Krell Industries EVOLUTION TWO MONAURAL PREAMPLIFIER manual

OWNER’S REFERENCE EVOLUTION EVOLUTION TWO MONAURAL PREAMPLIFIER[...]

Evolution T wo Monaural Preamplifier Owner’ s Reference, v 05.0 Krell Industries, Inc. 45 Connair Road Orange, CT 06477 -3650 USA TEL 203 -799 -9954 F AX 203 - 891 - 2028 E-MAIL Krell@kr ellonline.com WEBSITE http://www .krellonline.com This product complies with the EMC dir ective (89 / 336 / EEC) and the low-voltage directive (73 / 23 / EEC). W[...]

iii Contents List of Illustrations, page iv A Letter from Dan D’Agostino, page 1 SECTION ONE: About Krell, page 3 The Kr ell Legacy , Revolutionar y Krell CAST T echnology , Ensuring Maximum Per formance, Definition of T erms SECTION TWO: Unpacking and Placement, page 11 Opening the Evolution T wo Shipping Carton SECTION THREE: Quick Start, page [...]

iv List of Illustrations Figure 1, page 1 5 Evolution T wo Preamplifier Chassis and Power Supply Chassis Front Panels Inset Evolution T wo Preamplifier Channel: Front Panel View Figure 2, page 1 6 Evolution T wo Remote Control Figure 3, page 22 Evolution T wo Pr eamplifier Chassis and Power Supply Chassis Back Panels[...]

A Letter fr om Dan D’Agostino Dear Audio Enthusiast, Thank you for your purchase of the Evolution T wo preamplifier . My new Evolution products r epresent a watershed in my design philosophy and in my quest for audio components that deliver absolute tr uth in music repr oduction. The expanse of the Evolution T wo monaural design has allowed me to[...]

I have some exciting news for you. W ork on a new source component for the Evolution Series is ongoing as of this writing. Possessed of the unique Evolution technologies that power the amplifier and preamplifier , this Evolution source will expose the real advantages of the latest r ecording formats while taking compact disc playback to the next le[...]

About Kr ell This section describes the Krell Legacy , the innovative features and technology of the Evolution T wo, and defines CAST and other key terms used in this reference. The Kr ell Legacy “ I design every Krell component to set the standard for workmanship, style, and performance.” Dan D’Agostino High-end audio is a demanding pursuit [...]

4 Revolutionary Kr ell CAST T echnology Current Audio Signal T ransmission, termed CAST , is a revolutionary method of connecting analog audio components for unparalleled sonic performance. Innovative engineering combines the new Krell CAST cir cuitry with existing Krell Current Mode technology to cr eate entire CAST systems that r epr oduce music [...]

5 CAST preserves the transmitted signal between components. T ogether , CAST and Krell Curr ent Mode technologies unify separate Krell components into a single global circuit. Krell Curr ent Mode technology enjoys bandwidth increases up to an order of magnitude gr eater than their voltage based counterparts. This dramatic increase in cir cuit bandw[...]

6 Ensuring Maximum Performance “My pursuit of excellence in sound reproduction and my love of great musical performance fuels the ongoing Evolution design effort at Krell.” Dan D’Agostino The pr oduct of br eakthrough Kr ell technology , the Evolution T wo Monaural Preamplifier works in tandem with the Evolution One Monaural Power Amplifier t[...]

7 Fully Balanced Discrete V olume Control The volume control is r ealized with a 16-bit balanced resistor ladder , which uses low-resistance, high-linearity solid-state switches and discr ete precision r esistors. Control signals for the switches ar e optically coupled for low noise and maximum signal integrity . The bandwidth and transient r espon[...]

8 (Separate Power Supply continued) trol cir cuitry team ultra-stable voltage refer ence chips with the same discr ete high- current driver and output transistors used in the main analog r egulators. These ample power reserves ar e brought to the Evolution T wo via high reliability 12-pin connectors with machined, gold plated, three-amp contacts. S[...]

