
- Phono-preamplifier 550
User manual
Page 1
Dear client
We are proud that you decided yourself for a soulution product. You have acquired a
preamplifier with outstanding sonic performance which you will enjoy for many
years.
We understand your eagerness to get started but even though please study this
manual step by step before you integrate the phono-preamplifier 550 in your High
Fidelity system. This manual contains also useful tips for the optimisation of your
overall HiFi-system.
If there are any questions regarding the start-up or operation of your phonopreamplifier please do not hesitate to contact your dealer.
Have fun!
Your soulution team

soulution
nature of sound
Page 2
CE-Declaration of Conformity
Spemot AG declares that this product is in conformance with the following directives and standards:
Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EG (EN/IEC 60065:2002)
Electromagnetic Compatibility 2004/108/EG (EN 55013:2001, EN 55020:2002,
EN 61000-3-2:2006, EN61000-3-3:1995)
FCC-Notice
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
- adjust or relocate the receiving antenna
- increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
- connect the equipment into a mains outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected
- consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
-
Disposal
According to the Directive 2002/96/EG of the European Parliament used
consumer-electro technical appliances have to be disposed separately
and have to be indicated with the following symbol.
In the case of disposal of this component please do so in conformity with legal and
environmental regulations.

- Phono-preamplifier 550
User manual
Page 3
Table of contents
1 Technical Highlights ............................................................................ 4
2 Safety advice: ................................................................................. 5
3 Scope of delivery ................................................................................. 6
4 Rear side ............................................................................................ 6
5 Front side ........................................................................................... 8
6 Remote control ................................................................................... 9
7 Program-Mode .................................................................................... 9
8 Trouble shooting ............................................................................... 11
9 Service ............................................................................................. 12
10 Safety functions ................................................................................ 13
11 Warranty ........................................................................................... 13
12 Specification .................................................................................... 14
13 Dimensions ....................................................................................... 15
Quick-start
Unpack your phono-preamplifier 550
Keep the packing for future transportations
Treat the top class surface with care
Position the phono-preamplifier 550 on a stable base.
Cooling air must be able to escape unrestricted.
Disconnect all appliances of your system from the mains
Connect the 550 with your amplifier
Connect the 550 with your source components
Connect all appliances of your system with the mains
While changing cables the 550 must remain disconnect
from the mains.
Default values for all functions are programmed.
No additional programming is required for the start-up.
Switch-on the 550 phono-preamplifier
Select a moderate volume level
Switch-on your source components and your amplifier
Check the cabling before switch -on

soulution
nature of sound
Page 4
1 Technical Highlights
Layout
The 550 phono-preamplifier is built in dual-mono layout. Both audio channels have
their dedicated power supply. The audio section is physically separated from the
digital circuits.
Power supply
The phono-preamplifier 550 has separate power supply units for the audio section
as well as for its digital section. All supply voltages are provided by modern
switched mode power modules which are combined with precise, low-noise linear
regulators. The physical separation of the power supplies for the digital and analog
section ensures minimal interference.
Termination impedance
Relays switched high precision metal foil resistors define the termination impedance for each input. The adjustment can be done via the remote control from the
listening position.
Output stage
The output stage is optimised for velocity, precision and impulse current rating.
Thanks to its low output impedance of 10 the output stage is stable on every load
(also long cables are driven without problems).

- Phono-preamplifier 550
User manual
Page 5
2 Safety advice:
Follow the safety advices
Keep this user manual.
Exclusively use 3 phase power cords with ground conductor.
Unplug the 550 from the mains in the following cases:
before you manipulate with cables
before cleaning
during thunder storms
before you leave for longer periods
While manipulating with cables the 550 has to remain disconnected from the mains. Wrong cabling may cause damages to
your 550, (pre)amplifier and loudspeakers. Excessive volumes
due to inappropriate handling may cause hearing damages.
Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table specified by
the manufacturer or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used,
use caution when moving cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury or tip over.
In order to omit condensation of water inside your phonopreamplifier 550, let it warm up within the packing.
Please keep the original packing for future transports.
Never run your phono-preamplifier 550
with opened housing
with closed cooling-slots
with high ambient temperatures (>40°C)
close to heat sources like radiators, etc.
with extremely high humidity for example in humid cellars
close to water (Sink, bathtub, or similar equipment)
Use a soft and dry towel. We suggest using a non-abrasive micro
fibre towel. Please do not use any solvents or liquidities
Service by a qualified person required if
the mains-cable or the mains connectors are damaged
foreign substances or liquidity have entered the 550
the 550 has seen rain
the 550 seems to malfunction
the 550 has fallen to the floor or the housing is damaged

soulution
nature of sound
Page 6
3 Scope of delivery
- Preamplifier 550
- Remote control
- Power cord
- Phono-Termination-Plug
- User manual
4 Rear side
Mains (A)
Connect the phono-preamplifier 550 with the mains supply. Depending on the settings in the function PWR-MODE the 550 will change to operating condition OFF
(consumption< 0.5W), wait for the LINK signal or switch-on automatically.
Before disconnecting the 550 phono preamplifier from the mains you should
bring it in operating condition OFF.
Input IN 1...IN2 (B)
Use top quality cables for the connection to your turntable. Both inputs can be configured as MM or MC- inputs. A relay switched resistor network allows for optimal
adjustment of the termination impedance. If required the subsonic filter according
to RIAA-IEC specification can be activated.

