darTZeel Audio NHB-108 B version - Manual (Page 9)

darTZeel NHB-108 model one
User Manual, version B 1.0 Page 9 of 35
5.4. Choice of the input
Only one input can be used at a time. All inputs are
paralleled, so you cannot select them separately.
If you do not own a darTZeel NHB-18NS pream-
plifier yet, we suggest you use either RCA (5) or
XLR (7) inputs, with the Input Impedance Selector (9)
switched on "RCA Hi Z" (mid position, physically
speaking), or "XLR Bal". (lower position), respectively.
The XLR inputs are truly balanced on the version
B, through floating transformers:
Pin 1 = Ground
Pin 2 = Hot leg
Pin 3 = Cold leg.
If you have already paid us the honour of purchasing
a darTZeel NHB-18NS preamplifier, we strongly
recommend using the 50Ω BNC Zeel Inputs (4),
with the Input Impedance Selector (9) switched on
"Zeel 50Ω"(upper position, physically speaking).
The Zeel input is definitely the one that will bring
you the purest sound ever achievable. Read the
technical section at the end of this manual if you
want to know more about this topic.
5.5. Powering ON
Please do not forget that the darTZeel NHB-108
must have loudspeakers connected before you
power ON.
Your machine has already been factory set in order
to adapt to your mains supply, as confirmed by the
3-Step-To-Go commissioning leaflet. In case of
doubt, please contact us.
Connect the supplied power cable into the IEC
socket (8) and plug the other end into the mains
wall outlet.
You can then power ON the darTZeel NHB-108
model one
by pushing the Power Nose (3) button.
If a source is already connected, you should imme-
diately hear the music.
When powering the amplifier OFF by pressing the
Power Nose (3) button, you can still hear the music
for 10 to 30 seconds before the level goes down
dramatically and stabilizes. This behavior is per-
fectly normal, and it is not a failure at all. If you
need more details about this, please refer to the
technical section.
6. Using the darTZeel
6.1 Power cycle
The darTZeel NHB-108 model one has been de-
signed to deliver more than 90% of its magical
sound at cold start.
After 5 minutes, you are very close to the best the
machine can offer. The increasing quality you may
hear as time goes by will be mostly the reflection of
your growing musical pleasure…
No need then to leave your machine powered ON
all the time, except of course if you like paying
bigger electricity bills…
If your present preamplifier produces some clicks
and/or bumps when powering on/off, we suggest
you observe the following sequence:
Powering ON: first the Preamp, then the darTZeel
NHB-108 model one
.
Powering OFF: first the darTZeel NHB-108 model
one
, then the preamplifier.
If this procedure is not respected, you may encoun-
ter some blown fuses due to Crowbar triggering.
If you still hear some thumping at powering OFF,
you will have to wait around 10 seconds before
switching the preamplifier OFF. This noise, how-
ever, will be inconsequential and harmless.
6.2. darTZeel's Eyes
The 2 giant orange LEDs, called Eyes (2) for obvi-
ous reasons, are fully featured function indicators.
Five different illumination states, for each individ-
ual channel, are described hereunder:
1) Eyes shut (light off). This is of course the
status when the darTZeel NHB-108 model one
is either powered off or not plugged in. If one
Eye only is shut, it means that there is a power
fault or a blown fuse in the channel in question.
In the latter case, please go to chapter
7.1."Fuse(s) replacement".
2) Idle state. 45 to 55 seconds after powering ON,
and with no input signal, the Eyes go into this
barely illuminated state.
3) Signal presence. When an input signal, corre-
sponding to over 10 mW at 8Ω is detected, the
Eyes illuminate fully. You are in "musical
cruise mode". When the input signal disappears
for more than 45 to 55 seconds, the Eyes go
back to idle state. While listening at very low
levels, Eyes could toggle between states 2 and
3; this is normal behaviour.
4) Clipping. When approaching maximum output
power, the corresponding Eye flashes brightly
for about half a second, and then goes back to
the "musical cruise mode".
5) Blinking. Please refer to chapter 8.2.2. "Blinking
Eyes".