SUPPORT

Control Preamplifier:

• Integrating a 2 channel music system with a multichannel system

  • Using the Pureaudio Control Preamplifier to integrate a two channel music system with a multi-channel home theatre installation.

  • Introduction.

  • A two channel music system will usually be built around premium components, and will have high quality amplifiers, interconnecting cables, and front left & right loudspeakers. The prime focus is on the quality of the sound and enjoyment of music.

  • In a multi-channel home theatre system the sound is there to enhance the video, and will involve decoders, processors, and multiple loudspeakers. Different priorities apply when compared to a pure two channel music system, and it can be hard to reconcile these for those who want the best of both worlds.

  • The Pureaudio Control Preamplifier has been designed to easily allow the two sets of conflicting requirements to coexist without compromise.

  • As a two channel preamplifier it will stand comparison with the best, with superb sonic results. When integrated into a dual purpose music / home theatre system it will allow both configurations to operate independently and without conflict.

  • Operation.

  • It is assumed the home theatre sound is coming from a home theatre receiver, or processor, and that all channels except front left and right are routed to loudspeakers via separate power amplifiers and cabling that is independent of the 2 channel system. Front left and right home theatre audio will be derived from the line level outputs on the receiver or processor.

  • There are two options available to allow seamless integration. Both allow the home theatre system to bypass the Pure Control Preamplifier and directly access the front left and right channel power amplifiers and loudspeakers. Both are very simple in use.

  • Standby Bypass Mode.

  • This mode is a simple one, and is quite intuitive in use.

  • Connect the front left and right signals from the receiver or processor to the “Processor” input connectors on the rear of the Control preamplifier.

  • On the rear of the preamplifier there is a “bypass enable” configuration switch. Toggle this switch down.

  • Now whenever the volume control is in the standby position (set to minimum) the “processor” input connectors on the rear panel will be connected directly to the preamplifier outputs, and the home theatre front left and right signals will be routed to the 2 channel system’s front left and right loudspeakers.

  • The operation is simple, when in standby the preamplfier gives control over to the home theater system.

  • 12V Trigger Bypass Mode.

  • This mode is for automated installations and will work without any direct action from the user.

  • Connect the front left and right signals from the receiver or processor to the “Processor” input connectors on the rear of the Control preamplifier.

  • Leave the rear panel “bypass enable” configuration switch in the up position and connect the 12V trigger output from your home theatre processor, receiver, or control system to the 12V trigger input on the rear of the Pure Control Preamplifier. Polarity of connection doesn’t matter. A 3.5mm stereo jack socket is used with one connection on the “tip” and the other on the “sleeve” A standard 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio lead can be used to make the connection if desired.

  • Now when the processor, receiver or system controller produces a 12V trigger signal (usually when the theatre system is switched on) the “processor” connectors on the rear panel will be connected directly to the preamplifier outputs and the home theatre front left and right signals will be routed to the 2 channel system’s front left and right loudspeakers.

  • The operation is automated, when the home theatre system is in operation the preamplifier automatically gives control over to the home theatre system.

• How our autoselection works

  • How autoselection works in the Pureaudio Control Preamplifier.

  • Our autoselection is designed to remove a redundant element from the user interface. Consider that with most equipment you must select the required preamplifier input, and then press another remote control’s play button, or cue up a vinyl record. If you think about it, just the action of playing a source should indicate your intent. All we need is for the preamplifier to respond to that. Simple.

  • The Control preamplifier has a music sensor on each of it’s inputs, both left and right channels. In the simplest scenario, when music is detected, the preamplifier will activate the input that the music appears at.

  • We have refined the operation in several ways to make it as user friendly as possible. Here are the specific details…

  • Line 1 is a direct input. In the absence of any music inputs Line 1 will be connected. Line 1 is useful for an always on source, perhaps a radio tuner, television sound, etc. For this primary source the autoselection doesn’t even come into play, everything just works, and instantly.

  • Line 2 through 4 are music triggered inputs and are prioritised. The higher number will always override a lower one. For example Line 4 will override Line 3, or Line 2, or Line 1. You should connect your most important source to the input with the highest number. When a higher priority input is triggered it will switch instantly. This input will also remain selected for approximately 30 seconds after the music stops. This delay is needed to account for silent passages, or very quiet passages in the music, we don’t want the selection dropping out during your listening session. So moving up from Line 1 to 2, or 2 to 3, or 3 to 4 etc is instant. Dropping back down from 4 to 3, 3 to 2, or say, 4 to 1 will see a 30 second delay.

