Audionet PRE G2 User manual

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audionet
PRE G2
ReferencePre-Amplifier
User'sManual

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Contents
1Preface.......................................................................5
1.1 Included....................................................................................... 6
1.2 Transport..................................................................................... 6
2Overviewfrontpanel................................................7
3Overviewbackpanel................................................8
4Installation and powersupply.................................9
4.1 Placement.................................................................................... 9
4.2 Mainsconnection........................................................................ 9
4.3 Orientation ofmainsplug........................................................ 10
4.4 Additionalearth connection .................................................... 10
5Inputsand outputs..................................................11
5.1 Inputs......................................................................................... 11
5.2 Outputs...................................................................................... 11
5.3 Recording devices ..................................................................... 12
5.4 AudionetLink........................................................................... 12
6Usage.......................................................................13
6.1 Powering up.............................................................................. 13
6.2 Switching on and off................................................................. 13
6.3 Mainsphasedetection.............................................................. 14
6.4 Using AudionetLink................................................................ 14
6.5 Controlelementson thefrontpanel....................................... 15
6.6 Volumecontrol.......................................................................... 15
6.7 Display ....................................................................................... 16
6.8 Inputselection........................................................................... 17
6.9 Muting....................................................................................... 18
7Setup Menu .............................................................19
7.1 SetDimLevel............................................................................ 20
7.2 Balance Adjust .......................................................................... 21
7.3 OffsetAdjust ............................................................................. 22
7.4 SetDC Servo ............................................................................. 23

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7.5 Channelname........................................................................... 24
7.6 SetAutostart............................................................................. 24
7.7 SetOff-Text............................................................................... 25
7.8 SetChannelforBy-Pass Mode................................................ 25
7.9 SetDC Servofor By-Pass M.................................................... 28
7.10 Overviewfactory defaults........................................................ 29
8AudionetMetal RemoteControl............................ 30
8.1 Key assignmentPRE G2.......................................................... 31
8.2 Changing the batteries ............................................................. 31
8.3 Settingsfor Audionetpreamplifier......................................... 32
9Technical information............................................ 34
9.1 Design........................................................................................ 34
9.2 Power supply............................................................................. 34
9.3 Circuitry.................................................................................... 34
9.4 Handling.................................................................................... 35
9.5 UpdatePRE toPRE G2........................................................... 35
10 Securityadvice ....................................................... 36
11 Technical data........................................................ 37

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1Preface
TheAudionetTeamcongratulatesyou on yourpurchase ofthisunit.
Musiclovers knowaboutthe importanceofthepreamplifier:The pre
amplifierdeterminesthesound quality.Forthoseenthusiastwedevel-
oped the PRE G2, ourpre amplifierreference.
ThePRE G2isaluxurioussource ofpuresound. Withthehighestaccu-
racyand resolution, coarse and fine dynamicprecision and overwhelming
spatialityit reproducesmusic in all itsnaturalness.
The PRE G2doesnotacceptcompromise. Withfundamentalscientific
research and elaboratedevelopmentand trial,each detailwasconceived
and tested. The circuitryisstate-of-the-art,itsdesignbeyond alldoubt
and all itscomponentspainstakinglyselected.
Asnothingelsecouldsatisfyourdemands,weproduce operationalam-
plifiers,incrementalencoderandsignalcablesourselves.Volumeiscon-
trolled byan electronicallyswitched and inreal-timelinearized resistor
networkmade ofdiscretehighqualitymetalfilmresistors.Theaudio
signalpathand controlcircuitryaredecoupledoptically.Inputandoutput
circuitsareimmune tonegativeinfluencesofconnected devices.Thus,
the PRE G2manifeststhe limitsofwhatispossiblenowadaysregarding
measuringtechniques.Noise, distortion and crosstalkarealmostelimi-
nated.
Amicroprocessorfacilitatesversatilecontrolfunctionalityand highest
handlingcomfort.Allinformation isdelivered throughabigvacuum
fluorescentdisplay. Everyfunction issupportedbythe remote control.
Nevershowthe PRE G2tootherpreamplifiers!Thewill gogreen with
envy.
Butbeforeyou start listeningtoyournewAudionetPRE G2, pleaseread
thismanualcarefullysoyou areable touseandenjoyallfunctionsofthis
unit withoutdrawbackon music quality.

