Arcam Alpha Integrated Stereo Amplifier User's Manual
Contents
1. 3 a F Fj 4 AJ le gt es LY UO PN Introduction The Arcam Alpha integrated stereo amplifier has been designed to provide a combination of high quality sound reproduction and sophisticated styling The amplifier has five switchable inputs accepting signals from a turntable fitted with a moving magnet or high output moving coil cartridge a tuner a compact disc player a video sound output and a tape recorder It provides outputs for a pair of loudspeakers and for headphones and low level signals suitable for recording on to tape Although designed for simplicity of operation the Alpha has comprehensive tone control facilities which enable good results to be obtained with a wide variety of programme material Mains connection Check that the amplifier voltage setting as indicated on the back panel is the same as the local mains supply The wires in the mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following code GREEN AND YELLOW EARTH BLUES NEUTRAL BROW Mh A AS THE COLOURS OF THE WIRES IN THE MAINS LEAD MAY NOT CORRESPOND WITH THE COLOURED MARKINGS IDENTIFYING THE TERMINALS IN YOUR PLUG PROCEED AS FOLLOWS The wire which is coloured GREEN AND YELLOW must be connected to the terminal in the plug which is marked by the letter E or by the safety earth symbol or coloured GREEN or GREEN AND YELLOW T2. loudspeaker turntable ground lead if fitted left channel G loudspeaker fuse pa 000 video ISA 44 turntable right loudspeaker left loudspeaker right channel loudspeaker fuse With the loudspeakers connected to the DIRECT outputs the switch in the headphone socket is bypassed to give better sound quality but the headphones will not switch the loudspeakers off Connection diagram Specifications Noise and sensitivities ref 30W into at 1kHz Noise figures are CCIR ARM weighted Output power Both channels into 8ohms 30w 20Hz 20kHz at 0 5 THD Single channel at 1kHz into 8ohm into 4ohm 40W typ 60W typ This amplifier is suitable for use with loudspeakers of 4ohm or higher nominal impedance Harmonic distortion At 25W into 8ohm at 1kHz 0 02 typ Frequency response Disc input typ 0 5dB 60H2 20kHz 3dB at 20Hz Other inputs typ 0 5 30Hz 20kHz 1dB at 20Hz Crosstalk at 1kHz lt 60dB Low frequency damping factor 200 typ Tone controls Bass at 50Hz 8dB Treble at 15kHz 8dB Inputs Disc suitable for MM and high output MC cartridges Sensitivity 2 5mV Noise lt 70dB Input impedance 47kohm in parallel with 100pF Switchable loading module ULM M available provides 30kohm 8kohm 200pF 320pF 420pF and user programmabie option Tuner tape and video Sensitivity 200mv Noise lt 90 Input impedance 25kohm Specifica
3. BY THE MANUFACTURER S TECHNICAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ATTEMPT TO DISASSEMBLE THE EQUIPMENT BEFORE DESPATCH If you have any difficulty complying with these requirements please contact the Manufacturers at the following address amp Cambridge Limited Denny Industrial Centre Waterbeach Cambridge CB5 9PB Tel 0223 861550 Telex 817345 ARCAM In either case you should state clearly your name and address the date and place of purchase together with a brief description of the fault experienced In the event of equipment being returned which on test is found to comply with the published specification the Manufacturers reserve the right to charge a reasonable fee for testing the equipment and for return carriage Enquiries The Manufacturers are happy to answer any queries you may have regarding the use of this equipment on the condition that this enquiry is by letter and a stamped addressed envelope is provided You should state clearly the serial number of the unit the dealer from whom it was purchased and the date of purchase THIS GUARANTEE IN NO WAY VARIES OR REMOVES A PURCHASER S STATUTORY RIGHTS ARCAMALPHAQL Arcam Alpha front panel With the loudspeakers connected to the SWITCHED outputs plugging in the headphones automatically switches the loudspeakers off tape deck tuner 59555 right
4. at high levels THIS IS PERFECTLY NORMAL However if it becomes too hot to touch switch off the amplifier at once and consult your dealer If there is a lot of hum with the disc input selected check that the earthing lead from the turntable is connected to the ground terminal just above the disc input sockets and that the amplifier is correctly earthed via the mains lead If your system does not work check that the amplifier is switched on and the red light is on the source is plugged into the correct input sockets the selector switch is switched to the correct source the speakers are plugged into the amplifier correctly the volume control is not set to minimum the speaker fuses have not blown the fuse in the mains plug has not blown If sound comes out of one speaker only check that both speakers are plugged into the amplifier speaker fuse has not blown the balance control is not set fully clockwise or anticlockwise both left and right channels of the source are connected to the inputs correctly and the input wiring is not faulty check by swapping left and right input connectors Guarantee for UK sales This equipment has been fully tested before despatch from the factory Both the workmanship and the performance of this equipment are except as set out below guaranteed against defects for a period of two years from the date of purchase provided that it was original
5. control is in the centre click position 5 Balance The balance control is used to move the stereo sound image to the left or right It can be used to compensate for imbalances in room acoustics or input signals 6 Phones The headphone socket accepts any dynamic headphones fitted with a standard 1 4 inch stereo jack plug The headphones may mute the loudspeakers or not as required see loudspeakers The output is not suitable for driving most electrostatic headphones These are normally connected to the loudspeaker outputs 7 Power The amplifier is turned on by pressing the mains power switch The red light indicates that the power supply in the amplifier is operating it will continue to glow for a short time after the amplifier has been switched off Tape recording and replay The tape input output is designed to suit most reel to reel and cassette tape recorders Recording Select the signal source to be recorded using the selector switch DISC TUNER CD or VIDEO Then set the correct recording levels on your tape recorder and switch it into RECORD mode During recording the volume and tone controls have no effect on the signal being sent to the TAPE OUT sockets DO NOT attempt to record with the selector switch set to TAPE A feedback howl may result which could damage your loudspeakers Replay Set the selector switch to TAPE and then switch your tape recorder into P
