Audionet PAM G2 User manual

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audionet
PAMG2
Phono Preamplifier for MC/ MM
User’sManual

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Contents
1Preface......................................................................................... 5
1.1 Included ........................................................................................ 6
1.2 Transport....................................................................................... 6
2Overviewfrontpanel.................................................................. 7
3Overviewback panel.................................................................. 8
4Installation and power supply................................................... 9
4.1 Placement..................................................................................... 9
4.2 Mainsconnection........................................................................ 10
4.3 ExternalpowersupplyEPS ........................................................ 10
5Inputs andoutputs.................................................................... 12
5.1 Inputs.......................................................................................... 12
5.2 Outputs....................................................................................... 12
6Usage.......................................................................................... 13
6.1 Poweringup................................................................................ 13
6.2 Switchingon/off......................................................................... 13
6.3 Controlelementson the frontpanel........................................... 13
6.4 Mainsphase detection................................................................ 14
6.5 Inputselection............................................................................ 14
7Settings...................................................................................... 15
7.1 Matchingthe pick-up'selectricalcharacteristic.......................... 15
7.1.1 MM Systems............................................................................... 16
7.1.2 MCSystems................................................................................ 16
7.1.3 Typicalsetups............................................................................. 17
7.2 Factorydefaults.......................................................................... 17
7.3 Furtheradjustments.................................................................... 17
7.3.1 Adjustingtheinputcapacity....................................................... 17
7.3.2 Resistance reduction................................................................... 18
8Technicalinformation.............................................................. 19
8.1 Design......................................................................................... 19
8.2 Powersupply.............................................................................. 19

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8.3 Circuitry...................................................................................... 19
9Security advice.......................................................................... 20
10 Technicaldata........................................................................... 21

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1Preface
TheAudionetTeamcongratulatesyou on yourpurchase ofthisunit.
Audionetcomponentsareno marketingproducts,theyareauthentic.
Conceived and developed withscientificinspiration,professionalengi-
neeringexpertiseand apassion forachievingthe perfectsound. Theyare
uniquecreationsdesigned toinspiremusicalenjoymentandhavean ex-
cellentreputation amongstall connoisseurs throughoutthe world. Each
and everyoneofourprecision-manufactureddevicesareindividually
craftedatourfactorylocated inBerlin, Germanybyourexperienced and
passionate workforce.
Butbeforeyou startlisteningtoyournewAudionetPAMG2, pleaseread
thismanualcarefullysoyou areable touseandenjoyallfunctionsofthis
unit withoutdrawbackon music quality.

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1.1Included
Included you will find the followingitems:
·the phono preamplifierPAMG2
·the user'smanual(thatyou are currentlyreading)
·one standard mainscord
·one green-yellowcordforan additionalearth connection
1.2Transport
Important
·Please transportthe PAMG2 onlyin the included package.
·Alwaysuse the provided bag to preventscratcheson the casing.
·Pleaseallowthe PAMG2toadapttothe climaticconditionsinyour
listeningroombeforeyou switchontheunitforthefirsttimeafter
transport.

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2Overviewfront panel
power
key
inpu
t
key
channelindicator

