Audionet PRE G2 User manual

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ReferencePre-Amplifier
User'sManual

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Contents
1Preface......................................................................5
1.1 Included........................................................................................6
1.2 Transport.....................................................................................6
2Overview frontpanel................................................7
3Overview back panel................................................8
4Installation andpower supply.................................9
4.1 Placement.....................................................................................9
4.2 Mainsconnection.........................................................................9
4.3 Orientation of mainsplug.........................................................10
4.4 Additional earth connection.....................................................10
5Inputsand outputs.................................................11
5.1 Inputs..........................................................................................11
5.2 Outputs.......................................................................................11
5.3 Recording devices......................................................................12
5.4 Audionet Link............................................................................12
6Usage.......................................................................13
6.1 Powering up...............................................................................13
6.2 Switching on and off.................................................................13
6.3 Mainsphase detection...............................................................14
6.4 Using Audionet Link.................................................................14
6.5 Control elementson the front panel........................................15
6.6 Volume control..........................................................................15
6.7 Display........................................................................................16
6.8 Input selection...........................................................................17
6.9 Muting........................................................................................17
7Setup Menu.............................................................19
7.1 Set Dim Level.............................................................................20
7.2 Balance Adjust...........................................................................21
7.3 Offset Adjust..............................................................................22
7.4 Set DC Servo..............................................................................23

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7.5 Channel name............................................................................24
7.6 Set Autostart..............................................................................24
7.7 Set Off-Text................................................................................25
7.8 Set Channel for By-Pass Mode.................................................26
7.9 Overview factory defaults.........................................................26
8Audionet SystemRemoteControl.........................27
8.1 Key assignment PREG2...........................................................29
8.2 Screen 1......................................................................................30
8.3 Screen 2......................................................................................31
8.4 Screen 3......................................................................................32
9Special functionBy-Pass Mode.............................33
10 Technical information.............................................35
10.1 Design.........................................................................................35
10.2 Power supply..............................................................................35
10.3 Circuitry.....................................................................................35
10.4 Handling.....................................................................................35
10.5 Update PRE to PRE G2............................................................36
11 Securityadvice........................................................37
12 Technical data.........................................................38

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1 Preface
The Audionet Team congratulatesyou on your purchaseof thisunit.
Music loversknow about the importance of the pre amplifier: The pre
amplifier determinesthe sound quality. Forthoseenthusiastwedevel-
oped the PREG2, our pre amplifier reference.
The PREG2 isaluxurioussource of pure sound. Withthe highestaccu-
racy and resolution, coarseand fine dynamic precision and overwhelming
spatiality it reproducesmusic in all itsnaturalness.
The PREG2 doesnot accept compromise. With fundamental scientific
research andelaboratedevelopment and trial, each detail wasconceived
and tested.The circuitry isstate-of-the-art,itsdesignbeyond alldoubt
and all itscomponentspainstakingly selected.
Asnothing elsecouldsatisfy our demands,we produce operational am-
plifiers,incremental encoder andsignal cablesourselves.Volume iscon-
trolled by an electronically switched and in real-time linearized resistor
network made of discrete high quality metal film resistors.The audio
signal path and control circuitry are decoupled optically. Input and output
circuitsare immune tonegative influencesof connected devices.Thus,
the PREG2 manifeststhe limitsof what ispossible nowadaysregarding
measuring techniques.Noise, distortion andcrosstalk are almostelimi-
nated.
Amicroprocessorfacilitatesversatile control functionality and highest
handling comfort. Allinformation isdelivered through abig vacuum
fluorescentdisplay. Every function issupported by the remote control.
Never showthe PREG2 to otherpre amplifiers!The will go green with
envy.
But before you start listening to your new Audionet PREG2, pleaseread
thismanual carefully soyou are able to useand enjoy all functionsof this
unit without drawbackon music quality.

