Vincent KHV-200 Hybrid Preamplifier and Headphone Amplifier Instruction Manual

Instructions for use

KHV-200

Hybrid Preamplifier and Headphone Amplifier

Dear Customer,
we thank you for the confidence you prove in purchasing our product. It will match your high demands towards sound and manufacturing quality. Though it is understandable that you want to plug and play this product instantaneously, we encourage you to read this manual carefully before installation.
It will help you in handling and operating this machine in your system and obtaining the best possible performance, even if it was installed by your dealer.
Please follow the security precautions, though some of those things may seem obvious.
In the appendix to this manual you will find a glossary explaining some established technical terms. If there are open questions your audio specialist dealer will help you. He also represents your contact person in case of needed warranty service or repairs after the warranty period and is interested to hear from your experiences with Vincent products.
We wish you plenty of joy with your / our product,

your Vincent-Team

SAFETY GUIDELINES

This appliance was produced under strict quality controls. It complies with all established international safety standards. Nonetheless, the following instructions should be fully read and observed in order to prevent any hazard:

Do not open the appliance! Risk of electric shock!
There are no parts in the appliance that require maintenance by the user.

Maintenance/Alterations
All equipment that is connected to the domestic mains voltage can be dangerous to the user if not handled properly. Leave maintenance work to qualified professionals. The product is only permitted for connection to AC 230 Volt/50 Hz, for earthed sockets and use in enclosed areas. Altering the product or manipulating its serial number voids the warranty. After a fault, leave the appliance’s fuse to be replaced only by a professional with one of the same kind.

Power Cable Connection
Always pull the plug and never the power cable if you want to disconnect the appliance from the mains power. Make sure when setting up the appliance that the power cable is not squashed, severely bent or damaged by sharp edges. Do not touch the power lead with wet or damp hands. Use the power cable supplied or another one from Vincent.

Switching Off
Switch the appliance off every time before you connect or remove other components or loudspeakers, disconnect or connect it to the mains power, leave it unused for a longer period or want to clean its outside. On all amplifiers and receivers, wait approx. 1 minute after this before disconnecting or reconnecting the cable.

Moisture/Heat/Vibration
Contact of electrically operated equipment with liquids, moisture, rain or water vapour is dangerous for such equipment and the user and must be avoided without fail. Take care that no liquids or objects get inside the appliance (ventilation slots etc.). It must be disconnected from the mains power immediately and examined by a professional if this happens. Never expose the appliance to high temperatures (direct sunshine) or strong vibration.

Heat Build-up
Make sure that a gap of 5 cm remains around the appliance and that the surrounding air can circulate (do not install in enclosed cupboards). Vents must not be covered up.

Volume
The maximum tolerable volume is always reached well below the maximum possible setting on the amplifier. Be careful with the volume setting, therefore, in order to prevent damage to hearing. So that you do not expose yourself to high volumes unintentionally, always set to a low level before changing the input channel.

Cleaning
Pull out the power plug before cleaning the outside of the product. Whenever possible, use a soft, lintfree cloth that has been dampened. Do not use abrasives, solvents, thinners, flammable chemicals, polishes and other cleaning products that leave marks.

OTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Setting up the appliance
How the system is set up has an effect on the sound quality. Therefore only place it on a suitable, stable surface. To make the most of your system’s sound quality, we recommend placing the equipment on Vincent racks and not putting them on top of each other.

Old electronic equipment
This appliance is subject to the conditions set out in the European Directive 2012/19/EC. This is identified by the symbol of a crossed out waste bin on the appliance.
What this means for you as a consumer:
All old electrical and electronic equipment that is no longer used must be disposed of separately from domestic waste using places provided by the authorities. By doing so you can prevent damage to the environment and help to encourage manufacturers to produce more durable or reusable products. For further information about disposing your old appliance, please consult your local authority, waste disposal agency or the shop where you bought the product.

CE sign
This appliance complies with the current EU directives about attaining the CE mark and thus meets the requirements for electrical and electronic equipment (EMC regulations, safety regulations and regulations for low voltage equipment).

