D 3i Dual Mono Preamplifier User guide D 3i Contents Contents of the D 3i box Safety instructions Warning: Never: Always: About the GamuT D 3i Design considerations Electrical circuitry considerations Unpacking Placement Connecting to the mains Connecting to other equipment Inputs Outputs XLR pin connection of the balanced in- and outputs How to operate Selecting a source Adjusting the volume Mute function Dim function Bypassing the CD input Connecting to a surround processor The remote control Overview Functions Burn-in and warm up Burn-in Warm up Maintenance Service Technical information Every musical note... 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 13 13 13 14 15 2 Contents of the D 3i box · One GamuT D 3i Preamplifier · One mains cord with plug for either 115VAC or 230VAC · One GamuT RC1 amplifier/CD-player remote control unit · Two AAA batteries Sandgaardsvej 31 DK-7400 Herning Denmark Telephone no: +45 70 20 22 68 Fax no: +45 59 43 97 26 www.gamutaudio.com info@gamutaudio.com 3 D 3i Safety instructions Warning: · To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture. · No user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to a qualified technician. Never remove the cover unless qualified to do so. This unit contains dangerous voltages. Never: · Let children (or grownups) push anything into holes or slots in the case - this could result in harmful electrical shock and could cause damage of the equipment. · Guess or take chances with electrical equipment of any kind - it is always better to be safe than sorry. · Obstruct the necessary all-around ventilation: especially DO NOT place the set close to curtains or on soft furnishing such as carpets. Overheating can cause unnecessary damage and shorten the lifespan of the equipment. Always: · Read the user manual and familiarise yourself with the functions before you attempt to use this equipment. · Ensure that all electrical connections (including the mains plug, extension leads and interconnections between pieces of equipment) are properly inserted and set in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. · Check that the GamuT D 3i mains fuse rating is set correctly for your local mains voltage. Please see the label at the rear next to the mains inlet. 4 About the GamuT D 3i Design considerations The cabinet is of a rigid construction using massive and genuine high-grade materials, mostly aluminum. The use of non-magnetic materials is a vital foundation for ultra clean high-end reproduction of music. It also contributes to the touch and feel factor and is essential for a long lasting life even in a tough environment. A GamuT product is built to be used daily and we expect our products to be in the "field" for many years to come. Under normal circumstances the D 3i should not need inspection or service for quite a while. Should you experience break down or worn parts, these are easily replaceable or repairable and our service partners around the world would be happy to help. Electrical circuitry considerations All components used in the D 3i are of the highest quality and have been selected through intensive listing sessions from the PCB itself over the non-magnetic chassis to the legendary Neutrik XLR connectors. The D 3i is based on following GamuT specialties: · Dual Mos-fet hybrid in-and output buffer · Soft coupled feet suspend the complete chassis · Internally shielding separates the cabinet for power supply and amplifier section · Dual mono construction with separate power supply for each channel · Very powerful power supply with high bandwidth and low impedance Unpacking Carefully cut open the box with a knife. Remove the cables from the carton and lift up the D 3i from inside the box. Remove the protective plastic enclosing the amplifier. Please be careful not to place the D 3i on the front panel or bend the various terminals on the backside when doing so. Please keep the packaging material in a safe place as it might come in handy later. 5 D 3i Placement The D 3i will get hot during use. It is important that it has free space all around the player, especially sides and the top. Please make sure that there is at least 10 cm (4 inches) of free space all around the preamplifier. Connecting to the mains Your D 3i has been especially made for the country to which it has been shipped. Any attempt to change the voltage or other types of modifications should be considered unsafe and may cause damage to both the amplifier and any connected equipment. Warranty is annulled by any form of modification performed by any person not authorised by GamuT. Connect the D 3i to the mains supply with the supplied IEC mains cable. For further improvements to the level of sound quality, various types of mains cable type may be tested. Like the importance of any other cable in the system, the quality and refinement of the mains cable has an influence on the total balance of the sound. Please feel free to experiment with the various brands available in your country. Please note that GamuT cannot accept responsibility for damage incurred due to improper usage, connection, or manufacture of other cables than the enclosed. The mains switch is located underneath the amplifier's front right corner. When the amplifier is switched on, the display will light up and you will hear two small clicks from inside the amplifier. Connecting to other equipment The GamuT D 3i features several types of in and outputs: Inputs Four unbalanced inputs: · RIAA · Tuner · HTH · Tape One balanced input · CD Please note that all connectors of the D 3i are gold plated . This is done to ensure long lasting and stable connections. Do only use cable and connectors either gold or silver plated. 