Sarno Music Solutions SMS Classic User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL
Rev. 1b – 03/23/10
SMSCTP-1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
2 Introduction
3 How It Works
4 WARNINGS
5 Tube Information / Specifications
6 Warranty
7 Service Information
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the SMS Classic Tube Preamp.!
The "Classic" is designed to be pure and simple. It is a boutique quality preamplifier
using the finest selected components for the ultimate pristine clean tube tone.
Vintage style audio capacitors, actual NOS (new old stock) Allen Bradley 1-watt
carbon comp plate resistors, Dale metal film resistors are used throughout.
Operating the "SMS Classic" requires very little explanation if you've ever used a
guitar amplifier before. But we'll hit each point briefly so you have a thorough
understanding of it.!The SMS Classic is entirely hand built in the USA. Enjoy!

WARNINGS
The SMS Classic Tube Preamp contains lethal voltages. The raw supply has over 300 volts present at a
number of points on the circuit board. So if you ever decide to have a qualified person open the unit to
change or replace tubes, be absolutely sure that the AC power is not connected to the preamp and that at
least 2 minutes have passed to allow for the voltage to dissipate before ever entering the unit. The tubes can
be gently wiggled into and out of their sockets fairly easily.!
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not remove the cover. No user serviceable parts inside;
refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this product to rain or moisture.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol with an equilateral triangle is intended to alert
the user to the presence of un-insulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s
enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to
persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the product.
Before using your SMS Classic Tube Preamp, carefully read applicable items of operating
instructions and safety suggestions.
1. Obey all warnings on the SMS Classic Tube Preamp and in the SMS Classic Tube Preamp Owner’s
Manual.
2. Do NOT perform service operations beyond those described in this manual. In the following
circumstances, all repairs should be performed by qualified service personnel only:
•Liquid is spilled into the unit
•An object falls into the unit
•The unit does not operate normally or changes in performance in a significant way
•The unit is dropped or the enclosure is damaged
3. Prolonged listening at high volume levels may cause irreparable hearing loss and/or damage. Be sure to
practice “safe listening

HOW IT WORKS
INPUT JACK - This is an instrument level input with a typical 1MegΩinput impedance. It should
comfortably handle most any guitar, steel guitar, bass guitar, or acoustic instrument levels.!
GAIN - This knob controls the loudness, obviously. One thing to remember is that this preamp is
very much designed as a clean machine, and it is not meant to be cranked up and overdriven like
other preamps. So keep that in mind as you put the "Classic" to use.!
BRIGHT/DARK SWITCH - The up or "bright" position is just like what you'd find on many classic
tube amplifiers. It adds those crispy highs up above 5kHz if your tone needs it. The middle position
of the switch is off or neutral. The down or "dark" position offers pretty much the opposite of what
the "bright" position does. It gently shaves off those crispy highs for an even warmer top end. If you
use this preamp in a direct (DI) situation, it can help tame those "tweetery" highs. Thru a normal
guitar type speaker, the "dark" position is not very noticeable.!
TREBLE - Yup, it controls the amount of treble.!
MID - The midrange control on this preamp is a cut-only function. Cranking the "MID" knob will
approach a flat response but never boost mids. The voicing of this preamp will always tend to have
some degree of midrange dip, just like any classic guitar amp. Mid settings below 12-noon will
have subtler changes in the sound compared to settings past noon.!
BASS - You guessed it. This knob controls the amount of bass frequencies in the sound.
REVERB - This knob controls the amount of reverb that gets blended in. The internal reverb is a
high quality 24bit "hall" type that has a realistic and natural sound that blends well with just about
anything.!
POWER - Up is on, down is off. The little blue light will tell you it's on. Remember that these are
tubes, and they typically take about 12 to 15 seconds to warm up and start working. It's
recommended that you generally leave the preamp on once it's on. Too much powering on and off
can age the tubes prematurely. Also since it's just a preamp, the unit consumes very little power
and creates very little heat (unlike a tube "power" amp), so don't be afraid to leave it on for many
hours at a time if you know you'll be using it frequently throughout the day or night. Don't leave it
on 24/7, but you get the idea. If you're on set break at a gig and want to mute your rig, just turn the
gain down to zero instead of turning it off.!

