SUPERLINE - Phono Preamplifier NAIM - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL SUPERLINE NAIM

I ntrod u c tio n Naim Audio products are conceived with performance as the top priority. Careful installation will help ensure that their full potential is achieved. This manual covers the SuperLine phono amplifier. It begins with some general installation notes. Product specific information begins in Section 3. 1 Con n ect ions It is important for both safety and performance that any standard cables supplied with Naim Audio products are not modified.

1. 1 Interconne c t C able s

Interconnect plugs and sockets should be kept clean and free from corrosion. The easiest way to clean them is to switch off the equipment, pull the plugs out of their sockets, and push them back in again. Contact cleaners and “enhancers” should not be used as the film they deposit may degrade the sound. 2 Gen er al Instal l a ti o n Naim equipment is designed to offer the finest performance possible avoiding compromise wherever practical. This can lead to circumstances that may be unfamiliar. The notes that follow contain advice specifically related to Naim equipment as well as more general warnings about the use of domestic audio products. Please read them carefully.

2. 1 S iting The Equipme nt

In order to reduce the risk of hum audible from the loudspeakers, power supplies and power amplifiers should be located a reasonable distance away from other equipment. The maximum separation distance for connected equipment is that allowed by the standard interconnect lead.

Source components and power supplies should be switched on before power amplifiers. Always switch amplifiers off and wait a minute before connecting or disconnecting any leads. Always use the power switch on the product rather than a mains outlet switch.

Naim equipment takes a considerable time to run in before it performs at its best. The duration varies, but under some conditions the sound may continue to improve for over a month. Better and more consistent performance will be achieved if the system is left switched on for long periods. It is worth remembering however that equipment left connected to the mains can be damaged by lightning. 2 . 4 R a d i o I n t er f er en ce In some circumstances, depending on where you live and the earthing arrangements in your home, you may experience radio frequency interference. Controls on broadcasting in some territories allow very high levels of radio frequency radiation and both the choice and exact siting of equipment may be critical. Susceptibility to radio frequency interference is related to the wide internal bandwidth necessary for high sound quality. A radio frequency filter kit is available for some Naim equipment but sound quality will be progressively compromised as more elements of the kit are fitted. In situations of extreme radio interference Naim equipment may be unsuitable. 2 . 5 L i g h t n i n g P r eca u t i on s Your Naim hi-fi system can be damaged by lightning and should be turned off and disconnected from the mains when there is risk of lightning strike. 2 . 6 P r ob l em s ? Consumer protection varies from country to country. In most territories a retailer must be prepared to take back any equipment he has sold if it cannot be made to work satisfactorily. A problem may be due to a fault in the system or its installation so it is essential to make full use of your dealer’s diagnostic skills. Please contact your local distributor, or Naim Audio directly, if any difficulties cannot be resolved. Some Naim equipment is made in special versions for different territories and this makes it impracticable to arrange international guarantees. Please establish the local guarantee arrangements with your retailer. Contact Naim Audio directly for help and advice if necessary. 2 . 7 S er v i ce a n d Up d a t es It is essential that repairs and updates are only carried out by an authorised Naim retailer or at the factory by Naim itself. Many components are custom made, tested or matched and appropriate replacements are often unobtainable from other sources. Direct contact to Naim for service or update information should be made initially through Customer Services: Tel: Email: +44 (0)1722 426600 info@naimaudio.com Please quote the product serial number (found on its rear panel) in all correspondence. Su p e rL ine Insta lla tio n 3 Su per Lin e Instal l a ti o n The SuperLine moving coil phono amplifier is designed to extract the best possible musical performance from vinyl disc replay. It should be mounted horizontally on an equipment stand intended for the purpose. It is important to ensure that it is level. The SuperLine contains no internal power supply and must be connected either to a Naim amplifier incorporating an appropriate power supply output, or to a dedicated Naim power supply. SuperLine output is muted for 2 minutes following switch-on to allow its circuitry to reach optimal status. Cartridge loading resistance and capacitance can be adjusted by inserting combinations of resistive and capacitive “load plugs” into sockets on the SuperLine rear panel. The SuperLine incorporates a suspension system to isolate its sensitive components from vibrational energy. The suspension system is protected during shipping by two transit screws. The transit screws must be removed before use. Once the transit screws are removed the SuperLine must not be inverted. Transit screw removal is best carried out once the SuperLine is installed in its final location and all connections are made.

