Origin live Discovery 2 User manual

©2020 Origin Live –All rights reserved
Discovery 2 User Manual

©2020 Origin Live –All rights reserved
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing an Origin Live Discovery
2 MM/MC phono stage. It is our sincere desire
that this high-end audio component will give you
many years of unparalleled listening enjoyment.
Before connecting your phono stage to a system
we highly recommend that you read all of this
manual in order to become familiar with the units
controls and most importantly, specific warnings
and cautions that should be observed.
Throughout this manual handy tips have been
included that should help to ensure that the
phono stage is set up optimally and able to give
you the most transparent and engaging sound
possible.
Please read this first
WARNING :-
Do not plug the phono stage PSU module into an
AC socket if the indicated voltage on the back is
not a close match to the mains voltage where it is
to be used. Many countries especially in Europe
and other parts of the world use 220-240V. The
Discovery 2 PSU module must only be used in
these regions if 230V is indicated with a black dot.
In Canada, the USA and remaining parts of the
world 100-120V is typical therefore the Discovery
2 PSU module should only be used if 115V is
indicated.
WARNING :-
Never disassemble the phono stage modules.
There are no user serviceable parts inside but
there is potentially dangerous mains voltage in
the power supply that can cause serious injuries or
death.
WARNING :-
The Protective Earth connection to the mains
supply is required for safety reasons because
mains voltage is present in the PSU module. The
Earth wire in the mains lead must never therefore
be disconnected or 'lifted'. The protective Earth
however is not connected to the phono stage
0V/Ground connections which offers complete
control over earth loop management. Please note
that the 0V/Ground connections may be
connected to mains Earth through other parts of
the system.
WARNING :-
Never connect the Discovery 2 phono stage
directly to a power amplifier. The unit has no
direct control over the output volume and the
high gain is extremely likely to cause an acoustic
feedback loop that can easily destroy the drive
units in speakers. Always connect the unit to a
device with a volume control and always power
the system on with the volume reduced to a low
level.
WARNING :-
Always mute the amplifier, completely turn down
the master volume control or better still turn off
the main power amplifier when performing any
operations that involve changes to the Discovery 2
phono stage cabling. Make sure that the tonearm
ground wire is in good contact with the ground
post and that it is mated squarely and cleanly.
WARNING :-
The AC power cable supplied with the phono
stage is good but upgradable. Many audio
enthusiasts agree that further sonic improvements
can be obtained by using cables with specialist
materials, components and features used in their
construction. As long as the replacement cable is
fully wired to include a PE (Protective Earth)
connection there is no reason not to use such a
cable. Please see your local Origin Live dealer or
distributor for advice and recommendations.
WARNING :-
In the unlikely event of a fault developing with the
phono stage or power supply module contact

©2020 Origin Live –All rights reserved
your dealer or distributor where you will receive
expert advice.
Useful Tip :-
Ideally there should be only one connection to
Earth from a common point. If multiple Earth
connections exist then earth loops can occur if
current flows around such loops. This sometimes
results is audible mains hum at 50/60Hz or even
harmonics of these frequencies. If mains hum is
heard when playing vinyl the best approach is to
try and identify the source of the ground loop and
break it at a sensible point that does not
compromise the safe operation of the entire
system. If in doubt, seek professional assistance.

