Primare A-30.1 Owners manual

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Primare A30.1 Integrated Amplifier User Guide

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Preface

COPYRIGHT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Copyright © 2001 Primare Systems AB. All rights reserved.

Primare Systems AB
Idavägen 17D
SE-352 46 Växjö
Sweden

The information in this guide is believed to be correct as of the date of
publication. However, our policy is one of continuous development and so the
information is subject to change without notice, and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Primare Systems AB.

Primare is a trademark of Primare Systems AB. All other product names are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Warning: To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this unit to rain or
moisture.

Dangerous voltages inside. Do not open the cabinet. There are no user
serviceable parts inside. Repairs should be carried out by qualified service
personnel only.

FCC Warning: This equipment generates and can radiate radio frequency
energy and if not installed and used correctly in accordance with our
instructions may cause interference to radio communications or radio and
television reception. It has been type-tested and complies with the limits set out
in Subpart J, Part 15 of FCC rules for a Class B computing device. These limits
are intended to provide reasonable protection against such interference in
home installations.

EEC: This product has been designed and type-tested to comply with the limits
set out in EN55013 and EN55020.

This guide was produced by Human-Computer Interface Ltd.
http://www.interface.co.uk

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Contents

Introduction

WELCOME TO THE A30.1 INTEGRATED

AMPLIFIER.................................................................. (1

USING THE A30.1 WITH OTHER PRIMARE

PRODUCTS ................................................................ (1

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ............................. (2

Using the A30.1 Integrated Amplifier

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS.................................. (3

SWITCHING ON AND OFF................................ (4

SELECTING A SOURCE ........................................ (4

CHANGING THE VOLUME.................................. (4

CHANGING THE BALANCE................................ (4

CHANGING THE PHASE...................................... (5

MAKING RECORDINGS........................................ (5

Connecting the A30.1 Integrated Amplifier

BACK PANEL CONNECTIONS........................... (7

POWER CONNECTION........................................ (8

OUTPUTS ................................................................... (8

INPUTS....................................................................... (8

Index

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Preface

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Introduction

Welcome to the Primare A30.1 Integrated Amplifier! This chapter introduces
you to its key features, and explains how you can take advantage of its superb
sound as the key component in your hi-fi system.

WELCOME TO THE A30.1 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

The A30.1 is an integrated preamplifier and power amplifier with
extraordinary performance for its price.

High-performance power amplifier

The A30.1 incorporates a power amplifier providing 100 Watts per channel
of superb quality sound.

Flexible inputs

The A30.1 provides six inputs for sound sources such as a CD player, radio
tuner, and tape recorders. An optional RIAA amplifier is available if your
system includes an analogue record player.

Fully balanced

Two of the inputs are balanced, giving an entirely balanced signal chain when
used in conjunction with a source that provides balanced outputs, such as the
Primare D30.2 CD Player.

Fixed and variable outputs

The currently selected source is provided on two pairs of line-level outputs, for
connecting the A30.1 to other equipment. The TAPE OUT sockets are

independent of the position of the volume control, and allow you to connect
the A30.1 to a tape recorder. The PRE OUT sockets are controlled by the
volume control, and can be used to connect the A30.1 to another output
stage, or a digital surround processor such as the Primare P30.

Intuitive user interface

In keeping with the philosophy of the Primare range of systems, the A30.1 can
be controlled through a very simple and intuitive set of front panel controls.

Alternatively all the functions of the A30.1 can be controlled by the C30
Remote Control, along with the other Primare components in your system.

USING THE A30.1 WITH OTHER PRIMARE
PRODUCTS

Although the A30.1 is flexible enough to work with virtually any other
equipment you have in your system, it is ideal for use with the other products in
the Primare range, such as the Primare D30.2 CD Player. A particular benefit
of using the A30.1 with other Primare sources is that you can control your
entire system with a single remote control, to give you a fully integrated system
with the simplest possible user interface.

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Introduction

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Output power per channel 2 x 100W into 8Ω, 2 x 180W into 4Ω
Speaker terminals 4 –16Ω
Output impedance <0.06Ω
DC offset <3mV
Balanced inputs 560mV
Line inputs 280mV
Tape outputs 280mV
Frequency response <10Hz – 100kHz, -3dB
THD <0.07% at full power
Signal-to-noise, line -100dB (A-weighted)
Mains 100/115/230V
Power consumption 600W max
Peak current ±40A
Dimensions (WxDxH) 430 x 375 x 100mm
Weight 15.5kg

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Using the A30.1 Integrated Amplifier

This chapter explains how to operate the A30.1 Integrated Amplifier, using
either the front panel controls or the C30 Remote Control.

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS

All the functions of the A30.1 Integrated Amplifier can be accessed using the
five front panel controls, and information about its operation is displayed on
the discreet front panel indicators:

B1

B2

CD

TU

AU

TA

A30.1 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

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]A The source switch selects one of the six sources.

]B The MONITOR button selects the tape monitor.

]C The VOLUME control changes the volume.

]D The 0°/180° button changes the phase.

]E The STANDBY control switches the A30.1 to standby, or switches it on.

VOLUME

0° / 180°MONITOR

STANDBY

OPERATE

]C]A ]B ]D ]E

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Using the A30.1 Integrated Amplifier

SWITCHING ON AND OFF

To switch on

• Use the switch under the left-hand edge of the front panel.

During normal operation you can leave the A30.1 switched on and in
standby.

To switch to standby

• Turn the STANDBY control switch on the front panel to STANDBY, or
press the STBY button on the remote control.

To switch on from standby

• Turn the STANDBY control switch on the front panel to OPERATE.

