Vitus Audio RI-100 User manual

RI-100 | v 06.09.2011
RI-100
Owner’s Manual

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RI-100 | v 06.09.2011
All rights reserved. No part
of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in or
introduced into a retrieval
system, or transmitted in
any form, or by any means
(electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording
or otherwise) without the
prior written permission of
Vitus Audio. Any person who
does any unauthorized act
in relation to this publication
may be liable to criminal
prosecution and civil claims for
damages.
Information contained in this
manual is subject to change
without notice, and whilst it
is checked for accuracy, no
liabilities can be accepted for
errors.

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RI-100 | v 06.09.2011
table of contents
on a personal note
Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
from the creator
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
introduction
About this manual . . . . . . . . 6
Introduction to the
Reference Series . . . . . . . . . 6
1. getting started
Unpacking the box . . . . . . . . 8
What’s in the box. . . . . . . . . 8
Device overview . . . . . . . . . 9
The topology of
the volume control. . . . . . . . 10
2. connecting
Turning the RI-100 on and off.. . 11
RI-100 rear panel . . . . . . . . . 12
Connecting the RI-100 . . . . . . 12
3. operation
Operation modes . . . . . . . . 14
Functions – left front panel . . . 16
Functions – right front panel . . 17
The menu structure . . . . . . . 18
Input settings . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Remote settings . . . . . . . . . 19
Volume settings . . . . . . . . . 19
Discription of the
elements in the menu. . . 2 0
The menu structure . . . . . . . 21
4. operation & service
Safety notice . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Mains supply voltage . . . . . . 22
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Mains fuse . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Replacing a blown fuse . . . . . 24
5. warranty
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
6. specifications
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7. appendix
Example 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Example 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Example 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Example 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Example 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Example 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Example 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Example 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Example 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Example 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Example 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Example 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Connecting devices . . . . . . . 42
Connecting devices 1 . . . . . . 43
Connecting devices 2 . . . . . . 44
Connecting devices 3 . . . . . . 45
8. pictures
RI-100 Inside view . . . . . . . . 46
RI-100 Front. . . . . . . . . . . . 47

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on a personal note
Certificate
Model: RI-100
Product ID/Serial
__________________________________
Product Build Date
__________________________________
Signed
__________________________________
All products details, specifications and
measurements are recorded for your RI-100
and kept by Vitus Audio.

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RI-100 | v 06.09.2011
from the creator
Foreword
First of all, thank you for
choosing the Vitus Audio
RI-100 integrated amplifier,
we are sure you will enjoy it
for many years to come. When
purchasing a Vitus Audio
product, you are guaranteed a
musical performance,
which exceeds the current
musical standards. Vitus
Audio is dedicated to musical
performance rather than
technical details and high
performance measures.
We believe that many
manufactures are blinded by
the current available theory,
instead of looking for new
answers.
At Vitus Audio everything
works until proven not to.
This way we always try to
push the limits and explore
the unexplored. As a result
of this, many of the solutions
we use today are considered
to be “impossible to ever
get working”,however they
have convinced many people
and reviewers world wide
of the opposite. Before any
of our new topologies are
implemented in our products,
they are carefully reviewed by
our dedicated listening panel.
This way we can guarantee
the correct level of musically
performance and robustness.
Generally we’re after super
neutral, super detailed and
super dynamic reproduction
without “loosing” the nerve
in the music which often is
a drawback of many high
end amplifiers. Our real
strongholds are complete
silence, unbelievable depth
and width in the soundstage
resulting in a far more open
sound with higher resolution
-you could say, closer to the
artist. As a result of the above,
our amps do not “focus” on
any specific frequencies - i.e.
no extension of top or bas,
which of course results in high
clarity of the midrange since
it’s “naturally present”!
Hans Ole Vitus

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introduction
About this manual
This is your RI-100 owner’s
manual. The following pages
will describe, as clearly as
possible, how to get your RI-
100 operating fast and simple.
Although some operations are
self-explanatory, we strongly
suggest you read this manual
to avoid any damage to the
unit. The manual is designed
to be helpful. If there are
points you feel we could cover
better, or that we have missed
out – please tell us.
Important
information is
presented like
this. Ignoring this
information may cause
damage to you or the
unit. Damage coused
to the unit by ignoring
this information might
invalidate the warranty.
Introduction to the
Reference Series
The Vitus Audio Reference
Series is a true high-end series
of products, which is build on
our true dedication to neutral
music reproduction. Every
detail is carefully thought
through, and all choices made
during development, where
based purely on listening, and
not measuring. Only the best
available materials are used to
ensure an overall quality which
will last for many years, when
treated right.


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RI-100 | v 06.09.2011
introduction
This amplifier is
VERY heavy –
make sure to be
at least two people to
unpack the unit. You
might damage both
your back and the
amplifier if extra care
is not applied. Vitus
Audio A/S cannot
be held responsible
for any damage that
is a consequence of
uncareful handling of
the unit.


