Wadax Pre One Ultimate Trio User manual

WADAX
The Art of Music Recreation
Pre One Ultimate Trio
USER MANUAL

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Thank you for purchasing the WADAX Pre One Ultimate Trio.
Please take some time to read this manual.
It will provide you with useful information to make your pleasure of listening to the PRE1 even higher.

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Index
Introduction 4
Set-up and Installation 6
nPreliminaries 6
nUnpacking 6
nChoice of amplifier location 7
nPower Supply 7
nConnections 9
nRC1 Remote Control 12
nPhono section 16
nDefeating the line stage: Phono stage and Pure DAC 20
nPRE1 Phono REMAPPING 21
nHermes Streaming 22
Recommendations to obtain the best results 23
nCleaning 23
Specifications 25

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INTRODUCTION
PRE1 - UNIVERSAL PREAMPLIFIER
The PRE1 is an extremely high-quality universal preamplifier. Equipped with analog and digital in-
puts and analog outputs, the PRE1 is for any user seeking a unique, immersive, playback expe-
rience - it can be integrated into any system or can become part of the Wadax System concept.
Following Wadax design criteria of extreme performance and simplicity, the PRE1 acts both as a
State-of-the-Art preamplifier and digital/analogue converter. This way, the playback chain is shor-
ter, more accurate, more musical.
The PRE1 accepts inputs from a computer – USB and Ethernet (optional)-, hi-fi equipment –SPDIF, TOS-
LINK, BNC, AES-EBU- and stereo line inputs and phono cartridge (PRE1 PHONO). It can also be con-
nected to any amplifier through its singled-ended or balanced outputs. Internal design follows a
true-balanced topology, and it has digital outputs in order to connect the PRE1 with digital input spea-
kers, for a lossless connection.
The latest feature added to the PRE1 is the phono module, which allows the most accurate and musical
vinyl playback created to date. Wadax NanoVolt2amplifier inside the PRE1 Trio Phono amplify weak analog
signals from MC or MM cartridges before converting the signal to digital.

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No connection or manipulation may be made before reading these instructions and ob-
serving all safety warnings. This extremely high quality Preamplifier possesses new techni-
cal features which are or will become necessary for accurate power amplification of high
quality analog sources.
Observe general electrical safety precautions particularly with regard to avoiding water,
moisture and heat. To reduce the risk of electric shock do not remove the covers and refer
servicing to qualified personnel. The installation instructions must be carried out in full and
the mentioned precautions taken to provide the satisfaction the PRE1 is designed to pro-
vide and to avoid jeopardizing personal and equipment safety or impairing performance.
Nevertheless, in the PRE1 Preamplifier, Wadax engineering excellence delivers ex-
treme performance in a simple and convenient format that we hope you will enjoy for
many years to come.
WARNING!

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For exacting technicians, musicians, and all high-fidelity music purists who demand the very best in
reproduction, we strongly recommend the use of top quality power amplifiers, since most of the analog
signal integrity delivered by the preamplifier, it can be destroyed by using lower quality amplifiers. The
connection between the analog sources and the preamplifier as well as between the preamplifier and
the power amplifiers are also critical. Ultra low reflection interconnect cables are absolutely mandatory
to retain the time integrity that the preamplifier is designed to provide.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
PRELIMINARIES
You will find within the WADAX PRE1 PHONO transit box::
nThe PRE1 Phono
nThe Power Source
nThe umbilical powercord.
nThis manual.
nThe RC1 Remote Control.
Please keep the packaging in case you need to transport the PRE1 any time in the future. This packa-
ging has been designed specifically to protect the PRE1 in transit. Use of alternative packaging is likely
to result in damage, invalidating warranty cover.
UNPACKING

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The Wadax PRE1 has been especially designed to minimize vibration effects on the audiocircuits. The
preamplifier has been designed with four adjustable conical feet. These are used to ensure proper vi-
bration transmission to the preamplifier support in order to evacuate all detrimental vibrations inside
the unit, following Wadax Mechalock fundamentals.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
CHOICE OF PREAMPLIFIER LOCATION
If the line voltage provided is not appropriate as supplied, please consult your dealer.
ATTENTION: At the 220V setting, the Wadax PRE1 preamplifier will function properly for main
line voltages between 200V and 240V. At the 110V position, the main line must deliver between
105 and 125V. If your main supply operates out of these tolerances, please consult your Wadax
dealer.
This fuse is located on the power cord receptacle and can be accessed by raising the cover
using a small screwdriver when the power cord has been removed (ensuring power is discon-
nected before handling). Use a 2.5A slowblow fuse. Always ensure that the fuse cover is fitted.
WARNING!

