SA-31 - Audio Amplifier VINCENT - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL SA-31 VINCENT

Instructions for use

english

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

Cher client,

Safety guidelines	18
Other instructions	19
Included in delivery	20
Description of the appliance	20
Installation	23
Operating the appliance	27
Tips	28
Search for errors	29
Technical specifications	30
Glossary	31

english

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 230Volt/50Hz, 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 avoi

ded 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 5cm 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, lint-free 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 2002/96/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 was written by Andreas Böer. It is a product of Sintron Vertriebs 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 Vertriebs GmbH, 76473 Ilfezheim.

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 HiFi-devices. 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
- 1 stereo set of RCA cables to connect the main amplifier
- this manual

DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLIANCE

Despite the fact that development is constantly moving in the direction of digital audio format and towards audio video systems with an increasing number of channels, high quality stereo systems still enjoy a large degree of popularity. Recent trends also have not brought any changes concerning the advantages of separate pre/main amplifier systems over integrated amplifiers.

The SA-31 is a multi-purpose and sturdy stereo preamplifier within the Vincent range. In order to also offer the high-end stereo technology at a lower price level, new ground has been broken during the design of the appliance: instead of replacing sound regulatory and high quality components by more competitive parts, the functions of the appliance have been adjusted. The outcome is an amplifier that, in terms of sound quality, is

able to compete with its "big brothers" and in return it comes without functions that do not positively affect the sound quality: remote control, large number of input channels, BALANCE control and MUTE function.

The amplifier circuitry of this preamplifier combines the advantages of both transistor amplifiers and valve amplifiers. The highest manufacturing quality and excellent value for money go without saying.

This preamplifier is also the ideal partner for the main amplifiers SP-331/SP-331MK as well as DVD players, CD players, tuners, headphone amplifiers and loudspeakers from the Vincent range. In combination with the HiFi furniture and speaker cables from the range, one can build a perfectly harmonious system.

FRONT VIEW

1. TREBLE

Knob for setting the treble proportions (high frequencies) of the sound.

2. TONE

If deactivated, audio signals bypass the tone control that has been set with the BASS and TREBLE dials.

3. BASS

Knob for setting the bass proportions (low frequencies) of the sound.

4. POWER

This is the main power switch for turning on and off the device. The preamplifier is separated from the mains voltage when switched off and cannot be set into a standby state.

5. LED "POWER"

This LED is blinking as long as the tubes are being warmed up. It remains illuminated while the appliance is switched on and operational.

6. INPUT: Input Selector

This dial allows you to choose one of the four inputs (named TUNER, TAPE, AV and CD).

7. LOUD: Loudness function

This button activates and deactivates an audio signal correction that adapts the speaker audio signal to the human auditory sensation in the lower volume range.

8. VOLUME: Volume dial

This is the knob for the adjustment of the main volume level of the system.

REAR VIEW

9. INPUT: Terminal for stereo audio signals of the source equipment

Here you find four stereo RCA input sockets for source equipment with analogue stereo (line level) audio output.

10. 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.

11. OUTPUT: preamplifier outputs

With these two pairs of connectors you can connect the preamplified stereo audio signal of the currently selected source to the power amplifier channels.

12. FUSE: Fuse holder

This small plastic housing holds the fuse. Refer to the security precautions.

13. AC: Power Connector

To establish the power supply, connect the plugs of the power cable to the device and to a suitable wall outlet.

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.

Cable connections

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

RCA connections

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

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 stockist will be glad to advise you about this.

Make sure that you do not mix up the analogue connectors 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.

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!

CONNECTION OF THE SOURCE EQUIPMENT

You can connect up to four 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 indicated by "Line Out", "Audio Out" or "Front Out". You will find information about ways to connect source equipment in their operating manuals. The audio inputs "CD", "AV", "TAPE" and "TUNER" (9) 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 an 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.

CONNECTION OF A RECORDING DEVICE

If you want, you can use the RCA sockets "REC OUT" (10) on the back of the appliance to connect an analogue stereo recording device (e.g. CD recorder, cassette recorder etc.) or another appliance that is intended for receiving the unchanged, fixed stereo output level (line level) from the signal source selected on the amplifier at any given time. The output level is independent from the volume and tone settings (BASS, TREBLE, TONE, LOUD).

