Krell Industries KCT Manuel utilisateur

KCT

Krell Current Tunnel

CAST Preamplifier

Instructions for Use

Owner’s Reference

THE LEADER IN AUDIO ENGINEERING

KCT

Krell Current Tunnel

CAST Preamplifier

v 01.0

Krell Industries, Inc.

45 Connair Road

Orange, CT 06477-3650 USA

TEL 203-799-9954

FAX 203-891-2028

E-MAIL [email protected]

WEBSITE http://www.krellonline.com

This product is manufactured in the United States of America. Krell ® is a registered trademark of Krell Industries, Inc., and is restricted for use by Krell

Industries, Inc., its subsidiaries, and authorized agents. Sustained Plateau Bias III™ is a trademark of Krell Industries, Inc. and is a Krell technology based

on U.S. Patent No. 5,331,291. CAST™, CAST II™, Krell Current Mode™, Krell Link™, and Theater Throughput™ are trademarks of Krell Industries, Inc.

All other trademarks and tradenames are registered to their respective companies.

This product complies with the EMC directive (89/336/EEC) and the low-voltage directive (73/23/EEC).

WARNINGS

The preamplifier must be placed on a firm, level surface where it is not exposed to dripping or splashing.

The ventilation grids on the top of the preamplifier and the space underneath the preamplifier must be

unobstructed at all times during operation. Do not place flammable material above or beneath the preampli-

fier.

Before making connections to the preamplifier, ensure that the power is off and other components are in mute

or stand-by mode. Make sure all cable terminations are of the highest quality, free from frayed ends, short cir-

cuits, or cold solder joints.

Do not connect an RS-232 cable to the phono power port. Output from the phono power port could seriously

damage your computer. Do not connect the cable from a Krell KPE phono stage to the RS-232 port.

THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE THE PREAMPLIFIER

Please contact your authorized Krell dealer, distributor, or Krell if you have any questions not addressed in

this manual.

Krell Current Tunnel iii

Contents Page

INTRODUCTION 1

DEFINITION OF TERMS 1

REVOLUTIONARY KRELL CAST TECHNOLOGY 3

UNPACKING 5

PLACEMENT 5

AC Power Guidelines 5

QUICK START 6

FRONT PANEL DESCRIPTION 9

BACK PANEL DESCRIPTION 12

REMOTE CONTROL DESCRIPTION 15

Battery Installation and Removal 15

CONNECTING THE KCT PREAMPLIFIER TO YOUR SYSTEM 18

Input and Output Connections 18

KRELL LINK CONNECTIONS AND OPERATION 19

TAPE INPUT AND OUTPUT 20

OPERATING THE KCT PREAMPLIFIER 21

On/Off and Stand-by Operation 21

Main Zone and Zone 2 Operation 22

TROUBLESHOOTING SYSTEM NOISE 25

CUSTOMIZING THE KCT PREAMPLIFIER 26

Z1 and Z2 Balance 26

Input Name Menu 26

Input Level Trim 27

Input Balance Trim 27

Theater (Throughput) Mode 28

Brightness 29

Mute Menu 29

Output Trigger Setup 29

Tape Output Menu 30

iv Krell Current Tunnel

Contents, continued Page

AC Mains Menu 30

Program Remote Menu 31

Input Trigger Setup 31

Setup Memory 32

Krell Link 32

Trigger Delay Setup 33

Exit Menu 33

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 34

WARRANTY 35

RETURN AUTHORIZATION PROCEDURE 36

SPECIFICATIONS 37

List of Illustrations

Figure 1 The KCT Front Panel 8

Figure 2 The KCT Back Panel 11

Figure 3 The KCT Remote Control 14

Krell Current Tunnel 1

Introduction

Thank you for your purchase of the Krell Current Tunnel (KCT) CAST Preamplifier. The

KCT features Krell Current Tunnel topology and Krell CAST technology, which work

together to reproduce music with unparalleled sound quality. The KCT has dual zone

capability for listening to music from different input devices at the same time, or listening

to one input device while recording another. Each zone has its own volume and balance

control.

Step-by-step menu options allow you to customize the KCT for ease of use and

seamless integration into your system. Remote control features include a handheld

remote control, which accesses all preamplifier functions as well as the compact disc

functions on Krell compact disc players. The KCT also features Krell Link, RS-232 and

12 VDC (12 Volt trigger) remote control inputs for a variety of system control options. A

menu-driven program remote option allows you to send KCT operating commands to a

learning or programmable remote control.

A front panel display provides feedback on input and zone status, menu function and

selection, and all preamplifier operations.