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3Overviewback panel
7Input resistance - R( ), input 1 8Inputcapacity - C(pF), input 1 9Mainsinput 10 Marking mainsphase 11 Inputcapacity- C(pF), input 2 12 Input resistance - R( ), input 2
1
RCAinputno. 1, left/right
2
Earthconnectorsfor turntables
3
RCAinputno. 2, left/right
4
RCAoutput, left/right
5
Connector for externalpowersupplyEPS
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Gain(dB), input 1
4
16
14
2
15
13
12
11
1 3 6 7 8 10
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13 Gain(dB), input 2 14 Balanced(XLR) output, left/right 15 RCAinputfor additional input resistance or
inputcapacitance on input 2, left/right
16 RCAinputfor additional input resistance or
inputcapacitance on input1, left/right
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4Installation and powersupply
Important
·During connectingandremoving ofturntables or preamplifiers to
the PAM G2all unitsofyour audio system have tobe switched offto
preventdamage ofthe PAM G2 oranyofthe other connectedunits.
·Pleasemakesurethatall cablesareinabsolutebestconditions!
Broken shieldsor short-cutcablescoulddamage the PAM G2
and/or any other connected unit.
4.1Placement
Important
·Itisrecommended toplacethe PAMG2intoahighqualityrackor
onto a stable table.
·Do notexposetheunitto directsunlight.
·Do notcovertheventilation slots.
·Do notplace the PAMG2 in close range to heatsourceslike radiators.
·Donotplacethe PAMG2on top ofotherunits,especiallynoton top
ofpoweramplifiers,preamplifiers orsimilarthatproduce heat.Both
unitscouldsufferdamage fromthermaloverload.
·Transformers inamplifiers and otherpowerfuldevicesmaycreate
interferingfields.Therefore, putthe PAMG2asfarawayaspossible
fromsuch devices.
·Do notuse the unit in placeswhereitisexposed to vibrations.
·Donotplace the unitclosetoloudspeakers orintothe cornerofa
roomwhereitisexposed tohighlevelsofsonicenergy,which might
reduce the sound qualityofthe unit.
·Ifthe PAMG2isused withtheexternalpowersupplyEPS it isrec-
ommended toputthe EPS tothe rightoratleast20 cmabove/below
ofthePAMG2. Increasingthe distanceofbothunits,willminimize
the influence ofthe mainstransformers inthe EPS.

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4.2Mainsconnection
The mainsinput9 *ison the backpanelofthe PAMG2. Toconnectthe
unit tomainsuse the included mainscord.Ifyou prefertouse adifferent
powercordmakesure thatit meetsthe specificationsforyourhome country.
Important
·The electricalspecificationsofyourhomecountrymustmeetthe
electricalspecificationsprinted ontothe backpanel.
·The PAMG2isaClass Iunit andmustbe earthed. Pleaseensurea
stableearthconnection. Phase('hot'pin)ismarked onthebackpanel
("PHASE") 10
·Neverpull the mainsplugwhilethe PAMG2isswitched on!Before
you pull themainscordoffthe socket,powerdowntheunittostand-
bymode.
Onlyincasesofextended absence (likevacations)orif massivetrouble
on themainspoweristobe expected you shouldremovethe PAMG2
formthe mains.Todisconnectthe unit completelyfrommainspull the
mainsplug.
Note
·Usinghigh-qualitymainscordsasthe AudionetP10,mayimprove
the sound quality. PleaseconsultyourlocalAudionetdealer.
4.3External power supplyEPS
InordertousetheoptionalexternalprecisionpowersupplyAudionet
EPS (Enhanced Power Supply)withyou PAMG2pleaseproceedas
follows:
1. Makesure bothPAMG2and EPS areswitched offanddisconnected
fromthe mains.
2. Connectthe EPS with the included cableto inputjack EPS 5 on the
backpanelofthe PAMG2. The shape ofthe plugpreventsany
wrongpolarity.Nowscrewthe ringoftheplugontothe EPS input
jack5
3. Connectonly the EPS to the mains.
4. First, switch on the EPS on itsbackpanel.
*see numbersinsection'Overviewback panel'onpage8.

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5. Usethe power keyon the frontpaneltoswitchon the PAMG2. The
PAMG2isnowreadytouseand getsitspowerfromthe external
powersupplyEPS.
6. Toswitch off the PAMG2intostand-bymode, usethe power key
on the frontpanel
Important
·UseonlyEPS G2devices(withserialnumber12.21.10 orhigher)if
yourPAMG2ispoweredbythe optionalexternalpowersupply.
Noncompliance maycause damage to both units.
Tip
·Place the externalpowersupplyEPS tothe rightoratleast20 cm
above/belowofthePAMG2. Increasingthedistanceofbothunits,
will minimize the influenceofthe mainstransformers in the EPS.
·Useahighqualitycable(forexamplethe AudionetP10)toconnect
the EPS to mains.The sound willimprove.
Important
·Neverswitch on orofftheEPS on itsbackpanelwhilethePAMG2
isoperating.
·Forfurtherinformation referringtothe externalpowersupplyEPS
please consult itsuser'smanual.

