RYAN SOUND LAB MusicPower Z302 Remote Volume Control User manual

www.ryansoundlab.com
November 2013
MusicPower Remote Volume Control
User Guide

Ryan Sound Lab LLC MusicPower Z302 Remote Volume Control User Guide
November 2013
2
MusicPower Remote Volume Control User Guide
1. Congratulations!
Your MusicPower Z302 Remote Volume Control provides the NAC 32, 32.5, and 72 classic
preamps with a capability previously available only to much more expensive Naim models. For
easy installation, please see the installation manual for your particular preamp on our web site:
www.ryansoundlab.com. With our remote system, you will able to really relax and enjoy the
incredible sound improvements from the rest of your MusicPower Plug-In set.
2. Overview
In addition to up and down volume, your remote also has a mute feature and a quick turn-down
feature. Plus, because it’s an RF (radio frequency) controller and not a typical IR (infrared) TV-
type controller, you don’t have to point it at your preamp to get it to work. There are no external
sensors or wires, so your system will look as neat as ever! Range is about 20’.
The control system provides 20 steps of progressive attenuation. At loud listening levels, the
steps are close together because the ear is so sensitive at those levels, while at lower volume
levels, the steps are larger to provide good speed and control. Both channels are matched to
within approximately 0.1 db by using 1% resistors for the circuit. The total attenuation is 48db,
which allows for a very wide range of listening levels –from a whisper to extremely loud!
3. Operation:
Note: The Remote Volume Control System comes from our lab already set at maximum volume.
(We do this so you won’t think it was broken!).
Referring to the photo of the remote control transmitter below, note the operation of the 4
buttons:

Ryan Sound Lab LLC MusicPower Z302 Remote Volume Control User Guide
November 2013
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Up Arrow Button: Pressing this button once will increase volume by 1 step until it
reaches maximum volume after which there is no effect. Give the button a solid press for each
step.
Down Arrow Button: Pressing this button once will decrease volume by 1 step until it
reaches zero volume after which there is no effect. Give the button a solid press for each step.
For either button, pressing and holding the button will cause continual step commands to be sent
to the attenuator, making a smooth transition from loud to soft or the reverse. There is a slight
delay in beginning the continuous commands so you can do individual presses for smaller
volume changes, if you want.
Lock Button: This is the mute function. It is a toggle and will alternately mute and un-
mute the volume control. Unlike the up and down buttons, you must let go of the mute button
and press it again to make it toggle. Also, if you press the Up or Down buttons when in the mute
condition, it will automatically unmute the sound and start ramping the volume up or down from
its pre-mute level.
Unlock Button: This unique function will lower the volume level a significant amount all
at once (or go to zero if you are already at a very low volume level). So, if you want to turn
down the applause at the end of a cut, for example, but want to still hear when the next cut comes
on, just hit this button. It toggles back to the original volume level after you release the button
and press it again, same as the mute. Here, too, if you press either the Up or Down buttons in the
reduced volume condition, the system will start ramping up or down from that level.
Another thing to note is that the control system will remember where it was when you turn off
the power to your preamp and turn it back on again (except for mute or turn-down settings. The
mute and turn-down are always off at power-up). This will enable you to keep your master
volume on the preamp set at a fixed level and not have the sound come on too loud or soft.
Battery life is a function of how much the remote gets used and ours has lasted over 6 months so
far. But just in case, an extra controller, two extra 27A batteries, and a suitable screwdriver have
been included with the Z302 set so you are never without your control! Replacing the battery is
simple –place the remote face down on a flat surface, remove the 3 small screws and gently
separate the black back and front case pieces. Take off the black back. Try not to disturb the
position of the rest of the unit while you pry out the old battery and put in the new one. Replace

Ryan Sound Lab LLC MusicPower Z302 Remote Volume Control User Guide
November 2013
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the back and screws. The batteries are commonly used in garage door opener remotes and
readily available at Radio Shack and other stores.
Suggestion:
The remote volume control system will likely become the preferred method for listening, so we
recommend setting the manual volume control knob on your preamp to the maximum listening
level you will want to hear and using the remote to adjust the level from then on. Of course, at
any time you can control the overall volume directly from the preamp front panel noting that
whatever attenuation has been commanded by the remote control will still be in effect.
Enjoy!