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The first step is to connect the umbilical cord between the Power Source and the Pre One. To insert
the connector, set the slide lock to 11am. Then push the connector toward the unit and rotate clockwise
until it is at twelve o’clock. The slide lock will click when it reaches the correct position.
The main POWER switch is located on the back panel of the Power Supply chasis. In regular use, this
switch should be left permanently ON. To power-off, use switch at the back. If the unit is non-phono
and clock module is standard, the unit can be left on at all times. In this case, power consumption is al-
most the same in normal as in standby mode. The power supply has a front blue led with a push-button.
This push-button does not have any asociated function currently.
When the POWER switch is switched ON, the preamp will become operative after few seconds delay
to ensure proper stabilization of all the circuitry and avoid any unwanted noise. After this delay, the out-
put of the preamplifier is connected to the power amplifier.
The preamplifier can be powered off by switching the POWER switch to the OFF position.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
POWER SUPPLY

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Warning! Always remember that a plug with bared connectors is dangerous if in contact
with a live socket. This appliance must be earthed. Connect the non-rewireable power cord
supplied to the back of the power supply and plug it into the nearest wall plug. Use only a 3
lugs grounded plug, for safety and noise reasons. Replacement mains leads can be obtai-
ned from your Wadax retailer. To get the best sound of the preamplifier, avoid any multiple
plugs or extension cords.
Warning! Take care to always handle the cable by the connectors. Never twist the cable ex-
cessively or attempt to connect or disconnect the connector by handling the cable body in
place of the connector. Connect the cabling from the power supply output to the preamplifier
input point labeled “Power”.
Warning! The next stage in setting up your Wadax PRE1 is to connect your sources, power
amplifiers and other peripheral devices. All devices should be disconnected from mains
power until safe.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
CONNECTIONS

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BNC & RCA SPDIF IN DISPLAY PORT
AES/EBU
USB HiRes WADAX
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
CONNECTIONS: INPUTS
TOSLINK
RCA INPUT
XLR INPUT
STREAMING
(Ethernet option) FIRMWARE UPGRADE
&
MAP LOAD PORT

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AUX SYNC OUT
WADAX DIGITAL OUTPUT
OUTPUT 2:
RIGHT CHANNEL
OUTPUT 1:
RIGHT CHANNEL
OUTPUT 2:
LEFT CHANNEL
OUTPUT 1:
LEFT CHANNEL
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
CONNECTIONS: OUTPUTS
SPDIF OUT

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The WADAX PRE1 is designed to capture, control, shape and nurture the fragile source inputs, supporting
adjustment of volume and balance and other functions to deliver your desired output signal. The primary
control functions supporting these processes are outlined below. The RC1 Remote control uses 2 x
CR3032 3V batteries.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
RC1 REMOTE CONTROL

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To activate STANDBY mode, use the remote control top right key.
To select the source you want to listen to, use the left-hand rotary switch
or use the remote control keys 1-9. 1 to 7 access digital inputs and 8-9 for
analog inputs:
DIGITAL INPUTS
1,2:RCA SPDIF
3: BNC SPDIF
4: AES/EBU
5: HERMES Ethernet
6: TOSLINK
7: USB HD (HiRes)
ANALOG INPUTS
8: RCA IN
9: XLR IN
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
RC1 REMOTE CONTROL

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To change VOLUME / BALANCE / MUTE: The right-hand volume level
adjustment knob is used to adjust VOLUME. If volume is set to a value of
zero, outputs will be muted.
To change BALANCE from left to right, the remote control will be needed. For
this there are BAL keys on the RC1 control. Press the MUTE to mute output..
To enter SETUP: Press SETUP key on the RC1 Remote control.
The display will show SETUP. Use VOL UP/DOWN key to move between
different SETUP options. Once a SETUP option is on display, to enter furt-
her options press the OK key. Use VOL UP/DOWN keys to change values
and press OK again to set it. This value is saved in the internal memory
of the PRE1 and will remain even though power supply is turned off. Press
EXIT key to go back to SETUP menu options.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
RC1 REMOTE CONTROL

