Cary Audio Design Stereo Amplifier SLP 2002 User Manual

SLP-2002 USERS MANUAL  
SLP-2002 Stereo Balanced Vacuum Tube  
Preamplifier  
Fully Balanced Vacuum Tube Line Stage Circuit Design  
with Cinema Bypass and Remote Volume Control  
CARY AUDIO DESIGN  
1020 GOODWORTH DRIVE  
APEX, NORTH CAROLINA 27539  
 
SLP-2002 USERS MANUAL  
Special listening note: The SLP-2002 will need approximately 100 hours of ‘burn-in’ time  
to sound its best. A new vacuum tube takes this amount of time to fully settle into its long term  
operating condition. During the first 100 hours the SLP-2002 will sound good but it will improve  
in its sonic characteristics as the burn-in period progresses. So, it will initially sound good and it  
will get better as the first 100 hours of use passes! Enjoy the listening!  
INITIAL SET UP OF THE SLP-2002 IN YOUR SYSTEM  
The rear panel: When looking at the rear panel of the SLP-2002 you will see the well-  
spaced, high quality connectors for inputs and outputs. From the left to the right side of the rear  
panel you will have XLR or RCA input connectors for your CD player. Next on the panel is the  
XLR or RCA input set for AUX 1. The Inputs for AUX 2, AUX 3 and AUX 4 use RCA  
connectors exclusively, as does the Tape Monitor loop. The Cinema bypass uses XLR or RCA  
input connections. The main preamplifier outputs are XLR and RCA sets, with two sets of RCA  
outputs. The main power fuse holder and an IEC standard AC power cable connector are the  
remaining features of the rear panel.  
We chose to offer XLR and RCA inputs for the main source components so that music lovers  
have more choice in matching the SLP-2002 with other high performance audio components.  
The SLP-2002 is a true balanced design with four line stages, from input to output and offers  
superb sound in a balanced system. We suggest using a Cary Audio Design CD player for a  
balanced input source, of course! Our CD-303/200 or CD-306/200 CD players would match up  
with this preamplifier very well. Both CD players have balanced output connections and would  
make the most of your sound system.  
The dual RCA outputs are convenient for you if you want to use a powered sub woofer with  
your main speakers. Connect one set of RCA output connections to your power amplifier and  
the other set to the self powered sub woofer’s input connections. Adjusting the variable volume  
control on your sub woofer can attain level matching between the main speakers and the sub  
woofer. Or you can use a second power amplifier and run music somewhere else in the house  
from the second set of main RCA outputs. Bi-Amp operation with two power amplifiers driving  
a single pair of speakers through direct speaker cable connections to the separate woofer and  
tweeter terminals on the speakers is also possible with dual RCA preamplifier outputs.  
We suggest that you choose excellent quality patch cables, with good ground shielding, for your  
system. Wire quality does matter and careful selection of wire for your system is something we  
recommend to maximize your listening enjoyment. Ask your Cary Audio Design dealer for  
advice about system wiring for your stereo sound system.  
The front panel: From left to right: AC Power switch, Mute/Operate switch, Cinema Bypass  
switch, Volume (Listening Level) control, Input Selector, Tape Monitor and Headphone Off/On  
switch. Each switch has an LED next to it to confirm operation or its selection as a function; the  
only exception being the Input Selector. The Volume control shows operation by flashing an  
LED while it is rotating. This visually confirms proper operation, as does the obvious change in  
volume level through the speakers or headphones.  
 
