TLA Supreme Series User manual

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TrueLifeAudio
SSP-1 Stereo Tube Control Preamplifier
Owner’s Manual

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TrueLifeAudio
CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 3
TLA PROFILE - INTRODUCTION 4
SSP-1 Preamplifier DESCRIPTION 5
FRONT VIEW 6
BACK VIEW 7
SPECIFICATIONS 8
PREPARATION AND INSTALLATION 9-10
WARNINGS AND MAINTENANCE 11-12
WARRANTY 13
WARRANTY REGISTRATION 14
CONTACT INFORMATION 15

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TrueLifeAudio
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: A tube amplifier chassis contains lethal high voltage even when unplugged.
DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OPEN THIS DEVICE.
IN CASE OF MALFUNCTION CONTACT YOUR DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER.
THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE GROUNDED. IT SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY TO REMOVE ANY PROTECTIVE
GROUND OR SIGNAL CABLE SHIELD CONNECTIONS TO PREVENT GROUNDLOOPS.
USE ONLY THE VOLTAGE INDICATED ON REAR PANEL
WARNING: Before any maintenance or placement, disconnect the device from the electrical outlets.
WITH THE POWER SWITCH TO OFF DISCONNECT THE DEVICE THE WAY THAT THE ARROW SHOWS
WARNING: Never use electrical outlets without earth
WARNING: Use only electrical outlets that are earthed.
DISPOSAL: Disposal According to the Directive 2002/96/EG of the European Parliament used consumer-electro
technical appliances have to be disposed separately and have to be indicated with the following symbol. In the case of
disposal of this component please do so in conformity with legal and environmental regulations.

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TrueLifeAudio
TLA PROFILE
TLA was founded by Velissarios Georgiadis back in 1995, but its real origin goes back much further than this. It was
back in 1957 when Velissarios' father Aristomenis, a transformer technician, started his own company, with the aim to
make transformers under order for telecommunications, broadcast, medical, military and industrial implementations. It
was just after 1980 when Velissarios, who was already experienced in transformer building having being taught all his
father's know-how, he started to apply the additional knowledge which he gained from his university degree on
Chemistry and Electronics as to develop transformers that would excel in audio applications of reference standard.
Velissarios developed, built and tested over, countless amplifiers before he transferred all this experience in TLA
products on the year 1995. The name TrueLife Audio was chosen to underline the target market of TLA The search
for True Life sound, where the listener would experience music at home as never before, In a True Life manner!
In the year 2005, young Aristomenis Georgiadis the second (son of Velissarios, named after his grandfather), finished
his studies in Electrical Engineering and having received in the meantime all his grandfather's and father's experience
in making audio transformers and amplification circuits that would excel in performance, joined the company as to
assist in further improvements and the achievement of new levels for realistic sound.
"When we come with a new product, we make it for ourselves first" Velissarios says… A TLA amplifier starts its life
with the innovative circuit it integrates being tested in the lab and optimized. Then, after the lab tests have been
finalized and we are sure that our elegant innovation measures up to reference standards if compared with hi-end
devices from other makers that are established in the marked for their quality, we proceed to the next level which is to
transform this same electronic device, into a musical instrument. As a consequence, our elegant innovations are made
so that they age to improve all the time... much like a bottle of good wine... or a gorgeous guitar of the 50s!
INTRODUCTION
Your decision to own this SSP-1 Control Preamplifier of the TLA‟s ”Supreme Series‟‟ ranks you at the very top
among discriminating music listeners. You now have “The Best.” The TLA‟s dedication to “Quality,” is assurance that
you will receive many years of musical enjoyment from this unit.
This level of accuracy and overall performance is a new achievement in the playback of music. I invite you to play your
favorite recordings and experience it as you may never have before.
If I have brought you closer to the music, the artists and the full musical experience (the moments that we as
audiophiles and music lovers cherish the most) then I have succeeded in my goal.
Please take a short time to read the information in this manual. We want you to be as familiar as possible with all the
features and functions of your new SSP-1 Control Preamplifier.
I thank you once again for your investment on TLA‟s team development of the „‟Supreme Series‟‟
Sincerely,
Aristomenis Georgiadis