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5Inputs and outputs
Important
·During connectingandremoving ofturntables or preamplifiers to
the PAM G2all unitsofyour audio system have tobe switched offto
preventdamage ofthe PAM G2 oranyofthe other connectedunits.
·Pleasemakesurethatall cablesareinabsolutebestconditions!
Broken shieldsor short-cutcablescoulddamage the PAM G2
and/or any other connected unit.
5.1Inputs
ThePAMG2hastwostereo lineinputs1 and 3 toconnecttwopick-
up armsorturntables.Themaximaladjustableinputcapacityis420 pF
and the minimaladjustableinputresistance is100 .Ifothervaluesare
needed tomeetthe electricalcharacteristicofthe pickup, theRCA sock-
ets C/R ext.15 and 16 canbe usedtoaddexternalresistors orcapaci-
tors(see section "Furtheradjustments"on page 17).
Thegoldplatedscrews(GND)2 areforconnectingtheturntable
grounds.
Note
·ThePAMG2isoptionallyavailablewithoneortwoinputchannels.
Dependingon the model,one ortwopick-up armsorturntablescan
be connected.
5.2Outputs
The PAMG2isequippedwithone RCA output LINE 4aswellasone
balanced(XLR)output BALANCED 14 forthe leftand rightchannelto
connectthe unitto yourpreamplifier.
Usethe RCA output LINE 4 toconnectthe PAMG2toyourpre-
amplifierusinghighqualityinterconnectors (e.g.AudionetC100).Alter-
natively,you mayconnectthe preamplifierusingthe balanced (XLR)
outputs BALANCED 14 incase yourpreamplifierdoesnotsupport RCA
(line)inputs.

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6Usage
6.1Powering up
Firstofall, please make sure yourPAMG2 isconnected correctlyto your
turntable, preamplifierandmains(see section "Installationand power
supply"on page 9 and section "Inputsand outputs"on page 12).
ThePAM G2isastand-byunit.Assoon astheamplifier iscon-
nected to themains, theunit is in stand-bymode
Onlyincasesofextended absence (likevacations)orif massivetrouble
on the mainspoweristobeexpected it isrecommended todisconnectthe
PAMG2 frommains.
Important
·Never pullthemainscordwhilethe PAM G2isswitchedon!Be-
fore you pullthe mainsplug, powerdowntheunit tostand-by
mode first.
6.2Switching on/off
Topowerup the PAMG2fromstand-bymode, pressthe power keyon
the frontpanel. NowthePAMG2 isin normaloperatingmode.
Ifyou would like to switch off the unit, please press the power keyon the
frontpanel.
6.3Control elementson thefrontpanel
The frontpanelhastwokeystocontrolthe PAMG2(seesection
"Overviewfrontpanel"onpage 7).
power Use thiskeyto switch on/off the unit.
input Push thiskeyto selectthe inputchannel.
Important
·IfyourPAMG2isequippedwithonlyone channel,the input keyis
disabledandchannelswitchingisnotpossible. Inthiscase,only In-
put1 isavailable.

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6.4Mainsphase detection
Thecorrectpolarizationofmainsisimportantforreasonsofaudioclarity
and stability.Pleaseconnectthe mainscordthatthe 'hot'pinofthewall
outletisconnected to the pin marked 'phase'10 ofthe mainsinput9on
the backpanel.ThePAMG2recognizestheincorrectpolarization ofthe
mainsplugautomatically.Afterpressingthe power key,the twoLEDs
on the frontpanelwill flashin differentrhythms:
·Ifthe polarization iscorrect,the LEDsflash slowly: Ä___Ä___Ä...
·Ifyou see theLEDsflashingrapidly: Ä_Ä_Ä_Ä_Ä…pleaseswitch
off theunitand flipthemainsplug.Ifyou nowswitch on the
PAMG2again, the unit shouldshowthecorrectmainspolarization
bya slowlyflashingLEDs.
Important
·Ifthe PAMG2issuesthe mainspolarization warningorno warning
atallforbothpositionsofthemainsplug,checktheconnection to
earthofyourmainssocketand mainscord. You havetoensure a
stableconnectiontoearthfor the mainsphasedetection ofthe
PAM G2towork correctly!
6.5Inputselection
Pushthe input keyon thefront(seesection "Overviewfrontpanel"on
page7)toselectthedesired inputchannel.Dependingon theselected
inputchannel, the correspondingLEDon the frontpanelisactivated.
Important
·IfyourPAMG2isequippedwithonlyone channel,the input keyis
disabledandchannelswitchingisnotpossible. Inthiscase,only In-
put1 isavailable.

