CONSUMMATE PREAMPLIFIER OWNER'S MANUAL Version II TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Initial Inspection Features Installation Impedance Adjustments Preamplifier Internal View Impedance Adjustment Diagram Overall Gain Adjustments Gain Adjustment Diagram Control Instructions Remote Operation Technical Specifications Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of what is unquestionably one of the finest analog preamplifiers available today. With its combination of features such as full-function remote control, fully balanced operation and state-of-the-art circuitry, your Consummate Preamplifier will give you many years of trouble free, top-quality performance and enjoyment. Please take a few moments to read this owner's manual. The Consummate offers a large number of interconnect and user-operational possibilities. A thorough understanding of these features will allow you to gain the maximum performance for which this preamplifier was designed. The Consummate Preamplifier and the Consummate Preamplifier power supply each has its own serial number. The preamplifier's serial number begins with the letter P, and the power supply's serial number begins with the letter S. These numbers are located on the left side of each back panel. All correspondence with your dealer or Jeff Rowland Design Group concerning this preamplifier should include the complete serial numbers. For any additional information or assistance, contact your dealer or the Jeff Rowland Design Group factory. Initial Inspection Inspect the shipping container for damage. If the shipping container or packing material is damaged, it should be kept until the contents of the container have been checked for completeness and the preamplifier has been inspected both mechanically and electrically. This preamplifier was fully tested and carefully inspected before shipment. It should be free of any exterior defects and in perfect operational order upon receipt. If there is any damage or defect or if the preamplifier does not operate correctly, notify your dealer immediately. If the shipping container is damaged or the packing material shows signs of stress, notify the shipper and Jeff Rowland Design Group. Keep the shipping material for the shipper's inspection. In the shipping box you will find: · · · · · AC power cord replacement fuses infrared remote control transmitter infrared remote control receiver and interconnect cable warranty card (This form must be completed and returned to JEFF ROWLAND DESIGN GROUP [or its authorized distributor if outside the U.S.A.] within 14 days of purchase. Not only will your preamplifier be registered, but you will, in the future, be notified of possible design updates, improvements and new products.) We strongly suggest that you save all packing materials Features · Six line inputs, three of which are balanced (both RCA and XLR connectors are provided) · Balanced outputs, in both RCA and XLR connector configurations · Differential Mode(tm) technology maintained throughout all circuitry, from input to output · Separate regulated power supply with dual toroidal transformers · Microprocessor-controlled volume and switching · A digitally-controlled resistor matrix volume control provides 200 precise individual steps · User-stored level settings for all six inputs allow immediate recall of a "normal" level for each source · Dual-rate attenuator adjustment controls provide efficient volume control adjustments · Fluorescent front panel display indicates operational status of the preamplifier under all ambient lighting conditions · User controlled display shut-off · infrared remote control of all preamplifier operational functions · Separate remote receiver permits remote operation of preamplifier from a distant location · Image shift control (instead of channel balance trim) maintains overall volume level while shifting stereo image left or right · Mono and left or right channel cut functions · Main outputs are muted temporarily during initial A/C power up, power drop or power interruption · All signal amplification utilizes high-current, Class A solid state technology · All inputs and outputs are direct-coupled, thus eliminating the effects of capacitors in the signal path. · Independent power supply regulators are located at each stage of each amplifier channel · Mil-spec circuit board material, with oxygen-free copper traces and high- temperature mask, provides superior electrical characteristics and long term protection against adverse climatic conditions · All signal switching is accomplished with hermetically sealed, gold-clad silver contact signal relays · All critical circuitry is encapsulated in a thermally-conductive epoxy to ensure excellent thermal stability, mechanical integrity and ease of service · Ability to drive any length of interconnect cable into a balanced 600 ohm load · Adjustable input and output impedance minimizes source, load and cable interactions in any application Installation Place the preamplifier as close as possible to its final installation point. If possible, allow easy access to the back panel for making signal and power connections. The preamplifier may be placed above, beside or below its companion power supply with no interference from stray electromagnetic fields. The Consummate power supply has two completely separate yet identical internal power supplies. The output of each respective power supply is designated as Power Supply A or Power Supply B, and is available via two output connectors per power supply. The Consummate Preamplifier can be connected via the D/C power cable to any one of these four outputs. Longer custom-made D/C power cables can be ordered from the factory for special applications. If an additional unit such as the Consummate Phono Stage is used, then the other power supply can be utilized. For example, the Consummate Preamplifier can be powered from Power Supply A and the Consummate Phono Stage can be powered from Power Supply B. This permits totally independent and isolated operation of each unit with respect to the power supplies. Please make sure that the preamplifier D/C power cable is connected to the power supply before attaching the A/C line cord. Otherwise, the preamplifier may be damaged. The power supply is equipped with a power switch, located and identified on the rear panel. The power switch should be turned on initially after plugging in the A/C power cord. After turning on your preamplifier, there