©2020 Origin Live –All rights reserved
Getting Started
Unpacking
The Discovery 2 phono stage is supplied with the
following items: -
1. MM/MC phono stage module
2. PSU module
3. DC interconnect cable (0.5m)
4. AC power cable (230V/115V suitable for
regional use)
5. This operations manual
If any of these items is missing or if the mains
cable is not suitable for the intended country of
use then please contact the distributor or supplier
from where it was purchased for a suitable
replacement.
Setting Up
Useful Tip :-
It is recommended that the other Hi-Fi system
components are powered off during setup as this
will avoid all kinds of potential mistakes causing
unwanted noise, hum or damage whilst cables are
being plugged in.
Firstly, find a good stable location to place the
PSU and phono stage modules. A high quality Hi-
Fi stand or shelf as part of a dedicated Hi-Fi
installation is preferable.
Carefully place each unit side by side or the phono
stage on top of the PSU module.
Useful Tip :-
The clearance between units when placed on top
of each other is small and the feet will compress a
little under the weight of the PSU module possibly
making contact between the front panels. It is
recommended therefore that if vertical stacking is
preferred, the phono stage module should be
placed on top of the PSU module.
Looking from the rear of the phono stage unit to
the left, connect the earth wire to the binding post.
It can be difficult to turn the Earth nut with larger
phono cables already plugged in therefore this
should be done first.
Useful Tip :-
If a bare earth wire is used, make sure it is
wrapped around the binding post thread in a
clockwise direction looking from the rear and that
no exposed wire is left hanging out that could
make a short to other connectors.
Useful Tip :-
Only hand tighten the nut making sure the wire is
securely gripped. Do not use spanners or other
tools.
Plug the cartridge phono cables into the phono
stage module. These are the left most phono
connectors looking from the back of the unit
marked as INPUT.
Now plug in the phono interconnect cable
between to the phono stage module and the
systems pre-amplifier. There are two sets of
outputs marked POS and NEG. The POS output is
the audio signal in true positive phase in relation
to the cartridge output signal whereas the NEG
signal is the same audio signal in opposite phase.
Both can be used to send the audio signal to two
different pre-amplifiers or they can be combined
and used as a differential output where the pre-
amplifier uses balanced inputs.
Useful Tip :-
A specialist cable may be required in order to
connect the differential output signals to the pre-
amplifier. Many pre-amplifiers require XLR
connections for differential signals whereas other
require DIN or a pair of phono connectors.
Finally, plug the DC power connector between the
PSU module and the phono stage module. The
cable is a mini-XLR type and positively clicks in
place with arrows or alignment indicators facing
upwards. It may be necessary to hold onto the

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phono stage or PSU module when making the DC
power connection because the force required is
likely to move the modules.
Useful Tip :-
In order to unplug the DC power cable the button
on the chassis connector of the PSU module will
need to be pressed in to release it. Similarly, in
order to unplug the DC power cable from the
phono stage module the button on the cable
connector will need to be pressed in to release it.
Do not pull on these cables without depressing
the button or else damage to the cable may occur.
Applying Power
Assuming all signal cables have been connected
turn on the phono stage using the switch at the
back of the PSU module (Rocker up is off and
rocker down is on). The 'green' light at the rear of
the PSU module should light immediately and the
'blue' LED at the front of the phono stage module
should also light.
Warm Up Indication
The Discovery 2 phono state is in a cold state
when first powered up. Many audio enthusiasts
believe that sensitive electronics need to be
warmed up before the ultimate sound quality can
be heard therefore whenever power is first applied
to the phono stage the 'blue' LED at the front left
will flash approximately once every 5 seconds for
an hour. This is the minimum amount of time
required for the electronic components to warm
up and settle down thermally.
Front Panel Adjustments
The Discovery 2 phono stage has 3 front panel
controls that adapt the units configuration to suit
a wide variety of available MM and MC cartridges.
These adjustments, whilst intentionally subtle in
some cases can have a significant influence on the
clarity and separation of sounds heard in music so
it is highly recommended to take time to explore
them and not just settle on the first combination
set even though it will sound exceptional right
away.
Input Loading
The Discovery 2 phono stage has a 5 position
impedance switch. The impedance switch controls
the electrical 'load' placed on the cartridges coils.
For moving magnet cartridges the impedance is
usually very high with 47,000 ohms (47K) being
common. For moving coil cartridges the load
impedance is usually very low with 400 ohms
being quite typical.
Useful Tip :-
The manufacturers of moving coil cartridges may
specify a range of possible loading values that can
be quite wide, for example, from 100 ohms to
1000 ohms for just a single cartridge. It is
therefore recommended that the best value
should be determined by experimentation over a
number of hours once the phono stage has fully
warmed up (usually more than 1 hour). When a
manufacturer recommends a particular impedance
value that does not match any of the ones
available on the Discovery 2 phono stage it is
recommended to start with the closest setting to
the recommended value and then experiment
away from that value; increasing the impedance
initially. The audible effects of different impedance
values can often be system dependent and subtle
but can also result in surprising discoveries. The
key is to take time when making the final selection
playing a number of tracks to compare against
each change of input impedance and possibly
repeat the same test over a number of days.
Switch Positions
1. MM (47K ohms) - most moving magnet
cartridges
2. 100 (ohms) - very low impedance moving
coil cartridges
3. 240 (ohms) - low impedance moving coil
cartridges
4. 400 (ohms) - typical impedance moving
coil cartridges