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1.1Included
Included you will find the following items:
·the reference pre amplifier PREG2
·the Audionet System Remote Control Harmony One
·the user'smanual (that you are currently reading)
·one standard power cord
·one green-yellow cord for an additional earth connection
1.2Transport
Important
·Please transport the PREG2 only in the included package.
·Alwaysuse the plastic bag to prevent scratcheson the casing.
·Pleaseallowthe PREG2 to adapt to the climatic conditionsin your
listening room before you switchon the unitfor the firsttime after
transport.

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2 Overview frontpanel
power
key
mute
key
IR remote
control recevier
input
key
volume
knob
(incremental
encoder)
Display
PREG2
Stereo Preamplifier
set
mute
power
volume
input
set
key

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3 Overview back panel
AC: 220/240 V
50/60 Hz
phase
gnd
14
6 4 3 2 1
5 6 4 3 2 1
5
13
11
15
97 10
8 97 10
8
12
1
Balanced (XLR)input no. 1, left/right
2
Cinch (line)input no. 2, left/right
3
Cinch (line)input no. 3, left/right
4
Cinch (line)input no. 4, left/right
5
Cinch (line)input no. 5, left/right
6
Cinch (line)input no. 6, left/right
7
Cinch (line)output, left/right
8
Balanced (XLR)outputs,left/right
9
Inverted Cinch (line)output, left/right
10
Monitoroutput, left/right
11
Outputs Audionet Link 1 and 2
12
Mains input
13
Marking mains phase
14
Mains switch
15
Additional earth connector

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4 Installation and powersupply
Important
·During connecting and removing of sourcesoramplifiersto the
PRE G2 all unitsof your audio system have to be switched off to
prevent damage of the PRE G2 or anyof the other connected
units.
·Pleasemakesure that all cablesare in absolute bestconditions!
Broken shieldsor short-cut cablescould damagethe PRE G2
and/or anyother connected unit.
4.1Placement
Important
·It isrecommended to place the PREG2 into ahigh quality rack or
onto a stable table.
·Do not expose the unitto direct sunlight.
·Do not place the PREG2 in close range to heat sourceslike radiators.
·Do not place the PREG2 on topof other units,especially not on top
of power amplifiers,pre amplifiersor similarthat produce heat. Both
unitscould suffer damage from thermal overload.
·Do not usethe unit in placeswhere it isexposed to vibrations.
·Do not place theunitcloseto loudspeakersor into the corner of a
room where it isexposed to highlevelsof sonic energy, which might
reduce the sound quality of the unit.
4.2Mains connection
The mainsinput 12 *ison theback panel of thePREG2. Toconnectthe
unit to mainsusetheincluded mainscord. Ifyou preferto useadifferent
power cord make sure that it meetsthe specificationsfor your home country.
Important
·The electrical specificationsof your home country mustmeet the
electrical specificationsprinted onto the backpanel.
*see numbers in section 'Overview back panel' on page 8.

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·The PREG2 isaClass I unit and mustbe earthed. Pleaseensure a
stable earth connection. Phase('hot'pin) ismarked on the backpanel
('phase')13.
·If you connect the mainscord pleasemakesure thatmainsswitch
14 at the back panel isswitchedoff.
·Neverpull themainsplug while thePREG2 isswitched on! Beforeyou
pull themainscord off itssocket 12attheback panel, power down the
unit to stand-by mode and switch off the unit using mainsswitch 14 .
Only in casesof extended absence (like vacations)or if massivetrouble
on the mainspower isto beexpected youshould switch off the PREG2
from the mainsusingmainsswitch 14 .Todisconnect the unit com-
pletely from mainspull the mainsplug.
Tip
·The useof high quality mainscordscould improve sound quality.
Ask your local dealer for more information.
4.3Orientation of mains plug
The correctpolarizationof mainsisimportant for reasonsof audioclarity
and stability. Pleaseconnect themainscordsothatthehot pin of the wall
outlet isconnected tothe pinof the mainsinput 12marked 'PHASE'
13 .Your Audionet PREG2 isable to detect awrong polarization of the
mainsplug during start-up. If the message
Attention: Mains
Phase incorrect!
appearsin the display, switch off the unit and flip the mainsplug in the
wall outlet (see section'Mainsphase detection'on page 14).
4.4Additional earth connection
Included with the PREG2 you will find agreen-yellowcord for theaddi-
tional earthconnection. Attachthiscord totheearth connector 15 on the
back panelof the PRE G2 and put the plug into the mainssocket right
beside the mainscord of your PREG2. Thisensuresan additional and
stable earth connectionresulting in a better sound.
Note
·We strongly recommend using the additional earth connection!
·Also, astable earth connection isnecessaryfor the PREG2 detecting
the polarization of mainsphasecorrectly.

