SA-96 - Audio Amplifier VINCENT - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL SA-96 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,

Included in delivery 26

Description of the device 26

Remote control 29

Installation 31

Operating the appliance 36

Tips 38

Troubleshooting 39

Technical Specifications 41

Glossary 42

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

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

All amplifiers generate heat as part of their design. 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 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.

Batteries

Take note of the instructions for using batteries in the chapter "Remote Control".

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.

Vincent is a registered trademark of Sintron Vertriebs 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 HiFi-devices. Because the original packaging fits the equipment accurately it will reduce the risk of damage if transport is necessary.

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, regulations and regulations for low voltage equipment).

Declarations

This document was written by Andreas Boer. It is a product of Sintron Vertriebs GmbH, 76473 Ilfezheim 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.

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 remote control Syr-D
- 2 AAA (LR3) batteries
- 1 stereo set of RCA cables
- 1 cable with 3.5 ~mm jack connectors for POWER CONTROL
1 power cable
- this manual

DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLIANCE

Although anyone who enjoys listening to music through headphones will often find that there is a headphone connection in many audio source devices or amplifiers, the quality of the built-in headphone amplifier modules is usually far below what the headphones are capable of. To get round this, you need a separate headphone amplifier with high quality discrete amplifier circuitry.

But the Vincent SA-96 is much more than this: the combination of a high quality stereo preamplifier for three high level sources (CD player, tuner etc.), a headphone amplifier and a player for MP3 music from USB data storage media. So with this preamplifier, suitable main amplifiers and loudspeakers, you can build a small stereo system that positively stands out from the standard format of normal hifi components.

As a headphone preamplifier this device fulfils the desire to switch between and listen to various music sources in the best quality without having to use an amplifier with loudspeaker outputs. The system can then be upgraded to a pre-and-main

amplifier combination at any time. The built-in MP3 player also allows you to play music in this format from external USB storage media and most portable players with USB connections. A big benefit here is the compact design which permits you to take this universal device with you anywhere. Two stereo preamplifier outputs permit connection to one or more main amplifiers. The unmodified signal of the currently chosen source can be transmitted via the recording output to a recording device. If the main amplifier(s) and audio sources used support POWER CONTROL, the entire system can be switched on and off with one switch on this preamplifier. Naturally, it all comes with the highest quality workmanship and an outstanding price performance ratio.

Technically and visually designed for Vincent's solidLine, the device is especially suitable as preamplifier for the Vincent SP-996 or SP-997 models. This preamplifier is also the ideal partner for Vincent CD players and tuners. In combination with the HiFi furniture and speaker cables from the range, one can build a perfectly harmonious system.

FRONT VIEW

1. Keys for MP3 playback control

These are the buttons for controlling the playback of the built-in MP3 player.

1. 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 headphone and the signal of the stereo preamplifier outputs (14).

1. INPUT: Input Selector

This dial allows you to choose one of the four input sources (USB, S1, S2 or S3).

1. LED "DISK"

This LED remains illuminated as long as a supported USB memory or USB player is connected to the SA-96.

1. LED "MP3"

This LED remains illuminated as long as a supported USB device that contains supported MP3 files is connected to the SA-96.

1. LED: "PLAY"

This LED remains illuminated as long as MP3 files are being played back by the SA-96.

1. SR: Infrared receiver for the remote control

2. PHONES: Headphone socket

Headphones with an impedance of at least 32 can be connected to this 6.3 mm jack socket.

1. USB: Connection socket for USB storage medium

You can connect a USB storage medium here. If this contains MP3 files, these can be played with the MP3 player built into the SA-96.

1. POWER

This is the main power switch for turning on and off the device. The SA-96 is separated from the mains voltage when switched off and cannot be set into a standby state.

REAR VIEW

11. POWER CONTROL

These jack connectors (3.5 mm) send the signals for the standby control (12V Trigger). Two devices can be connected directly, for example two SP-996 mono power amplifiers.

12. OUTPUT REC: 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 inputs "S1", "S2", "S3" or "USB". It is independent of the Volume setting, the Mute function and the plugging-in of a headphone.

