Krell Industries Preamplifier KBL User manual

KBL & KPA OWNERS’ MANUAL

45ConnairRoad

Orange,CT06477-0533,USA

KBL & KPA OWNERS’ MANUAL

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for your purchase of a new KRELLpreamplifier. This Owners’

Manual covers both the KBLand KPApreamplifiers, as they have been

designed to be companion pieces and can be utilized in varying

combinations. For each user there will be information that does not pertain

to their specific situation. Therefore, in the interest of clarity, details

relating to different combinations are presented in well-defined sections.

The KBLand KPArepresent significant departures from traditional

preamplifier design. The time invested in carefully reading this manual

will yield an important understanding of the functions and design features

of the units. Dueto the high level of performance of which these units are

capable, careful placement and installation are crucial. Your thorough

understanding of the operations of the KBLand KPAwill help insure their

maximum performance and long life.

ABOUT THE OWNERS’ MANUAL

The KBL/KPA Owner’s Manual is divided into various groups of

information. The purpose of the document as a whole is to familiarize you

with the units and guide you through their set-up, installation and

operation in a logical progression. The Table of Contents is as follows:

A. Serial Number(s) and Factorv-Shi~ed Confia~ration

B. General Information: a description of the basic design and performance

features of the KBLand KPA

C. Unpacking: detail of accessories shipped with the KBLand KPAin

various configurations

D. Installation: 1. Caution

2. Connector Details

3. Connector Termination Types

4. Cable Requirements for Inputs and Outputs

5. Setting of Internal Switches

6. Unit Location Guidelines and Installation

7. Connection of Inputs and Outputs

8. Turn-on of the Preamplifiers

E. Operation: 1. KPAFunctions

2. KBLFunctions

F. ,W~rranty ~nd Service Information

G. Termination Drawings

A. SERIAL NUMBERS & FACTORY-SHIPPED CONFIGURATION

KBLpreamplifier serial number was shipped from the

factory set-up for stereo operation dual-mono

operation.

Please refer to information specific to this modeof operation throughout the

manual.

Should you wish to change between stereo and monaural operation please

refer to section D. 5. This is only necessary whenchanging either unit

from stereo to monooperation.

All KPAare shipped from the factory set-up for stereo operation. Please

refer to section E. 1. d for information regarding dual-monooperation.

B. GENERAL INFORMATION

The KRELLKBL(Krell Balanced Line) and KPA(Krell Phono Amplifier)

present many new concepts in preamplifier design. The traditional

preamplifier contains both a phono section and a line section. The KBLand

KPAdivide these functions into two separate units. This was done for

several reasons. The primary motivation was to allow adequate space to

accommodatethe latest evolutions of preamplifier circuitry and functions.

These units are the current state-of-the-art. Nocompromisewas allowed in

their design. Details concerning their technical performance are covered

in more detail below, A second important consideration was to introduce

the programmable concept employed in our current KSA/KMAamplifier

line into our preamplifier line. Asingle KBLand KPAare used for stereo

operation. Asecond unit of either can be added to achieve dual-mono, fully

balanced operation. Theycan be easily changed without being returned to

the factory. There are many advantages to dual-mono operation. The

capability of the KBLand KPAto operate in either modeallows you to plan

the development of your system over time, without the waste of moneyand

time associated with trading or selling used gear. It also allows you to

optimize your system more closely to your needs. For example, if line

sources are most important, you can purchase two KBLs’,with or without a

KPA. If phono is most important you can purchase two KPA’s and one

KBLcreating a completely balanced path for the phono signal. The

ultimate configuration, of course, is two KBLand two KPA.This creates a

completely dual-mono, balanced preamplifier system for all inputs and

outputs. Other details concerning the functions of the units are covered

belowand in the Installation and Operation sections.

The method used to switch a KBLor KPAfrom stereo to dual-mono

operation is unique. For stereo operation each chassis has complete circuit

paths for the left and right channels. Whenswitched to dual-mono,

balanced operation the left channel circuitry is assigned to the non-inverted

path and the right channel circuitry is assigned to the inverted path. This

changes the rear panel connector assignments on both the KBLand KPA.

See the sections on Installation and Operation belowfor moredetails.

The KBLand KPAuse high-bias, pure Class A circuits throughout,

including the power supplies and regulators. Circuits are DCcoupled,

meaning there are no capacitors in the signal path. The power supply

system and output circuits are extremely high-power when compared with

conventional preamplifier designs. The output section of the KBL,for

example, is really a small power amplifier, capable of swinging 60 volts

peak-to-peak. This allows the KBLto maintain exceptional linearity under

all conditions and drive virtually any length of cable without signal

degradation. The external supply has two stages of regulation. Within

each preamp chassis there are independent tracking regulators for each

section of circuitry, separated channel-to-channel.

