Channel D Seta Piccola Mk2 Manuel d'utilisation

Channel D Seta

®Piccola Mk2

Balanced Direct-Coupled Ultra-Wide Bandwidth Ultra-Low Distortion Low Noise Battery Powered Precision Phono Preampliﬁer

Installation and Use Guide

Seta Piccola for Low Output / Low Impedance (MC) Phono Cartridges and High Output / High Impedance Phono Cartridges (MM)

AGM Rechargeable Battery Power Supply

Channel D Seta® Piccola Mk2 Installation and Use Guide

ChannelD•Lambertville,NJ•(609)818-0700

email: [email protected]

web: http://www.channel-d.com

ContentsCopyright©2008,2009,2010,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017ChannelDAllRightsReserved

Table of Contents

Page(s)

Getting Started 1

Signal and Power Connections 2 - 3

Internal Switch and Jumper Configuration 3

Moving Coil Configuration and Gain 4

Moving Magnet Configuration and Gain 5

BOOST Gain Setting 6

Gain Adjustment Advice (Recording to Digital) 6 - 7

Cartridge Loading 7 - 8

Single Ended / Balanced Jumpers 8 - 9

Input Ground Bypass Jumper 9

Pin 1 Output Ground Jumper 9

Neumann RIAA Curve Modification (RIAA module) 9

Rechargeable Battery Information 10

Specifications 11

Page 1

Congratulations on your purchase of a Seta phonograph preampliﬁer! Your innovative Seta Piccola

is a low noise, fully balanced design featuring an ultra-wide frequency bandwidth of more than 1

megahertz, unprecedented (with the exception of our ﬂagship Seta Model L / Model H) for a phono

preampliﬁer. This provides you with the key to obtaining stunning, three-dimensional music reproduction

from your phonograph records. The Seta is designed to be used as a front-end preampliﬁer for connecting

to high resolution (192 kHz / 24 bit), balanced - input computer audio interfaces. In conjunction with

Channel D Pure Vinyl software, used for applying the RIAA phono correction curve, the strengths of the

latest, 21st century cutting-edge analog and digital technologies are brought together, delivering superb,

high deﬁnition, transparent vinyl playback.

For those audiophiles desiring an all-analog signal path, an optional RIAA hardware correction feature is

available for a conventional, RIAA-corrected output signal. The Flat and RIAA outputs may be used

simultaneously (another unique feature), to support the best of the Analog and Digital worlds.

Channel D Seta preampliﬁers incorporate many design features contributing to their high performance:

•Ultra low impedance rechargeable battery energy storage reservoir and power supply; proprietary, exclusive charging

and maintenance circuitry specially designed by Channel D and proven, reﬁned and used exclusively in our phono

preampliﬁers for over 5 years

•Direct coupled circuitry and ultra-wide megahertz-class frequency bandwidth provides lifelike clarity, deﬁnition,

resolution and imaging with vanishingly low distortion over the audio frequency range

•Carefully selected low noise external power supply, with additional ﬁltering for ultra low noise

•Low impedance internal signal traces, permitting user installed cartridge load resistance as low as 1 ohm

•State of the art, premium quality milli-ohm ESR (equivalent series resistance) polymer dielectric and tantalum ﬁlter

capacitors

•Ultra precision (0.1% tolerance) metal ﬁlm low noise 1206 package and MELF (metal electrode leadless face) surface

mount technology resistors are used throughout

•Metallized Polypropylene Film cartridge loading capacitors

•Ultra low distortion, low impedance output driver circuitry with more than 40 megahertz signal bandwidth preserves

transparency in the output signal

•Optional RIAA Compensation Module with carefully hand matched precision components; separate signal chains for

simultaneous RIAA and Flat signal outputs

•True single ended RIAA outputs obtained by differential summing of balanced signal inputs for the lowest noise and

highest common mode rejection possible for a single ended signal conversion

Getting Started

Please take the time to read this Installation and Use Guide, to familiarize yourself with the installation

and operation of the Seta.

Important: If the package you received from your shipper is below room temperature, please allow the

sealed inner carton containing the product to acclimate at room temperature for a few hours before

opening it, to avoid causing condensation on cold internal surfaces.

After unpacking, connect the provided external power supply to an AC power source and plug the barrel

connector into the power jack on the rear panel of the Seta.