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

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

14. OUTPUT: preamplifier outputs (2x stereo RCA)

With these two pairs of connectors you can connect the preamplified stereo audio signal of the currently selected source to the power amplifier channels. Volume control and Mute affect the signal at the outputs. One or more main amplifiers can be connected here to supply the loudspeakers.

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 wall outlet.

REMOTE CONTROL

Point the front of the remote control directly at the front of the appliance, making sure there are no objects between the remote control and the appliance.

The distance between the remote control and the appliance should not be more than 7m as the reliability of the remote control is affected beyond this range.

Make sure that you do not point the remote control at an angle to the appliance, as beyond an angle of ± 30^ to the centre axis the appliance may not respond as well to the remote control.

Change both batteries if the distance at which the remote control can be used effectively decreases.

BATTERIES

Using batteries

Handling batteries incorrectly can cause battery acid to escape or an explosion in extreme cases.

The batteries must be correctly inserted taking note of the polarity, which is marked in the inside of the battery compartment.

In order to make full use of the batteries' life, do not mix new and used batteries. Make sure that you insert batteries of the same type.

Some batteries are rechargeable, others are not however. Take note of the precautions and instructions that are included on all batteries.

Remove the batteries if the remote control is not going to be used for a long time.

Under no circumstances must batteries be short-circuited, taken apart or heated up.

For environmental reasons, used batteries should be disposed of in accordance with local environmental regulations and not put with domestic waste.

Only use AAA (LR3) size batteries.

Changing/Inserting batteries:

a) Open and close the battery compartment cover of the remote control by pushing this cover on the backside of the remote control in the direction of the arrow marked on it and then removing it.

b) If necessary, remove used batteries and insert new ones correctly as shown by the diagram in the battery compartment.

c) Put the compartment cover back on and close the battery compartment.

BUTTONS OF THE REMOTE CONTROL

17. MUTE

Pressing this button once mutes the headphone (8) and the preamplifier outputs (14). Pressing it again returns to the original volume.

18. ▲VOL▼

These buttons change the amplifier's volume setting for headphone and the preamplifier outputs (14).

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 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 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.

- 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 stockist will be glad to advise you about this.

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 WITH RCA HIGH LEVEL OUTPUTS

You can connect up to three 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 "S1", "S2" and "S3" represent electrically equivalent standard high level inputs with RCA connection. They have an identical function and differ only in name.

To use a record player you need a so-called equaliser preamplifier (also called a phono 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 "OUTPUT REC" (12) 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 preamplifier at any given time. The output level is independent from the volume setting and the "MUTE" command. Connect this signal output to the signal input ("LINE IN", "TAPE IN" oder "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 A USB STORAGE MEDIUM

You can connect a storage medium or an MP3 player that has a USB-A plug to the USB socket on the front of the preamplifier. Storage media will be accepted if they are formatted with one of the following file systems: FAT12, FAT16 or FAT32 and which are registered as device of the class "mass storage". This category includes most USB memory sticks, portable MP3 players, portable media players and harddisks with a USB connection. SA-96 supports the standard USB1.1.

Please note that the built-in player of the SA-96 is used for playing the files located on the attached device and any player contained in the attached device cannot be used via the USB connection.

It is not possible to connect a personal computer by means of a USB connection. It is not possible to play music files in any format other than MP3. To prevent loss of data, an attached storage device or MP3 player must not be pulled out of the USB socket while playing the data stored on it!

CONNECTION OF ONE OR MORE POWER AMPLIFIERS

The SA-96 preamplifier has two stereo preamplifier outputs with RCA connectors for the connection to the main amplifier(s). The stereo audio signal (R, L) is output on each of the two RCA socket pairs. So you have the option to connect one or two stereo main amplifiers, up to four mono main amplifiers or one multichannel main amplifier to supply up to four loudspeakers. This also allows you to operate either more than two loudspeakers or two loudspeakers in Bi-amping (e.g. with two stereo main amplifiers). The main amplifiers supply the system's loudspeakers and the loudspeakers are connected to the outputs of these. Connect the required output sockets 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. The following drawing shows the connection of two mono main amplifiers (e.g. Vincent SP-996).