The KPAhas completely passive RIAAequalization. Maximumdeviation

from the standard is +/- .1 dB from 10Hz to 20KHz. All parts are 1%

tolerance.

Both preamplifiers have innovative operational features. The KBLhas two

balanced inputs and one set of balanced outputs in addition to four single-

ended inputs and one set of single-ended outputs. This allows one KBLto

accommodatebalanced line sources and amplifiers, which Krell believes to

be the standard for high-end audio gear. Therefore, it is only necessary to

purchase a second KBLto achieve dual-mono, fully balanced operation.

The KBLinput labeling is a departure from the norm as well. Instead of

the conventional "phono, tuner, tape, aux, etc." wehave labeled the inputs

B-l, B-2, S-l, S-2, S-3, S-4. Theserefer to BalancedInput #1, BalancedInput

#2, Single-ended Input #1, etc. Components in audio systems today are

unpredictable. This input labeling allows KBLSelector can to be set-up or

changedby each user to create the order he desires.

The KBLhas front panel adjustments for output gain and absolute phase.

The Gain switch provides a course adjustment to compensate for systems of

different efficiencies and for level differences in source components.

The KPAhas inputs for two different cartridges. There is a front panel

switch to adjust between the gains required for moving coil and moving

magnet cartridges. Adjustment for cartridge impedance loading is on the

front panel as well. Perhaps the most interesting features on the KPAare

the front panel adjustments for high and low RIAAtrim. These allow you

to tailor the RIAAequalization to specific records in small increments.

Single-ended/Balanced switching are also on the front panel.

C. UNPACKING

Remove the units from the shipping container. Keep the shipping

materials in a safe, dry place for future use. Thefollowing is a list of the

materials that are included in the packaging.

1 each: preamplifier chassis

KBLpower supply with DCcable installed

ACline cord

"T" shaped Allen driver

Spare fuse for the powersupply

Owner’s Manual

1 KBL~ 1 KPA~acked together

I each: KBL& KPApreamplifier chassis

KBLpower supply with DCcable installed

ACline cord

DCjumper cable (KBLto KPA)

"T" shaped Allen driver

Spare fuse for the powersupply

Owner’s Manual

1 KP~without _vower supvlv

1 each: preamplifier chassis

DCjumper cable (KBLto KPA)

"T" shaped Allen driver

Owner’s Manual

1 KPAwith~owersu~pl_v

1 each: preamplifier chassis

KPApower supply with ACand DCcables attached

DCjumper cable (KBLto KPA)*not used whenthe

dedicated KPAsupply is used*

"T" shaped Allen driver

Owner’s Manual

Inspect the unit(s) and powersupply(s) for damage.If any is evident, or

some of the accessories are missing, contact your dealer or the factory

immediately. If everything is in order you can proceed with the next steps.

D, IN/~TALLATION

1. Cautions

Note: These are important points of which you should always be aware.

Theyare presented before the actual installation procedures, should you

not read through the Manualentirely.

a. Wheninstalling the KBLalways connect the DCcable between the

preamp chassis and the power supply before plugging the power supply

into the ACmains.

b. When installing a KBL/KPAcombination ~ connect the DC

cables between the KPAand the KBL, and between the power supply

and the KBLbefore plugging the power supply into the ACmains.

c. ~ disconnect the ACfrom the mains before disconnecting the

DCcable(s) from the preamp(s).

d. A single KPAcannot be operated in balanced mode. The "Balanced"

push-button should not be activated unless two KPAare used.

e. These points are true for both the initial installation of the KBLor

KPAand for revisions of your system that require their relocation.

2. Connector Details

This section, with sections 3 &4 below, presents all details necessary to

make or modify cables for use with all combinations of the KBLand KPA.

After reading these sections, check all the cables you intend to use to make

sure they are appropriate for your installation.

a..Gener~:[ .. Information

Different configurations of the KBLand KPArequire different cable

terminations. The connector assignments for the KBLand KPAinputs

and outputs are given.

b. KBLConnector Assignments: B-l, B-l: female 3-pin XLR

S-l, S-2, S-3, S-4: female RCA

Record Outputs : 2 sets, female RCA

Main Outputs: 1 set on female RCA

1 set on 3-pin maleXLR

c. KPA(~)nnector Assi~arnment: All are female RCA

3. Connector Termination _T~es

For all terminations: Makesure wire color and pin numbers match at both

ends of the cable.

a. Standard RCATermination; uses either coax cable or two-conductor

coaxial cable:

Center pin = audio signal

Outer ring = ground: when using two-conductor coax cable one

center conductor is connected to the outer ring at both ends; the

shield is connected to the outer ring at only one end. This end should

be markedand used at the input end of the cable. For example, this

end would go, to the amplifier whenthe cable is run from preampto

amp.