The following items are included. Please check the package and notify Channel D of any shortage:

• SetaPiccolaPreamplifier,withInternalAGMBatteriesInstalled

• InstallationandUseGuide(thisdocument)

• RCAfemaletoXLRmaleadapters

(Importantnote:pin1isopen,unlikecommercialRCAtoXLRadapters)

• External5VoltDCpowersupply,110/220Volt2-WireInput(Donotsubstitutewithadifferentpowersupply)

• PrecisionScrewdriver

• PerformanceMeasurementGraphforyourphonostage’sRIAAoutput(onlywithoptionalRIAAmodule)

Page 2

Power Indicator

Illuminates when external power is applied and the internal battery is operating normally.

TRIM Control

The TRIM control is a unique, precision trim control feature used for adjusting the cartridge inter-channel

balance. All phono cartridges have some degree of channel imbalance, and this feature allows correction

at the source, by making a ﬁne adjustment to the preampliﬁer input gain. The range of the control is

approximately ± 6 dB, adjusted with a small slotted screwdriver (provided). The neutral position is with

the slot in the brass actuator oriented vertically. Adjust the cartridge balance while playing a monophonic

record (or a record with the music mixed to the center).

If using Pure Vinyl, observe the RIAA Balance indicator and adjust the trim control until the value is

close to zero (within ± 0.2 dB is sufﬁcient). This adjustment should only need to be performed once, and

can be left alone, unless a new cartridge is later ﬁtted to your turntable. The TRIM setting is independent

of the preampliﬁer gain setting (except if the Piccola is conﬁgured for the BOOST gain setting; see

section regarding BOOST gain).

Replace Battery Indicators

When either Replace Battery indicator illuminates with a continuous red color, and remains in that state

for an hour or more, the rechargeable batteries should be replaced. For more information, see the Battery

Life / Battery Replacement section of this Installation and Use Guide. Note: in the event that the batteries

ever need replacement, it is normal for an indicator to illuminate for several hours after replacing the

batteries (in the event the replacement batteries were not fully charged). Typical battery life is 3 to 6

years, up to 20 years.

Power Connector Jack

Connect the barrel connector of the supplied power adaptor to the power input jack.

Turntable Ground Binding Post

Securely connect the separate chassis ground wire from your turntable / tonearm (if so equipped) to the

grounding lug on the rear panel of the Seta. If your turntable doesn’t have a separate grounding

connection, leave this terminal disconnected. Do not connect the turntable ground binding post terminal

to anything except the ground connection from a turntable / tonearm.

Page 3

Signal Connections

Signal connections can safely be made to the Seta while the power supply is connected and energized. Be

sure to mute the Pure Vinyl application software, if running on the computer, or otherwise mute or power

down your power ampliﬁer(s) while making signal connections, to avoid generating noises which could

damage loudspeakers.

Inputs

The Balanced XLR inputs are intended for use with balanced (twisted pair or star quad) turntable

connections. For optimum, low noise operation this is the preferred type of connection. Balanced wiring

provides better noise immunity than conventional shielded (coaxial, single conductor plus shield) cable.

Custom manufactured (with Pin 1 open) RCA to XLR adapters are included for RCA signal cable

connections. (Important: only use the supplied adapters for this purpose; all commercially manufactured

adapters short Pin 1 to Pin 3 and will cause noise and hum.)

Note: The RCA to XLR adapters introduce no signal degradation, while still permitting a direct

connection to the balanced inputs. This design provides lower noise and distortion than conventional

single ended (unbalanced) phono preampliﬁers. However, the highest performance will be obtained by

using a balanced turntable interconnect terminated with XLR connectors. Contact Channel D for

assistance in ﬁtting your turntable with balanced interconnects.

Outputs

The low impedance, balanced FLAT XLR outputs are intended for connection to the balanced inputs of a

professional audio interface / ADC, for use with Channel D’s Pure Vinyl software (for Macintosh

computers) for applying RIAA compensation (or other similar software on other computer platforms).

(Consult the Pure Vinyl software User Guide for more information.)

The optional RIAA outputs are single ended (unbalanced). These are true single ended connections

derived by summing the differential inputs with dedicated circuitry, rather than taking the short-cut of

only using the “positive” signal leg of the balanced circuit, which would provide inferior performance.

Important note about the Balanced Outputs: If using an audio interface / ADC with single-ended,

unbalanced inputs (not recommended - high quality ADCs usually provide balanced inputs), do not

connect either XLR output pin to common/ground. This will result in high levels of distortion. Here, the

correct wiring conﬁguration would be to use XLR Pin 2 as signal, XLR Pin 3 open, and XLR Pin 1 as

common/ground, if using a balanced to single ended adapter. Note: this is not the way commercially

available prewired RCA to XLR adapters are typically conﬁgured.