Declarations
This document is a product of Sintron Distribution GmbH, 76473 Iffezheim and may not be copied or distributed partly or in full without express, written consent.
Vincent is a registered trademark of Sintron Distribution GmbH, 76473 Iffezheim.
Vincent works continually to improve and develop its products. Therefore, the appearance and technical design of the appliance are subject to changes, as long as they are in the interest of progress.
The content of these instructions is for information purposes only. It can be changed at any time without prior notice and does not constitute any obligation on the part of the trademark’s owner. The latter assumes no responsibility or liability for errors or inaccuracies, which may be included in these operating instructions.

Storage of the packaging
We strongly recommend that you keep the original packaging in case you need to transport the equipment again at a later date. Transport damages are mainly caused by improper packaging of the HiFidevices. Because the original packaging fits the equipment accurately it will reduce the risk of damage if transport is necessary.

Explanation of the symbols
The lightening bolt tells you that dangerous voltages are present in the appliance, which can cause an electric shock.

This symbol brings your attention to particularly important information regarding operation and maintenance.

****This symbol identifies useful information and advice about how to handle the appliance.

INCLUDED IN DELIVERY

Please check the contents of the packaging, which in addition to the appliance should contain the following accessories:

• 1 power cable
• this manual

DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLIANCE

Those, who enjoy listening to music via headphones, find a headphones jack in most audio devices or amplifiers, but the quality of the internal headphones amplifier modules hardly ever match the potential of the headphones. To remedy this situation a separate headphones amplifier with high-quality, discrete amplifier circuitry is needed. However, the Vincent KHV-1 offers much more combination of a high-quality stereo preamplifier for two high level sources (CD player, tuner, etc.) and a headphone amplifier. With its technically mature hybrid circuitry technology the pleasant sound of tube amplifiers is combined with the stability and power of transistor amplifiers. In this way with this preamplifier, corresponding power amplifiers and speakers a small hi-fi system can be configured, which differs – both visually and in sound – from the uniformity of common hi-fi components. As a headphone preamplifier the device satisfies the desire to be able to listen to and toggle between different high-quality music sources without the use of an amplifier with speaker outputs. The system is upgradeable to a pre-/main amplifier combination. A real plus is the compact design, allowing for high portability of this universal device. Two stereo preamplifier outputs allow connection to one or more main amplifier(s). The best quality in workmanship and an outstanding price-performance ratio go without saying.
Technically and visually designed for Vincent’s tubeLine, this preamplifier is especially suitable to drive mono main amplifiers. Furthermore, this preamplifier is the ideal partner for Vincent’s CD players and tuners. Along with the hi-fi furniture, speakers and cables of our product line in this way a perfectly harmonious system can be set up.

FRONT VIEW

1. BALANCE: Balance-Control
This is the knob to control the balance of the left and right speaker.

2. WARM-UP display and POWER-LED
This LED flashes for approx. 30 seconds during warm-up after turning the unit on and stays permanently on as long as the unit is turned on and in ready for use.

3. POWER:
This is the main power switch for turning on and off the device. The KHV-200 is separated from the mains voltage when switched off and cannot be set into a standby state.

4. Tube window

5. INPUT: Input Selector
This push button allows you to choose one of the two input sources (CD, AUX).

6. VOLUME: Volume dial
This is the knob for the adjustment of the main volume level of the system. It consequently controls the volume of the headphones and the signal of the stereo preamplifier output (10).

7. PHONES: Headphone socket
Headphones with an impedance of at least 32 Ohm can be connected to this 6.3 mm jack socket.

REAR VIEW

8. INPUT: Terminal for stereo audio signals of the source equipment
Here you find two stereo RCA inputs for source equipment with analogue stereo (line level) audio output.

9. REC OUT: Output connectors assigned to a recording device
If desired, you can connect a recording device like a CD recorder or a tape recorder to this output. The stereo signal of this output is identical to the output signal of the selected audio source at one of the preamplifier INPUTs and it is independent of VOLUME control, BALANCE setting and GAIN function.

