Trilogy 903 User manual

903
USER MANUAL

1
thank you
Welcome
Firstly, thank you for purchasing your Trilogy Audio Systems 903 Preamplier, we value your custom.
We strive to design and build world class products that stand the test of time. By reading this manual you
can gain a clear understanding of the 903’s operation and learn to care for it correctly. In turn, it will reward
you with a lifetime of outstanding performance.
......................................
Nic Poulson.
CEO Trilogy Audio Systems.
www.trilogyaudio.com

2
Getting Started
4 Introduction
4 About this manual
5 Unpacking
5 Environment
5 Power Supply
7 Connections
9 Mains Supply
9 Security
9 PIN Code Protection
11 Powering the preamplier
13 Overview
Menu Operation Section
15 Cartridge Settings (when optional Phono stage is tted)
17 Time Settings
17 Sleep To set the sleep timer
19 Timers To set the daily on/off timers
21 Time Set To set the day and time
23 Defaults
23 PIN Codes To enable or disable PIN codes when power applied or for menu
25 Volume To set various default volume parameters
27 Input To assign the default input
27 Film In To assign an input to be the lm input
27 Output To select the default output source
29 Balance To assign the default balance setting
29 Display To set various display parameters
31 Warm Mode To enable or disable Warm Mode
31 External To set TAS link parameters
33 Names
33 Inputs To assign user names to the inputs
35 External To assign user names to peripherals connected by TAS link
37 Tools
37 Int Status To view internal temperature, current, and safety trip counter
37 Graph To view the current graph of peripherals connected by TAS link
contents

3
37 Ext Status To check the status of peripherals connected by TAS link
37 Bus Status To check the status of the TAS link bus
39 Version To check the software version in this unit and peripherals
39 Bond To bond peripherals to this 903 for security
39 Unbond To unbond peripherals from this 903
39 IR Code To display the codes received by the IR receiver
41 Factory To reset the 903 to factory default settings
TAS link
43 Overview
43 Bus power
43 Bus remote on
43 High speed bus
45 Low speed (quiet) bus
45 Rear Panel LEDs
45 Front Panel Warnings LEDs
Appendices
47 Appendix A TASlink Pinout
49 Appendix B Default settings
Care & Service
51 Cleaning
51 Servicing
51 Declarations
Glossary
52 Glossary
Specications/Returns
53 903 Specications
53 Returns
Acknowledgements
54 Acknowledgments
contents

4
Introduction
We prefer that your Trilogy dealer delivers, installs, sets up and explains your 903’s operation to you.
However, we still recommend that you read through this manual thoroughly and keep it to hand for reference if you intend
using some or all of the 903’s powerful and rather unique features.
Should any part of this manual or the operation of the 903 not be clear to you, please do not hesitate to contact your Trilogy
dealer. If they are not available please contact ourselves directly.
About this manual
Throughout this user manual, the following icons are used:
[enter] This refers to a physical control on the 903.
SEND This refers to a physical connection on the 903.
Bal Centre This indicates information that is presented on the display.
From this point on, any information presented on the left hand pages are pictorial representations of either the front or back
views of the 903 or of the display.
Therefore consider the left hand pages as additional information to accompany the written descriptions on the opposite
pages.

