Cambridge Audio 550A, 650A User Manual

Your music + our passion

550A/650A

azur

ENGLISH

Integrated amplifier

User’s manual

Contents Introduction

Introduction.............................................................................................. 2

Important safety instructions.................................................................. 3

Limited warranty ...................................................................................... 4

Rear panel connections........................................................................... 5

Connections ............................................................................................. 6

Front panel controls................................................................................. 8

Remote control......................................................................................... 9

Custom installation use........................................................................... 9

CAP5 protection system .......................................................................... 10

Technical speciﬁcations........................................................................... 11

Troubleshooting........................................................................................ 11

Thank you for purchasing this Cambridge Audio Azur 550A or 650A ampliﬁer. We are conﬁdent that you will enjoy many years of listening pleasure from it.

Developed as part of our on-going research and development regime, including extensive listening tests, we have incorporated many subtle tweaks and improvements to our circuits, components and layouts in the pursuit of our passion for sound quality. Speciﬁcally, these models use new output transistors, a new high-quality Alps volume pot, new polypropylene signal capacitors, gold-plated speaker outputs, custommade electrolytic capacitors in critical positions and several new circuit tweaks.

These models are amongst the ﬁrst to feature a new casework design with a thicker braced front panel, more rigid wrap-over lid assembly and dual-layer damped feet, all of which contribute to better resonance control.

A new version of our proprietary CAP5 system has been developed to allow a greater dynamic envelope to the protection scheme, offering a more dynamic real-life performance. Also featured is an environmentally friendly low power (<1W) standby circuit. This circuit completely powers down the ampliﬁer circuits in Standby mode yet is itself totally isolated when the ampliﬁer is on, thus having no effect on sound quality.

Both the 550A and 650A have fully buffered input circuits for low crosstalk and improved stereo imaging, driving a completely discrete bipolar transistor-based ampliﬁer and all powered from a custom audiophile-grade toroidal transformer. A new MP3/Portable Media Player input has been ﬁtted to the front panel for convenience, and the supplied remote can control the ampliﬁer, any of our matching CD players and basic iPod functionality.

The 650A differs from the 550A by having separate transformer secondaries for left and right channels, twin rectiﬁers and separate PSUs for dual-mono operation of the left and right power ampliﬁers. An even larger heatsink and transformer are also employed which allows for a greater power output of 75wpc (compared to 60wpc for the 550A).

Your ampliﬁer can only be as good as the system it is connected to. Please do not compromise on your source equipment, speakers or cabling. Naturally, we particularly recommend models from the Cambridge Audio Azur range, which have been designed to the same exacting standards as our ampliﬁers. Your dealer can also supply excellent quality Cambridge Audio interconnects to ensure your system realises its full potential.

Thank you for taking the time to read this manual; we recommend you keep it for future reference.

Matthew Bramble Cambridge Audio Technical Director and the 550A/650A design team

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This guide is designed to make installing and using this product as easy as possible. Information in this document has been carefully checked for accuracy at the time of printing; however, Cambridge Audio's policy is one of continuous improvement, therefore design and speciﬁcations are subject to change without prior notice.

This document contains proprietary information protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced by any mechanical, electronic or other means, in any form, without prior written permission of the manufacturer. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

550A/650Aazur

Important safety instructions

For your own safety please read the following important safety instructions carefully before attempting to connect this unit to the mains power supply. They will also enable you to get the best performance from and prolong the life of the unit:

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with a dry cloth.

7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including other ampliﬁers) that produce heat.

9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not ﬁt into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles and the point where they exit from the apparatus.

11. Only use attachments/accessories speciﬁed by the manufacturer.

12. Use with only the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table speciﬁed by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/ apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

14. Refer all servicing to qualiﬁed service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as the power-supply cord or plug having been damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

WARNING

– To reduce the risk of ﬁre or electric shock, do not expose this unit to

rain or moisture.

