Trafomatic Audio Primavera User manual

www.trafomaticaudio.com Rev. 1
www.trafomaticaudio.com Rev. 1
PRIMAVERA
Headphone Amplier

Table of Contents
Section Page No.
Safety Precautions 02
Getting Started 05
 AboutYourLinePreamplier   05
Packaging / Preparation for use 06
Controls and Their Functions 08
Front Panel 08
Rear Panel 10
Servicing 11
Technical Specications 12
Table of Contents
Section Page No.
Safety Precautions 02
Getting Started 05
 AboutYourLinePreamplier   05
Packaging / Preparation for use 06
Controls and Their Functions 08
Front Panel 08
Rear Panel 10
Servicing 11
Technical Specications 12

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY ALL THE
FOLLOWING IMPORTANT SAFE
GUARDS THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO
YOUR EQUIPMENT
CAUTION!TO REDUCETHE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE SCREWS. NO
USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PER-
SONNEL.
SAFETY
1) Read the User’s Manual and refer to it frequently during use of this product - All the
safety and operating instructions should be read before the product is operated.
2) Retain the User’s Manual - The safety and operating instructions should be retained for
future reference.
3) Follow Instructions - All operating and instructions for use should be closely followed.
4) Power Sources - This product should be operated using only the type of power source indi-
cated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply in your home, con
sult your product dealer or local power company.
5) Grounding - This product is equipped with a three prong IEC connector. Always use power
cord with adequate wire cross section and an electrical outlet that is grounded. If you do not
know whether the outlet is grounded, consult your electrician or local power company.
6) Power Cord Protection - Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely
to be walked on or pinched. Pay particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience recep-
tacles and where they exit from the product. Always use power cords with adequate current
ratingsandsafetycertications(UL,CE,TÜV,CSA,etc.)
7) Fuses-Forcontinuedprotectionagainstrehazard,replacefuseswiththesametypeand
ratingofthefusesspecied.Whenchangingfuses,completelyunplugtheACcordfromthe
wall outlet.
8) Tubes - During operation, the vacuum tubes get very hot. It is highly recommended that tube
cage is always installed to prevent inadvertent contact with the glass. Allow at least 10 min
utes after removing power for tubes to cool down.
9) Turn-off when not using-Turnofftheunitassoonasyoustopactivelyusingit.Unplugthe
power supply from the wall during a lightning storm or when the product is to be left unattend-
ed and unused for longer periods of time.
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PRIMAVERA-HEADPHONEAmplier-User Manual

ENVIRONMENT
1) Water and Moisture. Do not use this product near water - i.e. near a bathtub, ash bowl,
kitchen sink or laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a swimming pool or the like. Damp
basements should be avoided.
2) Heat. The product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat regis-
ters, stoves or other appliances that produce heat. Also avoid putting the unit in the direct rays
of the sun.
3) For indoor use only.
PLACEMENT
1) Accessibility. It is normal for an audio device to run warm if used for prolonged periods.
Always place your device away from children and pets to prevent burns.
2) Ventilation. Proper ventilation is critical for safe and reliable operation of all vacuum tube
based equipment. This product should not be placed in a built-in installation or rack unless
proper ventilation is provided or the manufacturer’s instructions have been followed. Never
placeanythingontopofyourpreamplierthatcouldobstructairowandcausevacuumtubes
tooverheatanddamagetheunit.Donotplaceyourpreamplierinaclosedbookcase;over
heatingcouldoccur.Ensurethatthereisatleast8”(200mm)ofopenspaceabovethepre
amplier.
3) Surface.Placetheunitonaatlevelsurface.Careshouldbetakentopreventobjectsfrom
fallingandliquidsfromspillingintotheunit.Donotsubjecttheunittoexcessivesmoke,dust,
vibration or shock.
MAINTENANCE
1) Cleaning.Unplugthisproductfromthewalloutletbeforecleaning.Donotuseliquidcleaners
oraerosolcleaners.Useadryclothforcleaning.Donotuseanytypeofabrasivepad,scour-
ingpowderorsolventsuchasalcoholorbenzene.
2) Tube replacement.Vacuumtubeshavelifeinthe5000hourrange.Werecommendreplac-
ing the tubes after 24-36 months, depending on your listening habits. That will ensure that the
preamplieralwaysperformsatitsbestandtubefailurewillnotoverstressotherpartsoftheunit.
3) Biasing the amplier. Biasing of the Primavera is not required.
SERVICE
1) Replacement Parts.Whenreplacementpartsarerequired,besurethattheservicetechni-
cianusesreplacementpartsspeciedbythemanufacturerorpartswiththesamecharacter-
isticsastheoriginalpart.Unauthorizedsubstitutionsmayresultinre,electricshockorother
hazards.
2) Tube replacement.Shoulditbecomenecessarytoreplacethevacuumtubes,removethe
ACpowerplugfromthewallandallowthirtyminutes(30min)forthehighvoltagecapacitors
to discharge. Follow instructions outlined below in the section “Handling vacuum tubes”.
3) Modications.Modicationstotheamplierarestronglydiscouraged.Theunitwasde-
signedbyexperiencedengineersandtestedforsafeandreliableoperation.Anymodication
may poses safety risk and result in reduced lifetime of the product. Any removal of the cover
will void warranty.
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PRIMAVERA-HEADPHONEAmplier-User Manual

