Trafomatic Audio TARA 30A User manual

www.trafomaticaudio.com Rev. 1
www.trafomaticaudio.com Rev. 1
TARA 30A
Line Level Preamplier

TARA 30A
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. Even though they are not directly
accessible, direct contact with area above the tubes should be avoided. Allow at least 10
minutes 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 unattended
and unused for longer periods of time.
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TARA 30A-LineLevelPreampli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 registers,
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 any thing on
topofyourpreamplierthatcouldobstructairowandcausevacuumtubestooverheatanddamage
theunit.Donotplaceyourpreamplierinaclosedbookcase;overheatingcouldoccur.
Ensurethatthereisatleast6”(150mm)ofopenspaceabovethepreampli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,scouring
powderorsolventsuchasalcoholorbenzene.
2) Tube replacement.Vacuumtubeshavelifeinthe10.000hoursrange.Werecommendreplacingthe
tubesafter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 TARA 30A preamplier is not required. However, for best
performanceitisrecommendedtoadjustdynamicbalance,asdescribedintheControlssection
further below.
SERVICE
1) Replacement Parts.Whenreplacementpartsarerequired,besurethattheservicetechnician
usesreplacementpartsspeciedbythemanufacturerorpartswiththesamecharacteristics
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designed
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.
04
TARA 30A-LineLevelPreamplier-User Manual

05 TARA 30A-LineLevelPreamplier-User Manual
GETTING STARTED
ABOUT YOUR LINE PREAMPLIFIER
Your TARA 30A Line Level Preamplier was designed to provide high value based on
itsexceptionalperformance,whichisaresultofacarefullydesignedcircuitandoptimized
componentselection.Thedesignutilizesminimumnumberofactivepartsandtopquality
passiveelements.TheTARA30wasconceivedasapreamplierwithrecognizedTrafomatic
Audio’s uncompromised sound quality.
The design is based on an excellent EML 30A vacuum tube. The EML30A is driven by the
6N30P tube, with resulting total gain of 21dB; alternatively, the 6N6P tube can be used and
thegaininthatcaseis25dB.ThepreamplieroperatesinClassApush-pull,withcustom
designed output transformers. A dedicated dual power supply is housed in a separate chas-
sis, for maximum separation.
TheTARA30Apreampliercomeswithastandard,beautifullycraftedremotecontrol.
TheTARA30Ahasthree(3)balanced(XLR)inputsandone(1)single-ended(RCA)input.
Therearetwo(2)balancedoutputsandtwo(2)single-endedoutputs.Asvaluableadditional
features, phase reversal and multiple ground lift switches are also available for maximum
versatility.
HANDLING AND REPLACING VACUUM TUBES
Many people have never had experience handling vacuum tubes. Process is very similar to
handling 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
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 that the unit is turned off and disconnect-
ed 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failassoonasthepreamplier
is powered on. Carefully align the pins with the socket and gently insert the tube.
Never force a tube into a socket.
The TARA 30A preamplier is designed around the EML 30A and 6N30P vacuum tubes.
Whenthetubes aredueforreplacement,please contactTrafomaticAudioorauthorized
dealer for recommendations about substitutes. The 6N30P tube can be replaced with the
6N6Pifmoregainisrequired(25dBvs.21dB).
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preamplieronaat,stablesurface.
Powerswitch,locatedontheleftsideofthepowersupplyunitshouldbeintheOFF(0)position.
Makesurethatthevoltageselectorswitch(locatedontherearpanel,above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.
Connectthepowersupplyunitwiththepreamplierunitbyusingprovidedpowercables.
TARA 30A has dual power supply and both cables must be connected.
Plug in the power cord.
ConnectLINEOUTPUTSoftheTARA30Atolineinputsofyouramplier.
Connectyouraudiosource(s)tothepreamplier’sinput(s)(rca1andxlr1throughxlr3).
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powersupplyunit.
By using the front panel input selector switch, select the appropriate audio source.
Make sure that volume control is set to minimum position.
Turn on the TARA 30A by using power switch located on the left side of the power supply unit.
Turnonyourpoweramplier.
Slowlyincreasevolume,tomakesuretherearenounusualnoisescomingoutofthespeakers.
CONGRATULATIONS!YouareallsetandreadytoenjoyhighsoundqualityoftheTARA30
LineLevelpreamplier.
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TARA 30A-LineLevelPreamplier-User Manual

CONTROLS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
FRONT PANEL
InputSelector:Thefourpositions“Inputs”switchisusedtoselectoneofthefouravailableinputs,marked(rca1
and xlr1 through xlr3).
Volumecontrol:regulatesmaximumoutputsontheLINEOUTPUTS.
Phase shift: this knob has two positions: 0° and 180°. In the 0° position, the input signal’s phase is not inverted and
thisisthemostcommonlyusedsituation.However,somepowerampliersreversethephaseoftheinputsignal
and, if that is the case, placing this switch in the 180° position will correct the phase reversal. Also, the 180° position
can be very helpful in setups with challenging room acoustics or during integration with subwoofers.
The front panel also has the power on light and window for the remote control receiver.
LEFT SIDE OF THE UNIT
PowerON/OFFswitch:TheswitchturnsthepreamplierONandOFF
Whenturningonthepreamplier,makesurethatthevolumecontrolisatitsminimum.Thepreampli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 while wasting power.
Thepreampliershouldalwaysbeturnedonandoffviaitsownpowerswitch.
TARA 30A - Line Level Preamplier: Front Panel
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TARA 30A-LineLevelPreamplier-User Manual