Definition of T erms Following are the definitions of key terms used in this owner’ s refer ence. Configurations CAN Link The communication system that links multiple Evolution T wo preamplifier channels is a sophisticated system called a controller ar ea network (CAN). Linked Mode In linked mode, functions including power , volume, balance, phas[...]

Preamplifier Channel Also termed preamplifier or pr eamplifier channel. A channel is one Evolution T wo, comprised of one preamplifier chassis and one power supply chassis. Right-terminated channel Any right preamplifier channel that is last in a chain of linked Evolution pr eampli- fiers is referr ed to as right-terminated. There is only one RG-45[...]

11 Unpacking and Placement This section describes the procedur es for safely unpacking and placing your Evolution T wo Monaural Preamplifier . Each Evolution T wo preamplifier channel is shipped in 1 carton consisting of 2 chassis: 1 power supply chassis and 1 pream- plifier chassis. Opening the Evolution T wo Shipping Carton Each Evolution T wo sh[...]

12 ( T o Remove the Preamplifier from the Shipping Box continued) 2. Carefully r emove the preamplifier chassis, power supply chassis, and acces- sories from the box. 3. Place the the preamplifier chassis and power supply chassis in a safe location and remove the pr otective plastic wrapping. 4. Place the power supply chassis where you intend to us[...]

continue d 13 SECTION THREE Quick Start T o access the full array of available functions for the Evolution T wo Monaural Preamplifier , please read the entire owner’ s refer ence manual. The abbreviated routine in this Quick Start section will allow you to connect and operate the Evolution T wo quickly and enjoy its basic functions. Evolution T w[...]

14 ( Connecting the Evolution T wo T o Y our System continued) 6. On each preamplifier channel, connect the supplied AC power cor d to the IEC power cord r eceptacle (48). 7. On each preamplifier channel, plug the AC power cor d into AC power . The front panel display (15) scr olls through EVOLUTION 2 SOFTW ARE VERSION, and the red stand-by LEDs il[...]

15 SECTION FOUR Anatomy of an Evolution T wo This section describes Evolution T wo Monaural Preamplifier functions. Figure 1 Evolution T wo Preamplifier Chassis and Power Supply Chassis Front Panels 1 Preamplifier Chassis 2 Power Supply Chassis 3 Power Button 4 Stand-by LED 5 Power Backlight 6 IR Sensor 7 Infrared T ransmitter LED 8 Single-ended In[...]

Figure 2 Evolution T wo Remote Control 16 3 Power Key 8 Single-ended Input Selection Keys 9 Balanced Input Selection Keys 10 CAST Input Selection Keys 11 T ape Key 12 Mute Key 13 Record Key 14 Phase Key 21 Main Bus Key 22 Balance Key 16 Level Keys 17 Menu Key 18 Enter Key 23 Pause Key 24 Play Key 25 Stop Key 26 T rack For war d and Back Key 27 Sear[...]

17 Fr ont Panel Description See Figure 1 on page 15 Each Evolution T wo Monaural Preamplifier channel is comprised of two chas- sis, the preamplifier chassis and the power supply chassis. Fr ont panel func- tions and their descriptions follow . Chassis 1 Preamplifier Chassis The preamplifier chassis fr ont panel provides power on, input and zone se[...]

Pr eamplifier Functions 8, 9, 10 Input Select Buttons or Keys Use these buttons to select the corresponding r ear panel input that is connect- ed to a CAST (C-1, C-2, C-3), balanced (B-1, B-2, B-3), or single-ended (S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4) analog source. The fr ont panel display shows the selected input and volume level. There is no dedicated tape inpu[...]

Level Contr ol 16 Level Control Knob or Level Keys Use this knob or keys to increase or decr ease system volume level or , with the balance key (22), to adjust balance. The level control knob or keys also select menu options that customize the Evolution T wo. See Customizing the Evolution T wo, on page 32. Navigate/Customize 17 Menu Button or Key U[...]