Used for all RCAinputs and outputs on the KPAand the KBLwhen

operated with single-ended components.

Dta.ndar.d XL.I~T¢rmination: uses two-conductor coa~al qable:

Pin 1 = ground

Pin 2 = non-inverted signal (also called 0 or + signal)

Pin 3 = inverted signal (also called 180 or - signal)

Used on inputs B-l, B-2 and Main Output of the KBLwhen used in

either stereo or dual-re, no.

All Krell Industries and Krell Digital products use this pin-out for

inputs and outputs.

c. Balanced RCATerminatiom uses two-conductor coaxial cable:

See Drawing1 at the rear of the Manualfor details.

1 pr. of RCAconnectors are used on each end of the cable with this

termination; 4 prs. total are used if this termination is used at both

ends.

RedRCACenter pin = first cable center conductor (0 ,or +)

White RCACenter pin = second cable center conductor (180 or -)

Outer Ring, both RCA= shield from around the two center

conductors

Used for inputs S-I, S-2, S-3, S-4, Record Outputs, and the Main

output of the KBLwhenoperated in dual-mono.

Used for both inputs and the Main output of the KPAwhen used in

dual-mono.

Can be used between two KPAsand two KBLsoperating in dual-mono.

d. Balanced RCAto XLRTermination; uses two-conductor coaxial

cable

See drawing2 at the rear of the Manualfor details.

2 prs. RCAand I pr XLRconnectors are used on each pair of

audio cables

The XLRend uses the termination detailed in section b above;

the RCAend uses the termination detailed in section c above.

Pin 2 on the XLRis the non-inverted signal and is soldered to the red

RCA;Pin 3 on the XLRis the inverted signal and is soldered to the

white RCA.

Can be used between two KPAand two KBLoperating in dual-mono.

e. Balanc~ KPAInput Termination; uses two-conductor coaxial cable.

See Drawing3 at the rear of the Manualfor details.

2 prs. of RCAconnectors are used for each cable; 4 prs. total.

This is a special termination that allows for a balanced input from

the cartridge to two KPAs.There is no other use for this termination.

4. Cable Requirements for Inputs and Outputs

Readthe portions of sections a and b belowthat pertain to your system for

the specific cable terminations required.

If you are adding to your system you may need to change some cable

terminations to take full advantage of dual-mono, balanced operation.

ao S_vstemConfi~urationfl~ermination s

Unit(s) Inputs

One KBL B-1 &B-2

S-l, S-2, S-3, S-4

Outputs

Record 1 &2

Main on RCA

Main on XLR

Terminations

male, b

male, a

female, b

One KPA 1 &2 Main male, a

Unit(s) Inputs Outputs Termina~0n~

Two KBL *B-1 &B-2

S-1,S-2, S-3, S-4 Record 1 &2

Main on RCA

*Main on XLR

male, b

female, b

*Only the left connectors are operational in dual-mono; the right

connectors are disabled.

Two KPA 1 &2 e

Two KPA Main c

b. Specific KPAto KBLCable Requirements

Unit(s)

One KPAto one or two KBLs

TwoKPAsto one or two KBLs

5. Setting of Internal Switches

Terminations

a both ends

c both ends

d, w/male XLR(KBL end)

Please read this section to determine if you have the need or desire to

change the internal switches.

a. KBLStereo~D~al-M0n0 ~witches

These switches are used to change the KBLbetween stereo and mono

operation. Their most commonuse is to change an existing KBLfrom

stereo to dual-mono wheninstalling a second KBLfor dual-mono. There

is one double-toggle, two-position dip switch between the input

connectors for B-1 (SW6)and for B-2 (SW7); there is a third near

balanced output connectors (SW8).

All three switches mu@tbe set the same. They are not to be set in any

other combination.

-Positions C2&C4depressed are for stereo operation.

-Positions C1&C3depressed are for monooperation.*

*In dual-mono operation only the lef~ XLReQnneqt0r~ are operational;

the right connectors are disabled. All RCAconnectors remain

operational, but with different functions. See section D3, Connector

Terminations, belowfor details.

b. KBLIndicator LEDswitch

The Symmetry LEDson the KBLcan be disabled. Their function is

unrelated to stereo or monooperation. The switch located just forward

of SW8in the right, rear of the unit, controls this function.

Positions 1 &2 depressed allow the LEDsto light.

Both switches depressed to "Open"disable the LEDs.

6. Unit Location Guideline~ and Installation

Before installation of your KBL/KPA(s)and power supply(s) we recommend

that you follow these guidelines in choosing proper locations for the units.

This will help insure a trouble-free installation and maximum

performance of the preamps.

All associated equipmentshould be turned off at this point.

a. Preamplifier Location Guidelines

1. The KBLand KPAmeasure 19" wide, 13" deep, 2.5" high.

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