REAR PANEL – POWER SUPPLY UNIT
The rear panel of the TARA 30A hosts the following:
Groundinglug(GND)
Connectorsforpoweringthepreampliersection,markedCON1andCON2
Afuseholderforthemainfuse.Slow-blowfuseratedfor4Ampsshouldbeusedwiththe
115Vlineand3.15Ampratedfuseshouldbeusedwiththe230Vline.Fusesareglass
cartridge, 5x20mm.
AC input connector
AC line voltage selector switch. This switch needs to be set so that the number displayed
(115or230)correspondswiththelinevoltageinyourcountry
CONTROLS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Line outputs connectors
Power connector 1 Power connector 2
Power connector 2
Power connector 1 Line outputs connectors
Fuse
RL
09 TARA 30A-LineLevelPreamplier-User Manual
TARA 30A - Line Level Preamplier: RearPanel-PowerSupplyUnit

CONTROLS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
REAR PANEL – PREAMPLIFIER UNIT
The rear panel of the TARA 30A preamplier is home to the following connectors and switches:
LINEOUTPUTR andLINEOUTPUTL:preamplieroutputs,balanced(XLR)andsin-
gle-ended(RCA),twoofeach,perchannel.
Balancedinputs,markedXLR1,XLR2andXLR3)
One pair of single-ended inputs, marked RCA
Power supply connectors CON1 and CON2
Groundliftswitches:Insomecongurations,groundingofthesystemcanresultinso-
called “ground loops”. In certain situation, this causes increased hum in the system. A
ground lift switch is used to break the ground loop while maintaining safety afforded by
propersystemgrounding.UniqueconstructionoftheTARA30Agroundingschemepro-
videsunmatchedexibilitywhenitcomestooptimizingperformanceincomplexsystems
with multiple inputs and outputs. Instead of providing a single point of the ground loop
break, the TARA 30A employs multiple “ground lift” switches which can break ground
loop(s)inawaythatisthemostbenecialforyourspecicsystemconguration.
CENTRALGNDLIFT:removesgroundfromallinputsandoutputs
XLRGNDLIFTLandXLRGNDLIFTR:thisswitchremovesgroundfromtheXLR
outputs
GNDLIFT1,2and3:removesthegroundfromthecorrespondingXLRinput
NOTE: never use the so called “cheater plugs” to remove ground from the system, as it
createspotentiallyhazardousconditions.
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TARA 30A-LineLevelPreamplier-User Manual
Line outputs connectors
Power connector 1 Power connector 2
Power connector 2
Power connector 1 Line outputs connectors
Fuse
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TARA 30A - Line Level Preamplier: RearPanel-PreamplierUnit

TOP PANEL – PREAMPLIFIER UNIT
Top panel of the TARA 30A features spring-stabilized EML 30A tubes and 6N30P tubes, as well as the two
panel instruments and DYNAMIC BALANCE controls.
The DYNAMIC BALANCE is a unique feature of the TARA 30A preamplier which sets it above the compe-
tition: the EML 30A tubes operate in push-pull conguration and the dynamic balance controls ensures
that both tubes operate under identical conditions. Therefore – even the slightest mismatch between the
tubesiscorrectedandthepreamplierisabletoprovideoptimalperformance.
To ensure perfect matching, the DYNAMIC BALANCE knob is rotated until the instrument is in the central
position, reading 0 mV. It is recommended that the balancing is done a two minutes after powering the
preamplier on,whenthetubesstabilizedtheiroperatingconditions.
NOTE:whiletheDynamicBalancingisbenecialtotheperformanceoftheunit,thereisnoneedtocontinuously
readjustthesettingduringthelistening.AslightdriftofafewmVwillhaveanegligibleeffecttothesoundquality.
REMOTE CONTROL
TARA 30A comes with its own dedicated remote control circuit. For the sake of simplicity, reli-
ability and long battery life, basic functionality is provided via two buttons: volume up and down.
CONTROLS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
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TARA 30A-LineLevelPreamplier-User Manual
TARA 30A - Line Level Preamplier: RearPanel-TopPanel-PreamplierUnit

SERVICING
High quality parts and careful design of the TARA 30A 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.
Servicingoftheunitshouldbeperformedonlybyauthorizedservicepersonnel.
13 TARA 30A-LineLevelPreamplier-User Manual

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
TARA 30A LineLevelPreamplier
Full balanced Class A preamplier with line output transformers, Separate power supply
Volume Remote controlled
Gain: 21dB with 6N30P , 25dB with 6N6P
Input transformers:CustomizedLL1592highlevellineinputmumetalcorebasedtransformers
S/N: – 98dB
Inputs:3xXLR,1xRCA
Outputs:2xRCA,2xXLRbychannel
Output Impedance:25Ohms,XLRandRCA
Frequency Response:5Hz-200KHz(-1dB)
Vacuum Tube Complement:2x6N30P(6N6P),4xEML30A
Power supply: Low Induction toroid transformer by Trafomatic Audio, High Inductivity
custommadechokes,MundorfMLyticHVtype
Requirements:230V/50Hz-115V/60Hzswitchable
Power consumption:200VA
Weight: 22 kg with power supply
Dimensions: 470 x 350 x 120 mm each box
14
TARA 30A-LineLevelPreamplier-User Manual

www.trafomaticaudio.com
TARA 30A
Line Level Preamplier