Cary Audio Design SLP 05 - Manual (Page 5)

WELCOME
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
We at Cary Audio Design would like to thank you for purchasing the new SLP 05
preamplifier.
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 c inema 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.
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