Internal Switch and Jumper Conﬁguration

The Seta Piccola functions as either a moving coil or moving magnet phono preampliﬁer, conﬁgured

accordingly using internal DIP switches. Each conﬁguration provides adjustable gain and loading settings.

Remove the four Philips head screws that fasten the the cover to access the conﬁguration switches and

jumpers.

Very Important: Disconnect the power supply before making any conﬁguration change

(MM to MM or vice versa, or if changing the BOOST gain setting).

Note about “Flat” preampliﬁer gain settings: the RIAA compensated gain will be 12 dB higher

than the physical gain of the preampliﬁer “ﬂat” outputs. The additional gain comes from the

RIAA compensation ﬁlter in Pure Vinyl or the optional RIAA hardware module.

Page 4

Moving Coil / Moving Magnet Conﬁguration, Gain and Load Settings

Moving Coil Conﬁguration: Slide the switches toward the white dots on the circuit board, as shown in

above photograph. The Left (as facing circuit board) DIP switch should be set so positions 1, 3, 4 and 6

are on (and 2 and 5 are off); the Right so that positions 2, 4, 5 and 7 are on (and 3 and 6 are off). See

diagram below.

MOVING COIL

43 dB (55 dB) Gain

OFF

LEFT

OFF

RIGHT

OFF

MOVING COIL

46 dB (58 dB) Gain

OFF

MOVING COIL

49 dB (61 dB) Gain

OFF

MOVING COIL

52 dB (64 dB) Gain

Moving Coil Gain: The gain is adjustable to 43, 46, 49 and 52 dB. Switch 8 (Left) and 1 (Right) boosts

the gain by 0 or 3 dB (green, above). Switch 7 (Left) and 8 (Right) boosts the gain by 0 or 6 dB (green).

Flat / RIAA Gain

43 dB / 55 dB

46 dB / 58 dB

49 dB / 61 dB

52 dB / 64 dB

Left DIP switch

7 & 8 Off

7 Off; 8 On

7 On; 8 Off

7 On; 8 On

Right DIP switch

1 & 8 Off

1 On; 8 Off

1 Off; 8 On

1 On; 8 On

Page 5

Moving Magnet Conﬁguration: Slide the switches away from the dots on the circuit board, as shown in

above photograph.

The Left (as facing circuit board) DIP switches should be set so positions 1, 3, 4 and 6 are off (and 2 and

5 are on); the Right switches so that positions 2, 4, 5 and 7 are off (and 3 and 6 are on). See diagram

below.

MOVING MAGNET

20 dB (32 dB) Gain

OFF

Switch 7 = Doesnʼt Matter

Switch 8 = Doesnʼt Matter

MOVING MAGNET

23 dB (35 dB) Gain

OFF

LEFT

RIGHT

Moving Magnet Gain: The gain is adjustable to 20 or 23 dB. Switch 8 (Left) and 1 (Right) boosts the

gain by 0 or 3 dB (green, above). Switch 7 (Left) and 8 (Right) has no effect in Moving Magnet mode.

Flat / RIAA Gain

20 dB / 32 dB

23 dB / 35 dB

Left DIP switch

8 Off

8 On

Right DIP switch

1 Off

1 On

Page 6

“BOOST 1” Gain Setting

An additional gain of 6 dB can be realized by removing all four jumpers indicated in the illustration

below. The jumpers can be removed entirely or placed in a “parking” position. To minimize noise pickup,

“park” the jumpers on the pin which is farthest from the center of the board, for each pair of pins. The

factory setting is with the jumpers bridged.

The BOOST 1 setting is intended for exceptional cartridges that have extremely low output - most

notably, ultra low impedance moving coil cartridges with ultra low (0.05 millivolts) output. For typical

operation, the jumpers should be kept in the factory supplied bridged position. Note: the TRIM setting

depends on whether or not BOOST 1 mode is used. The TRIM control range will approximately double in

BOOST 1 mode. If you change the BOOST 1 setting after adjusting TRIM, the TRIM will need to be

readjusted accordingly.

“BOOST 2” Gain Setting

An additional gain of 6 dB can be realized by removing all four jumpers indicated in the illustration

above. The jumpers can be removed entirely or placed in a “parking” position. The factory setting is with

the jumpers bridged. The BOOST 2 setting does not affect the TRIM control setting.

Gain Adjustment Advice (Recording to Digital)

The Pure Vinyl User Guide includes complete information on setting the proper preampliﬁer gain for

digital transfers when using the RIAA compensation curve in Pure Vinyl. With Pure Vinyl’s RIAA

compensation curve, the optimum signal gain becomes much less critical than if the transfer was

performed with a conventional (analog RIAA) preampliﬁer.