©2020 Origin Live –All rights reserved
5. 820 (ohms) - higher impedance moving
coil cartridges
Useful Tip :-
As a general rule of electronics engineering the
input impedance loading value should be at least
10 times the output impedance of the cartridges
coil. This is not a hard and fast rule as the effects
of changing impedance may be subtle and
subjective suiting one system combination more
than another. It is however a good starting point if
there are no specific recommendations from the
manufacturer or their recommended range is very
wide.
Input Gain
The Discovery 2 phono stage has a 3 position gain
switch. The least sensitive range is marked as 2.5.
It indicates that for a given input signal of 2.5mV
(peak to peak) the output signal will be 1.0V (peak
to peak), which is suitable for most line level pre
amplifiers or power amplifiers with a volume
control.
Switch Positions
•2.5mV - Suitable for most moving magnet
or very high output moving coil cartridges
•1.0mV - Suitable for low output moving
magnet or high output moving coil
cartridges
•0.25mV - Suitable for most low output
moving coil cartridges
Subsonic Filter
The Discovery 2 phono stage has a built in
subsonic filter. The filter gently reduces low
frequency effects such as record warp, needle
drops, low frequency feedback, bearing noise and
DC offsets that can all cause excessive speaker
cone movement. A filter can be desirable because
these effects if present can unnecessarily heat
amplifiers and speaker coils causing dynamic
range compression and potential damage in
extreme cases. Some audio enthusiasts disapprove
of the use of such filters therefore it can be turned
on or off with a push button switch. When it is
turned on a 'blue' light next to the subsonic
button is lit.
Useful Tip :-
The subsonic filter has absolutely no measurable
effect above 35Hz. Very few vinyl records contain
significant audio this low because it is often
removed by the master disk cutter operator to
prevent adjacent tracks from colliding with each
other or excessive movement from creating
needle jumps. It's effect therefore is sufficiently
subtle that in almost all situations it should have
no impact upon the sound of the audio being
heard. It has most effect below 5Hz, which is
inaudible to human ears and where excessive
displacement of speaker cones can cause damage.
Setup is complete
Congratulations, now that the Discovery 2
phono stage has been connected and
setup all that is left to do is to sit back,
relax and enjoy your favourite music
whilst exploring new insights and depths
previously hidden.

©2020 Origin Live –All rights reserved
Troubleshooting
No sound is produced
Check that the PSU module has been turned on
When the PSU module is on a green LED
underneath the DC power outlet at the back of the
PSU module lights up. If the LED is not lit then
check the switch is in the on position (rocker down)
and that the cable is fitted correctly with mains
present. Finally, try a different lead that is known
to work.
Check that the preamp stage has power
When the preamp is powered on a blue LED on
the left of the front panel is lit. If this is not lit but
the PSU module is powered on check that the
interconnecting DC cable has been fitted correctly
and the connectors have been pushed in and
locked into position.
(Troubleshooting is a work in progress)