Related Manuals for SMc Audio Virtual Reality Engine Preamplifier VRE-1
Summary of Contents for SMc Audio Virtual Reality Engine Preamplifier VRE-1
- Page 2 Using your VRE-1 Preamplifier Congratulations on your purchase of the VRE-1 preamplifier. The VRE-1 is simple to setup and operate, but that simplicity belies an exceptionally sophisticated design that includes a great deal of innovative thinking and the best parts available today. Although reading this manual may not be necessary for you to begin enjoying your VRE-1, I urge you to take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the more novel aspects of its design.
- Page 3 Preparing for use - locating your VRE-1: Your VRE-1 has a lot of wonderful attributes, and one of them is the fact that neither it nor its power supply produce appreciable heat. In addition, the Corian chassis is fairly immune to heat, so the VRE-1 may be installed in an enclosed cabinet.
- Page 4 Front Panel layout Input selector switch: Rotary switch selects one of 4 inputs. Polarity switch and LED indicator: Sets system polarity (absolute polarity, sometimes called “absolute phase”). Up is normal, non-inverted polarity, and flipping the switch down inverts signal polarity. The LED then lights to indicate that system polarity is inverted.
- Page 5 Front Panel layout Input selector switch: Rotary switch selects one of 4 inputs. Polarity switch and LED indicator: Sets system polarity (absolute polarity, sometimes called “absolute phase”). Up is normal, non-inverted polarity, and flipping the switch down inverts signal polarity. The LED then lights to indicate that system polarity is inverted.
- Page 6 Circuit Ground Connector: This binding post offers access to the system electrical ground if needed. There is normally no connection to this post. Main Input Group: 4 pairs of inputs are provided, labeled 1 thru 4 (corresponding to the front panel Input Selector switch). dedicated balanced input with XLR connectors, while 2 thru 4 are via RCA unbalanced connectors.
- Page 7 near-ideal load on the input and confer that magic tube-like musicality. They also act as a “brick wall” filter against DC and RFI contamination. In addition, they allow the VRE-1 to be configured for voltage gain (up to +6dB) if it is needed. Thus, the VRE-1 is a “passive”...
- Page 8 The Power Supply The VRE-1’s companion power supply provides carefully tailored DC power for the proper operation of your preamp. The “Power 1” connection provides +/- 24 VDC of choke-filtered, unregulated power, while the “Power 2” connection provides +/- 24 VDC of fully regulated power for the relays, LEDs, and Monitor Out buffer amplifier.
- Page 9 Please Note: The VRE-1 is a hand-built work of “industrial art.” It is a beautiful object, and a great deal of effort has gone into its creation. Ironically, because it is hand-made, you may find small blemishes that do not occur in the routine perfection of mass-marketed consumer goods.
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Page 10: Specifications
This is important because I cannot fully break-in your VRE-1 before shipping. Your preamp has been thoroughly tested and listened-to, but this is just the beginning. I make every effort to present you with a good initial impression, but beyond that it is up to you to complete the break-in process, and to *understand* that it will take time. - Page 11 Kris Jeter - His hard work keeps the wheels turning here at SMc Audio, and his good humor makes the work go smoothly. Carl and Lena Carpenter / Carpenter’s Fine Woodworking - Their precision machining work on the original wooden prototypes and subsequent Corian models made this project a reality.
- Page 12 Getting the most from your VRE-1 preamplifier - a user’s guide Suggestions for AC cords and accessories After some thought, I have come to the decision to leave a “standard” AC cord out of the parts complement. It is my experience that the AC cord is an integral part of the sound of your VRE-1, and I suggest that you use the best power cord you can find.
- Page 13 Grounding Options Your VRE-1 provides several options for matching earth ground arrangements for best results with your system. A binding post connected to circuit ground is provided on the rear panel to facilitate external connections to other equipment chassis grounds if need be, and an adjustable ground jumper is provided inside the power supply.
- Page 14 Tuning the Stealth power link cable Your VRE-1 uses a custom-built power-link cable from Stealth Audio Cables. This cable includes a carbon-composite sleeve that will slide along its length. The position of this sleeve has a “tuning” effect - moving it will affect the sound of your preamp to some degree.
- Page 15 XLR pin 2 - to RCA center pin (plus hot) XLR pin 3 - to RCA outer case (negative hot) You can add whatever number you need, including converting all inputs to full-balanced operation if that is what your system requires. Steve McCormack, designer - SMc Audio...