Art Project Series User manual

Precision Phono Pre
Low Noise Precision Phono Preamp
Project Series
User’s Manual

1
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTION – READ FIRST
This symbol, whenever it appears alerts you to the presence
of uninsulated dangerous voltage inside the enclosure-
voltage that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock.
This symbol, whenever it appears, alerts you to important
operating and maintenance instructions in the
accompanying literature. Please read the manual.
Read Instructions: Retain safety and operating instructions for
future reference. Heed all warnings printed here and on the
equipment. Follow the operating instructions printed in this user
manual.
Do not open: There are no user serviceable parts inside. Refer
any service work to qualified technical personnel only.
Environment: Protect from excessive dirt, dust, heat, and vibra-
tion when operating and storing. Avoid tobacco ash, drink spill-
age and smoke, especially that associated with smoke ma-
chines.
Handling: Protect the controls from damage during transit. Use
adequate padding if you need to ship the unit. To avoid injury to
yourself or damage to the equipment, take care when lifting,
moving or carrying the unit.
Servicing: Refer servicing to qualified technical personnel.
Installation: Install the unit in accordance with the instructions
printed in the user manual.

2
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing Applied Research and Technology’s
Precision Phono Preamp, a high-quality standalone phono pre-
amp. The PPP interfaces Moving Coil (MC) and Moving Magnet
(MM) cartridges to a wide variety of audio systems. An
Extraordinarily low noise amplifier allows connection to MC car-
tridges without picking up noise or distortion that transformers
can exhibit.
Analog inputs are switchable between Moving Magnet and Mov-
ing Coil. The unit changes both the gain
and the cartridge loading to suit the selected cartridge. A rear
switch allows you to adjust MC cartridge loading between 100
Ohms and 25 Ohms. A low-cut filter removes rumble and low
frequency feedback while leaving the audio pristine.
The front gain trim control with the signal present/clip LED allows
you to optimize the output for a wide range of cartridges.
The Precision Phono PS is powered off an external 12V DC sup-
ply to provide low noise/ high headroom operation.
Upgrade your system in one quick and easy step.
The built-in low noise phono preamp circuitry is highly accurate
and precisely conforms to the RIAA standard. The line output
jacks are low impedance and can work with any audio system.
Housed in an aluminum-anodized case. If you need to amplify
and EQ your vinyl records to interface with an audio workstation,
home audio system, or monitor system, the DJ PRE II gives you
flawless audio reproduction in a rugged and reliable package.

3
FEATURES
High accuracy/low noise preamp
Moving Coil/Moving Magnet switchable input
Switchable low-cut rumble filter
Variable preamp gain
Signal present/clip indicator
Selectable Moving Coil loading
Gold plated RCA preamp outputs
External universal power supply for lower noise
Compact rugged extruded chassis designed for years of
use
Perfect for Connecting a phono cartridge to any audio sys-
tem
Designed and developed in the US

4
The Facts About Turntable Preamps
Phonograph Records Have Three Basic Problems
1. It is physically impossible to press them with ridges that al-
low low frequencies to come out at the same reproduction
level as mid and high frequencies. Bass compensation is
therefore needed during playback.
2. Records produce a certain amount of hiss, which is covered
up in post-production by boosting the gain of the high fre-
quencies before pressing. Counter-EQing during playback
compensates for this.
3. Magnetic cartridges produce a weak signal (typically
around 5mV), which must be boosted to match the rest of
the amplification, and this too is done during playback. In
the mid-1950s, the Recording Industry Association of
America established compensation standards. The result-
ing RIAA preamp has been built into every hi-fi and stereo
amplifier with phono or turntable inputs since then. A sepa-
rate RIAA preamp is necessary when you are connecting a
turntable to a mixer that does not have one built in.
4. Moving Coil cartridges typically have a low impedance and
very low output (0.2mV typically). Most will work with a load
between 24 and 100 Ohms. This load may be critical to the
sound of the cartridge.
5. There is a variant on Moving Coil called “high output” that
require a 47k load and have outputs in the 2mV range. The
Precision Phono Pre can accommodate this using the MM
setting and recovering 6-8dB of gain using the level control.

