Einstein The Turntable’s Choice User manual

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Dear EINSTEIN customer,
With your purchase of the EINSTEIN phono amplifier The Turntable’s Choice, you now own an audio
component of the highest mechanical and electrical qualities. In order to fully appreciate the great bene-
fits of this unit, we kindly ask you to carefully read these instructions and manual.
The Turntable’s Choice 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 Turntable’s Choice phono 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 music signal. As a source component responsible for amplifying a turntable’s signal, this phono
amplifier is indeed a special component. No world-class downstream component could ever correct er-
rors which occur at the source of the musical signal. Incorporating The Turntable’s Choice as a source
component for your audio system was the right choice.
We wish you many hours of happy listening with your EINSTEIN The Turntable’s Choice 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
2. Package contents
EINSTEIN The Turntable’s Choice phono amplifier
Power supply
Power cord
Gloves
Owner’s manual
Warranty cards
3. Technical information
EINSTEIN’s The Turntable’s Choice is a moving coil (MC) phono amplifier, available as a balanced or sin-
gle ended (RCA) model. Two separate outboard power supplies (one if single ended) provide the neces-
sary power to the fully discrete (24 hand selected single-transistors) amplifier section. 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 reserve so long interconnects can be
used without problem. The Turntable’s Choice chassis is also engineered to serve a purpose: the alumi-
num extruded tube chassis minimizes resonances and microphonic effects. The tube chassis allows for
extremely short signal paths, which also aid the sonic qualities.
4. Placement
To minimize interference and noise from other components, never place The Turntable’s Choice close to
or next to other audio gear. The external power supply should be placed as far away as possible from
the phono amplifier, as close proximity may lead to hum and other noise interference. You may use the
built in wall mount adapters to place the phono amplifier as close to as possible to the turntable, which
will result in short signal cable length and therefore benefit the sound.

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5. Power
The power socket is located at the topside of the external power supply. 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!
The Turntable’s Choice phono amplifier has no outside on / off switch and should always 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.
Connect the signal leads from your tonearm with the proper loading and impedance via the supplied
termination pins in your choice of 40 Ohm, 85 Ohm, 150 Ohm or 300 Ohm. Leaving the input termi-
nations open, the impedance is 470 Ohm or 940 Ohm in balanced mode. For correct settings please re-
fer to your cartridge owner’s manual or contact your dealer / distributor or EINSTEIN directly.
7. Interconnects and cables
You may use any high quality RCA or balanced XLR 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 optimized to work with our components (please use our pre-amplifier to listen to music and not as
a testing tool for signal cables).
The pin layout for the balanced version is as follows:
i. Pin 1- Ground
ii. Pin 2 - + Positive
iii. Pin 3 - - Negative
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 disconnect the amplifier from the power line due to shock
hazard. Please make sure that the power cord is disconnected from the power outlet(s). The fuse is lo-
cated right next to the power socket on the power supply.

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9. Service
If you encounter any problems with your phono amplifier please contact your local dealer / distributor or
EINSTEIN directly.
10. Maintenance & care of your phono amplifier
Cleaning of all chrome and stainless steel surfaces should only be done with a damp cloth and if neces-
sary a small amount of Windex or similar window cleaner.
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 components with powerful trans-
formers
12. Warranty
Your EINSTEIN The Turntable’s Choice phono amplifier comes with a 3-year warranty if the following
conditions are met:
Return of the supplied warranty card and appropriate customer information 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.

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13. Technical specification EINSTEIN The Turntable’s Choice
Amplification 70db (2500x)
Signal to noise ratio 76db
Distortion less than 0.03%
RIAA equalization passiv
Input impedance variable
Output impedance 50 Ohm
Output voltage 5 V
Output voltage balanced 10V
Weight 3.5kg / balanced 7.0kg
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