Figure 1 Box exploded view
Foam top 1
Foam bottom
Box
Foam top 2
Foam Sides
6 pieces
RI-100
Brochure
Manual Power Cable
Mac Remote
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Unpacking the box
After you have opened the
top, it is possible to remove
the top protective foam which
gives you direct access to the
amplifier. In the top you will
find the remote, the power
cord and brochures. Now
remove the side protective
foam, this will make it easier
to grab hold of the RI-100.
Two people carefully lift the
amplifier out of the box, and
put it directly onto the floor.
Store the empty box and the
protective foam for later use.
What’s in the box
Foam top 1
Vitus Audio Brochure
RI-100 Manual
Mac Remote
Power Cable
Foam top 2
Foam Sides 6 pieces
RI-100
Foam bottom
Box
1. getting started

Device overview
Front panel: Anodized Aluminium
Body: Powder coated Aluminium
Total weight: 40 KG
Figure 2 Device overview
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1. getting started
1. getting started
165 mm
180 mm
165 mm
435 mm
435 mm
35 mm

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1. getting started
The topology of the volume
control used in the RI-100 is
very different compared to the
“standard”. The RI-100 uses a
series of fixed resistor networks
to control the volume. Relays
are used to switch between the
resistor networks. Across all
volume steps, a fixed resistor
is in series with the signal
path. This gives the best per-
formance possible. When you
change volume, a different
number of shunt resistors are
used.
To prevent pop in the output,
we have chosen to first add
the new shunt resistors, and
then wait a short time, before
removing the unused shunt
resistors at the new volume
step. This will give a minor fall
in volume before settling at
the new volume step. It takes
only very little time to get
used to this type of operation
of the volume, and it will give
you superior sound quality
over the traditional digital and
analogue potentiometers.
The topology of the
volume control.

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2. connecting
2. connecting
Turning the RI-100 on and off.
Always turn on the products beginning from the source:
CD player apre-amplifier apower amplifier.
Always turn off your products in reverse order:
Power amplifier apre-amplifier aCD player.
Not following this procedure,
may cause damage to any of
your products/speakers.
Damage caused to any of your
products/speakers by not following
this procedure will invalidate the warranty.


RI-100 rear panel
Outputs
Speaker left
Speaker right
Ground/Earth
Preout. XLR
Optional Headamp
Inputs.
Input 1,2,3. XLR
Input 4,5. RCA
RIAA (optional ) Input 5
Power
Optional DAC interface
Figure 4 Plugs
Speaker out
Speaker out
Ground
XLR out
Jack
XLR out
RCA
RCA
Power
XLR in
XLR in
USB b (male)
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2. connecting
Connecting the RI-100
Place the RI-100 on its shelf.
Connect all the sources to the
inputs of the RI-100, (labelled
INPUT 1 to 5 on the rear
panel.)
Connect the Speaker output of
the RI-100. Carefully connect
the mains to the amplifier,
after you have connected both
inputs and outputs.
This is a true balanced
amplifier, DO NOT connect
the ”-“output (Figure 3) to
any ground source, including
chassis or signal ground, this
will damage the amplifier.
The pre-out connectors can be
connected to a power amplifier
for biamping or an active sub.
Figure 3 ”-“output

Figure 5 RI-100 Rear panel.
GND / EARTH
Input 4 Input 5 / RIAA Input 5 / RIAA Input 4
Input 2 Input 3Input 1 Input 2 Input 1Input 3
+
-
This is a true balanced
poweramplier. DO NOT
under any circumstance
connect (-) speaker output
to ground.
Caution
+
-
This is a true balanced
poweramplier. DO NOT
under any circumstance
connect (-) speaker output
to ground.
Caution
Optional DAC interface Optional Headamp interface
Use this connection with care
Connecting it to other units
with impropper GND may
damage this unit. Such
damage will not be covered
by warranty!
Caution
Preout Preout
NEUTRIK
PUSH
NEUTRIK
PUSH
NEUTRIK
PUSH
NEUTRIK
PUSH
NEUTRIK
PUSH
NEUTRIK
PUSH
MAINS
Speaker out Ground XLR out XLR out Jack RCA Power XLR in XLR in USB b (male)
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2. connecting
2. connecting
Fuse

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3. operation
Figure 6 RI-100 Front panel.
Operation modes

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3. operation
The RI-100 has 3
operation modes
1.Normal mode.
This is the mode you use when
listening to music.
2. Menu mode
In this mode you can alter the
settings of the RI-100.
3. Standby mode.
In this mode the controls of
the RI-100 are deactivated.
The RI-100 does not shut down
in Standby Mode in order to
maintain an optimal working
temperature
3 Operation modes
3. operation

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3. operation
Normal mode
In normal mode there are
3 basic functions/buttons
available on the left front.
1. INPUT Selects between
the 5 inputs.
2. MENU Switches to
“Menu mode”.
3. STANDBY Switches in and
out of
“Standby Mode”
Menu mode
You enter menu mode, by
pushing the ”MENU” button
once in Normal mode. In the
Menu mode there are 3 basic
functions/buttons:
1. Scroll forward in the
menu.
2. MENU/ Enter & Exit
SELECT submenus and
selectsettings.
3. Scroll backward in the
menu.
Figure 7 RI-100 Left front panel.
Functions – left front panel

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3. operation
Normal mode
In normal mode there are
3 basic functions/buttons
available on the right front:
1.  Turns volume UP.
2. MUTE Mutes the output.
3.  Turns volume DOWN.
Menu mode
In the text-menu it is possible
to change the name of the
input. This is done by using
the following buttons from the
right front:
1.  Change selected
character.
2. MUTE Go to the next
character
in the display.
3. Change selected
character.
3. operation
Functions – right front panel
Figure 8 RI-100 Right front panel.