SLP-2002 USERS MANUAL  
SLP-2002 Design Features: The headphone jack is driven by the buffer stage 5814 tubes  
through specially chosen audio grade transformers. These audio grade transformers were  
included so that the sound quality of the SLP-2002 would be preserved and offered to  
headphone lovers. Headphones may be used with or without having the power amplifier and  
speakers turned on. If you have very efficient speakers and inefficient headphones, it may be  
necessary to turn off the power amp to avoid excessive ‘in room’ loudness. The 6922 driver  
tubes are direct coupled to the 5814 buffer stage tubes for the best sound and drive capability in  
this preamplifier. With the 5814 tubes driving the headphone transformers, the result is a  
glorious sounding headphone driver circuit.  
The SLP-2002 power supply has five fully regulated stages for the B+, the tube filaments and the  
control systems related to the volume control. The volume control is a four-gang ALPS  
potentiometer. This four-gang design is needed due to the truly balanced design of the four line  
stages in the preamplifier.  
The Remote Control Handset: Please insert the AAA batteries into the handset, aligning  
the positive and negative terminals to ensure the remote control functions properly. The  
handset flashes a small red LED to confirm it is working. If you push a button and the red LED is  
not flashing it indicates that the batteries are depleted. Change to new batteries and your  
remote control will work again. The remote control handset has Volume control Up or  
Down and muting On or Off.  
If you engage the mute circuit the SLP-2002 output circuit is muted. However, the  
remote handset will still operate the volume control circuit. Please be  
careful not to turn up the volume to a high level and then turn the mute off on the SLP-  
2002. The subsequent high volume level signal might startle you or possibly damage your  
speakers if it is set at too loud a level.  
 
SLP-2002 USERS MANUAL  
Specifications for the SLP-2002  
Regular Inputs: Five source components, 2 XLR or RCA, 3 RCA only connection  
Extra Input: Cinema bypass XLR or RCA connection  
Circuit design: Fully balanced, 4 separate line gain stages, Class A triode operation  
Frequency Response:  
9 Hz – 70 kHz +/- 3 dB  
<0.1 % @ 2 volts output  
<0.1 % @ 2 volts output  
< 80 dB below full output  
2 volts  
Total Harmonic distortion:  
Intermodulation distortion:  
Signal to Noise Ratio (A-weighted):  
Rated output voltage:  
Maximum output voltage:  
Overall gain:  
15 volts  
20 dB  
Tube complement:  
(2) 6922 Gain stage  
(2) 5814 Low impedance buffer  
Dimensions, H x W x D Inches/Millimeters:  
Weight, Pounds/Kilograms:  
Power Consumption:  
~5” x 17.5” x 15”/~127 x 381 x 324  
~25-lb/~11.4 kg  
75 watts  
Voltage:  
110-120/220-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz  
 
SLP-2002 USERS MANUAL  
SAFETY WARNING: Vacuum tube circuits need high voltage to work properly.  
Please do not open the cabinet of the SLP-2002 while the preamplifier  
is on or plugged into an AC power supply. Even when it is unplugged there is  
high voltage present in the circuitry, stored by the capacitors on the main circuit board.  
Please do not install the SLP-2002 where moisture or condensation will fall on it. We  
recommend any service to be performed by your Cary Audio dealer. If any liquid enters  
into the preamplifier unplug it immediately and do not plug it in again until any and all  
liquid has been removed and the interior of the preamplifier is dry.  
Cary Audio Design  
1020 Goodworth Drive  
Apex, North Carolina 27539  
Tel: 919-355-0010  
Fax: 919-355-0013  
SYSTEM TROUBLESHOOTING HINTS  
NO POWER  
NO SOUND  
IS THE AC CORD CONNECTED TO A SWITCHED AC OUTLET?  
IS THE SWITCHED AC OUTLET TURNED ON?  
CHECK THE POWER FUSE FOR THE AC OUTLET.  
CORRECT INPUT SELECTED? IS THE AMPLIFIER  
TURNED ON? IS THE SOURCE COMPONENT TURNED ON?  
IS THE SOURCE COMPONENT CONNECTED PROPERLY?  
ARE THE SPEAKER WIRES CONNECTED PROPERLY?  
NO BASS  
IS THE SUBWOOFER AMPLIFIER TURNED ON?  
IS THE POWERED SUBWOOFER TURNED ON?  
ARE THE “WOOFERS” IN YOUR SPEAKERS DAMAGED?  
ARE THE SPEAKERS WIRED CORRECTLY?  
POOR TRACKING  
IS THE DISC DIRTY OR SCRATCHED? IS THE DISC  
(CD, DVD PLAYER) SEVERELY WARPED? IS THE DISC SEMI-TRANSPARENT OR  
POORLY MADE WITH VISIBLE “PIN” HOLES?  
POOR, DULL SOUND ARE THE HEADS DIRTY? HEADS MAGNETIZED FROM LONG  
WOW & FLUTTER USAGE WITHOUT DEMAGNETIZING? ARE THE PINCH  
(TAPE DECK)  
ROLLER AND THE CAPSTAN DIRTY? CLEAN WITH PURE  
ALCOHOL, “Q” TIP COTTON BUDS OR A TAPE DECK  
CLEANING KIT. DEMAGNETIZE THE HEADS WITH A HAND  
HELD DEMAGNETIZER. DO NOT USE ABRASIVE DRY CLEANERS!  
 