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5 Inputsand outputs
Important
·During connecting and removing of sourcesoramplifiersto the
PRE G2 all unitsof your audio system have to be switched off to
prevent damage of the PRE G2 or anyof the other connected
units.
·Pleasemakesure that all cablesare in absolute bestconditions!
Broken shieldsor short-cut cablescould damagethe PRE G2
and/or anyother connected unit.
5.1Inputs
The PREG2 isequipped with onebalanced (XLR) 1 and 5Cinch(line)
inputs2 to 6 for connecting signal sourcesat linelevel. Dueto its
double mono design, left and right channel input jacksare separated on
the back panel.
Pleaseconnect theleftand right input of the same number printed on the
back panelof the PREG2 to thecorresponding output of the source you
would like to connect to the PREG2.
5.2Outputs
The PREG2 isequipped with apair of balanced(XLR) 8 and apair of
Cinch (line) outputs7and 9 forthe left and right channel each to con-
nect the unit to your amplifier(s).The Cinch (line) output 9 isinverted.
Due to thedouble mono designthe left andright output jacksare sepa-
rated.
Usethe leftand rightCinch (line) output 7to connect the PREG2 to
your power amplifier(s)using high quality Cinch cables.Alternatively,
you may connect the power amplifier using the balanced (XLR) outputs
8 in caseyour power amplifier doesnot support Cinch (line) inputs.
The inverted outputs9 are primarily designated for amplifiersin
bridged operations(in combination with the Cinch (line) outputs7 ).
Important
·Bridged operationsof an amplifier demand acorrect setup and con-
nection. Pleaseconsult your dealer and/or the manufacturer of your
power amplifier to prevent damage to your equipment.

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Tip
·Of course, you mayusethe inverted outputs9 toconnect your
PREG2 to an additional amplifier. In thiscase, pleasemind to
change polarization of the speaker connection at your amplifier
(change +to –and –to +).
·Altogether, you can connect up to four stereo or up toeight mono
power amplifiersto the PREG2 simultaneously utilising all outputs.
5.3 Recording devices
Toprevent any negativeinfluenceon the audio signal, the PREG2 hasno
regular (tape) monitor loop.
For recording purposes,pleaseconnect your recordingsystem like DAT
or tape-deckto the monitor output 10 of your PREG2. Useonly input
no. 6 6 ofthe PREG2to playback your recording system. On selecting
input no. 6 6 the monitor output 10 isswitched off to prevent any
feedback loopsbetween the PREG2 and your recording system.
Pleaseuseinputsno. 1 1 to no. 5 5 to connect sourcesyou liketo re-
cord. With these inputsthe monitor output 10will alwaysbe active.
5.4Audionet Link
For your convenience,the PREG2 can switch on/off all other Audionet
units(e.g. power amplifiers)connected via'Audionet Link'by asimple
touch on the included remote control or the power key on the front panel.
You only need asimple optical 'Toslink'cable. Connect the 'Audionet
Link'output 11 of your PREG2to the 'Audionet Link'input ofunit to
be controlled.
The PREG2 isequipped with two identical 'Audionet Link'outputs.In
caseyou would like tocontrol more than one Audionet unit via 'Audionet
Link', use the second 'Audionet Link'output 11 of your PREG2 aswell.
Tip
·Audionet source unitsand power amplifiersare usuallyequipped not
only with an 'Audionet Link'input, but additionally with an 'Audionet
Link'output to connect further Audionet devicesto becontrolled via
'Audionet Link'in adaisychain. Connect this'Audionet Link'output
to the 'Audionet Link'input of thenext Audionet unit using asimple
optical 'Toslink'cableallowing you to switch on/off your complete
Audionet system by your Audionet pre amplifier.

