lab12 melto1 User manual
K. Varnali 57A, Metamorfosi,
14452, Athens, Greece
Tel: +30 210 2845173
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.lab12.gr
LAB12 melto1 –MC/MM Phono Preamplifier
Page 3of 12
Table of Contents
It is yours………………………………………………………………………………
Unpacking and warnings………………………………………………………
Installation & placement………….…………………………………………..
Front panel………………………………….…………………………………………
Rear panel connections………………………………………………………..
Main Connections……………………………………………………………….…
Available Input settings
1. Set up instructions
2. Cartridge Type………………………………………….…………….
3. Capacitance………………………………………………………….…
4. Impedance……………………………………………………..........
For the safety of your equipment………………………………………...
Specifications………………………………………………………….…….…..….
4
5
5
6
6
7
7 -10
7 –9
10
10
10
11
11
LAB12 melto1 –MC/MM Phono Preamplifier
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IT IS YOURS!
Thank you for purchasing Lab12 melto1. Before setting up your new melto1, we encourage you to read
this manual thoroughly and get familiar with its features.
Melto1 is a truly audiophile phono preamplifier with plenty of setting combinations giving you the
opportunity to receive the absolutely best from your turntable/cartridge system. We have managed to
precisely handle this very sensitive cartridge signal to offer a truly musical result.
It is based on a non-compromise design that can fully get you into the real analog world. Ready to work
with any cartridge out in the market and exploit all the benefits. Full tube MM / EQ stage with an
extremely low noise solid state MC step-up stage. 3D well-balanced sound stage with rich, wide
frequency response giving you a pure, musical, realistic sound.
Keep in mind that melto1 is totally handcrafted with perfectly matched parts of the finest selections. It is
designed to perfectly match with any of the Lab12 amplifiers or preamplifiers. In order to reach the
optimal performance your melto1 needs at least 150 hours of listening. In this time all components go
from “burn in” period to stable.
The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. The most current version
of this manual is available on our official website at http://www.lab12.gr
LAB12 melto1 –MC/MM Phono Preamplifier
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Unpacking
Melto1 should be removed from its box with care. Remove all the foam protective pieces of the box
before you unpack melto1. Unpack melto1 with your hands on both sides of the device.
Warnings
No user serviceable parts are included inside. Do not unscrew the cover; high voltages remain after
disconnecting from mains. In case your device requires any kind of service or upgrade, please ship or
take your equipment directly to Lab12 or to one of our authorized dealers or other qualified personnel.
Always use same type of fuse for replacement.
Installation & Placement
Melto1 should be placed on a solid flat surface. You should avoid placing it near a heat source as this
could compromise the performance and reliability. You should never place another component directly
on top of this device. Make sure that your melto1 has an adequate flow of air around it. Melto1 could be
warm in some points; this is normal and within parts’specifications. Take care ofthe front panel’s refined
finishing using a soft dry cloth. No need to use any sprays or polishes. Never use cleaners containing
abrasives, as this will damage the surface.
LAB12 melto1 –MC/MM Phono Preamplifier
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Front Panel
Melto1
front pane
l
In the front panel you will find 3 operation indicative LEDs (A).
Rear Panel Connections
Melto1 rear
panel
In the rear panel you will find the output (A) and input (C) RCA pairs.
The Ground point is located right after (D).On the right side of the rear panel, the main power inlet and
the power switch (E) are located. In same position, Mains safety fuse is located, right bellow mains in
socket. On the left side of the rear panel- on the connections area-, you will also find the input’s settings
dip switches (B). On pages 7 - 9, you will find detailed information about the available settings and the
positioning of the dip switches to correspond to the desirable input setting.
LAB12 melto1 –MC/MM Phono Preamplifier
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Main connections
You can connect any MC or MM cartridge in melto1 input. Only low capacitance shielded cables are
recommended.
Connect the turntable and/or tonearm ground wire to ground terminal on the rear panel of melto1.
Use the single-ended (RCA) output to connect melto1 to a line level input of your integrated amplifier or
preamplifier.
Connect a high-grade power cable to the IEC input and to your power socket. Make sure that your power
socket provides a good ground before connecting the power cable.
Melto1 is calibrated and tested connected with a Lab12 Knack mk2 power cable. We strongly suggest
using this cable.
Notes:
➢Is absolutely safe to experiment with any settings for your cartridge. There is no way that you can
electrically damage your cartridge after a wrong setting. However, we suggest beginning your
configuration with values near the cartridge manufacturer recommended.
Available Input settings
1. Set up Instructions
All input settings are accessible from the back panel’s dip switches. You will find 2 groups (A Select & B
Select) of 4 switches (1, 2, 3 & 4) for each channel (left and right).
❖(A select)group adjusts the input impedance of corresponding channel.
❖(B select) group adjusts the Cartridge type (dip 1 & 2) and input capacitance (dip 3 & 4) for
corresponding channel.
Bellow you will find two tables that present in detail all the available input combinations/settings for MM
cartridge type or MC cartridge type and how you must set the dip switches to correspond to the desirable
setting.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
❖You must always set the exact same values for both channels, left and right.
