NEUTRAL AUDIO wants t thank yu fr the trust yu have placed in us by purchasing this prduct and we hpe it will fill yu with satisfactin fr a very lng time. Yu shuld knw that we have made every effrt t be an exclusive and unique audi industry leader, with ur advanced analg technlgy. Signed J. M. Jimenez <1>
Imprtant safety instructins Please read all the instructins. Dn t use this equipment in humid envirnments. D nt use cleaning fluids. Use a dry r slightly damp clth. D nt install near any heat surces r equipment that generates much heat. Inside there is n cmpnent that needs adjustment. D nt handle it, and refer t qualified service persnnel in case f failure t prevent electrical accidents. Place the equipment n a flat surface with enugh space fr ventilatin D nt cver rear ventilatin vents. Befre cnnecting the pwer utlet, be sure that yu have the prper vltage and the earth is f gd quality. Cntact with Neutral Audi fr any questin nt cntained in this guide. Always discnnect the amplifier befre handling cnnecting cables. This prduct has been assembled by hand in Spain, member f the Eurpean Cmmunity. Audi and D.R.E.I. Neutral technlgy are trademarks and may nt be used withut permissin frm the wner. The system D.R.E.I. technlgy is patented and cannt be used withut having been licensed by the wner. This NEUTRAL AUDIO electric device has been Certified fr use with the integrate D.R.E.I. system technlgy. <2>
INDEX A shrt descriptin f the external mdule, 4 Alternative cnnectin, 9 Built t Last, 5 Cnnecting X-DREI, 5 Designed by D.R.E.I. technlgy, 5 Everything is analg, 5 Frnt, 10 Guarantee cnditins, 15 Headphnes amplifier, 14 Imprtant safety instructins, 2 Inputs lines, 6 Multi-buffers, 5 Nte fr technicals experts:, 16 Output t amplifier, 7 Recmmended cnnectin, 7 Switch n f equipment, 10 Synergy Cntrl, 11 Technical features, 16 <3>
A shrt descriptin f the external mdule In the first place we are prud that NEUTRAL AUDIO is a part f yur highly valued musical system. With this external Mdule DREI, Stere and Analg, we have taken a big step frward in the audi industry. This new and essential prduct is designed t increase the listening quality f yur stere audi and mvie sundtracks, t levels well beynd currently nrmal. Our sund will give yu many mre hurs f warm, friendly enjyment. If the rest f yur audi system is at an apprpriate level, we are cnvinced that it will sund mre neutral, transparent, detailed, warm and musical than yu culd ever have imagined. A preamplifier is the element in the music reprductin system that lets yu select the surce yu want t hear, t change its utput level r vlume and cnnect t the assciated amplificatin. Neutral Audi is aware that this is the step where the musical signal deterirates mst due t the extremely lw levels with which they wrk and the electrical prblems inherent in this and therefre shuld be chsen with great care as verall utcme f the entire system depends n it. Fr this reasn we develped the Multi Pre amplificatin technlgy, which with several preamps mdules in parallel per channel cmmanded by the DREI mdule the prblems we have talked abut are greatly reduced btaining a pure sund yu will never have heard befre. There are several Neutral Audi Multi-preamp mdels with DREI tech. and they are undubtedly the best chice if yu want t have the best sund pssible, as they have been designed frm scratch t eliminate any electrnic interactin in the sund signal. The X-DREI is nt a preamp. It is designed fr thse cases in which there may nt be a need r desire t replace the existing preamplifier but where there is a desire t include the DREI technlgy in the final sund. T d this it is necessary t insert this external mdule between yur preamp utput and the amplifier input. Internally it uses a simplified Multi-preamps technlgy, using 6 high-precisin buffers perating in parallel with n gain r vlume cntrl and cntrlled by the incrprated DREI with the bjective f neutralize intermdulatin, crrect errrs in the electrnics and increase the verall perfrmance f the amplificatin, filters and speakers. PRO AUDIO, in this sectr this device has an imprtant use in indr r utdr cncerts and nightclubs and the extrardinary cntrl it exercises ver pwer and amplificatin allws higher sund levels withut saturating rms, prduces fewer prblems f sund transmissin t adjacent rms and flrs and increases the intelligibility f the music. Less pwer is needed t achieve the required sund level, therefre facilitating cmpliance with acustic regulatins, increasing acustic efficiency and extending the life f the pwer equipment and speakers thus increasing their prfitability. In Recrding studis the prperties ur technlgy cnfers t the sund is reflected in the Master. The audi tne is nt mdified, it keeps the characteristic "sund" f yur equipment but at a much higher level. The main functin is as described but has ther interesting features: Yu can change the sundstage using an external switch. It includes a high end headphne amplifier,(nly in the HighEnd versin). It s an active adapter between input and utput RCA-balanced which des nt cause deteriratin in the musical signal. Yu can use it as a split fr bi-amping yur speakers r t a secnd system in anther rm. In the interir,(n the exterir in the Pr mdel), there is a switch t change int Duplex mde, thus quadrupling its utput and dubling the X-DREI effect using nly ne input per device. Bypass. When Off it bypasses input t utput cmpletely unchanged. <4>