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1.1Included
Included you will find the followingitems:
·the reference preamplifierPRE G2
·the AudionetMetalRemoteControl RC 1
·the user'smanual(thatyou are currentlyreading)
·one standard powercord
·one green-yellowcordforan additionalearth connection
1.2Transport
Important
·Please transportthe PRE G2 onlyinthe included package.
·Alwaysuse the provided cloth bagtopreventscratches on thecasing.
·PleaseallowthePRE G2toadapttotheclimaticconditionsinyour
listeningroombeforeyou switchontheunitforthefirsttimeafter
transport.

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2Overviewfront panel
power
key
mute
key
IRremote
controlrecevier
input
key
volume
knob
(incremental
encoder)
Display
PREG2
StereoPreamplifier
set
mute
p
ower
volume
input
set
key

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3Overviewback panel
AC: 220/240 V
50/60 Hz
phase
gnd
14
6 4 3 2 15 6 4 3 2 1
5
13
11
15
97 10
8 97 10
8
12
1
Balanced(XLR) inputno. 1,left/right
2
Cinch(line) inputno. 2, left/right
3
Cinch(line) inputno. 3, left/right
4
Cinch(line) inputno. 4, left/right
5
Cinch(line) inputno. 5, left/right
6
Cinch(line) inputno. 6, left/right
7
Cinch(line) output, left/right
8
Balanced(XLR) outputs, left/right
9
InvertedCinch(line)output, left/right
10
Monitor output, left/right
11
OutputsAudionet Link1and 2
12
Mainsinput
13
Marking mainsphase
14
Mainsswitch
15
Additional earthconnector

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4Installation and powersupply
Important
·During connectingand removing ofsourcesoramplifierstothe
PRE G2allunitsofyour audiosystemhave tobe switchedoff to
preventdamage ofthe PRE G2or any ofthe other connected
units.
·Pleasemakesurethatall cablesareinabsolutebestconditions!
Broken shieldsor short-cutcablescoulddamagethePRE G2
and/or any other connected unit.
4.1Placement
Important
·Itisrecommended toplacethePRE G2intoahighqualityrackor
onto a stable table.
·Do notexposetheunitto directsunlight.
·Do notplace the PRE G2 in close range to heatsourceslike radiators.
·Donotplace the PRE G2ontop ofotherunits,especiallynoton top
ofpoweramplifiers,preamplifiers orsimilarthatproduce heat.Both
unitscouldsufferdamage fromthermaloverload.
·Do notuse the unit in placeswhereitisexposed to vibrations.
·Donotplace the unitclosetoloudspeakers orintothe cornerofa
roomwhereitisexposed tohighlevelsofsonicenergy,which might
reduce the sound qualityofthe unit.
4.2Mainsconnection
The mainsinput12 *isonthe backpanelofthe PREG2. Toconnectthe
unit tomainsuse the included mainscord.Ifyou prefertouse adifferent
powercordmakesure thatit meetsthe specificationsforyourhome country.
Important
·The electricalspecificationsofyour homecountry mustmeetthe
electricalspecificationsprinted ontothe back panel.
*see numbersinsection'Overviewback panel'onpage8.

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·The PRE G2isaClassIunit and mustbe earthed. Pleaseensurea
stableearthconnection. Phase('hot'pin)ismarked onthebackpanel
('phase')13 .
·Ifyou connectthemainscordpleasemakesurethatmainsswitch
14 atthebackpanelisswitchedoff.
·Neverpull the mainsplugwhilethe PRE G2isswitched on!Beforeyou
pull the mainscordoff itssocket12 atthe backpanel,powerdownthe
unit to stand-bymode and switch off the unit usingmainsswitch 14.
Onlyincasesofextended absence (likevacations)orif massivetrouble
on the mainspoweristobeexpectedyou shouldswitch offthePRE G2
fromthe mainsusingmainsswitch 14 .Todisconnectthe unitcom-
pletelyfrommainspullthe mainsplug.
Tip
·The useofhighqualitymainscordscouldimprovesound quality.
Askyourlocaldealerformoreinformation.
4.3Orientation ofmainsplug
Thecorrectpolarizationofmainsisimportantforreasonsofaudioclarity
and stability.Pleaseconnectthe mainscordsothatthe hotpinofthe wall
outletisconnectedtothe pinofthemainsinput12marked 'PHASE'
13 .YourAudionetPRE G2isabletodetectawrong polarizationofthe
mainsplugduringstart-up. Ifthe message
Attention: Mains
Phase incorrect!
appears inthedisplay,switch offthe unitand flipthemainspluginthe
wall outlet(see section 'Mainsphase detection'on page 14).
4.4Additional earthconnection
Included withthe PRE G2you willfind agreen-yellowcordforthe addi-
tionalearthconnection. Attach thiscordtothe earthconnector15 on the
backpanelofthePRE G2and putthe plugintothe mainssocketright
besidethe mainscordofyourPRE G2. Thisensuresan additionaland
stableearth connection resultingin a bettersound.
Note
·We stronglyrecommend usingthe additionalearthconnection!
·Also, astableearthconnection isnecessaryforthePRE G2detecting
the polarization ofmainsphasecorrectly.

