Audionet STERN User Manual Download Page 1

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STERN

Ultimate Linear Preamplifier

User’s Manual

HANDMADE
IN BERLIN,
GERMANY

Summary of Contents for STERN

Page 1: ...STERN Ultimate Linear Preamplifier User s Manual HANDMADE IN BERLIN GERMANY ...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...t 9 4 2 Mains connection 10 4 3 Orientation of mains plug 11 5 Inputs and outputs 12 5 1 Inputs 12 5 2 Outputs 12 5 3 Bi Amping 13 5 4 Audionet Link 13 6 Operating 15 6 1 Powering up 15 6 2 Switching on and off 15 6 3 Using Audionet Link 16 6 4 Control elements on the front panel 17 6 5 Volume control 17 6 6 Display 19 6 7 Input selection 20 6 8 Muting 21 ...

Page 4: ...iew of factory defaults 48 8 Audionet Metal Remote Control 49 8 1 Key assignment 49 8 2 Changing the batteries 50 8 3 Settings for Audionet preamplifier 50 9 STERN Control App 52 10 Network setup 53 10 1 Connecting to a wireless network 53 10 2 Setting up the Access Point Mode 55 10 3 Network trouble shooting 56 10 4 Updating the STERN 58 11 Monitoring mains power voltage 60 12 Technical informati...

Page 5: ...o inspire musical enjoyment and have an excellent reputation amongst all connoisseurs throughout the world Each and every one of our precision man ufactured devices is individually crafted by hand at our new Berlin headquarters Built by audiophiles for audiophiles With the utmost precision and total control of each and every perceptible detail Even if you re an experienced aficionado of ultra high...

Page 6: ...or serial ports Cover bag Gloves 2 pairs User s manual that you are currently reading Red warning note Fumigation certificate 1 2 Transport Important Only transport the STERN in the original packaging Always use the provided cloth bag to prevent scratches on the casing Please allow the STERN to adapt to the climatic conditions in your listening room before you switch the unit on for the first time...

Page 7: ...7 2 Overview front panel I 2 3 4 I 2 3 4 1 power key 2 rotary encoder 3 keys dynamically assigned functions 4 display ...

Page 8: ...D AND HANDMADE BY IDEKTRON GMBH CO KG BERLIN GERMANY DISCONNECT POWER CORD BEFORE OPENING THIS UNIT MUST BE EARTHED PHASE OUT 1 GND RS232 WLAN INVERTED 6 5 4 3 2 1 XLR 1 XLR 2 LINE 1 LINE 2 INPUT LEFT OUTPUT RIGHT OUTPUT LEFT STERN MAINS FUSE 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 22 INPUT RIGHT AUDIONET LINK OUT 1 ENGINEERED AND HANDMADE BY IDEKTRON GMBH CO KG BERLIN GERMANY DISCONNECT ...

Page 9: ...ecommended to place the STERN into a highquality rack or onto a stable table Do not expose the unit to direct sunlight Do not place the STERN in close range to heat sources like radiators Do not place the STERN on top of other units Especially not on top of power amplifiers preamplifiers or similar components that produce heat Both units could suffer damage from thermal overload Do not use the uni...

Page 10: ...t pin is marked on the back panel PHASE Never pull the mains plug while the STERN is switched on Before you pull the power cord off its socket at the back panel power down the unit to stand by mode first The STERN should only be switched off from the mains in cases of extended absence like vacations or if massive trouble on the mains power is to be ex pected Pull the power cord off the mains input...

Page 11: ... plug The correct polarization of mains is important for the reasons of audio clarity and stability Please connect the power cord so that the hot pin of the wall outlet is connected to the pin of the mains input marked with PHASE ...

Page 12: ...ght input of the same number printed on the back panel of the STERN to the corresponding output of the source which you would like to connect to the STERN 5 2 Outputs The STERN is equipped with two balanced XLR and as well as three Cinch line outputs and left and right channel each to connect the unit to your amplifier s The signal Cinch line output is inverted Due to the double mono design the le...

Page 13: ...amping setup Important In most cases loudspeakers are equipped with bridges installed between the terminals for bass and high mid range These bridges have to be removed be fore you connect two power amplifiers to each speaker Otherwise the power amplifiers might get damaged Please consult the user s manual of your speakers to find out if the speakers support bi amping and how they have to be set u...