10. PRE OUT: preamplifier output
With this pair of connectors you can connect the preamplified stereo audio signal of the currently selected source to the main amplifier channels. Volume control and Mute affect the signal at this output. Two main amplifier channels can be connected here to supply the loudspeakers.

11. GAIN: Attenuation of the output signal
With the activation of this function, the output signal is reduced by 8 dB and thus the volume of the attached headphones. It should only be activated if even at low volume settings the volume is already very high.

12. PHONES: XLR-Headphone socket
Headphones with an impedance of at least 32 Ohm can be connected to this XLR socket.

13. DIMMER
Set one of three brightness levels for the tube window or turn this light off.

14. POWER CONTROL: ON/OFF control
These jack connectors (3.5 mm) provide the on/off signal for the standby control (12V Trigger).

15. FUSE: Fuse holder
This small plastic housing holds the fuse. Refer to the security precautions.

16. AC: Power Connector
To establish the power supply, connect the plugs of the power cable to the device and to a suitable wall outlet.

17. VOLTAGE SELECTOR
The voltage selector behind the panel allows switching the voltage from 230 V to 110 V. Refer to safety instructions for further information. Refer to safety instructions for further information (p. 26, “Switching the Voltage”)

INSTALLATION

Set up the cable links in a sequence as follows. Connect the power cable between device and power supply only after all other connections have been made.

DURING INSTALLATION PLEASE OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING ADVICE:

Protective caps
Prior to the first installation the protective plastic caps must be removed from all the connections used at the rear of the unit.

RCA connections
Mechanically identical RCA plugs are available for input and output connections. Make sure that you do not get these connections confused during installation!

Make sure that you do not mix up the analogue inputs for right and left. The RCA plugs for these are mostly colour coded as follows: red for the right channel, black or white for the left channel. Speaker cable connections.

Contacting the middle pin of the RCA plugs with the outer ring of the RCA chassis jack may lead to damages to the main amplifier if it is switched on! To avoid this hazard, connect or disconnect only in switched off state and more than one minute after deactivating!

Kabel und Steckverbindungen
Make sure that all plugs fit tightly. Inadequate connections can cause noise interference, failures and malfunctions.

– wrong – – correct –

To make the most of the components’ sound potential, only high quality loudspeakers and connecting cables, for example Vincent cables, should be used. Your local stockiest will be glad to advise you about this.

SWITCHING THE VOLTAGE
This device is equipped with a switch that can be used to change the country-specific voltage from 230 V to 110 V. Please never actuate the switch during operation! The voltage must only be switched by a technician, since the device fuse must also be replaced after actuation of the switch! Information about the device fuse can be found on the back of the device.
Unauthorised actuation of the switch will void any warranty claim!

CONNECTION OF THE SOURCE EQUIPMENT

You can connect one or two devices with analogue stereo high level output such as a CD player in order to provide the audio signals of your input sources to the system. The output sockets on the source equipment are usually named “LINE OUT”, “AUDIO OUT” or “FRONT OUT”. You will find information about ways to connect source equipment in the operating manuals that come with the equipment. The audio inputs “AUX” and “CD” (8) represent electrically equivalent standard high level inputs with RCA connection. They have an identical function and differ only in name.

General hints:
To use a record player you need a so-called phono preamplifier (also called a equaliser preamplifier), which is installed in the signal path between the record player and one of the high-level inputs. Some models of record player already include this preamplifier and can be connected directly. You will find further information in this appliance’s operating manual.

The stereo sound of appliances that use output connectors other than RCA (DIN plugs, jack plugs) can often also be used with the aid of adaptors.