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7Settings
7.1Matchingthepick-up'selectricalcharacteristic
Atthe backofthe PAMG2(see section:"Overviewback panel"onpage
8)aresixrotaryswitchesforthebasicconfiguration ofbothinputchan-
nels.The lowerrowisforthe configuration ofinput1, the upperrowis
forthe configuration ofinput2.
The nextsection covers theconfiguration ofinput1, the setup ofinput2
isthe same with the rotaryswitch inthe upperrow.
Withtherotaryswitch labelled Gain (dB) 6the gainofinput1 isse-
lected to 38 dB, 48 dB, 58dBor68 dB.
Important
·Excessive gain couldleadto overdrive and distortion!
Setthe gainsothattheoutputvoltageofthe PAMG2UPAMG2 isapprox.
1...1.5 V. With a given pick-up voltage Upick-up the gain calculatesto:
gain=
pickup
PAMG2
U
U.
Refertothe followingtabletogetthe gainindBfromthe calculated gain
factor:
GainindB 38 48 58 68
Gainfactor 80 250 800 2500
Example:
Outputvoltage:UPAMG2 = 1.2 V
Pick-up voltage:Upick-up = 1.5 mV
Gain: 800
5.1
2.1 =
mV
VÞsetthe PAMG2 to 58 dB
Therotaryswitch R( )7 inthemiddleisused tosetup the inputresis-
tanceofinput1,whichactsasterminatingresistance ofthepick-up.
Please selectthisvalue carefully;itwillaffecthigh frequencyresponse.
Withthe thirdrotaryswitch C(pF)8 the inputcapacitanceofinput1
can be set.ThissettingiscriticalforMMsystemsonly.

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Note
·Ifothervaluesareneeded toadjustthe electricalcharacteristicofthe
pickup, the RCA inputs C/R ext.15 and 16 canbe used toadd ex-
ternalresistorsorcapacitors (seesection"Furtheradjustments"on
page 17).
Tip
·Onourwebsitewww.audionet.deyou will find an onlinetooltocal-
culatethe optimumsettingsofthe PAMG2foryourpick-up.
·Ifyou havethe specificationsofyourpick-up notavailable, you will
probablyfind the technicaldataatthe followingwebsite:
www.vinylengine.com/cartridge_database.php
7.1.1MM Systems
ForMM pick-up systemssetthegainto38 dB.Forthe settingsofinput
resistanceand capacitancepleaserefertothe recommendationsofthe
manufacturerofyourpick-up.
Incaseyou haveno recommendationsfromthe manufacturerforinput
resistanceandcapacitancewerecommend thevalues47 kWand200 pF.
Thesesettingsoffersuitable conditionsformostMMpick-up systems.
7.1.2MC Systems
MCpick-up systemscoveragreatrangeofdifferentoutputlevels.To
achievean outputmatching the levelofyourothersources,thePAMG2
offers 4gain settings:
Forpick-upswitha'normal'outputlevel(approx. 1...2 mVoutputvolt-
age)setthe Gain (dB) 6 to58 dB.Forhighoutputpick-ups(3...5 mV)
position48 dBisbettersuited. Incaseyou havealowoutputpick-up
(<0.8 mV)setthe gainto68 dB.Incaseofdoubtassumeyourpick-up
workingata 'normal'outputlevel.
ForMCpick-up systemsthe inputcapacitance shouldbe setto100 pF.
Selecttheinputresistancerecommended bythe manufactureror,if the
information isnotavailable, selectposition 100 W.

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7.1.3Typical setups
Thefollowingtableoutlinestypicalsetupsformiscellaneouspick-up
systems:
System Output
voltage Gain Input resistance Inputcapacitance
LowOutputMC <0.6mV 68 dB 100 W110pF
MC
HighOutputMC
~1...2mV
~3...5mV
58 dB
48 dB 100...470 W110pF
MM ~4...6mV 48 dB 47...68kW160...220pF
HighOutputMM
>6mV 38 dB 47...68kW160...220pF
Important
·For optimumadjustmenttoyour pick-up followthe recommen-
dationsofthe manufacturer! Ifnecessaryaskyourdealer.
7.2Factorydefaults
Upon deliveryofthePAMG2followingsettingsareconfigured byde-
fault:
Gain 38 dB
Inputresistance 47 kW
Inputcapacitance 200pF
Thisconfiguration issuitable formostMMpick-up systems.
7.3Further adjustments
7.3.1Adjusting theinputcapacity
Ifthe selectablecapacityofC
0
= 420 pF isnotenoughorthe required
capacitycannotbe selected, usean externalcapacitortogetthe required
value. ConnectanadditionalhighqualitycapacitorCext can be connected
totheinput C/R ext. 15 and16 usingaRCA plugtoincreasetheinput
capacity. In thiscasethecapacitiesareadded together.

