TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, REPLACE WITH THE SAME TYPE AND RATING OF FUSE.
UTILISER UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE MÊME TYPE.
This product has been designed to meet the IEC 60065 international electrical safety standard.
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR
The lightning flash with an arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated ‘dangerous voltage’ within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electrical shock do not remove cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
CAUTION: In Canada and the USA, to prevent electric shock, match the wide blade of the plug to the wide slot in the socket and insert the plug fully into the socket.
This product is designed and manufactured to meet strict quality and safety standards. However, you should be aware of the following installation and operation precautions.
You should read all the safety and operating instructions before operating this appliance. Retain this handbook for future reference and adhere to all warnings in the handbook or on the appliance.
The presence of electricity near water can be dangerous. Do not use the appliance near water – for example next to a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, in a wet basement or near a swimming pool, etc.
Take care that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through any openings. Liquid-filled objects such as vases should not be placed on the equipment.
Do not place the equipment on a bed, sofa, rug or similar soft surface, or in an enclosed bookcase or cabinet, since ventilation may be impeded. We recommend a minimum distance of 50mm around the sides and top of the appliance to provide adequate ventilation.
Locate the appliance away from naked flames or heat producing equipment such as radiators, stoves or other appliances (including other amplifiers) that produce heat.
The appliance has been designed for use in moderate climates.
Only use a rack or stand that is recommended for use with audio equipment. If the equipment is on a portable rack it should be moved with great care, to avoid overturning the combination.
Unplug the unit from the mains supply before cleaning.
The case should normally only require a wipe with a soft, damp, lint-free cloth. Do not use paint thinners or other chemical solvents for cleaning.
We do not advise the use of furniture cleaning sprays or polishes as they can cause indelible white marks if the unit is subsequently wiped with a damp cloth.
This appliance must be connected to a mains socket outlet using the supplied power cord. To disconnect this apparatus from power, you must disconnect the power cord. Make sure the power cord is always easily accessible.
Only connect the appliance to a power supply of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the appliance.
This is a Class 1 device and must be earthed.
The power switch is a single-pole switch. When the switch is in the “Off” position, the appliance is not completely disconnected from the main power.
Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords and plugs, and the point where they exit from the appliance.
Ensure that the grounding means of the appliance is not defeated.
Locate any outdoor antenna/aerial away from power lines.
If the unit has a stand-by function, a small amount of current will continue to flow into the equipment in this mode. Unplug the power cord of the appliance from the outlet if left unused for a long period of time.
If an abnormal smell or smoke is detected from the appliance, turn the power off immediately and unplug the unit from the wall outlet. Contact your dealer immediately.
You should not attempt to service the appliance beyond that described in this handbook. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.
The appliance should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:
A. the power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged, or
B. objects have fallen, or liquid has spilled into the appliance, or
C. the appliance has been exposed to rain, or
D. the appliance does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance, or
E. the appliance has been dropped or the enclosure damaged.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
Cet appareil est conforme à la section 15 des réglementations de la FCC. Le fonctionnement de l’appareil est sujetaux deux conditions suivantes :
Note: This product has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This product generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this product does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Please take attention that changes or modification not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance 20cm between the radiator and your body.
Cet équipement doit être installé et utilisé à une distance minimale de 20 cm entre le radiateur et votre corps.
This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d’Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radioexempts de licence. L’exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes :
Under Industry Canada regulations, this radio transmitter may only operate using an antenna of a type and maximum (or lesser) gain approved for the transmitter by Industry Canada. To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain should be so chosen that the equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) is not more than that necessary for successful communication.
Conformément à la réglementation d’Industrie Canada, le présent émetteur radio peut fonctionner avec une antenne d’un type et d’un gain maximal (ou inférieur) approuvé pour l’émetteur par Industrie Canada. Dans le but de réduire les risques de brouillage radioélectrique à l’intention des autres utilisateurs, il faut choisir le type d’antenne et son gain de sorte que la puissance isotrope rayonnée équivalente (p.i.r.e.) ne dépasse pas l’intensité nécessaire à l’établissement d’une communication satisfaisante.
