Perreaux SM6 MKII User manual

Prisma
SM6 MkII
Balanced Preamplifier
Owners Manual

2
Perreaux Industries Limited makes no warranty for the use of its products, other than those
expressly contained in the warranty detailed herein. The Company assumes no responsibility for
any errors which may appear in this document, reserves the ri ht to chan e products or
specifications detailed herein at any time without notice, and does not make any commitment to
update the information contained herein. No licenses to patents or other intellectual property of
Perreaux are ranted by the Company in connection with the sale of Perreaux products, expressly or
by implication.
mboob^ru
®
is a re istered trademark of Perreaux Industries Ltd.
Terms and product names in this document may be trademarks of others.

3
i
ii
i Introducing the Perreaux
SM6 MkII Preamplifier
Con ratulations on your Perreaux SM 6 MkII
purchase. To realise the full
potential of your unit you need to appreciate all aspects of its operation.
Before installin the SM6 M kII
into your system, read the entire manual
carefully. Endeavour
to understand every detail by familiarisin yourself with
the controls and features as you read. You will find it easier to install usin the
relevant sections of this manual as a reference.
We have attempted to explain every feature and operation
facet clearly and
concisely. Your Perreaux dealer will be happy to assist if you encounter any
unforeseen problems.
Read this manual, install your unit correctly and realise the sonic si nificance of
your investment in Perreaux.
Perreaux products are desi
ned to provide the utmost in sonic realism and
electronic reliability with a functional yet ele ant appearance that reflects the
care and craftsmanship applied durin all sta es of construction.
Features at a
Glance
 Ru ed build quality
 Truly balanced circuit desi n
 Discrete Class-A amplification throu hout
 Multiple re ulated power supplies
 Infrared (IR) full function remote control
 Precision volume control
 Dual preamplifier outputs
 Home theatre bypass
 Remote tri er outputs
 Advanced PCB desi n and earthin techniques
To maintain the consistently hi h quality that you expect from us, and we expect
from ourselves, Perreaux products are essentially handcrafted.
We maintain the human-
link throu hout, from desi n and construction, throu h
to the ultimate test, your music, your system, your ears.
Because we too listen to our products, we know that with your Perreaux you will
discover many more of the musical secrets we strive to reveal.
From all of us at Perreaux Industries Limited, thank you for choosin th
e
Perreaux Prisma Series SM 6 MkII preamplifier.

4
ii
iiii
ii Important Safety Instructions
Note:
All safety and operation instructions should be read carefully before the
SM6 is operated. Keep the Owners Manual in a safe place for future
reference.
 The SM 6 should not be used near water, for example near a bathtub,
kitchen sink, in a wet basement, near a swimmin pool, etc.
 Mountin to a wall or ceilin should be via a heavy-duty bracket or shelf
desi ned for audio equipment use.
 The SM 6 should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators,
stoves, or other appliances that produce excessive amounts of heat.
 DO NOT place the SM 6 directly onto carpeted surfaces.
 Avoid exposin the SM 6 to extremely hi h or low temperatures.
 The SM 6 should be connected to a mains power supply only of the type
described in the operatin instructions, or as marked on the rear of the
unit.
 DO NOT disconnect the mains earth from the system.
 The mains power supply cord should be routed so that it is not likely to
be walked on or pinched by items placed on or a ainst it.
 The power cord of the SM 6 should be unplu ed from the mains outlet
when the unit is to be left unused for lon periods or when attemptin to
connect or disconnect cables and before cleanin your unit.
 Care should be taken so that objects and/or liquids do not accidentally
fall inside the SM6.
 Please keep electrical equipment out of reach of children.
 Please unplu sensitive electronic equipment durin electrical storms.
 Please replace any fuse with the value and type specified.
 Avoid operatin the SM 6 with the cover removed.
 DO NOT bypass any fuse.
 DO NOT attempt to repair the SM6. In the event of a problem, please
contact your Perreaux dealer.
 DO NOT operate this product in an explosive atmosphere.

5
iii
iiiiii
iii Table of Contents
i
ii
i Introducing the Perreaux SM6 Preamplifier...............................................................3
ii
iiii
ii Important Safety Instructions ........................................................................................4
iii
iiiiii
iii Ta le of Contents ..............................................................................................................5
1
11
1 Unpacking and Placement..............................................................................................6
2
22
2 Instant Install......................................................................................................................7
3
33
3 Front Panel Functions......................................................................................................9
4
44
4 Rear Panel Functions..................................................................................................... 11
5
55
5 Remote Control Functions........................................................................................... 15
6
66
6 Special Design Philosophies ........................................................................................ 18
7
77
7 Special Design Features................................................................................................ 20
8
88
8 Maximising System Potential ...................................................................................... 21
9
99
9 Care and Maintainance................................................................................................ 23
10
1010
10 Warranty Information and O taining Service........................................................ 24
11
1111
11 Extended Warranty Registration Form.................................................................... 25
12
1212
12 Faultfinding Your System............................................................................................. 26
13
1313
13 Specifications................................................................................................................... 31
14
1414
14 Physical Dimensions ...................................................................................................... 35
15
1515
15 Contact Details................................................................................................................ 36

