Arcam Amplifiers P90/3 User Manual
A9 0
P 9 0
P 9 0 / 3
H A N D B O O K / M AN U E L / H A N D B U CH / H A N D L E I D I N G
Eng lis h
Fra nça is
Deu tsc h
Arcam A90, P90 and P90/3 ampliers
Amplicateurs Arcam A90, P90 et P90/3
Arcam-Verstärker A90, P90 und P90/3
Arcam-versterkers A90, P90 en P90/3
Ned erl and s
A90/P90
2
A90/P90
3
Eng lis h
Safety guidelines
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not
remove cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside.
Refer servicing to qualied service personnel.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of re or electric shock, do not
expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
The lightning ash 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 sufcient 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: 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.
Important safety instructions
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:
1. Take heed of warnings and instructions
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.
2. Water and moisture
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.
3. Object or liquid entry
Take care that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into
the enclosure through any openings. Liquid lled objects such
as vases should not be placed on the equipment.
4. Ventilation
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 (2 inches) around the sides and top of the
appliance to provide adequate ventilation.
5. Heat
Locate the appliance away from naked ames or heat
producing equipment such as radiators, stoves or other
appliances (including other ampliers) that produce heat.
6. Climate
The appliance has been designed for use in moderate climates.
7. Racks and stands
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.
8. Cleaning
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.
9. Power sources
Only connect the appliance to a power supply of the type
described in the operating instructions or as marked on the
appliance.
10. 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, and the
point where they exit from the appliance.
11. Grounding
Ensure that the grounding means of the appliance is not
defeated.
12. Power lines
Locate any outdoor antenna/aerial away from power lines.
13. Non-use periods
If the unit has a standby function, a small amount of current will
continue to ow 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.
14. Abnormal smell
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.
15. Servicing
You should not attempt to service the appliance beyond that
described in this handbook. All other servicing should be
referred to qualied service personnel.
16. Damage requiring service
The appliance should be serviced by qualied 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.
Safety compliance
This product has been designed to meet the IEC 60065
international electrical safety standard.
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
ATTENTION
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK DO NOT OPEN
A90/P90
3
Eng lis h
Using this handbook
This handbook has been designed to give you all the information
you need to install, connect, set up and use the Arcam A90
integrated amplier or the P90 power amplier. The A90
amplier is described rst, then the P90. The CR-389 remote
control handset supplied with the A90 integrated amplier is
also described.
Your amplier(s) may have been installed and set up by an
authorised Arcam dealer. In this case, you may wish to go
directly to the sections describing the use of this equipment.
Safety
Safety guidelines are set out on the inside front cover of this
handbook.
Many of these items are common sense precautions, but for
your own safety, and to ensure that you do not damage the unit,
we strongly recommend that you read them.
Contents
Safety guidelines......................................................2
Important safety instructions ......................................2
Safety compliance.....................................................2
Using this handbook.................................................3
Safety.......................................................................3
Installation: A90 integrated amplier ........................4
Positioning the unit ....................................................4
Connecting to loudspeakers.......................................4
Connecting to a power supply ....................................4
Connecting to other equipment...................................5
Using your A90 integrated amplier .........................6
Front panel controls...................................................6
Recording.................................................................7
Setting up your A90 integrated amplier ..................8
Using the remote control..........................................9
CR-389 Remote Control .............................................9
Installation: P90 power amplifer .............................10
Connecting to power, loudspeakers and other
equipment...............................................................10
Remote switching....................................................10
Three channel option ...............................................10
Using your P90 power amplier..............................11
Bi-wiring and bi-amping loudspeakers.....................12
Before you start ......................................................12
Bi-wiring your loudspeakers......................................12
Bi-amping your system.............................................12
Remote-control codes ............................................13
Service information................................................14
Technical specications..........................................14
Guarantee..............................................................15
On-line registration ................................................15
A90/P90
4
A90/P90
5
Eng lis h
Installation: A90 integrated amplier
Positioning the unit
Place your amplier on a level, rm surface.