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5Inputs and outputs
Important
·During connectingandremoving ofsourcesor amplifierstothe
PRE G2allunitsofyour audiosystemhave tobe switchedoff to
preventdamage ofthe PRE G2or any ofthe other connected
units.
·Pleasemakesurethatall cablesareinabsolutebestconditions!
Broken shieldsor short-cutcablescoulddamagethePRE G2
and/or any other connected unit.
5.1Inputs
The PRE G2isequipped withonebalanced (XLR)1 and 5Cinch (line)
inputs2to6 forconnectingsignalsourcesatlinelevel.Due toits
doublemono design, leftand rightchannelinputjacksareseparated on
the backpanel.
Pleaseconnectthe leftand rightinputofthesamenumberprinted onthe
backpanelofthe PRE G2tothecorrespondingoutputofthe source you
would like toconnecttothePRE G2.
5.2Outputs
ThePRE G2isequipped withapairofbalanced(XLR)8 andapairof
Cinch (line)outputs7 and9 fortheleftand rightchanneleachtocon-
nectthe unittoyouramplifier(s).TheCinch(line)output9isinverted.
Due tothe doublemono designtheleft and rightoutputjacksaresepa-
rated.
Usetheleftand rightCinch (line)output7 toconnectthePRE G2to
yourpoweramplifier(s)usinghighqualityCinchcables.Alternatively,
you mayconnectthe poweramplifierusingthe balanced (XLR)outputs
8 in caseyourpoweramplifierdoesnotsupport Cinch (line)inputs.
Theinvertedoutputs9 areprimarilydesignatedforamplifiersin
bridged operations(incombination with the Cinch (line)outputs7 ).
Important
·Bridged operationsofan amplifierdemand acorrectsetupandcon-
nection. Pleaseconsultyourdealerand/orthe manufacturerofyour
poweramplifierto preventdamage to yourequipment.

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Tip
·Ofcourse, you mayusethe inverted outputs9toconnectyour
PRE G2toan additionalamplifier.Inthiscase, pleasemind to
changepolarization ofthespeakerconnection atyouramplifier
(change +to –and –to +).
·Altogether,you can connectup tofourstereo orup toeightmono
poweramplifiers tothe PREG2 simultaneouslyutilisingall outputs.
5.3Recording devices
To preventanynegative influence on the audio signal,the PRE G2 hasno
regular(tape)monitorloop.
Forrecordingpurposes,pleaseconnectyourrecording systemlikeDAT
ortape-decktothemonitoroutput10ofyourPRE G2. Useonlyinput
no. 6 6 ofthePRE G2toplaybackyourrecordingsystem.Onselecting
inputno. 66 the monitoroutput10 isswitched off topreventany
feedbackloopsbetween thePRE G2 and yourrecording system.
Pleaseuseinputsno. 1 1tono. 5 5 toconnectsourcesyou liketore-
cord. Withthese inputsthemonitoroutput10 willalwaysbe active.
5.4Audionet Link
Foryourconvenience, thePRE G2can switchon/off all otherAudionet
units(e.g.poweramplifiers) connectedvia'AudionetLink'byasimple
touch on the included remote controlorthe power keyon thefrontpanel.
You onlyneed asimpleoptical'Toslink'cable. Connectthe 'Audionet
Link'output11ofyourPRE G2tothe'AudionetLink'inputofunit to
be controlled.
The PRE G2isequipped withtwoidentical'AudionetLink'outputs.In
caseyou wouldliketocontrolmorethan oneAudionetunit via'Audionet
Link', use the second 'AudionetLink'output11 ofyourPRE G2 aswell.
Tip
·Audionetsource unitsand poweramplifiers areusuallyequipped not
onlywith an 'AudionetLink'input, butadditionallywith an 'Audionet
Link'outputtoconnectfurtherAudionetdevicestobecontrolledvia
'AudionetLink'inadaisychain.Connectthis'AudionetLink'output
tothe'AudionetLink'inputofthe nextAudionetunit usingasimple
optical'Toslink'cableallowingyou toswitchon/off yourcomplete
AudionetsystembyyourAudionetpre amplifier.

