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Aquarian Audio Products

UPA-1

Preamp / Balanced Line Driver / Headphone Amp.

Thank you for purchasing your 

Aquarian Audio Products

 UPA-1 preamplifier. This product is 

designed to be exceptionally robust in the marine environment while being a very versatile tool for amplifying 
the output of our H2 hydrophones.  It can also be used with electret and dynamic microphones.  The UPA-1 
has two gain stages.  The first stage is variable; the second jumper-selectable stage adds 26 db with an 
infrasonic filter.  Using different combinations of these gain stages, the UPA-1 will provide the vital link 
between your hydrophone or mic and any consumer or pro-level stereo or PA equipment.  The balanced 
output can also directly drive headphones.  The waterproof and corrosion-proof housing, conformal-coated 
circuit board and  gold user-replaceable output jack will give the user the freedom to monitor underwater 
sounds in harsh salt-water environments with confidence and ease.

Figure 1: Overview

Figure 2: Connections

Battery Installation:

The rubber front panel snaps securely into the hard plastic cover without any fasteners.  All of the 

components of 

figure 2

 will pull apart from the cover together.  

To minimize stress on internal components, try 

to remove the amplifier assembly by gently pulling it strait out from the cover.  Try not to “pop” it out violently 
as this will strain the output jack and battery wires and could shorten their service life if done repeatedly.

  The 

front panel can be removed by hand if necessary, but it is easiest to place any convenient rod though the hole 
in the rubber (see tool insertion point, Figure 1) and use this rod as a handle with which to pull.  A nail is 
included so that you have this tool immediately at hand.

A lanyard and safety line are packaged within the battery cover.  Remove these, attach a 9-volt 

battery, place the battery into the cover, then snap the front panel back into place.  Take care to align the 
amplifier board with the slots in the cover during assembly.

Notes:  (1)

 If the front panel is not placed into the cover evenly, the gain-adjustment knob is designed to push out of the 

rubber front panel to avoid stressing the amplifier board.  If this happens, simply push the knob back into place after the front 
panel is assembled.  Be aware of this possibility so as not to loose the knob. 

(2)

  after assembly, look into the recessed input 

jack and ensure that you can see the entire silver ring of the jack.  If the front panel is not placed into the cover evenly, this 
can get out of alignment.  If necessary, you can correct it by pushing it into place with any convenient tool, or by removing 
and reinstalling the front panel.

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1|2|3

A|B|C

Power Switch/
Gain (Volume)

Output Jack/
Headphones

Amp/Battery
Cover

Tool insertion point
for battery service/
amp adjustment

Input Jack
(recessed)

Rubber front 
panel snaps into 
grooves in 
battery cover 
with double seal

Front Panel

Summary of Contents for UPA-1

Page 1: ...ll strain the output jack and battery wires and could shorten their service life if done repeatedly The front panel can be removed by hand if necessary but it is easiest to place any convenient rod though the hole in the rubber see tool insertion point Figure 1 and use this rod as a handle with which to pull A nail is included so that you have this tool immediately at hand A lanyard and safety lin...

Page 2: ...t one terminal of the output A is an amplified version of the input signal while the other terminal B is electrically opposite or 180 degrees out of phase Both A and B terminals have the same amplitude and output impedance which can be very useful for reducing noise in long cables when connecting to a PA amplifier or recorder with a balanced input This configuration also alleviates the need for la...

Page 3: ... pressure This is most easily done by pushing from the front opposite the wires Don t attempt to pull on the wires as this may break them Use any convenient tool to push the jack out e g a pen the plug from your headphones or patch cable etc Push the replacement jack into the front panel and reconnect wires in the same way that you removed the old The standard wiring configuration is reference fig...

Page 4: ...1 MHz 0 3 dB 45 Hz 1MHz 0 1 dB 28 Hz 110 KHz 0 3 dB 45 Hz 20 KHz 0 1 dB Unity gain Max gain THD noise 0 01 1KHz Unity gain Warranty Statement Aquarian Audio Products warrants the UPA 1 preamp from electrical failure or defects in workmanship for a period of one year following the date of purchase Warranty claims or repairs can be made directly through Aquarian Audio Products Corroded output jacks ...

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