Plinius M16 User manual

Audio Preamplifier

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CONGRATULATIONS
CONGRATULATIONSCONGRATULATIONS
CONGRATULATIONS on your decision to become the proud owner of this
Plinius M16 Preamplifier.
This manual has been prepared to help you understand the operation of your amplifier, and to provide
information about its design and the variety of ways it may be used.
We have designed and manufactured this preamplifier to reproduce faithfully and accurately, your
favourite music. With a little care and a full understanding of the operating recommendations in this
manual, your Plinius M16 Preamplifier will provide years of high-quality, trouble-free performance.
Serial Number: ..................................................................................
Date of Manufacture: ..................................................................................
Final Test Certified By: ..................................................................................
IMPORTANT: PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS MANUAL
THOROUGHLY BEFORE USING YOUR PREAMPLIFIER.

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Introduction ...................................................................................................................................Page 3
Precautions ...................................................................................................................................Page 5
Preamplifier Features – Front Panel .............................................................................................Page 6
Preamplifier Features – Rear Panel ..............................................................................................Page 8
Preamplifier Features – Remote .................................................................................................Page 10
Installation and Operation ............................................................................................................Page 12
Input/Output Connection ..............................................................................................................Page 13
M16 Features ..............................................................................................................................Page 15
Specifications .............................................................................................................................Page 17
Index ...........................................................................................................................................Page 18
Contact Details ............................................................................................................................Page 19

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Please take special note of the following precautions before operating your new preamplifier:
•This preamplifier operates at hazardous voltage levels. We recommend that any work requiring
removal of the lid or base be referred to a suitably qualified and experienced service technician.
•DO NOT attempt to connect any input of this preamplifier to its own outputs.
•DO NOT earth any output terminal or connect any of these terminals together without following the
instructions in this manual or seeking qualified assistance.
•DO NOT place this preamplifier in any position where liquids or any foreign material may
accidentally enter it.
•DO NOT connect any voltage source, short circuit, earth/ground or appliance (other than suitable
audio power amplifiers) to the preamplifier output terminals.
•DO NOT connect any voltage source, short circuit, earth/ground or appliance (other than suitable
audio source components) to the preamplifier input terminals.

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The front of the Plinius M16 Preamplifier incorporates all the facilities
you will require on a daily basis.
FRONT PANEL LAYOUT SHOWING VOLUME, BALANCE, SOURCE AND RECORD
KNOBS, PHASE AND MUTE SWITCHES, AND DISPLAY LEDS
STANDBY LED
The standby LED indicates when the preamplifier is in standby mode. This LED also lights to show
whenever the remote control is being used to change the volume level.
PHASE SWITCH
Use the phase switch to change the phase response of the Plinius M16 from absolute to inverted 180°.
The LED above the switch will light when the unit is set to inverted phase. If your M16 has the optional
phono stage installed, the opposite applies for the phono circuitry only. In other words, when in phono
the phase LED will light when in absolute phase, but with any other input selected the phase LED will light
when in inverted phase.
MUTE SWITCH
Whenever the Plinius M16 is muted either with the remote control or by using this switch, the LED will
light and the preamplifier outputs will be shorted.
PLINIUS
16
PHONO
C.D.
TUNER
VIDEO
TAP E 1
TAP E 2
RECORDSOURCE
PHONO
C.D.
TUNER
VIDEO
TAP E 1
TAP E 2
PHASE STANDBY MUTE
BALANCE VOLUME

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SOURCE ROTARY ENCODER
The source selection is controlled electronically, hence the way the source rotary encoder can spin
through a full 360°. An LED will light to show which input is currently selected.
RECORD SOURCE ROTARY ENCODER
The record selection is controlled electronically, hence the way the record rotary encoder can spin
through a full 360°. An LED will light to show which record source is currently selected. There is also a
hidden seventh position where no record source is selected, and no LED will be lit.
BALANCE CONTROL KNOB
The balance control is an ALPS unit that provides accurate alteration of relative gain between the right and
left channels. The balance control has a detent at the centre position.
VOLUME CONTROL KNOB
The volume control is an ALPS motorised unit that will accurately convey the selected source signal to the
line stage of the Plinius M16. When using the remote control to alter the volume level, stab the button to
make small adjustments, or hold the button down to continuously adjust the volume.