20 Remote Contr ol Description See Figure 2 on page 16 The Evolution T wo Monaural Preamplifier remote pr ovides all of the power , pream- plifier , level control, and navigate/customize functions outlined under Front Panel Description, pages 17-19. The remote contr ol provides additional functions, including CD functions and menu configuration, ac[...]

21 Compact Disc Functions The compact disc keys of the Evolution T wo remote control ar e functional with all Krell compact disc players. 23 Pause Key Use this key to temporarily suspend playing the current compact disc track. Press pause again or pr ess the play key (24), to resume playing the track at the point pause was engaged. 24 Play Key Use [...]

POW ER IN OUT IN INPUTS TAP E OU TPUTS MAIN BUS RECORD BU S MAIN O UTPU TS 1 OUT 2 LINK LINK EVO LUTION TW O EVOLUTION TWO IN Figure 3 Evolution T wo Preamplifier Chassis and Power Supply Chassis Back Panels 22 30 Balanced Inputs: B-1, B-2, B-3 31 Single-ended Inputs: S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4 32 Balanced T ape Input: B-3 33 Single-ended T ape Input: S-4 [...]

Back Panel Description See Figure 3 on page 22 The Evolution T wo Monaural Preamplifier back panel provides all input and output connections, remote contr ol inputs and outputs, and the power connection. Back panel features and their descriptions follow . Left/Right Channel Orientation Evolution T wo preamplifiers are assembled as left or right pr [...]

(Outputs continued) 37, 38 Record Bus Outputs The Evolution T wo is equipped with one balanced record bus output with XLR connectors and one single-ended recor d bus output with RCA connectors. Use the recor d bus outputs to recor d a input signal other than the signal playing on the main outputs. For more information, see Play and Record, on page [...]

systems to be easily coordinated. For more information on customizing the 12 V trigger , see Input T rigger , on page 39. Mono 1/8 ” mini connectors are used in the following configuration: Tip = +12 V , Sleeve = GND. Notes When the Evolution T wo is in the operational mode, the 12 V trigger provides 12 Volts of DC output. When the component is i[...]

26 SECTION FIVE Connecting the Evolution T wo to Y our System This section describes Evolution T wo Monaural Preamplifier connections and intro- duces the CAN Link remote contr ol option. Input and Output Connections Krell r ecommends using its proprietary Kr ell CAST system for unparalleled sonic performance for connections between the Evolution T[...]

27 The following steps describe how to connect an Evolution T wo preamplifier to your system: 1. Connect each power supply chassis and preamplifier chassis with the 12-pin DC cable provided, using the DC power connectors (47) on the back panels (1-2). IMPORT ANT Never connect two power supplies together . 2. In order to operate the Evolution T wo p[...]

Connections Using CAN Link The Evolution T wo brings a new convenience to the operation of monaural pream- plifiers, using a sophisticated, reliable contr ol system called a controller ar ea net- work (CAN) . Using CAN Link, any number of preamplifier channels may be linked for multichannel playback. CAN Link enables all linked preamplifier channel[...]

Evolution T wo Operation The Evolution T wo Monaural Preamplifer is easy to operate. Instructions follow for on/off and stand-by operation. IMPORT ANT Always mute or fully attenuate the preamplifier level when switching sources. Do not change input connections to the amplifier when the amplifier is on. Use care when setting high playback levels. Al[...]

30 T o T urn Off Y our System 1. Place the amplifiers in the stand-by mode. 2. Press the power button on the pr eamplifier chassis front panel or the pwr key (3) on the remote contr ol to switch the Evolution T wo to the stand-by mode. 3. T ur n of f the amplifiers using the back panel power switch or by disconnecting them from AC power . 4. T ur n[...]

31 Operation Using CAN Link When a system with linked Evolution T wo preamplifier channels is powered on, left/right orientation is established immediately , with no user intervention. 1. The input selections and the power , volume, balance, phase, recor d, and mute adjustments you make on any preamplifier channel ar e instantly transmitted between[...]

