Bel Canto Design Stereo Amplifier PHONO 1 User Manual

Bel Canto Design  
PHONO 1  
Low Noise Solid State Phono Preamplifier  
User's Guide and  
Operating Information  
Bel Canto Design • 212 Third Avenue North – Suite 345 • Minneapolis, MN  
55401  
Phone: (612) 317.4550 • Fax: (612) 359.9358 • Email: [email protected]mAug.2000  
 
Bel Canto Design grew from the quest to achieve the ultimate  
musical satisfaction from an audio system. This quest began with the discovery of  
the inherent sonic qualities and musical performance potential of a nearly  
forgotten technology, the single-ended triode amplifier. The ability of this type of  
amplifier to recreate the musical experience and evoke a powerful emotional  
response in the listener, much like the live event, inspired the development of the  
SET line of amplifiers through the ultimate expression of this technology. The  
SET circuit was developed for use as both a cornerstone for a modern audio  
system and as a reference tool to explore the reasons behind the single-ended  
triode amplifier's uniquely musical attributes.  
For more than ten years this effort has continued and the  
result is a unique line of fine audio amplifiers and preamplifier that are designed  
to embody the unparalleled musical reproduction of the single-ended triode  
architecture. Bel Canto Design's goal simply to provide the most expressive and  
powerful musical experience outside of the live event and bring some of the  
greatest musicians and their performances into the intimacy of your home.  
Bel Canto Design  
PHONO Owner's Manual  
Page 3  
 
Design Features  
A classic architecture had been chosen to  
provide a firm foundation for the RIAA  
equalization and gain stages of the Phono1.  
The first stage of filtering drives eight (4)  
individual regulators providing power  
to the analog circuits, where audio grade  
electrolytic and film bypass capacitors  
The RIAA uses a robust series EQ architecture  
with high precision, low noise, high linearity  
resistors and high precision polypropylene film  
and foil construction capacitors for optimum  
signal transfer. The Moving Magnet gain is in the  
RIAA Equalization stage, using the latest ultra  
low distortion, low noise monolithic preamplifier  
device. This device combines extremely low  
distortion with low offset, noise and high output  
drive capability to be a transparent conduit for  
the musical signal. The high performance gain  
and equalization setting RC elements dominate  
the musical signature of this MM/EQ stage,  
leading to a detailed yet musical presentation.  
The MM/EQ stage provides 40 dB of 1kHz gain.  
complement the active regulation stages. A  
highly isolated power transformer, oversized by  
10X provides extremely low-noise and robust  
raw power to feed the precision regulators.  
The input impedance, gain and relative noise  
levels can be optimized for virtually any  
cartridge available. This is achieved through the  
use of gas tight gold jumpers and precision  
miniature switches to simplify the optimization  
for virtually any cartridge.  
The elegant simplicity of the signal path allows  
the Phono1 to preserve the entire audio signal.  
The MC gain stage is connected optionally  
before the MM/EQ stage and provides extremely  
low noise and low distortion, again using high  
performance resistors for gain setting and  
adjustable input loading. The MC stage is  
connected into the circuit using gas tight gold  
jumpers, these jumpers also are used to set the  
MC stage gain at 14 or 20 dB. This provides up  
to 60 dB of 1 kHz gain for use with low output  
MC cartridges.  
Warm Up  
The Phono1's sonic performance will start to  
stabilize after approximately forty (40) hours of  
continuous power up.  
No coupling capacitors are used in the signal  
path, removing this source of signal  
degradation. A servo is used around the MM/EQ  
stage to insure low DC offset for direct coupling  
to the control preamplifier.  
There is over 10,000 uf of capacitance and LC  
high frequency filters providing the raw DC.  
Page 4  
PHONO Owner's Manual  
 
Unpacking  
dealer or Bel Canto Design.  
Unpacking  
The box containing your Phono1 contains the  
Save all packing materials as the packing is  
following parts:  
specially designed to protect the preamplifier for  
shipping or transporting it. If you lose or  
damage the packing materials or carton, please  
contact your dealer or distributor before  
attempting to transport the preamplifier.  
1 - Phono1 User's Guide  
1 - Power Cable for connection to utility  
power [1.85m, 6' long] (External Box  
Version Only)  
1 – Phono1 preamplifier  
The Phono1's power supply is preset for  
the proper national voltages before you r  
eceive it. The power cable (External Unit  
Only) will have the proper plug for your  
local power system. If you believe this is  
not true, please contact your dealer  
1 - Owner's Warranty / Registration Sheet  
Carefully your new unit and check for shipping  
damage. If there is any damage, or if any piece  
is missing, please contact your  
immediately. Do not attempt to alter or  
change power settings yourself!  
Warning  
Do not connect power to this preamplifier yet!  
This preamplifier, like any electrical component, can be dangerous and cause injury unless cor  
rect handling procedures are observed and used. Before powering this preamplifier it is  
necessary to read and follow proper procedures concerning its setup and use.  
Any tampering of internal parts, other than for Moving Coil / Moving Magnet (MM/MC) setup, will  
immediately void your warranty.  
For Warranty Coverage complete and mail the Owner's Registration Papers  
immediately.  
PHONO Owner's Manual  
Page 5  
 
