This product was designed and manufactured to meet strict
quality and safety standards. There are, however, some
installation and operation precautions which you should be
particularly aware of:
1. Read Instructions - All the safety and operating
instructions should be read before the appliance is
operated.
2. Retain Instructions - The safety and operating
instructions should be retained for future reference.
3. Heed Warnings - All warnings on the appliance and
in the operating instructions should be adhered to.
4. Follow Instructions - All operating and use
instructions should be followed.
5. Water and Moisture - The appliance should not be
used near water - for example near a bathtub,
washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet
basement or near a swimming pool, etc.
6.Carts and Stands - The appliance should be used
only with a cart or stand that is recommended by the
manufacturer.
6A. An appliance and cart combination should be moved
with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven
surfaces may cause the appliance and cart
combination to overturn.
7. Wall or Ceiling Mounting - The appliance should be
mounted to a wall or ceiling only as recommended by
the manufacturer.
8. Ventilation - The appliance should be situated so that
its location or position does not interfere with its proper
ventilation. For example, the appliance should not be
situated on a bed, sofa, rug or similar surface that may
block the ventilation openings or placed in a built-in
installation, such as a bookcase or cabinet that may
impede the flow of air through the ventilation
openings.
9. Heat - The appliance should be situated away from
heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves
or other appliances (including amplifiers) that produce
heat.
10. Power Sources - The appliance should be connected
to a power supply only of the type described in the
operating instructions or as marked on the appliance.
11. Grounding - Precautions should be taken so that the
grounding means of the appliance is not defeated.
12. Power-Cord Protection - 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, convenience
receptacles and the point where they exit from the
appliance.
13. Cleaning - Unplug the unit from the mains supply
before cleaning. The appliance should normally only
require a wipe over with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth. If
it is heavily soiled then a cloth slightly dampened with
a water/washing up liquid solution may be used. Dry
the unit afterwards with a dry cloth.
We do not advise the use of furniture type cleaning
sprays/polishes as this can cause white marks, which
are very difficult to remove, if the unit is then wiped
over with water.
14. Power Lines - An outdoor antenna/ aerial should be
located away from power lines.
15. Non-use Periods - The power cord of the appliance
should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused
for a long period of time.
16. Object and Liquid Entry - Care should be taken so
that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into
the enclosure through any openings.
17. Abnormal Smell - If an abnormal smell or smoke is
detected from the appliance, immediately turn the
power off and unplug the unit from the wall outlet.
Contact your dealer immediately.
18.Damage Requiring Service - 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.
19. Servicing - The user should not attempt to service the
appliance beyond that described in the operating
instructions.
All other servicing should be referred to qualified
service personnel.
Introduction & installation
INTRODUCTION
ENGLISH
Arcam’s Alpha series of amplifiers is designed to be the
finest sounding range of hi-fi amplifiers currently available in
its price category.
The latest Alpha 7 and 8 models feature improved output
circuit protection compared with their predecessors. They
may also be upgraded at any time with the addition of the
matching Alpha 8P or 9P power amplifiers.
The Alpha 7 amplifier is rated at 40 watts per channel into
8 ohms. The Alpha 8 and 8P are rated at 50 watts per
channel into 8 ohms. In addition the Alpha 8's volume
control is motorised, allowing it to be operated from a
suitable remote control handset such as those supplied with
all Arcam CD players. Arcam’s “Handi-Remote”, model
CR30 is also suitable. This is available as an optional extra
from your Arcam dealer. For the above reasons no handset
is supplied with the Alpha 8 amplifier.
This manual is in four parts:
A.This section has information relevant to both the
The brown wire must be connected to the terminal
which is coloured brown or marked with the letter L.
The green and yellow wire must be connected to the
terminal which is coloured green and yellow, or
marked with the letter E or the safety earth symbol.
When replacing the fuse in the supplied moulded
mains plug, the integral fuse holder/cover must always
be refitted. Use a 5 amp fuse.