RCA connection

CONNECTION OF SOURCE DEVICES / INPUT LEVEL

Please verify the correct output level of the connected source device.
The standard input level of KHV-200 is designed to the common levels of analog devices:

• 0dBu = 775 mVeff        => HiFi standard
• 0dBV = 1 Veff              => Standard for consumer electronics
• +6dBu = 1,55 Veff       => Nominal level of “ARD-Studionorm”

Some manufacturers of digital source devices (e.g. DACs) have moved on to ignore the old output level standards and realized output voltages of up to 8,5 Veff. Extreme output levels like this do not offer any advantages and may lead to compatibility problems plus may result in problems controlling the volume. In case you want to use a device like this, you must set the DAC or streamer to a maximum output level of 2 Veff or 2,83 Vp, which is the standard level for CD-Players. The max. input level of KHV-200 is 4 Veff.

CONNECTION OF ONE OR MORE MAIN AMPLIFIERS

The preamplifier KHV-200 has one stereo preamplifier output with RCA connectors (10) for the connection to the main amplifier(s). The stereo audio signal (R, L) is output at this RCA socket pair. So you have the option to connect one stereo main amplifier or two mono main amplifiers to supply up to two loudspeakers. The main amplifier(s) connected there supply the system’s loudspeakers and the loudspeakers are connected to the outputs of these. Connect the output sockets in the field “PRE OUT” with the RCA input sockets of the main amplifier channels (often marked as “INPUT” or “POWER AMP IN”). For this you need RCA cable. The following drawing shows the connection of two mono main amplifiers

RCA connection

CONNECTION OF HEADPHONES

A set of headphones equipped with a 6.3 mm jack can be plugged into the socket “PHONES” (7) on the front of the appliance or on the backside (12). All headphones with an impedance of between 32 Ohm and 600 Ohm may be used. Unsuitable headphones with too low impedance may damage the amplifier or produce such unexpectedly loud volume that your hearing may be damaged. The volume (6) should be reduced for safety reasons before a set of phones is connected. The preamplifier output signals are not affected by plugging-in headphones.

6,3 mm jack or XLR connection

CAUTION!
You may never connect 2 headphones at the same time!

EFFICIENCY, POWER, IMPEDANCE

The technical parameters of headphones vary extremely. The impedances can be from 16 ohm up to 600 Ohm. A headphone with lower impedance -with identical efficiency (same volume at same input power)- results in higher current at lower voltage. Headphones with a higher impedance (300 Ohm or more) need a higher voltage and consume lower current.

Mobile devices like smartphones or tablets can only supply low voltages which results in low volume using a heaphone with high impedance.

The KHV-200 is designed to be able to control almost all available headphones in the market with highest sound quality. Even critical headphones work perfect together with the KHV-200. For the use of high-end headphones we recommend using the 4 pin XLR connector on backside of the device if available.

For headphones with high impedance or low efficiency the KHV-200 offers the possibility to adjust the amplification. For that you can use the button “Gain (11)” on backside of the device and use the setting “High” (0dB).

The following chart shows popular headphones incl. their connection parameters as well as the recommended position of the gain switch (11). The right position of the gain switch also depends on the output level of the source device and individual listening preferences. Just try to find out which switch position is best for you.

Modell| Gain
(0 dB = high / -8 dB = low)
---|---
Abyss
AB-1266| High
AKG
K-141 MKII| Low
K701| Low
K812| Low
K1000| High
Audeze
EL-8| Low
LCD-2| Low
LCD-3| Low
LCD-4| Low/High
LCD-X| Low/High
Audio Technica
ATH-M20X| Low
ATH-M40X| Low
ATH-R70X| Low/High
ATH-AD2000X| Low
Austrian Audio
Hi-X50| Low
Hi-X55| Low
Beyerdynamic
DT100| Low
DT 1770 Pro| Low
DT880/990| Low/High
T1| Low/High
T5| Low
Denon
AH-D9200| Low
Focal
Utopia| Low
Hedd Audio
HEDDphone One| High
Hifiman
HE-1000| Low
HE1000se| Low
SUSVARA| High
DEVA| Low
HE-400S| Low
Koss
Porta Pro| Low
Sennheiser
HD-25SP| Low/High
HD-280 Pro| Low/High
MOMENTUM| Low
HD-650/800| Low/High
HD-820| Low
Sony
MDR-7506| Low
MDR-7509| Low
Ultrasone
Edition 15 Veritas| Low

CONNECTION OF THE POWER CABLE

Check that the electricity supply to your home is appropriate to the device. The required voltage and frequency can be read on the back of the device beside the socket for the mains. If the electricity supply is appropriate, push the inlet connector of the supplied mains cable firmly into socket for the mains on the back of the device (16). Connect the other end of the mains cable to a mains socket.