Connect this signal output to the signal input ("LINE IN", "TAPE IN" or "REC IN") on the recording appliance using RCA cables. Please note that some recording equipment can have a slightly detrimental effect on the audio signal quality. Some recording devices have rather low input impedance, which can slightly alter the input signal voltage. For maximal music enjoyment we recommend that you connect to the "REC" terminal only for as long as the recording is actually being made.

CONNECTION OF ONE OR MORE POWER AMPLIFIERS

This preamplifier has two stereo preamplifier outputs with RCA connectors for the main amplifier channels. In this way it is possible to drive four loudspeakers or bi-wire/bi-amp one pair of loudspeakers. The main amplifiers supply the system's loudspeakers and the loudspeakers are connected to the outputs of these. Instead of each stereo main amplifier shown here you can alternatively use two mono main amplifiers.

Connection of one pair of speakers:

In this case you will need two main amplifier channels, for example one stereo main amplifier. Connect both sockets named "1" in the field "OUTPUT" with the RCA input sockets of the main amplifier channels (often marked as "INPUT" or "POWER AMP IN"). For this you need RCA cables. Please pay attention not to interchange right with left channels. The letters "R" and "L" indicate the correct correlation. You may further use the SA-31 preamplifier output marked with "2" for a headphone amplifier.

Also select this type of main amplifier connection if you want to connect one speaker pair for bi-wiring.

CONNECTION OF ONE OR MORE POWER AMPLIFIERS

Connection of two pairs of speakers:

Four main amplifier channels are required in this case, e.g. two stereo main amplifiers. Connect both sockets named "1" in the field "OUTPUT" with the RCA input sockets of the main amplifier channels for the first pair of speakers. Additionally connect the two sockets of the RCA combination marked with "2" within the SA-31 "OUTPUT" terminal area with the RCA input jacks of the main amplifier channels for the second pair of speakers. The input jacks of preamplifiers are often marked as "INPUT" or "POWER AMP IN". Please pay attention not to interchange right with left channels. The letters "R" and "L" indicate the correct correlation. Your specialist dealer will advise you of this on request.

Also select this type of main amplifier connection if you want to connect a pair of speakers for bi-amping. Therefore four main amplifier channels are required, e.g. two stereo main amplifiers.

Check whether the wall socket provides the appropriate mains power, which is the case if it is supplied with 230V AC 50Hz . Push the plug on the power cable supplied firmly into the power socket on the back of the appliance. Plug the other end of the power cable into a mains socket.

OPERATING THE APPLIANCE

Operation	Button(s)	Description
Switch on and off	POWER (4)	The preamplifier is switched on and off using this button at the front panel. It has no standby option. When switched off the device is internally separated from the AC power. As a precaution, after switching on, the volume setting of the preamplifier should be reduced. After switching on, the LED above the POWER switch flashes and the device needs a few seconds before it is ready to operate. This is the case if the volume LED is constantly lit.
Select an input	INPUT (6)	If you turn the dial “INPUT”, you select one of the devices connected to the inputs on the back of the SA-31 (9) for playback. Before switching over the input channel, the volume (8) should be turned down as a precaution!
Change the volume	VOLUME (8)	Turn the knob “VOLUME” clockwise to turn up the volume and counter-clockwise to turn it down. The volume setting does never influence the signal at the output “REC OUT” (10). This preamplifier has no Mute option.
Change the treble proportions of the sound	TREBLE (1)	With the “TREBLE” control dial on the front of the device you affect the proportion of higher frequencies in the sound. Turning it in clockwise direction increases the treble intensity and moving it in anticlockwise direction reduces it. In the middle setting the treble proportions of the input signals remain unchanged. The adjustment of the treble control only has an effect if the button “TONE” (2) has been pressed. The signal of the output “REC OUT” (10) is independent of this.
Change the bass proportions of the sound	BASS (3)	With the “BASS” control dial on the front of the device you affect the proportion of lower frequencies in the sound. Turning it in clockwise direction increases the bass intensity and moving it in anticlockwise direction reduces it. In the middle setting the bass proportions of the input signals remain unchanged. The adjustment of the bass control only has an effect if the button “TONE” (2) has been pressed. The signal of the output “REC OUT” (10) is independent of this.
Switch off tone control (BASS/TREBLE)	TONE (2)	If the sound is not to be changed, it is recommended that you switch off the sound control (BASS, TREBLE) with this button on the front of the device. When this button is pressed, the sound processing settings in the tone controllers (1)(3) come into play. If the button is not pressed, the two sound controllers in the preamplifier are bypassed and the signals from the source are not changed in terms of their frequency levels.
Switch the audio signal correction for low volume on and off	LOUD (7)	This function is operated from the front panel. It is a feature of audio amplifiers that permits the user to strengthen low and high frequencies compared with middle frequencies at the touch of a button. It thereby corrects the impression of volume at low volume. In an audio system, when the volume is small, low and high frequency ranges are insufficient because of the characteristic of human auditory sensation. This function should only be used at low volume. It has no effect on the signal of the output “REC OUT” (10).