Page 14: ...nk connected devices switching on at the same time Otherwise this could re sult in an overload of your home fuse Tip Audionet source units and power amplifiers are usually equipped with an Au dionet Link input and additionally with an Audionet Link output to connect further Audionet devices to be controlled via Audionet Link in a daisy chain Connect the Audionet Link output to the Audionet Link in...

Page 15: ...is in stand by mode The display turns dark now The STERN should only be switched off from the mains in cases of extended absence like vacations or if massive trouble on the mains power is to be ex pected Pull the mains plug off the mains input socket to completely disconnect the unit from mains Important Never pull the power cord while the STERN is up and running Before you disconnect the power co...

Page 16: ... e g power amplifiers CD player or tuner on and off if they are connected via Audionet Link refer to section Audionet Link on page 13 If further Audionet units are connected to your STERN via Audionet Link these linked units will be switched on and off automatically as soon as you switch the STERN on and off by using the key on the front panel or the remote con trol Note The power on signal is iss...

Page 17: ... in the present operating mode The rotary encoder is used to control the volume setting of the STERN see the following section Volume control but as well for navigating through the menus and user options 6 5 Volume control The rotary encoder on the front panel of the STERN is used to set the desired volume level Turn the rotary encoder clockwise to increase and counter clock wise to decrease the v...

Page 18: ...o used for navigating through the menus see section Setup Menu on page 23 as well as for selecting the input channel see section Input selection on page 20 Use the keys VOL and VOL see section Key assignment on page 49 to control the volume with the Audionet Metal Remote Control 3 Line Input Volume 44 dB Menu Options Mute Input Info ...

Page 19: ...on page 8 2 Name of the currently selected input channel fully user definable see section Name on page 47 3 Current volume level in dB relative to the input level refer to previous sec tion Volume control 4 Bar graph display of the current volume setting 5 Currently assigned functions to the keys beneath the display 6 Status of the wireless connection see section Wireless on page 36 3 Line Input L...

Page 20: ...f the currently selected input channel and its user defined name is highlighted in blue In order to actually switch to the selected input channel press the Select key If you would like to go back to the main screen of the normal operating mode press the Home key Use the Menu key to enter the setup menu The STERN features a soft input selection While switching inputs the volume is decreased to 80 d...

Page 21: ...input selection the STERN uses soft muting The volume is stepped down gently to 80 dB Afterwards the outputs are switched off The displays second line informs on a muted unit with the text mute instead of the volume value in dB To un mute the STERN press the Mute key again The outputs are switched back on and the volume is stepped up gently to its original level afterwards Note You may of course s...

Page 22: ...of the setup menus and would like to mute the volume press the Home key first to get back to the main screen and press the Mute key afterwards Basically the function Home is always assigned to the most left key beneath the display ...

Page 23: ...ay All global settings are located within the setup menu Menu The global settings are applied to all input channels independently Press the Menu key on the front panel to enter the menu for the global settings The status bar on the top of the display informs on the active menu sub menu or menu item Global Settings Home Back Select Display Balance Power Serial By Pass Network Reset Info ...

Page 24: ...y as well as on the selected menu item Use the rotary encoder and the Select key for navigating through the menus Turning the rotary encoder moves the triangular cursor up and down from one menu item to the next Press the Select key to enter the selected menu item While inside one of the menu items use the rotary encoder to select a setting Press Save key to save the selected setting to the non vo...

Page 25: ...Default assigned to the right most key beneath the display This key does always reset the currently edited setting to its factory default value In order to acknowledge and store the default value the Save key has to be used afterwards Tip If you would like to reset all user settings to the factory default values at once navigate to the menu item Reset in the global settings menu Menu and select th...

Page 26: ...bers your settings 7 1 Global settings Menu 7 1 1 Display Use the rotary encoder on the front panel to adjust the brightness of the display Turn clockwise to increase or turn counter clockwise to decrease the brightness Note If the brightness is set to 0 the display is only activated during setup or volume adjustments It switches off automatically several seconds after the last user entry Global S...

Page 27: ...o the left The value in the display turns negative STERN allows a shift of the balance up to 9 dB to the left or the right The displayed bar graph visualises a balance shift to the left or the right side with a blue rectangle Note A balance shift is carried out internally by attenuating the corresponding chan nel If the balance is shifted to the right the level of the left channel is atten uated a...