MAINS SUPPLY CONNECTIONS
o Insert the lEC line socket of the mains lead fully into
the power inlet on the rear panel. Connect the other
end to your mains supply.
Section B
ALPHA 7 /8 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
Please refer to drawings inside front cover.
C. Alpha 8P power amplifier operating instructions.
D.Instructions on how to bi-wire or to bi-amplify (“bi
amp”) your loudspeakers.
N.B. Circled numbers e.g. refer to items on the
diagrams inside the flap of the front cover.
Section A
INSTALLATION
O Check that your mains supply voltage agrees with the
voltage setting indicated on the rear panel of the unit.
■ If your mains supply voltage is different, consult your
Arcam dealer or Arcam Customer Services on 01223
203203.
MAINS SAFETY
■ This product is normally supplied with a moulded
mains plug already fitted to the lead. If for any reason
the plug needs to be removed, it must be disposed of
immediately and securely, as it is a potential shock
hazard when inserted into a mains socket.
■ Warning; This apparatus must be earthed.
LOUDSPEAKER CONNECTIONS
■ Dependent on the market where the amplifier is
intended for sale it may be fitted with either “Camcon”
loudspeaker connectors, which are designed to meet
EU safety standards, or with 4mm loudspeaker
sockets.
In Europe the 4mm holes will have been blanked off in
order to comply with European product safety
regulations. These sockets will still accept bare wire or
pin terminations.
The “Camcon” connector will accept spade terminals,
bare wires up to 4mm in diameter or a “Camcon”
plug. “Camcon” plugs are available from your arcam
dealer.
/
■ Connect your loudspeakers so that the red (positive;
terminal on each loudspeaker is connected to the
appropriate red terminal on the amplifier. Your
loudspeaker cables may be clearly terminated to show
polarity; if not, then the positive conductor can usually
be identified by a ridge or coloured marking.
Ensure that no stray strands are allowed to touch
another cable or the amplifier's casing. This can
cause a short circuit and damage your amplifier!
listen to this second set of speakers. To listen on
headphones and mute the loudspeakers use the SP2
connection and release the SP2 button.
ENGLISH
■ Both pairs of speakers may be driven simultaneously
provided each pair is rated between 8 and 16 ohms.
To avoid overheating the combined load impedance
as seen by the amplifier should not fall below 4 ohms
per channel.
CAUTION; Your Alpha 7/8 amplifier generates heat when
in use, particularly at higher volumes. It is therefore most
important never to obstruct the ventilation slots on the unit
as this could cause overheating.
NOTE ON VOLUME CONTROL SETTINGS
It is important to point out that, when playing a heavily
recorded CD, it is possible to drive the Alpha 7/8 amplifier
at full power despite the fact that the volume control is only
at 10 or 11 o'clock. This is because of the high output level
from modern CD players.
However the Alpha 7/8 amplifier also has to be capable of
jiving full power output from much lower level sources, such
as tuners and cassette decks. Using these sources, the
volume control setting will be much higher before audible
input sockets (‘power amp in’) of your power
amplifier. If your power amplifier is an Arcam Alpha
8P or 9P, or an Arcam Delta 290P, this may also be
used in conjunction with the power amplifiers in your
listen to. The selected input signal is also sent to the
TAPE OUT sockets to allow the signal to be recorded,
assuming you have a tape deck connected.
CONNECTING YOUR SOURCECOMPONENTS
■ Using a suitable pair of interconnect cables to connect
each component, insert the red phono plugs into the
sockets labelled 'R' and the other phono plugs into the
sockets labelled 'L'.
All of the line inputs (except PHONO) have the same
sensitivity and may be used with equipment other than
the PHONO input to an extra LINE level input. Press
the button in to use as a LINE input. Press and
release the button (it should then be flush with the rear
panel) to use as PHONO input.