Avoid placing the unit in direct sunlight or near sources of heat
or damp.
Ensure adequate ventilation. Do not place the unit in an
enclosed space such as a bookcase or cabinet as both of
these will impede air ow through the ventilation slots.
Connecting to loudspeakers
The red and black terminals on the back of the ampliers 4
are used to make the connections to the loudspeakers. You
can connect one or two pairs of loudspeakers to your amplier,
provided each pair is rated between 8–16Ω. (If one or both
pairs have an impedance of less than 8Ω, the combined load
on the amplier falls below 4Ω and could cause an overload.)
The pair designated ‘speaker 1’ (SP1) are connected to the
lower set of terminals, while the pair designated ‘speaker 2’
(SP2) are connected to the upper set of terminals. To connect
one pair of loudspeakers, use the SP1 terminals.
When connecting the speaker terminals of the amplier with
the terminals on the speakers, make sure that like polarities
are matched (i.e., match ‘+’ with ‘+’ (usually red) and ‘–’ with ‘–’
(usually black)). Mismatching of polarities will result in a weak
central sound, unclear orientation of the instruments and the
sense of direction of the stereo being impaired.
There are two options for connecting the speaker cable to the
amplier:
Using bare wire ended leads:
1. Strip back the insulation on the wire to reveal about 2cm
of conductor (the metal inside the cable).
2. If the conductor is stranded, twist the strands together
tightly to avoid loose strands making contact with the
adjacent terminals or the back panel.
3. Loosen the terminal by turning it anti-clockwise
4. Insert the twisted wire through the hole in the terminal.
5. Tighten by turning clockwise.
When making connections with stranded bare ended wires, take
great care that no individual strands of wire come into contact
with the adjacent terminals or with the back panel. If this
should happen, it will cause a short circuit on the output of the
amplier and could damage the amplier.
Using spade terminals:
1. Loosen the terminal by turning it anti-clockwise
2. Insert the spade connecter under the terminal.
3. Tighten by turning clockwise.
Connecting to a power supply
Wrong plug?
Check that the plug supplied with the unit ts your supply and
that your mains supply voltage agrees with the voltage setting
(115V or 230V) indicated on the rear panel of the unit 2
before plugging in.
If your mains supply voltage or mains plug is different, consult
your Arcam dealer or Arcam Customer Support on +44 (0)1223
203200.
The product must be earthed.
Mains lead
The appliance is normally supplied with a moulded mains plug
already tted 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 the mains
socket. Should you require a new mains lead, contact your
Arcam dealer.
Plugging in
Push the plug (IEC line socket) of the power cable supplied with
the unit into the socket (POWER INLET) 1 in the back of the
unit. Make sure it is pushed in rmly.
Put the plug on the other end of the cable into your power
supply socket and switch the socket on.
Wiring your loudspeakers
LR
+ –
PHONO
+ –
SP1
SP2
POWER INLET
PRE OUTPWR IN
6 8 9 bk bl bm bn bo bp54 bq1
4 – 16 OHMS
L
R
L
R
L
R
VOLTAGE
SELECT
230V
RECORD
OUT
PLAY
IN
TAPE 1
RECORD
OUT
PLA
Y
IN
VCR/TAPE 2 DVD AV TUNER
CD AUX
INTEGRATED
PRE/PWR
MM
MC
32
REMOTE
IN
TRIG
OUT
7 br
Arcam A90 amplifier
R
L
+ –+ –
Right
speaker
+
–
–
+
Left
speaker
A90/P90
5
Eng lis h
Standby power
For remote standby operation, the amplier’s control power
supply is kept powered up all the time the unit is connected to
the mains supply. The front panel power switch powers down all
other circuitry. Power consumption in this mode is less than 2W.
