Grounding
Correctly grounding an audio system for minimum hum and maximum signal-to-noise ratio can be very
complicated, and will vary from system to system.
PPA-2 has two different ground posts, each at different ground potentials; SIGNAL and CHASSIS. SIGNAL is at
the ground potential of the input signal. CHASSIS is that of the AC Mains ground connection; typically used as a
shield.
If your turntable has only one ground connection, usually that will connect to CHASSIS. If you have a separate
ground wire from the arm it should go to the SIGNAL ground, and the turntable motor or body ground wire
should go to CHASSIS.
Initial Power On
After making all necessary audio and grounding connections. Plug the included power cord to an available wall
outlet.
Press the Power button to turn on the PPA-2.
At initial power on the PPA-2 will go through a brief warmup period during which it will be in mute. You will see
the Alchemy Series Logo on the front panel display as the unit warms up. The screen will go blank just before
PPA-2 unmutes and restores the last known status condition of all functions; INPUT 1 or 2, Filter, Gain and Mode.
This first time it is powered on it will be on INPUT 1, no filter, low gain and in stereo.
Selecting Cartridge Type
There are several technologies of phono cartridge available. The PPA-2 works with Moving Magnet (“MM”) and
Moving Coil (“MC”) types. USUALLY MM cartridges are designed to operate into a nominal load impedance of
47K Ohms. MC cartridges are typically loaded with much lower values from 5 Ohms to a few hundred Ohms
up to maybe as much as 1000 Ohms. There are always exceptions to these rules, so check to be sure. The
PPA-2 lets you select this load precisely through use of a continuously adjustable potentiometer and built-in
measurement system. Please refer to figure 1 for the DIP switch settings to correctly select either the fixed 47K
or adjustable load for Inputs 1 and 2 separately.
ELAC Alchemy PPA-2 Phono Preamplifier | www.elac.com | Page 7