If main amplifier channels are to be connected for two pairs of loudspeakers, please additionally use the second stereo pair of the preamplifier outputs.

If there are four main amplifier channels available and the loudspeakers support this, it is also possible to operate one pair of loudspeakers in "Bi-amping". The loudspeakers used must be suitable for this. You will recognise this by the double connection of the loudspeaker terminal whose bridges can be removed for operation in Bi-amping or Bi-wiring. Your specialist dealer will advise you of this on request.

CONNECTING HEADPHONES

A set of headphones equipped with a 6.3mm jack can be plugged into the "PHONES" socket (8) on the front of the appliance.

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 should be reduced for safety reasons before a set of phones is connected. The output signals of the preamplifier are not affected by plugging-in headphones.

CONNECTIONS FOR THE STANDBY CONTROL (POWER CONTROL)

Many AV-Systems consist of a multitude of individual components. To avoid the necessity of switching them on and off before and after every use, many manufacturers have equipped their devices with what is known as "POWER CONTROL" circuit or "TRIGGER". This kind of remote-controlled standby circuit is used primarily for preamplifier and power amplifiers. To employ these functions, direct or indirect cable connections must be made between the preamplifier (or integrated amplifier) and all the devices which support this function. The "POWER CONTROL" function operates in such a way that each switching on or off of one device in the system (usually the preamplifier) automatically brings about the switching on or off of all the connected devices which support this function. Please keep in mind that all devices which respond to the power control are not disconnected from the mains network when switched off. They are set to a standby state instead. For connecting cables, two-core cables with 3.5mm jack plugs (mono) are used. For each connection between two devices one of those cables is needed.

If the whole system is to be turned on and off with the SA-96 preamplifier, the cable connections for the power control described below must be made correctly. If you don't wish to use this function or if the other components do not support it, all you have to do is leave out these cable connections.

The SA-96 has two output connections for the power control. Two HiFi components that are able to react to the power control signal can be connected directly to the preamplifier's power control outputs. If more than two devices, which can be controlled, are to be connected, then it is necessary, to make the power control connection between the preamplifier and these further devices through the outputs of the two devices which are connected directly. For that reason, every HiFi component that accepts power control signals is also equipped with a power control output. Thus, in theory it is possible to provide an infinite number of HiFi components with the power control signal. This approach, to loop a signal through a chain of components, is commonly referred to as "daisy chaining".

Many devices which can be controlled by a switching signal (not preamplifiers or integrated amplifiers), have two terminals which do not differentiate between input and output. In this case either of the two can be selected.

"POWER CONTROL" sockets of preamplifiers or integrated amplifiers must not be interconnected! All receiving devices must not be connected to more than one preamplifier or integrated amplifier (directly or indirectly)!

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. Connect the other end of the mains cable to a mains socket.

OPERATING THE APPLIANCE

Operation	Button(s)	Description
Switch on and off	POWER(10)	The amplifier is switched on and off using this button at the front panel, there is no standby option. When switched off the device is internally separated from the AC power. The switching operation is signalled via the cables connected in the terminal “POWER CONTROL”.As a precaution, before switching on, the volume setting should be reduced. After switching on, the LED on the VOLUME dial 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.
Change the volume	VOLUME(2)VOL▲and VOL▼(18)	Using the front panel buttons: Turn the knob “VOLUME” clockwise to turn up the volume and counter-clockwise to turn it down.Ussing the remote control: Hold down the button “VOL▲” to turn the volume up. Use “VOL▼” to turn it down.The volume setting does never influence the signal at the output “OUTPUT REC” (12).
Select an input	INPUT(3)	If you turn the dial “INPUT”, you select one of the devices connected to the inputs on the back of the SA-96 (13) or the USB device.Before switching over the input channel, the volume should be turned down as a precaution! The choice of input has no effect on the functions of the built-in MP3 player and on the status of a connected USB device.
Mute the headphone and the preamplifier outputs	MUTE(17)	The MUTE function can only be operated with the remote control.It switches off the headphones (8) as well as the preamplifier outputs (15). While the Mute function is switched on, the LED on the volume dial flashes. Pressing it again restores the volume to its original setting.The Mute function does not influence the signal at the output “REC OUTPUT” (13).