  • On Line 2 through 4 there is a different sensitivity on left and right channels. This is because of some fine tuning we use to ensure that all sources are treated optimally. For example on vinyl replay the music sensors will respond to the touch down of the stylus in the groove.

  • Special Note:

  • Please ensure that you have any turntable and cartridge systems properly grounded so that there is no residual hum. Improper setup will cause the Control preamp to be triggered by any hum present, and in addition, the poor turntable ground setup will degrade the sound of your source. If for some reason you cannot resolve grounding problems in your turntable, and are left with residual hum, please connect this source to Line 1. Line 1 is not auto-triggered so it will ignore the hum.

  • In Summary:

  • Initially on casual acquaintance autoselection might seem a little unusual, and some adaptation to its operation may be required. After a time though, it becomes quite natural to use, and owners begin to wonder why something like this hasn’t been done before. In fact it has. In 1987 in an earlier company Gary Morrison created a preamplifier called the “Logic One” which worked like this. Many of these are still in use, some with the original customers.

  • Our autoselection system, along with our processor or signal-bypass feature, allows some quite clever configuration options which will cater for many system requirements. In use it helps move the system focus away from equipment, and onto the music.

  • Footnote:

  • Priority autoselection was introduced mid 2014. Earlier units operated slightly differently. This is described below. Upgrade to priority selection is available by contacting your dealer.

  • Earlier autoselection:

  • Line 1 is designated as the default input. In the absence of any music inputs Line 1 will be connected. We recommend using Line 1 for your default digital source. This could be a CD player, the output of a DAC, etc. For this primary source the autoselection doesn’t even come into play, everything just works, and instantly.

  • Line 2 through 4 are music triggered inputs. The first one of these inputs that sees a music signal will be selected, overriding Line 1. This “captured input” will lock out all of the others while music is being played. This input will also remain selected for approximately 30 seconds after the music stops. This delay is needed to account for silent passages, or very quiet passages in the music, we don’t want the selection dropping out during your listening session.

  • On Line 2 through 4 there is a different sensitivity on left and right channels. This is because of some fine tuning we use to ensure that all sources are treated optimally. For example on vinyl replay the music sensors will respond to the touch down of the stylus in the groove.

• Our Remote Control

  • Why our remote control is different.

  • When we first designed our Control Preamplifier it was without a remote control. We did this for a reason. We think that there are too many distractions in our busy lives. Too many things vying for our attention. Smartphones are a good example. Slowly our attention span is being reduced, we jump from one thing to the next without ever really settling. Perhaps it is not surprising that stress is on the rise. In amongst this increasingly noisy world music can provide relief. I’m sure you know the relaxation and enjoyment that can come from sitting down and listening to music. We wanted to maximise your chance of being able to turn off, and just enjoy.

  • When you sit to listen with a remote handset, or multiple remote handsets, you tend to hold these while you listen. We think that just holding the remote is a subtle distraction, and before you have fully relaxed into the music there is a tendency to skip tracks, play with the device, and keep your mind at a surface level. We thought that avoiding a remote handset completely might help enforce undistracted enjoyment.

  • Feedback we had from customers and retailers suggested that while our thinking was innovative, there was still a need for a remote handset. With the increasing use of streaming playback from music servers and other sources, the material can be from a variety of recordings, and the playback level can vary a little from one track to the next based on the level of the original source. We recognised this need, and so we agreed to offer a remote to address it.

  • Our remote handset is quite different to others in the market. Firstly because our Control Preamplifier uses entirely analogue control systems internally (in order to minimise electronic noise in the preamp) we couldn’t just integrate a standard microprocessor based system. Also our stepped attenuator was not coupled in any way mechanically to the volume control.

  • We chose to use an infrared analogue signal to alter our existing attenuator control. This allows the attenuator to be electronically moved up or down by 6-7db, giving a total control range of 12-14dB. This is more than enough to adjust for level changes between tracks.

  • In use you set the volume knob to approximately where you would normally have it, and then if need be, while listening, use the handset to tweak the level up or down to suit. When you return the volume knob to the standby position any adjustments you have made are reset.

  • Of course we would still encourage you to put all remote handsets, smartphones, and other gadgets aside while you listen. Relax and enjoy!