Primare Pre 30 Owners manual

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Primare PRE30 Preamplifier 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 PRE30 PREAMPLIFIER.. (1

USING THE PRE30 WITH OTHER PRIMARE

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

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

Using the PRE30 Preamplifier

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

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

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

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

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

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

USING THE PRE30 WITH A SURROUND

DECODER.................................................................. (5

ADJUSTING THE SENSITIVITY OF THE

INPUTS....................................................................... (5

Connecting the PRE30 Preamplifier

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

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

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

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

REMOTE LINK.......................................................... (8

Index

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Preface

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Introduction

Welcome to the Primare PRE30 Preamplifier! This chapter introduces you to its
features, and explains how you can take advantage of its superb sound as the
key component in your hi-fi system.

WELCOME TO THE PRE30 PREAMPLIFIER

The PRE30 is a high-quality two-channel preamplifier with a tape output, and a
special surround bypass feature.

Flexible inputs

The PRE30 provides seven inputs for sound sources such as a CD player, radio
tuner, and tape recorder. You can adjust the sensitivity of each input to allow
for differences in the output level produced by each source. An optional RIAA
preamplifier is available if your system includes an analogue record player.

Fully balanced

The PRE30 provides balanced outputs and two balanced inputs, giving an
entirely balanced signal chain when used in conjunction with a balanced
power amplifier, such as the Primare A30.2, and a source that provides
balanced outputs, such as the Primare D30.2 CD Player.

Tape output

You can record a source by switching it through to the tape output, and this is
totally independent of the source you are currently listening to.

Surround bypass

A special surround bypass switch allows you to use the PRE30 in conjunction
with a surround decoder that includes its own volume control.

Intuitive user interface

In keeping with the philosophy of the Primare range of systems, the PRE30 can
be controlled through a very simple and intuitive set of front panel controls.

Alternatively all the functions can be controlled by the C20 Remote Control
supplied with the PRE30, along with the other Primare components in your
system.

USING THE PRE30 WITH OTHER PRIMARE
PRODUCTS

Although the PRE30 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 and Primare A30.2
Amplifier. A particular benefit of using the PRE30 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

Balanced inputs 560mV
Line inputs 280mV
Sensitivity adjustment -20dB to +20dB
Tape outputs 280mV
Gain 16dB
Frequency response DC to 100kHz ± 0.1dB
THD <0.01%
Signal-to-noise ratio -118dB
Crosstalk -113dB
Mains 100/115/230V
Dimensions (WxDxH) 430 x 410 x 100mm
Weight 9.5kg

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Using the PRE30 Preamplifier

This chapter explains how to operate the PRE30 Preamplifier, using either the
front panel controls or the C20 Remote Control.

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS

All the functions of the PRE30 Preamplifier can be accessed using the six front
panel controls, and information about its operation is displayed on the discreet
front panel indicators:

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

]B The TAPE OUT button allows you to select the source to record using the

source switch.

B1

B2

CD

TU

TA

AU

AV

PRE30 PRE-AMPLIFIER

TAPE OUT LEVEL SURR

]C The LEVEL button allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the current source

with the VOLUME control.

]D The SURR button selects surround bypass.

]E The VOLUME control changes the volume.

]F The display shows the current volume or level setting.

]G The STANDBY control switches the PRE30 to standby, or switches it on.

VOLUME

STANDBY

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OPERATE

]C ]D]A ]B ]E ]F ]G

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Using the PRE30 Preamplifier

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 PRE30 switched on and in
standby.

To switch to standby

•Turn the STANDBY control on the front panel to STANDBY, or press the
STBY button on the C20 Remote Control.

To switch on from standby

•Turn the STANDBY control on the front panel to OPERATE, or press the
PRE button and then the STBY button on the remote control.

SELECTING A SOURCE

The PRE30 Preamplifier provides a choice of seven inputs, labelled: B1, B2,
CD, TU, TA, AU, and AV.

To select a source

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

• Alternatively, press the A or V buttons on the C20 Remote Control to step
between sources.

CHANGING THE VOLUME

The PRE30 allows you to vary the volume from 0 (silence) to 85 (maximum
volume).

To change the volume

• Rotate the VOLUME control on the front panel, or press the < or

> buttons on the C20 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 [/BAL button on the C20 Remote Control.

The front panel display shows the current balance setting, where -85
corresponds to the leftmost position, 0 corresponds to centre, and 85
corresponds to the rightmost position.

• Press the < and > buttons on the remote control to adjust the balance.

•Press the [/BAL 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 PRE30 Preamplifier

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MAKING RECORDINGS

The PRE30 Preamplifier 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.

•Press the TAPE OUT button on the front panel, or the ST/REC button on

the C20 Remote Control.

The TAPE OUT indicator will be illuminated.