05 PRIMAVERA-HEADPHONEAmplier-User Manual
GETTING STARTED - ABOUT
YOUR HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER
Your Primavera Headphone Amplier was designed to provide a high value based on its high
performance,whichisaresultofacarefullydesignedcircuitandoptimizedcomponentselec-
tion. The design utilizes minimum number of active parts and top quality passive elements.
The Primavera’s impressive output power of 9W into 50 Ohms makes it capable of driving
the most demanding loads and its sound quality and striking design set it as an icon of a
modern high-end audio electronics.
Thedesignisbasedonanexcellentdirectheatedtriode(DHT)SV811-10inasingle-ended
conguration,drivenbyanexcellent6S45P(6C45Π)tube.Highcapacitypowersupplyisdomi-
nated by a custom, in-house made power transformer and choke. New generation of Trafomatic
Double-C core output transformers ensures maximum linearity and wide frequency response.
ThePrimaverahasbalanced(XLR)andunbalanced(RCA)inputs,andthefollowingheadphone
outputs:
One Neutrik 4-pin balanced connector,
TwoNeutrik3-pinXLRconnectors
One ¼” Neutrik connector
Outputimpedancecanbesetinthe25to600Ohmsrange,makingiteasytooptimizesound
quality for multitude of headphones.
HANDLING AND REPLACING VACUUM TUBES
Many people have never had experience handling vacuum tubes. Process is very similar to
hand incandescent light bulbs. As with the light bulbs, you should not touch a vacuum tube
whenitisoperatingsinceyoucanburnyourself.Similarly,ifatubeisdroppedonahardsurface
itmaybreakorchangecriticaloperatingparameters.Whenreplacingthetubesandremoving
theamplier’scover,allowsufcient time,minimum30 minutes,for tubestocool down and
internal capacitors to discharge. Before you insert a tube you should make certain the unit is
disconnected from the AC outlet. Inspect the tube for cracks and physical damage. Make sure
that the pins are straight. If you need to straighten the pins, be very careful as it may cause the
glassenvelopetobreak,causingthetubetolosethevacuumandailassoonastheamplieris
powered on. Carefully align the pins with the socket and gently insert the tube.
Never force a tube into a socket.
The Primavera is designed around the 6S45P (6C45Π) vacuum tube as a gain stage and
SV811-10 as the power tube.Whenthetubesaredueforreplacement,itisbesttousethe
same brand and model number.
ShouldyoudecidetobuyreplacementtubesfromTrafomatic Audio, rest assured that they are
fully tested before the shipment.

PACKAGING
Savetheoriginalpackaginginadryplace.Thepackaginghasbeendesignedtoprotectyour
devicefromstressesincurredduringshipping.Usingpackagingdifferentfromtheoriginalin-
creases risks of shipping damages
PREPARATION FOR USE
Placeyouramplieronaat,stablesurface.
Power switch, located on the left side of the unit should be in the OFF position.
Makesurethatthevoltageselectorswitch(locatedontherearpanel,nexttotheACinlet)
isproperlyset;thisswitchneedstobesetsothatthenumberdisplayed(115or230)corre-
sponds with the line voltage in your country.
Plug in the power cord.
Connect your audio source to the rear inputs of your Primavera. You may use balanced
(XLR)orunbalanced(RCA)inputs.Itisnotrecommendedtousebothsetsofinputsatthe
same time.
Ifsomeofyoursourcesrequiresignalgrounding(turntabletonearm,forexample),connect
thewiretothegroundinglug(GND)ontherearpaneloftheamplier.
Connect your headphones by using connectors on the front of the unit.
Make sure that volume control is set to minimum position.
Turn on the Primavera by using power switch located on the left side of the unit.
Slowlyincreasevolume,tomakesuretherearenounusualnoisescomingoutofthehead-
phones.
CONGRATULATIONS!YouareallsetandreadytoenjoyhighsoundqualityofthePrimavera
HeadphoneAmplier.
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PRIMAVERA-HEADPHONEAmplier-User Manual

