Arcam Alpha 8P User Manual

ARCAM

alpha 7/8/8P AMPLIFIER

HANDBOOK

Front & Rear Panel Diagrams

ENGLISH

Alpha 7/8 Integrated Amplifier

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© © ©

Alpha 8P Power Amplifier

Saf©iy IflStniCtlOflS - Please read before operating the equipment ENGLISH

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

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

Alpha 7, 8 and Alpha 8P.

B. Alpha 7/8 integrated amplifier operating instructions.

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!

©,© SP1 - DIRECT CONNECTION - Connect terminals ©

to your right speaker and terminals © to your left
speaker ensuring correct polarity.

NOTICE FOR U.K. OWNERS ONLY

■ If the plug is removed then the remaining lead must be
rewired as follows:

■ The blue wire must be connected to the terminal

which is coloured blue or marked with the letter N.

©,® SP2 - SWITCHED CONNECTION - To drive a

second pair of speakers, connect terminals © to the
right speaker and terminals © to the left speaker,
ensuring correct polarity. Push the SP2 button in to

listen to this second set of speakers. To listen on
headphones and mute the loudspeakers use the SP2
connection and release the SP2 button.