Designed by D.R.E.I. technlgy Multi-buffers The insertin f the D.R.E.I. technlgy mdule, (described at the end f this manual), included in all the analg mdels manufactured by Neutral Audi makes ur prducts exceptinal and us pineers because ur devices incrprate this technlgy. T bring ut the full pwer f "humanizing" sund and reducing electrnic interactins that this mdule is able t ffer, Neutral Audi has had t develp new amplificatin circuits and ingenius slutins t adapt them t each ther. Fr mre infrmatin please visit ur website. Similar t a prism that separates white light int many clrs, DREI tech separates sund int several musical signals and redirects them t 6 high precisin buffers perating in parallel t finally get back t the stere signal. Each f these buffers is managed by the DREI mdule. It is a simplified circuit f the Multi-preamp, patented by the brand. D nt cnfuse multi-channel systems used in hme theatres with ur prduct, which is nly STEREO, even thugh we use varius amplifiers per channel. Everything is analg One f the fundamental aspects f the X series and its exceptinal sund is that it des nt use any digital devices at any pint and shws utmst respect t cntent. We have exclusively used analg technlgy; there is n digitalizatin used in any prcess. Built t Last Being tp-level equipment, its cnstructin and design has been dne withut cst cncessins f any kind. We have used the mst mdern means available t make each f the cmpnent parts, using first quality cmpnents, the printed circuit bards and the cnnectrs are gld plated, the tridal transfrmer is sealed and islated, and Premium electrnic cmpnents etc. The audi signal des nt use internal wires and the signal track has been reduced t minimum n a single circuit bard. Sturdy, durable, andized aluminum chassis in the HighEnd mdel and a high strength treated steel and aluminum chassis in the PRO mdel Cnnecting X-DREI CAUTION. Befre making cnnectins, turn ff the assciated amplificatin and discnnect the plug frm the utlet. Make sure the vltage f the device matches that f yur pwer supply. Fr safety the <5>
earthing f yur electrical system must wrk prperly; therwise unwanted nise and interference may invade the audi system. Nte that the unit when ff cnnects "bypass, the input signal is directly available t the utput cnnecting RCA/RCA and XLR/XLR. After switching n, the blinking blue pwer LED lights dimly until all internal mdules are peratinal, (5 sec. apprx.), after which it gives a strnger light and DREI tech. starts t functin, (CHECK LED in the PRO mdel). This is nt a fault but prtects yur speakers frm inapprpriate signals. We strngly recmmend yu t use gd quality, clean, dry, rust free intercnnect cables. Peridically check the status f these cnnectins. Our cnnectins are very high quality and gld plated. We recmmend peridic applicatin f a specific prduct, (ask the dealer), t the cnnectrs t prevent rust and lss f cntact. Balanced cnnectins f input and utput XLR cnnectrs are the standard in The pin 1 = Grund The pin 2 = Ht The pin 3 = Cld Inputs lines The equipment has a pair f RCA inputs, (nly in the HighEnd versin) and anther pair f XLR (balanced). Yu can cnnect either ne r the ther. Nrmally, yu use nly ne f them. In the case f cnnecting tw different devices, (ex. Stere and AV), in the tw inputs simultaneusly, it is usual that the sund f the tw mix at the start and d nt cause damage. In sme cases there may be n sund utput, usually in the unit cnnected t a RCA input. Yu shuld cnnect the left channel t the "LEFT" (white) and the right channel t the "RIGHT" (red), but this is nt bligatry. It is nrmal fr the balanced (XLR) input signal t be luder than the RCA and this is nt a malfunctin. XLR als has a higher utput vlume level (+6 db.) than the RCA. Output gain Input Output STEREO MONO RCA RCA = = RCA XLR +6 db +6 db XLR RCA -6 db = XLR XLR = +6 db <6>
Recmmended cnnectin The usual and recmmended way t cnnect the X-DREI in yur current stere system is as shwn in the illustratin abve. The X-DREI is inserted between the preamplifier and amplifier. In this mde with a single appliance, the X-DREI serves all the surces used. At the input yu can cnnect any preamp f any brand, transistr r valve, r any surce (CD player, DAC, etc.) but it is very imprtant that it has VOLUME CONTROL. Remember that this device des nt have any gain r vlume cntrl, s the vlume level f the utput is the same as the input. If yu cnnect a surce directly, the sund is very lud and culd damage yur speakers. Output t amplifier Yu shuld cnnect the utput marked "OUTPUTS" directly t the respective amplifier and can use any unbalanced cnnectins (RCA) r balanced (XLR), since bth are always active and deliver the same signal. <7>
