Krell Industries PHANTOM User manual

OWNER’S REFERENCE
PHANTOM
PHANTOM
STEREO PREAMPLIFIER
THE LEADER IN AUDIO ENGINEERING

Phantom Stereo Preamplifier
Owner’s Reference, v1.0
Krell Industries, LLC.
45 Connair Road
Orange, CT 06477-3650 USA
This product complies with the EMC directive (89/336/EEC) and the low-voltage directive
(73/23/EEC).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read Instructions.
2. Keep these Instructions.
3. Heed all Warnings.
4. Follow all Instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appa-
ratus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
8. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
9. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus
has been damaged in any way, such as a power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has
been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to
rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
10. The Phantom preamplifier must be placed on a firm, level surface where it is not exposed to
dripping or splashing.
11. The ventilation grids on the top of the Phantom preamplifier and the space underneath the
Phantom preamplifier must be unobstructed at all times during operation. Do not place flam-
mable material above or beneath the preamplifier.
12. Before making connections to the Phantom 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.
13. Do not connect an RS-232 cable to the phono power port. Output from the phono power port
can seriously damage your computer.
14. Do not connect the cable from a Krell KPE phono stage to the RS-232 port.
15. THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE AN PHANTOM PREAMPLIFIER.
Please contact Krell if you have questions not addressed in this guide.
This product is manufactured in the United States of America. Krell®is a registered trademark of Krell Industries, LLC., and is restricted for use
by Krell Industries, LLC., its subsidiaries, and authorized agents. Evolution Bias™ is a trademark of Krell Industries, LLC. and is a Krell technolo-
gy based on U.S. Patent No. 5,331,291. CAN Link™, CAST™, Evolution CAST™, and Krell Current Mode™ are trademarks of Krell Industries,
LLC. All other trademarks are registered to their respective companies.
© 2011 by Krell Industries, LLC. All rights reserved
TEL [phone]
FAX [phone]
E-MAIL [email protected]
WEBSITE http://www.krellonline.com

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Contents
List of Illustrations, page 4
A Letter from Krell Industries LLC, page 5
SECTION ONE: Phantom Features and Technology, page 6
Features, Revolutionary Krell CAST Technology,
Definition of Terms
SECTION TWO: Unpacking and Placement, page 11
Opening the Phantom Shipping Carton
SECTION THREE: Quick Start, page 13
Connecting the Phantom to Your System,
Operating the Phantom
SECTION FOUR: Anatomy of the Phantom, page 15
Front Panel Description, Remote Control Description,
Battery Installation, and Back Panel Description
SECTION FIVE: Connecting the Phantom to Your System, page 26
Input and Output Connections, Connection Steps
SECTION SIX: Phantom Operation, page 28
On/Off and Stand-by Operation
SECTION SEVEN: Customizing the Phantom, page 29
Navigation Conventions, Menu Functions
SECTION EIGHT: Troubleshooting System Noise, page 43
WARRANTY, page 44
RETURN AUTHORIZATION PROCEDURE, page 46
SPECIFICATIONS, page 47

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List of Illustrations
Figure 1, page 15
Phantom Preamplifier and Power Supply Front Panels
Inset Preamplifier and Power Supply Stacked View
Figure 2, page 19
Phantom Remote Control
Figure 3, page 22
Phantom Preamplifier and Power Supply Back Panels

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A Letter from Krell Industries LLC
Dear Audio Enthusiast,
Thank you for your purchase of the Krell Phantom preamplifier.
The preamplifier plays a vital role in audio playback by mediating the line-level out-
put of a wide variety of source components in preparation for the amplifier’s input.
At no other point in the reproduction process is music so vulnerable to change, as
the signal level is small, and susceptible to noise and distortion.
Having always valued the role of the preamplifier in fine audio systems, we take
preamplifier design very seriously. We realize that, no matter how impressive an
amplifier’s performance; it can be no better than that of the preamplifier driving it.
Our new Phantom preamplifier employs a powerful, separate power supply, Krell
Current Mode gain stages from input to output, and Current Audio Signal
Transmission (CAST) receivers and transmitters. Utilizing these powerful technolo-
gies, the Phantom conveys the complete range of timbre and dynamics that com-
prise the foundation musical performance. Typical of our latest preamplifier
designs, the Phantom preamplifier includes a thoughtful suite of menu options and
can be customized for the greatest ease of operation.
We hope that you enjoy your new Phantom preamplifier.
Sincerely,
Krell Industries LLC