Selecting any function with the remote control will also switch on the A30.1
from standby.

SELECTING A SOURCE

The A30.1 Integrated Amplifier provides a choice of six inputs, labelled: B1,
B2, CD, TV, AU, and TA.

To select a source

• Turn the source selector until the source is indicated on the front panel
display.

• Alternatively, press the SEL A or SEL V buttons on the C30 Remote
Control to step between sources.

CHANGING THE VOLUME

The A30.1 allows you to vary the volume from 0 (silence) to 79 (maximum
volume).

To change the volume

• Rotate the volume control on the front panel, or press the VOL A or
VOL V buttons on the C30 Remote Control.

The current volume setting is shown on the front panel.

CHANGING THE BALANCE

You can change the balance of the sound between the left and right channels
to shift the position of the stereo image.

To change the balance

• Press the MENU button on the C30 Remote Control.

The front panel display shows the current balance setting, where -6
corresponds to the leftmost position, 0 corresponds to centre, and 6
corresponds to the rightmost position.

• Press the VOL A and VOL V buttons on the remote control to adjust the
balance.

• Press the MENU button again to revert to the normal volume display.

Alternatively the normal display will revert automatically after four seconds.

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Using the A30.1 Integrated Amplifier

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CHANGING THE PHASE

The phase button on the front panel can be used to change the phase from 0°
(non-inverted) to 180° (inverted), to restore absolute phase on source materials
that have been recorded with the incorrect phase.

• Push the button in to select 180° or release it to select 0°

The correct phase setting will give a more open and spacious reproduction of
the music, which is especially audible as the sound decays.

MAKING RECORDINGS

The A30.1 Integrated Amplifier allows you to make a recording of any source
to the tape output. If your tape recorder provides a monitor output you can
compare the recording to the original source (A-B monitoring).

To make a recording

• Connect the TAPE OUT sockets to your recorder inputs.

• Select the source you want to record.

To monitor the recording

• Connect the tape recorder monitor output to the TAPE INPUT sockets.

When the monitor output is selected an indicator is shown above the
MONITOR button on the front panel display.

The MONITOR button has no effect when the TA source is selected, and the
monitor indicator will flash to indicate the error.

• Press the MONITOR button on the front panel to switch between the

monitor output and the original source.

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Using the A30.1 Integrated Amplifier

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Connecting the A30.1 Integrated Amplifier

This chapter explains how to connect the A30.1 to the other components in your
system, using the connections on the back panel.

BACK PANEL CONNECTIONS

]D]C]A ]B

RIGHT SPEAKER PRE-OUT

– +

]A Right loudspeaker outputs.
]B Balanced XLR Inputs.
]C Line RCA inputs.
]D Left loudspeaker outputs.

RIGHT

BALANCED INPUT 1

R

L

BALANCED INPUT 2

]E Left preamplifier output.
]F Ground terminal.
]G Tape1 outputs.

LR

CD TUNER AUX TAPE1

GROUND

TAPE1

OUT

TAPE
OUT

PRE-OUT

LEFT

LEFT SPEAKER

+ –

]G]F ]H ]I ]J]E

]H Tape outputs.
]I Right preamplifier output.
]J Mains power input and fuse.

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Connecting the A30.1 Integrated Amplifier

POWER CONNECTION

Warning: Before connecting power check that the required supply voltage,
indicated on the back panel, corresponds to your local AC supply. If a
different voltage is stated on the type plate do not connect the amplifier to the
mains power, and seek advice from your dealer.

Connect the mains power using the enclosed mains cable.

Note: Always disconnect the amplifier from the mains power before
connecting or disconnecting any of the cables.

OUTPUTS

Loudspeaker outputs

Connect the left and right loudspeakers to the corresponding terminals. The
terminals can accept speaker cables terminated with 4mm banana plugs,
spade terminals, or bare wires. To connect bare wires unscrew the terminal,
pass the bare wire through the hole in the terminal bolt, and clamp the wire in
place by screwing the terminal back down.

Preamplifier outputs

The preamplifier output sockets provide a line-level output from the A30.1
preamplifier stage which can be connected to another power amplifier, such
as the Primare A30.2. The level of this output is controlled by the volume
control on the A30.1.

The TAPE1 OUT sockets provide a fixed level copy of the currently selected
source, or a copy of the TAPE1 input, depending on the position of the
MONITOR switch.

INPUTS

Source inputs

Connect each source to the appropriate source input, connecting the right
channel to the red socket and the left channel to the white socket.

To connect an analogue turntable with a moving magnet or moving coil
cartridge you will need an additional phono preamplifier such as the Primare
R20. The output of the turntable is connected to the R20, and the output of the
R20 should be connected to a spare input on the A30.1, such as AUX.

A ground terminal is provided below the input sockets to allow you to provide
a direct ground connection for sources in order to remove hum loops.

The TAPE OUT sockets provide a fixed level copy of the currently selected
source, suitable for connecting to a tape recorder.

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Index

A

audio inputs ............................................ 8

audio outputs ..................................... 7, 8

B

back panel connections ............................ 7

balance, changing ................................... 4

C

connections ............................................. 7

F

front panel

controls .............................................. 3

I

inputs...................................................... 8

O

outputs ............................................... 7, 8

loudspeakers ................................. 7, 8

preamplifier ................................... 7, 8

P

power, connecting.................................... 8

preamplifier outputs ............................ 7, 8

S

source inputs ........................................... 8

source, selecting ...................................... 4

switching on and off ................................ 4

switching on from standby ........................ 4

T

tape outputs ....................................... 7, 8

technical specification .............................. 2

V

volume, changing .................................... 4

VOLUME CONTROL ................................ 3

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Index

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