If yu have active speakers directly cnnect the X-DREI at the input t the internal amplifier. Fr bi-amping yur speakers cnnect the RCA t the amplifier f middles and trebles and the XLR (balanced) t the bass amplifier. Nte that this prduct is nt a filter and the entire musical signal is n bth utputs. Yu may need t adjust the internal gain f the amplifiers. T cnnect a secnd system in anther rm use the RCA fr the nearest amplifier and Balanced (XLR) t the farthest. Fr a duplex system in mn, cnnect nly ne input t the crrespnding left channel and use any f the fur utputs in the desired cnfiguratin. Repeat with anther X-DREI n the ther channel. The advantages f this cnfiguratin are bvius when lking fr the cmplete separatin f channels, including separate preamps as in the case f mdel X-QUANTUM Neutral Audi. D nt frget t change the internal switch t mn. The utput is muted when yu cnnect headphnes. DUPLEX/MONOPHONIC MODE T set this up in mn repsitin the internal switch fund inside the HighEnd Mdel r the utside MONO switch n the PRO mdel. Only can cnnect the Left input. Befre pening the lid DISCONNECT the device frm the energy supply t keep yu safe frm injury. <8>
Alternative cnnectin There is anther way t cnnect the X-DREI int yur current stere system, indicated in the illustratin abve, althugh it is generally less efficient than the previus way. It inserts the X-DREI between a surce and preamp. It is nt necessary that the surce has a vlume cntrl. Yu may wish t cnnect it this way fr varius reasns, including: D nt want any f yur surces t be directed t the DREI (althugh yu can always turn it ff thanks t its internal bypass). Yu want t set a different sundstage in each surce. T enhance the sund with several X-DREI, bth n the inputs and the utputs. T send a surce t tw preamplifiers. T have a headphne amplifier frm a single surce. T get an extra utput fr recrding. At the input yu can cnnect any surce whether transistr r valve frm any manufacturer. Remember that this device des nt have any gain r vlume cntrl, s the vlume level f the utput is the same as the input. D nt cnnect in this way, unless the cnnected surce has a vlume cntrl, directly t an amplifier r the sund will be very lud and culd damage yur speakers. <9>
Finally there is anther pssible cnnectin mde, the Lp Tape. If yur preamp has an input / utput recrding tape, yu can cnnect the X-DREI here as indicated in the instructin manual f yur preamp, as if it were a recrding system, prcessr r equalizer. Frnt As yu can see the design f the X-DREI is extremely simple, as befits a device f its range where ease f use and high sund quality shuld dminate. While "ff" the bypass redirects each input t its utput (RCA-RCA and Balanced-Balanced). There is n change in the cnnected equipment's impedance values when in bypass. Switching n the equipment If yu've already gt t here, yu must have the equipment fully installed, tested and cnnected. It is cmmn sense t avid damage t yur speakers by turning the amplifier stage n last, and als switching them ff first! When yu press the pwer buttn lcated n the rear panel, the blue LED will light dimly. After a while, when all the internal mdules are stabilized, the LED will light up brightly, indicating that it is fully peratinal. <10>
Synergy Cntrl One f the advantages f the technlgy develped by Audi Neutral is that it allws yu t vary the impulse respnse f each f the varius buffers that make up each channel. Thanks t this unique and nvel technique the Synergy and Sundstage can be adapted t yur taste with a simple click in the psitin f the switch. What led Neutral Audi t design this feature is very imprtant. Bear in mind that the rm/hall where music is played always alters the verall sund. Depending n the physical characteristics and elements f the rm/hall and the type f speakers yu have in yur installatin, the resulting sund can be far frm ideal. It wuld be endless t explain all the pssible situatins and that is nt the gal f this manual but generalizing, all equipment + rm/hall may deliver a less crisp and mre cnfused sund with severely uncntrlled base areas with little detail, in additin t lack f amplitude and fcus n the stage, including lack f "life" and realism. All this can be imprved by using this device. T achieve maximum synergy between the rm/hall and yur High End equipment (especially the speakers), try using the different psitins (6) by turning the switch t the ne that best suits yur preferences. There is n need t turn ff the appliance. Inherited frm ur Multi-preamps, we have cntinued with the clur system fr ease f use but n this ccasin have intermediate psitins between the different clurs t achieve a greater setting accuracy. The last psitin (red) is where yu will least ntice the effect f Synergy change and will be the clsest t yur current installatin. The DREI tech always perates at 100% and its effects are independent f this adjustment. Our recmmendatin is nt t make any radical changes in the beginning. Fr example start at Blue (N. 3) and eventually turn the switch until yu reach the ptimal psitin. Yu might be interested in ther psitins when using different surces. The buttn design makes it easy t change withut seeing it. This image will help yu select the psitin yu like best. The fllwing explanatins shuld nt be taken t literally as they are nly intended t explain as simply and graphically as <11>
