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Operation Manual
Technical Description
Pearl
Built-in phono preamplifier in turntable Drive
Scope of Delivery
The phono preamp Pearl is an integral part of Genuin Audio’s turntable Drive.
It allows the use of cartridge systems based on the principles Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving
Coil (MC), also in the variant "High Output".
Connection
Please follow the instructions in the Drive’s operation manual to start it with the phono preamp
Pearl. The Pearl can be connected to any Cinch / RCA line input of a commercially available
pre-amplifier or integrated amplifier.
Cables up to 4 meters long can be connected to the output sockets of Pearl (in Drive). Since the
low output resistance is less than 50 Ohm, significant interactions between cable capacitance
and output resistance are negligible. Nevertheless, the cable capacitance should be below 150
pF/m.
No additional ground wire is required.
Settings
Comprehensive settings can be configured via the DIP switches on the left side on the back of
the drive. By changing input impedance, amplification and capacitance (MM only), it is possible
to tailor Pearl perfectly to the selected cartridge systems and the individual preferences of the
listener.
You can adjust all switches during operation - with one important exception: the MM/MC switch!
Attention!
Do not use the MM/MC switch during operation, as long as the adjacent
volume control is not set to zero (= no signal at the output of the connected
preamplifier stage)! The resulting impulsive, very loud pops can destroy
connected speakers or power amplifiers!
Always wait approx. 30 seconds after switching from MM to MC or from MC to MM.
During this time, the internal servo amplifiers will set the output DC voltage to 0 volts. Only then
can the volume control be turned on again.
MM/MC
The phono preamp Pearl always works in the symmetrical (balanced) amplification mode when
using MC systems, or the asymmetric (unbalanced) amplification mode when using MM systems.
The changeover is done via switch MM/MC.
Subsonic-Filter
The subsonic switch next to the MM/MC switch turns on the subsonic filter at a roll-off of 18 dB /
octave and a cut-off frequency of 16 Hz.
Function On/Off
Rule of thumb: If the DIP switches are inactive, the rest position is always at the right or bottom
depending on the installation of the switch. This means the active position is at the left or top.
Input impedance MC
In the case of MC R DIP switches, you can set the input impedance of the MC input stage
between 2000 Ohm and 125 Ohm.
For inactive DIP switches, the input impedance is 2000 Ohm.
Switch 1 active
1000 Ohm
Switch 2 active
500 Ohm
Switch 3 active
250 Ohm
Switch 4 active
125 Ohm
Amplification MC
The MC Gain DIP switches change the amplification of the MC stage. The overall amplification of
the phono preamp Pearl is always the sum of MC and MM amplification.
For inactive switches, the MC gain is 20 dB.
Switch 1 active
22 dB
Switch 2 active
24 dB
Switch 3 active
26 dB
Switch 4 active
28 dB
If a high input impedance and a low amplification are selected, High-Output MC systems can
also operate in the MC position.
Capacitance MC
The DIP switches MM C enable the capacitive adaptation of MM systems by self-adding
capacitances. When the Genuin Point tonearm is used, the capacitance from the start of the
tonearm (cartridge connectors) to the Lemo plug is approx. 50 pF.
This value is added to the input capacitance of the subsequent MC amplifier.
Please note: When using MC cartridges, the position of these switches is insignificant.
The fixed input capacitance of the phono preamp Pearl is 47 pF.
Switch 1 active
+47 pF
Switch 2 active
+47 pF
Switch 3 active
+47 pF
Switch 4 active
+47 pF
The maximum load capacitance when using the above-mentioned tonearm is therefore 285 pF
(5 x 47 pF + 50 pF).
Amplification MM
The MM Gain DIP switches allow an amplification adjustment of the MM amplifier section.
For inactive switches, the amplification is 37 dB.
Switch 1 active
39 dB
Switch 2 active
41 dB
Switch 3 active
43 dB
Switch 4 active
45 dB
By appropriate selection of MC and MM amplification factors, a suitable amplification for any
existing electrodynamic cartridge system should be found.
The maximum total amplification is therefore 73 dB (switch 4 MC + switch 4 MM). Typical values
for MC are 60 dB and 40 dB for MM.
In the case of a complete mismatch and potential resulting overload, the transparent ring
around the stop button of the Genuin Drive record player will flash red at high speed. This will also
happen if the distortion limit of 0.1% THD & Noise is exceeded (which is not audible yet).
The overload limits for MM and MC at 1 kHz are + 20 dB above nominal level. The nominal levels
for MC and MM are 0.5 mV and 5 mV, respectively.
Information
Technical Specifications
Further technical specifications are available on the website www.genuin-audio.de/en/.
Safety Instructions
Do not operate the unit in places where it is exposed to extreme heat or moisture.
This will avoid the risk of electric shock or fire.
Check the local mains voltage before operation.
Do not remove the cover.
Service
There are no user-serviceable parts inside the unit.
Always leave repairs to trained professionals. Warranty will be void if the product has been
handled by unauthorized persons. In case of repair, please contact Genuin Audio or your
authorized dealer.
Disclaimer
The information in this document is subject to change without prior notice and does not
constitute any obligation on the part of Genuin Audio.
Genuin Audio assumes no liability for any errors in this manual.
No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronically, mechanically, by photocopy or by videotape, without the prior written permission
of Genuin Audio.
© Genuin Audio
Version 1.0
August 2017
Contact
Genuin Audio
Byhlener Straße 1 - 03044 Cottbus - Germany
Phone +49 (0) 355 38377808 - Fax +49 (0) 355 38377809 - Email: info@genuin-audio.de