OPERATING THE APPLIANCE

this button at the front panel, there is no standby option. When switched off the device is internally separated from the AC power. As a precaution, before switching on, the volume setting (2) should be reduced. After switching on, the LED (3) on the front panel flashes and the appliance needs about 30 seconds, in the process of warming up the tubes, before it is ready to operate. This is the case if the volume LED is constantly lit.
Change the volume| VOLUME (6)| Turn the knob “VOLUME” clockwise to turn up the volume and counterclockwise to turn it down.
Select an input| INPUT (5)| Press the “INPUT” button on the front panel to toggle between the input sources connected to the inputs “CD” and “AUX”.

Before switching over the input channel, the volume (2) should be turned down as a precaution!

Change brightness setting of the tube window| DIMMER (13)| The tube window (1) can be illuminated at three brightness levels. The selector switch “LAMP” allows setting these levels as well as deactivating the light. Set the switch to its position “OFF” to turn off the light. Set the switch to its position “1” for a low light intensity and “3” for maximum light intensity.

TIPS

Burn in/ Warm up
Your audio components need a certain time period until they reach maximum performance. The duration of this “warm up” time is very different for the various elements of your audio system. Higher and homogeneous sound quality is achieved while keeping the device switched on.

Your audio specialist dealer has enough experience to give you more information.

Net frequency noise
Some audio source devices may in combination with the amplifier cause a humming noise at power line frequency audible from your speakers. Usually, its volume varies with the volume setting of the amplifier. This is no sign of a defect or fault of your audio products but has to be eliminated. Generally, every wall-powered device connected to the ground wire of the power plug can cause this problem when connected to the amplifier.

Experience shows that this problem is mainly caused by antenna-connected components (as TV-sets or Tuners), personal computers, electrostatic loudspeakers, subwoofers, record players or head-phone amplifiers that are connected to the audio inputs of the amplifier. Another possible reason for humming noise is electromagnetic interference of other components’ power supplies with pick-upsystems of record players (change the place of the record player for a test).

In most electric devices the ground potentials of all signals are connected to each other at one central point, where they have one common connection. If the device uses the protective conductor of the wall outlet, the corresponding wire of the line cord is connected intractably to the metal housing of the device. This is mostly the point where the central grounding point is attached to. By doing this the housing is able to shield all signals from external radiated noise. Some main amplifiers are equipped with a ,,Ground Lift” switch. If it is activated, ground potential of the chassis and the protective ground wire are being separated from the central signal ground point. The protective ground wire keeps its function. Sometimes this helps prevent noise caused by errors in grounding.

If the problem occurs and cannot be solved by yourself your audio specialist dealer will help you.

SEARCH FOR ERRORS

connected to a suitable mains wall outlet.

Mains cable has not been firmly inserted into wall power socket and the device’s socket. Otherwise it may be defective.

Unit fuse or unit is defective.

| Connect to a functioning socket using a suitable mains voltage.

Check the power cable. If necessary, exchange it with a suitable mains cable and push its plug firmly into wall socket and the device’s power connector.

Contact your dealer.

No sound, appliance is switched on (LED (3) on the front of the device is lit)| The currently selected audio source (5) is giving no signal.

One of the audio settings of a connected DVD player (analogue/digital) has not been correctly selected.

The output of the source device is not connected or is wrongly connected e.g. not connected to the selected input channel terminal of the preamplifier.

Wrong input channel has been selected at the amplifier.

Volume setting is set too low.