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The menu structure
You can modify the settings
of the RI-100. You do this by
entering the menu. On page
23 you can find a graphical
reproduction of the menu.
The sub-menus are indicated
with a colour.OUTPUT RESET
REMOTE, V.INIT and INPUTS
On page 20 you can find a
discription of the elements in
the menu. In the Appendix (
chapter 7 page 30-41 of the
manual ) you can find various
examples of how to change
the settings of the RI-100.
Selecting output
This option is only available
when you have the optional
headamp interface module
installed in the RI-100.
Here you can switch
output from SPEAKERS to
HEADPHONES.
(Example 1 page 32)
Reset
Restore the settings of the RI-100
to its default settings.
(Example 2 page 33)
Input settings
The RI-100 comes with 5
inputs. The settings for
each individual input can
be adjusted in the menu.
The input selection is saved
automatically every 10 minutes.
Each time you initialize the
RI-100, the last saved setting
is restored. You can manually
save a setting by pressing the
MENU button down 2-3 sec.
When “SAVE” is shown in the
display, the setting has been
saved.
Input name settings
As a standard, the inputs are
named input 1, input 2, etc. In
the text-menu you can find a
list of predefined input names.
If the name of your device is
not in the list, you can choose
to make your own device
name.
(Examples 11 and 12
on page 40 and 41)
Input gain settings
Offset gain setting / Sensitivity
setting. Different sources often
have different output voltages.
This has a direct influence
on the typical volume level
that is needed for a specific
sound level, hence changing
between sources can result in
high sound level differences.
To accommodate easy
operation, we have included
a gain (or as some prefer to
call it – sensitivity setting) in
our amplifiers – it simply sets
the volume starting point at a
specific volume – to match the
source. The offset-value can
be set from - 12 dB to +12 dB.
In the example on page XX
we will show you how you can
change the offset values
(Examples 8 and 9 on pages 39
and 40)
Disabling inputs
If you only use some of the
inputs, it is possible to disable
the inputs that are
not used. Using the “Input”
button, the system skips the
disabled inputs, and jumps to
the next input.
(Example 10 page 39)
3. operation

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3. operation
3. operation
Remote settings
The RI-100 is standard shipped
with a Apple Remote.
The Apple remote that
comes with the RI-100 can
be used on all Reference
devices. If you own two (or
more) reference devices than
it is recommended that you
pair the remote(s) with their
devices.
(Examples 3 and 4
on pages 34 and 35)
Volume settings
The RI-100 starts up in
the same volume step on
initialization. You can select
in which volume step, the RI-
100 should initialize. You can
set the initial volume step in
the menu, to a step between
-99.0dB and +6dB.
You can also set the initial
volume-step to “REMEMBER”.
When you set the RI-100
to “REMEMBER”, then it
remembers the volume step
from when it was put to
standby. Next time the RI-100
leaves standby, it will start in
this volume step.
(Examples 5 and 6
pages 36 and 37)

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3. operation
Discription of the
elements in the
menu.
OUTPUT
Change between speaker and
headphone output.
SETUP
Change the settings of the RI-100.
DATA
Shows information about this
RI-100.
RESET
Restore the settings of the RI-100
to its default settings.
REMOTE
Change the settings of the Apple
Remote.
REMOTE ID
Show the ID of the remote.
NO PAIR
Un-pair the remote and the RI-100
by removing the REMOTE ID
V.INIT
Change the initial dB step of the
volume in the RI-100 to any step
between -99 and12.dB
VOL.STEP
The RI-100 has a standard volume
step of -42 dB. You can set the
volume step to a step, between
-99.0 dB to +6dB.This step will be
the new volume step. Even when
after the power cord has been
disconnected the RI-100 still starts
up in the new volume step.
REMEMBER
Set the RI-100 to remember the
current volume step. The RI-100
will start up in this volume step
when it leaves standby. This
volume step however is not
remembered when the power
cord is removed. Then the RI-100
will initiate in the volume step as it
is defined in the V.INIT sub-menu.
BRIGHT
Change the brightness of the
display any step between 0 and 3.
INPUTS
Change settings for each input.
INPUT X
Change the settings of input X.
USED
Select whether input X has to be
USED or not NOT USED.When
you select NOT USED input X will
not be shown in the list of inputs.
TEXT
Choose a name for input X.
OFFSET
Select an offset- gain, between
-12 and 12 dB, for input X.
SET FIX
Set the volume of input X to a
fixed dB step. (Input X is now
locked to a dB step and can not
be adjusted with the volume
control)
FIXED
Lock and unlock the volume by
switching between FIX ON/FIX
OFF.
ADJUST
Adjust the fixed dB step to any
step between -99 and +12 dB