bent audio TAP User manual

MOD
TAP Modular Preamplifier System
User Manual
Thank you for choosing the TAP Modular Pre-amplifier system . Your ownership experience is very
important to us so if at any time you have any questions please contact us directly at
(604)538- 812
www.bentaudio.com

An Introduction to the TAP Modular Passive Pre-amp
The TAP Modular pre-amplifier is designed to offer features never before available in a
passive pre-amplifier. It is important to note however that NONE of these features adds complexity to
the signal path. Throughout the design of the TAP pre-amp system we focused on maintaining a pure
and direct signal path between your source and your amplifier. Keeping the signal path clean and
simple allows us to use only the finest parts throughout.
For many Systems our single box TAP-X Autoformer Pre-amp will be the best choice. There are
however systems that can make use of the TAP odular System parts to put together a system that better suits
your pre-amp needs. Lower cost single input systems and more exotic controller options make it a flexible
alternative to the single box TAP-X.
The most basic form of TAP odular Pre-amp is the icro-TAP system with two Bent Units– a single
input resistor based passive pre-amp. A separate document is designed just to cover this system and can be found
on the website under the icro-TAP section.
To add additional attenuation channels (for 100% passive multichannel systems) to a TAP-X
Autoformer Pre-amp you simply install the Expansion odule in the TAP-X (or order your TAP-X with it
installed) and then plug Bent Units into that Expansion Port. This document can be used to decide on which Bent
Units best suit your application and serve as a hook-up guide when installing them.
This document includes a full description of all TAP odular Pre-amp components – it serves as a
guide to deciding if a modular system is the right answer for you. It's also a user manual for the TAP odular
Pre-amp System.
At the heart of the TAP Modular Passive is the Bent Unit – an attenuator module.
All traditional resistor passive pre-amps struggle with driving downstream cables – keeping the pre-amp
to amplifier interconnect as short as possible is critical. The shorter this cable is the better the sonic and
measured performance are. Our goal was to solve this problem entirely by placing the attenuator right at each
amplifier input. This can be done with traditional level controls and can work very well – the classic EVS
Ultimate Attenuators are an excellent implementation of this and would be a good option for a one source budget
system where remote control is not needed. The only problem with this placement was that it was not all that
convenient to adjust levels and remote control was not possible. The TAP Bent Unit system combines the
'correct' placement of the attenuators in an easy to use full function system.
The TAP resistor pre-amp is made up of a TAP system controller and then at least one pair of separate
attenuator modules – to be located at each amplifier input. This results in a remarkable volume control device
with a very clean short signal path including the following features:
–Very small 1db step size from -60 db up to +0db (unity gain)
–100% passive signal path
–Full remote control of volume, mute, and right/left balance
–Each channel has level trim ability
This document will cover using Bent Units in typical two channel stereo systems. That is by far the
most common setup. Note however that you can include as many Bent Units in your system as you'd like to –
there is no limit. A six channel system for surround sound can be easily constructed using a TAP system
controller and then 6 Bent Units (or 3 Stereo Bent Units).
In this document we'll list the most common Bent Units. There are many other custom Bent Unit
configurations that can be built. We can build custom Autoformer Bent Units or even turn a 6 input TAP-X
Autoformer pre-amp into a Bent Unit – so it could be run from a separate controller like the TRIK. If you don't
see a configuration that suits your system please contact us and chances are we can make one for you.

A few notes about System Connection
The TAP odular Passive Pre-amp results in quite a few combinations of TAP System Controllers and
Bent Units. Before we dive into descriptions of each unit's features and connections we'll first describe how the
system connects together.
Every TAP system includes a System Controller. This is the user interface of the system - receiving
commands (like volume up, mute, etc) and then displaying the current status of the pre-amp. The System
Controller is the 'front panel' of the pre-amp. Since it is entirely separate from your audio system connections it
can be located anywhere in the listening room.
Every TAP system also has 2 Bent Units (or a single 2 channel Bent Unit). This is where the action is.
The audio signal path is all in this box – separate from the TAP System Controller. This separation is made for
one reason only – to allow the attenuator circuits to be placed right at the amplifier inputs. This keeps that all
important attenuator to amp cable length VERY short.
The TAP system controller connects to the Bent Units via fiber optic cables. We use easy to obtain
standard Toslink cables for this connection. This breaks all electrical connections between the System
Controller and the Bent Units.
Important Note:
The fiber optic cable is NOT used as a digital audio cable! Plastic fiber cables are among the worst
options for a digital connection. The TAP odular System only uses this cable to send a data packet to the Bent
Unit – telling it what volume to go to, etc. The audio signal is not connected to this cable in any way – in fact the
fiber optic cable can be unplugged while the system is playing music and the music will continue on playing just
fine. The audio signal path is 100% analog and 100% passive.