❖Power off your device before making any settings.
LAB12 melto1 –MC/MM Phono Preamplifier
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A
Select
B
Select
MM
cartridge.
100
Kohm
Low
Cap.
← OFF
1
← OFF
← OFF
2
ON →
← OFF
3
← OFF
← OFF
4
← OFF
100pF
← OFF
1
← OFF
← OFF
2
ON →
← OFF
3
← OFF
← OFF
4
ON →
200pF
← OFF
1
← OFF
← OFF
2
ON →
← OFF
3
ON →
← OFF
4
← OFF
300pF
← OFF
1
← OFF
← OFF
2
ON →
← OFF
3
ON →
← OFF
4
ON →
50
Kohm
Low
Cap.
← OFF
1
← OFF
← OFF
2
ON →
← OFF
3
← OFF
ON →
4
← OFF
100pF
← OFF
1
← OFF
← OFF
2
ON →
← OFF
3
← OFF
ON →
4
ON →
200pF
← OFF
1
← OFF
← OFF
2
ON →
← OFF
3
ON →
ON →
4
← OFF
300pF
← OFF
1
← OFF
← OFF
2
ON →
← OFF
3
ON →
ON →
4
ON →
LAB12 melto1 –MC/MM Phono Preamplifier
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A
Select
B
Select
MC
cartridge.
Hi
Imp.
← OFF
1
ON →
← OFF
2
← OFF
← OFF
3
← OFF
← OFF
4
← OFF
390
ohm
← OFF
1
ON →
← OFF
2
← OFF
ON →
3
← OFF
ON →
4
← OFF
130
ohm
← OFF
1
ON →
ON →
2
← OFF
← OFF
3
← OFF
ON →
4
← OFF
100
ohm
← OFF
1
ON →
ON →
2
← OFF
ON →
3
← OFF
ON →
4
← OFF
47
ohm
ON →
1
ON →
←OFF
2
← OFF
← OFF
3
← OFF
ON →
4
← OFF
42
ohm
ON →
1
ON →
← OFF
2
← OFF
ON →
3
← OFF
ON →
4
← OFF
34
ohm
ON →
1
ON →
ON →
2
← OFF
← OFF
3
← OFF
ON →
4
← OFF
32
ohm
ON →
1
ON →
ON →
2
← OFF
ON →
3
← OFF
ON →
4
← OFF
LAB12 melto1 –MC/MM Phono Preamplifier
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2. Cartridge Type
You can choose between Moving Coil Phono Cartridges (MC) or Moving Magnet Phono Cartridges (MM).
You can choose MM setting for some MC (or other type) high output cartridges as well.
When MC setting is selected, a low noise solid state stage take care of the low level MC signal before the
tube and equaliser stages. When MM setting is selected this stage is totally bypassed.
3. Capacitance
For the MM cartridges, you can choose the desirable Input Capacitance. Try values near cartridge
manufacturer’s recommended value to ‘’flatten’’ the response and avoid resonant peaks in higher
frequencies. However, the capacitance values are affected from the cartridge’s design philosophy, as well
as from the connecting cables, so there is no absolutely correct setting. Therefore, experimentation is
recommended until you find a setting that suits your set-up and personal preference.
For the MC Cartridges, the setting is always suggested to be at the lower value.
4. Impedance
You can choose the desirable Input Impedance for the MM or MC cartridges. Try values near cartridge
manufacturer’s recommended value to ‘’flatten’’ the response. However, the impedance values areaffected
from the cartridge’s design philosophy, so there is no absolutely correct setting, and experimentation is
recommended until you find a setting that suits your set-up and personal preference. As a general rule the
higher value that you load your cartridge, gives you higher response on high frequencies.
User Notes
Melto1 phono stage is perfectly designed to minimize hum and let the lowest possible noise with maximum
signal headroom. You can use any type of turntable or cartridge with this phono stage. Melto1 allows the
user to optimizethe phono stage to themany different cartridges available. It is important to always ground
your tonearm on the grounding sockets of melto1.
LAB12 melto1 –MC/MM Phono Preamplifier
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For the safety of your equipment
Make sure that all your equipment is turned off before any
connection!
Specifications
• Power: 230VAC 50Hz (115VAC 60Hz)
• Power consumption: 80 VA max
• Gain MM: 41dB
• Gain MC: 66 dB
• Input impedance: adjustable (32 ohm –100Kohm)
• Input capacitance: adjustable (0-300pF)
• De-emphasis curve: RIAA
• Tube complement: 2x 6N1P dual triode, 2x 6n2p-EV dual triode
• Input: line stereo (RCA connectors)
• Output: line stereo (RCA connectors)
• Available Colours: Matt Black
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 43x11x29 cm
• Weight: 6.5 Kg
Warranty
This device has 5 years warranty for all parts (or 90-Day Limited Warranty for vacuum tubes) from the day
of purchase.
We wish you to enjoy your new device exactly as we enjoyed it when we built it for you!
K. Varnali 57A, Metamorfosi,
14452, Athens, Greece
Tel: +30 210 2845173
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.lab12.gr
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