Musical Fidelity A5 CR User manual

Issue 1 : November 2004 A5 CR Preamplifier Instructions for use Page 1of 9
XX
STEREO PREAMPLIFIER
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Thank you for purchasing the Musical Fidelity A5 CR Preamplifier.
Used properly and carefully, it should give many years of outstanding musical
reproduction.
Aesthetically, the A5 CR Preamplifier is a perfect match for the
A5 CR Power and A5 CD player.
Together they form one of the finest hi-fi systems available.
Dust regularly with a soft duster or soft brush, but be careful when using cleaning
or polishing agents - they may harm the surface finish.
If you have any questions about your audio system,
please consult your dealer who is there to help and advise.

Issue 1 : November 2004 A5 CR Preamplifier Instructions for use Page 2of 9
SAFETY INFORMATION
IMPORTANT!(U.K. only)
This unit is supplied in the U.K. with a mains lead fitted with a moulded 13 amp plug. If, for any
reason, you need to cut off the plug, please remove the fuse holder and dispose of the plug safely,
out of reach of children. It must not be plugged into a mains outlet.
The wires in the mains lead supplied with this appliance are coloured in accordance with the
following code:
Green and yellow..............Earth
Blue................................Neutral
Brown.................................Live
WARNING - This appliance must be earthed
As the colours of the wires of the mains lead of this appliance may not correspond with the coloured
markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:
The wire which is coloured green-and-yellow must be connected to the terminal in the plug which is
marked with the letter E or coloured green or green-and-yellow, or by the earth symbol:
The wire which is coloured brown must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter
L or coloured red.
The wire which is coloured blue must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter N
or coloured black.
If connecting to a BS1363 plug, a 13 amp fuse must be used.
WARNING:
Any modifications to this product not expressly approved by Musical Fidelity who is
the party responsible for standards compliance could void the user’s authority to
operate this equipment.

Issue 1 : November 2004 A5 CR Preamplifier Instructions for use Page 3of 9
GENERAL ADVICE
INSTALLATION PRECAUTIONS and USER INFORMATION
Your new A5 CR Preamplifier is designed and built to provide trouble-free performance, but as with
all electronic devices it is necessary to observe a few precautions:
Heed all warnings shown on the back of the product.
Only connect the A5 CR Preamplifier to a mains outlet having the same voltage as marked at the back
of the unit.
Always ensure that when disconnecting and reconnecting your audio equipment the mains supply is
switched off.
Position the mains lead and signal interconnects where they are not likely to be walked on or trapped
by items placed on them.
Do not use near water, or place water-filled containers on the amplifier, for example, a flower vase
or potted plants. If water does spill inside, immediately pull out the mains plug from the wall
socket and inform your dealer, who should then check the unit before further use. Entry of
liquid into the pre-amplifier is dangerous, and may cause electric shock or fire hazard.
Do not place the unit near direct heat sources such as radiators, direct sunlight or other equipment.
Do not remove any covers or try to gain access to the inside. There are no internal adjustments or
fuses you can replace yourself. Refer all service work to an authorised Musical Fidelity agent.
Note: Unauthorised opening of the equipment will invalidate any warranty claim.
Dust regularly with a soft cloth or soft brush but be careful when using cleaning or polishing agents -
they may harm the surface finish.
The electronics in modern hi-fi equipment is complex and may, therefore, be adversely affected or
damaged by lightning. For protection of your audio system during electrical storms, remove the
mains plugs and disconnect any aerial lead.
If after-sales service is required, to help your dealer identify the A5 CR Preamplifier please quote the
serial number located on the rear panel of the unit.
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE (R.F.I)
This product has been tested to ensure that its operation is not adversely affected by normal
background levels of R.F.I., and that it does not itself generate excessive amounts of interference.
However, if a problem persists, please contact your Musical Fidelity agent.

Issue 1 : November 2004 A5 CR Preamplifier Instructions for use Page 4of 9
CONNECTIONS and FACILITIES
7 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 11 12
FRONT PANEL
1 Power on indicator LED
2 POWER mains on/off switch
3 Mute indicator LED
4 Tape MONITOR button and LED
5 PHONO input select button and LED
6 CD input select button and LED
7 Volume control
8 Super Audio CD input select button and LED
ED
trol
ton
e 6
ED
9 TUNER input select button and L
10 Infra-red receiver window for remote con
11 Home Theatre DIRECT input select but
and LED – see pag
12 TAPE input select button and L
REAR PANEL
13 RIGHT OUTPUT RCA socket
14 Moving Magnet / Moving Coil
push-button selection switch – see page 6
15 PHONO input sockets
16 CD input sockets
17 Super Audio CD input sockets
Phono earth terminal
ets
e 6
ets
d 7
ket
18 TUNER input sock
19 Home Theatre DIRECT input sockets – see pag
20 TAPE playback input sock
21 TAPE RECord output sockets - see pages 6 an
22 LEFT OUTPUT RCA soc
IEC mains power inlet socket
113 14 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 22
11 1122