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6Usage
All functionsofthe PRE G2aremicroprocessorcontrolled. Thisguaran-
teeshighestprecision,exclusivefunctions,easyhandlingand protection
againstoperatingerror.
6.1Powering up
Firstofall,pleasemakesureyourPRE G2isconnected correctlytoyour
signalsources,poweramplifier(s) and mains(see section 'Installation
and powersupply'on page9and 'Inputsand outputs'on page11).The
PRE G2isastand-byunit.Pleaseoperatethe mainsswitch12 onthe
backpanel.Thedisplayshowsforabriefmomentawelcomemessage.
AfterthatthePRE G2isinstand-bymode. The display will indicatethe
stand-bymode witheitherthe text off orwithasmalldot(pixel)inthe
display(see section 'SetOff-Text'on page 25).
Onlyincasesofextended absence (likevacations)orif massivetrouble
on the mainspoweristobeexpected it isrecommended todisconnectthe
PRE G2frommains.Operatethe mainsswitch 14 onthe backpanelof
the unittoswitch off the unit frommains. The displaywill go dark.
Important
·Beforeyouswitchoff thePRE G2frommains,powerdownand
discharge completelyallunitsconnected tothe outputsofthe
PRE G2.
6.2Switching on and off
TopowerupthePRE G2fromstand-bymode, pressthe power keyon
the frontpanel.ThePRE G2issuesthe message Waking up....Incase
the mainsplughasthe incorrectpolarization awarning will appearinthe
display(seesection 'Mainsphasedetection'on page14).Afterthatthe
unit isin normaloperatingmode.
Ifyou would like to switch off the unit, please press the power keyon the
frontpanel.First,thedisplayshowsthemessage Going to sleep..
which then willbe replacedbythe stand-bytext(see section 'SetOff-Text'
on page 25).The unit isnowin stand-bymode.
Note
·Ofcourse, you mayswitch on/off the PRE G2withthe included
AudionetMetalRemoteControl RC 1.Fordetailed information
pleasereferto section 'AudionetMetalRemote Control'on page 30.

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6.3Mainsphase detection
Thecorrectpolarizationofmainsisimportantforreasonsofaudioclarity
and stability.Pleaseconnectthe mainscordthatthe 'hot'pinofthewall
outletisconnected tothepinmarked 'PHASE'13 ofthe mainsinput12
on the backpanel.ThePREG2recognizesthe incorrectpolarization of
the mainsplugautomatically.Rightafterswitchingon theunit from
stand-bymode bypressingthe power keyon the frontpanelthefollow-
ingmessagewill appearinthe displayincasethemainspolarizationis
incorrect:
Attention: Mains
Phase incorrect!
Ifyou read the abovemessage, switch offthe unit bypressingthe power
key.Pleasewaituntilthedisplayno longerreads Going tosleep...
Disconnectthe PRE G2byoperatingthe mainsswitch 14 .Nowpull the
mainsplugand re-insertitinto the mainssocketrotated by180°.
Ifyou switch on the unit again, the warningshouldnotappearnow.
Important
·Ifthe PRE G2issuesthemainspolarization warningorno warningat
all forbothpositionsofthemainsplug,checktheconnection toearth
ofyourmainssocketand mainscord. You have toensure astable
connection toearthfor themainsphasedetection ofthe PRE G2
towork correctly!
6.4Using Audionet Link
YourPRE G2isequipped withtwo'AudionetLink'outputs11 allowing
you toswitch on/off furtherAudionetunits(e.g.poweramplifiers,CD
playerortuner)connected via'AudionetLink'(see alsosection'Audionet
Link'page 12).
Ifthe restofyourAudionetsystemisconnectedtoyourPRE G2via
'AudionetLink',all linked unitswillbe automaticallyswitched on/off as
soon asyou switchon/offthe PRE G2usingthe power keyon thefront
panelorthe remote control.
Note
·The 'switch on/off'signalisissued toboth'AudionetLink'outputsof
the PRE G2simultaneously.Thus,bothoutputsareidenticalintheir
functionand maybe used eitherin combination orseparately.
·Pleasereadsection'AudionetLink'on page12. Also, consultthe
user'smanualsofyourAudionetcomponentsconnected via'Audionet
Link'forfurtherinformation.

