Perreaux SM6/P User manual

SM6/P
SM6/PSM6/P
SM6/P
Dual Channel 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 right to change 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 granted by the Company in connection with the sale of Perreaux products, expressly or
by implication.
PERREAUX®is a registered trademark of Perreaux Industries Ltd.
Terms and product names in this document may be trademarks of others.

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4
i
iiiIntroducing the Perreaux
SM6 Preamplifier
Congratulations on your Perreaux SM6 purchase. To realise the full potential o
f
your unit you need to appreciate all aspects of its operation.
Before installing the SM6 into your system, read the entire manual carefully.
Endeavor to understand every detail by familiarising yourself with the controls
and features as you read. You will find it easier to install using the relevan
t
sections of this manual as a reference.
We have attempted to explain every feature and operation facet clearly an
d
concisely. Your Perreaux dealer will be happy to assist if you encounter an
y
unforeseen problems.
Read this manual, install your unit correctly and realise the sonic significance o
f
your investment in Perreaux.
Perreaux products are designed to provide the utmost in sonic realism an
d
electronic reliability with a functional yet elegant appearance that reflects th
e
care and craftsmanship applied during all stages of construction.
Features at a
Glance
àRugged build quality
àTruly balanced circuit design
àDiscrete Class A amplification throughout
àMultiple regulated power supplies
àWireless full function remote control
àPrecision volume control
àDual preamplifier outputs
àAdvanced PCB design and earthing techniques
To maintain the consistently high quality that you expect from us, and we expec
t
from ourselves, Perreaux products are essentially handcrafted.
We maintain the human-link throughout, from design and construction, throug
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 wil
l
discover many more of the musical secrets we strive to reveal.
Note: All references to the SM6 Classic series are also applicable to the SM6
P
P-Series product.
From all of us at Perreaux Industries Limited, thank you for choosing th
e
Perreaux Reference Series SM6 preamplifier.

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ii
iiii
ii Important Safety Instructions
Note: All safety and operation instructions should be read carefully before th
e
SM6 is operated. Keep the Owners Manual in a safe place for futur
e
reference.
àThe SM6 should not be used near water, for example near a bathtub,
kitchen sink, in a wet basement, near a swimming pool, etc.
àThe SM6 should be rack mounted only in a heavy-duty rack or stand
that is recommended for audio equipment use.
àMounting to a wall or ceiling should be via a heavy-duty bracket or shelf
designed for audio equipment use.
àThe SM6 should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators,
stoves, or other appliances that produce excessive amounts of heat.
àDO NOT place the SM6 directly onto carpeted surfaces.
àAvoid exposing the SM6 to extremely high or low temperatures.
àThe SM6 should be connected to a mains power supply only of the type
described in the operating instructions, or as marked on the rear of the
unit.
àDO NOT disconnect the mains earth from the system.
à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 against it.
àThe power cord of the SM6 should be unplugged from the mains outlet
when the unit is to be left unused for long periods or when attempting to
connect or disconnect cables and before cleaning your unit.
àCare should be taken so that objects and/or liquids do not accidentally
fall inside the SM6.
àPlease keep electrical equipment out of reach of children.
àPlease unplug sensitive electronic equipment during electrical storms.
àPlease replace any fuse with the value and type specified.
àAvoid operating the SM6 with the cover removed.
àDO NOT bypass any fuse.
àDO NOT attempt to repair the SM6. In the event of a problem, please
contact your Perreaux dealer.
àDO NOT operate this product in an explosive atmosphere.

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iii
iiiiii
iii Table of Contents
i
ii
iIntroducing the Perreaux SM6 Preamplifier ........................................................... 4
ii
iiii
ii Important Safety Instructions.................................................................................... 5
iii
iiiiii
iii Table of Contents......................................................................................................... 6
1
11
1Unpacking and Placement......................................................................................... 7
2
22
2Instant Install................................................................................................................8
3
33
3Front Panel Functions............................................................................................... 10
4
44
4Rear Panel Functions ................................................................................................ 11
5
55
5Remote Control Functions ....................................................................................... 15
6
66
6Special Design Philosophies .................................................................................... 17
7
77
7Special Design Features............................................................................................ 19
8
88
8Maximising System Potential................................................................................... 20
9
99
9Care and Maintainance ............................................................................................ 22
10
1010
10 Warranty Information and Obtaining Service ..................................................... 23
11
1111
11 Extended Warranty Registration Form ................................................................. 24
12
1212
12 Faultfinding Your System ......................................................................................... 25
13
1313
13 Specifications.............................................................................................................. 30
14
1414
14 Physical Dimensions.................................................................................................. 33
15
1515
15 Contact Details........................................................................................................... 34