Issue 1 : November 2004 A5 CR Preamplifier Instructions for use Page 5of 9
REMOTE CONTROL
REMOTE CONTROL
The blue buttons on the remote control enable main functions of the A5 CR preamplifier to be
operated from a convenient distance. Remaining buttons on this universal handset are for use with
other Musical Fidelity products, and have no effect on this unit.
Equivalent buttons on the remote handset have the same functions as those on the front panel of the
unit.
As the remote control uses an invisible infra-red light beam, the transmitter must be pointed
directly towards the receiver window on the front of the amplifier, without visual obstruction
between them.
Pressing the volume-up or -down buttons on the remote handset will turn the motorised volume
control in the required direction.
Pressing the MUTE button disables the LEFT and RIGHT OUTPUT sockets, but not does not
effect TAPE RECord output. A red MUTE LED on the front panel lights to confirm that audio is
not being routed to your power amplifier. Pressing the MUTE button again cancels mute function,
and the red LED goes out.
If the range of the remote control greatly decreases, replace the batteries with new ones. Do not
mix old and new batteries - two are required, size LR03 or AAA, manganese alkaline type.
Do not dispose of used batteries in a fire.
(Preamplifier function buttons only)
CD input select
PHONO pickup
input select
SACD input select
Home Theatre DIRECT
input select (see page 6)
VOLUME (up)
VOLUME (down)
TAPE MUTE
input select button
TUNER input select

Issue 1 : November 2004 A5 CR Preamplifier Instructions for use Page 6of 9
CONNECTIONS
All input, output and power connections should
be made with the mains power switched OFF.
INPUT CONNECTIONS
The A5 CR Preamplifier has one pair of phono
inputs, which can be used either for moving
magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC) pickups.
The phono input sensitivity requirement can be
changed from MM to MC by pressing the push-
button switch located on the rear panel.
Important - Do not operate the MM /MC switch
with the volume control turned up.
Some turntable/pickup arm combinations are
fitted with an extra wire for chassis earthing.
This should be connected to the earth terminal
on the back panel.
(Note - this is not a safety earth).
The A5 CR Preamplifier also has four “line level”
inputs which are electrically identical, and
therefore suitable for use with any source
component having an output of at least 300mV.
Input sockets on the rear panel are marked CD,
SACD (Super Audio CD), TUNER and
TAPE, to correspond with function buttons on
the front panel.
The HT DIRECT sockets are intended for
home theatre use. When selected, they are
routed inside the A5 CR Preamplifier directly to
the preamplifier output, which is not controlled
by the volume adjustment.
Do not therefore connect these sockets to a
source without its own volume control.
PREAMPLIFIER OUTPUT
Left and right audio outputs are provided from
RCA sockets on the back panel, which are
controlled by the volume adjustment.
TAPE RECORDER CONNECTION
The A5 CR Preamplifier has a single tape circuit
with facilities for off-tape monitoring with 3-
head tape decks (see page 7).
The tape deck's left and right line outputs are
routed to the preamplifier's TAPE (input)
sockets, and the tape deck's line inputs are
connected to the preamplifier’s TAPE
RECord (output) sockets.
BEFORE SWITCHING ON . . . .
Plug the accessory IEC mains lead into the rear
panel socket, then the other end into a wall
outlet.
Turn the volume control on the front panel to
minimum (anticlockwise).

Issue 1 : November 2004 A5 CR Preamplifier Instructions for use Page 7of 9
OPERATION
STARTING . . . .
Press the POWER switch button on the front
panel of the A5 Preamplifier - the blue
POWER LED above the button will light
indicating that the unit is ready for use.
However, for about sixteen seconds no sound
will be heard from your speakers, and the red
MUTE LED near the button will be lit,
confirming initial mute action.
Unless using your amplifier for off-tape
monitoring (see paragraph opposite )
ensure that the TAPE MONITOR button has
not been pressed accidentally, as otherwise no
sound will be heard through the speakers.
Select the required audio input source by
pressing an appropriate function button on the
front panel or remote control, and adjust the
volume control to obtain the preferred sound
level.
TAPE RECORDING
To record, simply select the required source
with the input selector button on the front panel
or remote control. This source will now be
routed to the A5 CR Preamplifier’s TAPE
RECord output for recording by the external
tape deck. You will also be able to hear the
selected source through the loudspeakers.
Note - adjustment of the volume control has no
effect on the recording level.
OFF TAPE MONITORING
In conjunction with a 3-head cassette deck, off-
tape monitoring allows the user to compare
recorded sound with the original whilst a
recording is being made (see page 6 for
connection details). To do this, first select the
required source in the normal way and start
recording.
The TAPE MONITOR button on the front
panel can now be used to switch between the
original source sound and the recorded version,
allowing direct comparison. The blue LED just
above the button is lit when the tape monitor
function is operating, confirming that the
recorded sound is selected.
On some 3-head tape decks there is an
additional “tape/source” switch, which must be
in the “tape” position for the above to work.
If in doubt, please refer to your tape deck
operating manual.