SLP-2002 USERS MANUAL  
DISTORTED BASS OVERLOADING SMALL SPEAKERS?  
TOO LOUD VOLUME “CLIPPING” YOUR AMPLIFIER?  
DAMAGED WOOFERS IN YOUR SUB OR MAIN SPEAKERS?  
“HUM” IN SYSTEM AC CORD, VIDEO, DIGITAL AND AUDIO CABLES TOUCHING?  
THE AC CORD SHOULD BE SEPARATE FROM SIGNAL CABLES  
SIGNAL CABLES LAYING NEAR A LARGE POWER  
TRANSFORMER, SUCH AS IN A POWER AMPLIFIER?  
DEFECTIVE OR UNSHIELDED SIGNAL CABLES?  
GROUND LOOP? USE A 3 to 2 CHEATER PLUG TO ‘LIFT’ THE GROUND.  
OVERHEATING  
IS A COMPONENT STACKED ON THE AMPLIFIER?  
IS THE AMPLIFIER ENCLOSED IN A SMALL SPACE? A  
MINIMUM OF 3 TO 4” (~8-10 CM) CLEARANCE IS NEEDED  
ABOVE THE AMPLIFIER IN A SYSTEM. DO NOT STACK  
COMPONENTS ON THE AMPLIFIER. AN AMPLIFIER NEEDS TO  
“BREATHE” FREELY TO STAY COOL.  
POOR RECEPTION IS THE ANTENNA CONNECTED PROPERLY? IS THE  
(FM RADIO)  
ANTENNA MOUNTED AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE? IS THE  
ANTENNA ORIENTED FOR BEST RECEPTION? IS THE FM  
STATION DISTANT? AN OUTDOOR ANTENNA MAY BE  
NECESSARY. ADJUST THE ANTENNA FOR BEST RECEPTION.  
NOISY RECEPTION IS THE ANTENNA CONNECTED PROPERLY? IS THERE A  
(AM RADIO)  
LARGE ELECTRICAL MOTOR, COMPUTER OR COMPRESSOR  
NEAR THE TUNER OR ANTENNA? NOISE IS EASILY RECEIVED  
IN THE AM BAND. ADJUST THE AM ANTENNA FOR BEST  
RECEPTION AND MINIMUM INTERFERENCE.  
Below are photos of the Cary Audio Design V-12 stereo (left) and mono (right) power amplifiers. Both amplifiers are  
an excellent match to the SLP-2002 preamplifier.  
The V-12 stereo amplifier is rated 50 watts/channel in triode mode. The V-12 Mono is rated at 100 watts in triode  
mode. Both power amplifiers double their output power in the ultralinear mode. Each offers output from 4 or 8-ohm  
speaker terminals. Both have balanced or RCA inputs and use audiophile quality connections on the rear panel for  
input selection, XLR or RCA connections and for the speaker output terminals.  
 

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