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6 Usage
All functionsof the PREG2 are microprocessor controlled. Thisguaran-
teeshighestprecision,exclusivefunctions,easyhandling and protection
against operating error.
6.1Powering up
Firstof all, pleasemake sure your PREG2 isconnected correctlyto your
signal sources,poweramplifier(s)and mains(see section 'Installation
and powersupply'onpage 9and 'Inputsand outputs'on page 11). The
PREG2 isastand-by unit. Pleaseoperate the mainsswitch 12 on the
back panel.The display showsfor abriefmoment awelcome message.
After that the PREG2 isin stand-by mode. The displaywill indicate the
stand-by mode with either the text off or with asmall dot (pixel)in the
display (see section 'Set Off-Text'on page 25).
Only in casesof extended absence (like vacations)or if massivetrouble
on the mainspower isto be expected it isrecommendedto disconnect the
PREG2 from mains.Operate themainsswitch 14 on the back panel of
the unit to switch off the unit from mains. The display will go dark.
Important
·Before youswitch off the PRE G2 from mains,power down and
discharge completely all unitsconnected to the outputsof the
PRE G2.
6.2Switching on and off
Topower up the PREG2 fromstand-by mode, press the power key on
the front panel. The PREG2 issuesthe message Waking up....In case
the mainsplug hastheincorrect polarization awarningwill appear in the
display (seesection 'Mainsphasedetection'on page 14). After that the
unit isin normal operating mode.
If you would like to switch off the unit, pleasepressthe power keyon the
front panel. First, thedisplay showsthe message Going to sleep..
which then will be replaced by the stand-by text (see section 'Set Off-Text'
on page 25). The unit isnow in stand-by mode.
Note
·Of course, you may switch on/off the PREG2 with the included
Audionet System Remote Control Harmony One.For detailed infor-
mation please refer tosection 'Screen 3'on page 32.

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6.3 Mains phase detection
The correctpolarizationof mainsisimportant for reasonsof audioclarity
and stability. Pleaseconnect the mainscordthat the 'hot'pin of the wall
outlet isconnected to the pin marked 'PHASE'13 of themainsinput 12
on the backpanel. The PREG2 recognizesthe incorrect polarization of
the mainsplug automatically. Right after switchingon the unit from
stand-by mode by pressing the power key on the frontpanel the follow-
ing messagewill appear in the display in casethe mainspolarization is
incorrect:
Attention: Mains
Phase incorrect!
If you read the above message, switch off the unit by pressing the power
key. Please wait until the displayno longer reads Goingto sleep...
Disconnectthe PREG2 by operating the mainsswitch 14 .Now pull the
mainsplug and re-insert it into the mainssocket rotated by 180°.
If you switch on the unit again, the warning should not appear now.
Important
·If the PREG2 issuesthe mainspolarization warning or no warning at
all for both positionsof the mainsplug, check the connection to earth
of your mainssocket and mainscord. You have to ensure astable
connection to earth for the mainsphasedetection of the PRE G2
to workcorrectly!
6.4 Using Audionet Link
Your PREG2 isequipped with two 'Audionet Link'outputs11 allowing
you to switch on/off further Audionet units(e.g. power amplifiers,CD
player or tuner) connected via 'Audionet Link'(see alsosection 'Audionet
Link'page 12).
If the restof your Audionet system isconnected toyour PREG2 via
'Audionet Link',all linked unitswill be automatically switched on/off as
soon asyouswitch on/off the PREG2 using the power key on the front
panel or the remote control.
Note
·The 'switch on/off'signal isissuedto both 'Audionet Link'outputsof
the PREG2 simultaneously. Thus,both outputsare identical in their
function and may be used either in combination or separately.
·Pleasereadsection 'Audionet Link'on page 12. Also, consult the
user'smanualsof your Audionet componentsconnectedvia 'Audionet
Link'for further information.