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SECTION ONE
Phantom Features and Technology
This section describes the innovative features and technology of the Phantom pre-
amplifier, and defines CAST and other key terms used in this reference.
The Phantom Stereo Preamplifier, evolving from the flagship Evolution Two, works
to carefully transmit audio signals without damaging the ephemeral staging and
dimensional components of the music. The Phantom is a two chassis design with
a separate power supply that isolates the critical audio stages for the lowest pos-
sible noise floor. A combination of advanced technologies and inspired design ele-
vate the Phantom preamplifier’s performance to the reference level.
Features
Preamplifier
The Phantom preamplifier is the first Krell amplifier to include an optional
crossover. The crossover fuctionality offers the ability to use a subwoofer/satellite
speaker arrangement and still maintain the highest quality sonic performance.
Previous to the Phantom preamplifier, this system configuration would require sig-
nals to pass through a subwoofer’s lower quality crossover circuitry. The Phantom
preamplifier is the centerpiece of a world class audio system where space is at a
premium.
Crossover Highlights
Owing to Krell’s work in the Modulari Duo Reference loudspeakers, the unique
crossover feature is a highly sophisticated option. When the optional board is
present, additional crossover menu items become available. Definable parameters
include independently assignable crossover frequencies and filter types for te high
and low pass sections. Choices include 40Hz, 55Hz, 75Hz, and 100Hz crossover
points with 12dB, 18dB, and 24dB Butterworth or 24dB Linkwitz-Riley style filters.
The high pass section of the crossover uses the full Phantom preamplifier circuitry
for its ouput stage.
Circuitry Highlights
The Phantom preamplifier is a dual monaural circuit design with the left and right
channels afforded their own power supply regulation and individual full chassis
sized boards. All signal gain is realized in surface mount topology using propri-
etary multiple-output current mirrors with nearly 500 times the open loop linearity
of other designs. Approaching 1 MHz of open loop bandwidth in a zero feedback,
balanced, Krell Current Mode, the Phantom output stage terminates in Krell CAST.
continued

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A complete Krell system (source, preamp, and amplifier) system, connected using
Krell MMF CAST interconnects reduces the number of voltage gain stages to the
minimum, one. The resulting noise floor approaches the theoretical limit of tech-
nology. Negative feedback is not used anywhere in the preamp, nor is it neces-
sary. Open-loop distortion is typically less than 0.003%. The volume control is
realized with a balanced resistor ladder — bandwidth and transient response of
the preamp circuitry are virtually unaffected by the volume setting.
Power Suply Highlights
The Phantom audio circuits receive power from a Krell Current Mode analog
power supply housed in its own dedicated chassis. The power supply avoids the
common integrated circuit topology used in many preamplifiers and instead mim-
ics the design topology of Krell Evolution e Series amplifiers. The circuitry is com-
pletely discrete giving it the ability to respond quickly to current demands and also
be unaffected by all but the most severe AC voltage power fluctuations.
Oversized for a preamplifier, the power supply features a 290 VA transformer and
41,600µF of capacitance. Locating the power supply in its own chassis presents
the ideal configuration for isolating stray electrical and magnetic interference from
the critical preamplifier signal path. Capable of delivering current and voltage
swing for any musical event, the Phantom power supply is gentle on AC require-
ments when not in use. A new eco-friendly design reduces standby power draw to
2W. .
Revolutionary Krell CAST Technology
Current Audio Signal Transmission, termed CAST, is a revolutionary method of
connecting analog audio components for unparalleled sonic performance.
Innovative engineering combines the new Krell CAST circuitry with existing Krell
Current Mode technology to create entire CAST systems that reproduce music
with incredible range, tonality, and precision.
The Voltage Signal Transmission
and the Traditional Audio System
Traditionally, signal is transmitted in the voltage domain between two components.
In an audio system, each component is a discrete entity with unique characteris-
tics that act upon the musical signal independently. Each component is unaware
of the other components in the system. The cables that connect the components
also have their own electrical characteristics, which affect the sonic presentation
of the entire system. CAST transmission unifies individual components and inter-
connects into an electrically-linked whole. The original signal remains unaltered
from source to speaker.
continued

