SweetVinyl SC2-Plus User Guide

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WELCOME TO

SUGARCUBE

TM

For any usage questions,

please contact:
[e-mail]

Thank You for purchasing the SugarCube SC2-Plus.

Your experience of high-end audio is about to get a
lot sweeter when all your vinyl will sound like mint.

These pages provide an overview of the set-up and
control of the SC2-Plus.

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For Instructions on SC-2 Recording – Please See Recording Quick Start User Guide

Unpacking

Your

SugarCube

Section 1

Wifi USB Adapter

This adapter connects

the SugarCube to your

WiFi network or you can

use a wired Internet

connection if available.

Please download the

SugarCube App from your

mobile device’s app store or

use a Browser to control

your SugarCube remotely.

USB

Stick

USB-stick contains the full
SugarCube Setup and User
Guide.

1.1 Unpacking Your SugarCube

AC Power Adapter,
5V, 4A DC Output

SugarCube SC2-Plus Unit

For Instructions on SC-2 Recording – Please See Recording Quick Start User Guide

1.2 SC2-Plus Front-Panel Controls

CLICK MONITOR

Push on, push off: when

the LED is lit, SugarCube is

processing audio to remove

clicks and pops (the BYPASS

LED will go out.)

CLICK REMOVE ‘IN’

When pressed and the LED is lit, the
SugarCube suppresses the music so
that you can better hear the clicks and
pops. This helps set the STRENGTH
level for particularly noisy LPs.

STRENGTH

Headphone amp operates
independently and does not
affect the level of the line
in / out audio.

BYPASS

When pressed and the LED is lit,
an internal relay has shunted the

LINE-IN directly to LINE-OUT,

bypassing all internal circuitry.

Controls the strength of the click
and pop detection and removal
process. Almost all LPs will sound
great at a setting of 5 or 6.

Note: we recommend that you do
NOT adjust STRENGTH all the
way to 10, you will rarely need
this much. Less is more.

USB3

Plug in USB stick or drive
To record & playback
Storage.

STATUS

Green when storage
pugged in and ready.
Blinks red while
recording.

RECORD

Press to start recording
Press to stop.

HEADPHONE

JACK, VOLUME, MUTE

1.3 SC2-Plus Back-Panel

LINE OUTPUT

Outputs to your line stage (pre-amp).
When the front panel BYPASS button is
pressed, the audio from LINE IN passes
directly to this LINE OUT through a
mechanical audiophile-grade relay.

WIRED LAN

If an Ethernet LAN cable is
available, connect to this port
instead of plugging in the WiFi

adapter.

Note: when power is off, an

internal relay bypasses

LINE IN to LINE OUT.

Do either of the above when controlling the SC2-Plus on
the SugarCube iOS or Android app or from your desktop.

DIGITAL OUTPUT

Toslink and SPDIF outputs
at 192K/24bit.

Connect the supplied
adapter to this port.

POWER ON/OFF

DC POWER IN

LINE INPUT

Accepts the output of your phono pre-amp.
Please do NOT directly plug your turntable
into this port unless it has a built-in phono
pre-amp with a line-level output.

USB PORT FOR WIFI ADAPTER

Use this port to link your

computer or music server to
for enhanced ADC and DAC
functionality. Detailed
instructions later in guide.

USB COMPUTER PORT

Connecting

SugarCube

to Your

Sound

System

PLEASE BE SURE ALL

EQUIPMENT IS

TURNED OFF

BEFORE ATTEMPTING

INSTALLATION

Section 2

Speakers

Phono Pre-amp Line Pre-amp

Power Amp

Line Out Aux In Line Out Line In

Phono In

AC Adaptor

5V/4A

Connecting in series between a phono pre-amp and line-stage (pre-amp).

1. Plug your SugarCube power adapter into a power source.

2. Connect the output of your phono pre-amp to the LINE IN of the SugarCube.

3. Connect the LINE OUT of the SugarCube to an appropriate line-level input of your line-stage/pre-amp.

NOTE: DO NOT CONNECT THE LINE OUT OF THE SUGARCUBE TO THE PHONO INPUT ON YOUR EQUIPMENT.

2.1 Connecting Your SugarCube

Power Amp

Line In

Connecting in series between a pre-amp, with phono input, and power amp

2.2 Connecting Your SugarCube

1. Connect the output of your pre-amp to the LINE IN of the SC2-Plus.

2. Connect the LINE OUT of the SC1-Plus to the input of your power amp.

Output

Phono

AC Adaptor

5V/4A

Pre-amp

Speakers

Integrated Amp

Aux In

Aux Out

Phono

2.3 Connecting Your SugarCube

please note:

aux in/out is sometimes

labelled

record in/out

Integrated Amp: using the ‘tape loop’

Connecting to an integrated amplifier via Aux In/Out (or Rec In/Out).