The CE symbol indicates that this Primare product complies with the EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) and LVD (Low Voltage Directive) standards of the European Community.
The WEEE symbol indicates this Primare product complies with the European Parliament and Council Directive 2002/96/EC concerning Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). This product must be appropriately recycled or processed in accordance with these directives. Consult your local waste disposal authority for guidance.
The RoHS symbol indicates that Primare products are designed and manufactured to comply with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) as stated in the European Parliament and Council Directive 2002/95/EC.
Copyright © 2017-18 Primare AB.
All rights reserved.
Primare AB
Limstensgatan 7
21616 Limhamn
Sweden
Issue: I25DAC/3 (20/11/2018)
The information in this guide is believed to be correct as of the date of publication. However, our policy is one of continuous development and so the information is subject to change without notice, and does not represent a commitment on the part of Primare AB.
Primare is a trademark of Primare AB.
This guide was produced by
Human-Computer Interface Ltd.
http://www.interface.co.uk
This user guide describes the features and explains how to set up the amplifier for the best sound quality and ease of operation in order to allow for the most enjoyable reproduction of sound from all your sources.
For additional support and assistance please contact your local authorized Primare dealer, or visit our website at www.primare.net.
Your I25 is supplied with:
If any of these items are missing please contact your supplier. We recommend you retain the packaging in case you need to transport the unit at a later date.
Note that the I25 is supplied with a protective film on the display glass. Remove the film for a clearer whiter display.
The I25 is designed to be connected directly to a pair of loudspeakers.
The terminals can accept speaker cables terminated with spade terminals, banana plugs, or bare wires.
To connect bare wires unscrew the terminal, pass the bare wire through the hole in the terminal bolt, and clamp the wire in place by screwing the terminal back down hand tight.
The I25 provides fixed-level and variable-level analogue outputs on the LINE and PRE outputs on RCA connectors, to allow you to connect to active speakers or an analogue recorder.
The I25 also provides a coax digital output on an RCA connector.
You can connect up to five analogue sources and up to six digital sources to the inputs on the back panel.
You can also connect a PC or Mac to the USB-B input to use the I25 as an audio output device for your computer.
If this cable is not suitable for your power outlets please contact your supplier for an alternative cable.
Note: See Phase for information about getting the best sound from your I25.
WARNING: Always disconnect the I25 from the mains power before connecting or disconnecting any cables.
The standby indicator will light up on the front panel.
button on the front panel or remote control.The display shows:
The following diagram explains the function of each of the connectors on the back panel:
The remote control can operate any associated Primare products you have in your system.
Press once to select the product on the top line of the button, or twice to select the product on the second line.
The indicators at the top of the remote control light when pressing a button to show which mode the remote control is in.
Before using the remote control you need to insert the two AAA cells supplied with the C25.
Note: Replace only with 1.5V alkaline cells type AAA or equivalent.
When disposing of old batteries please be considerate to the environment.
Switches the I25 to standby, or switches it on from standby.
and 
Step between inputs.
Pressing and simultaneously displays the settings menus or exits from the menus.
In the settings menus:
Pressing or steps between the settings.
Holding down selects a setting or saves an edited setting.
Holding down navigates back or cancels editing a setting.
Changes the volume.
The I25 allows you to vary the volume from 0 (silence) to 99 (maximum).
or buttons on the remote control.The current volume setting is shown on the front panel; for example:
The I25 provides a choice of 12 inputs. Initially these are labelled as shown in the following table, but you can give them your own aliases to suit the sources in your system; see Alias.
| Label | Description |
| A1-A5 | Analogue on RCA connectors. |
| D6–D9 | Digital optical on TOS connectors. |
| D10, D11 | Digital coax on RCA connectors. |
| PC/MAC (12) | Digital on a USB-B connector. |
or buttons until the source is indicated on the front panel display; for example:
or 
buttons on the remote control to step between sources, or press one of the buttons 1 to 12 on the remote control to select the corresponding source directly.If you turn the display off it will be restored briefly when you operate any control.