pssible what t expect frm this technlgy and its results will largely depend n the assciated elements and listening quality f the rm/hall. As yu can see in ur example, the Green psitin gives yu a clse sund, with great base detail and nly the first wave reflectins the middles and trebles will be clean and straightfrward, widely spaced and with plenty f air between the instruments as might be perceived by an rchestra directr. Everything seems t becme therwrldly and listening becmes pleasanter and less tiring. On Blue yu will seem t mve back a few rws int the audience, the bass will becme mre present and mre instruments are fused tgether. The sundstage becmes a bit narrwer. In Red the feeling f the rm/hall becmes mre present. The reverberatins seem t increase, the bass becmes mre pwerful and cnfused and sme details are lst. The middles and trebles attenuate because f the effect f the stred energy, in general the rm/hall and the speakers are mre easily saturated and the sund pressure level can t be s high and prduces mre listening fatigue. <12>
<13> X-DREI
Headphnes amplifier As a bnus, the X-DREI HighEnd mdel has a high perfrmance internal headphne amplifier t take advantage f the DREI technlgy in this sphere. The cnnectin is made with a standard 6.35mm, (1/4 "), stere Jack On intrducing the headset plug, the music signal is diverted t the headphne amplifier and the utput discnnects the speakers. T avid damaging it, the signal is never cnnected t the headset when they are nt cnnected. The range LED light indicates that the headset is cnnected. It has been equipped with a high gain f 15 db, s we recmmend that yu turn dwn the vlume n yur amp befre cnnecting. It is designed t prevent yur speakers frm being damaged by excessive dbs when yu unplug the headphnes. Because f the special characteristics f D.R.E.I. technlgy we recmmend yu nt use sharp sunding headphnes. It is better t have a flat natural respnse. <14>
Guarantee cnditins NEUTRAL AUDIO guarantees this prduct fr a perid f 2 years, r the time legally established in the cuntry where it is purchased, as lng as it is purchased frm an authrized dealer. This guarantee cvers any manufacturing defects. T qualify fr this guarantee, yu must g t a service centre authrized by NEUTRALAUDIO r the stre where yu purchased it, presenting yur purchase invice. The Guarantee DOES NOT COVER: Damage caused by accident, misuse r abuse. Damage caused by external factrs r natural tragedies. Theft r rbbery. Damage caused by handling by persns nt authrized by NEUTRAL AUDIO. Damage caused by ther nn-prduct cmpnents. Prducts purchased frm unauthrized distributrs. The shipment rates fr the repair and return f the device t the custmer. Any csts arising frm installatin r desinstallatin f the prduct. Any manipulatin f the prduct by any persn nt authrized by NEUTRAL AUDIO, autmatically makes this guarantee null and vid. Cnsult yur distributr as t yur nearest technical assistance prvider and hw t cntact him. <15>
Technical features All technical specificatins cntained in this manual are crrect at the time f printing. Hwever NEUTRAL AUDIO may have made mdificatins t them withut ntice. Line RCA unbalanced and XLR balanced RCA line utputs unbalanced and XLR balanced Frequency respnse 0-200000 Hz (extended up t 500,000 Hz) Ttal Distrtin 0.04% Recmmended maximum input vltage 3.2Vpp RCA / 6.2Vpp balanced Maximum utput vltage Vpp 3.2Vpp RCA / 6.2Vpp balanced Input impedance 20 Khms RCA / 50 khms balanced Output impedance 600 hms RCA / 300 Ohm balanced Signal t nise rati better than 110 db Channel separatin better than 100 db Headphne amplifier 15db. IEC scket fr pwer supply Maximum Cnsumptin> 6 W Supply vltage 230VAC 50/60Hz. (r 115VAC),(using an interir switch). Dimensins HighEnd Width: 305 mm, Depth: 261 mm, Height: 85 mm Apprximate HighEnd Net Weight 4.5 kg Dimensins PRO mdel standart 19" 1U Apprximate PRO mdel Net Weight 3.8 kg Fr mre infrmatin cntact yur lcal Neutral Audi distributr. Nte fr technical experts: This unit challenges the traditinal methd f the electrnic measurement f sund. If yu want t crrectly interpret these values, cnsider talking t Neutral Audi regarding them. <16>
<17> X-DREI
NOTES: <18>
<19> X-DREI