Customizing the Evolution T wo The Evolution T wo Monaural Preamplifier easy-to-use menu allows you to config- ure the following functions. Y ou can also use the menu to review version informa- tion about the software, har dware, and firmwar e installed in the Evolution T wo: AC Mains, page 33 Input Name, page 38 Recall, page 44 Backlight, page 33 [...]

continue d Menu Functions AC Mains This function enables you to operate the Evolution T wo from a switched AC outlet. If AC Mains is set to ON, the preamplifier turns on immediately , by-passing stand- by . Ther eafter , you may switch the preamplifier to and from stand-by , using the power button or pwr key (3). The options are: OFF , ON. Enter th[...]

Balance This function enables you to select the balance between the left and right chan- nels. The options are: CENTER, L .5-5 dB <, R .5-5 dB >. Enter the menu, then: 1. Use the level control knob on the pr eamplifier chassis front panel or up and down keys (16) on the remote contr ol to select: BALANCE. 2. Press the enter button on the pr e[...]

FORCE RIGHT Use to make a right channel respond as a left channel. FORCE NONE The preamplifier channel ignor es balance selections. Use this option to set up more than 2 pr eamplifier channels. NO OVERRIDE Return to CHANNEL ASSIGN. Serves the same function as BACK in all other menu items. For more information on linked preamplifiers, see Appendix: [...]

CLONE BEGIN Sends the message that a clone is about to begin, from the clone transmitter to the clone receiver(s). CLONE TRANSMIT Once the clone begin message is sent, the clone transmitter display reads: CLONE TRANSMIT , indicating that the preamplifier is ready to transmit the clone data. CLONE RECEIVE Once the clone begin message is sent, the cl[...]

37 continue d ON The front panel display is always on. TIMED The front panel display times out after 5 seconds. BRIGHTNESS Controls the brightness of the display . When the brightness setting is OFF , the display is at 50% of brightness when in menu mode, and turns completely off when you leave the menu mode. Info This function enables you to acces[...]

Input Level T rim This function enables you to select an input offset for a particular input. The options are: +/-6 dB, in 1 dB increments . Enter the menu, then: 1. Use the level control knob on the pr eamplifier chassis front panel or the up and down keys (16) on the remote contr ol to select: INPUT LEVEL TRIM. 2. Press the enter button on the pr[...]

Input Phase This function enables you to invert the absolute polarity of the selected input 180 degrees. The selections ar e: NORMAL, INVERT . Enter the menu, then: 1. Use the level control knob on the pr eamplifier chassis front panel or the up and down keys (16) on the remote contr ol to select: INPUT PHASE. 2. Press the enter button on the pr ea[...]

40 (Input T rigger continued ) OFF The Evolution T wo does not respond to 12 V input trigger commands. NORMAL The Evolution T wo responds to 12 V input trigger commands. THEA TER The Evolution T wo responds to 12 V input trigger commands, and the theater mode enabled input is selected automatically . See Theater Mode, on page 47. IR Out Control Thi[...]

continue d 41 Link Control (CAN Link) This function enables you to link and unlink preamplifiers. The options ar e: LINKED, UNLINKED. Enter the menu, then: 1. Use the level control knob on the pr eamplifier chassis front panel or the up and down keys (16) on the remote contr ol to select: LINK CONTROL. 2. Press the enter button on the pr eamplifier[...]

42 Mute This function enables you to control the mute mode. The options ar e: FULL, -20 dB, BACK. Enter the menu, then: 1. Use the level control knob on the pr eamplifier chassis front panel or up and down keys (16) on the remote contr ol to select: MUTE. 2. Press the enter button on the pr eamplifier chassis front panel or the or enter key (18) on[...]

43 8. Use the level control knob or up and down keys to scr oll to: BACK . 9. Press the enter button or key to r eturn to: TRIGGER 1 . 10. Use the level control knob or the up and down keys to scr oll to: TRIGGER 2. 11. Repeat Steps 3-7 to set T rigger 2. ON The 12 V olt trigger output is enabled at power on for the selected trigger (T rigger 1 or [...]

