meitner PRE Stereo Preamplifier Instruction Manual

meitner PRE Stereo Preamplifier

Safety Instructions

Prior to Installing your new Meitner Audio product please read the following safety instructions:

• Read and follow all instructions.
• Keep these instructions.
• Do not use or install product near any sources of water, rain and/or moisture.
• Clean using only a dry cloth or microfiber towel.
• Install only in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Refer all servicing to approved service personnel.
• Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
• Do not install product outdoors or in direct sunlight.
• Leave at least 10cm or 4 inches around product to ensure proper ventilation.
• Do not place product near strong electrical or magnetic radiation/emissions or near a power amplifier.
• In products that have OLED displays, to prevent display burnout, please engage screen saver function when leaving the product on all the time.

This Meitner product must be connected to a mains socket outlet with a protective earthing connection (grounding pin).
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO WATER OR MOISTURE.
EEC: This product has been designed and tested to comply with the limits set out in EN55013, EN55020 and EN 60065:2009 (electrical safety).

Introduction

Welcome and congratulations on purchasing a Meitner Audio product. We at Meitner Audio have strived to build and perfect the absolute best product using our award winning technology and decades of experience. We are confident that our products will bring you musical enjoyment for many years to come. This manual provides important information regarding the use, installation and care of your new Meitner Audio product.

PRE Stereo Preamplifier

The Meitner PRE preamplifier is designed with Ed Meitner’s philosophy that an analog preamp acts as the heart of every music system. The Meitner PRE preamplifier upholds the Meitner legacy of being a class-defining value proposition, with its surprising performance and even more surprising price point.
The Meitner PRE Stereo Preamplifier features:

• 3 pairs of stereo analog inputs
• 2 pairs of stereo analog outputs
• Contactless switching
• Discrete signal paths
• Pure class-A power to drive cables and loads without degradation
• Proprietary software-driven analog volume control
• User-friendly control system featuring 3 volume presets per inputs and balance control
• High-efficiency power supply for silent and eco-friendly operation
• DC protection circuit
• RS232 interface for system upgrades and remote commands

Features & Specifications

• S/N ratio: Better than 116 dB at 4V RMS output (20kHz bandwidth)
• THD: less than 0.004%
• Frequency range: 0Hz-200kHz
• Gain control range: 74dB
• Maximum input level: +18 dBu (6.2V RMS)
• Analog stereo inputs:
  • 1 pair balanced (XLR) Input impedance: 20kΩ
  • 2 pairs single-ended (RCA) Input impedance: 10kΩ
• Analog stereo outputs:
  • 1 pair balanced (XLR) Output impedance: 150Ω
  • 1 pair un-balanced (RCA) Output impedance: 75Ω
• System gain: +6dB
• System upgrade and Remote via wired RS232 interface.
• Power supply:
  • Power factor corrected
  • Universal 90V-260V, 50/60Hz operation
  • Power consumption: max. 50W
  • CE Approved
• Dimensions: W x D x H: 435 x 400 x 92mm / 17.13 x 15.75 x 3.62in
• Weight: 7.43kg / 16.39lbs net (with remote control)

Front Panel & Functions

1. Mute (top) touch button, toggles the MUTE function.
2. Input (bottom) touch button, cycles between available analog inputs.
3. Display shows volume and mute settings. The display also shows the presets saved for that input. Eg. as shown above, volume preset A and C are assigned for the XLR input. Volume is set to preset A (character is lit) while preset C is available but not selected (dimmed). Preset B has not been assigned, hence the empty preset setting.
4. Volume control knob.
5. Access the PRE’s function screen by pressing and holding the Mute (top) touch button from the main screen. The PREs function page contains settings for the Balance, Screen Saver, Reset Settings menus, as well as the EXIT function. Use the right arrow (bottom) touch button to select a menu, then press the OK (top) touch button to access the menu or function.
6. Balance option menu (Remote BAL button) allows the end user to change the audio balance between the left and right channels. In the balance menu page use the volume knob or the left (<) and right (>) balance buttons on the remote to adjust the audio balance. Pressing the OK touch button, or the BAL button on the remote saves the setting, while pressing the bottom touch button, or the B button on the remote, re-centers the balance. Pressing the A button on the remote sets the balance completely to the left channel, and pressing the C button sets the audio balance completely to the right channel.
7. Screen Saver option menu enables or disables the screen saver. Toggle the setting using the CHANGE (bottom) touch button. The screen saver engages after 2 minutes of inactivity. It dims the screen for 3 seconds before turning the screen off. Engaging the remote buttons, touch buttons or volume knob, turns the screen back on. It is disabled when the display brightness is set to off. Enable screensaver function to prevent OLED display burn in.
8. Reset Settings menu allows the user to reset the PRE back to its factory defaults.
9. EXIT, exits out from the PREs function page, back to main display.
10. To display the Firmware version loaded on your PRE, from the main screen, press and hold the input touch (bottom) button.

