Krell Industries Evolution 202 Quick start guide

OWNER’S REFERENCE

EVOLUTION

EVOLUTION 202

STEREO PREAMPLIFIER

THE LEADER IN AUDIO ENGINEERING

Evolution 202 Stereo Preamplifier

Owner’s Reference, v06.0

Krell Industries, Inc.

45 Connair Road

Orange, CT 06477-3650 USA

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

(73/23/EEC).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read Instructions.

2. Keep these Instructions.

3. Heed all Warnings.

4. Follow all Instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with dry cloth.

7. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appa-

ratus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

8. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

9. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus

has been damaged in any way,such as a power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has

been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to

rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

10. The Evolution 202 preamplifier must be placed on a firm, level surface where it is not exposed

to dripping or splashing.

11. The ventilation grids on the top of the Evolution 202 preamplifier and the space underneath the

Evolution 202 preamplifier must be unobstructed at all times during operation. Do not place

flammable material above or beneath the preamplifier.

12. Before making connections to the Evolution 202 preamplifier, ensure that the power is off and

other components arein mute or stand-by mode. Make sureall cable terminations are of the

highest quality, free from frayed ends, short circuits, or cold solder joints.

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

can seriously damage your computer.

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

15. THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE AN EVOLUTION 202 PREAMPLIFIER.

Please contact Krell if you have questions not addressed in this guide.

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. Evolution Bias™is a trademark of Krell Industries, Inc. and is a Krell technology

based on U.S. Patent No. 5,331,291. CAN Link™, CAST™, Evolution CAST™, and Krell Current Mode™are trademarks of Krell Industries,

Inc. All other trademarks are registered to their respective companies.

TEL 203-298-4000

FAX 203-891-2028

E-MAIL [email protected]

WEBSITE http://www.krellonline.com

Contents

List of Illustrations, page 4

ALetter from Dan D’Agostino, page 5

SECTION ONE: Evolution 202 Features and Technology, page 6

Features, Revolutionary Krell CAST Technology,

Definition of Terms

SECTION TWO: Unpacking and Placement, page 11

Opening the Evolution 202 Shipping Carton

SECTION THREE: Quick Start, page 13

Connecting the Evolution 202 to Your System,

Operating the Evolution 202

SECTION FOUR: Anatomy of the Evolution 202, page 15

Front Panel Description, Remote Control Description,

Battery Installation, and Back Panel Description

SECTION FIVE: Connecting the Evolution 202 to Your System, page 26

Input and Output Connections, Connection Steps

SECTION SIX: Evolution 202 Operation, page 28

On/Off and Stand-by Operation

SECTION SEVEN: Customizing the Evolution 202, page 29

Navigation Conventions, Menu Functions

SECTION EIGHT: Troubleshooting System Noise, page 43

WARRANTY, page 44

RETURN AUTHORIZATION PROCEDURE, page 46

SPECIFICATIONS, page 47

List of Illustrations

Figure 1, page 15

Evolution 202 Preamplifier and Power Supply Front Panels

Inset Preamplifier and Power Supply Stacked View

Figure 2, page 19

Evolution 202 Remote Control

Figure 3, page 22

Evolution 202 Preamplifier and Power Supply Back Panels

ALetter from Dan D’Agostino

Dear Audio Enthusiast,

Thank you for your purchase of the Krell Evolution 202 preamplifier.

The preamplifier plays a vital role in audio playback by mediating the line-level out-

put of a wide variety of source components in preparation for the amplifier’s input.

At no other point in the reproduction process is music so vulnerable to change, as

the signal level is small, and susceptible to noise and distortion.

Having always valued the role of the preamplifier in fine audio systems, I take pre-

amplifier design very seriously. I realize that, no matter how impressive an amplifi-

er’s performance; it can be no better than that of the preamplifier driving it.

My new Evolution 202 preamplifier employs a powerful, separate power supply,

Krell Current Mode gain stages from input to output, and Current Audio Signal

Transmission (CAST) receivers and transmitters. Utilizing these powerful technolo-

gies, the Evolution 202 conveys the complete range of timbre and dynamics that

comprise the foundation musical performance. Typical of my latest preamplifier

designs, the Evolution 202 preamplifier includes a thoughtful suite of menu

options and can be customized for the greatest ease of operation.

Ihope that you enjoy your new Evolution 202 preamplifier.

Sincerely,

Daniel D’Agostino

Chief Executive Officer

SECTION ONE

Evolution 202 Features and Technology

This section describes the innovative features and technology of the Evolution 202

preamplifier, and defines CAST and other key terms used in this reference.

