RAAL requisite PDA-1a Planar & Dynamic Headphone Amplifier User Manual
- June 8, 2024
- RAAL requisite
Table of Contents
PDA-1a
PLANAR & DYNAMIC HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER
USER MANUAL
INTRODUCTION:
The PDA-1a amplifier is engineered to drive all types of Planar and Dynamic
headphones. True-Ribbon and 2 low impedance headphones can also be properly
driven when using our TI-1a (optional) Transformer Interface. This includes
output impedances ranging from 2 to 600 ohms.
The preferred sensitivity of classic headphones should be in the range of 90dB
to max 110dB in order to achieve the declared pressure levels and an
acceptable level of side effects in the form of noise.
Sound quality and tone balance, at high levels, are not reduced with
headphones that are outside the recommended sensitivity range but can cause
certain side effects that are not considered amplifier deficiencies but
limitations of the topology of phenomena that can be seen in highly sensitive
headphones over 110dB.
We sincerely appreciate your trust in our work and hope you will benefit by a
lifetime of beautiful music and joyful ownership.
Cheers & Happy Listening,
Alex Radisavljevic
Dnny McKinney
What’s In The Box:
PDT-1a Planar Dynamic Headphone Amplifier Power Cable – 115VAC (North America) All other regions; User provided – locally sourced
Power Requirements:
User Selectable Mains Voltage: 115VAC, 1A Slo-Blo Fuse, IEC cable
provided (North America).
User Selectable Mains Voltage: 230VAC, 0.6A Slo-Blo Fuse, User provided
local IEC cable.
Internally Set 100VAC Mains (Japan): 1A Slo-Blo Fuse, User provided local
IEC cable.
CAUTION:
BEFORE TURNING AMP ON FOR THE FIRST TIME
Be sure to check that the mains voltage selector switch is set to correct
mains voltage position for your location. The switch (red) is located on the
top panel, front left corner. Just above the power switch. Fuse value will
differ depending on mains voltage. 115V requires 1A Slo-Blo 230V requires 0.6A
Slo-Blo
True-Ribbon Application:
TI-1a (optional) REQUIRED The PDA-1a is also suitable for TrueRibbon and
Extremely Low-Impedance (2Ω – 600Ω) loads, when paired with our TI-1a
Interface
FOR PROPER CONNECTION
Refer to the following diagram when expanding functionality of PDA-1a to drive
True-Ribbon Headphones or difficult to drive loads of 2Ω – 600Ω.
TRUE-RIBBON CIRCUM-AURAL CA1 & EXTREME LOW-IMPEDANCE HEADPHONE CONNECTIONS
Front Panel Features: (left to right)
-
POWER SWITCH (illuminated):
ON (UP) – OFF (DOWN) -
HEADPHONE OUTPUTS 1:
1 – 6.3mm TRS (female)
1 – 4-pin XLR (female) -
INPUT SELECT:
XLR Balanced Input at rear panel
RCA Single-Ended Input at rear panel -
OUTPUT ATTENUATION 2:
If desired, the output level of HEADPHONE OUTPUT 2 can be attenuated by -5dB or -10dB. This is a useful feature if ever two headphones of different sensitivity are being used, at the same time, or if one listener prefers a lower listening level. -
HEADPHONE OUTPUTS 2:
1 – 6.3mm TRS (female)
1 – 4-pin XLR (female) -
VOLUME:
24-Step Precision Attenuator. Maintains solid left/right balance, in all positions.
Rear Panel Connections: (left to right)
-
RCA SINGLE-ENDED INPUT (2 each):
Right – Left -
XLR BALANCED INPUT (2 each):
3-pin Female XLR (Right & Left)
Pin-1 Ground
Pin-2 Positive Going Phase
Pin-3 Negative Going Phase -
INPUT SENSITIVITY:
0dB – Center
-6dB – Down
-10dB – Up -
GROUNDING OPTIONS (2 ea):
3-pin Female XLR (Right & Left)
Pin-1 Ground
Pin-2 Positive Going Phase
Pin-3 Negative Going Phase -
FUSE HOLDER:
1A SB for 115V mains operation
0.6A SB for 230V mains operation
1A SB for100V (Japan) mains operation
(100V requires internal jumper connection) -
IEC POWER INLET:
Standard IEC connector
SPECIFICATIONS:
Input Impedance: 80k Ohm
Input Sensitivity: 0.5V / 80k Ohm
Load impedance: 2 – 600 Ohms (headphone output)
Output Power: See Chart
Frequency Response -3dB: 500mV/sine. 10Hz – 500kHz
Distortion: 0.2% @ 1kHz
Signal to noise: > 96dB
Input Connectors (L/R): 3pin XLR (female) Balanced
Pin-1 Ground
Pin-2 Positive Going Phase
Pin-3 Negative Going Phase
Input Connectors (L/R): RCA Single-Ended
Sleeve Ground
Tip Signal
Output connectors (2 ea): 4-pin XLR (female)
Pin-1 Left (+)
Pin-2 Left (-)
Pin-3 Right (+)
Pin-4 Right (-)
Output connectors (2 ea): 6.3mm TRS (female)
Tip Left (+)
Ring Right (+)
Pin-3 left/Right (-)
Working voltage : 115 V / 230 VAC ( selectors witch )
100V (requires internal connection)
Power Consumption: Idle 10W, Full Output 50W
Dimensions: H 90mm x W 218mm x D 320mm
H 3.50 in x W 8.60 in x D 12.60 in
Net Weight: 5.2kg/11.4 lbs. Shipping Weight: 6.8Kg/15 lbs.