TAPE - For monitoring a recording on a three head
cassette deck, set LISTEN to the desired input and
press TAPE. Switching between 'TAPE' and
'SOURCE' on the cassette deck allows you to
compare the original source with the recording. To
listen to a pre-recorded tape, press TAPE. This will
override the LISTEN selector.
VOLUME - Adjusts the volume
loudspeakers and headphones.
On the Alpha 8 only the volume control is motorised
and can be controlled remotely with the use of a
suitable remote control handset, such as those
supplied with Arcam CD players or the Alpha 8
FM/AM tuner (see section on OPERATION BY
REMOTE CONTROL for more details).
DIRECT - Bypasses bass, treble and balance controls
when the switch is depressed. This affects all inputs,
and will generally give a small improvement in sound
quality.
BASS - Rotate clockwise to boost the bass response
and anti-clockwise to cut the bass response. For a flat
response leave in the central 'click' position.
0
TREBLE - Rotate clockwise to boost the treble
response and anti-clockwise to cut the treble
response. For a flat response leave in the central
'click' position.
The range of the tone controls has been deliberately
limited to approximately +/- 8dB at the frequency
extremes.
few seconds it will glow green. When the LED glows
amber, the speakers are disconnected and an internal
protection circuit is activated.
■ If this LED glows amber during normal use it may be
due to the amplifier overheating or an output overload.
Check the amplifier is properly ventilated. Switch the
amplifier off and wait for 2-3 minutes before switching
on again.
If the LED continues to glow amber, switch the unit off,
remove all the speaker cables and switch on again. If
the LED goes to green on switch on then check the
speaker and speaker cables for short circuits before
reconnecting them. If the LED continues to glow
amber with no speakers connected contact your
Arcam dealer.
Utilising one Alpha 8P per loudspeaker in this manner
will allow bi-amplifying of biwireable loudspeakers.
This is particularly beneficial for top quality stereo
installations with a separate pre-amplifier, or for the
left, centre and right channel loudspeakers in a five
speaker Dolby Pro Logic system. Contact your Arcam
dealer for more detailed information.
OPERATION BY REMOTE CONTROL (ALPHA 8 ONLY)
■ The Alpha 8 amplifier is not supplied with a remote
control handset but is remote ready. The volume up
and down functions can be operated by the remote
control handsets supplied with all Arcam CD players.
It may also be possible to operate this function if your
CD player remote control handset has volume
up/down buttons and uses the Philips RC-5 remote
control protocol.
■ The Alpha 8 amplifier can also be muted by use of the
‘MUTE’ button on the remote control handsets
supplied with the Alpha 7, 8 and 9 CD players. The
POWER LED will glow amber in this case to indicate
that the amplifier has been muted. Pressing the
‘MUTE’ button again, or either of the volume up/down
buttons on your remote handset will cancel the MUTE
function.
0 POWER LED - This will initially glow amber. After a
few seconds, it will glow green. When the LED glows
amber, the speakers are disconnected and an internal
protection circuit is activated.
■ If this LED glows amber during normal use it may be
due to the amplifier overheating or an output overload.
Check the amplifier is properly ventilated. Switch the
amplifier off and wait for 2-3 minutes before switching
on again.
If the LED continues to glow amber, switch the unit off,
remove all the speaker cables and switch on again. If
the LED goes to green on switch on then check the
speaker and speaker cables for short circuits before
reconnecting them. If the LED continues to glow
amber with no speakers connected contact your
Arcam dealer.
Section D
BI-WIRING/BI-AMPING INSTRUCTIONS
Many modern loudspeakers are equipped with four
connection terminals. This provides direct access to the
high frequency and low frequency filter networks and
associated drive units within the loudspeaker.
Bi-wiring uses four conductors, one for each terminal, to
enhance dramatically the performance of your
loudspeakers. Bi-wiring eliminates the signal distortion
arising from the low and high frequency currents interacting
with one another within a single cable, as used in
conventionally wired systems.
