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| Convergent Audio Technology 85 High Tech Drive Rush, NY. 14543 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (716) 359-2700 Fax (716) 359-0797 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OPTIMIZING YOUR CONVERGENT AUDIO SL-1 SIGNATURE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Congratulations on your purchase of the Convergent Audio SL-1 Signature Preamplifier. Your decision is an indication that you are a dedicated Audiophile,seeking the state of the art in music reproduction.This manual is designed to assist you in realizing maximum performance from your SL-1 Signature. Please consider the recommendations carefully. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GROUNDING | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The SL-1 Signature is not grounded to your AC wall outlet ground. We use the three-prong power cord only to help in achieving correct AC polarity (see below). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For best sound, the ground for the entire system should "float." That is, none of the components should be grounded to the AC wall outlet ground. All components which employ a three-prong AC cord with the ground prong connected to the components electrical ground, are said to be "hard-grounded." Those components with two-prong AC cords are not hard-grounded. A simple test reveals whether the component uses a hard-ground. With a Volt Ohmmeter (VOM), measure the impedance between one of the RCA connectors on the unit and the two prongs on the AC plug. A short here indicates a hard-ground exists. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| If a hard-ground is present, one may use a "cheater-plug" or "three-to-two" adapter to lift or float the ground of that component. Note: Be sure to check with the manufacturer to see whether it is safe to float their equipment. Some equipment has poor isolation from the AC power and may cause shocks if not grounded to the wall. In some cases it will not be possible to float the system's ground without inducing hum. Here the system can be grounded by hard grounding only one component. The preamp is the most likely candidate due to its central position, electrically speaking. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SPECIAL POWER CORDS AND POWER PURIFIERS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We have evaluated many such devices over the years, finding various degrees of merit. Whenever improvements were noted we have tried to incorporated the same benefit into the SL-1 Signature. Consequently, a cord or line conditioner that improves the sound of another preamp may not do the same for your SL-1 Signature. Indeed, performance may actually be degraded. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| When evaluating any such component with your SL-1 Signature listen for problems in the following areas: dynamic compression, plump bass, poor focus, tizzy or itched high frequencies. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A word to the wise: The first, and most important, rule of the serious tweaker is too often ignored: "If you are unable (or too lazy) to evaluate the effect of the tweak, DON'T DO IT! The second rule also applies: "Just because a tweak is expensive does not mean it is better." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AC POWER POLARITY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due to the asymmetrical winding of power transformers, and the single ended power provided to it, one side of the transformer's primary input will convey more 60Hz and RF noise to the component's ground. The SL-1 Signature is wired for correct polarity when its AC cord is connected to a properly wired, grounded AC wall receptacle. If your outlets are of the two-prong variety, you will need to use a three-to-two adapter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To check for correct AC polarity, perform the following test. Disconnect all equipment from the preamplifier. With the preamp on, measure the AC voltage between the ground post on the rear of the SL-1 and a true ground. (A cold water pipe is normally the best accessible true ground. As an alternative, one may simply hold the lead between the fingers, using our body as a ground reference.) Next, reverse the AC plug and measure again. The plug position giving the lowest reading indicates correct polarity. Use the same method to check each component in the system, remembering to disconnect the unit from the rest of the system first. Note: Occasionally a component will sound best when connected out of polarity. This is because the test procedure outlined above reveals the orientation which produces the lowest 60Hz noise. This alignment is usually, but not always, the orientation that produces the least RF noise. Since RF noise is the most important factor, listening trials are always the best method to use. Listen for the orientation that produces the cleanest sound and greatest quiet and space between instruments. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MECHANICAL GROUNDING | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The SL-1 Signature should be placed on a rigid, non-resonant platform. A number of good equipment stands are available from manufacturers such as Arcici, Sound Anchors and others. Many of these designs may be filled with sand or lead shot to further increase mass and damp resonance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The SL-1 Signature comes equipped with visco-elastic decoupling feet that significantly reduce the effects of structure-borne vibrations. If air-borne vibrations are a problem, the SL-1 Signature may be hard coupled to the stand through the use of cones or spikes such as those from German Acoustics/Audio Selection. Here, three cones should be used, two at the front and one centered in the rear. The power supply will also benefit from similar treatment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tube damper rings may also be employed. If desired, they should be placed on V1, V2, V6 and V7. Do not use damper rings on V5 or V10! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OPTIMIZING CD SETUP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The AC polarity of your CD player is important, and should be determined as previously described. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It is important to reduce the effects of mechanical vibration utilizing methods previously described. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Always use the fixed outputs of your CD player or digital to analog converter. If only variable outputs are available, full clockwise rotation of the level control is necessary to lessen the degradation introduced by the poor quality potentiometer common in this application. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OPTIMIZING TURNTABLE / CARTRIDGE SETUP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Making the necessary adjustments for VTA, VTF, azimuth, overhand and anti-skating requires a knowledgeable dealer. All Convergent Audio dealers should be able to perform these for you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The SL-1 Signature is supplied with cartridge loading plugs in a variety of impedances. These plugs, inserted into the extra pair of phono inputs, load the cartridge with the impedance listed on each. If no plugs are installed the default load impedance is the industry standard 47,000 ohm. This impedance will be correct for most phono cartridges. Please try this first, even if you used a different load with your previous preamplifier. The optimum cartridge load for the SL-1 Signature may not be same as required with other units. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hum is a common problem associated with turntable use. Proper connection and grounding should eliminate this problem. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Since some turntables are particularly sensitive to AC polarity, it is a good idea to check for best orientation. Disconnect the turntable/tonearm ground wire from the preamp, then listen for which AC plug orientation produces the least hum. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Both the turntable and the tonearm should be grounded to the appropriate post on the rear of the SL-1 Signature. For lowest RF pickup, orient the tonearm leads so that the shield end is connected to the preamp. Those tonearm interconnects which have separate drain wires are preferred, as they help to further reduce the negative effects of RF. Always connect the drain wire to the grounding post. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note: When the turntable is in use, be sure that all other source components (especially CD players) are turned off! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OPTIMIZING POWER AMP INPUTS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| If your power amplifier has input level controls, these should be used fully clockwise, for the reasons described above. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| When using amplifiers with balanced inputs, the negative leg of the balanced input should be shorted to ground. This prevents hum and noise problems caused by the floating inputs. While most amplifiers with balanced inputs provide a switch for this purpose, inserting a jumper in the XLR connector will accomplish the task. Alternately, an XLR connector can be prepared with this jumper soldered internally, and the connector then inserted into the XLR jack. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BREAK-IN AND WARM-UP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All audio components will improve over first few hundred hours of use. Your SL-1 Signature is no exception. Please note that for break-in to occur, one must play music through the preamplifier. Simply leaving the unit turned on, with no signal present, will do little to hasten break-in. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To speed the process, connect a CD player (on repeat) or tuner to the SL-1 Signature, playing the unit continuously for approximately 200 hours. Of course, this procedure will only condition the line stage of the preamp, and will do nothing for the phono stage. Playing LPs is the only way to condition the phono circuits. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| After the SL-1 Signature has completed the break-in regime, a short fifteen to twenty minute warm-up is all that is needed to prepare the unit for audition. This warm-up period is important for the other components in the system as well, as each requires a few minutes of playing time to sound its best. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We do not recommend leaving the SL-1 Signature on all the time as this will significantly reduce the tube life expectancy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TUBE LIFE EXPECTANCY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tubes are most likely to fail during their initial break-in period of about three to four weeks. After the break-in is complete and the "infant mortality" period has passed, most tubes will stabilize for several thousand hours of operation. Tube life can be foreshortened if the tube is subjected to mechanical trauma, such as being dropped. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| While tubes may continue to perform for many years, we recommend replacing the tubes after 2000 hours of operation, about two years for most listeners. Of course, if the preamp is left on continuously, the chronological span is greatly reduced. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TUBE NOISE PROBLEMS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| If the preamp exhibits excessive noise with the volume control set to minimum, the problem lies with one of the line input tubes, V6 (left) or V7 (right). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| If noise is present only on phono playback, the culprit will be either V1 (right) or V2 (left). Phono noise will be affected by volume and balance controls. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ABOUT TUBES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The SL-1 Signature uses three different tube types, each chosen for its superiority of function in this specific design. All three types are common and should be readily available for decades to come. In fact, there is a greater variety of types available today than ever before. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We provide the most accurate tubes we can find for use in the SL-1 Signature, however we know that some of you cannot resist the temptation to experiment with other brands. For you we provide the following list of substitutes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NEVER REMOVE THE TOP COVER OF THE SL-1 Signature BEFORE UNPLUGGING THE UNIT FROM THE WALL! Removing a tube from its socket while power is on will damage the solid state devices in the power supply. This type of damage is considered abuse and is not covered under the warranty. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tube V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 |
Type 6DJ8 6DJ8 12AX7 12AX7 6DJ8 12AU7 12AU7 12AU7 12AU7 6DJ8 |
Description Right phono input, low noise Left phon input, low noise Right phono, high gain stage Left phono, high gain stage Phono cathode follower Left line input, low noise Right line input, low noise Left line, high gain stage Right line, high gain stage Line cathode follower |
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| SUBSTITUTION TYPES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6DJ8 ECC88, E88CC, E188CC, ECC808, 6922, 7308 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12AX7 ECC83, E83CC, ECC803, 7025, 7729, 6681, (Not 5751) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12AU7 ECC82, E82CC, ECC802, E182CC, 6189, 6680, 7730 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| WARRANTY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Your SL-1 Signature is warranted for six months from date of purchase. The warranty will be extended to three years if the completed warranty registration form is returned within thirty days of purchase date. Be sure to include a copy of the sales receipt to validate your registration. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tubes carry a ninety day warranty. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serial Number: 3631 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase Date: 8/15/94 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| to Convergent Audio Technology SL-1 Signature Pre-Amplifier | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| since May 3, 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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