INTEGRATED MP3 PLAYER

The play function of the MP3 player and the USB functions are independent of the choice of input. If the SA-96 preamplifier is switched on, a USB device can be attached or playback can be started or finished at any time.

Operation	Button(s)	Description
Plug in the USB storage medium		Connect the USB stick or USB-A plug of the device to be connected to the USB socket (9) of the SA-96. This can be done at any time, even if another input (3) has been selected. The now following registering procedure is performed automatically. If a suitable device is connected, then the LED “DISK” (4) lights up. First all directories and their subdirectories will be searched for files with the suffix“.mp3”. If at least one suitable file is found, the display“MP3” (5) lights up.Please note that a search will be performed only for files with an“.mp3” suffix and no check will be made on whether such files are valid MP3 files. Files wrongly marked with the“MP3” file extension will be played without sound.It is not possible to use USB host devices such as for instance personal computers.
Play MP3s	II(PLAY/PAUSE)SKIP back)SKIPIF forward)RESET	It is only after the search procedure that pressing the“PLAY/PAUSE” button (1) activates the start of playback. The LED“PLAY” (6) is lit during playback. In order to be able to hear the current playback of the MP3 files through headphones or connected end amplifiers, the input“USB” must be selected on the“INPUT” input selection dial (3). The files stored on the main directory of the storage medium are played first, followed by the files in the subdirectories. It is possible during MP3 playback to switch to the other input channels without interrupting the MP3 playback. If you press the“PLAY/PAUSE” (1) again, you activate and deactivate the playback pause.The LED“PLAY” is switched off during the pause.By using the SKIP buttons (1) you can skip to the next or the previous track during playback. These buttons cannot be used for fast forward or reverse.The device has no separate“STOP” button. To stop playback, press the“RESET” button (1) on the front of the device. The index of contents will then be read in again from the storage medium.
Remove the USB storage medium	RESET	The SA-96 preamplifier has no separate button for logging off from or ejecting the USB device. Before you remove the USB plug or the USB device, put the built-in player into“STOP” mode by pressing the“RESET” button (1) and waiting for 20 seconds until the index of contents has been read in again. This is finished when the LED“MP3” (4) is constantly lit or the search for music tracks has not produced any results within 20 seconds. With USB sticks you will know this by the fact that its LED ceases to flash. Only then is it safe to break the USB connection.

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 headphone 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 the 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.

Quality of MP3 audio files

You can produce MP3 files on personal computers yourself. The programs that handle the conversion/encoding offer various settings here. The scanning frequency and resolution selected should be similar to the relevant audio CD properties of 44.1kHz and 16 bit. A data rate of 128 kbit/s (kbps) and higher should be used so as to at least come close to CD sound quality. The choice of the encoding algorithm used by the program also affects the sound quality.

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, ex-change 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 (LED in the VOLUME knob is illuminated)	The currently selected audio source (3) 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.The amplifier is muted (MUTE-Function).Main amplifier(s) has/have not been connec-ted correctly to the preamplifier, is/are switched off or is/are faulty.The speaker cable is not properly connected to the main amplifier's terminals or is defective.	Switch on the source unit and begin playback.Correct the settings in the player's setup.Correct the connection.Set the amplifier (3) to the input that your desired source is connected to.Carefully increase the volume (2).Deactivate the MUTE function (17) after, as a precaution, reducing the volume levelCHECK 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.
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 ampli-fier is not correctly connected or it is faulty.	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.