Gain Settings, Initial Setup, and Placement  
• Gain Settings  
Internal jumpers accommodate Moving  
Magnet, Moving Coil (Low Gain), and Moving Coil  
(High Gain) settings. The Phono1 is shipped  
from the factory set for Moving Magnet  
operation. Gain structure changes are easily  
made by first removing the two gold nuts from  
the RCA output jacks using a 5/8” socket. Take  
care not to scratch the chassis by avoiding  
contact between the socket and the end panel.  
Next, remove the four stainless steel screws  
securing the opposite end panel with a 7/64”  
Allen tool. Carefully slide the circuit board partly  
out by slowly pulling on the input side end panel  
while securely holding the chassis. The circuit  
board only needs to be slid out part way to gain  
access to the internal jumpers. There are a total  
of 6 blue jumpers, which are labeled on the  
circuit board in the following locations: J7, J4,  
J6, J11, J3, and J5. They are easily removed by  
pulling them off of the 2-pin headers. When  
replacing the jumpers, be sure the jumper is  
oriented with the characters ‘3M’ at the top,  
otherwise the jumper may not function.  
In the lack of specific system information the  
following can be used as a guide:  
- Use the Hi gain/MC setting when the output of  
your cartridge has less than .5mv output.  
- Use the Low gain/MC setting when your  
cartridge has more than .5mv output.  
When set for Moving Coil, the externally  
accessible loading DIP switches located  
between the input jacks are active. Loading  
options range from 50 Ohms to 50K Ohms, and  
right and left channels are adjustable  
independently.  
• Cartridge Loading  
Cartridge loading settings should directly  
correspond to the cartridge manufacturers  
recommended loading figure. If you don’t know  
the recommended loading of your cartridge,  
please contact the manufacturer or your dealer  
for this information.  
Loading settings can be done using the DIP  
switches seen through the opening near the  
RCA inputs of your phono stage. For the normal  
settings seen on the panel below the DIP switch  
opening use a pen or small pointed object to  
switch down the corresponding DIP switch. All  
other switches should be in the up position.  
MOVING MAGNET CARTRIDGE  
When using a Moving Magnet cartridge, the  
jumpers in locations J4, J6, J3, and J5 need to  
be placed in the positions labeled ‘MM’ (40dB of  
gain at 1kHz). The two remaining jumpers in  
locations J7 and J11 are inactive with this  
setting, and their positions are therefore  
irrelevant.  
MOVING COIL CARTRIDGE  
When using a Moving Coil cartridge, the  
jumpers in locations J4, J6, J3, and J5 need to  
be placed in the positions labeled ‘MC’. If low  
gain (54dB at 1 kHz) is desired, place the  
jumpers in locations J2 and J11 in the positions  
labeled ‘LOW’. If high gain (60dB at 1 kHz) is  
desired, place the jumpers in locations J2 and  
J11 in the positions labeled ‘HIGH’.  
Note: Changes to the DIP switch  
positions only apply when the MM/MC  
jumpers, located inside the Phono1, are  
in the Moving Coil (MC) position.  
Please refer to the following chart for a  
complete listing of loading settings  
possible to correctly match your  
cartridge:  
Bel Canto recommends that you consult your  
turntable consultant / dealer to ascertain the  
exact setting to use with your particular system.  
Page 6  
PHONO Owner's Manual  
 
• RCA Main Output Jacks for Left and  
Right Channels  
DIP switch setting  
BLANK = UP, X = DOWN  
Cartridge 50 100 500 1 k 10 k  
Load(ohms)  
These connectors are found on the  
opposite side as the RCA inputs, ground  
connector, and loading switches. The Phono1  
has one pair of RCA type outputs, which can be  
run into any input of any preamplifier with RCA  
type connectors. Do not run the output of your  
Phono1 into the phono input of another  
50000  
x
x
x
x
x
x
8333  
980  
893  
495  
472  
331  
321  
100  
99  
x
x
preamplifier. In this case you can use any RCA  
auxiliary input rather than the phono input.  
x
x
x
x
x
x
Phono1 Placement  
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
The Phono1 may be situated within your  
system in any convenient manner desired. The  
most typical arrangement places the Phono1  
near or behind the turntable in order to make the  
shortest possible connection between the  
tonearm output and phono stage input. By  
eliminating as much tonearm interconnect wire  
as possible you will reduce the system’s  
susceptibility to RF interference and sonic  
impact of long wires.  
x
x
91  
90  
83  
77  
76  
50  
48  
47  
45  
43  
33  
32  
31  
30  
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
It is recommended to use a high quality type  
stand or isolation platform capable of dissipating  
/ isolating vibration and resonance.  
x
x
x
x
x
x
• Input Panel Connections  
The input connection panel includes one pair  
of RCA type inputs to be used for connection of  
your tone-arm wires from your turntable.  
Ground connection is located on the input  
panel should only be used if necessary. You  
should first try to hook up your turntable without  
the use of this grounding plug. In the case that  
hum is heard through your speakers when the  
Phono1 is connected, you can easily ground  
your turntable by connecting the turntable  
ground to the input panel ground terminal. If  
grounding your turntable does not alleviate the  
hum problems, please contact your dealer for  
further information specific to your system  
setup.  
PHONO Owner's Manual  
Page 7  
 
Specifications  
RIAA accuracy Into >20K Ohms • 20 Hz-20 kHz +/- 0.25 dB  
Signal to Noise Ratio • > 75 dB A weighted MM/MC  
Distortion at 3 Volts RMS out • <0.01%  
Input configuration and impedance • Adjustable /MC, 47 Kohms/MM  
Output Options • 1 Pair RCA  
Output Impedance • 50 ohms  
Maximum Output Level • 9Vrms  
1 kHz Gain • 40, 54 or 60 dB  
Power Requirements • 115/230 VAC; 50-60 Hz 10 watts  
Size • 3.6 x3.6 x 9 inches  
Weight • 3.5 lbs  
Page 8  
PHONO Owner's Manual  
 

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