Typical TAP Resistor Passive Pre amp Example
Here is an example of a TAP system using the icroTAP Controller and one Bent Unit per channel.
This is the most common system configuration. You require only a single interconnect from your source to each
Bent Unit – you can't get a cleaner signal path than that!
This system consists of the following parts:
1- The icroTAP Controller (with it's power unit)
2- Two Single Input Resistor Bent Units (each with it's power unit)
3- Two Fiber Optic Cables
Here is the general hook-up of a system like this:
The icroTAP Controller can be placed anywhere in the listening room. The fiber optic cables are
routed to each Bent Unit and each unit in the system powered up via a small 9VDC supply.
Any TAP System Controller could be chosen in place of the icroTAP Controller as could any other
Bent Unit be used in place of the ono RCA Bent Units shown.

Remote Handset Functions
The remote handset used is the same for all TAP systems. It's functions are described below.
Display On / Off (The Red button on the upper left corner):
Each button press toggles between the 2 display modes. When the display led is on (display mode on)
the display stays on continuously. When the led is off (display mode off ) the display will be on while you are
using the pre-amp / remote functions and then after a short timeout the display turns off for dark listening.
Mute (Center of volume/balance grid):
This button toggle between mute and normal volume modes. When the mute led is on the system is
muted. The mute will be canceled when the volume is adjusted by the remote handset or by the volume knob on
the front of the pre-amp.
Volume UP / Down ('+' and ' '):
The volume up and down buttons step the volume up or down 1 step (1db) per button press or if held
down continuously they continuously adjust volume.
Balance Left / Right ('<' and '>'):
The Balance Left / Right buttons step the volume levels to adjust the balance. This adjustment moves
the sound to the right or left side by 1 volume step per button press (or if held down continuously balance will
progressively move in the desired direction). A sliding / alternating balance is implemented where the level
adjustment to move balance alternates from left or right, etc... This way the overall volume level of the system is
maintained. Also you can slide balance over to one side and then slide it back to the original volume by pressing
the opposite balance button. If you hold the button down constantly while moving back towards center then the
balance will stop as it reaches center. This is handy when adjusting balance back to the middle point.
Source Select Buttons:
The buttons labeled '1' through '6' on the bottom portion of the remote handset directly access each of
the 6 source inputs. This only applies to Stereo 6 Input Bent Units. These direct buttons (rather than next/prev)
are used to make sure that macro functions programmed into a (user supplied) advanced programmable handset
function repeatably.

TAP System Controller #1 – The MicroTAP Controller
This is a small low cost single display system controller. The icroTAP Controller has volume up and
volume down buttons on the front panel. All TAP system functions operate via the supplied remote handset as
described above.
Size: 3 1/2”W x 4 1/4”H x 4 1/4”D
Volume Up:
Volume up can be run via the upper push button on the icroTAP Controller or via the volume up
button on the remote handset.
Volume Down:
Volume Down can be run via the lower push button on the icroTAP Controller or via the volume
down button on the remote handset.
Balance Right / Balance Left:
Even though the icroTAP Controller only has a single 2 digit level display it can still adjust right/left
balance using the remote handset < and > buttons. For user feedback of balance there are 2 small leds just above
the display. If balance is centered then both leds are off. As balance is adjusted to the right the rightmost led will
turn green then orange and finally red as the balance is adjusted further to the right side. The left led behaves the
same way as balanced is adjusted to the left side.
Mute:
If the mute button on the remote handset is pressed the display will change to two dashes ('--') and the
system will mute. Pressing the button again (or pressing a volume up or down button) will un-mute the system
and the display will return to showing the volume level.
Source Selection:
The remote handset is used to change the source selected. The display will show the source number
selected preceded by an underscore (ie. for source 5 it will show '_5') and after a few seconds the display will
return to showing the volume level.