7
1
11
1Unpacking and Placement
The SM6 is packaged for maximum protection. Please carefully read th
e
instructions below before proceeding to unpack the unit. Be extremely careful.
Unpacking
Procedure
à Inspect both ends of the cardboard box and open at the end without the
central staple by slitting the reinforced tape at either side.
à Fold back the flaps and tip the package on end and the inner box will
slide out.
à Lay the inner box down flat and upright, open it conventionally by
separating the top tray from the bottom.
à The product can now be removed from the bottom packaging. This will
be easier if you have someone to help you by holding the base of the
box.
à Alternately, the bottom tray and preamplifier could be tipped upside
down and the bottom packaging removed. If opened in this manner,
please ensure that you turn the contents over again.
Note: Be very careful to secure the unit if you are planning to flip the packag
e
upside down.
à Remove the two white polystyrene protectors off either side of the unit,
leaving the black material covering.
à Pull back the material and remove the protective black tissue from the
front panel.
The preamplifier is now unpacked and ready for further installation.
Note: Please retain all packaging material for future transport.
Box
Contents
1 x SM6 Preamplifier
1 x SM6 Product manual
1 x Perreaux remote control
2 x AAA batteries
1 x Detachable AC power cord
Placing
Your SM6
The SM6 should generally be placed close to your amplifier, keeping th
e
interconnect cabling short. Position all the separate components of your syste
m
close enough to your SM6 to avoid having to stretch or extend any of th
e
interconnect cables.
As a “rule of thumb”, allow 80-100mm (3-4 inches) around all sides of th
e
product and mount the SM6 on a flat surface, ensuring that the unit has adequat
e
access to free flowing air.
Do not place auxiliary equipment directly on top of the SM6.
Please do not cover the product with a cloth or similar.

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2
22
2Instant Install
If you are like us, the first thing you will want to do is to play your favourit
e
piece of music through your new SM6. The following instructions are written to
enable you to achieve this as quickly as possible. These are not comprehensiv
e
instructions, but are designed to enable you to play music now!
Note: Please take the time to read the SM6 manual thoroughly as i
t
incorporates many features, which will enhance its operation.
Placement
The SM6 is a reference preamplifier and best results will be achieved whe
n
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 damage any other components when connectin
g
your SM6 into the system.
Connect SM6 to power amplifier
Connect the balanced (XLR) or unbalanced (RCA) outputs of your SM6 to th
e
appropriate inputs at the rear of your power amplifier.
Note: Try to keep all interconnect cables as far from loudspeaker 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 balance
d
(XLR) or unbalanced (RCA) inputs of your SM6.
Note: Be sure to set the balanced CD input 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 program materia
l
ready to play.
Switch on SM6
After checking the supply voltage compatibility with the voltage rating on th
e
SM6 rear panel, insert the power cord-set supplied into the rear of the unit an
d
into the wall. Switch on the socket at the wall and power up the SM6 using th
e
switch on the rear panel.
Switch on power amplifier
Turn on your power amplifier.

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Test for undesirable noises
Without any program source material, slowly increase the SM6 volume listenin
g
for any undesirable noises. After establishing that there are no problems, retur
n
the SM6 volume level back to zero.
Play your source material
Start your source material playing.
Increase the volume
Slowly increase the volume on the SM6 to achieve a comfortable listening level.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Now that you have achieved your first objective, sit back, relax and please rea
d
the rest of the manual at your own pace, in your favourite armchair, whils
t
sipping a hot cup of coffee. You’ll find the whole experience much mor
e
pleasurable whilst listening to music.

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3
33
3Front Panel Functions
Volume Control
When depressed, these buttons will alter the volume setting. The volum
e
adjustment range is 00 – 59.
Alphanumeric Display
The display will illuminate when the power is turned on at the mains powe
r
switch or when various remote or front panel adjustments are made. At turn-on,
the display will illuminate with 00 and default to the CD input. If no commands
are selected within two minutes, the display will revert to the standby mod
e
displaying a red dot only to indicate power is still on.
Source Select
When depressed, these buttons select the desired source input.
The order of source inputs and display indication is as follows:
Source Input Display
Compact Disc Cd
Tuner TU
Auxiliary AX
Laser Disc Ld
VCR VR
Tape TA
Note: The source selector has six positions and supplies the chosen source to
the Main/Balanced outputs and VCR/Tape outputs. If the VCR or Tap
e
source is selected no signal is supplied to its applicable output to avoid
the potentially damaging feed back loop which can occur if inadvertentl
y
attempting to record and playback the same source simultaneously.