• Use the source switch to select the source you want to record.

• Alternatively, press the A and V buttons to step between input sources on
the C20 Remote Control.

You cannot record from the TA input, to avoid the possibility of feedback.

•Press the TAPE OUT or ST/REC button again.

To monitor the recording

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

USING THE PRE30 WITH A SURROUND DECODER

You can use the PRE30 in conjunction with a surround decoder, to allow you to
use your main left and right channels as part of a surround system, as well as
using them with your other sources, such as CD.

• Connect the main left and right line outputs from your surround decoder to
the AV inputs on the PRE30.

• Press and hold down the SURR button on the front panel, or the MODE
button on the C20 Remote Control, until the SURR indicator is illuminated.

The AV input will automatically be selected, and the PRE30 VOLUME control
will be bypassed so you can control the volume of the surround source using
the surround decoder.

Note: If you are using the AV input as an additional conventional source the
SURR button should be left off.

ADJUSTING THE SENSITIVITY OF THE INPUTS

You can adjust the sensitivity of each input, to allow for differences in the output
level of each source, so that when you switch between sources the level stays
consistent.

• Use the source switch to switch between the TA input, to monitor the
recording, and the original source.

• Use the source switch to select the source you want to adjust.

• Press the LEVEL button on the front panel, or the MENU button on the

C20 Remote Control.

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Using the PRE30 Preamplifier

The LEVEL indicator will be illuminated, and the display will now show the
relative level of the source in dB, as a number between -20 (quieter) and +20
(louder).

• Use the VOLUME control, or the < and > buttons on the C20 Remote

Control, to adjust the relative level of the source.

• Select any other sources you want to adjust, and repeat the same
procedure.

•Wait for five seconds to allow the new level settings to be stored.

• Press the LEVEL button on the front panel, or the MENU button on the
C20 Remote Control, to return to normal operation.

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Connecting the PRE30 Preamplifier

This chapter explains how to connect the PRE30 to the other components in
your system, using the connections on the back panel.

BACK PANEL CONNECTIONS

+5V OUT

R AUX TAPE 1 TUNER R L R L DATA COMCD

OUTPUT

L

L

TAPE 1

OUT

]C]A ]B

AV

L

BALANCED INPUT 2 BALANCED INPUT 1

PUSH PUSH PUSH PUSH

R

]A 5V output for remote link.
]B Line RCA inputs.
]C Balanced XLR inputs.

R

]D Right balanced XLR output.
]E Line RCA/outputs.
]F Left balanced XLR output.

]H ]I]E]D ]F ]G

]G Tape 1 outputs.
]H Data Com connections (for future expansion).
]I Mains power input and fuse.

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Connecting the PRE30 Preamplifier

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

Preamplifier outputs

The PRE30 provides two pairs of phono outputs and one pair of balanced
outputs, for connection to a suitable power amplifier such as the Primare
A30.2.

Tape outputs

The TAPE 1 OUT sockets provide a fixed level copy of the source selected by
the TAPE switch, suitable for connecting to a tape recorder.

INPUTS

Source inputs

Connect balanced sources to the balanced inputs, using XLR connectors.

Connect phono sources to the appropriate phono inputs, 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 RIAA 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 PRE30, such as
AUX.

If you have a surround decoder, connect the main left and right line-level
outputs to the AV inputs, and press the SURR button on the front panel to
select surround bypass.

REMOTE LINK

If you are using the PRE30 in conjunction with a Primare power amplifier, such
as the A30.2, you can power the amplifier on and off from the PRE30 by
connecting the +5V OUT socket to one of the REMOTE LINK sockets on the
amplifier, using a twin core cable terminated in 3.5mm jack plugs.

Note: Ensure that the PRE30 is switched off before connecting it to the
amplifier with a remote link cable.

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Index

A

amplifier, connecting ................................ 8

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

audio outputs .......................................... 8

B

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

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

balanced inputs .................................. 7, 8

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

C

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

Data Com ........................................... 7

D

Data Com connections ............................. 7

I

inputs.................................................. 7, 8

adjusting sensitivity.............................. 5

balanced ........................................ 7, 8

line RCA ............................................. 7

L

LEVEL button....................................... 3, 5

M

monitoring a recording ............................ 5

O

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

balanced ........................................ 7, 8

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

Tape1 ................................................. 7

P

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

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

R

recording ................................................ 5

remote link .............................................. 8

S

sensitivity, adjusting ................................. 5

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

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

standby .................................................... 4

STANDBY control ..................................... 3

SURR button ................................... 3, 5, 8

surround bypass ................................. 5, 8

surround decoder .................................... 5

F

front panel controls .................................. 3

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Index

T

TAPE OUT button ..................................... 3

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

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

V

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

VOLUME control ...................................... 3

X

XLR inputs .......................................... 7, 8

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

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