HOW TO BI-WIRE YOUR LOUDSPEAKERS
1. Remove the shorting links from each of the red and
black terminal pairs on the rear of your loudspeakers.
2. You will need two lengths of loudspeaker cable per
loudspeaker (which may be joined at the amplifier end)
or a suitably terminated cable set capable of being
used for bi-wiring in one length.
3. Connect the cables as per one of the diagrams
opposite, dependant on your cable wiring, ensuring
correct polarity at all times. The positive (+)
connections on the right loudspeaker must go to the
positive (+) connections on the right channel of the
amplifier and the negative (-) connections on the right
loudspeaker must go to the negative (-) connections
on the right channel of the amplifier etc.
Overall performance can be enhanced by making use of
these separate connections.
WARNING: Do not make any connections to your amplifier
while it is switched on and connected to the mains supply.
Please check all connections thoroughly before attempting
to re-connect the mains power supply. Always ensure that
the volume control on your amplifier is set to a minimum
before switching on.
BI-WIRING USING BOTH SETS OF CONNECTIONS
BI-WIRING USING ONE SET OF CONNECTIONS ON
BI-AMPING
ENGLISH
The performance of your system can be further enhanced
over that achieved with bi-wiring, by extending the same
principal one stage further to include separate amplification
for the low and high frequency speaker drive units as well
as separate loudspeaker cables. This is known as
biamplifying, or bi-amping for short.
To implement bi-amping therefore requires four
amplification channels. In practice this is done by using two
stereo amplifiers; when one of these is an integrated
amplifier it is best to use this drive the high frequency (HF)
units whilst the outboard power amplifier is used to drive the
low frequency (LF) units.
We recommend you use one of the following combinations
for the optimum price/performance ratios:
Alpha 7 (HF) plus Alpha 8P (LF)
Alpha 8 (HF) plus Alpha 8P (LF)
Alpha 8 (HF) plus Alpha 9P (LF)
It is also possible to substitute an Arcam Delta 290P
amplifier for the Alpha 9P as their sensitivities are identical.
HOW TO SET UP A BI-AMPED SYSTEM
1. Remove the shorting links from each of the red and
black terminal pairs on the rear of your loudspeakers.
2. You will need two lengths of loudspeaker cable or a
suitably terminated cable capable of being used for bi
wiring in one length and one stereo amplifier per
frequency band.
3. Connect your system as per the diagram opposite
ensuring correct polarity at all times. The positive (+)
connections on the loudspeaker must go to the
positive (+) connections on the amplifier and the
negative (-) connections on the right loudspeaker must
go to the negative (-) connections on the right channel
of the amplifier etc. You also need to make a
connection from the preamp out sockets of your
integrated amplifier, or preamplifier, to the power amp
in sockets of the power amp.
ADDING AN ALPHA 8P TO AN EXISTING ALPHA 7
OR 8 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
If you are using an Alpha 7 or 8 amplifier, an Alpha 8P
can be added to bi-amplify a pair of biwireable
loudspeakers. This will reap substantial
improvements in sound quality if the following advice
is observed.
■ Always switch on the integrated amplifier and allow it
to stabilise (indicator light turns green) before
switching on the Alpha 8P.
THIS IS ESSENTIAL OR DAMAGE TO YOUR
AMPLIFIERS MAY RESULT WHICH IS NOT COVERED
UNDER WARRANTY.
BI-AMPING YOUR LOUDSPEAKERS
INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
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■l=OHF(0)
■ The integrated amplifier and Alpha 8P power amplifier
are placed on separate shelves.
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POWER AMPLIFIER
ENGLISH
(Stacking the units on top of each other will reduce the
sound quality slightly. It will also reduce ventilation and
consequently the continuous power handling
capability).
The existing integrated amplifier should be used to
drive the loudspeakers' HF (high frequency or treble)
units. The new Alpha 8P is utilised for the LF (low
frequency or bass) drivers, as shown in the wiring
diagram below.