Brieﬂy, you should aim for “Flat” signal level peaks in Pure Vinyl between -12 and -6 dBFS, for the

music that you usually play. Provided that peaks usually reach these levels, it’s not necessary to have to

adjust the gain setting frequently, or at all. It’s prudent to allow at least 4 to 6 dB of “headroom” below

full scale, to accommodate unexpectedly loud modulation levels. (At the low end of the suggested signal

range above, be certain that a signal peak represents music and not “pops” or “clicks.”)

If your audio interface / ADC permits setting nominal input signal levels to consumer or profession-

al format (true of professional audio interfaces from Lynx, RME, etc.),ﬁrst try the consumer (“-10

dbV”) setting, in conjunction with the minimum gain setting on the Seta.

Page 7

•If signal levels remain too high, set the input of the audio interface to professional (“+4 dBu”)

format.

•If the levels are too low, increase the gain on the Seta. (For monitoring / playback, if the output

levels of your interface can be adjusted independently of the input levels, use the +4 dBu setting

for the output.)

If you’re accustomed to using conventional phonograph preampliﬁers, the available Seta gain settings may

seem somewhat lower than usual. However, they are tailored to using the Seta with Channel D Pure Vinyl’s

digital vinyl compensation curve. The required gain is about 10 to 12 dB less than needed in a conventional

phono preampliﬁer, because the signal is provided to Pure Vinyl with treble emphasis (boost) intact. (Note for

the technically knowledgeable: this turns out to be somewhat less than the maximum 20 dB boost of the RIAA

compensation curve at 20 kHz, due to the frequency balance of most music.) For example, if you would

normally use a preampliﬁer gain of 58 dB for your moving-coil cartridge, then the proper setting on the Seta

would be 46 dB. The output of the optional RIAA hardware compensation module has an overall gain 12 dB

higher than the settings listed.

Cartridge Loading: Five standard load values are available: four for moving-coil and one for moving-

magnet (plus intermediate parallel combinations for moving coil). Other values can be obtained by

inserting resistors and capacitors (with 5 mm lead spacing) into the provided circuit board R, C sockets.

Important: If using a moving magnet cartridge, be sure to place all of the MC Load DIP switches in

the Off position. The MC load values only should be used with the MC switch mode conﬁguration.

Capacitive Loading with Optional Capacitive Loading Kit for Moving Magnet (Nominal Values)

MC Load (Balanced)

100 Ohms

200 Ohms

500 Ohms

2000 Ohms

140 Ohms

70 Ohms

60 Ohms

Left LOAD DIP switch

1 On

2 On

3 On

All Off

2, 3 On

1, 2 On

All On

Right LOAD DIP switch

1 On

2 On

3 On

All Off

2, 3 On

1, 2 On

All On

MM Load (Bal. or S.E.)

47k Ohms and 150 pF

47k Ohms and 125 pF

Center Left Jumper

Bridged

Open

Center Right Jumper

Bridged

Open

Table des matières

Autres manuels Channel D Amplificateur

Channel D

Channel D Lino C 2.0 Mode d’emploi

Channel D

Channel D Lino C 3.0 Mode d’emploi

Channel D

Channel D Seta Nano Manuel d'utilisation

Channel D

Channel D Lino Manuel d'utilisation

Channel D

Channel D Seta Manuel d'utilisation

Channel D

Channel D SETA L Manuel utilisateur

Manuels Amplificateur populaires d'autres marques

ASTRO

ASTRO HVO V40 P Manuel utilisateur

Marantz

Marantz SUPERSCOPE BLA-545 Instructions de montage

NAD

NAD CI980 Manuel utilisateur

Technics

Technics SE-CH770 Manuel utilisateur

Harman Kardon

Harman Kardon HK6300 Manuel utilisateur

NAD

NAD T975 Manuel utilisateur

McIntosh

McIntosh MA6850 Manuel utilisateur

Electro-Harmonix

Electro-Harmonix ENGLISH MUFF’N Manuel utilisateur

Viatron

Viatron Autrix Manuel utilisateur

GME

GME GA9800 Manuel utilisateur

Atlas

Atlas CP700 Manuel utilisateur

Roland

Roland KC-1000 Manuel utilisateur

Pyle

Pyle PFMRA350BW Manuel utilisateur

Advantage

Advantage S-250 Manuel utilisateur

IRT Electronics

IRT Electronics DVA-3007 Manuel utilisateur

Dimavery

Dimavery BA-100 Series Manuel utilisateur

Sony

Sony XM-S400D Manuel utilisateur

Schertler

Schertler ROY X Manuel utilisateur