Clearaudio balance reference phono User manual

User manual
Bedienungsanleitung
© clearaudio electronic GmbH, 2022-10 Made in Germany
balance reference phono

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Page / Seite 2 © clearaudio electronic GmbH, 2022-10
User manual ........................................... 2 - 14
Bedienungsanleitung ............................. 15 - 27
Dear Clearaudio customer,
Thank you for choosing the balance reference phono phono stage, a high quality audio component
made in Germany by Clearaudio.
Featuring completely independent phono inputs for connecting moving coil and moving magnet
phono cartridges. It provides total freedom in selecting balanced (XLR) or single-ended (RCA) inputs
and outputs with the total exibility of adjusting the input impedance for most cartridges.
The sophisticated volume and input circuitry are accessible with the supplied remote control. The
high-performance design provides 2 headphone connections. A dual-mono power supply, housed in
its own dedicated aluminium chassis, assures the highest sound quality.
We wish you much musical enjoyment with your new balance reference phono phono stage.
Clearaudio electronic GmbH

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Made in Germany Page / Seite 3
Safety instructions
1. General information
Check the device for visible damage before using it for the rst time.
If the device is damaged, it should not be connected to the mains.
Also, never connect the device if it has been dropped or gotten wet, contact your dealer to have the
device inspected.
Never expose the device to rain or moisture.
Never touch the power cord of the device with wet hands.
For your own safety, regular visual inspections of any defective insulation on the connection cable
are also recommended. A damaged cable should be replaced immediately by a specialist!
Never pull on the power cable to unplug the device, but directly on the plug!
The inside of the device is maintenance-free, never open the housing or try to repair the device
yourself. This can also lead to loss of warranty.
If you do not operate the device for a longer period of time, we recommend disconnecting the
power supply from the mains.
Not suitable for children! Scope of delivery may contain small parts that can be swallowed.
2. Intended use
The balance reference phono is a phono preamplier to amplify the signal of the phono cartridge.
The intended use of the balance reference phono in accordance with the information provided in
the user manual only.
The power supply may only be operated with maximum permissible connection values according to
the technical data. Any other use or modication of this product is not intended.
3. Location of installation
The device should only be set up on leveled surfaces.
Avoid location with direct sunlight, temperature uctuations and high humidity. Likewise, avoid
placing electronic devices near heaters, heat lamps, or other devices that produce heat.
The device is designed for operation in heated rooms.
Never block the ventilation slots or cover the device with a cloth or similar.
No objects with an open ame may be placed on the device (burning candles or similar).

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Page / Seite 4 © clearaudio electronic GmbH, 2022-10
Phonostages provide a very high level of amplication, to address the fact that the electrical signal
generated by a phono cartridge is extremely low. As a result, phonostages are extremely sensitive,
which leads to the potential problem that high-frequency interference may also be amplied to
a point at which it becomes noticeable. Unfortunately it is not possible to completely protect the
sensitive phonostage circuitry from this interference without degrading its high delity performance.
Therefore care must be taken to position the phonostage away from sources of high frequency
interferences such as mobile phones, modems and powerline communication systems (PLC) in
which data is sent over the mains power network.
4. Overload
The product is designed to comply with all necessary safety regulations, however you should not
leave the device unattended under extreme loads.
5. Maintenance
Only use a soft cloth with a smooth surface for cleaning. Never use agressive cleaning detergent.
6. Health information
Permanently high volume can lead to various types of hearing damage. Use high volume responsibly!
7. Service
During the gurantee period, the balance reference phono may only be repaired by the manufacturer,
otherweise the warranty will become void.
All Clearaudio products should only be serviced by specialist retailer.
If despite the high production standard, a repair is necessary, the balance reference phono must be
sent to Clearaudio through your dealer.
8. Transport
Always us the original packaging when transporting the Clearaudio balance reference phono .
Be sure to pack the device exactly as it was shipped.
Safe transport is only guaranteed in the original packaging.
When packing, proceed in reverse as described for assembly.
9. Disposal
Do not dispose this product together with other waste.
WEEE Reg. No.: DE26004446
10. CE Marking
This electronic product corresponds to the applicable guidelines for obtaining the CE mark.