Main amplifier(s) has/have not been connected correctly to the preamplifier, is/are switched off or is/are faulty.

The speaker cables are not properly connected to the main amplifier‘s terminals or are defective.

| Switch on the source unit and begin playback.

Correct the settings in the player’s setup.

Correct the connection.

Set the amplifier (5) to the input that your desired source is connected to.

Carefully increase the volume (6).

Check the connection and ready status of the main amplifier(s) and whether it is/they are working.

Check and tighten the speaker cables at the main amplifier and the speakers.

No audio playback on one channel| The source equipment is giving signal on only one channel.

One of the signal cables between audio source and preamplifier inputs has not yet been plugged in or is defective.

One of the loudspeaker cables or one of the signal cables between pre and main amplifier is not correctly connected or it is faulty.

Headphones jack is not properly inserted or headphones defective.

| Check the audio source. You can try to use it at a different amplifier for a test.

Check the cable connections, tighten them if necessary.

Check all the connections of the main amplifiers and whether the loudspeakers are working.

Check headphones and connection to preamplifier.

Humming low frequency noise is audible, even as no audio source is playing back| See section “Net frequency noise” in the chapter “Tips”.| See section “Net frequency noise” in the chapter “Tips”.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

High Gain: 13,64 dB
Nominal Amplification Preamp Out:| Low Gain: -11,06 dB
High Gain: 5,13 dB
Nominal Amplification Record Out:| 0 dB
Inputs:| 2 x Stereo RCA
Outputs:| 1 x Stereo RCA (PRE OUT)
1 x Stereo RCA (REC OUT)
1 x Headphone 6,3 mm Stereo jack
1 x Headphone XLR 4-pin Stereo
Power Supply:| 230 V/50 Hz und 115 V/50/60 Hz (switchable)
Dimensions (W x H x D):| 210 x 85 x 277 mm
Weight:| 3,6 kg
Colors:| Black/Silver
Tubes:| 2 x E180F/6SCH9P, 1 x ECC82

GLOSSARY

Audio Sources/Source devices
These are the components of your HiFi system and all other appliances, whose sound you want to hear over the system and are thus connected to the preamplifier, amplifier or receiver. This includes CD players, DVD players, FM tuners, cassette players, DAT recorders, personal computers, record players, portable audio devices and many more.

Input sensitivity
Term for the smallest average (RMS) input voltage which causes the maximum output power at the maximum volume setting on the amplifier. Examples: 100 mV to 500 mV (Millivolts) on line level inputs, 2 mV to 5 mV on the phono MM input or 0.1 mV to 0.5 mV on the phono MC input.

dB Level
This is a way of describing any physical quantity; it is a common measurement for signal voltages and the volume. It is given in decibels (dB). Alternating signal voltages below 1V (RMS) are described as “line level” voltages, which are suitable as music signals for amplifier inputs. Inputs on amplifiers (mostly represented by RCA sockets), which are designed for signals on the CD player, tape recorder, DVD player etc. are also referred to as “line level inputs”. Those signal inputs must not be confused with inputs that accept preamplified signals.

RCA
RCA is the American name for a type of coaxial connectors and sockets, originally the abbreviation for “Radio Corporation of America”, the name of a United States company. Both the plug and cable consist of a rod-shaped inner lead and a cylindrical-shaped outer lead. This enables a mono audio signal or a video signal to be transmitted. Compared to the XLR plug connector, this type of connection is also called “unbalanced signal connection”.

Dynamics
The volume difference between the quietest and the loudest sounds possible in audio signals, without distortion or transition to noise.

Please keep the receipt, store it together with this manual. The receipt is your proof for the beginning of the warranty period. Note the serial number in the following box, you can read it from the rear side of the device.

Serial number:

www.vincent-tac.de
www.sintron-audio.de

© März 2021
International Distributor: Sintron Distribution GmbH • Südring 14 • D-76473 Iffezheim

References

• Sintron Distribution GmbH
• Vincent: Home
• Vincent: Home

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