44 Recall This function enables you to access factory default settings or your own saved settings, or to undo a clone. The options are: F ACTORY , SA VED, CLONE UNDO. Enter the menu, then: 1. Use the level control knob on the pr eamplifier channel front panel or up and down keys (16) on the remote contr ol to select: RECALL. 2. Press the enter butt[...]

continue d 45 4. Press the enter button or key to confirm the selection. The fr ont panel display reads: RS-232 CONTROL. The right-terminated preamplifier channel is the link transmitter of RS-232 data. Connect the RS-232 cable to the RS-232 connector on the right-terminated pre- amplifier channel. For more information on linked preamplifier channe[...]

(Softwar e Clone continued ) 4. Press the enter button or the enter key (18) again . The fr ont panel display on the clone transmitter shows the default: ARE YOU SURE NO. 5. Use the level control knob on the clone transmitter or the up and down keys to select: ARE YOU SURE YES. 6. Press the enter button on the clone transmitter . The front panel di[...]

47 Theater Mode This function enables you to select theater mode volume for a particular input. Use this function when connecting the output of a preamp/pr ocessor to the Evolution T wo for home theater applications. Configuring an input for theater mode sets that input for unity gain and suspends the level control of the Evolution T wo. V olume ad[...]

48 V olume Display This function enables you to select the numeric mode for the volume display , dis- playing values from softest to loudest: 0 to 151. Alternatively , you can select the dB mode for the volume display , displaying values fr om softest to loudest: -inf to +12 dB. The options are: NUMERIC, dB. Enter the menu, then: 1. Use the level c[...]

Questions and Answers Q. Why does the second preamplifier channel not r espond when I select an input or adjust the volume on the other preamplifier channel? A. The two preamplifier channels must be linked together using the RJ-45 cable in order for functions to be sent between pr eamplifier channels. Q. I renamed the B-1 input on one of the pr eam[...]

50 T r oubleshooting System Noise When you mix and match high-performance audio components, each with its own ground potential, a low fr equency hum may occur in one or both loudspeakers. If this happens when you place the Evolution T wo preamplifier into your system, follow these simple troubleshooting steps. 1. Check that all input and output con[...]

51 Appendix: CAN Link and Multiple Evolution T wo Pr eamplifiers The Evolution T wo Monaural Preamplifier brings a new convenience to the opera- tion of monaural preamplifiers, using a sophisticated, r eliable control system called a controller ar ea network (CAN) . The CAN Link communication system enables all linked preamplifier channels to be co[...]

Left/Right Channel Orientation Evolution T wo preamplifiers are assembled as left or right channels. Pr eamplifier RCA connectors (31, 36, 38, 40) are color coded. Left pr eamplifier channels are assembled with white RCA connectors, and right preamplifier channels ar e assembled with red RCA connectors. Right-T erminated Preamplifier Channel Right [...]

53 W arranty Each Evolution Series preamplifier has a limited warranty of five years for parts and labor on circuitry . Should this product fail to perform at any time during the warran- ty , Kr ell will repair it at no cost to the owner , except as set forth in this warranty . This warranty does not apply to damage caused by acts of God or nature.[...]

54 Krell will pay r eturn freight to the U .S . A .-based freight forwa rder of your choice. Freight and other char ges to ship the unit from the freight forwar der to you are also your responsibility . Krell is not r esponsible for any damage incurred in transit. Kr ell will file claims for damages as necessary for units damaged in transit to the [...]

Retur n Authorization Pr ocedur e If you believe there is a pr oblem with your component, please contact your dealer , distributor , or the Krell factory to discuss the pr oblem before you r eturn the com- ponent for repair . T o expedite service, you may wish to complete and e-mail the Service Request Form in the Service Section of our website at:[...]

Specifications Inputs 3 CAST via 4-pin bayonet connectors 3 balanced via XLR connectors 4 single-ended via RCA connectors T ape input 1 balanced via XLR connector or 1 single-ended via RCA connector , user configurable Main outputs 2 CAST via 4-pin bayonet connectors 1 balanced via XLR connector 1 single-ended via RCA connector T ape outputs 1 bala[...]