6. fuses These are 2 0 amp fast blow 20mm x 5mm diameter fuses They may blow if the amplifier is continuously at very high level into the correct loudspeaker load run at high level into a loudspeaker of too low an impedance less than 4 ohms run into a short circuit They are user replaceable and two spares are provided However if they blow consistently in the absence of any of the above conditions please consult your dealer To remove a fuse from its holder simply push in twist 1 4 turn anticlockwise and pull the fuse out DO NOT replace with a fuse of greater value than 2 0 amps or with a slow blow or anti surge fuse since this will endanger the amplifier and your loudspeakers and invalidate your guarantee Front panel controls From left to right the controls are 1 Input The input selector switch selects which input signal is fed to the loudspeakers and headphones The selected signal is also fed to the tape sockets 2 Volume The volume control adjusts the sound level for both the loudspeakers and headphones 3 Bass The bass control cuts low frequencies when turned anti clockwise and boosts them when turned clockwise The flattest response is obtained when the control is in the centre click position 4 Treble The treble control cuts high frequencies when turned anti clockwise and boosts them when turned clockwise The flattest response is obtained when the
7. LAY mode Cartridge loading module optional A cartridge loading module ULM M is available which is designed to allow optimum matching between a moving magnet cartridge and the Arcam Alpha amplifier The module is purely passive and incorporates a number of different capacitive and resistive loads to suit different cartridges In order to install the loading module you will need to remove the top cover from the amplifier BEFORE REMOVING THE COVER ALWAYS SWITCH OFF THE AMPLIFIER AND UNPLUG FROM THE WALL SOCKET The cover may be removed by unscrewing the two screws indicated in the diagram and lifting the lid out N B Most cartridges will perform satisfactorily without any loading module speaker fuses user replaceable 2 fast blow only location of cartridge loading module remove screws to release lid Location of cartridge loading module top view Hints and tips For best results place the speakers away from the wall NOT in a corner and off the floor Speaker stands are ideal If the cable from the amplifier to the loudspeakers is long it may be worthwhile to use thick speaker cable Always ensure that the cable is joined properly to the 4mm plugs Keep the turntable away from the speakers to avoid acoustic pickup by the turntable from the speakers they should not be placed on the same piece of furniture The amplifier will get quite warm when being used
8. he wire which is coloured BLUE must be connected to the terminal which is marked by the letter N or coloured BLACK or BLUE The wire which is coloured BROWN must be connected to the terminal which is marked by the letter L or coloured RED or BROWN If the mains plug is fused fit a 5A fuse Rear panel connections Connect the system together as shown in the diagram All inputs and tape outputs are via RCA phono connectors The disc input is suitable for moving magnet and high output moving coil cartridges The CD input is specifically designed to match CD players and so has a lower sensitivity than the other line inputs The CD and VIDEO inputs may also be used as general purpose inputs for sources with a suitable line level output e g a second tape recorder Loudspeaker outputs The outputs are suitable for driving loudspeakers in the range 4 16 ohm impedance The loudspeaker sockets accept the 4mm plugs provided The upper three terminals are for the left hand speaker and the lower three for the right hand speaker One side of the speaker normally the side should be connected to the centre black terminal the other the side may be connected to either the direct or the switched terminal both red When the direct output is used loudspeakers and headphones may be used together when the switched output is used insertion of the headphones will automatically turn off the loudspeakers Loudspeaker
9. ly purchased new from an authorised UK dealer under a consumer sale agreement The words consumer sale shall be construed in accordance with Section 15 of the Supply of Goods Implied Terms Act 1973 The Manufacturers can accept no responsibility for defects arising from accident misuse wear and tear or neglect or through unauthorised adjustment and or repair neither can they accept responsibility for damage or loss occurring during transit to or from the person claiming under this guarantee This guarantee covers both labour and parts but the liability of the Manufacturers is limited to the cost of repair or replacement at the discretion of the Manufacturers of the defective parts and under no circumstances extends to consequential loss or damage Claims under this guarantee This equipment should be packed in the original packing and returned to the dealer from whom it was purchased or failing this any other authorised A amp R Cambridge dealer If it is not possible to return the equipment by hand then it should be further protected in a transit pack available from your dealer or direct from the factory and sent carriage prepaid by a reputable carrier Should the original packing not be available replacement packing can be purchased from the Manufacturers The equipment should not be sent by post DO NOT CONSIGN THE EQUIPMENT amp CAMBRIDGE UNLESS YOU HAVE FIRST BEEN SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED TO DO SO
10. tions and design subject to possible modification without notice Sensitivity 450mvV Noise lt 90dB Input impedance 10kohm Outputs Tape output Nominal output level 200 Output impedance Headphones Maximum output level into 6000hms 10V rms Output impedance 3300hm Suitable for headphones of 8ohm to 2kohm impedance Loudspeakers Nominal output level 30W per channe Suitable for speakers of 4ohm or higher nominal impedance Power supply 240V nominal May be dealer adjusted to 120V nominal 220 110V model to special order Power consumption 120VA Internal mains fuse 500mAT slow blow for 240V 220V operation slow blow for 120V or 110V operation The internal mains fuse is NOT user replaceable Spares kit Two loudspeaker fuses 2 0A fast blow Two red 4mm plugs Two black 4mm plugs Dimensions Width 400mm Depth 231mm Height 95mm Weight Net 4kg 8 810 ASR amp Cambridge Ltd Denny Industrial Centre Waterbeach Cambridge CB5 9PB England Tel 0223 861550 Telex 817345 ARCAM G
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