This owner’s reference manual contains important information on the placement,

installation, and operation of your KCT preamplifier. Please read this information

carefully. A thorough understanding of these details will help ensure satisfactory

operation and long life for your KCT and related system components.

Definition of Terms

Following are the definitions of key terms used in your owner’s reference manual.

CONFIGURATIONS

Krell Link

A method of synchronizing remote control operation for Krell systems that include

multiple preamplifiers, amplifiers, and associated components. When Krell Link in/out

connections are used, the remote capabilities of the linked components are controlled

from one component, called the control component. The linked components respond to

stand-by and operational mode commands from the control component via MIDI cables.

Theater Throughput

Theater Throughput is a Krell configuration option that allows the signal from a surround

preamp/processor to pass through a Krell preamplifier or integrated amplifier with no

gain, for integrated volume and balance management of Krell home theater systems.

2 Krell Current Tunnel

INPUT AND OUTPUT CONNECTIONS

Balanced

A symmetrical input or output circuit that has equal impedance from both input terminals

to a common ground reference point. The industry standard for professional and sound

recording installations, balanced connections have 6 dB more gain than single-ended

connections and allow the use of long interconnect cables. Balanced connections are

completely immune to induced noise from the system or the environment.

Krell Current Audio Signal Transmission (CAST)

A proprietary Krell circuit technology for connecting analog components, in which the

audio waveform is transmitted between components in the current rather than voltage

domain. The speed and bandwidth provided by Krell CAST yields accurate, realistic

music reproduction. Krell components connected via CAST perform as if they are all

part of a single circuit.

Single-ended

A two-wire input or output circuit. Use care when using single-ended connections as the

ground connection is made last and broken first. Turn the system off prior to making or

breaking single-ended connections. Single-ended connections are not recommended

for connections requiring long cable runs.

OPERATION

Off

When the power button on the front panel is pressed and the blue power LED turns off,

the component is off.

Operational Mode

When the power button on the front panel is pressed and the blue power LED

illuminates, the component is in the operational mode and ready to play music.

Stand-by Mode

A low power consumption status that keeps the audio and regulator circuits at idle. Krell

recommends leaving the component in the stand-by mode when it is not playing music.

TECHNOLOGY

Krell Current Mode

A proprietary Krell circuit topology in which the audio gain stages of a component

operate in the current rather than voltage domain. This unique technology provides the

component with exceptional speed and a wide bandwidth.

Krell Sustained Plateau Bias II

A proprietary Krell digital circuit that continually monitors the input signal and speaker

impedance and adjusts the bias accordingly to ensure Class A operation. Sustained

Plateau Bias II provides the enormous sonic benefits of continuous Class A operation

while minimizing the heat generation and power consumption normally associated with

Class A designs.

Krell Current Tunnel 3

Revolutionary Krell CAST Technology

Current Audio Signal Transmission, termed CAST, is a revolutionary method of

connecting analog audio components for unparalleled sonic performance. Innovative

engineering combines the new Krell CAST circuitry with existing Krell Current Mode

technology to create entire CAST systems that reproduce music with incredible range,

tonality, and precision.

Voltage Signal Transmission and the Traditional Audio System

Traditionally, signal is transmitted in the voltage domain between two components. In an

audio system, each component is a discrete entity with unique characteristics that act

upon the musical signal independently. Each component is unaware of the other

components in the system. The cables that connect the components also have their

own electrical characteristics, which affect the sonic presentation of the entire system.

CAST: A New Approach

CAST circuitry recognizes signal transmitted in the current domain instead of the

voltage domain between each component. CAST transmission unifies individual

components and their interconnects into an electrically linked whole. The sonic

presentation of the entire system remains intact.

CAST Basics

Here’s how a CAST audio system works. Internally, each CAST source transfers, or

amplifies, current using Krell Current Mode circuitry. This current signal is then output

using CAST circuitry. When the signal is received by a CAST input, Krell Current Mode

circuitry again takes over until the signal reaches the loudspeaker. By maintaining the

musical signal in the current domain from beginning to end, an entire CAST system

behaves as if it is one component. With CAST, anomalies of signal transmission

between components are eliminated. Cable impedances and their effects on the

transmitted signal are non-existent.

How CAST and Krell Current Mode Interact

While CAST is a new method of transferring the musical signal between components,

its origin stems from Krell Current Mode, the technology developed to transfer the

musical signal within a component. CAST combined with Krell Current Mode takes

circuitry signal transmission to the next evolutionary level. In essence, Krell Current

Mode maintains the integrity of the signal within the component and CAST preserves

the transmitted signal between components. Together, CAST and Krell Current Mode

technologies unify separate Krell components into a single global circuit.

