music first audio Baby Reference Preamplifier Owner's Manual

Baby Reference Preamplifier

Owners Manual

Baby Reference Preamplifier user manual

Introduction

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Music First Audio Baby Reference Preamplifier.

This original device controls up to six sources and attenuates level. It sits between stereo source
devices such as CD players, turntables etc. and power amplifiers. A rotary switch on the front
panel selects inputs and level is controlled by another rotary switch.

Level is controlled by a custom designed and made transformer via the front panel mounted
ELMA 24 position switch. This method offers many advantages over other attenuation solutions.
Conventional passive volume attenuation relies on resistive networks selected via multi way
rotary switches. Introducing transformers also introduces considerable physical and therefore
audible improvements:

• Transformer isolates components, breaking ground loop problems and reducing noise

• Transformer matches impedance between components.

• Transformer affords superior transfer of musical energy

The effects of the unit are obvious from the first listen, the sound flows from source to destination
without any colouration allowing music to be heard as it was intended without any interference
from active components.

Music First Audio introduced the Classic Preamplifier in 2003 and it went on to receive
widespread critical acclaim. Glowing reviews and many awards followed and it became the
standard by which others are judged.

In the years since we designed our original preamplifier, we experimented with many different
approaches and techniques. We discovered that we could improve on our original design, but
only by ignoring the usual manufacturing constraints of time and expense.

The Baby Reference Preamplifier is a true ‘cost no object’ design. We have used only the finest
possible components and each unit is built by hand in our Hastings, East Sussex workshop.

The Baby Reference Preamplifier takes the multiple-award winning performance of our original
product to another level and offers unparalleled sonic performance together with an extraordinary
range of features.

In order to get the most out of your Baby Reference Preamplifier, please take a little time to read
through this user guide.

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Baby Reference Preamplifier user manual

Unpacking and Installation

The Baby Reference Preamplifier comes supplied in a professional flight case. This ensures that
your preamplifier arrives with you in the same condition as it left us. Please keep this flight case
in case you ever need to return the unit to us (for modification for example).

Connection

The rear panel houses all input and output connections. Inputs are situated to the right and
outputs to the left (when viewed from the rear). The inputs should be connected to the outputs of
source devices (CD player, cassette player etc.) at line level. The phono/ RCA inputs are for
connection to unbalanced equipment, while the XLR inputs are for connection to balanced
equipment.

As a general “rule of thumb” if the output of a piece of source equipment is on XLR sockets then
it is balanced and if it is on phonos/ RCA sockets, then it is unbalanced. This is not always the
case, but should give a good starting point.

The outputs of the unit are located on the left hand side of the back panel. These can be
specified at the time of ordering as two XLR, two RCA or one XLR and one RCA.

The XLR outputs are balanced and the phono/ RCA outputs are unbalanced. Because the
transformers convert balanced and unbalanced signals, these outputs are always the same,
regardless of which input type is used.

If you are in any doubt about connections, please contact us via email [e-mail] and
we’ll be very happy to help.

WARNING - Connection of faulty equipment to the unit will cause malfunction,

ensure all devices connected are in good working order.

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