Audio Research LS26 Owner's Manual - Model Ls26
Do not turn volume up beyond normal listening levels
when “mute” is engaged to avoid unexpected or possibly
damaging sound levels. Reduce volume level whenever
changing input sources, even when muted.
The rotary control on the right selects any of six input
sources connected to the preamp: CD, Video, Aux 1, Aux 2,
tuner and phono. Each of these sources may also be select-
ed via direct access buttons on the remote control. The
selected source is indicated in the display window.
F ront Panel and LS26R Remote
C o n t rol Buttons
POWER ON/OFF: Supplies power from A.C. wall outlet to
preamp; indicated by active display window. Function
also on remote control.
For approximately 50 seconds after start up, “Mute”
appears in the display window and flashes until the auto-
matic muting cycle is completed. This also occurs in the
event of power interruption. Upon completing the cycle,
“Mute” will cease flashing. The preamp will remain muted
until normal operation is selected by pressing the “Mute”
button.
MUTE: When activated, electrically mutes all output of the
preamplifier; indicated by “Mute” in display window. This
control should be activated before switching inputs, chang-
ing connections or shutting down your audio system to
help protect your amplifier and speakers from unexpected
signal pulses. When deactivated, “Mute” disappears from
the display window allowing normal operation. Function
also on remote control.
The LS26 also has automatic muting to help protect system
components during A.C. power interruptions or low line
voltage. When sensing these conditions, the preamp
automatically goes into “Mute” and disables all outputs.
The 50-second warm-up timer will restart and “Mute” will
flash in the display window when normal power condi-
tions have been restored.
Note that automatic muting is only designed to protect
against power line interruptions or severe voltage drop.
It will not mute in the event of subsonic transmissions
from a faulty input source, amplifier failure or speaker
malfunction.
PROCESSOR (PROC): May be selected by button on front
panel or on remote control. Selects external A-V (home
theater) processor as input source and controller of volume
level for R and L channels. LS26 provides Unity Gain when
this input is selected.
When engaged, “PROC” and “UNITY GAIN” will appear in
the display, and the volume control is not adjustable
because gain is fixed. The preamp will also mute the input
after “PROC” is engaged.
WARNING: Before unmuting the “PROC” input, be sure
to turn the volume down on the home-theater processor.
Never connect a source with a fixed level output (DVD
player, tuner, CD, etc.) to the PROC input or the
amplifier(s) and speaker system could be damaged when
the LS26 is unmuted.
VOLUME UP/ D O W N : Increases/decreases overall volume
level of both channels equally for whichever input has been
selected. Caution: do not turn up volume beyond normal
listening levels when “Mute” is engaged to avoid unexpect-
ed or possibly damaging sound levels. It is a good idea to
reduce volume whenever changing program sources, even
when muted. Function available on remote control buttons
and front panel rotary control on left. .
B A L / S E: Select as appropriate for each input. For source
components having balanced (XLR) connections to the
LS26, select BAL. For single-ended (RCA) sources,
select SE. Once selected for an input source, the setting is
memorized.
M O N O : Sums L and R input for mono output from any
source selected. Remembers setting for each input.
MONITOR (MON): Selecting MONITOR (“MONITOR”
appears on display) routes Monitor input signal to the Main
outputs.
The Input Selector indicates what is routed to the Record
out. To exit the monitor position and return to program
source controlled by input selector (CD, Tuner, Phono, etc.),
press monitor switch again.
Note: The gain of the LS26 through the monitor input is
not adjustable by gain selector button (on the remote), and
is fixed at “High” gain (the gain setting on the display is
unlit in the “Monitor” position).
LS26R Remote Control Only
D I S P L A Y : Selects one of nine display illumination levels,
including off. When off, the display can be reactivated for
10 seconds at a low level by pressing any button
(except Power) on remote or control on front panel.
B A L L / B AL R: Adjusts balance left or right. Adjustment
appears in display window as movable marker on bar
graph. Useful for compensating for uneven speaker place-
ment or imbalanced output from a phono cartridge.
Model LS26
2