Einstein The Phonostage User manual

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The Phonostage
MC Phono Preamplifier
Manual
Einstein Audio Components GmbH , Prinz Regent Str. 50-60 , D-44795 Bochum
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
[email protected] www.einstein-audio.de

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Dear EINSTEIN customer,
With your purchase of the EINSTEIN phono amplifier The Phonostage,
you now own an audio component of the highest mechanical and
electrical qualities. In order to fully appreciate the great benefits of
this unit, we kindly ask you to carefully read these instructions and
manual.
The Phonostage is a phono amplifier of the highest quality, which
emphasizes relevant features over unnecessary gimmicks. Some of
these features are:
-A realistic playback quality
-Exemplary reliability
-Simple and intuitive usability
-High value
The EINSTEIN The Phonostage phono amplifier is not a component,
which sounds nice, soft or bright. Our goal is to integrate a compo-
nent into your existing audio system, which minimizes its impact on
the music signal. As a source component responsible for amplifying
a turntable’s signal, this phono amplifier is indeed a special compo-
nent. No world-class downstream component could ever correct
errors which occur at the source of the musical signal. Incorporat-
ing The Phonostage as a source component for your audio system
was the right choice.
We wish you many hours of happy listening with your EINSTEIN The
Phonostage phono amplifier.
Regards from Bochum,
Volker Bohlmeier

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1. Safety information and precautions:
Do not manipulate the component in any way (loss of warranty, danger
of electric shock)
For electrical safety reasons never operate the phono amplifier without
it being fully assembled
Protect your phono amplifier from moisture
Never disconnect the protective conductor
Exchange the safety fuse with one of the same value (230V –200mA
slow blow / 100-115V –400mA slow blow)
2. Package contents
EINSTEIN The Phonostage phono amplifier
Power cord
Impedance Plugs 100 and 300 Ohm
Gloves
Owner’s manual
3. Technical information
EINSTEIN’s The Phonostage is a moving coil (MC) single ended phono
amplifier. The high gain, high signal to noise ration design of this phono
amplifier allows the use of very low output moving coil cartridges. High
output cartridges may of course also be used with your phono amplifier.
The output stage is designed with low impedance and high power re-
serve so long interconnects can be used without problem.
4. Placement
Please place the phono amplifier as close as possible to the turntable. A
short signal cable length will benefit the sound.
5. Power
The power socket is located on the backpanel. Please make sure that
the unit is powered off and not connected to the power outlet prior to
exchanging the fuse. ATTENTION There is full voltage at the safety clip,
EXTREME SHOCK HAZARD!
The Phonostage phono amplifier will sound best at perfect operating
temperature. It can be left plugged into the power outlet for best sound
(in case of lengthy absence or for storage purposes, you may of course
disconnect the power from the unit).
6. Connecting your phono amplifier
Prior to enjoying your new EINSTEIN component, please make sure that it
is properly connected to your source and amplifier. You must connect
a ground wire between the phono amplifier and your turntable. Con-
nect the signal leads from your tonearm with the proper loading and
impedance via the supplied termination pins in your choice of 100 Ohm
or 300 Ohm. Leaving the input terminations open, the impedance is 2
kOhm. For correct settings please refer to your cartridge owner’s man-
ual or contact your dealer / distributor or EINSTEIN directly.

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7. Interconnects and cables
You may use any high quality RCA interconnects. Please make sure
that the connectors are free of oxidation and offer a solid contact
point. We recommend our own interconnects as they have been opti-
mized to work with our components (please use our pre-amplifier to lis-
ten to music and not as a testing tool for signal cables).
8. Safety fuse
A blown fuse indicates a fault in your phono amplifier or mains power.
Should your unit not power on after you have replaced the blown fuse
please contact your dealer / distributor or EINSTEIN directly. The fuse is
of following value: 0.1A slow-blow for 230-240V version and 0.2A slow-
blow for 115- 125V version. Prior to replacing the fuse, you must discon-
nect the amplifier from the power line due to shock hazard. Please
make sure that the power cord is disconnected from the power out-
let(s). The fuse is located right next to the power socket on the power
supply.
9. Maintenance & care of your phono amplifier
Cleaning of all acrylic and stainless steel surfaces should only be done
with a suitable extremely soft cloth and if necessary a small amount of
Windex or similar window cleaner.
10. Service
If you encounter any problems with your phono amplifier please con-
tact your local dealer / distributor or EINSTEIN directly.
11. Tips to improve and tweak the sound quality
You can improve the sound quality of the unit by paying attention to
these suggestions:
Make sure you have proper phase
Use only high quality, preferably low impedance interconnects
Connect the phono amplifier to a power conditioner
Use a high quality power cord
Use a high quality rack and support
Make sure you have proper ground in your system
Make sure that the external power supply is placed far enough away
from the phono amplifier
Make sure that the phono amplifier is not close by any other compo-
nents with powerful transformers

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12. Warranty
Your EINSTEIN The Phonostage phono amplifier comes with a 3-year war-
ranty if the following conditions are met:
Return of the supplied warranty card and appropriate customer infor-
mation stamped by your dealer within 30 days of purchase
No modifications of any kind were made to the unit
Return of unit for service or repair in only the supplied original packaging
The warranty is not transferable.
13. Technical specification EINSTEIN The Phonostage
Amplification 68db (2500x) (can be changed to 74dB)
Signal to noise ratio 80db
Distortion less than 0.05%
RIAA equalization high frequency passive, mid frequency active
Input impedance variable
Output impedance 100 Ohm
Output voltage 7 V
Weight 5.0 kg
Dimensions H x W x D 150x 215 x 360 mm
14. Final testing prior to shipment
Visual inspection OK Control Person
Electrical check OK Control Person
Listening check OK Control Person
Packing & final check OK Control Person
Einstein Audio Components GmbH Prinz-Regent-Str. 50-60 D - 44795 Bochum
Tel [phone] Fax [phone]
[e-mail] www.einstein-audio.de

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CERTIFICATE
The Phonostage
MC Phonopreamplifier
We herewith confirm that this EINSTEIN
The Phonostage phonopreamplifier
Serialnumber _______________________
has been developed and built in Bochum
Germany
Bochum,
Einstein Audio Components GmbH Prinz- Regent- Str. 50-60 D - 44795 Bochum
Tel [phone] Fax [phone] [e-mail]
www.einstein-audio.de