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6.5Control elementson thefrontpanel
ThefrontpanelhasfourkeystocontrolyourPRE G2(seesection
'Overviewfront panel'on page7).Withthesekeysyou can controlall
functionsaswellasall setup optionsto adjustthe unitto yourpreferences
(see section 'Setup Menu'on page 19).
mute Usethiskey tomuteorde-mutethe PRE G2(see section
'Muting'on page 18).
set Pushkeyshortlytonavigatethroughthe setup menu. Keep
key pushed forlongerthantwosecondstoexitthesetup
menu (see section 'Setup Menu'on page 19).
input Pushkeytoenterinputselection (see section 'Inputselec-
tion'on page 17).
power Usekey toswitch on/offtheunit (see section 'Switchingon
and off'on page 13).
6.6Volume control
Usethe volume knob on thefrontpanelofthe PRE G2tosetthedesired
volume level.
Turn volume knob clockwisetoincreasevolume, turncounterclockwise
to decrease volume.
The volumecontrolofthePRE G2runsinarangefrom–80 dBto
+10 dBinreal1 dBstepsrelativelytotheleveloftheinputsignal.Dif-
ferencesininputlevelscanbe adjusted foreachinputchannelofthe
PRE G2 separately(see section 'OffsetAdjust'on page 22).
The volume knob isamagneticallybufferedincrementalimpulseencoder
withoutend stop.
Note
·The volume knob isalso used to selectan option fromthe setup menu
items(see section 'OffsetAdjust'on page22)aswellastoselectthe
inputchannel(see section'Inputselection'on page 17).
·To controlthe volumewiththeAudionetMetalRemoteControl RC 1
usekeys VOL+ and VOL (see section 'Key assignmentPRE G2'on
page 31).

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5 INPUT FIVE
LEVEL –46+0dB
6.7Display
The displayprovidesinthenormaloperatingmode the followinginfor-
mation:
1numberofthe currentlyselected inputchannel,correspondstothe
numberprinted abovethe inputjackon the backpanel(seesection
'Overviewback panel'on page 8)
2nameofthe currentlyselectedinputchannel,fullyuser-definable
(see section 'Channelname'on page 24)
3currentvolumelevelindBrelativetothe inputlevel(see section
'Volume control'on page 15).
4offsetforinputlevelofcurrentlyselectedinputchannel(seesection
'OffsetAdjust'on page 22).
Assoonasyou enterthesetupmenu bypushingthe set key,the display
changestoshowinformation related tothe selected menu item.Forfur-
therdisplaydetailsrefertothe description ofeach menu iteminsection
'Setup Menu'startingfrompage 19.
Note
·After10 minuteswithoutanyuserinteraction the 'displaysaver'is
invoked automatically.Thedisplaythen showsonlythe numberof
the currentlyselectedinputchanneland the currentvolumelevel.
Pleaserefertosection'SetDimLevel'on page20forfurtherinforma-
tion on the 'displaysaver'mode.
1
4
3
2

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SELECT INPUT:
5 INPUT FIVE
6.8Inputselection
Pushthe input keyon the frontpanel,thenselectthe desired inputchan-
nelusingthe volume knob. Thedisplayshows:
The 2nd line ofthe displayprovidesthe numberandthe (user-definable)
nameofthe currentlyselected inputchannel.Inordertoactuallyswitch
to the selected inputchannelpress input keyagain.
ThePRE G2featuresa'soft'inputselection. During the switchingof
inputs, firstthe volume isstepped downto –80 dB,followed byswitching
offtheoutputs.Nowtheinputsectionswitchestothe newinputchannel.
Afterwardstheoutputsareswitched on again, and finallythe volumeis
stepped up toitsoriginallevel.
Note
·Usingthe AudionetMetalRemoteControl RC 1,selectaninput
channelusingthekeys CH+ and CH- toswitch tothenextorprevi-
ousinputchannelwithoutusingthe Select Input function(see
section 'Key assignmentPREG2'on page 31).