CAST Cable Construction

A CAST system uses cables manufactured by Krell and other manufacturers specially

licensed by Krell. Thin and flexible CAST cables are constructed with the same build

quality as other Krell components and are aesthetically matched to the components that

Krell manufactures. An all-metal body and locking connectors with gold contacts are

part of the standard no-compromise specification developed for every CAST cable

made.

4 Krell Current Tunnel

The Best Musical Performance

When you operate a CAST system, you will hear significant improvements in every

performance area: speed, precision, dynamic range, depth and width of the sound

stage, transient impact, tonal balance, harmonic distortion, and more. The goal for

CAST is the same company goal used for all Krell products. Krell strives for the delivery

of the best performance of a musical event for you, using the full expression of

technology to date.

Krell Current Tunnel 5

Unpacking

1. Open the box and remove the top layer of foam. You see these items:

1 Krell Current Tunnel (KCT) CAST Preamplifier

1 power cord

1 12 VDC (12 Volt trigger) cable

1 remote control

2 batteries for remote control

1 T-10 Torx wrench for remote control

1 packet of information containing the Owner’s Reference and the Warranty

Registration Card

2. Carefully remove the unit and accessories from the box. Remove the foam end caps

and protective plastic wrap from the unit.

Notes

If any of these items are not included, please contact your authorized Krell dealer,

distributor, or Krell immediately for assistance.

Save all packing materials. If you must ship your preamplifier in the future, repack the

unit in its original packaging to prevent transit damage. See Return Authorization

Procedure, on page 36.

Placement

Before you install the KCT preamplifier into your system, review the following guidelines

to select the location for your component. This will facilitate a clean, trouble-free

installation. The KCT does not require a special rack or cabinet for installation. See

Specifications, on page 37, for the dimensions of the KCT.

The KCT requires at least two inches (5 cm) of clearance on each side and at least two

inches (5 cm) of clearance above the component to provide adequate ventilation.

Installations inside cabinetry may need extra ventilation.

AC POWER GUIDELINES

The KCT has superb regulation and does not require a dedicated AC circuit. Avoid

connections through extension cords or multiple AC adapters. High quality 15 amp

grounded AC strips are acceptable. High quality AC line conditioners or filters can be

used if they are grounded and meet or exceed the unit’s power supply rating of 100 VA.

6 Krell Current Tunnel

Quick Start

To access the full array of available features for the KCT preamplifier, please read the

entire owner’s reference manual. The abbreviated procedures in this Quick Start section

will allow you to connect and operate the KCT quickly and enjoy its basic features

before you read the entire manual. Numbers in parentheses refer to Figure 1 on page 8,

Figure 2 on page 11, and Figure 3 on page 14.

Connecting the KCT Preamplifier

1. Neatly organize the wiring between the KCT and all system components. Separate

AC wires from audio cables to prevent hum or other unwanted noise from being

introduced into the system.

2. Connect the CAST cables from the left and right Krell CAST 4-pin inputs (20) on the

KCT back panel to the CAST-equipped output of your source equipment. For

balanced or single-ended operation, connect the interconnect cables from either the

left and right balanced (17), single-ended (18) or tape (19) inputs to the balanced,

single-ended, or tape output of your source equipment.

Important

Connecting non-CAST components to CAST inputs or outputs can damage your

equipment and void your warranty. Do not attempt to alter CAST cable ends or CAST

inputs or outputs. It is electrically impossible to convert CAST input/output chassis

mount connectors for balanced or single-ended operation.

Please read the Warranty, on page 35, to understand the warranty limitations of the

KCT.

3. Connect the CAST (23), balanced or single-ended (22) main zone outputs on the

KCT back panel to your amplifier(s).

4. Connect the balanced (24) or single-ended (25) zone 2 outputs on the KCT back

panel to your amplifier(s).

5. To power on, connect the AC power cord to the IEC power connector (31), then plug

the AC power cord into the wall. KRELL KCT appears in the front panel display (13),

indicating that the preamplifier is initializing. After initializing is complete, the KCT is in

the stand-by mode. The red stand-by LED (2) illuminates.

Operating the KCT Preamplifier

After the KCT is connected to your system and to AC power, you can begin operation.

Steps for basic operation follow:

IMPORTANT

Always mute or fully attenuate the preamplifier level when switching between active

sources (such as a CD player, tape monitor, or VCR).

Do not change the input connections to the preamplifier while the preamplifier is on.

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