WestminsterLab Quest Quick start guide

Operational Manual
Quest

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1. Notes to customers, music lovers
2. Cautions
3. Package contents
4. Unpacking and installation
5. Names of parts
6. Setting up
7. Connecting the Quest
8. Optional modules
9. Operation
10. Maintenance
11. Troubleshooting
12. Opinions to obtain best performance
13 . Warranty terms
14 . Specication
15. Legal information
Index
Quest Operation Manual
2020 Oct

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Thank you for purchasing the Quest pre-amplier.
Wholeheartedly and sincerely built in Hong Kong, the Quest pre-amplier
crystallizes craftsmanship, skills, simplicity, science and listening experiences.
It is dedicated to every music lover who would like to experience music as it is.
Or further, experience music itself.
Sincerely,
WestminsterLab Team
Note to customers, music lovers
1

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I. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. Contact WestminsterLab or
your dealer if you have service needs.
II. Do not remove open the pre-amplier or undo any screws when the
unit is still power on or connected to the mains.
III. WARNING! Do not expose this pre-amplier to moisture or excessive
humidity, and do not use it outdoors. Fire hazard may be resulted.
IV. Presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s en-
closure may be of sufcient magnitude to constitute a risk of electrical
shock to persons.
Cautions
2

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If any of the following items are missing, please contact your dealer:
I. 1 Quest pre-amplier
II. 1 User manual
III. 1 Remote control
Unpacking & Package contents
3
Your Quest pre-amplier should come in one single box. The unit itself and
the box should have a matching serial number. In case of discrepancies, please
contact your dealer.
Unpacking the pre-amplier from the box
Please lift the Quest with meticulous care for the unit is about 13kg. It is rec-
ommended to move it to a location near the place where it will be installed
when the unit is still in its box. Remove all jewellery including watches, rings
and belts to avoid damages to the exterior of the Quest during the removal
and installation.

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Installation and precautions
Before any installation or connection, it is a MUST to make sure the AC mains
voltage matches the specication of the unit. (E.g. 100V for Japan, 110V for
US, 230V for UK) The AC mains voltage specication & serial number of the
specic pre-amplier are written on the plaque located at the back of the unit
and the box that it came from.
Improper input of the AC mains voltage will permanently damage the pre-am-
plier and it is not within the warranty conditions.
WARNING! NEVER unplug any cables during operation. It may cause failure
or damage to the pre-amplier, amplier and speakers. Be sure that both the
pre-amplier and the amplier are switched off before unplugging any cables.
It is even safer to unplug the AC power cord before unplugging other cables.
It is suggested that there is adequate ventilation for the Quest and to place it
on a stable and safe surface.
Installation
4

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1. LED indication
2. Volume Display
3. IR Recievers
4. Input Display
5. Ground Mode select
Name of parts
5
2. 4.
3.
1.
5.

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1. Unit serial & Voltage specication
2. XLR output sockets
3. XLR input sockets
4. Option Bay 1 ( Input 4 )
5. Option Bay 2 ( Input 5 )
6. AC inlet with fuse cradle
7. Stand-by LED
8. Dual 12V trigger output ( Optional )
2.3.4.
1.
5.
6.
7.
8.

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1. IR Port
2. Power On/Off Switch
3. Volume Control
4. Mute/Unmute
5. Input Selection
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

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Remove the protective fabric bag and place the main unit on the desired oper-
ating location. The QUEST does not produce a lot of heat but adequate venti-
lation is recommended.
Remove the protective bag of the remote control. The remote control comes
with two CR2032 button cells pre-installed and should be ready to go.
Setting up
6