- Phono-preamplifier 550
User manual
Page 7
Output (C)
Due to the exceptional load stability there are no restrictions regarding the selection
of your connecting cables. We recommend using balanced cables for longer cable
runs. For short cable lengths also unbalanced cables represent a high quality connection.
A potential a hum-loop may be suppressed by the GND-LIFT function (page 12).
LINK (D)
The switch-on of the 550 phono preamplifier can be remote controlled through the
LINK-connection. The function PWR-MODE (page 12) defines the behaviour of the
550 after switch-on.
RS 232 Interface (E)
All functions can be controlled through the RS 232 interface.
Firmware/Service (F)
The 550’s firmware may be updated through the USB interface.
Type label (G)
The type label shows the serial number and the nominal rating of your product.

soulution
nature of sound
Page 8
5 Front side
Power (H)
The Power button defines the operating condition ON or OFF (red LEDs). In operating condition OFF the audio circuits are completely disconnected from the outputs.
Unplug your 550 from the mains before you manipulate with cables, before cleaning, during thunder storms or before you leave for longer periods.
Mute (I)
In case of an emergency the safety function Mute allows
disconnecting all inputs from the outputs (wrong cabling,
feedback loops, etc.).
Prog (J)
The Prog-button switches the 550 to Programming-Mode.
Select (K)
Input-Select
The new input can be selected and will be activated after
timeout of approx. 3 sec.

- Phono-preamplifier 550
User manual
Page 9
6 Remote control
Operation until 5m distance and angel of ±45°.
Enter Function for Program-Mode
(De)activates Program-Mode
Change of Remote Ctrl ID:
Press the respective buttons for approx. 5 seconds.
Pre 1: (6), (5), (10)
Pre 2: (6), (5), (9)
Phono (6), (5), (7)
DAC (6), (5), P (8)
Exchange of batteries (2 x AAA):
Open the battery tray on the rear side.
Insert the batteries into the tray as indicated.
Ensure correct polarity of the batteries.
Close the tray with corresponding screw.
Dispose the exhausted batteries

soulution
nature of sound
Page 10
7 Program-Mode
General
The phono-preamplifier 550 can be adjusted to your individual setup. It is already
programmed with default settings. Further programming is not mandatory.
Push on the Prog button switches the phonopreamplifier 550 between operating-mode and programming-mode. Timeout after 10 seconds.
Rotating of the Select knob allows selecting the desired
Program-Function
Push on the Select knob for approval of the selected
function. Now the value domain of the selected Program-Function is active. (red LEDs in display).
Rotating of the Select knob allows for adjusting the desired value.
Push on the Select knob for approval of the respective
value.

- Phono-preamplifier 550
User manual
Page 11
7.1 Program functions
NORM = controlled by power-button
AUTO = automatic when mains activ
LINK = wait LINK-signal
Defines the active input after start-up.
Configures the input as MM or MC.
Gain and available impedance values
(De)activates the IEC high pass filter
MC: 20…1k
MM: 1k…47k
Defines the impedance of the input
Defines the impedance of the input.
Only available for MM inputs
Switches ground of the balanced outputs.
OFF = ground connected
ON = ground disconnected
1 = low
2 = medium
3 = high
Adjusts the brightness of the display
Defines the IR- identification of the 550.
The identification of the remote control
has to be defined accordingly
Activates the default values (bold) for all
functions.

soulution
nature of sound
Page 12
8 Trouble shooting
Check the cabling to the mains supply.
Eventually replace the fuse.
Check
- the cabling to the turntables and the amplifier.
- if the proper input has been selected
- if the preamplifier powered-up or in MUTE
- if the power amplifier powered-up or in MUTE
If one of the 550’s power supplies fails, the unit switches
off automatically. The display shows which power supply
failed. Please note the reported error code.
MUTE is activated whenever the current at the output is
higher than 0.2 A. If the overcurrent situation disappears
the 550 will deactivate MUTE. Should the error remain for
more than 2 sec. the unit will power-down automatically.
OVERCURRENT can have the following root causes
- short-cut in the cable to the preamplifier
- defective input stage of the preamplifier
- defective output stage of the 550
Check
- the cabling to preamplifier
- the preamplifier
If you cannot identify the error please disconnect the phono-preamplifier 550 from
the mains supply and contact your soulution dealer.
9 Service
If your soulution product needs service please contact your soulution dealer. For further information see www.soulution-audio.com

- Phono-preamplifier 550
User manual
Page 13
10 Safety functions
For currents > 0.2 Ampere at the output the phonopreamplifier 550 shuts down automatically.
The power supply is monitored for correct operation. In case of
an error the 550 gets shut down automatically.
Model 220-240 V 2A/T 250V micro fuse 5x20mm
Model 220V/60Hz 2A/T 250V micro fuse 5x20mm
Model 100-120 V 4A/T 250V micro fuse 5x20mm
11 Warranty
All soulution products are guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship
for five years from date of purchase.
The guarantee is void if the product has been subject to misuse or negligence or has
been modified, repaired or opened by a non-authorised person without written authorisation of Spemot AG.
For the return transport to our premises please use exclusively the original packaging. Transport damages are not subject to this guarantee, repairs will be charged.
We recommend effecting a transport insurance.
If you do not possess the original packaging no more please contact your soulution
dealer.
Basic repairs may be completed by your soulution dealer. Please clarify whether he
is able to do the work before you send the product back to us.

soulution
nature of sound
Page 14
12 Specification
Signal-to-Noise Ratio >95
Technical specifications are subject to change without prior notification.

- Phono-preamplifier 550
User manual
Page 15
13 Dimensions