SEARCH FOR ERRORS

Symptom	Possible Cause	Countermeasure
USB storage medium is not accepted - the LED "DISK" does not light up.	The file system or the device class of the USB device does not meet requirements.	Pull out the USB connector and put it back in. If it still does not work, the USB device cannot be used with the SA-96.
The music files are not accepted - the LED "MP3" does not light up.	There are no valid MP3 files on the connected data medium/player.	Copy suitable MP3 files on to the USB device before inserting it in the SA-96.
The remote control cannot perform any functions	No batteries inserted in the remote control, batteries are not inserted correctly or are depleted.The line-of-sight between the remote control and the unit is obstructed, the range was exceeded or the hand unit was operated from a position too far to one side.The unit is not switched on.	Check and replace the batteries if necessary.Try to point the remote control at the front of the unit only when the sight-line is clear, within a 7-metre distance and, if possible, facing the unit.Switch on the unit.
Humming low frequency noise is audible, even as no audio source is playing back	See section “Net frequency noise” in the chapter “Tips”.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Frequency response:	20 Hz - 20 kHz (±0.5dB)
Total Harmonic Distortion:	< 0.1% (1 kHz, 0.1 W)
Signal to Noise Ratio:	> 90 dB
Gain:	11.6 dB
Input sensitivity:	380 mV
Input Impedance:	47 kΩ
Channel separation:	> 80 dB
Nominal output voltage preamplifier output:	2 V
Nominal output voltage headphone output:	1 W at 32Ω
Nominal output power preamplifier output:	250 mW at 300Ω
AC power connection type:	220V-240V / 50 Hz
Power Consumption:	20 W
Inputs:	3x RCA high level input stereo, 1x USB
Outputs:	2x RCA stereo (PRE OUT), 1x RCA stereo (REC OUT), 1x headphone (6.3 mm jack socket), 2x POWER CONTROL (3.5 mm jack socket)
Dimensions (WxHxD):	93x234x220 mm
Weight:	3 kg
Colour:	silver / black

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.

Bi-amping

For this setup of your system, suitable loudspeakers are connected via two separate loudspeaker cables each to two amplifiers or main amplifiers. One cable is provided for the loudspeaker connection supplied with the higher frequencies, the other with the one for the lower frequencies. One amplifier or main amplifier is responsible for the supply of the higher frequency range of both loudspeaker's input and the second device is responsible for the low frequency range of both loudspeaker's input. The filtering of the entire frequency range takes place in the circuitry of the loudspeakers. For this operation mode you need double the number of main amplifier channels (usually double the number of main amplifiers) and double the cabling. The gain in sound quality in Bi-amping mode is for many combinations of loudspeakers and amplifiers considerably higher than with Bi-wiring. Here too the metal bridges attached to the double connectors of the loudspeaker in normal operation must be removed.

Bi-wiring

Here suitable loudspeakers are connected via two separate loudspeaker cables each, every speaker to two output clamps of an amplifier or main amplifier. The filtering of the entire frequency range takes place in the circuitry of the loudspeakers. One cable is connected to the loudspeaker connector provided for the higher frequencies and the other to that provided for the lower frequencies. This doubles the cabling, but for many combinations of loudspeaker and amplifier this does improve the sound quality. Before reconfiguring to Bi-wiring, the metal bridges attached to the double connector of the loudspeaker in normal operation must be removed.

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 high level inputs, 2mV to 5mV on the phono MM input or 0.1mV to 0.5mV on the phono MC input.

MP3

MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer 3) is a compression procedure and an audio file format. It was developed together with procedures for the data compression of video signals in the MPEG-1 standard but it is also used independently. The files are recognised by their file name extension ".mp3". Digital raw data (for example from an audio CD) are processed in such a way that the volume of data is greatly reduced. In this process the signal is almost inaudibly corrupted, so that the procedure results in irreversible quality loss. There are various possible properties for audio data within this format: mono or stereo, different sampling rates, different bit rate (e.g. 16-bit) and different levels of compression, defined by the transfer rate (very often 128 kbit/s (kbps)). On playback an audio signal close to the original is reproduced.

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" or "high-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

GLOSSARY

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".

CONSIGNES DE SECURITE

Bi-Amping (double raccordement amplificateur)

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.