SP331 - Audio Amplifier VINCENT - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL SP331 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 28
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/Modifications

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 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.

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

Although Vincent also manufactures long-lasting and high-class components for multi-channel audio units and homecinemas, Vincent's developers feel especially dedicated to the stereo tradition. In this segment in particular, the progress in sound that a separation into preamplifiers and main amplifiers brings is apparent. We think that it is precisely the use of all-too price-conscious design in preamplifiers and main amplifiers that undermines these efforts with lower sound quality resulting from compromises. For this reason Vincent does not manufacture "entry level models" for stereo preamplifiers and stereo main amplifiers. This also makes sense because, irrespective of any development in the audio market and irrespective of what kind of audio system is to be built, there is one category of devices whose components can continue to be used in any system put together in the future: the main amplifiers! That is

because it doesn't matter what the data media or data formats of the future are, the sound will always have to find its way to the loudspeaker.

The SP-331 combines with its hybrid design the advantages of tube and transistor amplification. The result of extensive development and strict component selection is a power amplifier not only with little sound competition, but never losing control in the various connection alternatives in combination with all speakers. The highest manufacturing quality and excellent value for money can be taken for granted.

A stereo preamplifier (SA-31 or SA-31MK) or a multi-channel preamplifier-decoder (SAV-C series) can be placed by its side. In combination with CD players, DVD players, tuners, the HiFi furniture and speaker cables from our product range, one can build the most diverse, perfectly harmonious systems.

FRONT VIEW

1. POWER

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

2. POWER indicator LED

This LED is illuminated when the appliance is switched on and supplied with the mains voltage.

REAR VIEW

3. SPEAKERS: Loudspeaker terminals

At these output sockets with threaded terminals one or two pairs of loudspeakers can be connected. Speaker cable with 4mm banana plugs can be used. Please take note of the information given in the section "Installation", if two pairs of loudspeakers will be connected to the amplifier.

4. INPUT: Input for preamplified mono audio signal

This input must be connected with the output connectors of the preamplifier for the desired channels. For example, with "PRE OUT R"/"PRE OUT L", if the SP-331 is to be used for the loudspeakers of a stereo system. Do not connect any line level sources!

5. FUSE: Fuse holder

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

6. AC 220-240V: 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.

RCA 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!

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

Loudspeaker Connections

The use of ready-made loudspeaker cables is recommended instead of connecting the cable's central wire (strand) directly to the terminals. Banana plugs or cable lugs ensure high security from short-circuits and damage to loudspeakers or amplifier.

Make sure that bare loudspeaker wires are never able to come into contact with each other or with the metal on the back of the housing.

Make sure that the positive and negative loudspeaker wires are connected correctly. You will notice a reduced sound quality if the connections are the wrong way round.

Only use loudspeakers with a nominal impedance of at least 8 if more than two speakers will be connected.

Cable connections

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

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.

CONNECTING THE PREAMPLIFIER

This main amplifier is equipped with a stereo audio input ("INPUT") on which the unit awaits the preamplified signal of two audio channels. This is the audio information that the SP-331 provides for one or two pairs of loudspeakers.

Attention:

No source with a standard line level signal ("LINE OUT") must be connected to this input. It is only intended for preamplified signals (e.g. "PRE OUT").

This audio input must be connected to the output connectors ("OUTPUT") of a preamplifier. If the SP-331 is used in a stereo system, connect the input connectors of the SP-331 with the preamplifier output socket that are usually labelled "PRE OUT R" and "PRE OUT L". If the SP-331 is used in a multi-channel system, then the connection sockets of the desired channels in the connection field of the decoder preamplifier usually marked with "AUDIO OUTPUT" must be connected to the stereo input of this main amplifier.

CONNECTION OF THE LOUDSPEAKERS

You can connect one or two pairs of loudspeakers to the power amplifier SP-331. For each speaker the unit provides two speaker terminals (positive + and negative -), each of which is connected to a pair of 2-core speaker cables. At the loudspeaker connection terminal there are similar connector screws or connectors. There, the polarity of each screw (+ or -) can be identified as well and the other side of the speaker cable associated with this loudspeaker must be attached. Make sure only connector screws of the same polarity will be connected by each speaker cable wire: a knob marked "+" in the amplifier's terminal must be connected with a speaker's connector screw marked "+" as well.

If every speaker is connected in a conventional way (a two core speaker cable for each loudspeaker) and you own loudspeakers that are equipped with Bi-Wiring terminals (four connector screws) you have to make sure that the metal brackets (contact pieces consisting of small metal plates or short pieces of cable which are supplied with the speakers) are applied to the terminal and that each one connects the two knobs of the same polarity (e.g. both connectors marked "+"). The upper connector screw labelled "+" and "R" at the amplifier's backside must be connected to one of the bridged, labelled "+" and "R" connectors of the loudspeaker. Accordingly, the upper connector screw labelled "-" and "R" at the amplifier's backside must be connected to one of the bridged, labelled "-" and "R" connectors of the loudspeaker. Make a corresponding connection between the left speaker and the power amplifier. If a second pair of loudspeakers is to be connected, then the clamps in the bottom row of the output terminals are connected in a similar fashion to the additional loudspeaker. This is only permitted if both loudspeakers have a nominal impedance of at least 4

CONNECTION OF THE LOUDSPEAKERS

If a loudspeaker is to be connected with "bi-wiring", both pairs of loudspeaker clamps may be used at the same time. In contrast to connection of the loudspeakers with one loudspeaker cable each, with bi-wiring a suitable loudspeaker is connected via two separate two-wire loudspeaker cables or one four-wire loudspeaker cable to the pair of output clamps on the main amplifier. This doubles the cabling required but for many combinations of loudspeakers and amplifiers this improves the sound quality.