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This panel incorporates all the terminals for connecting the input signals from your phono turntable, CD
player, tuner, etc, and the outputs to the power amp and mains supply.
Please remember that your Plinius M16 Preamplifier is a high quality electronic instrument capable of an
exceptional level of performance. Be sure that you understand your system’s requirements fully before
you make any connection to this preamplifier.
REAR PANEL SHOWING INPUT AND OUTPUT TERMINALS, CD SELECT, GROUND
LIFT AND STANDBY SWITCHES, MAINS SWITCH AND MAINS SOCKET.
INPUT TERMINALS
The input terminals of your Plinius M16 Preamplifier are easily accessible along the rear panel. These
standard RCA terminals are for use with single ended signals from line level audio components such as
CD, tuner, video, etc. Also included is one pair of balanced XLR inputs for use with XLR type cables. The
switch above the CD inputs is used to select either single-ended or XLR type input. If you wish to use the
XLR input, the switch above it must be set to XLR also, and the opposite is true for use of the RCA
terminals. Consult your PLINIUS
PLINIUSPLINIUS
PLINIUS dealer for further advice if required.
Note that in ‘line’ configuration (no phono stage installed) all the inputs can be used with normal line level
sources. If the optional phono stage has been installed, do not connect any source other than a suitable
phono turntable to the phono input.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE RISK OF
COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE
PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
CHASS IS
OPEN
STANDBY CIRCUIT
GROUND
C.D.
MAINS FUSE
REPLACE ONLY WITH
SAME TYPE
VIDEO
T
APE 1
IN OUT
T
APE 2
IN OUT
OUTPUTS
PUSH PUSH
RCA XLR
PUSH PUSH
PHONO TUNER C.D.
PLINIUS PRE - AMPLIFIER
SERIAL No. POWER
CONSUMPTION
50/
60
12 0 V / A
VOLTAGE Hz
DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED IN
NEW ZEALAND BY
AUDIBLE TECHNOLOGIES LTD
P.O. BOX 183 6
PAL MERST O N N ORTH

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OUTPUT TERMINALS
Connections for power amplifiers are provided on the right hand side of the rear panel. Connections are
available for both single ended (RCA type) and balanced (XLR type) cables. Note that the only time the
outputs aren’t ‘live’ is when the preamplifier is in mute or standby.
TAPE OUTPUTS
These RCA outputs are situated next to the tape RCA inputs, and are provided to interface to a pair of line
level recording devices. The position of the record rotary encoder on the front panel determines from
which device a recording is made. These tape outputs are always ’live’ except when standby is selected.
GROUND LIFT SWITCH
This switch allows the signal ground to be disconnected from the chassis. In some installations a hum
loop may exist due to duplicate ground paths from different equipment. Use this switch to remove the
connection from 0V to ground thus allowing some flexibility in your particular set-up.
STANDBY SWITCH
This switch works in conjunction with the remote control to short the outputs and disconnect the inputs.
Use this switch whenever the Plinius M16 is not in use. Note that when in standby the line stage and
power supply is still live, so the internal circuitry will stay at normal operating temperature.
MAINS SWITCH
The heavy-duty rocker switch to the right of the panel turns the Mains/Line Power to the amplifier ON or
OFF. Depress the right hand side of the switch to turn the amplifier on. The amplifier draws a moderately
high current when switched on, so it is not good practice to rapidly turn the Mains switch on and off
repeatedly.
MAINS POWER CORD IEC SOCKET
This connector is where the mains supply cable from your wall connects to the preamplifier. You will
notice that a fuse holder is mounted within this connection, and it holds a mains fuse to provide surge and
overload protection for your preamplifier.
EARTH POST
This is a chassis connected gold-plated earth post for use with certain phono turntables.

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The Plinius M16 Remote provides access to most of the
controls you will require on a daily basis.
REMOTE CONTROL SHOWING FUNCTION BUTTONS.
VOLUME CONTROL
Use these two buttons to control the volume level of the preamplifier. The middle top button increases
volume, while the button directly below it decreases the volume. Stab either button to make fine
adjustments to the volume level. Hold down either button to continually adjust the volume level.
PLINIUS
STANDBY
RECORD PHASE
TUNER
C.D.PHONO
VCR TA P E 1 TA P E 2