TAP System Controller #1 – The MicroTAP Controller
Back Panel Hook up
Power:
Plug the supplied 9Vdc power adapter into either of the 2 power jacks.
Data Out:
Plug one end of the supplied Toslink Cables into one of the Data OUT jacks. Then plug the other end
of each Toslink cable into the “Data In” jack on top of each Bent Unit (located at the amplifier inputs).
Alternately – if the system layout suits it better – plug a single fiber optic cable into Data Out on the icroTAP
Controller and plug the end into the “Data IN” on the closest Bent Unit. Then route the second cable from that
Bent Unit's “Data OUT” jack on to the “Data IN” jack on the second Bent Unit. This is an example of a what is
called a 'daisy chained' connection.

TAP System Controller #2 – TRIK
The TRIK has a few additional buttons and a rotary level knob but it does not 'sound better' than the
icroTAP Controller. It's the “what the heck is that?” System Controller option.
Size: 17”W x 2”H x 5”D
Buttons (from the left side)
TAPE:
Pressing this button toggles the tape output on and off. This only is used in a system with a 6 input Bent
Unit – since that is the only Bent Unit with a tape output. When the Tape Out is on a blue led behind the frosted
rod in the front of the trick will light up.
Prev Source:
Pressing this button lowers the source number by 1. If the source selected is already source 1 then the
source selected wraps around to source number 6. The source is displayed via the led behind the frosted bar
across the front of the unit.
Buffer Mode:
Only of use in systems using the Bent TAP-X Autoformer Pre-amp (configured as a Bent Unit) run
from the TRIK Controller. In that system this button toggles between Buffer and 100% passive mode – the input
led will turn orange to indicate buffer mode is on. See the TAP-X Instruction anual for a full description of the
buffer mode.
Next Source:
Pressing this button raises the source number by 1. If the source selected is already source 6 then the
source selected wraps around to source number 1. The source is displayed via the led behind the frosted bar
across the front of the unit.

TAP System Controller #2 – TRIK
Mute:
If the mute button is pressed the frosted display ball will turn off and the blue mute led (behind the
frosted rod in the front panel) will turn on and the system will mute. Pressing the button again (or pressing a
volume up or down button) will un-mute the system and the frosted display ball will return to showing the
volume level.
Volume Knob:
On the far right of the TRIK is the level control knob. Spinning it will adjust the volume up and down.
The volume is 'displayed' via the frosted ball on the far left of the unit. The ball will be off for mute then glow
blue for lower volumes and then continuously change color to green,orange, and finally red red as the volume is
raised higher and higher. It's easy to see at a glance from anywhere in the listening room what the current level is
set to.

TAP System Controller #2 TRIK
Back Panel Connections
Power (9VDC):
Plug the supplied 9VDC power supply into the TRIK controller power input. The display will light up.
The following is the system configuration of a new TRIK on initial power up:
–Volume is muted
–Source 1 is selected in Normal (no buffer) mode (green led)
–Display ode is set to match the display toggle on the back of the unit (ON = display stays on / OFF =
display goes off after a command is finished).
–TAPE Output is off
Display Toggle:
On the back of the TRIK is a display toggle switch. Since the display mode can also be selected via
remote control all this toggle switch does is set the display mode on power up of the system - so after a power
cycle it will power up in your preferred mode. The two selections for the toggle are:
'ON' - When this mode is selected the TRIK will power up with the display mode set to ON. In this mode the
front panel display will stay on continuously.
'OFF' - When this mode is selected the TRIK will power up with the display mode set to OFF. In this mode the
front panel display will be on while the TRIK is executing a command and then turn off after a short timeout
period. Use this mode if you prefer to have a dark listening room while listening.
Data OUT:
On the back of the TRIK are 3 Toslink Data OUT connectors. Plug one end of each supplied Toslink
Cable into any Data OUT jack. Then plug the other end of each Toslink cable into the “Data In” jack on top of
each Bent Unit (located at the amplifier inputs). Alternately – if the system layout suits it better – plug a single
fiber optic cable into Data Out on the TRIK and plug the other end into the “Data IN” on the closest Bent Unit.
Then route the second cable from that Bent Unit's “Data OUT” jack on to the “Data IN” jack on the second Bent
Unit. This is an example of a what is called a 'daisy chained' connection.