will be a two second delay and then the words "THE CONSUMMATE" will be displayed. This will remain for approximately ten seconds while the amplifier circuitry is stabilizing. The display will then switch to its normal status-indicator format. Your preamplifier is now fully stable and will accept commands. The rear panel power switch should be left on at all times, thereby maintaining stable operating parameters and improving performance, reliability and longevity. Power consumption in stand-by mode is less than 30 watts, providing low-cost operation. Your Consummate is equipped with an infrared remote control receiver box which can be attached to the back of the preamplifier via the provided 3 meter interconnect if remote operation is desired. The remote control receiver box may be placed anywhere within line of sight of the hand held remote transmitter. A longer remote receiver cable may be ordered on a custom basis from the factory for special applications. It is recommended that inputs 4, 5 and 6 be used for single ended or unbalanced inputs exclusively. If inputs 1, 2 and 3 are used for single ended or unbalanced operation, then XLR shorting plugs should be used in the respective balanced input connectors for optimal sonic performance. The XLR shorting plugs should electrically short circuit pin 1 and pin 2. This grounds the unused inverting input when used in a single ended configuration. Balanced Main output signals are always produced by the preamplifier circuitry and are available regardless of the input source signal configuration chosen (balanced or single ended). Balanced Record Out signals (at the Record Out connector) are only available when balanced input signals are provided. A single ended input signal will only yield a single-ended Record Out signal. The Consummate Preamplifier can be adjusted to facilitate different input and output impedances and gain structures. These adjustments are located internally and require the removal of the top cover. They can be performed easily, provided the instructions located in this manual under the heading "Impedance Matching" and/or "Adjustable Gain" are followed precisely. If you are in any doubt as to the proper adjustments to be made, contact your dealer or the factory for assistance. Impedance Adjustments The Consummate Preamplifier permits you to optimize both the input and output impedance of all inputs and outputs. This will optimize interconnect performance by minimizing source and load interactions. The internal input impedance adjustment will set the input impedance for all inputs. Some sources cannot be loaded at the lowest input impedance option available on the preamplifier (300 ohm unbalanced/600 ohm balanced). In these cases, the next higher input impedance options should be selected (10K or 100K unbalanced/20K or 200K balanced). The Consummate Preamplifier is shipped from the factory at a 10k ohms unbalanced/20k ohms balanced input impedance and a 300 ohm unbalanced/600 ohm balanced output impedance. If you are unsure as to what input and output impedance settings to use, simply leave the switches in the positions set at the factory. If you desire to adjust the above mentioned impedances, the preamplifier's top cover must be removed. With a number 2 Phillip's screwdriver, remove the three flat head screws closest to the top on each side of the preamplifier. Also, remove the one screw located in the center back top of the top cover. The top cover can now be lifted directly up from the preamplifier. While facing the front of the preamplifier, locate two light blue switch housings near the upper left hand corner of the circuit board. These are the Input Impedance switches. Directly to the right, you will see a pair of the same type of switches. Please refer to the diagram on page 8. These are the Output Impedance switches. Gently slide each white switch to the desired location as outlined on page 9. The Consonance Preamplifier is equipped with two output impedance options. The 300 ohm unbalanced/600 ohm balanced output impedance should be selected when Jeff Rowland Design Group power amplifiers are used. It is recommended that these power amplifiers also be set for the low input impedance option (300 ohm unbalanced/600 ohm balanced) when used with this preamplifier. This configuration will create an ideal situation in terms of interconnect interface between the preamplifier and power amplifier. Power amplifiers from other manufacturers that have a similar input impedance configuration will also benefit from this impedance matching condition. The 150 ohm unbalanced/300 ohm balanced output impedance option can be selected when power amplifiers with higher input impedances (greater than 300 ohm unbalanced/600 ohm balanced) are used. This option is recommended for interconnection conditions other than those discussed in the paragraph above. All impedance switches may be adjusted during listening if desired. Preamplifier Internal View Impedance Adjustment Diagram Overall Gain Adjustments The overall gain structure of your Consummate Preamplifier can be configured to one of four different values: 6 dB, 12 dB, 18 dB or 20 dB. The Consummate can thus be used with a wide variety of analog and digital sources since many digital sources such as compact disc players and digital to analog converters have high output voltages relative to tuners, tape decks, etc. This feature also allows you to tailor the gain structure for use with power amplifiers of nonstandard gain parameters and/or loudspeakers with various efficiencies. The gain switches are located on the underside of the plug-in modules located within the preamplifier. The top cover should be removed according to the instructions outlined in the "Impedance Matching" section of this manual. Once the top cover is removed, the modules can be lifted directly upward from their sockets. Underneath each module is a switch similar to the switches used to set input and output impedance. Adjust these switches according to the module diagram shown on page 11. After the gain switches have been set to the desired positions, reinstall the modules, paying careful attention to the exact alignment of the pins and sockets. If you are in doubt as to the correct procedure outlined above, then contact your dealer or the factory for assistance. Incorrect installation of these modules may result in damage to the preamplifier circuitry which cannot be covered under warranty. The el ...