Dan D'Agostino PROGRESSION PREAMPLIFIER, Owner'S Manual

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Polarity (remote control and RS-232 only): The Polarity control inverts the polarity of the entire
system. While the Progression Preamplifier does not invert polarity, many source devices do, and
many recordings are produced with inverted polarity. Because you have no way of knowing what
the proper polarity is, you must set this control by ear. Push the Polarity button on the remote
control to invert the polarity. The multi-function meters will turn from green to red when the
polarity is inverted. Try listening with the polarity normal or inverted, and use whichever setting
sounds better. Depending on the recording, the effects of polarity inversion are often subtle and
sometimes even inaudible. The multi-function meters are illuminated in red when the preamplifier
polarity is inverted.
Mute (remote control and RS-232 only): The Mute control mutes the volume temporarily. Press it
once to mute, and again to restore the volume. When muted, the multi-function meters will alternate
between green and green/white; and the Zone button LED will flash on/off. If the polarity of the
preamplifier is inverted, the multi-function meters will alternate between white and red.
Balance (remote control and RS-232 only): The Balance control lets you shift the stereo
balance to right or left. The Progression Preamplifier Balance mode is unique as it uses the two
multi-function meter needles. To adjust balance, press the Balance button on the remote. The
multi-function meters will swing to center and dim, indicating the balance setting. Use the volume
+/- buttons on the remote to change the balance setting. As you move the balance to toward the
LEFT side, the LEFT Meter will rise (move to the right) and the RIGHT Meter will fall (move to
the left). This operation is reversed when moving the balance to the RIGHT side. To return the
balance to the center, press and hold the Balance button on the remote. The meters will dim and
after the button is held for a few seconds the meter needles will point to center. The LED on the
remote will also blink.
Factory Reset:
the Progression Preamplifier can be returned to its factory default settings by
turning the main power switch from OFF to ON with the Standby and Zone buttons depressed.
Maintenance
The Progression Preamplifier requires no user maintenance other than to keep it clean and
ensure that the vents remain unobstructed.
Like a piece of fine furniture, the Progression Preamplifier has a fine, highly polished finish
that can be easily damaged. Do not rub or polish the finish, and do not allow objects to come
in contact with it. To clean the preamplifier, spray a small amount of distilled water onto the
supplied microfiber cloth and gently wipe the preamplifier’s surface along the direction of the
metal grain, with light pressure only. Never use a circular motion or heavy pressure, as this can
permanently scratch the machined surfaces. Do not rub the surface with the cloth, and do not
spray any liquid directly onto the preamplifier.
If dust or other contaminants or objects collect around the vents at the top and bottom of the
preamplifier, remove small objects by hand and use a shop vacuum or hand vacuum to remove
the dust. Use a brush attachment on the vacuum to avoid scratching the preamplifier’s surface.
If you need to transport or ship the preamplifier, be sure to use the original packing materials.
Allow the preamplifier to cool down for at least one hour before you wrap or package it.
Source selection: Press the front-panel button or remote button that corresponds to the
desired source. The LED in the middle of the front-panel button for the currently active source
will illuminate. When the DAC input is selected, the EXT sub-LED will illuminate. If the optional
DAC module is installed, subsequent button presses will cycle through the digital inputs —USB,
SPDIF, OPTICAL.
Zone selection: The Progression Preamplifier is equipped with two sets of balanced outputs that
can be independently selected for operation. Press the zone button to select between Zone 1,
Zone 2, or both Zone 1 and Zone 2 operation.
Gain adjustment:
The Progression Preamplifier can be set for +9 dB or +15 dB gain. The extra
volume provided by the latter setting may be needed to achieve sufficient output level with a
power amplifier that has relatively low gain. The default setting is +9 dB. To switch to +15 dB gain,
turn off the master power switch on the back of the power supply. Hold down the Standby and
Aux buttons on the front panel of the preamplifier, then turn the power back on. Release the
buttons when you see the lights on the front panel come on. To return the gain to +9 dB, turn off
the master power switch on the back of the power supply. Hold down the Standby and Phono
buttons on the front panel of the preamplifier, then turn the power back on. Release the buttons
when you see the lights on the front panel come on.
Theater: The Theater input allows you to interface the Progression Preamplifier with a
multichannel home theater audio system. To use it, connect the left- and right-channel outputs
of your surround sound processor to the Progression Preamplifier’s Theater input. This input
bypasses the preamplifier’s volume control, setting it at a fixed level, and uses your surround
sound processor’s volume control instead. The front panel and remote volume controls are
disabled. Push the Theater button on the front panel or remote when you want to listen to
surround sound. Push any other source button to return the system to stereo mode.
Dark Mode: Dark Mode blanks out the multi-function meters and LEDs after 15 seconds of
illumination. The Dark Mode is selected or unselected by holding the Standby button in for
several seconds while the unit is in Standby Mode. All front panel lights are disabled unless a
change is made on the front panel or remote to any of the controls. During a change the LEDs are
illuminated but will re-extinguish shortly after the changes are made.
Remote Control Operation: The Progression Preamplifier remote control uses Bluetooth rather
than typical IR operation. Bluetooth offers great improvement in usable range and does not
require line-of-sight for proper operation.
Remote Pairing: The remote control requires an initial pairing to the Progression Preamplifier.
Once paired, the remote control will stay paired to the Progression Preamplifier. Re-pairing will
be required when batteries are changed in the remote control.
The pairing process is automatic, but requires a few seconds after a new set of batteries are
installed in the remote. Make sure the Progression Preamplifier is plugged into the wall and that
the switch on the AC inlet is turned on. The Progression Preamplifier can be on or in standby
for this pairing to take place. If there is no response from the Progression Preamplifier after this
process, simply cycle power to the preamplifier and remove/replace the batteries in the remote
and the pairing should be successful.