5
Unpacking
Be careful when unpacking your 903, it is heavy. Seek assistance if necessary. Store the packaging safely for future use. It is
the ideal method of protecting your 903 from damage during transport.
Environment
Do not site the 903 near liquids, or place liquid-lled containers near the unit. If liquid does come into contact with the
unit there is serious potential for an electric shock or re hazard. Immediately pull out the mains plug from the wall socket.
Contact your dealer to arrange an inspection before further use.
The 903 is cooled by convection and so needs good circulation of room temperature air, both under and around it. Do not
place it near sources of heat such as radiators or in direct sunlight. Do not enclose in a cupboard. Do not place directly on
carpet.
A at, smooth surface is required. As with all high resolution audio equipment, your 903 is sensitive to vibration, strong
magnetic elds and radio interference. A dedicated, high performance equipment platform sited away from other appliances
is the optimum location.
Power Supply
The AC input voltage has been set for the country where it was purchased. Check that the label on the rear panel matches
your AC supply voltage before connecting the supply. The provided AC inlet cable should be used.
The 903 must be earthed through the IEC inlet connector. Do not disconnect the AC earth at any time. If in doubt about any
aspect of power supply, consult your Trilogy dealer or a qualied electrician.
To realise your preamplier’s full potential we recommend high quality mains conditioning. See www.Isol-8.co.uk for more on
power supply and system solutions from our highly acclaimed sister company. If you are not using a mains conditioner for
best performance, make a direct connection to a mains outlet. Avoid using adapters where possible.
The IEC inlet provides the unit with power. Connect with the supplied AC input cable. It can be left connected at all times
to ensure reliable operation. If not being used for extended periods of time, switch off at the mains outlet or the rear panel
power switch. The 903 carries internal fuses for protection which are not user replaceable. If the standby indicator does
not light when power is applied and power has been tested and available on the cable IEC socket, return the unit to an
authorised Trilogy dealer for servicing.

6

7
Connections
It is good practice to complete all interconnections before switching on to avoid any damage to your system’s loudspeakers
while plugging in.
Connect the supplied AC input cable. The 903 can be left connected at all times to ensure reliable operation. If not being
used for extended periods of time; switch off at the mains outlet or at the rear panel power switch. See the Menu Operation
section for timed, sleep and remote switching.
The 903 offers six stereo audio inputs, all on RCA phono connectors. When the optional internal phono stage is installed the
rst input is phono level and inputs 2-5 are line level, otherwise all are line level inputs. Connect your sources to these inputs
as required.
Input 6 is associated with auxiliary loops. The 903 allows separate selection of the source to be amplied, and the line
level source for output SEND to a recorder, AV or multi-room system. Input 6 should be used for any return signal from the
recorder etc. To prevent howl round, this 6/RTN cannot be selected as the SEND output.
Two sets of main line level outputs are provided. Connect MAIN 1 to your power amplier via RCA phono cables. MAIN 2
is provided for connection to a second power amplier for applications such as bi-amping. MAIN 2 is not independently
buffered or controlled.
Twin TAS link connectors allow interconnection, control and monitoring of other Trilogy products via our proprietary TAS link
technology. The associated LEDs on the rear panel give status information. The TAS link section of this manual contains
further information. TAS link cables are available from your Trilogy dealer in various lengths.
A binding post is available to allow an earth connection from your turntable when the optional phono stage is tted. This is
not a safety mains earth, the 903 must be earthed via the IEC inlet connector.

8
Pin Code
[enter]
00----
Rotate [shaft encoder] to display rst Pin Code pair
52----
[enter]
5200--
Rotate [shaft encoder] to display second Pin Code pair
5225--
[enter]
522500
Rotate [shaft encoder] to display third Pin Code pair
522594
[enter]
Warm up...
The number used above is purely an example.
Your unique PIN Code is detailed in the separate sheet accompanying your 903.

9
Mains Supply
Having made and checked all appropriate input, output and AC connections, power can be applied by pressing the [rear
panel rocker switch]. The [power indicator] will be dimly lit to indicate the 903 is in standby. To turn on the 903 press the
[power button] on the front panel.
Security
Each 903 comes with its own unique PIN for your security. Please take precautions to remember your PIN and make sure it
cannot fall into the hands of others. Should you not be able to enter the correct PIN, contact your Trilogy dealer.
PIN Code Protection
When the preamplier is rst powered, or unplugged for approximately fteen minutes, the preamplier requires a security
PIN code to be entered. When the display says PIN Code, press [enter] and the display will read 00---- where 00 are the
rst two digits of the PIN code you are entering. Set these digits correctly with the [shaft encoder], noting you can move
backwards through 00 to 99 for speed. Press [enter], adjust the next pair of digits, [enter] to change the last pair then [enter]
again to complete PIN code entry.
If the PIN is entered incorrectly, press [enter] at the warning but note that after three failures, the unit will be locked out for
two minutes before prompting again for PIN entry.
PIN request when power is applied can be disabled in the appropriate menu should you prefer.