Page 28: ...e the Auto Start function Turn the rotary encoder counter clockwise to disable the Auto Start function Global Settings Power Home Back Display Balance Power Serial By Pass Network Reset Info Select Auto Start Auto Power Off Global Settings Power Auto Start Home Back Display Balance Power Serial By Pass Network Reset Info Default Save Auto Start Auto Power Off On Off ...

Page 29: ... Auto Power Off function when no input signal is detected for a period of 20 minutes on the currently selected input chan nel Turn the rotary encoder clockwise to activate the Auto Power Off function of STERN Turn the rotary encoder counter clockwise to disable the Auto Power Off function Off The Auto Power Off function is disabled STERN will stay pow ered on not matter if there is an input signal...

Page 30: ... Use this setting if the STERN is not connected to a home automation system On The serial port is active The STERN is now controlled by a home automation system via the RS 232 interface Important If you want to use the serial port for controlling the STERN it has to be activated On While the serial port is active the STERN will have an increased power con sumption during stand by mode Disable the ...

Page 31: ...o select the input channel you would like to use for the By Pass Mode Global Settings By Pass Home Back Display Balance Power Serial By Pass Network Reset Info Select Input for By Pass DC Servo for By Pass Global Settings By Pass Input Home Back Display Balance Power Serial By Pass Network Reset Info Save Input for By Pass 5 Line Input 5 DC Servo for By Pass Default On ...

Page 32: ...put selection screen reflects this setting by the additional text By Pass on the bottom of the channel icon Important An input channel that is used for the By Pass Mode must be selected within this menu item before you can use the By Pass Mode No input channel is pre selected as factory default for the By Pass Mode for safety reasons display 0 No Input The By Pass Mode is primarily intended to int...

Page 33: ...e your home cinema preamplifier as usual Important Please read the complete section about the special function By Pass Mode first before using this function in order to prevent maloperations and possible damage to your audio system and or hearing No input channel is selected by factory default for the By Pass Mode Use the menu item Input for By Pass to select desired input channel for the By Pass ...

Page 34: ...possibilities to disable the By Pass Mode 1 Select a different input channel The STERN switches back to the now se lected input channel resetting the volume to its prior level 2 Push the key on the front panel or the STERN key on the Audionet Metal Remote Control The STERN powers off to stand by mode Note If you leave the By Pass Mode by pushing the key on the front panel or the STERN key on the A...

Page 35: ...source connected to the STERN holds a high DC component in its output signal The DC Servo eliminates the DC component The input channel dedicated to the By Pass Mode is now AC coupled As factory default the DC Servo for By Pass Mode is activated Note The setting of the DC Servo for the By Pass Mode is completely independent to the DC Servo settings for the input channels Global Settings By Pass DC...

Page 36: ... connec tion Turn the rotary encoder counter clockwise to switch off the wireless net work connection Global Settings Network Home Back Display Balance Power Serial By Pass Network Reset Info Select Wireless Connection Update Global Settings Network Wireless Home Back Display Balance Power Serial By Pass Network Reset Info Select Wireless Connection Update Off ...

Page 37: ...less network module is active and provides a stand alone access point see section Setting up the Access Point Mode on page 55 Wireless network module is active and connected to the selected wireless network see section Connecting to a wireless network on page 53 The number of blue bars correspond to the received signal strength Wireless module is active and executes an action The text to the left ...

Page 38: ...page 4 refer to section Info on page 42 For information on how to setup the wireless network please refer to section Network setup on page 53 Global Settings Network Connection Home Back Display Balance Power Serial By Pass Network Reset Info Wireless Connection Update Re Connect Info Make connection Off ...

Page 39: ...shed The STERN will re boot automatically and is ready for the playback of music afterwards Important Do not disconnect the STERN from mains power while the update process is running This menu item does only check the local internal memory for pending up dates For information on how to check for updates on the Audionet Server and how to download them to the STERN please refer to section Updating t...

Page 40: ...network settings to their factory defaults After you press the Select button to choose one of the above listed reset meth ods STERN will ask you to confirm if you are sure to start the resetting process Global Settings Factory Default Reset Home Back Display Balance Power Serial By Pass Network Reset Info Select Reset All Reset Network Factory Default Reset All Settings Reset all settings to facto...