– Batteries (battery pack or batteries installed) shall not be exposed to

excessive heat such as sunshine, ﬁre or the like.

The unit is of Class 1 construction and must be connected to a mains socket outlet with a protective earthing connection.

The unit must be installed in a manner that makes disconnection of the mains plug from the mains socket outlet (or appliance connector from the rear of the unit) possible. Where the mains plug is used as the disconnect device, the disconnect device shall remain readily operable. Only use the mains cord supplied with this unit.

Please ensure there is ample ventilation. We recommend that you do not place the unit in an enclosed space; if you wish to place the unit on a shelf, use the top shelf to allow maximum ventilation. Do not put any objects on top of this unit. Do not situate it on a rug or other soft surface and do not obstruct any air inlets or outlet grilles. Do not cover the ventilation grilles with items such as newspapers, tablecloths, curtains, etc.

This unit must not be used near water or exposed to dripping or splashing water or other liquids. No objects ﬁlled with liquid, such as vases, shall be placed on the unit.

The lightning ﬂash with the arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of un-insulated ‘dangerous voltage’ within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufﬁcient 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 instructions in the service literature relevant to this appliance.

WEEE symbol

The crossed-out wheeled bin is the European Union symbol for indicating separate collection for electrical and electronic equipment. This product contains electrical and electronic

equipment which should be reused, recycled or recovered and should not be disposed of with unsorted regular waste. Please return the unit or contact the authorised dealer from whom you purchased this product for more information.

CE mark

This product complies with European Low Voltage

(2006/95/EC), Electromagnetic Compatibility (2004/108/EC) and Environmentally-friendly design of Energy-related Products (2009/125/EC) Directives when used and installed according to this instruction manual. For continued compliance only Cambridge Audio accessories should be used with this product and servicing must be referred to qualiﬁed service personnel.

C-Tick mark

This product meets the Australian Communications Authority’s

Radio communications and EMC requirements.

Ross Test Stamp

This product meets Russian electronic safety approvals.

FCC regulations

NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY RADIO OR TV INTERFERENCE CAUSED BY UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS TO THIS EQUIPMENT. SUCH MODIFICATIONS COULD VOID THE USER AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the

limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the

FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.

If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

– Re-orient or relocate the receiving antenna.

– Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to

which the receiver is connected.

– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

ENGLISH

Limited warranty

Ventilation

IMPORTANT – The unit will become hot when in use. Do not place anything

on top of the unit. Do not place in an enclosed area such as a bookcase or in a cabinet without sufﬁcient ventilation.

Ensure that small objects do not fall through any ventilation grille. If this happens, switch off immediately, disconnect from the mains supply and contact your dealer for advice.

Positioning

Choose the installation location carefully. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight or close to a source of heat. No naked ﬂame sources, such as lighted candles, should be placed on the unit. Also avoid locations subject to vibration and excessive dust, cold or moisture. The unit can be used in a moderate climate.

This unit must be installed on a sturdy, level surface. Do not place in a sealed area such as a bookcase or in a cabinet. Do not place the unit on an unstable surface or shelf. The unit may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult as well as serious damage to the product. Do not place other equipment on top of the unit.

Due to stray magnetic ﬁelds, turntables or CRT TVs should not be located nearby due to possible interference.

Electronic audio components have a running in period of around a week (if used several hours per day). This will allow the new components to settle down and the sonic properties will improve over this time.

Power sources

The unit should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power-supply to your home, consult your product dealer or local power company.

This unit can be left in Standby mode when not in use and will draw <1W in this state. To turn the unit off, switch off at the rear panel. If you do not intend to use this unit for a long period of time, unplug it from the mains socket.

Overloading

Do not overload wall outlets or extension cords as this can result in a risk of ﬁre or electric shock. Overloaded AC outlets, extension cords, frayed power cords, damaged or cracked wire insulation and broken plugs are dangerous. They may result in a shock or ﬁre hazard.