6 All of the inputs are line level inputs. If a turntable is to be connected, a special RIAA amplifier must either be fitted as a plug-in module or an external must be connected in between the turntable and the D 3i. The HTH input also features a "direct" function. Please refer to the section "How to operate". The balanced input labeled "CD" can be used for any balanced signal source such as a CD player or a separate D/A converter. You can also use them with a pair of RCA female/XLR male adaptors for further connection of unbalanced sources. Outputs What goes in must come out! The D 3i offers you plenty of option when connecting: · One pair unbalanced signal line out · Two pairs of balanced signal line out · One tape out The two balanced line outputs, enables you to connect the D 3i to one or two external power amplifiers. Giving you the option of bi-amping or to drive a second pair of loudspeakers simultaneously. You can also use either the unbalanced or one of the balanced outputs to feed an active subwoofer. In any case - the signal of the output follows the selected level and source. The tape out is intended to be used for an analogue recording device. It has a fixed level that follows the actual input with unity gain. Tape out features a separate buffer amplifier, so that the recording device load, does not disturb the main signal path. The D 3i features one set of balanced input and two sets of balanced outputs. GamuT follow the international IEC standard for the balanced connections; please ensure that the connected equipment complies with the following pin configuration: XLR pin connection of the balanced in- and outputs 1. Ground 2. Positive 3. Negative Some other brands have pins # 2 and 3 reversed. They will work together with the D 3i, but the absolute phase will be reversed. You can solve this by reversing the wires in the male plug of your balanced interconnects The two balanced stereo outputs are connected together; exactly the same signal and level will be available at both outputs. This enables you to bi-amp your loudspeaker with two power amplifiers or listen to music in a second room. 7 D 3i How to operate Turning on the power is done using the main switch; at right hand lower corner just behind the front panel. By turning on the mains supply, the display will illuminate. In the top row different input sources will appear. The row at the bottom will show the functions of the three knobs just below the display. A dot below each text will show which inputs and function currently is selected and in use. Selecting a source: Selecting the desired input source is achieved by turning the big knob on the left side of the D 3i and toggling through the inputs. A blue dot below each name of the input indicates the selected one. Turning the knob further after reaching end of the row, will make the dot jump to the other end of the input row. Adjusting the volume The large knob on right side of the front panel controls the volume. On the outside of the knob a small dot in the indicates the level setting. The scale goes from approx. 8 o'clock minimum to approx 4 o'clock as maximum output level. The output level can also be adjusted by the remote control, please refer to the section "Remote control". Please note: We have selected an expensive ALPS dual logarithmic potentiometer for setting the listening level. To reduce noise, we have chosen a 1kOhm version. Such a potentiometer cannot make the sound disappear completely, even when you turn it down to the lowest setting. If complete silence is required, enable the Mute function as described on the next page. 8 Mute function The D 3i preamplifier features a mute function that will efficiently mute the selected signal. Push the Mute button to activate the Mute function. The blue dot indicating the selected source is now replaced by a dot indicating the mute function is enabled. Push the Mute button again to disable the Mute function and return to the previously selected source and level. For your comfort and the safety of your equipment, please ensure beforehand that the volume knob has not accidentally been adjusted further towards the maximum output setting before you disable the Mute function. The mute function can also be enabled and disabled by the remote control, please refer to the section "Remote control" Dim function The Dim function enables you to dampen the brightness of the display or to turn it off. Push the Dim button once and the brightness will be reduced to around 50% of full level. Push it again and only a blue dot indicating that the Dim function is enabled will show. A third push reactivates the whole display to full level of brightness. The Dim function can also be enabled and disabled by the remote control, please refer to the section "Remote control" Bypassing the CD input Some CD players and other sources have built a in volume control. The D 3i offers the possibility of bypassing all analog treatment of the input by directing the input straight to the output. Doing so gives you the vey shortest and cleanest signal path available. 9 D 3i To enable this function, you must do two things: First of all: Press the little switch labeled Bypass downwards, it is located at the back of the D 3i just beside the CD input. Secondly: While the CD input source has been chosen, you press the push knob just below the display Bypass. Now the dot below CD will move below Bypass and the signal goes directly into the power amplifier. Please note that the volume control of the D 3i is no longer in use and if you are not very careful you might experience a full level output! When the Bypass function has been enabled the source selecting route is changed. Instead of selecting CD input the Bypass dot will light. See illustration: Connecting to a surround Processor HTH Direct function is intended for cases where the D 3i is connected to a surround preamplifier or processor. Enable the Direct function by pushing the small switch situated at the left side of the HTH input terminals on the backside of the preamplifier. The Direct function of this input will bypass the volume control and lead the signal directly to the output of the D 3i. This converts the D 3i into a non-amplifying and non-level adjusting device. Leading the two front channels of a surround system directly into your power amplifier. Please note: While the HTH Direct is enabled and the HTH input is selected, the volume control volume will be disabled to avoid conflict with other remote control systems. 10 The remote control Overview CD player functions: Open/close A-B repeat Repeat one/all Program (CD 1 only) Display dim Remain (CD 1 only) Direct track selection 1-10 / 10+ Play Pause Stop Next track Previous track Fast forward Fast backwards Amplifier functions: Volume up Volume Down Next source toggle Previous source toggle Mute Buttons present, but not in use: Standby Phase 11 D 3i Functions Volume up By pushing this button the volume control knob will turn and the little dot indicator will rotate clockwise. Holding the button down will eventually make the knob turn all around to maximum level. Volume Down This button will do the exact ...