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TrueLifeAudio
SSP-1 Preamplifier Description
SSP-1 is a Tube Preamplifier designed and hand wired to deliver exceptional sound.
Circuitry and materials selection has been optimized to that scope.
Dual Mono Design achieves total channel isolation and separation.
Is a pure class A, zero feedback and transformer coupled circuit build around two 6j5 tubes. The Output
Transformers are designed from TLA hand wound with the highest quality materials. Shunt type volume attenuator,
which means the minimum signal deterioration, cause only one resistor inserted in signal path
Two separated, fully regulated, Power supply circuits with GZ32 rectifier tube, based on TLA’s high quality custom
designed and hand wound Power Transformers and filter Chokes.
SSP-1 has 4 line level inputs, 3 RCA and 1 XLR and two outputs through a pair of RCA and a pair of XLR connectors.

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TrueLifeAudio
Front View
SSP-1 Control Amplifier Unit Front View
1. Mute Switch
2. Logo, lights up when power is on
3. Input selector switch
4. Volume attenuator
5. Input selector indication
PSU-1 Power Supply Unit Front View
1. Power switch (Right channel supply)
2. Power switch (Left channel supply)
3. Logo, lights up when power is on

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TrueLifeAudio
Back View
SSP-1 Control Amplifier Unit Back View
1. Power XLR 6 pins connector from Power Supply unit (Right channel supply)
2. Power XLR 6 pins connector from Power Supply unit (Left channel supply)
3. XLR Outputs (Right and Left channels)
4. RCA Outputs (Right and Left channels)
5. XLR Line level Input (Right and Left channels-Unbalanced)
6. RCA Tuner, Line level Inputs (Right and Left channels-Unbalanced)
7. RCA CD, Line level Inputs (Right and Left channels-Unbalanced)
8. RCA Phono, Line level Inputs (Right and Left channels-Unbalanced)
PSU-1 Power Supply Unit Back View
1. IEC Power Inlet & Fuse Holder (Left channel supply)
2. IEC Power Inlet & Fuse Holder (Right channel supply)
3. Power XLR 6 pins connector to audio unit (Left channel supply)
4. Power XLR 6 pins connector to audio unit (Right channel supply)

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TrueLifeAudio
Specifications
Maximum Voltage Output: 20 Vrms
Input Impedance: 50K
Output Impedance: 270R
Voltage Gain: X4, 12dB
Frequency Bandwidth: 10Hz-110kHz -3dB
Voltage Options (Factory Set):
230-240VAC
or
110-120VAC
Fuses (size 5x20mm):
T315mA (Slow Blow): for 230V-240 VAC mains
T500mA(Slow Blow): for 110-120VAC mains
Color Options of both units (Front Plate):
Silver
Black
Both Units Dimensions (W x H x D):440 X 192 (with feet)X445 mm
Unit Weight: 30 Kg power supply 26 Kg audio unit
Both Units Shipping Dimensions (W x H x D):550 X 260X 530mm
Shipping Weight: 35 Kg power supply 31 Kg audio unit
Tube compliment: Four type 6J5G tubes in the audio unit and two type EZ32 tubes in the power supply unit.
Front Panel Color Options: All True Life Audio equipment of the Supreme Series can be ordered in standard
anodize Silver or Black color.