Right loudspeaker backside
Left loudspeakerbackside

Before changing the system to bi-wiring, the metal bridges fitted to the loudspeaker's double connector in normal operation must be removed. Only loudspeakers with these bi-wiring terminals are suitable. Filtering of the entire frequency range occurs in the now separated loudspeaker crossover networks. One cable is to be connected to the loudspeaker's sockets provided for the higher frequencies (treble) and the other with the ones for the lower frequencies (bass) for each loudspeaker. Make sure that the polarity is correct. Your specialist dealer will provide you with advice and assistance.

If you are using ready made loudspeaker cables with 4mm banana plugs, all you need to do is connect the two plugs on each loudspeaker cable end to the two associated speaker connectors. Turn the connector screws clockwise to fasten them.

If you want to use speaker cables equipped with spade lug connectors, every connector screw must be opened by turning counter clockwise. After that, the lug must be moved under the screw head. Then, turn the screw clockwise to fasten the lug to the connector. To avoid damages to the amplifier, make sure the connection is tight and no bare metal from the cable lug connector makes contact with the rear panel or with another terminal.

CONNECTION OF THE LOUDSPEAKERS

If no connector is to be used, remove approximately 1 cm length of insulation from each end of the speaker wire. Twist the braid in order to avoid short circuits. Turn the fastener on the loudspeaker terminal counter clockwise to loosen it and introduce the bare wire end into the exposed connector hole. Then turn the fastener clockwise so that the wire is firmly clamped. Make sure the connection is pretty tight.

Attention:

If you intend to connect two pairs of speakers, each loudspeaker must have a nominal impedance of at least 8 . If only one pair of speakers is used, every type with a minimal nominal impedance of 4 can be utilised.

Consider correct polarity, the positive contact is mostly marked red or with "+" . The side of the speaker cable that has to be connected with the positive socket has a marking.

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 (6). Connect the other end of the mains cable to a mains socket.

OPERATING THE APPLIANCE

Operation	Button(s)	Description
Switch on and off	POWER (1)	The amplifier is switched on and off using this button at the front panel. When switched off, the device is disconnected from the mains. As a precaution, before switching on, the volume setting of the preamplifier should be reduced. After switching on, the LED “POWER” (2) on the front panel is blinking for some seconds. In this time the tubes are being warmed up and the loudspeakers are muted.

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, appliance is switched on (the POWER LED (2) on the front of the device is lit)	The audio source currently selected at the pre-amplifier is giving no signal.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 setting of the preamplifier is set too low.The preamplifier has been muted (MUTE-Function).Output of the preamplifier not connected or incorrectly connected to the input connectors of the SP-331.The speaker cable is not properly connected to the main amplifier's terminals or is defective.	Switch on the source unit and begin play-back.Correct the connection.Set the preamplifier to the input that your desired source is connected to.Carefully increase the volume of the preampli-fier.Deactivate the MUTE function at the preampli-fier after, as a precaution, reducing the volu-me level.Correct the connection to the preamplifierCHECK 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.The channel balance is in a wrong setting at the preamplifier.One of the loudspeaker cables or one of the signal cables between pre and main amplifier 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.Set the difference in channel volume ("BALANCE" or "CHANNEL") of the pream- plifier to the desired settingCHECK all the connections of the main amplifiers and whether the loudspeakers are working.

SEARCH FOR ERRORS

Symptom	Possible Cause	Countermeasure
Poor sound quality	The cable connections are not tight, the connectors are dirty or a cable is defective.A record player has been connected to a line level input of the preamplifier without using a phono preamplifier.An audio source with standard line level output (example: CD player) is connected to the power amplifier direct input “INPUT” (4).	Check the cables and cable connections.Interconnect a phono preamplifier.Do not connect line level audio sources at the input.
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:	10 Hz - 20 kHz ±0.5 dB
Nominal Output Power per channel at 8Ω:	150 W
Nominal Output Power per channel at 4Ω:	300 W
Input sensitivity:	1.2 V
Total Harmonic Distortion:	< 0.1% (1 kHz, 1 W)
Signal to Noise Ratio:	>90 dB
Input Impedance:	47 kΩ
AC power connection type:	220V – 240V/50 Hz
Inputs:	1x RCA main input stereo
Outputs:	2 x 2 loudspeaker clamps for up to 4 loudspeakers
Dimensions (W x H x D):	430 x 160 x 450 mm
Weight:	6.5 kg
Colour:	silver / black
Tubes:	2x 6N16

GLOSSARY

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".

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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