10

11
Powering the Preamplier
Once the PIN code has been correctly entered if required/requested, the preamplier can be powered using the [power]
button. The message Warm up... will be displayed while the circuitry warms up, and any TAS link attached Trilogy products
turn on if they are controlled from the 903. After sixty seconds, the preamplier is unmuted, the default input and volume are
selected and displayed before the menu defaults to the home page.
Turn off by again pressing the [power] button, which includes the ability to abort power up during the warming period. The
message Turn Off is displayed and outputs are muted before valve circuitry is powered down after a couple of seconds.
The 903 consumes very little power in this mode and will stand by waiting for return to operation via TAS link, infra red
remote or a press of the [power] button. To remove power completely the [rear panel rocker switch] can be used.
This simple on/off operation is the standard setting from the Trilogy factory, but the detailed menus offer the ability to select
an intermediate Keep Warm mode, where a brief press of the [power] button while powered keeps equipment at near
optimum temperature. This is of particular benet for other Trilogy equipment which can cycle power to its circuitry to keep
warm, while reducing power consumption below standard mute modes. When Keep Warm is enabled, turn off to low power
standby is achieved by pressing and holding the [power] button.

12
Listen source options
Input 1
Input 2
Input 3
Input 4
Input 5
Input 6
Send output options
Input 1
Input 2
Input 3
Input 4
Input 5
Balance options
Mute Right
Bal <15 .... Bal <1
Bal Centre
Bal >1 .... Bal >15
Mute Left
Brightness options
Bright Auto
Bright 1 .... Bright 9
More options
More Cartridge (if phono option fitted)
Time
Defaults
Names
Tools

13
Overview
The Trilogy 903 offers a nested menu structure to access the variety of options. This is intuitive, using a combination of
[enter] / [escape] buttons and the rotary [shaft encoder].
By default, the preamplier displays what we call the ‘Home Page’, which is selectable as a blank screen, Trilogy logo, time,
input or volume. The home page can be set differently when the preamplier is off, compared with when it is powered.
Because the [shaft encoder] is normally used to adjust the volume from the home page, the rst step to access any control
is to press [enter] once, which shows the input selected for listening. This listen source can then be changed with the [shaft
encoder] and allows the most basic of operations.
At this point you can press escape or enter once more. Pressing escape will return to the home page and the shaft encoder
will control volume. Pressing enter will allow selection of the source that is sent to an external recorder or processor. [enter]
again to adjust balance. [enter] again for display brightness and choose from automatic according to ambient light, or xed
levels 1-9. The next [enter] will display
More , which is the route into the detailed menus, which are accessed by turning the
[shaft encoder].
The top level menu is circular, so pressing [enter] when
More is displayed will return to listen source selection. [escape] at any
time from these top level settings to return to the home page, and press [escape] from the home page to display the current
time. Holding [escape] for several seconds at the home page will display the unit’s serial number when the preamplier is
powered off.

14
More Cartridge Gain RC
More Cartridge Gain 40dB
Gain 60dB
R 75 ohms
R 100 ohms
R 240 ohms
R 330 ohms
R 1 kohms
R 47 kohms
C none
C 100 pF
C 220 pF
C 330 pF
C 470 pF

15
Menu Operation
You will nd it intuitive, but you advance between top level menus of input, output, balance, brightness and more using the
[enter] button, whereas in most of the detailed menus found within More , the different menus are selected with the [shaft
encoder]. The logic for this is we nd it acceptable to select between the small number of high level menus using [enter], and
also that each of these top level menus demands the use of the [shaft encoder].
To access the detailed menus, More should be displayed then turn the [shaft encoder] to select between cartridge (if phono
option is tted), time, defaults, names and tools. If you have enabled menu lock in the defaults (disabled by default), on
turning the [shaft encoder] you will be prompted to enter the four digit menu PIN code provided with your 903. This is a
different number to the six digit PIN entered when power is applied.
More/Cartridge
This menu will only be displayed where the optional phono stage, dedicated to input 1, has been installed. Otherwise the
rst 'more' menu will be More / Time. Unusually the cartridge menu works in the same way as the top level menu, cycling
between settings of gain, resistance and capacitance using [enter] and changing live values with the [shaft encoder]. Any
change to these three values is also stored as default when leaving this menu using [escape].