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6.5Control elements on the front panel
The front panel hasfour keysto control your PREG2 (seesection
'Overview front panel'on page 7). With thesekeysyou can control all
functionsaswell asallsetup optionsto adjustthe unit to your preferences
(see section'Setup Menu'on page 19).
mute Usethiskeyto mute or de-mute the PREG2 (see section
'Muting'onpage 17).
set Pushkey shortly to navigate through the setup menu. Keep
key pushedfor longer than twosecondsto exit thesetup
menu (see section 'Setup Menu'on page 19).
input Pushkey to enter input selection(see section 'Input selec-
tion'on page 17).
power Usekey to switch on/off the unit (seesection'Switchingon
and off'on page 13).
6.6 Volumecontrol
Usethe volume knob on the frontpanel of the PREG2 to set the desired
volume level.
Turn volume knob clockwisetoincreasevolume, turn counter clockwise
to decrease volume.
The volume control of the PRE G2 runsin arangefrom –80 dB to
+10 dB in real 1 dB stepsrelatively to the level of the input signal. Dif-
ferencesininput levelscan be adjusted for each input channel of the
PREG2 separately (see section 'Offset Adjust'on page 22).
The volume knob isamagnetically buffered incremental impulseencoder
without end stop.
Note
·The volume knob isalsoused to select an option from the setup menu
items(see section 'Offset Adjust'on page 22) aswell asto select the
input channel (see section 'Input selection'on page 17).
·Tocontrol the volume with the Audionet System Remote Control
Harmony One usekeys Vol+ und Vol- (see section 'Key as-
signment PRE G2'on page 29).

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5 INPUT FIVE
LEVEL –46+0dB
6.7 Display
The displayprovidesin the normal operating mode the following infor-
mation:
1number of the currently selectedinput channel, correspondstothe
number printed abovethe input jack on theback panel(see section
'Overview back panel'on page 8)
2name of the currently selectedinput channel, fullyuser-definable
(see section'Channel name'on page 24)
3current volume level in dB relative to the input level (see section
'Volume control'on page 15).
4offset for input level of currently selected input channel (seesection
'Offset Adjust'on page 22).
Assoonas you enter the setupmenu by pushing the set key, thedisplay
changestoshow information related to the selected menu item.For fur-
ther displaydetailsrefer to the description of each menu item in section
'Setup Menu'starting from page 19.
Note
·After 10 minuteswithout any user interaction the 'display saver'is
invoked automatically. The display then showsonly the numberof
the currently selectedinput channel and the current volume level.
Pleasereferto section'Set Dim Level'on page 20 for further informa-
tion on the 'display saver'mode.
1
4
3
2