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TrueLifeAudio
PREPARATION AND INSTALLATION
The SSP-1 Control Preamplifier is a complete monaural design that consists of two separate units. The SSP-1
Control amplifier and the PSU-1 Power Supply Unit.
Budget a suitable space in which to place the SSP-1 Control Preamplifier and PSU-1 Power Supply Unit. Do not
place the Control Unit on top of the Power Supply Unit and vice versa.
This space should also be free of excessive heat or dust and large enough to permit easy flow of cool air to the top,
bottom and sides of each unit. Avoid locating both the SSP-1 Control Preamplifier Unit and the Power Supply unit
where it will be exposed to direct sunlight, excessive humidity or moisture.
WARNING: To reduce risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose these appliances to rain or moisture.
Before Power-up
Connect the two provided power supply XLR 6 pins connectors (one for each channel) cables to the corresponded DC
inputs of the control amplifier unit.
Keep the power off until all other system connections are completed.
Check that the mains voltage printed on the back of the Power Supply unit corresponds to the line voltage of the
territory you intend to connect your SSP-1 Control Preamplifier system.
This SSP-1 Control Preamplifier system has been shipped with the vacuum tubes installed by the manufacturer.
Delayed Turn On
Since the SSP-1 Control Preamplifier system is an all tube design and take time for the filaments of the rectifier
tubes EZ32 to warm up and supply high voltage, provides about 20 seconds delay before the Control Preamplifier is in
full operation.
The Front Panel of PSU-1 Power Supply Unit
The front panel of Power Supply Unit includes two power on-off switches. Be sure to press on the power switches
after you finish with all connections. When the left hand side power switch (left channel) is pressed on, the TLA logos
on both the Control Unit and the Power Supply Unit lights up, after that the right hand side power switch has to be
pressed on, to power up the right channel. When you intent to power off the SSP-1 Control Preamplifier system,
press off the right hand side power switch and then the left hand side power switch.
The Rear Panel of PSU-1 Power Supply Unit
The rear panel of the PSU-1 Power Supply Unit has the two IEC Power Inlets in the center of the unit. The two XLR
6 pins DC OUT connectors are, one on the far right and one on the left side of the rear panel. Under to the IEC Inlets
is the fuse holder of the mains fuse size 5x20mm that is rated T315mA (Slow Blow) for 230V-240 VAC or T500mA
(Slow Blow) for 110-120 VAC
In case of fuse burn please replace with same type and rating fuse.
The Front Panel of SSP-1 Control Preamplifier
The front panel of SSP-1 Control Preamplifier includes the Mute on-off switch that mutes the signal of the
output, the Volume attenuator for increasing or decreasing the output level, the Input selector switch for
selecting the desired input source, the Input selector indication on the left down corner of the unit that
indicates the selected input and finally the TLA logo. When the control preamplifier is powered on, the TLA
logo lights up.
The Rear Panel of SSP-1 Control Preamplifier
The rear panel of the SSP-1 Control Preamplifier contains all input- and output connectors. The printed rear panel
clearly indicates the function of each pair of connectors that is selected by the Input selector switch on the front panel.
The input and output connectors have color identification for right (RED) and left (WHITE) channels.

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IEC Power Inlets& Fuse Holders
The PSU-1 Power Supply Unit is a monaural design too so it has two IEC plugs and you need two grounded IEC
power cables of your choice, in order to power both channels. Check and make sure the power buttons is switched off
and the Logo lights on both units is off, then attach two grounded IEC power cable jacks to the two IEC plugs.
Connecting output cables
Your SSP-1 Control Preamplifier has two pairs of OUTPUT connectors on the rear panel, a pair XLR Unbalanced
Outputs and a pair of RCA Unbalanced Outputs, so can accommodate both types of interconnect cables.
You have to connect the right and left channel of your SSP-1 Control Preamplifier to the inputs of your power
amplifier accordingly.
Good quality connectors provide added assurance against signal degradation due to contact corrosion. Regardless of
cable or connector material, verify that the contacts are clean, and that the plug‟s outer shield is tight on the jack, to
avoid hum.
Connecting input cables
Three pairs of INPUT RCA connectors and one pair of INPUT XLR connectors are located on the far right side of the
rear panel of the preamplifier.
Shielded RCA (Unbalanced) or XLR (Unbalanced) type cables should be used to connect different sources to the four
line level inputs.
How to avoid noise problems
Τhe SSP-1 Control Preamplifier contains circuitry that might be sensitive to magnetic fields and RF signals. The unit
should be placed well away from transformers, etc. Care should also be taken in routing all signal cables. They should
not run parallel to speaker cables or AC cables mains. Keep cables as short as possible. For minimum hum, the
control preamplifier unit should be placed away from the power supply unit.
How to Avoid Damages
A good operating practice is to turn off all equipment before any connections or disconnections are made.
Do not, under any circumstances, connect or disconnect equipment when power is turned on. If you insist on
connecting or disconnecting while power is turned on, you should be aware that the design of the RCA plug generates
a large transient when inserting the plug.