Arcam Alpha Integrated User Manual

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INTEGRATED STEREO AMPLIFIER

OWNERS' HANDBOOK

Intr odu ction

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 svwitchable 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 con nec tion

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
BLUE

...................................

BROWN........................................LIVE

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.

The 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.

...........

NEUTRAL

EARTH

Rea r panel co nne ctions

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.

Lou dspeaker 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.

Lou dspeaker fuses

These are 2.0 amp fast blow 20mm x 5mm
diameter fuses. They may blow if the amplifier
is:

- run continuously at very high level into the
correct loudspeaker load

- run at high level into a loudspeaker of too lo'w
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.