Einstein The Preamp User manual

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The Preamp
Balanced Tube Preamplifier
Manual
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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Dear EINSTEIN customer,
With your purchase of the EINSTEIN pre-amplifier The Preamp, 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 Preamp is a pre-amplifier of the highest quality, which emphasizes rele-
vant features over unnecessary gimmicks. Some of these features are:
-A realistic playback quality
-Exemplary reliability
-Simple and intuitive usability
-High value
The EINSTEIN The Preamp pre-amplifier is not a component, which sounds
nice, soft or bright. Our goal is to integrate a component into your existing
audio system, which minimizes its impact on the musical signal. As your main
source selector component a pre-amplifier holds a key position in your audio
system. No world-class downstream component could ever correct errors,
which occur at the source of the music signal. Incorporating The Preamp as a
switching component of highest qualities was the right choice.
We wish you many hours of happy listening with your EINSTEIN The Preamp
preamplifier.
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 pre-amp without its top cover
Protect your pre-amplifier from moisture
Never disconnect the protective conductor
Exchange the safety fuse with one of the same value
Please contact your dealer / distributor or EINSTEIN directly prior to changing
the tubes
2.Package contents
EINSTEIN The Preamp balanced pre-amp in wooden EINSTEIN crate
EINSTEIN The Remote II Remote control including batteries
EINSTEIN Power cord custom made
Gloves
Owner’s manual
Warranty cards
3.Technical information
The Preamp is a fully balanced tube pre-amplifier. Due to its innovative design The
Preamp features only two gain stages. The tube input stage converts each input into
a balanced signal while simultaneously amplifying it. The output stage is strictly an
impedance transformer, which places the balanced signal with low impedance at
the output terminals. Each line input features its own input tube, which a heater ac-
tivates when the appropriate input is selected. Any sound degrading electrical con-
tacts are completely eliminated from the signal path. Instead of utilizing a sound
degrading volume control in the signal path, we utilize an electronic shunt attenu-
ator. Two separate dual mono power supplies power the amplifier section.
The Preamp has three main outputs, one balanced and two unbalanced (line out).
4.Placement
When selecting a placement for your pre-amplifier, please consider proper ventila-
tion of the unit as well as a solid platform for the unit to be placed on. The Preamp
should never be placed on top of other components nor should other components
be placed on top of it. Due to the massive transformers you should not place a turn-
table or phono amplifier next The Preamp pre-amplifier. Separately available
equipment racks can positively affect the sound quality of your new pre-amplifier.

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5.Power
The Power socket is located on the left underside of the unit. This connector also in-
cludes the fuse and one spare. Please make sure that the unit is powered off and
not connected to the power outlet prior to exchanging the fuse. 230V are at the
safety clip, EXTREME SHOCK HAZARD!
6.Connecting your pre-amplifier
Prior to powering the unit on, please make sure that all source components and your
amplifier are properly connected to the pre-amplifier. For optimal results you should
always use the balanced input and output connectors. If necessary, connect a
ground wire between your pre-amplifer and source component. Please check each
balanced connection for the proper pin layout:
Pin 1 = Ground
Pin 2 = + Positive
Pin 3 = - Negative
If you are running The Preamp non-balanced, make sure the pin layout is correct, so
as to avoid any sound quality degradation. The innovative circuit design of your
EINSTEIN The Preamp pre-amplifier allows full use of low impedance interconnects.
Please consult your local dealer / distributor or EINSTEIN directly for more information.
Interconnects You may use any high quality interconnects with RCA or XLR termina-
tion. Please make sure that the connectors are free of oxidation and offer a solid
contact point. We recommend our own interconnects EINSTEIN The Flash as they
have been optimized to work with our components (please use our pre-amplifier to
listen to music and not as a testing tool for signal cables).
Loudspeaker cables Only use high quality loudspeaker cables with properly termi-
nated ends. Make sure that the terminations are free from oxidation and that the
cable’s cross section is wide enough. Using loudspeaker cables that are too thin
minimizes the power transfer from our amplifier and results in a lower damping factor
critical to properly control your loudspeakers. Our EINSTEIN The Thunder meets all
requirements to the highest standards and will provide an exceptional performance.
7.Power switch
To power the unit on or off, please use the power switch located at the underside of
the chassis next to the power input. The blue display and lighting of the tubes will in-
dicate the units power status. The pre-amplifier is ready to play within approximately
4 minutes. The unit will achieve its optimum sound and
operating temperature within approximately 30 minutes of operation. Always turn
the pre-amplifier on prior to the amplifier (or active loudspeakers). To turn power off,
always turn the amplifier off first, followed by the pre-amplifier and source compo-
nents.

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8.Control from front faceplate
All functions of the pre-amplifier can be controlled via the two selector switches lo-
cated at the front of the faceplate. The right switch controls the volume level; the
left is your input selector switch. Due to the special input switching circuit utilized, a
momentary silence followed by a fade in and out of approximately 1 minute can be
noticed when selecting a different input and is perfectly normal.
9.Remote control
The supplied EINSTEIN The Remote II remote control allows all functions of your
EINSTEIN The Preamp pre-amplifier. It contains all functions relevant to the operation
of your pre-amplifier as input selection and volume control. To change batteries
please open the three screws of the back acrylic panel with the provided tool. When
you open the case just change the two AAA batteries. Please make sure you are
using high quality batteries.
10.Safety fuse
A blown fuse indicates a fault in your pre-amp or mains power. Should your unit not
power on after you have replaced the blown fuse please contact your dealer / dis-
tributor or EINSTEIN immediately. The fuse is of following value: 1A slow-blow for 230-
240V version and 2A slow-blow for 115- 125V version. Prior to replacing the fuse, you
must disconnect the amplifier from the power line due to shock hazard. Please
make sure that the power cord is disconnected from the power outlet. The fuses are
located right next to the power input at the bottom of the unit.
11.Tubes
The tubes used in our EINSTEIN The Preamp pre-amplifier are EC88/6922 for input and
PCC88 for output. Both types are “long life” versions, checked for extreme toler-
ances. The tubes were tested in house and burned in for approximately 150 hours in
your pre-amplifier. This procedure was then followed by a final lab check. In order
to maintain the pre-amplifiers fidelity only the same kind tubes should be used as re-
placement, as these have been fully verified and tested by our lab.
12.Service
If you encounter any problems with your pre-amplifier please contact your local
dealer / distributor or EINSTEIN directly.
13.Maintenance & care of your pre-amplifier
Cleaning of all chrome and stainless steel surfaces should only be done with a damp
cloth and a small amount of Windex or similar window cleaner.

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14.Tips to improve and tweak the sound quality
You can improve sound quality of the unit by paying attention to these points
Make sure you have proper phase
Use only high quality preferably low impedance interconnects
Connect the pre-amp to a power conditioner
Use a high quality rack and support
Make sure you have proper ground in your system
15. Warranty
Your EINSTEIN The Preamp pre-amplifier comes with a 3-year warranty (tubes 6
months). For detailed warranty conditions please contact your dealer or the distribu-
tor of your country. If you have any further questions please contact info@einstein-
audio.de.
16. Technical specification EINSTEIN The Preamp
Signal to noise ratio typical 100dB
Distortion @ 1 kHz & 2 V output voltage less than 0.01%
Output Voltage more than 10V
Maximum input voltage 7V
Output impedance 50 Ohm
Bandwidth 7 Hz –400 kHz
Weight 20 kg
Dimensions (H x L x D) 200 x 430x410 mm
17.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 Preamp
Balanced Tube Preamplifier
We herewith confirm that this EINSTEIN
The Preamp tube preamplifier
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