Rear Panel

1. Main Power connector. Shows working voltage, frequency and maximum power drawn in watts.
2. Main Power Switch.
3. Product VOLTAGE indicator: Indicates working voltage of the Meitner PRE.
4. Product model and serial number indicator: Warranty void if model/serial number indicator is not attached to unit, missing or damaged whereby serial number cannot be seen.
5. System remote and service via wired RS232 communication port.
6. Analog Line Inputs:
   • Channels 1 and 2 Left and Right Un-Balanced (RCA) Connectors Input Impedance: 20kΩ
   • Channel 3 Left and Right Balanced (XLR) Connectors Input Impedance: 40kΩ
7. Analog Line Outputs:
   • Left and Right Un-Balanced (RCA) Connectors Output Impedance: 75Ω
   • Left and Right Balanced (XLR) Connectors Output Impedance: 150Ω

Connecting & Operating the PRE

1. Connect the included power cable to the PRE power connector, then to a free power receptacle.
2. Connect the appropriate analog outputs from a source to the PRE inputs (balanced or un-balanced) using the appropriate high-quality analog interconnects.
3. Connect the appropriate analog outputs of the PRE to your power amplifier.
4. Turn on the PRE using the main power switch and select an input that is connected, by pressing/toggling the input touch button or using the included remote.
5. Adjust the volume using the volume knob or the remote.
6. Enjoy the performance!

Volume Presets

1. Each input on the Meitner PRE can be assigned 3 presets. Use the preset volume buttons (A, B, or C) on the remote, to toggle between the saved volume settings.
2. Saving or Clearing the volume presets:
   • a. Use the remote or the volume knob to set the volume.
   • b. Press and hold any of the volume preset buttons on the remote, until the character is lit on the display, confirming that the setting has been saved.
   • c. To clear a preset, press and hold any preset button until the preset is cleared/removed from the display.
3. Using the example above, easily see what preset is being used, what other presets are available, and the not used/free presets:
   • a. In this case, volume is set to preset C (C preset is lit).
   • b. Preset B is available, but it is not being used (B preset is dimmed).
   • c. Preset A is not used, hence the square shows as a blank, and it is free to be assigned a volume setting.

Infrared Remote Control

Included with the PRE is an infrared remote control. Use the infrared remote control to select or toggle between the various analog inputs, adjust volume, balance and select saved presets.
Please refer to a picture of the remote control to the right, as reference :

Appendix

Remote Battery Change

1. Please prepare a new replacement CR2025 battery and either a fine small tip screw driver or paperclip.
2. Locate the battery compartment pinhole in the back of the remote. Please see picture on the right.
3. Insert the screw or paperclip into the pinhole and press. This will release the back cover from the magnets holding the cover in.
4. Please locate the battery and note how it is installed in the remote.
5. Remove and replace with new battery. Replace cover back onto remote.

Bypass Settings
For use with home theatre systems or to set the Meitner PRE to send input to output without attenuation or amplification (bypass):

1. XLR output set volume to 76 for bypass.
2. RCA output set volume to 88 for bypass.

DC Protection System
The Meitner PRE preamplifier has built in DC protection. If it detects DC on any of its inputs, it will disable and lock its outputs protecting the rest of the system. Once engaged the display shows the DC protection message. Use the display to check and remove input with the issue. Once this is done, reboot the PRE to unlock the system, returning it to normal operation.

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