3. 1 Transit S c re ws

Two transit screws must be removed from the underside of the SuperLine before use and replaced if it is to be carried any distance, packed or shipped. Transit screw removal is illustrated in Diagram 3.2. SuperLine transit screws must not be used with any other Naim product. Damage may result if the SuperLine is inverted either during or after transit screw removal. To gain access to the transit screws, position one end of the SuperLine over the edge of a table, remove (or replace) the screw that becomes accessible and then repeat with the other end.

The SuperLine must be connected to a dedicated Supercap, Hi-Cap or Flatcap power supply (option one) or a Naim preamplifier or integrated amplifier that incorporates an appropriate power supply output (option two). If option one is chosen, connect the SuperLine to the dedicated power supply using, in the case of a Hi-Cap or Flatcap, a Naim SNAIC interconnect cable, and in the case of a Supercap, the appropriate Naim Burndy cable. In either case take care to connect with the correct cable orientation. If option two is chosen, connect the SuperLine to the preamplifier or integrated amplifier’s 5 pin DIN aux input/ power output socket using a Naim SNAIC interconnect cable. Take care to connect with the correct cable orientation. Note: If the SuperLine’s Burndy power supply socket is not used the supplied Burndy link plug must be inserted. Similarly, if the SuperLine’s DIN power supply socket is not used the supplied dust cover should be fitted.

Connect the output cable of the pick-up arm to either the BNC or phono input sockets. Only one option, phono or BNC, should be connected at any time. Take care to ensure that the left and right channels are connected to the appropriate sockets. Connect the pick-up arm earth lead to the rear panel ground terminal.

rear transit screw The SuperLine output signal is carried on the power supply cable either directly to the preamplifier or via an optional power supply.

The resistive and capacitive input load presented by the SuperLine to the pick-up cartridge can be adjusted by inserting a combination of “load plugs” into the appropriate sockets in the rear panel. The appropriate load plug combination will depend on both the manufacturer’s recommendations for the pick-up cartridge in use and subjective preference. Each load plug is constructed from a 5-pin DIN plug that contains the appropriate passive components. A label on each load plug identifies its load value. Seven standard load plugs are supplied - four resistive and three capacitive - to provide 20 combinations (including the default input loads applied when no load plugs are inserted). Table 3.5 lists the standard load plug combinations. Note: In addition to the standard load plugs supplied, 470Ω and 560Ω resistive plugs are also available on request. Other values may also be created either by modifying standard plugs or manufacturing new ones. Contact your retailer or local distributor for more information. Always ensure that resistive and capacitive load plugs are inserted in the correct socket. Note: The SuperLine incorporates 10kΩ resistance and 100pF (0.1nF) capacitance loads internally. With no load plugs fitted these values constitute the default load.

3. 5 Cartridge Lo ad P lug C o mbinati on s

Resistance Capacitance Comments Resistance Capacitance Comments 10kΩ 100pF Internal load only. No plugs fitted. 500Ω 5.6nF 10kΩ 10kΩ 10kΩ 1kΩ 1kΩ 1kΩ 1kΩ 500Ω 500Ω 1nF 5.6nF 10nF 100pF 1nF 5.6nF 10nF 100pF 1nF No resistive plug fitted. No resistive plug fitted. No resistive plug fitted. No capacitive plug fitted. 500Ω 220Ω 220Ω 220Ω 220Ω 100Ω 100Ω 100Ω 100Ω 10nF 100pF 1nF 5.6nF 10nF 100pF 1nF 5.6nF 10nF No capacitive plug fitted. Note 1 Note 1: Approximates to a Naim ‘K’ load (560Ω and 1nF).

4. 1 S uperLine Re ar

pick-up arm ground to Supercap power supply Note: SuperLine output is muted for 2 minutes following switch-on to allow its circuitry to reach optimal status. resistive load plug socket

link plug fitted cable direction marker Interconnect Cables 240° 5 to 5 pin DIN power mains input and fuse

4. 3 S uperLine c o nne c te d to NAC 1 2 2 x a n d Fl a t ca p 2 x

link plug fitted power cable direction marker Interconnect Cables 240° 5 to 5 pin DIN 4 pin to 5 pin DIN (or 4 to 5 pin Hi-Line) mains input and fuse

link plug fitted mains input and fuse cable direction marker Interconnect Cables 240° 5 to 5 pin DIN 4 pin to 5 pin DIN (or 4 to 5 pin Hi-Line) to preamplifier input

4. 5 S uperLine c o nne c te d to Supe rca p

cable direction marker Interconnect Cables SuperLine Burndy 4 pin to 5 pin DIN (or 4 to 5 pin Hi-Line) dust cover fitted mains input and fuse