Connections - Audio Research Reference 5 Owner's Manual

Model Reference 5
For approximately 40 seconds after start up, "Mute"
appears in the display window and flashes until the auto-
matic muting cycle is completed. This also occurs in the
event of power interruption. Upon completing the cycle,
"Mute" will cease flashing. The preamp will remain muted
until normal operation is selected by pressing the "Mute"
button.
MUTE: When activated, electrically mutes all output of the
preamplifier; indicated by "Mute" in display window. This
control should be activated before switching inputs, chang-
ing connections or shutting down your audio system to
help protect your amplifier and speakers from unexpected
signal pulses. When deactivated, "Mute" disappears from
the display window allowing normal operation. Function
also on remote control.
The Reference 5 also has automatic muting to help protect
system components during A.C. power interruptions or low
line voltage. When sensing these conditions, the preamp
automatically goes into "Mute" and disables all outputs.
The 40-second warm-up timer will restart and "Mute" will
flash in the display window when normal power condi-
tions have been restored.
Note that automatic muting is only designed to protect
against power line interruptions or severe voltage drop.
It will not mute in the event of subsonic transmissions
from a faulty input source, amplifier failure or speaker
malfunction.
PROCESSOR (PROC): May be selected by button on front
panel or on remote control. Selects external A-V (home
theater) processor as input source and controller of volume
level for L and R channels. Reference 5 provides Unity Gain
when this input is selected.
When engaged, "PROC" will appear in the display, and the
numerical volume setting will read "NA" (for "Not Applica-
ble") because gain is fixed and not adjustable. The preamp
will also mute the input after "PROC" is engaged.
WARNING: Before unmuting the "PROC" input, be sure
to turn the volume down on the home-theater processor.
Never connect a source with a fixed level output (DVD
player, tuner, CD, etc.) to the PROC input or the
amplifier(s) and speaker system could be damaged when
the Reference 5 is unmuted.
VOLUME UP/ DOWN: Using rotary control on front panel
or VOL UP/VOL DN buttons on remote, increases/decreas-
es overall volume level of both channels equally for
whichever input has been selected. Caution: do not turn up
volume beyond normal listening levels when "Mute" is
engaged to avoid unexpected or possibly damaging sound
levels. It is a good idea to reduce volume whenever chang-
ing program sources, even when muted.
2
B A L / S E: Select as appropriate for each input. For source
components having balanced (XLR) connections to the
Reference 5, select BAL. For single-ended (RCA) sources,
select SE. Once selected for an input source, the setting is
memorized.
INVERT: Inverts absolute phase of the output signal.
M O N O : Sums L and R input for mono output from any
source selected.
Remote Control-Only Functions
DISPLAY DOWN/DISPLAY UP [DSP DN/DSP UP]: Decreas-
es/increases display intensity, offering 6 levels of bright-
ness and display "off". If display "off" is selected, a small
segment of pixels remains illuminated in the center of the
display window as a reminder the unit is turned on. In
display "off" mode the display will illuminate for 10
seconds when any button (except Power on/off) is selected,
allowing for control function navigation.
BALANCE (BAL L / B AL R ): Adjusts balance left or right
Adjustment appears in display window as movable marker
on bar graph. Useful for compensating for uneven speaker
placement or imbalanced output from a phono cartridge.
H O U R S : When pressed, displays number of operating
hours vacuum tubes have been in service. WARNING: after
replacing tubes, this function should be reset to "0" only by
a qualified technician. Hours display can be reset to "0" by
pressing black button labeled "Reset Hours" located on
upper right corner of circuit board directly behind display
window. The preamp must be "On" to reset function–the
service technician must be careful to avoid any contact with
other circuit components during reset operation. Contact
Audio Research customer service (763-577-9700) for infor-
mation regarding this procedure.

Connections

INPUT CONNECTORS: The Reference 5 provides seven
pairs of BAL/SE input connectors: C D , T u n e r , P h o n o , V i d e o ,
A ux 1 , A ux 2 and Processor. The BAL/SE selector
button (front panel and on remote) should be selected
to match the type of connection used (BAL or SE) on each
input.
Connect either the BAL or SE connectors for each input.
Never connect the BAL and SE connectors simultaneously
for each input.
OUTPUT CONNECTORS: Two pairs of BAL / SE main
outputs are provided.