OUTPUT POWER:
5W @ 16 Ω
2.5W @ 32 Ω
1.2W @ 64 Ω
0.6W @ 120 Ω
0.3W @ 240 Ω
0.1W @ 600 Ω
Limited 1-Year Warranty
RAAL-requisite warrants its amplifier products to be free from defects in
material and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of ONE (1)
year from the date of delivery.
This warranty is only made to the original purchaser and is not transferable.
In the event of failure of a product under this warranty, RAAL-requisite will
repair, at no charge, the product returned to its factory. RAAL-requisite may,
at its option, replace the product in lieu of repair. If the failure has been
caused by misuse, neglect, accident or abnormal operating conditions, repairs
will be billed at the normal shop rate. In such cases, an estimate will be
submitted before work is started, if requested by the customer.
ALL OTHER WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED.
This warranty does not cover: normal wear and tear or normal aging of the
product; tubes (if applicable) are covered by a 90-day warranty;
3. cosmetic damage, including but not limited to scratches and dents;
4. damage through accident, abuse, neglect, misuse, natural events, or other
external causes;
5. damage through misapplication, overloading, or improper usage;
6. damage due to improper maintenance and repair;
7. damage as a result from the shipping and handling by third parties; or
8. product alterations.
Limitation of Liability:
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS WARRANTY AND TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY
LAW, RAAL-REQUISITE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR INJURIES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY OR
CONDITION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF USE; LOSS OF REVENUE; LOSS OF
ACTUAL OR ANTICIPATED PROFITS; LOSS OF BUSINESS; LOSS OF OPPORTUNITY; LOSS OF
GOODWILL; LOSS OF REPUTATION; OR ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS
OR DAMAGE WHATSOEVER CAUSED INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT AND
PROPERTY.
Customer Responsibilities:
Customers may be required to provide proof of purchase date, respond to
questions designed to assist with diagnosing potential issues and follow RAAL-
requisite directions to make a claim on your warranty. DO NOT OPEN THE
PRODUCT. OPENING THE PRODUCT MAY VOID YOUR WARRANTY. To make a warranty claim:
- Contact us either through:
phone: 818-437-0779
email: danny@raalrequisite.com
office: 2175 Goodyear Ave, STE 110. Ventura CA. 93003-7761
RAAL-requisite’s Responsibilities:
- We will try to assist you in operating or repairing your product.
- If we determine a replacement part is necessary, we will send you a free replacement part.
- If we determine a replacement will not resolve your problem, we may ask you to return your product to our warehouse. Upon receiving the product at our warehouse, RAAL-requisite will inspect the product.
- If we determine that the product has a manufacturing defect we will send you a replacement part. If replacement of the part or repair of the unit is not possible, RAAL-requisite will send you a replacement product.
Safety
If you don’t know how to install audio devices, get a qualified professional
to help.
Never use this device near water, and clean only with a dry cloth.
Assure adequate ventilation, do not block any ventilation openings, or place
near heat sources.
Use only the supplied power cord or suitable replacement. Route cords away
from traffic areas and protect them from being pinched. Unplug the cord from
the outlet if the apparatus is unused for a long period of time.
To prevent electric shock, do not use the plug with an extension cord,
receptacle, or outlet unless blades can be fully inserted.
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Service is required when
the device has been damaged, including cord or plug damage, liquid has been
spilled or objects have fallen into the device, the device has been exposed to
rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
WARNING:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS DEVICE TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE.
U.S.A.
Danny McKinney
danny@raalrequisite.com
Tel: 818-437-0779
2175 Goodyear Avenue
Suite 110 Ventura, California 93003
www.raalrequisite.com
Europe
Aleksandar Radisavljevic
alex@raalrequisite.com
Tel: +381 64 144 1111
Djordja Simeonovica
19000 Zajecar Serbia