CONTROLS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
FRONT PANEL
Volume control: regulates maximum outputs on headphone outputs.
Impedance selector: optimizesamplier’sperformanceforwiderangeofheadphones.
As a general rule, select the impedance that is the best match for the headphones that are being
used. It is possible to use different impedance setting, as that will result in slight changes in the
sound.Whilehighimpedanceheadphonescanbeusedwiththelowimpedancesettings;for
example, 300 ohms headphones can be used with Primavera set to 50 ohms, however, it is not
recommended that low impedance headphones are connected to the high impedance setting -
using 40ohm headphones with 300 ohm setting will results in loss of resolution and increased
distortion.
LEFT SIDE OF THE UNIT
Power ON/OFF switch: The switch turns the amplier ON and OFF
Whenturningontheamplier,makesurethatthevolumecontrolisatitsminimum.Theam-
plierwillbefullyfunctionalafteronly30seconds.However,asitwarmsupovertherst15
minutes of operation, you may notice subtle improvements in the sound quality.
Attheendofyourlisteningsession,makesuretoturntheamplieroff.Leavingitturnedon
does not improve sound quality and it reduces life of the vacuum tubes.
Theampliershouldalwaysbeturnedonandoffviaitsownpowerswitch.
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PRIMAVERA-HEADPHONEAmplier-User Manual
Volume control Output Impedance selector knob
VU Meter
3 pin XLR connectors
Front view
4 pin XLR connector
6,3mm(1/4’) unbalanced
connector

CONTROLS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
REAR PANEL
The only control on the rear panel is the line voltage selector switch located next to the
AC power inlet (AC INPUT). This switch needs to be set so that the number displayed
(115 or 230) corresponds with the line voltage in your country.
The rear panel also hosts:
Groundinglug(GND)
Unbalancedinputs(RCAconnectors)
Balancedinputs(NeutrikXLRconnectors)
Groundliftswitch(LIFTGND):insomecongurations,groundingofthesystemcancong-
ure so called “ground loops”. In certain situation, this causes increased hum in the system.
Groundliftswitchisusedtobreakthe“groundloop”whilemaintainingsafetyaffordedby
proper system grounding.
NOTE: never use the so called “cheater plugs” to remove ground from the system, as it
createspotentiallyhazardousconditions.
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PRIMAVERA-HEADPHONEAmplier-User Manual

SERVICING
High quality parts and careful design of the Primavera ensure long and reliable operation
without need for any maintenance other than that listed in the MAINTENANCE section. In
an unlikely case that the unit does not operate as intended, please contact factory or your
local distributor for assistance.
CAUTION
Lethalvoltagesarepresentinsidetheamplier.Donotremovethepreamplier’scovers.Ser-
vicingoftheunitshouldbeperformedonlybyauthorizedservicepersonnel.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
PRIMAVERA-HEADPHONEAmplier
Class of operation: Single-EndedDHT(classA)
Tube complement: 2x6S45P,2xSV811-10
Input impedance: 47 K ohms
Input sensitivity: 0.5Veff
Headphone output impedance: 25 – 50 – 100 – 300 – 600 Ohms
Inputs: XLRandRCA
Outputs:
One Neutrik 4-pin balanced connector,
TwoNeutrik3-pinXLRconnectors
One ¼” Neutrik connector
Output Power: 9Winto50Ohm
Gain: 33dB
THD: 0.2%,at0.5Wand1kHz
S/N ratio: 88dB
Frequency bandwidth: 10Hz(-1dB)–80kHz(-3dB)
Input voltage: 230V/50Hz–115V/60Hzswitchable
Power consumption: 280VA
Size (WxDxH): 340x480x240 mm
Weight: 30 kg
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PRIMAVERA-HEADPHONEAmplier-User Manual

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