Text preview for : hfe_cary_audio_design_slp-2002_en.pdf part of Cary Audio Design hfe cary audio design slp-2002 en . Rare and Ancient Equipment Cary Audio Design SLP-2002 hfe_cary_audio_design_slp-2002_en.pdf
Back to : hfe_cary_audio_design_slp | Home
SLP-2002 USERS MANUAL
SLP-2002 Stereo Balanced Vacuum Tube
Preamplifier
Fully Balanced Vacuum Tube Line Stage Circuit Design
with Cinema Bypass and Remote Volume Control
CARY AUDIO DESIGN
1020 GOODWORTH DRIVE
APEX, NORTH CAROLINA 27539
www.hifiengine.com
SLP-2002 USERS MANUAL
Congratulations Cary Audiophile!
All of us at Cary Audio thank you for buying an SLP-2002 preamplifier for your home
audio system. This design has many innovative features to offer ease of use and superb
reproduction of your favorite music.
This preamplifier includes fully balanced vacuum tube circuitry with dual triode 6922 and
5814 tubes. The remote volume control uses an Alps four gang motorized volume
potentiometer, chosen for both its intrinsic sound quality and its remote control
convenience. We have XLR balanced or RCA unbalanced connections for the Cinema
bypass and RCA or XLR inputs for the CD player and the main preamplifier outputs.
The circuit uses five fully regulated power supplies. Proper operation of the preamplifier
power supply circuits is confirmed by red or green LED's that are mounted on the
power supply PCB board, visible through perforations in the top panel.
This is our first balanced circuit preamplifier. As such, we felt we should offer a new way
to mix stereo and home theater surround sound systems together. The Cinema bypass
input allows this to happen. Connect the main Left and Right outputs from your home
theater processor to the Cinema bypass inputs. You can have musical, superb
reproduction of your two-channel source material or surround sound from your
processor in this way. Connect your CD player to the SLP-2002 for 2 channel stereo
playback. We naturally suggest using a Cary Cinema P 8 surround processor due its
XLR analog bypass capability for two channel listening! The Cinema Bypass input will
pass a signal when the SLP-2002 preamplifier is On or Off, exactly as its' name implies.
For audiophiles with balanced design CD players and power amplifiers, the balanced CD
input on the SLP-2002 allows you to have a balanced system, from the input source to
the power amplifier. Balanced cables offer excellent shielding from external noise
sources, like radio frequency (RFI) interference. In systems where very long runs of
cable are needed, balanced operation is the best way to wire a system. Both the CD-
303/200 and CD-306/200 offer balanced XLR analog outputs.
In extensive listening tests we have come to admire the sound reproduction capabilities
of the 6922 tube. We use it as a driver stage tube in our V-12i and Rocket 88 power
amplifiers. Using the 6922 driver and 5814 buffer stage has the added benefit of creating
a non-inverting preamplifier design. (6H30, 6CG7 or 6FQ7 tubes could be substituted
for the 6922 tubes or 12AU7 tubes for 5814 tubes if you desire.)
We hope you find the extensive input switching, the choice of XLR or RCA inputs and
outputs, a tape monitor loop and Cinema bypass to be all you need for complete
control in your stereo system. Our designs are famous for quality, durability and
musicality. We hope you enjoy the music through your stereo sound system and thank
you again for buying a Cary Audio Design preamplifier for your listening pleasure.
www.hifiengine.com
SLP-2002 USERS MANUAL
Special listening note: The SLP-2002 will need approximately 100 hours of `burn-in' time
to sound its best. A new vacuum tube takes this amount of time to fully settle into its long term
operating condition. During the first 100 hours the SLP-2002 will sound good but it will improve
in its sonic characteristics as the burn-in period progresses. So, it will initially sound good and it
will get better as the first 100 hours of use passes! Enjoy the listening!