16
More Time Sleep
Timers
Time Set
More Time Sleep Sleep Off
Sleep 0:01 ...Sleep 2:00

17
More / Time
This includes setting the current time and sleep time similar to that found on an alarm clock, putting the preamplier to
sleep after an adjustable number of minutes. On and off timers are also provided for each day of the week, plus global on/
off timers that apply every day. Individual timers can be disabled and only some timers used if required. For example, turn on
Saturday morning and turn off Sunday evening. Press [enter] to access Sleep, then select other time options if required. This
setting can only be changed when the 903 is on.
More / Time / Sleep
Pressing the [enter] button when Sleep is displayed, will allow the user to set a sleep timer to turn the preamplier off
automatically after a set time. However during this countdown period the front panel button, an external remote or one of the
timers might switch the preamplier off rst.
The default value displayed is Off , but using the [shaft encoder], the time can be adjusted from 0:01 (one minute until sleep)
to 2:00 (two hours until sleep) in one minute steps. Once set as required, [escape] from this menu or leave the display
timeout to return to the homepage if enabled. When the unit goes to sleep, by default it will switch off both the preamplier
and any TAS link attached peripherals.
If display timeout is not enabled and you stay on the sleep display, you will see a live countdown. If you wish to disable the
sleep timer, set it to Off .

18
More

Time

Timers

Mon ><:00 ©
Mon ><:00 ®
Tue ><:00 ©
Tue ><:00 ®
Wed ><:00 ©
Wed ><:00 ®
Thu ><:00 ©
Thu ><:00 ®
Fri ><:00 ©
Fri ><:00 ®
Sat ><:00 ©
Sat ><:00 ®
Sun ><:00 ©
Sun ><:00 ®
All ><:00 ©
All ><:00 ®

19
More / Time / Timers
Timers are provided to allow automatic on/off switching customised to your daily routine, like a modern central heating
controller. This facility may be used to bring your audio equipment to optimum temperature before listening, to minimise
power wasted overnight in maintaining temperature, or to provide wake-up music like an alarm clock.
[enter] from
Timers to show the ‘on timer’ for Monday, designated with the lled square top right of the display. The day will
be ashing. Turning the [shaft encoder] to the right shows the off timer for Monday with an empty square bottom right, then
on/off for every day with the addition of ‘all on’ and ‘all off’ timers which will work every day.
The timer hours are adjustable
00 to 23 , minutes are 00 to 59 as expected. We deliberately prevented the [shaft encoder]
‘wrapping round’, eg 23 hours to 00 hours. Before 00 hours, there is an additional setting of
>< hours which disables that
timer. Trilogy 903 Preampliers are shipped with all timers disabled and minutes set to 00, that is
><:00 .
To adjust a timer, select the timer of interest with the [shaft encoder] and press [enter]. This allows hours to be changed,
including disabling with a setting of
>< . Press [enter] to edit the minutes or [escape] back to selecting the different days on/
off. It will be clear what you are changing with the [shaft encoder] as the display will be ashing.
We have included what we hope is a useful feature. After editing timer minutes, pressing [enter] moves to the next timer
—press [enter] to edit that. This speeds setting as you are likely to edit an off timer when you have edited that day’s on
timer. However if you edit the minutes on one timer and do not want to edit the next timer, simply press [enter] then choose
another timer, or [escape] again to leave the timer menu.
The timers were designed with exibility in mind. Day timers do not have to be used in on/off pairs, so you could have your
system switch on Saturday morning and keep warm until Sunday evening, just using Saturday on and Sunday off timers.
Similarly, each day could turn on at different times, but the All off timer would switch off the system at the same time every
day.
When the unit switches off, it will switch off both the preamplier and any TAS link attached peripherals.