1. Connect AUX OUT (or REC OUT) of your integrated amp (or processor) to the LINE IN of the SC2-Plus.

2. Connect LINE OUT of the SC2-Plus to AUX IN (or REC IN) of your integrated amp or processor.

NOTE: DO NOT CONNECT THE LINE OUT OF THE SUGARCUBE TO THE PHONO INPUT ON YOUR EQUIPMENT.

Step 1: TURN OFF THE INTEGRATED AMP

Step 2: Wait a minute or two

Step 3: locate the preamp-power amp jumpers

Step 4: DOUBLE-CHECK THAT THE AMP IS OFF

Step 5: Remove the jumpers

Step 6: Put the jumpers away in a safe place

Step 7: NEXT PAGE...

Integrated Amp: connecting between the preamp and power amp

2.4 Connecting Your SugarCube

Integrated Amp: connecting between the preamp and power amp, cont.

1. Connect OUTPUT (this is the pre-amp) of your integrated amp to the LINE IN of the SugarCube.

2. Connect LINE OUT of the SugarCube to PWR AMP (power amp input) of your integrated amp.

3. ALWAYS TURN ON THE SUGARCUBE FIRST THEN THE AMP AND TURN OFF THE AMP FIRST

THEN THE SUGARCUBE.

4. If the integrated amp has a headphone output, it will likely have its own amplifier and may not be in
the loop with the SugarCube. If that is the case, you will not hear the SugarCube in the headphones.

5. The SugarCube draws only about 11 watts, you can leave it on full time if you wish.

6. Not all integrated amps have a line out / power amp in or an Aux Out / In. If this is the case, you

may need an external phono pre-amp.

Connecting to an integrated amplifier between the pre-amp and power-amp.

2.5 Connecting Your SugarCube

12v DC Adapter

Phono Pre-Amp

Integrated Amp

12v DC Adapter

2.6 Connecting Your SugarCube

Integrated Amp WITHOUT an AUX OUT/IN (or REC OUT/IN, etc.)

Many contemporary integrated amplifiers no longer have what was known as

a ‘tape loop’ (back in the day of the cassette and reel-to-reel tape). Also,
most modern home theatre processors that do have what are called ‘effects

loops’ will not send audio from its phono input through the loop. In these

cases, there is not a way to connect to SugarCube directly to these devices
while using its built-in phono stage.

The solution is to add a phono stage (pre-amp) between your turntable and
the SugarCube. Then connect the Line Out of the SugarCube to any available
input on the integrated amp (except for the phono input, of course.)

Speakers

Integrated Amp

Aux In

Aux Out

Phono

Connecting turntables with built-in phono pre-amps

2.7 Connecting Your SugarCube

1. Connect the turntable with a built-in phono pre-amp to LINE IN.

2. Be sure the turntable is set to LINE not PHONO.

3. Connect the LINE OUT of the SugarCube to any line-level input of
your line stage, pre-amp, or integrated amp.

NOTE: SORRY TO BE A BROKEN RECORD, SO TO SPEAK, BUT DO NOT CONNECT THE
LINE OUT OF THE SUGARCUBE TO THE PHONO INPUT ON YOUR EQUIPMENT.

Directly connecting the line-level output from your turntable.

For turntables with a built-in
phono pre-amp, be sure to set
the PHONO/LINE switch to

LINE before plugging into the

SugarCube.

When you power up your SugarCube, it will take about

three minutes to complete its startup procedures.

During this time, the display will light up but remain
blank. We apologize for the wait but we have some
seriously sophisticated software loading and it simply
takes additional time. When you hear the results of
our efforts, you will agree that it was worth the wait.

2.8 Starting Up Your SugarCube

Please note:

(1) SugarCube just powered on (2) SugarCube is ready to go

(please expect about three

minutes to ready.)

(3) Hold the ‘Bypass’ button for a

few seconds to see LAN address
(and WiFi SSID if using wireless.)

Networking

the

SugarCube

Part 1: Ethernet and WiFi
Part 2: Chrome Browsers
Part 3: Apple iOS

Part 4: Android

Section 3

3.1 Using Ethernet or WiFi with SugarCube

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While setting up the connection between the SugarCube and the mobile or web browser

SugarCube app, you will be prompted to enter a Pair Code, please just use the code 1111.
(Note: you can push in and release the ‘Strength’ knob to obtain a unique pairing code
but there is no need for this extra step, it remains to support legacy systems.)

3.1.1 Pairing your SugarCube

- OR -

NOTES:

• THE SUGARCUBE SC2-PLUS BASIC OPERATIONS ARE FULLY FUNCTIONAL BY MEANS OF THE

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS WITHOUT THE NEED TO CONNECT TO A NETWORK.

• SOFTWARE UPDATES ARE AUTOMATIC AND PROVIDED WHEN THE SUGARCUBE IS CONNECTED
TO A WIFI OR ETHERNET NETWORK.

If you would like to use the iOS or Android app or web browser to control your SugarCube SC2-Plus,

please connect either the WiFi adapter supplied with your SugarCube or plug into a wired connection.

