topology. For high quality operation, and for your
own safety and the safety of others, do not defeat the purpose of the earth grounding pin on
the A/C power cord!

NOTE:

The M-2b is based on pure Class-A all vacuum tube design. Such topology performs best after
reaching a stable, warmed-up condition. All M-2b factory adjustments have been performed
when unit is fully warmed-up; at least one-half hour after turning unit on. It is recommended
that to achieve optimal sonic performance with the M-2b, allow a warm-up period of at least
one-half hour.

M-2b

4

M-2b REAR PANEL

(1) CONVENTIONAL (+48V) INPUTS "In 1 (Left), In 2 (Right)"

Conventional 3-pin female XLR input jacks for all balanced microphones. Pin 1 is chassis
ground, pin 2 is positive phase audio signal, pin 3 is negative phase audio signal. Input imped­ance is 3,800 ohms.

(2) DPA (B&K) HIGH VOLTAGE (+130V) INPUTS — optional

Conventional 4-pin female XLR input jacks for use only with B&K 4000-series high voltage
audio microphones. Pin 1 is chassis ground, pin 2 is unused, pin 3 is +130VDC, pin 4 is audio
signal. Input impedance is 9,000 ohms.

(3) OUTPUTS "Out 1 (Left), Out 2 (Right)"

Conventional 3-pin male XLR unbalanced outputs. Pin 1 is chassis ground, pin 2 is positive
phase audio signal, and pin 3 is audio ground. Output impedance is 120 ohms.

(4) EARTH/AUDIO GROUND JUMPER

A barrier terminal which ties earth ground to audio ground. If ground "hum" loops are experi­enced when using the M-2b, removing this jumper may help. Removing this jumper will not
compromise chassis/earth ground integrity.

(5) AC VOLTAGE MAINS SELECTION "100-120" or "200-240"

A power entry module with a removable fuse holder block. This fuse holder block is selectable
for 100 to 120 Volt or 200 to 240 Volt worldwide mains powering. The fuse block contains
two fuses — one fuse is in series with the hot power line while the other fuse is in series with
the neutral power line. Both fuses must be installed. To change the mains voltage selection,
remove IEC power connector and assure that the M-2b is not connected to mains power. With a
non-conductive tool, gently pry the fuse block away from the power entry module. Remove the
two fuses and replace both with type as shown below. Slide out the internal PC Board assy, turn
it over, and reinsert the PCB assy so that the desired AC mains voltage appears in the viewing
window. Double check that the fuses installed correspond to the AC mains voltage range which
appears in the viewing window. Gently push the fuse block back until flush and snug.

FUSES:
For 100-120 VAC mains, use 5x20mm, 1A, slow blow, 250V, Littelfuse 218 or equivalent.
For 200-240 VAC mains, use 5x20mm, 500mA, slow blow, 250V, Littelfuse 218 or equivalent.

(6) POWER ENTRY "IEC Power Receptacle"

An IEC-type AC line-power receptacle for use with removable cords. Use only the power cord
provided with the M-2b unit or equivalent U/L approved type SV, SVT, SJ, or SJT AC power
supply cord. Do not defeat the third pin earth ground! If ground lifting is desired, remove the
Earth/Audio Ground Jumper strap (3).

M-2b