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232.00
117.00
364.00
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
G G
H H
12
12
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11
10
10
9
9
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8
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7
6
6
5
5
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4
3
3
2
2
1
1
DRAWN
CHK'D
APPV'D
MFG
Q.A
UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED:
DIMENSIONS ARE IN MILLIMETERS
SURFACE FINISH:
TOLERANCES:
LINEAR:
ANGULAR:
FINISH:
DEBURR AND
BREAK SHARP
EDGES
NAME
SIGNATURE
DATE
MATERIAL:
DO NOT SCALE DRAWING
REVISION
TITLE:
DWG NO.
SCALE:1:2 SHEET 1 OF 1
A2
WEIGHT:
AS_COM_DESIGN
Connecting the Quest
7
Single / Bi Amplication Operation
Amplier
(1st Pair)
470.00
77.00
365.00
DRAWN
CHK'D
APPV'D
MFG
Q.A
UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED:
DIMENSIONS ARE IN MILLIMETERS
SURFACE FINISH:
TOLERANCES:
LINEAR:
ANGULAR:
FINISH:
DEBURR AND
BREAK SHARP
EDGES
NAME
SIGNATURE
DATE
MATERIAL:
DO NOT SCALE DRAWING
REVISION
TITLE:
DWG NO.
SCALE:1:3 SHEET 1 OF 1
A2
WEIGHT:
Pre_AS_Complete
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
G G
H H
12
12
11
11
10
10
9
9
8
8
7
7
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
Audio connection from
source
Amplier
(2nd Pair)
470.00
77.00
365.00
DRAWN
CHK'D
APPV'D
MFG
Q.A
UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED:
DIMENSIONS ARE IN MILLIMETERS
SURFACE FINISH:
TOLERANCES:
LINEAR:
ANGULAR:
FINISH:
DEBURR AND
BREAK SHARP
EDGES
NAME
SIGNATURE
DATE
MATERIAL:
DO NOT SCALE DRAWING
REVISION
TITLE:
DWG NO.
SCALE:1:3 SHEET 1 OF 1
A2
WEIGHT:
Pre_AS_Complete
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
G G
H H
12
12
11
11
10
10
9
9
8
8
7
7
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
Quest
232.00
117.00
364.00
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
G G
H H
12
12
11
11
10
10
9
9
8
8
7
7
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
DRAWN
CHK'D
APPV'D
MFG
Q.A
UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED:
DIMENSIONS ARE IN MILLIMETERS
SURFACE FINISH:
TOLERANCES:
LINEAR:
ANGULAR:
FINISH:
DEBURR AND
BREAK SHARP
EDGES
NAME
SIGNATURE
DATE
MATERIAL:
DO NOT SCALE DRAWING
REVISION
TITLE:
DWG NO.
SCALE:1:2 SHEET 1 OF 1
A2
WEIGHT:
AS_COM_DESIGN
Channel Left ( L1, L2 )
Channel Right ( R1, R2 )
Please only use XLR connection between the Quest and the amplier. Please
consult your nearest dealer / distributor if your amplier only supports RCA
connection.

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Introduction
There are two bays built into the Quest for optional modules/expansion cards,
represented as Input 4 and Input 5 in terms of operation. Please be sure that
only modules purchased from WestminsterLab or any ofcial Authorised
Distributor and Dealers should be installed into the unit.
WARNING! 3rd Party or Non-certied modules may result in non-reversible
damages and will also void the warranty.
Installation
The optional modules are designed to be easily installed by most users. If you
have any doubts, please don’t hesitate to contact any WestmisnterLab dealer
and distributor and seek their assistance.
Optional Modules
8

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Initial power-up of the Quest
PLEASE be sure that all cables are connected correctly before power-up.
Missing or loose input or output cables may cause failure and non-reversible
damages to the pre-amplier, amplier and speaker.
If RCA connection from the source has to be used, please make sure that you
have the optional RCA input module for the Quest.
Upon connecting the power cord, the Stand-by LED in RED located at the back
of the unit should light up. Locate and point the remote control towards the
front of the pre-amplier and push the power button on the remote once to
switch the unit on.
The volume display should show 00 and the input display should show the
number 1, indicating the input 1 is active at the moment. Switch on your am-
pliers and start playing something on your source. Choose the right corre-
sponding input by using the buttons on your remote and slowly increase the
volume to listening level. Please note that the QUEST only restores the input
selection last left upon power cycle, it is by design the volume will always
start from zero.
After the power is switched on, the pre-amplier requires approximately 30
minutes to reach the optimal operating condition. Although the Quest will
sound excellent upon initial listening, the sound quality will improve as it
warms up.
Operation
9

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During operation
The Quest requires no adjustments during normal operation. If there is no
sound or the sound quality is in some way impaired, consult the “Trouble-
shooting” section in this manual.
WARNING! NEVER unplug any cables during operation. It may cause failure
or damage to the QUEST, amplier and speakers. Be sure that the Quest is off
with no LED illumination in the front before unplugging any cables. It is even
safer to unplug the AC power cord before unplugging other cables.
The feedback we receive leads us to recommend at least 200 hours of burn-in
on the Quest. Customers generally report improvement up to two months.
Ground Mode select
The toggle located at the bottom of the Quest allows user to select which
grounding mode the Quest is operating. The dynamic grounding technology
employed in the unit allows the user to tailor their Quest grounding behav-
iour on the y.
By default, the toggle switch is on Mode 1 ( handle on the right hand side ).
Mode I is a less aggresive mode in terms of grounding and it should yield great
results with most systems in the world. Mode II ( handle on the left hand side
) brings more body, texture, speed and microdynamics to the music, but it may
also bring slightly more noise to some systems.