5
INSTALLATION and OPERATION
AC Power Hookup
The Precision Phono-PS has a universal external power supply
designed to operate at 100 to 240V AC ~ 50/60 Hz. Only use
the adapter that came with the Precision Phono-PS. If the
adapter becomes lost or damaged, contact ART Customer Ser-
vice for replacement. If you need to purchase one locally, please
specify 12V DC, at ≥ 800ma.
Setting up the Universal the power supply
Insert the correct clip adapter to the supply according to country
of operation. There are four different clips included. Please at-
tach the matching clip as per your AC power source.
Connect the power supply to the unit, labeled 12V DC .
Always make sure the output plug is securely plugged into the
rear of the Precision Phono-PS, and that the adapter is held
firmly in an electrical outlet. Never operate the Precision Phono-
PS or power adapter in the rain or in wet locations. lf the
adapter’s cord is ever cut, discontinue use and replace the
adapter with a new one. Unplug the adapter when the Precision
Phono-PS is not in use. Refer to the label on the adapter or the
specifications later in this manual for the appropriate power
specifications.

6
If the turntable has a separate ground wire, attach it to the
Ground terminal on the Precision Phono Pre to reduce hum.
Connect the RCA outputs to the appropriate inputs on your mixer
or stereo receiver (Line input, or an unused tape input). If the
mixer does not have RCA inputs (on any of the channels) a ste-
reo RCA to dual mono ¼-inch male cable may be needed to con-
nect to the mixer line inputs.

7
APPLICATIONS
Select the Cartridge setting
1. Select the correct mode using the switch (MC/MM). If you
have a high output MC cartridge that requires a 47k load,
choose MM mode.
2. If using MC mode, select the correct load (100 or 24
Ohms).
3. The Load switch only applies to the MC mode. You will
hear a slight difference between the two settings.
a. Start by using the manufacturer’s recommended
load. If you are not sure, select the 100 Ohm
setting. If the high end is exaggerated, the 24
Ohm setting will flatten the response out by
dampening the cartridge resonance.
4. You can adjust the level so you never see the Clip LED
light. There is plenty of dynamic range in the "green" por-
tion of the LED (18dB). In the event you do see the Red
LED just start to come on there is still 10-15dB of head-
room.
Low Cut Filter
The Filter switch, when in the Low-Cut position, adds a filter for
removing turntable rumble or other low frequency noise. The use
of the low-cut filter enables you to roll off deep bass to eliminate
turntable rumble and "skipping" in heavy feet traffic areas.

8
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Limited Warranty
Applied Research and Technology will provide warranty and ser-
vice for this unit in accordance with the following warrants:
Applied Research and Technology, (A R T) warrants to the orig-
inal purchaser that this product and the components thereof will
be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a period
of three years from the date of purchase. Applied Research and
Technology will, without charge, repair or replace, at its option,
defective product or component parts upon prepaid delivery to
the factory service department or authorized service center, ac-
companied by proof of purchase date in the form of a valid sales
receipt.
This warranty does not apply in the event of misuse or abuse of
the product or as a result of unauthorized alterations or repairs.
This warranty is void if the serial number is altered, defaced, or
removed.
A R T reserves the right to make changes in design or make
additions to or improvements upon this product without any obli-
gation to install the same on products previously manufactured.
A R T shall not be liable for any consequential damages, includ-
ing without limitation damages resulting from loss of use. Some
states do not allow limitations of incidental or consequential dam-
ages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific rights and you may have other
rights, which vary from state to state.
For units purchased outside the United States, an authorized
distributor of Applied Research and Technology will provide ser-
vice

9
SERVICE
The following information is provided in the unlikely event that
your unit requires service.
1. Be sure that the unit is the cause of the problem. Check to
make sure the unit has power, all cables are connected cor-
rectly, and the cables themselves are in working condition.
You may want to consult with your dealer for assistance in
troubleshooting or testing your particular configuration.
2. If you believe that the ART unit is at fault, go to www.artpro-
audio.com.Select “Support”, then “Return Authorization Re-
quest” to request a return authorization number.
3. If you are returning the unit for service, pack the unit in its
original carton or a reasonable substitute. The original
packaging may not be suitable as a shipping carton, so con-
sider putting the packaged unit in another box for shipping.
Print the RA number clearly on the outside of the shipping
box. Print your return shipping address on the outside of
the box.
4. Include, with your unit, a note with the RA number and your
contact information, including a return shipping address (we
cannot ship to a P.O. box) and a daytime phone number,
and a description of the problem, preferably attached to the
top of the unit. Also include a copy of your purchase receipt.
Fill in the following information for your reference:
Date of purchase ___________________
Purchased from ___________________