INITIAL SET UP OF THE SLP-2002 IN YOUR SYSTEM
The rear panel: When looking at the rear panel of the SLP-2002 you will see the well-
spaced, high quality connectors for inputs and outputs. From the left to the right side of the rear
panel you will have XLR or RCA input connectors for your CD player. Next on the panel is the
XLR or RCA input set for AUX 1. The Inputs for AUX 2, AUX 3 and AUX 4 use RCA
connectors exclusively, as does the Tape Monitor loop. The Cinema bypass uses XLR or RCA
input connections. The main preamplifier outputs are XLR and RCA sets, with two sets of RCA
outputs. The main power fuse holder and an IEC standard AC power cable connector are the
remaining features of the rear panel.
We chose to offer XLR and RCA inputs for the main source components so that music lovers
have more choice in matching the SLP-2002 with other high performance audio components.
The SLP-2002 is a true balanced design with four line stages, from input to output and offers
superb sound in a balanced system. We suggest using a Cary Audio Design CD player for a
balanced input source, of course! Our CD-303/200 or CD-306/200 CD players would match up
with this preamplifier very well. Both CD players have balanced output connections and would
make the most of your sound system.
The dual RCA outputs are convenient for you if you want to use a powered sub woofer with
your main speakers. Connect one set of RCA output connections to your power amplifier and
the other set to the self powered sub woofer's input connections. Adjusting the variable volume
control on your sub woofer can attain level matching between the main speakers and the sub
woofer. Or you can use a second power amplifier and run music somewhere else in the house
from the second set of main RCA outputs. Bi-Amp operation with two power amplifiers driving
a single pair of speakers through direct speaker cable connections to the separate woofer and
tweeter terminals on the speakers is also possible with dual RCA preamplifier outputs.
We suggest that you choose excellent quality patch cables, with good ground shielding, for your
system. Wire quality does matter and careful selection of wire for your system is something we
recommend to maximize your listening enjoyment. Ask your Cary Audio Design dealer for
advice about system wiring for your stereo sound system.
The front panel: From left to right: AC Power switch, Mute/Operate switch, Cinema Bypass
switch, Volume (Listening Level) control, Input Selector, Tape Monitor and Headphone Off/On
switch. Each switch has an LED next to it to confirm operation or its selection as a function; the
only exception being the Input Selector. The Volume control shows operation by flashing an
LED while it is rotating. This visually confirms proper operation, as does the obvious change in
volume level through the speakers or headphones.
www.hifiengine.com
SLP-2002 USERS MANUAL
SLP-2002 Design Features: The headphone jack is driven by the buffer stage 5814 tubes
through specially chosen audio grade transformers. These audio grade transformers were
included so that the sound quality of the SLP-2002 would be preserved and offered to
headphone lovers. Headphones may be used with or without having the power amplifier and
speakers turned on. If you have very efficient speakers and inefficient headphones, it may be
necessary to turn off the power amp to avoid excessive `in room' loudness. The 6922 driver
tubes are direct coupled to the 5814 buffer stage tubes for the best sound and drive capability in
this preamplifier. With the 5814 tubes driving the headphone transformers, the result is a
glorious sounding headphone driver circuit.
The SLP-2002 power supply has five fully regulated stages for the B+, the tube filaments and the
control systems related to the volume control. The volume control is a four-gang ALPS
potentiometer. This four-gang design is needed due to the truly balanced design of the four line
stages in the preamplifier.
The Remote Control Handset: Please insert the AAA batteries into the handset, aligning
the positive and negative terminals to ensure the remote control functions properly. The
handset flashes a small red LED to confirm it is working. If you push a button and the red LED is
not flashing it indicates that the batteries are depleted. Change to new batteries and your
remote control will work again. The remote control handset has Volume control Up or
Down and muting On or Off.
If you engage the mute circuit the SLP-2002 output circuit is muted. However, the
remote handset will still operate the volume control circuit. Please be
careful not to turn up the volume to a high level and then turn the mute off on the SLP-
2002. The subsequent high volume level signal might startle you or possibly damage your
speakers if it is set at too loud a level.
www.hifiengine.com
SLP-2002 USERS MANUAL
Specifications for the SLP-2002
Regular Inputs: Five source components, 2 XLR or RCA, 3 RCA only connection
Extra Input: Cinema bypass XLR or RCA connection
Circuit design: Fully balanced, 4 separate line gain stages, Class A triode operation
Frequency Response: 9 Hz