At the end of a listening session the Alpha 8P should
always be turned off first.
High quality interconnect cables should be used
between the integrated amplifier and Alpha 8P.
The use of high quality interconnect and speaker
cables in your system is essential to obtain good
sound quality. Contact your dealer for further details.
Note: The second set of speaker terminals (SP2) on both
units can be used to drive extra loudspeakers in other
rooms provided the impedance of these is 8 ohms or
more.
■ WARNING - Ensure that the TERMINAL LINKS
ARE REMOVED from your biwireable
loudspeakers before switching on the amplifiers.
Failure to do this could cause damage to one or
both amplifiers and this is not covered under the
warranty.
SAFETY STANDARD
■ These products have been designed to meet the lEC
65 international electrical safety standard.
Guarantee InformationENGLISH
GUARANTEE FOR UK SALES
This equipment is guaranteed for two years from the date of
purchase (parts and labour only), provided that it was
originally purchased from an authorised 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 manufacturer can accept no responsibility for defects
arising from accident, misuse, abuse, wear and tear, 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 is applicable within the UK only. It is
transferable to subsequent purchasers, but the liability of the
manufacturer is limited to the cost of repair 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, directly to Arcam. It should be sent carriage prepaid by
a reputable carrier - NOT by post. No responsiblity can be
accepted for the unit whilst in transit to the factory, or an
agent, and customers are therefore advised to insure the unit
against loss or damage whilst in transit.
In the event of equipment being returned which, after having
been tested, is found to comply with the published
specification, the manufacturer reserves the right to charge a
reasonable fee for testing the equipment and for the return
carriage.
THIS GUARANTEE IN NO WAY VARIES OR REMOVES A
PURCHASER’S STATUTORY RIGHTS.
GUARANTEE FOR SALES IN THE EUROPEAN
ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (EEC)
This unit is covered by a European Economic Community
warranty.
This entitles you to have the unit repaired free of charge,
during the first year after purchase, at any authorised Arcam
distributor within the EEC, provided that it was purchased
from an authorised ARCAM dealer or distributor within thr
EEC.
The manufacturer can accept no responsibility for defects
arising from accident, misuse, abuse, wear and tear, 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.
If the original packing is not available, replacement packing
can be purchased from Arcam.
DO NOT CONSIGN THE EQUIPMENT TO ARCAM UNLESS
YOU HAVE BEEN SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED TO DO SO
BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ATTEMPT TO
DISASSEMBLE THE EQUIPMENT BEFORE DESPATCH.
You can contact the manufacturer at the following address;
You should state clearly your name and address, the date
and place of purchase together with a brief description of the
fault.
Countries of the European Economic Community are;
Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Greece, Germany, France,
Spain, Portugal, Eire, Italy, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Great
Britain and Finland.
This includes the Canary Islands, the Channel Islands, the
Isle of Man, Corsica and Sardinia.
This warranty remains in force for one year from the date of
purchase as long as the unit remains in free circulation. Units
exported from the EEC and subsequently re-imported are not
subject to this warranty.
CLAIMS UNDER GUARANTEE
This equipment should be packed in the original packing and
returned to the dealer from whom it was purchased, or failing
this, directly to the Arcam distributor in the country of
residence. It should be sent carriage prepaid by a reputable
carrier - NOT by post. No responsiblity can be accepted for
the unit whilst in transit to the dealer or distributor and
customers are therefore advised to insure the unit against
loss or damage whilst in transit.
For further details contact Arcam.
Technical Specifications
ALPHA 7 AMPLIFIER (Noise and sensitivities ref. 40W into 8 ohms at 1kHz)
Output power(20Hz-20kHz at 0.5%THD) 40W, both channels into 8 ohms
Harmonic distortion, SOW, 8 ohms at 1kHz 0.01% typical