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Made in Germany Page / Seite 5
Contents
1. List of components...................................................................... 6
2. Set-up adjustments..................................................................... 7 - 9
3. Installation and operation........................................................... 10
4. Operation controls....................................................................... 11
5. Remote control............................................................................ 12
6. Troubleshooting .......................................................................... 13
7. Technical details.......................................................................... 14
Warranty information...................................................................... 28 - 29

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Page / Seite 6 © clearaudio electronic GmbH, 2022-10
1. List of components
The Clearaudio balance reference phono is delivered in a customized packing to ensure its safe
transport.
Please retain the original packaging for any future potential transportation and shipping.
After opening the box, take out the enclosed items and put them beside ready to hand.
Make sure that there is no external damage, especially no transport damage.
Please see the list below to check the contents of your Clearaudio balance reference phono .
1. balance reference phono phono stage with
D-Sub power cord 4. Remote control (incl. 1 CR2032 batterie)
2.
balance reference phono power supply 5. User manual
(not shown)
3. Power cord
(not shown) 6. Certicate, Warranty card and return delivery note
(not shown)
Pic. 1: Package content (Pic. similar)
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4

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Made in Germany Page / Seite 7
Details of the adjustment and control options on the underside (Example on Input A)
(Pic.2)
1Input selector (selction between balanced / unbalanced mode)
• Balanced / symmetrical operation (XLR): Switch is not pressed,
(use balanced XLR connectors for the input!).
• Unbalanced / unsymmetrical operation (RCA): Switch is pressed,
(use unbalanced phono plugs for input!).
2Gain (Selection of MM/MC cartridge mode)
Activates the respective controls for ne adjustment under point 3
• MM operation: “gain” switch not pressed (impedance = 47 kOhm/ choice).
• MC operation: “gain” switch pressed
(impedance, setting is made via DIP switch, see point 3).
2. Set-up adjustments
The balance reference phono phono preamplier achieves the best possible measurement values
for channel separation. This is achieved through the strictly channel-separated structure of the two
amplier stages.
Please note that the settings for each tonearm (Input A / Input B) are made independently.
Pic. 2: View of the bottom plate of the phono stage
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3.1
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6
3.2

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Page / Seite 8 © clearaudio electronic GmbH, 2022-10
3.1 Load capacity setting for MM operation
In the basic position (both DIP switches not activated) there is a capacitance of 47pF.
If several controllers are activated at the same time, the capacity is connected in parallel.
3.2 Load resistance setting for MC operation
The choice of resistance should be based on the technical data of the respective pickup.
If several controllers are activated at the same time, the resistors are connected in parallel.
To activate the required load capacitance / load resistance, the sliders must be pushed to the middle
of the text, see red arrow in picture 3.
Setting example:
MM operation: Activated load capacitance 250pF
MC operation: Activated load resistance 500 ohms
4Subsonic lter
The subsonic lter suppresses possible noise caused by turntable and/or tonearm resonances.
• Subsonic lter is on: „subsonic o/on“ switch is pressed.
• Subsonic lter is o: „subsonic o/on“ switch is not pressed.
5Selection Mono / Stereo
• Mono mode: Button is pressed
• Stereo mode: Button is not pressed.
6 Brightness
With the help of a small screwdriver, you can adjust the brightness of the 3 LEDs on the front of
the power supply.
Pic. 3: Detailed view of the load capacity / load resistance setting

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Made in Germany Page / Seite 9
Explanation of the connections on the rear of the power supply (Pic. 4)
7 Power connector
On and o switch with mains socket.
8D Sub connectors
Connection with amplier unit.
Now connect the balance reference phono with the 15-pin D-Sub plug and the power supply.
Please note:
To protect your loudspeakers from any damage, please make sure that your power
amplier(s) are always switched o when you are connecting the interconnects to or
from the
balance reference phono phono stage.
Before adjusting any settings, be sure to switch o the power of the balance reference
phono
using the switch on the rear panel of the power supply.
Pic. 4: Rear view of the power supply
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User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Page / Seite 10 © clearaudio electronic GmbH, 2022-10
Pic. 5: Rear view of the phono stage
3. Installation and operation
Please switch o all components of your system and connect the balance reference phono to your
receiver/amplier/active speakers and your tonearm(s).
Explanation of the connections on the back of the phono stage (Pic. 5)
1Balanced XLR input (each Input A/B)
Selection must be set manually via „input selector“ on the bottom.
2Unbalanced input RCA (each Input A/B)
Selection must be set manually via „input selector“ on the bottom.
3Ground connection (each Input A/B)
4Balanced output XLR
Both outputs are active and usable at the same time.
5 Unbalanced output RCA
Both outputs are active and usable at the same time.
Now you can turn on the balance reference phono at the back of the power supply.
The lights of the „Input A / Input B“ buttons turn on, as do the 3 LEDs on the front of the power
supply. The device is now in standby mode.
Please note:
Do not cover the top of the device during operation to ensure sucient air supply for cooling!
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