3.1.2 Connecting Your SugarCube to a LAN or WiFi

3.1.3 Connecting Your SugarCube via Wired Ethernet

• When connecting via wired Ethernet you need only open the iOS or Android App or follow a few

steps to establish a browser connection.

NOTES:

• THE SUGARCUBE SC2-PLUS BASIC OPERATIONS ARE FULLY FUNCTIONAL BY MEANS OF THE
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS WITHOUT THE NEED TO CONNECT TO A NETWORK.

• SOFTWARE UPDATES ARE AUTOMATIC AND PROVIDED WHEN THE SUGARCUBE IS CONNECTED
TO A WIFI OR ETHERNET NETWORK.

3.1.4 Connecting Your SugarCube via WiFi

• If using the WiFi adapter you will either use the iOS or Android App to setup WiFi, or use Ethernet

and a browser to configure the WiFi parameters.

NOTES:

• THE SUGARCUBE SC2-PLUS BASIC OPERATIONS ARE FULLY FUNCTIONAL BY MEANS OF THE
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS WITHOUT THE NEED TO CONNECT TO A NETWORK.

• SOFTWARE UPDATES ARE AUTOMATIC AND PROVIDED WHEN THE SUGARCUBE IS CONNECTED

TO A WIFI OR ETHERNET NETWORK.

3.2 Using a Browser with SugarCube

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3.2.1 Controlling the SugarCube from a Web Browser

Press in and hold ‘BYPASS’ for 3 to 5 seconds

Your SugarCube will then enter a display
mode where it will show you its IP
address, among other information.

Plug in an Ethernet Cable

1

3

You will use an address
that looks like this
example. It usually will
start with 192 or with 10.

2

Finding the IP address of your SugarCube

3.2.2 Controlling the SugarCube from a Web Browser

(1) Type the SugarCube’s IP address into the

address bar then add a colon ‘:’ and ‘1111’.

PLEASE NOTE: the ‘1111’ is a fixed port number

and NOT the serial number of your SugarCube.

(2) Press ‘Enter’ and the SugarCube

webpage will appear in the browser.

http://192.168.1.16:5123

Entering the IP address with addition information into the browser

Important Note: the SugarCube

web interface is compatible with

Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, &

Apple Safari web browsers. We

cannot guarantee compatibility with

any other brand.

sugarcube.local:5123

Or, if you have a relatively modern

LAN, you can try:

3.2.3 Controlling the SugarCube from a Web Browser

(2) Then, enter the four-digit pairing

code displayed on the SugarCube

display and click on ‘Pair’.

1

2

NOTE: Entering “1111” as a pairing code will be accepted

on recent versions of the SugarCube software

(1) You will see a screen

appearing in your browser
to accept a pairing code.

3.2.4 Controlling the SugarCube from a Web Browser

The SugarCube user interface will appear in the browser.

Important Note: the SugarCube

web interface is compatible with

Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, &

Apple Safari web browsers. We

cannot guarantee compatibility with

any other brand.

3.2.5 Controlling the SugarCube from a Web Browser

(1) If wired Ethernet is not

available in your sound room, then
take the SugarCube to your router
just for these WiFi setup steps.

(2) You need both Ethernet and the

WiFi stick plugged into the SugarCube.

(3) Find your WiFi name on

the list of SSIDs.

Setting up WiFi (in place of wired Ethernet), 1 of 4

3.2.6 Controlling the SugarCube from a Web Browser

(4) Please select your network by clicking

on the ‘Use’ button next to your SSID.

(5) Next, enter the password for your

WiFi then click on ‘Connect.’

<your wifi>

<your wifi>

<your wifi>

<password>

Setting up WiFi (in place of wired Ethernet), 2 of 4

disconnected

wire: 192.168.1.15

StayOffMyLawn

WiFi:

3.2.7 Controlling the SugarCube from a Web Browser

(6) The system will indicate that

it is connecting to your WiFi.

Setting up WiFi (in place of wired Ethernet), 3 of 4

<your wifi>

<your wifi>

<password>

(7) Once connected, you will now see both your new WiFi address (w) and

your currently wired Ethernet IP address (e). Remember, you are currently
communicating with the SugarCube via the wired IP address.

WiFi IP address

Wired IP address

WiFi SSID

3.2.8 Controlling the SugarCube from a Web Browser

(9) So, when you disconnect the wire, your browser

will no longer communicate. You will have to change
the IP address in your browser, in this example, to

the WiFi address ending in ‘.118’. (Once the wire is

disconnected, the front panel display will show only
the WiFi IP address.)

(11) Please note, if your SugarCube cannot connect

to your WiFi, contact [e-mail] with

the details of your system (WiFi make and model

and the serial number of your SugarCube.)

Setting up WiFi (in place of wired Ethernet), 4 of 4

(10) Usually, you need only to change the last group of

numbers and press ‘Enter’, and you should reconnect

(sometimes you may have to re-enter the entire address).

http://192.168.1.118:5123

http://192.168.1.118:5123

3.3 Using iOS App with SugarCube

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