Issue 1 : November 2004 A5 CR Preamplifier Instructions for use Page 8of 9
PROBLEMS?
Basic problem-solving with a pre-amplifier is similar to troubleshooting other electrical or
electronic equipment. Always check the most obvious possible causes first, such as the following
examples:
Problem Probable Cause Remedy
No power when POWER
button is pressed
Mains power plug is not fully
inserted into rear socket
Plug in securely
No sound Tape monitor function has
been selected
Switch off tape monitor
Mute function is still active
(mute LED is still on)
Press the MUTE button on the
remote control to cancel
Wrong connections between
input sources and the A5 CR
Preamplifier
Check audio input lead
connections
Hum Audio connector plug not fully
pushed in
Insert plug securely
Remote control does not work Preamplifier’s POWER switch
is set to off
Set switch to on
One or more batteries fitted the
wrong way round
Insert batteries correctly
Batteries are flat Change batteries – do not mix
old and new ones
Remote control is not pointed
directly towards the front panel
of the preamplifier
Ensure there is no obstruction
between the remote control and
preamplifier front
Remote control range has
greatly reduced
Batteries are running out Change batteries – do not mix
old and new ones
If none of these actions effect a cure, please contact your dealer, or an authorised Musical Fidelity
service agent. Remember, never open the case of the A5 CR Preamplifier yourself, as this will
invalidate the guarantee.

A5 CR .SPECIFICATIONS.
STEREO PREAMPLIFIER
Issue 1 : November 2004 A5 CR Preamplifier Instructions for use Page 9of 9
Output :
Voltage, RMS : 29 Volts 20Hz to 20kHz
Voltage, peak-to-peak : 84 Volts
Impedance : 50 Ohms
Frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz, ±0dB
Line inputs :
Total harmonic distortion + noise, 20Hz to 20kHz < 0.01%
Signal / noise ratio reference 1 Volt RMS output > 100dB ‘A’-weighted
Input sensitivity for 1 Volt output 240mV
Input impedance 220k Ohms
Gain at maximum volume 12.5dB (4.2 times)
Overload margin 31dB
Channel separation > 70dB typical
Home Theatre Direct input :
Input sensitivity Zero gain, not effected by volume control
Phono input :
Frequency response reference
-20.0
-15.0
-10.0
-5.0
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
20.0 31.5 50.0 80.0 125 200 315 500 1000 1600 2500 4000 6300 10000 16000
RIAA
PHONO
RIAA/IEC
PHONO RESPONSE
Frequency (Hz)
dB
IEC RIAA - see graph . . . .
Signal / noise ratio ref.1 Volt RMS output > 94dB ‘A’-weighted moving magnet
> 88dB ‘A’-weighted moving coil
Input sensitivity for 1 Volt RMS output at 1kHz 2.5mV moving magnet
370µV moving coil
Input impedance 47k Ohms
Overload margin Moving magnet : 31.2dB,
Moving coil 30.9dB
Inputs : 4 pairs line level RCA connectors,
1 pair (home theatre direct) power amplifier input RCA connectors
1 pair phono RCA connectors
Outputs : 1 pair RCA main output controlled by the volume,
1 pair RCA tape record fixed line level output.
Power requirement : 100 / 115 / 230Volts AC 50 / 60Hz (factory pre-set),
10 Watts maximum
Weight : 13.15 kg, 29 lbs unit only, unboxed Dimensions : 440 mm, 17.3 inches wide
18 kg, 39.5 lbs in shipping carton 125 mm, 4.9 inches high including feet
397 mm, 15.6 inches deep including terminals
Standard accessories : IEC type mains lead (10-Amp type),
remote control (A5 type - universal),
2 batteries size LR03 or AAA, manganese alkaline type
Musical Fidelity reserves the right to make improvements which
may result in specification or feature changes without notice