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SETUP OPTIONS SEQUENCE:
n Balance L/R: Changes Left to Right balance.
n Output Level: Sets maximum output level voltage to 5V, 2V or 1V.
nInput: Adjusts input level gain so sources match in level.
n Analog Setting: Configures RCA and XLR inputs.
MC: Phono Moving Coil - MM: Phono Moving Magnet
GH: Gain High - GL: Gain Low
Line: Line level analog input source.
Earth Link: Connects ground link to analog input source.
Earth Float: Disconnect ground link to analog input source. Even if
ground lug is connected from a turntable, it will not be electrically linked
to the Trio.
** WARNING: Be very careful to connect a line level source and choose MC or MM as input
source type. This can generate noises at max output level.
n Display bright.: Changes brightness.
n Firmware version: Displays current firmware version.
n Restore default: Restores factory default settings.
n Map Load: To load a new Map into the MusIC board.
n Phase: Changes output absolute phase NORMAL or INVERTED.
The WADAX key, located to the right of 9, gives a direct access to this change.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
RC1 REMOTE CONTROL

The PRE1 Phono represents a New Paradigm in phono play-
back quality standards. The way signal is handled, reconstruc-
ted and delivered is different from what is used until now. Please
refer to WADAX PRE1 PHONO white paper for further info.
For installation, please ensure that the cartridge output is
sent directly to the PRE1 PHONO, WITHOUT any step-up
device in between.
For signal input to the PRE1, there are two options: RCA and
XLR. If the tonearm has XLR outputs, the XLR input is highly
recommended. If there is a dual RCA and XLR tonearm op-
tion, both can be connected at the same time to the Trio.
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Phono back panel connections
Phono INPUT
(XLR)
Phono INPUT
(XLR)
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
PRE1 PHONO
Phono INPUT (RCA)

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WARNING: BE CAREFUL WITH LINE LEVEL SOURCES. IF MC or MM IS SELECTED,
FULL LEVEL NOISES WILL LIKELY DAMAGE SPEAKERS.
IMPORTANT: Each output is available BOTH on single ended and balanced.
The output signal is the same.
IMPORTANT: If you require more output level, power is doubled on the balanced
output..
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
PRE1 PHONO
Once connected, please go to touch screen and touch the setup (wrench). Touch INPUT and
ANALOG SETTING. A configuration screen will be displayed. Please choose cartridge type (MC,
MM) with the level and gain (GH: Gain High, GL: Gain Low). In the way the PRE1 Phono operates,
there is no need to do any cartridge loading adjustment, as in traditional analog equipment.

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The PRE1 Phono has 2 sets of stereo ouputs and the output is a RIAA reconstruction with an improved time
alignment . This is to compensate for the common time distortion footprint during the cut process.This is how
the PRE1 is delivered from the factory.
NOTE: Each output is available BOTH on single ended and balanced. The output signal is the same.
NOTE: If you require more output level, power is doubled on the balanced output.
NOTE: The EARTH connection will provide the connection to ground the turntable.
Phono output connections
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
PRE1 PHONO nOUTPUTS (FOR STOCK, UNCUSTOMIZED UNITS)
Output 2 Output 1 Output 2 Output 1
Right Channel Left Channel
EARTH
Earth connection

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The PRE1 Phono has 2 sets of stereo outputs:
1. Advanced RIAA: The reconstruction has an improved time alignment . This is to compensate for the com-
mon time distortion footprint during the cut process. (Output 1).
2. Ultimate performance: Custom mapping: using the Wadax custom LP and some Wadax dealer equip-
ment, each user system is mapped into the musIC chip for the best possible recovery of delicate music
signals stored in the LP. (Output 2).
NOTE: Each output is available BOTH on single ended and balanced. The output signal is the same.
NOTE: If you require more output level, power is doubled on the balanced output..
NOTE: The EARTH connection will provide the connection to ground the turntable.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
PRE1 PHONO nOUTPUTS (FOR CUSTOMIZED OR ‘MAPPED’ UNITS)
EARTH
Earth connection Phono output connections
Output 2 Output 1 Output 2 Output 1
Right Channel Left Channel

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Although the best results are attained when the PRE1 Phono drives the power amplifier directly, the unit
allows to deactivate the internal preamplifier and perform as a pure phono stage and as a stand alone DAC.
The internal preamplifier can be deactivated (or reactivated) by means of the remote control.
The key sequence required is:
1. Touch SETUP in touch screen.
2. Press PREAMP
3. Press OFF to disable the preamplifier section. Full level will be output.
5. Once selected, press EXIT. The display will then show “Are you sure?”.
6. If you do NOT want to proceed with the changes, press SETUP and you will exit the menu.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
PRE1 PHONO AS A PHONO STAGE AND DAC nDiVin AND PureDAC