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Maintenance & cleaning
The Quest requires no user maintenance other than to keep it clean. It is
recommended to use a very soft cloth to gently wipe the Quest’s surface
without any liquids or solutions. To maintain the best exterior, please keep the
surface from oil and grease. Be aware not to scratch the surface of the unit.
Services
Please contact your nearest WestminsterLab distributors or dealers for ser-
vices / overhaul on the Quest.
Maintenance
10

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Quest does not power up
If the red LED located at the rear of the Quest is not illuminated, follow the
procedure below. If one step succeeds in activating the power, stop and ignore
the other steps.
Check if the AC mains voltage matches the specication of the Quest. Do not
connect the AC power cord if they do not match. This will damage the unit
permanently. Always use a power cord with ground wire connected.
1. Check that there is power from the wall outlet.
2. Check to make sure the AC cord is plugged into the wall outlet.
3. Check the back of the Quest to make sure the IEC connector is pushed
all the way into the socket on the back of the unit.
4. Unplug the power cord and check if the fuse is blown ( Both power
cord and the back of the Quest ). Replace with the same type and rat-
ing only.
5. Check your household electrical box to make sure the circuit breaker
has not been tripped. If it has, ip the breaker back on.
6. If the breaker trips again, make sure the power cord has no damage and
can work properly. You may try the power cord by using it with other
home appliances. Change the power cord if it is not working.
7. If all of these steps fail to return power to the Quest, consult your
dealer or distributor for service.
Troubleshooting
11

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Red LED at the rear is illuminated and front display fails to turn on
The red LED at the back of the unit indicates the unit receive power from the
outlet and the unit is currently on standby. By pressing the power button on
the remote control, the unit should switch on. A white LED behind the logo of
WestminsterLab and both display at the front of the Quest should power on.
1. Power cycle the amplier completely by completely removing the
power cable of the Quest and plugging it in back again
2. Make sure the you point the IR blaster of the remote control directly to
the front of the Quest. The IR blaster and receiver are both designed to
be very sensitive. However, a line of sight is preferred for best perfor-
mance.
3. Make sure the battery of the remote control is not depleted. You can
use your camera on your phone to observe the IR blaster window of
the remote control. You should be able to see the IR blaster icker
when a button is pressed. You can swap out the two CR2032 button
cells of the remote control by removing the screws at the bottom of
the remote.
4. If all of these steps fail, consult your dealer for service.

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Front LED and display are illuminated but you hear no sound
Switch off the amplier rst. Follow these steps in order. If one step succeeds
in restoring the sound, stop there and ignore the other steps.
1. Check if the correct input has been selected on the Quest.
2. Check if the volume is at a reasonable level (10-20) and not muted (--).
3. Check all the cables within the system, make sure they are properly
connected and that the cables are not damaged or shorted.
4. Check your source device and power amplier to make sure they are
both turned on.
5. Check the source device to make sure there is a signal output, i.e. if it’s
a record player, make sure it’s spinning and the tonearm is lowered, or
if it is a CD player, make sure it is in play mode and not in pause, or le
playing for computer/network streamer/le player. If the source has
volume control built-in, make sure it is off and at maximum volume.
6. Try using another pair of interconnect cables (even cheap ones will
work temporarily) instead of the ones being used between the source
device and the preamp and between the preamp and the amplier. If
this restores sound, replace the defective cables.
7. Try using another pair of speaker cables (even cheap ones will work
temporarily). If this restores sound, replace the defective cables.
8. If all of these steps fail to restore sound, consult your dealer for ser-
vice.

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I. Place on a rigid, stable, heavy mass surface.
II. Warm up for more than 45 to 60 minutes.
III. Put the Quest as close as possible to the sources and keep the cable as
short as possible. It is preferable to use a long balanced interconnect
cables to the amplier and keep the sources cable as short as possi-
ble. We highly recommend WestminsterLab cables to obtain the best
experience and performance.
IV. It is recommended to use a dedicated AC power cord rated at a min-
imum of 3 amps for 230V mains, or 5 amps for 110V mains. We highly
recommend WestminsterLab power cables to obtain the best experi-
ence and performance.
V. The power supply of the Quest has been meticulously designed to
deliver the utmost performance. From our experiences, power condi-
tioners and also regenerators are not recommended for the Quest.
Opinions to obtain best performance
12

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WestminsterLab warrants the Quest pre-amplier against manufacturing de-
fects and defects in materials for three years from the date of purchase from
an authorized WestminsterLab dealer, subject to the conditions listed below:
1. The warranty covers only new Quest pre-amplier (product or prod-
ucts) by WestminsterLab purchased from an authorized Westminster-
Lab dealer.
2. The warranty is non-transferable and is valid only for the original pur-
chaser.
3. The warranty is valid only if the product has been used according to the
instructions in the owner’s manual. Damage due to accidents, owner
abuse or negligence is not covered under this warranty.
4. All services must be performed by an authorized WestminsterLab
dealer. Damage resulting from service by other parties is not covered
under this warranty.
5. All products returned for service must be packaged in the original
container and must include an original / photocopy of the original
purchase receipt. If the original container has been lost or discarded,
contact WestminsterLab or WestminsterLab distributors or dealers for
a replacement.
6. If the product must be shipped back to WestminsterLab for warranty
service, the customer shall bear the shipping costs. WestminsterLab
will pay for return shipping.
7. Before shipping the product to WestminsterLab for service, the cus-
tomer must rst obtain a Return Authorization (RA) number from
WestminsterLab. The RA number must be marked clearly on the side
of the package.
Limited Warranty
13