The display automatically dims after ten minutes; you can adjust this delay in the settings menus; see General settings.
| Source | Cable |
| Analogue | Phono RCA cable |
| Digital optical | Digital optical cable |
| Digital | Digital coax cable |
Windows 7, 8, 8.1, or 10 (32/64-bit) is required. You need to install the Primare xmos audio driver, available on primare.net.
OSX 10.4 or later is recommended. No driver is required.
The I25 will then appear as a sound output device called Primare USB Audio DAC in the Sound control panel (PC) or Sound system preferences panel (Macintosh).
You can view and change the I25 settings from the front panel, remote control.
and buttons on the front panel, or press the MENU button on the remote control.The settings menu is displayed:
or buttons on the front panel or remote control.The current setting is shown highlighted.
button on the front panel, or press the SELECT button on the remote control.The current value is shown highlighted.
or buttons on the front panel or remote control to change the value of the setting.As you change it the new value is shown in the menu.
button on the front panel, or press the SELECT button on the remote control, to save the value you have set. button on the front panel, or press the 
button on the remote control. and buttons on the front panel, or press the MENU button on the remote control.The INPUT SETTINGS menu allows you to customise the inputs to suit the sources in your system:
Initially the INPUT SETTINGS shows the settings for the currently selected input. Alternatively the INPUT option allows you to step between all the inputs. The subsequent options will change according to the input.
Allows you to give the source a name; eg RADIO.
button on the front panel, or press the SELECT button on the remote control.The RENAME INPUT menu is displayed:
or buttons on the front panel, or or buttons on the remote control, to select the first letter. button on the front panel, or press the SELECT button on the remote control, to select it.After adding each character you have the options:
ADD NEW CHARACTER
CONFIRM ‘A’
CLEAR ALIAS
where CONFIRM shows the alias you have entered so far.
Choose between ENABLED (default) or DISABLED to specify whether the input is enabled.
Choose between: SELECT to automatically select an input containing an audio signal if the I25 is on; WAKE+SELECT to automatically wake up the I25 from standby, if necessary, and select an input containing an audio signal; and OFF (default) to disable automatic switching.
Choose between VARIABLE (default) or FIXED to specify whether the input should have variable or fixed gain.
FIXED is 0dB gain, equivalent to volume setting 66, and will overrule MAXIMUM VOLUME in AUDIO SETTINGS.
Selecting FIXED will show a loud-volume warning. Select YES to proceed or NO to cancel the fixed gain setting.
Fixed gain functions as an SSP (Surround Sound Pass-through) allowing the I25 to be used as an amplifier in a multi-channel system setup
Choose between: -30dB to -1dB, 0dB (default), or +1dB to +30dB to set the gain for the selected input.
If the gain is set too high on an input clipping may occur, and the message:
DECREASE INPUT GAIN
will be displayed. In this case reduce the gain until the warning message is not displayed.
The AUDIO SETTINGS menu allows you to customise the balance and start-up volume, and the maximum and mute volume.
Allows you to adjust the balance between 00LR-9 (far left), 00LR00 (centred, default) and -9LR00 (far right).
This setting determines the default output volume of your I25.
Select LAST USED to use the last used volume prior entering standby, or select SPECIFIED to set a specific volume.
Default setting is “SPECIFIED” with volume 20.
Set maximum volume limit between 0 and 99. The default is 99.
Sets the volume when the unit is muted. You can choose between 0 (default) and 30.
If the current volume is lower than the specified MUTE VOLUME, the volume will be set to 0 when pressing mute.
Allows you to choose the sample rate for analogue inputs on the digital output as 96kHz (default) or 48kHz. For digital inputs the output format is the same as the input.
Upsampling of 44.1/48 kHz PCM audio to 88.2/96 kHz is enabled by default.
If upsampling is not preferred, disable this option.
Note: disabling PCM upsampling could cause a silent gap in the beginning of a song during MQA playback.
This setting allows you to mute the speaker output of I25, while leaving the analog RCA outputs active. This allows for headphone listening using a headphone amplifier connected to the RCA outputs with the speakers off. Additionally, LINE output can be selected when volume is controlled at the headphone amp or PRE output when you want to control volume from I25.
