Krell Industries KPE User manual

Reference KPE
Standard KPE
Phono Preamplifiers s
Instructions for Use
Owner’s Reference
THE LEADER IN AUDIO ENGINEERING

This product is manufactured in the United States of America. Krell®is a registered trademark of Krell
Industries, Inc., and is restricted for use by Krell Industries, Inc., its subsidiaries, and authorized agents. All
other trademarks and tradenames are registered to their respective companies.
Reference KPE
Standard KPE
Phono Preamplifiers
v 02.1
Krell Industries, Inc.
45 Connair Road
Orange, CT 06477-3650 USA
TEL [phone]
FAX [phone]
E-MAIL [email protected]
WEBSITE http://www.krellonline.com
This product complies with the EMC directive (89/336/EEC) and the low-voltage
directive (73/23/EEC).
©2002 by Krell Industries, Inc. All rights reserved P/N 306104
The preamplifier must be placed on a firm, level surface where it is not exposed to
dripping or splashing.
The ventilation grids on the top of the preamplifier and the space underneath the
preamplifier must be unobstructed at all times during operation. Do not place flam-
mable material above or beneath the preamplifier.
Before making connections to the preamplifier, ensure that the power is off and other
components are in mute or stand-by mode. Make sure all cable terminations are of
the highest quality, free from frayed ends, short circuits, or cold solder joints.
THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE THE PREAMPLIFIER
Please contact your authorized Krell dealer, distributor, or Krell if you have any
questions not addressed in this manual.
CONTACT
INFORMATION
WARNINGS

Contents
Krell KPE iii
INTRODUCTION 1
DEFINITION OF TERMS 2
UNPACKING 3
PLACEMENT 4
AC Power Guidelines 4
CONNECTING THE KPE TO YOUR SYSTEM 5
OPERATING THE REFERENCE KPE 8
OPERATING THE STANDARD KPE 10
WARRANTY 12
RETURN AUTHORIZATION PROCEDURE 13
SPECIFICATIONS Back Cover
Page

iv Krell KPE
FIGURE 1 Reference KPE Phono Board 6
FIGURE 2 Standard KPE Phono Board 7
Illustrations
Page

Krell KPE 1
Thank you for your purchase of a Krell KPE external phono amplifier.
The Reference KPE and the Standard KPE are high performance
phono amplifiers designed to work with any moving coil cartridge.
This owner’s manual discusses the features and functions of the
KPE along with critical installation information.
In the unlikely event that your KPE should require service, you will be
pleased to know that it is backed by a comprehensive customer
satisfaction policy and one of the most advanced service facilities in
the industry. For detailed information on the terms and conditions of
service, please refer to the Warranty and Return Authorization
Procedure sections of this reference, the Warranty Registration Card,
or contact your authorized Krell dealer or distributor.
Introduction

2Krell KPE
Following are the definitions of key terms used in your owner’s refer-
ence manual:
Balanced
A symmetrical input or output circuit that has equal impedance from
both input terminals to a common ground reference point. The
industry standard for professional and sound recording installations,
balanced connections have 6 dB more gain than single-ended con-
nections and allow the use of long interconnect cables. Balanced
connections are immune to induced noise from the system or the
environment.
Single-ended
A two-wire input or output circuit. Use care when using single-ended
connections as the ground connection is made last and broken first.
Turn the system off prior to making or breaking single-ended connec-
tions. Single-ended connections are not recommended for connec-
tions requiring long cable runs.
Off
When the KPE is not connected to AC power and the blue LED on
the front panel is not illuminated, the component is off.
Operational Mode
The component is in the operational mode and is ready to play music
as soon as AC power is supplied to the KPE. The blue LED on the
front panel is illuminated when the component is in the operational
mode.
The Reference KPE and the Standard KPE need to be set for the loading
specification of your cartridge before they are operational. In addition, the
Standard KPE needs to be set for either moving magnet or moving coil car-
tridge operation. See Operating the Reference KPE on page 8, or
Operating the Standard KPE on page 10.
Definition of Terms
INPUT AND OUTPUT
CONNECTIONS
OPERATION
Note

Unpacking
Krell KPE 3
Open the box and remove the top layer of protective foam. The fol-
lowing items are visible:
1 Reference KPE phono amplifier
1 DC power connecting cable
1 T15 Torx wrench
1 warranty card
If ordered with the optional power supply the following items will also
be included:
1 Reference KPE power supply
1 AC power cord
Remove the plastic covering from the Reference KPE, DC power
cable and, if included, from the power supply.
Notes
REFERENCE KPE
Open the box and remove the top layer of protective foam. The fol-
lowing items are visible:
1 KPE phono amplifier
1 DC power connecting cable
1 T15 Torx wrench
1 warranty card
If ordered with the optional power supply the following items will also
be included:
1 KPE power supply
1 AC power cord
Remove the plastic covering from the Standard KPE, DC power
cable and, if included, from the power supply.
If any of these items are not included in the box, please contact your autho-
rized dealer or distributor immediately for assistance.
Save all packing materials. If you ship your KPE in the future, repack the
unit in its original packaging to prevent shipping damage.
STANDARD KPE

4Krell KPE
Place the KPE on a firm level surface away from excessive dirt or
moisture.
The KPE is sensitive to induced hum from power supplies or motors.
It should be located at least one foot away from other components
such as turntables, tape recorders, and power supplies. The KPE is
supplied with an extra long DC power cable. This enables the user to
employ short interconnect cables from the turntable to the KPE and a
longer run of interconnect cables from the KPE to the preamplifier.
Placement
The KPE has superb regulation and does not require a dedicated
AC circuit. Avoid connections through extension cords or multiple
AC adapters. High quality 15 amp grounded AC strips are accept-
able. High quality AC line conditioners or filters can be used if they
are grounded and meet or exceed the unit’s power supply rating of
100 VA.
AC POWER
GUIDELINES

Krell KPE 5
The KPE can obtain power from the DC output of the Krell KBL, the
Krell KRC–2, the Krell KCT, or from the optional power supply.
1. Unplug the KBL, KRC–2, or KCT from the AC wall socket.
2. Connect the supplied DC power cable to the DC output
receptacle on the KBL, KRC–2, or KCT.
3. Connect the other end of the DC cable to the DC input on
the KPE.
Do not plug the power supply into the AC wall socket until completing
steps 1-5 below.
1. Connect the supplied DC power cable to the DC output.
2. Connect the other one of the DC power cable to the DC input
receptacle on the KPE.
3. Connect the output of your turntable to the input of the KPE.
4. Connect the output of the KPE to a line level input on your pre-
amplifier.
5. Plug the KBL, KRC–2, or KCT to the external KPE power supply
into the AC wall socket. The blue LED on the KPE will now be illu-
minated.
Allow the Reference KPE to warm up for one minute after the initial turn on,
before selecting the phono input on your preamplifier.
All audio connections on the Reference KPE and the Standard KPE are sin-
gle-ended, via RCA connectors.
Connecting the KPE to your System
INSTALLATION WITH
THE KBL, KRC–2,
or KCT
INSTALLATION WITH
OPTIONAL EXTERNAL
POWER SUPPLY
Notes
IMPORTANT

1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
2
3
1 Mounting Hole
2 Loading Switch
3 Gain Switch Bank
Figure 1 Reference KPE Phono Board
6Krell KPE