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CAST Basics
Here is how a CAST audio system works. Internally, each CAST source transfers,
or amplifies, current using Krell Current Mode circuitry. This current signal is then
output using CAST circuitry. When the signal is received by a CAST input, Krell
Current Mode circuitry again takes over until the signal reaches the loudspeaker.
By maintaining the musical signal in the current domain from beginning to end, an
entire CAST system behaves as if it is one component. With CAST, circuit board
properties and signal transmission aberrations between components are eliminat-
ed. Cable impedances and their effects on the transmitted signal are non-existent.
How CAST and Krell Current Mode Interact
While CAST is a new method of transferring the musical signal between compo-
nents, its origin stems from Krell Current Mode, the technology developed to
transfer the musical signal within a component. CAST combined with Krell Current
Mode takes circuitry signal transmission to the next evolutionary level. In essence,
Krell Current Mode maintains the integrity of the signal within the component and
CAST preserves the transmitted signal between components. Together, CAST and
Krell Current Mode technologies unify separate Krell components into a single
global circuit. Krell Current Mode technology enjoys bandwidth increases up to an
order of magnitude greater than their voltage based counterparts. This dramatic
increase in circuit bandwidth delivers near perfection in the audible band that typi-
cally suffers from phase distortions in voltage circuits.
CAST Cable Construction
A CAST system uses cables manufactured by Krell and other manufacturers spe-
cially licensed by Krell. Thin and flexible CAST cables are constructed with the
same build quality as other Krell components and are aesthetically matched to the
components that Krell manufactures. An all-metal body and locking connectors
with gold contacts are part of the standard no-compromise specification devel-
oped for every CAST cable made.
(SECTION ONE: Phantom Features and Technology continued)

Evolution CAST
By employing radical current mirror circuitry, the Phantom components elevate the
CAST technology to another level. This advanced use of the technology increases
the linearity, transient speed, and bandwidth of the Evolution components while
reducing the distortion by an order of magnitude.
The Best Musical Performance
When you operate a CAST system, you will hear significant improvements in every
performance area: speed, precision, dynamic range, depth and width of the sound
stage, transient impact, tonal balance, harmonic distortion, and more. The goal for
CAST is the same company goal used for all Krell products. Krell strives for the
delivery of the best performance of a musical event for you, using the full expres-
sion of technology to date.
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(SECTION ONE: Phantom Features and Technology continued)

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Definition of Terms
The following are definitions of key terms used in this owner’s reference:
Inputs and Outputs
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 profes-
sional and sound recording installations, balanced connections have 6 dB more
gain than single-ended connections and allow the use of long interconnect cables.
Balanced connections are completely immune to induced noise from the system
or the environment.
CAST and Evolution CAST
Krell Current Audio Signal Transmission, or CAST, is a proprietary Krell circuit tech-
nology for connecting analog components, transmitting the audio waveform
between components in the current domain rather than in the voltage domain. The
speed and bandwidth provided by Krell CAST and its circuitry update, Evolution
CAST, yield accurate, realistic music reproduction, enabling connected compo-
nents to perform as if they are all part of a single circuit.
Single-ended
A two-wire input or output circuit. Single-ended connections are not recommend-
ed for connections requiring long cable runs. Use care when using single-ended
connections, because the ground connection is made last and broken first. Turn
the system off/on prior to making or breaking single-ended connections.
Operation
Off
When the stand-by/power LEDs are not illuminated, the preamplifier is off.
Stand-by
A new eco-friendly design reduces stand by power to draw to 2W. The stand-
by/power LED of the preamplifier chassis illuminates in red, when the preamplifier
is in stand-by mode. The power supply illuminates in green when the preamplifier
chassis is in stand-by mode. Krell recommends leaving the preamplifier in stand-
by mode when it is not playing music
Operation
When the standby/power LEDs are illuminated in blue, the preamplifier is in opera-
tional mode and ready to play music.
continued