Page 41: ...nstead if you want to cancel the reset process and leave with out resetting the STERN After the confirmation of the resetting process a progress bar informs on the current status Also refer to the section Network trouble shooting on page 56 Factory Default Reset All Settings Reset all settings to factory defaults Please wait ...

Page 42: ...ns an overview on all global settings Channel settings for the currently selected input channel are listed on page 2 Global Settings Info 1 of 4 Home Back Display Balance Power Serial By Pass Network Reset Info Mute Prev Next Global Settings Display 100 Balance 0 dB Power Auto Start Auto Off By Pass No Input DC Servo Serial RS232 On On Off Off Global Settings Info 2 of 4 Home Back Display Balance ...

Page 43: ...additional information on the STERN and its software Device Name of the device Firmware Version number of the firmware Bootloader Version number of the bootloader Font Gfx Version number of fonts and graphics Network Version number of the network module Global Settings Info 3 of 4 Home Back Display Balance Power Serial By Pass Network Reset Info Mute Prev Next Device Info Device STERN Firmware 01 ...

Page 44: ...stand alone access point see section Setting up the Access Point Mode on page 55 Connection Whether a network connection is stablished or not MAC MAC Address of the Device IP IP Address of the Device DHCP If the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol DHCP is active or inactive Global Settings Info 4 of 4 Home Back Display Balance Power Serial By Pass Network Reset Info Mute Prev Next Network Info Mod...

Page 45: ... channel To decrease the input level turn the rotary encoder counter clockwise instead The display informs on the selected value in dB as well as with a bar graph Options 3 Line Input Home Back Select Offset DC Servo Name Options 3 Line Input Offset Home Back Save Offset DC Servo Name 9 dB 9 dB 4 dB Adjust Offset Default ...

Page 46: ...tivate the DC Servo for the currently selected input channel Turn it counter clockwise to dis able the DC Servo Off The DC Servo is disabled for the currently selected input channel On The DC Servo is active for the currently selected input channel Activate the DC Servo if the source connected to the STERN holds a high DC component in its output signal The DC Servo eliminates the DC component The ...

Page 47: ...marks the character which you now may alter Use the rotary encoder to select the desired character Push the Next key to advance the cursor to the next character position to the right Push the Prev key instead to move the cursor one position to the left After the last or the first position the cursor wraps around and starts at the first or last position again Options 3 Line Input Name Home Back Sav...

Page 48: ...Balance 0 dB Auto Start Off Auto Power Off Off Input for By Pass 0 no input DC Servo for By Pass On Wireless On Channel settings Offset 0 dB for all inputs DC Servo Off for all inputs Name 1 Balanced In 1 2 Balanced In 2 3 Line Input 3 4 Line Input 4 5 Line Input 5 6 Line Input 6 ...

Page 49: ...e key on the front panel If the unit is in stand by mode use the STERN key to turn it on If the STERN is already operat ing a push on the STERN key powers the unit down to stand by 2 Key CH Selects the next input channel of the STERN 3 Key CH Selects the previous input channel of the STERN 4 Key VOL Increases the volume of the STERN 5 Key VOL Decreases the volume of the STERN 6 Mute key Mutes the ...

Page 50: ...o the bottom of the battery compartment 8 3 Settings for Audionet preamplifier The Audionet Metal Remote Control has 6 keys to control an Audionet pre amplifier like the STERN The previous section Key assignment explains the function of these keys Depending on their type Audionet pre amplifiers use different system ad dresses for their remote control code A DIP switch on the circuit board of the A...

Page 51: ... ADDRESS in position 19 or 16 according to the following table Audionet preamplifier Address STERN PRE G2 PRE 1 G3 WATT SAM G2 DNA DNP DNA 1 19 MAP 1 16 Note The Audionet Metal Remote Control is preconfigured to setting 19 of the DIP switch if not ordered explicitly otherwise Older Audionet preamplifier models use the system address 16 ...

Page 52: ...n Wireless to On Please refer to section Network setup on page 53 to configure the STERNs connection to the wireless network in your home The main screen of the STERN app consists of control elements to adjust the volume of the STERN and to select the desired input channel To select an input channel tap on the desired but ton The names on the buttons correspond to the names of the inputs of the ST...

Page 53: ...ease refer to section Connecting to a wireless network below if you want the STERN to connect to an existing wireless network If you want to use the STERN s access point please see section Setting up the Access Point Mode on page 55 10 1 Connecting to a wireless network 1 Make sure the wireless network of the STERN is activated refer to section Network on page 36 2 Go to the wireless network WLAN ...