This means that even though the power switch is off, it may be
possible to hear a slight residual hum coming from the mains
transformer inside the amplier. This is perfectly normal. If the
unit is to be left unused for an extended period, we recommend
that it is disconnected from the mains supply by switching it off
at the wall socket.
Connecting to other equipment
The use of high quality interconnect cables to and from your
amplier is recommended to ensure the best sound quality.
Sockets marked L (and R) on your amplier should only be
connected to sockets marked L (and R) on other equipment. All
the line inputs have the same sensitivity and may be used with
equipment other than that labelled, if needed.
TAPE1/RECORD OUT 8 – Connect these output sockets
to the input sockets of your cassette deck (usually labelled
RECORD).
TAPE1/PLAY IN 9 – Connect these input sockets to the
output sockets of your cassette deck (usually labelled PLAY). If
you do not have a cassette deck you can use this input for other
(line level) equipment, such as a CD player, tuner, VCR, etc., but
not a turntable.
VCR/TAPE2 RECORD OUT bk – These output sockets can
be connected to the input sockets of VCR/second recorder
(usually labelled RECORD).
VCR/TAPE2 PLAY IN bl – Connect these input sockets
to the output sockets of your VCR/second recorder (usually
labelled PLAY). Alternatively, you can use this input for other
(line level) equipment such as a CD player, tuner, etc., but not a
turntable.
DVD bm – Connect this input to the audio outputs of a DVD
player.
AV bn – Connect this input to audiovisual equipment such as a
VCR, laserdisc player, satellite or Nicam tuner.
TUNER bo – Connect this input to the audio outputs of your
radio tuner.
CD bp – Connect this input to the audio outputs of your CD
player or DAC (digital to analogue converter).
AUX bq – Connect this input to the audio outputs of any unit
with a line level output, e.g. tape deck, tuner etc.
NOTE: The AUX inputs must not be used if the phono module
is tted. When this is tted AUX becomes an output carrying
the equalised phono signal at line level.
PHONO br – As standard, phono inputs are blanked. Phono
inputs are provided on a separate plug-in module which your
Arcam dealer or distributor can supply and t. This module
is compatible with most high output moving coil and moving
magnet cartridges (MM) and low output moving coil cartridges
(MC). MM or MC is selected via the MM/MC back panel switch.
Phono earth terminal – For connecting your turntable earth
lead (if tted). Note that this terminal must not be used as a
safety earth.
TRIG OUT AND REMOTE IN 3 (12V in and out) – These
connections are intended for use in multi-room installations.
TRIG OUT – This output provides a 12V signal whenever the
unit is switched on (i.e., not off or in standby). This signal
can be used to switch on automatically power ampliers
(or other equipment) connected to the A90, as they will
come on when the A90 is activated. This is useful if the
power amplier is remote from the A90, or otherwise
difcult to access.
REMOTE IN – This allows remote control signals to be received
by the A90 if the remote sensor is covered (or otherwise
not ‘visible’ to the remote control). An external sensor
is used to receive the signals from the remote control,
which are then fed to the A90 (into this input) using a
suitable cable. Remote control signals acceptable to the
A90 must be in modulated RC5 format, with a voltage
level of between 5V and 15V.
Note that in normal use there is no need to make any
connections to these sockets. If you would like to make use of
these features, please contact your dealer for more advice on
how to make the connections and on what type of cable to use.
Pre/power amplier connections
PWR IN
5
– To use your integrated amplier as a power
amplier, connect the output of your pre-amplier to the PWR IN
sockets.
Press in the PRE/PWR switch 7 on the rear panel to
select separate pre-amp/power amp mode. Under these
circumstances your A90 has exactly the same specication and
performance as a power amplier (see page 10).
PRE OUT
6
– To use your integrated amplier as a preamplier, connect the PRE OUT sockets to the input sockets
of your power amplier. With a power amplier of the correct
gain (e.g. the P90 power amplier) you can bi-amplify (‘bi-amp’)
suitable loudspeakers, giving signicant improvements in sound
quality (see page 12).
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