The Evolution 202 Stereo Preamplifier, evolving from the flagship Evolution Two,

works to carefully transmit audio signals without damaging the ephemeral staging

and dimensional components of the music. The Evolution 202 is a two chassis

design with a separate power supply that isolates the critical audio stages for the

lowest possible noise floor. A combination of advanced technologies and inspired

design elevate the Evolution 202 preamplifier’s performance to the reference level.

Features

Preamplifier

The Evolution 202 has a 1 MHz open loop bandwidth in a zero feedback, bal-

anced Krell Current Mode design, terminating in Evolution CAST ™. CAST inputs

and outputs drive a newly designed current mode balanced input stage. Class A,

balanced circuitry is used throughout. Cascoded, current mirror input and output

stages utilize an LED voltage reference to achieve an exceptionally linear state of

operation.

There is no feedback employed anywhere in the design. A digitally controlled, ana-

log volume control is accomplished entirely in the current domain. The bandwidth

and transient response through this circuit is virtually unaffected by the volume

setting. A new, Krell-designed digital control circuit monitors and optimizes the

preamplifier’s operating parameters.

Power Supply

The separate power supply makes extensive use of electrical and magnetic

shielding to keep radiated interference out of critical preamplifier circuits. Internal

line conditioning circuitry filters RF noise on the AC power, and compensates for

asymmetric power waveforms and DC on the mains.

Power for the preamplifier’s analog stages comes from a large 170 VA toroidal

transformer, with four 8-amp bridge rectifiers and 39,600 microfarads of filter

capacitance. A dedicated 90 VA toroidal transformer powers the preamplifier’s

digital control circuitry. The preamplifier has as much power supply capability as

many stereo power amplifiers.

In stand-by mode, all the analog circuitry continues to operate at the same bias

current; however, the main analog supply voltages decrease by 30 percent. The

result is a corresponding 30 percent reduction in power consumption and heat

without the need to wait for the electronics to “warm up” before listening.

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.

The 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 characteris-

tics 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 transmission unifies individual components and inter-

connects into an electrically-linked whole. The original signal remains unaltered

from source to speaker.

CAST Basics

Here is 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, circuit board

properties and signal transmission aberrations between components are eliminat-

ed. 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 compo-

nents, 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,

continued

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. Krell Current Mode technology enjoys bandwidth increases up to an

order of magnitude greater than their voltage based counterparts. This dramatic

increase in circuit bandwidth delivers near perfection in the audible band that typi-

cally suffers from phase distortions in voltage circuits.

CAST Cable Construction

A CAST system uses cables manufactured by Krell and other manufacturers spe-

cially 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 devel-

oped for every CAST cable made.

Evolution CAST

By employing radical current mirror circuitry, the Evolution 202 components ele-

vate the CAST technology to another level. This advanced use of the technology

increases the linearity, transient speed, and bandwidth of the Evolution compo-

nents while reducing the distortion by an order of magnitude.

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 expres-

sion of technology to date.

(SECTION ONE: Evolution 202 Features and Technology continued)

Definition of Terms

The following are definitions of key terms used in this owner’s reference:

Inputs and Outputs

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 profes-

sional 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.

CAST and Evolution CAST

Krell Current Audio Signal Transmission, or CAST, is a proprietary Krell circuit tech-

nology for connecting analog components, transmitting the audio waveform

between components in the current domain rather than in the voltage domain. The

speed and bandwidth provided by Krell CAST and its circuitry update, Evolution

CAST, yield accurate, realistic music reproduction, enabling connected compo-

nents to perform as if they are all part of a single circuit.

Single-ended

A two-wire input or output circuit. Single-ended connections are not recommend-

ed for connections requiring long cable runs. Use care when using single-ended

connections, because the ground connection is made last and broken first. Turn

the system off/on prior to making or breaking single-ended connections.

Operation

Off

When the stand-by/power LEDs are not illuminated, the preamplifier is off.

Stand-by

A low-power-consumption status that keeps the audio and regulator circuits at

idle. The stand-by/power LEDs are illuminated in red, when the preamplifier is in

stand-by mode. Krell recommends leaving the preamplifier in stand-by mode when

it is not playing music.

Operation

When the standby/power LEDs are illuminated in blue, the preamplifier is in opera-

tional mode and ready to play music.

continued

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.

(SECTION ONE: Definition of Terms continued)

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