Choose between OFF (default) to leave SPEAKER MUTE deactivated, or ON to activate SPEAKER MUTE. When activated, the letters “SM” will be shown in front of the current volume in OLED display. When deactivated, “SM” will disappear and volume will return to DEFAULT VOLUME setting.
Press and hold the MUTE button on C25 remote control to toggle the SPEAKER MUTE setting.
The GENERAL SETTINGS menu allows you to configure the general operation of the I25:
Choose between ALL (default), to show all inputs, or WITH SIGNAL, to show only inputs that have a signal.
Choose LOCKED to lock the front panel buttons, or UNLOCKED (default) to use them.
To unlock the front panel buttons use the remote control to select this menu, or remove power from the I25 for a few seconds.
Allows you to choose the delay for dimming the display after no user interaction, between: AFTER 1MIN, AFTER 5MIN, AFTER 10MIN (default), or OFF.
Displays the LED BRIGHTNESS menu to allow you to set the display brightness to between 1 and 5 for each display dimming level:
DIM HIGH (default 3), DIM MID (default 2), DIM LOW (default 1), or DIM OFF (default 1).
Displays the STANDBY SETTINGS menu to allow you to specify the standby settings.
STANDBY MODE can be set to ECO to reduce the standby consumption to less than 0.5W, but only allows the I25 to wake from the analogue and digital inputs, or NORMAL which also allows the I25 to wake from the PC/MAC input.
AUTO-STANDBY automatically switches the I25 to standby if there is no user interaction or audio from the current source for a specified delay: AFTER 10MIN, AFTER 15MIN, AFTER 20MIN (default), or OFF.
Resets the I25 to the factory default settings.
You are prompted to confirm. Select YES to proceed or NO to cancel.
Displays the FIRMWARE VERSIONS menu to allow you to view the versions of firmware installed.
2 x 100W into 8Ω, 2 x 200W into 4Ω
5 x RCA, 15kΩ impedance
1 x RCA, 100Ω impedance
1 x RCA, 100Ω impedance
4 x Optical/TOSLINK 192kHz/24 bit
2 x RCA 192kHz/24 bit
1 x USB-A up to 192kHz/24 bit; up to DSD128 (5.6MHz)
1 x USB-B up to 768kHz/32 bit; up to DSD256 (11.2MHz)
1 x RCA
Analogue input = selectable between 48 or 96kHz
Digital input = native output
Preamplifier output: 16.5dB
Line output: 0dB
Speaker output: 42.5dB
20Hz – 20kHz: -0.2dB
THD + N: < 0.05%, 20Hz – 20kHz, 10W at 8Ω
>100dB (AES17 filter)
C25 system remote control
RS232
IR in/out
Trigger out
Off: 0W
Standby (ECO): 0.5W
Operating: <28W
430 x 420 x 106 mm (w x d x h) with knobs and connectors
430 x 382 x 106 mm (w x d x h) without knobs and connectors
11 kg
Black or titanium
These instructions help you get the best possible sound from your I25.
The phase of the AC supply can make a significant difference to the sound.
Use the Polarity Pen supplied with the I25 to verify which pin is live on your AC power cable.
Ensure that the live pin of the AC power cable is connected to the left-hand pin of the power connector, viewed from the back panel:
Your Primare will start to sound best after an initial burn-in of approximately 24 hours.
You will notice a further smaller improvement in sound quality for at least another 3 days’ playing.
The RS232 input allows you to connect the I25 to a controller system. Use a twisted (null modem) cable. For more information contact Primare at info@primare.net or visit www.primare.net.
The Trigger output allows the I25 to switch on other devices, such as a DD35.
Your I25 is an ideal companion to the Primare DD35 CD Transport. For best results link the two products together as follows using the two cables supplied with the I25:
The Trigger cable ensures that the DD35 switches on, or to standby, when you operate the button on the front panel of the I25.
The following error message on the front panel display indicates an error condition:
DECREASE INPUT GAIN
Clipping has occurred on an input. Decrease the input gain; see Input gain.
Press and hold the standby button on the front panel to display the main firmware version number.
Press and hold the standby button on the front panel for 10 seconds to perform a factory reset of the I25.
You can also do a factory reset from the Prisma app, or from the GENERAL SETTINGS menu; see General settings.
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