INPUT:
The control that is farthest left is the INPUT selector. The Chorale has a total of six inputs including
phono (labeled P), a balanced line input (B), and four single-ended line inputs (1, 2, 3, 4).
P (PHONO): P selects the phono input to which the output from a cartridge/tonearm/turntable
should be connected. Within the Chorale preamplier the gain and input impedance of the phono
section are programmable to accommodate any cartridge.
This preamplier has been set to 60dB of gain with 50kOhms / 220pf loading in the phono stage.
Instructions for making changes to these settings are contained at the end of this Owner’s Sheet.
Phono performance is enhanced since the RIAA circuitry is buered from all loading by the
1MegOhms buer amps. The Chorale may be ordered with or without phono section activated.
B (Balanced): B selects the balanced input which makes possible the major advantages of balanced
lines for any source component. Although balanced outputs provide 6dB more level and other
potential advantages, balanced inputs alone allow common mode rejection. Even with unbalanced
drive they can oer good rejection if used correctly. Within the Chorale preamplier the gain and
input impedance of the balanced line inputs are programmable to accommodate any source.
LEVEL:
Centered on the face plate is the output level control. The output level is at its lowest position,
no variable output, when the indicator line is centered at the bottom of the knob. Output level is
variable between lower than -40dB of the source signal at the softest level and greater than +10dB
of the source signal at the loudest level.
Only the highest quality parts are used throughout the Chorale preamplier and it contains
many parts not found in any other preamplier on the market. Sometimes this has required us
to invent a part that does not have an equal otherwise. For more than 25 years, the 59 position
Cello volume control has set the standard for sonic excellence, reliability, and precision tracking.
Matthew James’Showroom has changed the contact material of the wiper in this control from
what was used previously to a silver alloy that contains 10% gold and 10% platinum developed for
guidance systems for military hardware and satellite communications. Its resistance to corrosion
and tarnish made it attractive to us and it is guaranteed for 50 years of continual service with stable
contact resistance for low noise. The latest generation of this continues to set the standard for sonic
excellence, reliability, and precision tracking as it has for more than 25 years. Remote control of any
kind diminished performance and so could not be included.
This decision, freeing us from consideration of remote control, in turn led to our being able to
consider the large, hand soldered rotary switches that are used for input selection and monitoring
functions available on the left side of the faceplate, and for the individual balance/gain controls
available on the right side of the faceplate.
These switches oer superior performance and reliability through positive indexing and electrical
contact systems. While other types of switches allow for sources to be selected and volume to be
controlled via remote control, none of these oer the sonic excellence of the switches chosen.
Again, any convenience, which detracted from sonic performance, was not considered for inclusion
in the Chorale.