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SELECT INPUT:
5 INPUT FIVE
6.8 Input selection
Pushthe input key onthe front panel, then select the desired inputchan-
nel using the volume knob. The display shows:
The 2nd line of the display providesthenumber and the (user-definable)
name of the currently selected input channel.
The PREG2 featuresa'soft'input selection. During the switching of
inputs,firstthe volumeissteppeddown to –80 dB, followed by switching
off the outputs.Now the input section switchestothe new input channel.
Afterwardsthe outputsare switched on again, and finally the volume is
stepped up to itsoriginal level.
Note
·Leave the input selection function by pressing the input key again.
·Using the Audionet System Remote Control Harmony One,selectan
input channel by simply pressing the corresponding key (see section
'Screen 1'on page 30) or digitkey (see section 'Keyassignment
PRE G2'onpage 29).Alternatively, usethe keys Ch+ and Ch- to
switch to the nextor previousinput channelwithout using the Se-
lect Input function (see section 'Key assignment PRE G2'onpage
29).
6.9 Muting
Push the mute key on the front panel to mute or un-mute the PREG2.
Justaswell astheinput selection, the PREG2 uses'soft'muting, i.e. vol-
ume isstepped down gently to –80 dB, then the outputsare switched off.
The 2nd lineof thedisplay informsthe userof amutedunit withthe text
MUTE. The text isdisplayed even if the dim level isset to Off.
Tode-mute thePREG2 press the mute key again. Hereas well, thevol-
ume isstepped up gently to itsoriginal level after switching on the outputs.

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Note
·Whiletheunit ismuted, you may of course selectadifferent input
channel asdescribed above. Butthe PREG2 will stay muted until you
push the mute key again to de-mute the unit.
·If you turn the volume knob, whiletheunit ismuted, thenew volume
level will be setand theunit de-muted, if you turn the volume knob
clockwise,i.e. you turn up the volume.
·Use key on theAudionet SystemRemoteControl Harmony One to
control themuting of your PREG2 from thecomfort ofyour listening
chair (see section 'Key assignmentPRE G2'on page 29).

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7 Setup Menu
Toadjustthe PREG2 to your preferences,pleaseusethe setupmenu.
Pushthe set key shortly on the front panel to get to thefirstitemof the
setup menu. Navigate to the next menu item by pushing the set key
shortly. Below you will find alistof allmenu itemsof the setupmenu.
After lastmenu item pushing the set key leavesthe setup menu automati-
cally.
Of course, you may leave the setup menu from each menu item by push-
ing and holding the set key for longer thantwo seconds.The PREG2
will return to normal operation mode.
The order of itemsin the setup menu is:
ê*1
SET DIM LEVEL
ê
BALANCE ADJ.
ê
OFFSET ADJUST
ê
SET DC SERVO
ê
channel name
ê
SET AUTOSTART
ê
SET OFF-TEXT
ê
SET CHANNEL FOR BY-PASS MODE
Change anysetting of amenu item using the volume knob on the front
panel.
Tip
·All settingsof the setupmenu can be dealt with by using the keysof
the front panel. However, if youprefer to changesettingsfrom the
comfort of your listening chair,pleaseusethe included remote con-
trol. For more information about the remote control and itsusage
please refer to section 'Audionet System Remote Control'on page 27.
*1 ê= push set keyshortly(less than two seconds)

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Note
·If you make no adjustmentsfor longer than 12 secondsthe PREG2
will automatically leave the setupmenu andreturn to normal opera-
tionsmode.
·While you are in the setup menu the display brightness isset to 100%
for better readability. After leaving the setup menu the display
brightness isautomatically reset to isuser selected level.
·If you power down the PREG2 to stand-by mode all settingsare
stored automatically inthe non-volatile memory of the unit. Evenaf-
ter disconnecting from mainsthe PREG2 will still remember your
settings.
In the following all optionsof the setup menu are explained in detail.
7.1Set Dim Level
Toadjustthe brightness of the display on the front ofthe PREG2 press
the set key once for less than twoseconds.
Now usethe volume knob to select the desired brightness.Turn clock-
wise to increase or turn counter clockwise todecrease the brightness.
Important
·Long-term usage of the displayset to maximum brightness (set-
ting 100%)may causeextended signsof wear resulting in adecay
of contrastor brightness of individual dots in the display. Do not
usethe display with abrightness set higher than the factory de-
fault of 50% over a longer period of time!
Note
·Isthe brightness set to Off thedisplay isonly on during setup or
volume adjustments.Itswitchesoff automatically several secondsaf-
ter the lastuser entry.
SET DIM LEVEL:
______ 50%
current brightness setting