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, subwoofer, record players or headpho

ne 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-up systems 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

Symptom	Possible Cause	Countermeasure
Unit does not work after pressing the power button	Mains cable is not 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 on both channels although the unit is ready for use (POWER LED is lit)	The currently selected audio source (6) 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 connec-ted or is wrongly connected e.g. not connec-ted to the selected input channel terminal of the preamplifier.Wrong input channel has been selected at the preamplifier.Volume (VOLUME) is set too low at the pre-amplifier.Main amplifier(s) has/have not been connec-ted correctly to the preamplifier, is/are swi-ched off or is/are faulty.The speaker cables are not properly connec-ted to the main amplifier's terminals or are defective.	Switch on the source unit and begin play-back.Correct the settings in the player's setup.Correct the connection.Set the amplifier to the input that your desired source is connected to (6). Carefully increase the volume (8).Check the connection and ready status of the main amplifier(s) and whether it is/they are workingCHECK and tighten the speaker cables at the main amplifier and the speakers.

SEARCH FOR ERRORS

Symptom	Possible Cause	Countermeasure
No audio playback on one channel	The source equipment is giving signal on only one channel.	Check the audio source. You can try to use it at a different amplifier for a test.
	One of the signal cables between audio source and preamplifier inputs has not yet been plugged in or is defective.	Check the cable connections, tighten them if necessary.
	One or more audio signal cables between pre- and main amplifier are defect or one of the plug connections is loose.	Check and tighten all cable connections.
	One of the speaker cables is not correctly connected to the main amplifier or is defective.	Check and refasten the speaker cables at the speaker terminal of the main amplifier and at the speaker's connectors.
Poor sound quality	The cable connections are not tight, the connectors are dirty or a cable is defective.	Check the cables and cable connections.
	The tone settings on the dials "TREBLE" or "BASS" have not been selected correctly.	Check the settings selected there.
	A record player has been connected to a line level input without using a phono preamplifier.	Interconnect a phono 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

Frequency response:	20 Hz - 20 kHz ±0.5 dB
Nominal Output Voltage:	2 V
Total Harmonic Distortion:	< 0.1% (1 kHz, 1 W)
Input sensitivity:	150 mV
Signal to Noise Ratio:	>90 dB
Input Impedance:	47 kΩ
AC power connection type:	230 V/50 Hz
Inputs:	4 × RCA stereo (LINE IN)
Outputs:	2 × RCA stereo (PRE OUT), 1 × RCA stereo (REC OUT)
Dimensions:	430 × 80 × 300 mm
Weight:	4.5 kg
Colour:	silver / black
Tubes:	2x 6N16B

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 pre-amplifier, amplifier or receiver. This includes CD players, DVD players, tuners (radios), 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: 100mV to 500mV (Millivolts) on line level inputs, 2mV to 5mV on the phono MM input or 0.1mV to 0.5mV 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.

CONSIGNES DE SECURITE

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.

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