OUTPUT - On the back of the preamp there is an output jack. This jack is an unbalanced type
output which means you should use a simple guitar-type cord to make the connection. It's best to
keep the length of your cable run as short as possible. The output level from the preamp can be
very high if you drive the preamp hard enough, so keep that in mind when you connect the
preamp to a power amplifier, a DI box, an effects unit, a recording interface, or whatever.!
OUTPUT PAD KNOB - Right next to the output jack on the rear of the preamp is the "pad" knob.
By the nature of this preamp circuit, the output level can be extremely hot. This knob helps to pad
down the output signal level to be more usable in most situations. Initially try your preamp with
the front panel "Gain" knob set around noon to 1 o'clock. Then use the rear "pad" knob to adjust
the final output level to best match your setup. You may find that the pad knob wants to be set
down below noon, but feel free to set it wherever it needs to be. This will optimize the "gain
structure" as well as minimize noise.!
TUBES
The SMS Classic Tube Preamp has two 12AX7 vacuum tubes inside of it. These are by far the most
commonly available vacuum tubes out there. Most any guitar shop will carry this type of tube. If
you want to tweak, you can try various brands, new and old, and even a few variations of tube as
long as they stay close to the 12AX7 type.!
If you do order tubes from a tube dealer, do try to make sure they've been tested for low
microphonics. The unit (as of March 2009) ships with a pair of JJ ECC83 tubes. These are currently
proving to be great sounding, low-microphonic, and reliable tubes. There are a ton of tubes out
there to be had. Here are a few types that also work well in the "Classic": 12AX7 !(also called
ECC83 or ECC803 in European nomenclature), 5751, 12AT7, 12AY7, 7025, and 6681.

SPECIFICATIONS
Tubes (2 total): 12AX7 (TAD or Sino comes stock) or similar
Weight: 4.5 lbs.
Dimensions: Width: 19” Standard rack mount width
Height: 1-3/4” Standard single space rack unit height (1 RU)
Depth: 7.5”
Fuse: Internal 1/2AMP Slo-Blo
Mains: Internally set for either 115VAC (North America) or 230VAC (across the pond
and down under)
Input Impedance: 1MegΩ
Output Impedance: 40kΩ(approx.)
Chassis: Anodized aluminum face, powder coated aluminum chassis
Power: Standard IEC AC power cable (SVT style recommended)
Reverb: 24bit “medium/large hall” algorithm – 2.6 second decay time
SERVICE INFORMATION
Service and repairs of Sarno Music Solutions, LLC products are to be performed only at Sarno
Music Solutions, LLC unless otherwise authorized in advance. Unauthorized service, repair, or
modification will void this warranty.
Return Authorization is required prior to sending products for repair. All items MUST be shipped to
Sarno Music Solutions, LLC prepaid, insured, and properly packaged – unless otherwise
authorized in advance. Always include a letter giving complete details of the problem along with
your name, phone number and/or e-mail address where Sarno Music Solutions, LLC can contact
you if necessary.
Our address: 852 Atalanta Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63119 or call 314-962-7220

WARRANTY
1. Sarno Music Solutions warrants the SMS Classic Tube Preamp™ as free from any defects resulting from
faulty materials or workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the date of delivery; and ninety (90) days
for the tubes. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties expressed or implied, and Sarno Music Solutions
makes no further warranties expressed or implied including, but not so limited, any warranties of
merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Warranty does not cover: damage caused by misuse,
abuse, product modification, neglect, improper installation or operation, attempted repair by unauthorized
personnel, rental or any shipping damage.
2. The exclusive remedy in the event of defects in workmanship or material shall be the repair or
replacement of such components found to be defective after examination and inspection by Sarno Music
Solutions, or replacement of the SMS Classic Tube Preamp™ whichever Sarno Music Solutions deems
appropriate. Sarno Music Solutions shall bear the cost of transport of defective merchandise under warranty
conditions ONLY. All shipping, risk of transport, and cost of repair and/or replacement work of the SMS
Classic Tube Preamp™ made AFTER the above stated warranty period shall be the responsibility of the
Buyer.
3. It is expressly agreed that the Buyer or User shall have no claim against Sarno Music Solutions with
respect to either personal injury or damage to property or loss of profit resulting from any defect or for any
consequential damages, such as, but not so limited, loss of business opportunities, property or personal
injury losses, etc. or for any indemnity, implied or expressed, with respect to claims by third parties, And
Buyer shall indemnify Sarno Music Solutions against any and all claims by third parties against Sarno Music
Solutions resulting from the use of equipment and/or materials purchased hereunder or from the use of any
products made from or by said equipment or materials.!
4.!These Terms and conditions take precedent over all other terms and conditions, warranty statements or
policies.!
5. All warranties apply only to Sarno Music Solutions products purchased and used in the USA. Please keep
the shipping box in a safe place for any potential future needs.
OUT-OF-WARRANTY SERVICE
1 Contact Sarno Music Solutions, LLC to obtain return authorization.
2 All items MUST be shipped to the above address prepaid, insured, and properly packaged. Products
arriving in a non-standard package, which appear damaged, may be refused. Shipments received
“freight-collect” will be refused.
3 Product must be shipped to Sarno Music Solutions, LLC address with a letter stating return shipping
address and description of problem.
4 Your unit will receive quality service and will be returned transportation pre-paid. Out-of-warranty
billing will be determined by nature of required repairs.