Page 54: ... refer to the settings of your wireless network for the correct passphrase 6 Tap Connect and the STERN will connect to the selected wireless network 7 Go to the wireless network settings of your iPhone iPad and log in to the same wireless network as chosen in step 4 The STERN app will recognize the STERN afterwards and connect to it automatically 8 You are now ready to use the STERN app to control...

Page 55: ...ion Network on page36 2 Go to the wireless network settings of your iPhone iPad and look for the wireless network AudionetStern 3 Connect to the AudionetStern network 4 Start the STERN app It will connect to the STERN and present you a list of wireless networks in your vicinity Choose the item Access Point from this list 5 The STERN is now configured to Access Point mode You may use the STERN app ...

Page 56: ...e STERN This will be usually the case if you know the preferred wireless network is down and you want use the STERN with the remote control and front panel control ele ments in the meantime You may always restart or reset the net work connection later see section below Retry Choose this option if you want to retry to establish a connection with the current settings This is the case if you don t wa...

Page 57: ...Go Back listed above at any time from the menu If you want to retry to log onto the selected wireless network press the Menu button on the main screen of the STERN Then select the menu item Network and afterwards the sub item Connection Now use the button Re Connect The STERN tries to reconnect to the selected wireless net work Also refer to section Network on page 36 If you would like to go back ...

Page 58: ...e user and offer the choice to update the STERN If you agree to the update the STERN app will download the necessary files and store them into the internal memory of the STERN When all files are safely transmitted the actual update process is started The display of the STERN informs the user of the progress of the update process In case you choose not to update this time the STERN app will remind ...

Page 59: ...rk that has access to the internet so that the STERN app is able to access the Audionet Server to check for updates and to download the necessary files Note The STERN app is disconnected from the STERN during the update process and music playback is not possible After the update process is finished the STERN will start up again automatically ...

Page 60: ...to continue The STERN will now enter stand by mode If the mains power is stable again you may restart the STERN While switching on from stand by mode and during operations the STERN also monitors the level of mains power voltage In case the mains power voltage level is out of the permitted range during switching on or for a longer period during operations so that a secure operation of the unit is ...

Page 61: ...anel to continue The STERN is now in stand by mode If the mains power voltage level is back inside the permitted range you may start up the unit again Warning Power Voltage Power Voltage Mains power voltage out of permitted range Power Off ...

Page 62: ...analog circuits by opto couplers The input and output sections as well as the volume control are realized using enhanced discrete Audionet operational amplifier modules with state of the art mica capacitors Rhodium Cinch jacks by Furutech Volume controller on a double ball bearing axis and with magnetic ratchet and optical sensing Volume controlled by electronic switches and real time linearized p...

Page 63: ... on a high resolution display By Pass mode for integration into home cinema systems Audionet Link outputs for the remote control of further Audionet devices User definable names for each input input levels adjustable for each input User selectable function to remove DC levels from signal sources Rhodium fuse ...

Page 64: ...ronment Do not cover the unit Do not open the unit Unauthorised opening will void warranty Do not short circuit the outputs While connecting or removing the STERN to or from sources and or power amplifiers all units have to be switched off to prevent any damage of the STERN or the other connected units Use a dry cloth for cleaning We do wish you many exciting listening experiences with your new Au...

Page 65: ... Furutech 2 pair XLR balanced gold plated Neutrik 1 D Sub 9 serial port control only 1 SMA for WLAN control only Outputs 2 pair RCA line Rhodium Furutech 1 pair RCA inverted Rhodium Furutech 2 pair XLR balanced gold plated 2 Audionet Link optical 1 connector gold plated for additional earth connection Output impedance Line input 24 Ω real XLR input 48 Ω real Output current max 60 mA Mains 220 240 ...

Page 66: ...ight 320 mm depth 505 mm Weight 50 kg Finish plates aluminum 9 mm pearl blasted silver or black text and icons printed black or white display color TFT chassis brushed aluminum black anodized Errors and omissions excepted Specifications and design are subject to changes without prior notice ...

Page 67: ...67 is a trademark of Idektron GmbH Co KG Engineered and produced by Idektron GmbH Co KG Alboinstrasse 36 42 12103 Berlin Germany en audionet de contact audionet de ...

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