6
1
11
1 Unpacking and Placement
The SM 6 is packa ed for maximum protection. Please carefully read the
instructions below before proceedin to unpack the unit. Be extremely careful.
Unpacking
Procedure
 Inspect both ends of the cardboard box and open at the end without the
central staple by slittin the reinforced tape at either side.
 Fold back the flaps and tip the packa e on end and the inner box will
slide out.
 Lay the inner box down flat and upri ht, open it conventionally by
separatin the top tray from the bottom.
 The product can now be removed from the bottom packa in . This will
be easier if you have someone to help you by holdin the base of the
box.
 Alternately, the bottom tray and preamplifier could be tipped upside
down and the bottom packa in removed. If opened in this manner,
please ensure that you turn the contents over a ain.
Note:
Be very careful to secure the unit if you are planning to flip the pac age
upside down.
 Remove the two rey foam protectors off either side of the unit, leavin
the black material coverin .
 Pull back the material and remove the protective membrane from the
front panel.
The preamplifier is now unpacked and ready for further installation.
Note:
Please retain all pac aging material for future transport.
Box
Contents
1 x SM 6 MkII Preamplifier 1 x Screwdriver
1 x SM 6 MkII Product manual 2 x Remote tri er leads
1 x Perreaux remote control 1 x Detachable AC power cord
2 x AAA batteries 3 x Performance analysis charts
Placing
Your SM6
The SM6 should enerally be placed close to your amplifier, keepin the
interconnect cablin short. Position all the separate components of your system
close enou h to your SM 6 to avoid havin to stretch or extend any of the
interconnect cables.
As a “rule of thumb”, allow 80-100mm (3-
4 inches) around all sides of the
product and mount the SM 6 on a flat surface, ensurin that the unit has adequate
access to free flowin air.
Do not place auxiliary equipment directly on top of the SM 6.
Do not place the SM6 directly atop a power amplifier.
Please do not cover the product with a cloth or similar.

7
Instant Install
If you are like us, the first thin you will want to do is to play your favourite
piece of music throu h your new SM 6. The followin inst
ructions are written to
enable you to achieve this as quickly as possible. These are not comprehensive
instructions, but are desi ned to enable you to play music now!
Note:
Please ta e the time to read the SM6 manual thoroughly as it
incorporates many features, which will enhance its operation.
Placement
The SM6 is a reference preamplifier and best results will be achieved when
placed on a solid surface with adequate ventilation. DO NOT place on
a
carpeted floor or cover the preamplifier!
Turn off associated components
This minimises the potential to dama e any other components when connectin
your SM 6 into the system.
Connect SM6 to power amplifier
Connect the balanced (XLR) or unbalanced (RCA) outputs of your SM6 to the
appropriate inputs at the rear of your power amplifier.
Note:
Try to eep all interconnect cables as far from loudspea er cables as
possible and well away from all AC mains leads.
Connect source component to SM6
Connect the relevant output of your source component to either the b
alanced
(XLR) or unbalanced (RCA) inputs of your SM 6.
Note:
Be sure to set the Balanced I
nput switch to the appropriate position, ON
if using the balanced (XLR) inputs and OFF if using the unbalanced (RCA)
inputs.
Switch on source component
Turn on the
source component and make sure you have some pro ram material
ready to play.
Switch on SM6
After checkin the supply volta e compatibility with the volta e ratin on the
SM 6 rear panel, insert the power cord-
set supplied into the rear of the unit and
int
o the wall. Switch on the socket at the wall and power up the SM 6 usin the
switch on the rear panel.
Switch on power amplifier
Turn on your power amplifier.

8
Test for undesira le noises
Without any pro ram source material, slowly increase the SM6 vol
ume listenin
for any undesirable noises. After establishin that there are no problems, return
the SM6 volume level back to zero.
Play your source material
Start your source material playin .
Increase the volume
Slowly increase the volume on the SM 6 to achieve a comfortable listenin level.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Now that you have achieved your first objective, sit back, relax and please read
the rest of the manual at your own pace, in your favourite armchair, whilst
sippin a lass of wine. You’ll find the wh
ole experience much more
pleasurable whilst listenin to music.

9
3
33
3 Front Panel Functions
Volume Control and Stand y
Volume Control
When either button is depressed, they
will alter the volume settin . The volume
adjustment ran e is 00 – 59 (-95dB to +18dB), with 47 indicatin 0dB.
Standby
Pressin simultaneously will put the SM 6 into standby,
disconnectin all power
supplies except the di ital power supply for the microcontroller and turnin off
the remote tri er outputs. The selected input and balance settin s are saved.
Standby is indicated by a sin le dot on the display and operation can be resumed
by pressin buttons simultaneously a ain.
Refer to Chapter 5 “Remote Control Functions”, for further details on volume
and standby controls.
Alphanumeric Display
The display will illuminate when the power is turned on at the mains power
switch or when various remote or front panel adjustments are made. At turn-
on,
the display will illuminate with 00 and default to the input
selected at the last
standby cycle.
Source Select and Mute
Source Select
When either button is depressed, they scroll throu h the source inputs.
The order of source inputs and display indication is as follows:
Source Input Display
Input A IA
Input B IB
Input C IC
Input D (HT Loop) HT
Input E IE
Input F IF

10
Caution!
Input D (HT Loop) fixes the output to 0dB,
as it is a home theatre bypass.
Please ensure the level is suitably attenuated by the upstream processor
or receiver before selecting this input.
Note:
The source selecto
r has six positions and supplies the chosen source to
the Pre/Balanced outputs and Tape outputs. If source
input E or F is
selected, no signal is supplied to its applicable Tape
output to avoid the
potentially damaging feed bac loop which can occur if in
advertently
attempting to record and playbac the same source simultaneously.
Mute
Pressin the buttons simultaneously will mute the volume
, indicated by “MU”
on the display. M ute can be cancelled by pressin the buttons simultaneously
a ain, or increasin
the volume settin . The volume settin can be decreased
whilst the volume remains muted.
Note:
The mute function still operates when
source input D (home theatre
bypass) is selected.
Refer to Chapter 5 “Remote Control Functions”, for further details
on source
select and mute controls.