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Example:
IfacapacityofC= 500pF isneeded, selectthe basecapacityof
C0= 420 pF withtherotaryswitch on the backpanel.Then add anaddi-
tionalcapacitorofCEXT. = 82 pF totheinput C/R ext. 15 or16 toget
the required inputcapacityof500 pF.
Note
Inthe aboveexamplethearithmeticallyresultingvalue of80 pF was
replacedwiththe suitablecapacitorof82 pF fromcommonlyavailable
standardE12 series.
7.3.2Resistance reduction
Ifthe required inputresistance islessthan the minimumselectablebase
resistanceofR0 = 100 orthe needed resistancevalue isnotavailable,
usean externalresistortogetthe required value. Connectan additional
highqualityresistorRext tothe input C/R ext. 15 and 16 usingaRCA
plugtoreduce theinputresistance. Attention!Thereciprocalvaluesof
the resistorsare added, so the inputresistance isreduced!
0
0
0
11
1
*
RR
R
RR
RR
Rext
ext
ext
-
=Þ
+
=
Example 1:
Ifaresistance ofR= 33 Ωisneeded;choosethe baseresistanceto
R0= 100 ,andadd externalresistorof Rext = 50 .
W=W
-
=50
100
1
33
1
1
ext
R
Example 2:
Ifaresistance ofR= 200 Ωisneeded;choosethe baseresistance to
R0= 330 ,andadd externalresistorof Rext = 510 .
W=W
-
=510
330
1
200
1
1
ext
R

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8Technical information
8.1Design
The construction isoptimized magneticallyand capacitatively.The signal
pathshaveabsoluteminimumlengthswithno harmfulcomponentslike
couplingcapacitors,coilsorrelays.Inputandoutputcircuitsareimmune
tonegativeinfluencesofconnected devices.Consequently,SMDminia-
turetechnology ensuresoptimized high frequencyproperties.
Gain andRIAAde-emphasisare carried outsimultaneouslyintwo stages.
The operationalamplifiersinthe signalpatharebuiltup asdiscreteand
optimized elements;theyhaveagain-bandwidthproductof1GHz.The
outputoperationalamplifiers workinclass“A”mode withahighbias
current.
8.2Powersupply
All voltagesaredeliveredbya100 VAtoroidcoretransformerand fast,
impulse-stableaudiohigh-currentcapacitorswithatotalcapacityof
40,000 uF. The voltagesarestabilized by14 discreteand optimized MOS
regulators.
8.3Circuitry
Everyoperationalamplifierissuppliedbytwofast,discretevoltageregu-
lators.Theamplification and inputstagesareswitched bygold-coated
precision relays. Specialinputimpedancescan be setindividually.

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9Securityadvice
Important
·UseonlyEPS G2devices(withserialnumber12.21.10 orhigher)if
yourPAMG2ispoweredbythe optionalexternalpowersupply.
Noncompliance maycause damage to both units.
·Avoidpackagingmaterial,especiallyplasticbags,comingintochil-
dren'shands!
·Storeand operatetheunitinadryroomatareasonableroomtem-
perature only!
·Avoidmoisture,anyliquids,dirtorsmall objectsgettingintothe
unit!
·Setup the unitin a sufficientlyventilated environment!
·Do notcovertheunit!
·Do notopen the unit. Unauthorised openingwillvoidwarranty!
·Do notshort-circuitthe outputs!
·Duringconnectingorremovingthe PAMG2to/fromsourcesand/or
poweramplifiersallunitshavetobe switched off topreventdamage
ofthe PAMG2 oranyofthe otherconnected units.
·Use dryclothforcleaning!