Be sure to insert each power cord securely. To prevent hum and noise, do not bundle the interconnect leads with the power cord or speaker leads.

Cleaning

To clean the unit, wipe its case with a dry, lint-free cloth. Do not use any cleaning ﬂuids containing alcohol, ammonia or abrasives. Do not spray an aerosol at or near the unit.

Battery disposal

Please dispose of any discharged batteries according to local environmental/electronic waste disposal guidelines.

Loudspeakers

Before making any connections to loudspeakers, make sure all power is turned off and only use suitable interconnects.

Servicing

These units are not user serviceable. Never attempt to repair, disassemble or reconstruct the unit if there seems to be a problem. A serious electric shock could result if this precautionary measure is ignored. In the event of a problem or failure, please contact your dealer.

Cambridge Audio warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship (subject to the terms set forth below). Cambridge Audio will repair or replace (at Cambridge Audio's option) this product or any defective parts in this product. Warranty periods may vary from country to country. If in doubt consult your dealer and ensure that you retain proof of purchase.

To obtain warranty service, please contact the Cambridge Audio authorised dealer from which you purchased this product. If your dealer is not equipped to perform the repair of your Cambridge Audio product, it can be returned by your dealer to Cambridge Audio or an authorised Cambridge Audio service agent. You will need to ship this product in either its original packaging or packaging affording an equal degree of protection.

Proof of purchase in the form of a bill of sale or receipted invoice, which is evidence that this product is within the warranty period, must be presented to obtain warranty service.

This Warranty is invalid if (a) the factory-applied serial number has been altered or removed from this product or (b) this product was not purchased from a Cambridge Audio authorised dealer. You may call Cambridge Audio or your local country Cambridge Audio distributor to conﬁrm that you have an unaltered serial number and/or you made a purchase from a Cambridge Audio authorised dealer.

This Warranty does not cover cosmetic damage or damage due to acts of God, accident, misuse, abuse, negligence, commercial use, or modiﬁcation of, or to any part of, the product. This Warranty does not cover damage due to improper operation, maintenance or installation, or attempted repair by anyone other than Cambridge Audio or a Cambridge Audio dealer, or authorised service agent which is authorised to do Cambridge Audio warranty work. Any unauthorised repairs will void this Warranty. This Warranty does not cover products sold AS IS or WITH ALL FAULTS.

REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENTS AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS WARRANTY ARE THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF THE CONSUMER. CAMBRIDGE AUDIO SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY IN THIS PRODUCT. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY LAW, THIS WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PRACTICAL PURPOSE.

Some countries and US states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or implied warranties so the above exclusions may not apply to you. This Warranty gives you speciﬁc legal rights, and you may have other statutory rights, which vary from state to state or country to country.

For any service, in or out of warranty, please contact your dealer.

Plug-ﬁtting Instructions (UK only)

The cord supplied with this appliance is factory-ﬁtted with a UK mains plug ﬁtted with a 5-amp fuse inside. If it is necessary to change the fuse, it is important that a 5-amp fuse is used. If the plug needs to be changed because it is not suitable for your socket, or becomes damaged, it should be cut off and an appropriate plug ﬁtted following the wiring instructions below. The plug must then be disposed of safely, as insertion into a mains socket is likely to cause an electrical hazard. Should it be necessary to ﬁt a 3-pin BS mains plug to the power cord, the wires should be ﬁtted as shown in this diagram. The colours of the wires in the mains lead of this appliance may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug. Connect them as follows:

The wire which is coloured BLUE must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter ‘N’ or coloured BLACK.

The wire which is coloured BROWN must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter ‘L’ or coloured RED.

The wire which is coloured GREEN/YELLOW must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter ‘E’ or coloured GREEN.

If a standard 13-amp (BS 1363) plug is used, a 5-amp fuse must be ﬁtted or, if any other type of plug is used, a 5-amp fuse must be ﬁtted, either in the plug or adaptor, or on the distribution board.

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