WADAX The Art of Music Recreation PRE1 PHONO USER MANUAL
Thank you for purchasing the WADAX PRE1 Phono. 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.
Index Introduction 4 Set-up and Installation 6 ■ Preliminaries 6 ■ Unpacking 6 ■ Choice of amplifier location 7 ■ Power Supply 7 ■ Connections 9 ■ RC1 Remote Control 12 ■ Phono section 16 ■ Defeating the line stage: Phono stage and Pure DAC 20 Recommendations to obtain the best results ■ Cleaning 21 21 3
INTRODUCTION PRE1 - UNIVERSAL PREAMPLIFIER The PRE1 is an extremely high-quality universal preamplifier. Equipped with analog and digital inputs and analog outputs, the PRE1 is for any user seeking a unique, immersive, playback experience - 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.
WARNING! No connection or manipulation may be made before reading these instructions and observing all safety warnings. This extremely high quality Preamplifier possesses new technical 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.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION PRELIMINARIES 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.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION CHOICE OF PREAMPLIFIER LOCATION 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 vibration transmission to the preamplifier support in order to evacuate all detrimental vibrations inside the unit, following Wadax Mechalock fundamentals. WARNING! If the line voltage provided is not appropriate as supplied, please consult your dealer.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION POWER SUPPLY The main POWER switch is located on the back panel of the Wadax PRE1. In regular use, this switch should be left permanently ON and the circuits of the preamplifier activated or deactivated using the STANDBY ON/OFF in the remote control. 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.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION CONNECTIONS 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 obtained from your Wadax retailer. To get the best sound of the preamplifier, avoid any multiple plugs or extension cords.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION CONNECTIONS: INPUTS USB TOSLINK RCA & BNC SPDIF IN Analog IN 1 (DISABLED IN PRE1 PHONO) Phono INPUT Analog IN 2 10
SETUP AND INSTALLATION CONNECTIONS: INPUTS WADAX DIGITAL OUTPUT OUTPUT 2: RIGHT CHANNEL WORD CLOCK SYNC OUTPUT 1: RIGHT CHANNEL OUTPUT 2: LEFT CHANNEL OUTPUT 1: LEFT CHANNEL 11
SETUP AND INSTALLATION RC1 REMOTE CONTROL 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 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.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION RC1 REMOTE CONTROL 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.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION RC1 REMOTE CONTROL SETUP OPTIONS SEQUENCE FOR FIRMWARE V2.23: ■ Balance L/R: Changes Left to Right balance. ■ Output Level: Sets maximum output level voltage to 5V, 2V or 1V. ■ Input Level: Adjusts input level gain so sources match in level. ■ Display bright.: Changes brightness. ■ Restore default: Restores factory default settings. ■ Firmware version: Displays current firmware version. ■ Phase: Changes output absolute phase NORMAL or INVERTED.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION PRE1 PHONO Phono back panel connections The PRE1 Phono represents a New Paradigm in phono playback quality standards. The way signal is handled, reconstructed 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.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION PRE1 PHONO WARNING: On a PRE1 Phono, the ‘ANALOG 1’ input will not work. Please use ANALOG2 input instead. 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 ■ OUTPUTS (FOR STOCK, UNCUSTOMIZED UNITS) The PRE1 Phono has 2 sets of stereo ouputs: 1. Advanced RIAA: the reconstruction has an improved time alignment . This is to compensate for the common time distortion footprint during the cut process. (Output 1). This is how the PRE1 is delivered from the factory. 2. Full RIAA spec compliant curve, following Wadax musical reconstruction approach (Output 2). NOTE: Each output is available BOTH on single ended and balanced.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION PRE1 PHONO ■ OUTPUTS (FOR CUSTOMIZED OR ‘MAPPED’ UNITS) 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 common time distortion footprint during the cut process. (Output 1). 2.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION PRE1 PHONO AS A PHONO STAGE AND DAC ■ DiVin AND PureDAC 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. Press SETUP 2. Press VOL UP key until the FIRMWARE message shows on the display. 3.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO OBTAIN THE BEST RESULTS 1. WARM-UP SONIC EFFECT: If the preamplifier has been left un-powered for some time, the optimum sound quality may only be attained after 6 TO 24 hours. The critical circuits have to warm up to around +55 degrees Celsius (+131 degrees Fahrenheit) before achieving their optimal performances. This is why WADAX recommends that the PRE1 is always powered on. 2. Use WORD CLOCK SYNC for your transport, if available. 3. Use SPDIF sources (BNC, RCA) for best results.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Environmental protection The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union have issued the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. The purpose of the Directive is the prevention of waste of electrical and electronic equipment, and to promote the reuse and recycling and other forms of recovery of such waste. As such the Directive concerns producers, distributors and consumers.
SPECIFICATIONS: PRE1 - PRE1 PHONO Power consumption ON/Stand-by: 20W/<1.5W Digital input lock range: SPDIF: 32-192 KHz, 16-24 bits BNC: 32-192 KHz, 16-24 bits TOSLINK: 32-96 KHz, 16-24 bits USB lock range(KHz): No driver is needed. 48 KHz, 16-24 bits Analog inputs impedance: 18kohms Analog input voltage at overload: 4V rms Analog outputs impedance RCA/XLR: 75 ohms/150 ohms Max output voltage RCA/XLR: 4Vrms Wadax Digital Outputs: RJ45 carrying high definition data traffic intended for WADAX SPEAKERS.
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