Introduction - Cary Audio Design SLP 05 Owner's Manual

INTRODUCTION____________________________________________________

Congratulations!
You have just purchased one of the best preamplifiers made. The following is an overview of the design
characteristics of the SLP 05.
The SLP 05 employs a fully balanced circuit topology, from input-to-output, that actively cancels external
electrical and radio frequency noise picked up by audio cables. The sonic result is a greatly improved
signal-to-noise level ratio with palpable, three-dimensional images of instruments and vocalists in a
natural acoustic space. Balanced operation also ensures more than adequate output voltage to drive any
balanced amplifier throughout the entire audio range with the all-too-rare combination of vibrancy,
immediacy and control. An added feature of the new SLP 05 permits "balanced to single-ended" and
"single-ended to balanced" audio connections for the greatest flexibility of use in your system.
Listeners today have more choices of playback sources than ever before, and the SLP 05 offers complete
flexibility to accommodate them. In addition to three RCA unbalanced line level inputs, there are two
balanced XLR stereo inputs along with a dedicated tape input as well. Included is a pair of cinema
processor inputs for either RCA single-ended or XLR balanced connections. Outputs include both RCA
single-ended and Balanced XLR connections. The XLR balanced in and out connections follow the "Cannon
plugs" pin out wiring standard. Pin #1 is the shield, pin #2 is the normal-phase (hot lead) and pin #3 is the
inverted signal.
The special Cinema Bypass feature routes the balanced or unbalanced cinema inputs directly to their
corresponding outputs, bypassing all the SLP 05 circuitry and turning over control to the user's cinema
processor. The cinema bypass circuitry may be engaged by toggling the Cinema bypass switch on the
front panel of the preamplifier. If the SLP 05 power switch is turned to the off position, the SLP 05
automatically defaults to the cinema bypass mode.
All switches in the SLP 05 are gold-contact types to ensure signal purity and high resistance to wear and
oxidation over years of use. Single-throw toggle switches and solid-seating rotary switches along the
machined aluminum front panel are easy to use and provide unambiguous indication even in low light.
All source inputs and the audio mute function are switched through hermetically sealed, gold plated
contact relays. Listening level (volume) is controlled with a high-precision Alps potentiometer that is
mechanically driven by command from the infrared remote control. A front-panel mute/operate switch
offers additional convenience when switching cables or changing a record. Remote muting is also possible
by switching the SLP 05 remote handset button to the mute position. The remote handset now takes over
the control of this feature.
Reflecting the growing popularity of high performance headphones, the SLP 05 features a state of the art
headphone amplifier stage based on the popular 6SN7 vacuum tube. This is a "zero feedback" circuit
design and is transformer-coupled, guaranteeing extended, uniform frequency response regardless of the
headphone driver type. Sufficient drive current is available to power headphones with impedance's from
30 to 300 ohms. A front panel toggle switch allows use of the onboard headphone amplifier.
Circuitry
The SLP 05 is a no compromise line stage and headphone amp. The power supply is vacuum tube rectified
and has a 5AR4 vacuum tube rectifier lying on its side inside the unit. The 5AR4 tube has a separate
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