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6.9Muting
Push the mute keyon the frontpanelto mute orun-mute the PRE G2.
Justaswellastheinputselection, the PRE G2uses'soft'muting,i.e. vol-
umeisstepped downgentlyto–80 dB,then the outputsareswitched off.
The2nd lineofthedisplayinformstheuserofamutedunitwiththe text
MUTE. The textisdisplayed even if the dimlevelissetto Off.
Tode-mutethe PRE G2press the mute keyagain. Hereas well,the vol-
ume isstepped up gently to itsoriginallevelafterswitchingon the outputs.
Note
·Whilethe unit ismuted, you mayofcourseselectadifferentinput
channelas described above. Butthe PRE G2will staymuted until you
push the mute keyagain to de-mute the unit.
·Ifyouturnthe volume knob, whilethe unit ismuted, the newvolume
levelwill be setand the unit de-muted, if you turnthe volume knob
clockwise, i.e. you turn up the volume.
·Use keyon the AudionetMetalRemote ControlRC 1 to controlthe
mutingofyourPRE G2fromthe comfort ofyourlisteningchair (see
section 'Key assignmentPREG2'on page 31).

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7Setup Menu
ToadjustthePRE G2toyourpreferences,pleaseusethesetup menu.
Pushthe set keyshortlyon the frontpaneltogettothe firstitemofthe
setup menu. Navigatetothe nextmenu itembypushingthe set key
shortly.Belowyou will find alistofallmenu itemsofthe setup menu.
Afterlastmenu itempushingthe set keyleavesthe setup menu automati-
cally.
Ofcourse, you may leavethe setup menu fromeach menu itemby push-
ingand holdingthe set key forlongerthan twoseconds.The PRE G2
will return tonormaloperation mode.
Theorderofitemsinthe setup menu is:
ê*1
SET DIM LEVEL
ê
BALANCE ADJ.
ê
OFFSET ADJUST
ê
SET DC SERVO
ê
channelname
ê
SET AUTOSTART
ê
SET OFF-TEXT
ê
SET CHANNEL FOR BY-PASS MODE
ê
SET DC SERVO FORBY-PASS M.
Changeanysettingofamenu itemusingthe volume knob on the front
panel.
*1 ê= push set keyshortly(less thantwoseconds)

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Note
·Ifyou makeno adjustmentsforlongerthan12 secondsthe PRE G2
willautomaticallyleavethesetup menu andreturntonormalopera-
tionsmode.
·Whileyou areinthesetup menu the displaybrightnessissetto 100%
forbetterreadability.Afterleavingthe setup menu the display
brightness isautomaticallyresetto isuserselected level.
·Ifyou powerdownthePRE G2tostand-bymode allsettingsare
stored automaticallyinthe non-volatilememoryofthe unit.Even af-
terdisconnectingfrommainsthePRE G2willstillrememberyour
settings.
In the followingalloptionsofthe setup menu are explained in detail.
7.1Set DimLevel
Toadjustthe brightnessofthe displayon the frontofthe PRE G2press
the set keyonce forlessthan two seconds.
Nowusethe volume knob toselectthedesired brightness.Turnclock-
wiseto increase orturn counterclockwiseto decreasethe brightness.
Important
·Long-termusage ofthe display settomaximumbrightness (set-
ting 100%)may causeextended signsofwearresulting inadecay
ofcontrastor brightness ofindividualdots inthe display. Donot
usethe displaywithabrightnesssethigherthan the factory de-
faultof50%over a longer period oftime!
Note
·Isthe brightness setto Off the displayisonlyon duringsetup or
volumeadjustments.Itswitchesoffautomaticallyseveralsecondsaf-
terthe lastuserentry.
SET DIM LEVEL:
______ 50%
currentbrightnesssetting