Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 1 Contents Introduction.............................................................................1 Design Innovation...................................................................2 Installation...............................................................................3 DC Protection..........................................................................4 Pre-Amp Outputs....................................................................
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 2 Introduction Your Rega pre-amplifier has been designed to reproduce music effectively and easily. The Cursa 3 has been built to Rega’s discriminating standards of reliability and quality to ensure many years of musical enjoyment.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 3 Design Innovation In common with all Rega products, the Cursa 3 pre-amplifier has been designed without compromise. Our time and money has been spent on developing the unique circuit design and sourcing unusually high quality components. However, we have included useful features to further enhance your listening pleasure. The Cursa 3 amplifier has digitally controlled analog switched resistor network volume control.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 4 Installation The amplifier will work well on most surfaces, such as a shelf or a table, provided there is sufficient air around it to prevent overheating. To avoid magnetic interference, site the amplifier as far away from the turntable as the tonearm lead will allow. If possible, place it to the left of the turntable. Keep other equipment, such as tuners, cassette decks or CD players away from the amplifier.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 5 DC Protection The amplifier has a circuit which protects the power amplifier connected to the pre-amplifier output, from direct current in the event of a major failure of the system. The use of this sophisticated DC protection circuit in conjunction with a servo correction stage, (on all line inputs) allows the amount of capacitors in the signal path to be kept at a minimum.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 6 Pre-Amp Outputs The pre-amplifier can drive at least 5 power amplifiers, sub bass units etc. The 2 parallel pre-amp outputs use RCA type (phono) connectors. The output is at standard line level of 0.83V, but your Rega dealer will be able to modify the output level to accomodate a range of power amplifiers. See specifications on page 13 for further details.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 7 Input Connections All inputs and outputs are made via RCA (phono) type connectors. The sockets on the Rega amplifiers are clearly marked red and white. Right: always the lower row and marked in RED. Left: always the upper row and marked in WHITE. Rear Panel Connections Ground Screw Phono CD Tuner Line1 Line2 Tape In 1 Tape Out 1 Tape In 2 Tape Out 2 Pre Amp Out 1 Pre Amp Out 2 POWER IN Rega Research Ltd.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 8 Phono Input The Phono Input uses a plug-in card aIlowing you to use either moving magnet (MM), moving coil (MC), or if you do not use a turntable there is a line level card option allowing you to have an additional line level input. These cards must be pre-specified on purchase, or can be changed by your Rega dealer. For input sensitivities of the different cards see the specifications on page 15.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 9 Line Inputs The line inputs enable the connection of additional sources, such as a second tape machine, tuner, or video recorder for use with an Audio Visual system. Tape Input/Output Almost any tape machine can be used with your amplifier, including compact cassette, video cassette, reel to reel, DAT, and DCC.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 10 In Use Power switch & power LED Mute switch/ Volume Indicator LED’s Dimmer function Tape switches Ph ono CD Tape 2 Tun er Tape 1 Lin e1 Remote sensor Mu te L ine2 Mira Cursa Heatsink Volume Control/Input selector Switching On The amplifier is turned on by depressing the power switch to the left of the control panel. The LED in the power switch will glow red. After several seconds you may hear a gentle click.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 11 The volume level is controlled via a microprocessor, which in turn takes its information from the volume knob digital encoder on the front panel or the remote control handset. The volume control has a resolution of 1dB per step, giving a total range of 80 steps over the available gain or volume range of 80dB.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 12 Input Selection The Input selector is combined with the volume control. To select your input, push the control knob in once. You are now in Input selection mode. You have eight seconds to choose your input. (When the eight seconds are up the control knob will return to the volume function). The inputs are selected by turning the knob to the required input.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 13 To change the pre-amp gain. The Cursa 3 amplifier output level or gain can be set to three different levels; this is performed by putting the amplifier in to a programming mode on turning on the amplifier. Please note the amplifier is set to normal output (level 2) in the factory, this setting being suitable for most normal Hi-fi requirements.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 14 Power-Amp Connections The pre-amp outputs allow the use of either stereo or mono power amplifiers. Simply connect the left and right phono outputs into the appropriate power amplifier input.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 15 Specifications Input sensitivity for rated output levels Note - Factory setting of gain range level 2 CD, tuner, Line 1, line 2, Tape input sensitivity = 220mV Load, 10K Ohm Phono input sensitivity (Moving Magnet) = 2.3mV Load 47K in parallel with 100pF Phono input sensitivity (Moving Coil) = 175uV Load 100 Ohms in parallel with 4700pF Pre-amp output level (with rated input levels) Level 1 = 212mV @ 100 Ohms Level 2 = 830mV @ 100 Ohms Level 3 = 1.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 16 Troubleshooting (No power, power switch LED does not light up) Check the mains supply is connected and the socket is switched on Check the front panel on/off button is fully depressed Check the fuse in the mains plug hasn’t blown. (Try another fuse to check) Check the mains socket is live.
Cursa 3 manual.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 18 Troubleshooting (Power on, sound from one speaker only) Are the connections between the speaker and the amplifier secure and functioning correctly? NO Check that the wires are securely connected and correctly soldered. If not contact your Rega dealer YES Are both channels of the selected source connected and working properly? NO Check the source component for faults. Swap the output leads and see if the fault swaps over NO YES Check cartridge tags.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 19 Troubleshooting (Loud hum through both speakers when ‘phono’ is selected) Is the ground lead from the turntable (when fitted) firmly attached to the grounding screw on the rear of the panel? NO Reconnect the ground lead (see page 6). If this is not easy, contact your Rega dealer YES Is the amplifier situated directly below the cartridge? Move the amplifier to see if hum level changes.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 20 Troubleshooting (Loud hum through one speaker when ‘phono’ is selected) Is there a faulty earth connection on the leads from the source component? (Check by swapping the leads to see if the hum moves between channel.
Cursa 3 manual.qxd 10/12/2002 15:23 Page 21 Owners Log (1) Owner....................................................................................... Date.......................................................................................... Where Purchased..................................................................... .................................................................................................. (2) Owner......................................................................
