Cambridge Audio Azur 340-A Owners manual

azur 340A/340A SE

Integrated amplifier

User’s manual

2 Azur integrated amplifier

Introduction .................................................................................................3

Safety precautions ......................................................................................4

Important safety instructions .....................................................................5

Rear panel connections..............................................................................6

Connecting...................................................................................................8

Front panel controls..................................................................................10

Remote control..........................................................................................12

Protection system .....................................................................................13

Troubleshooting.........................................................................................14

Technical specifications ...........................................................................15

Limited warranty .......................................................................................16

CONTENTS

340A/340A SE Integrated amplifier

Azur integrated amplifier 3

The 340A has full protection against misuse and possible faults. The overload and short-circuit protection systems continuously monitor the voltage, current and temperature of the output devices, allowing the protection to act positively in case of need, without triggering spuriously.

About the 340A SE

The 340A Special Edition incorporates all the features of the 340A but also has larger PSU reservoir capacitors for slightly more power coupled to enhanced bass response and greater dynamics.

In addition the 340A SE has a convenient dedicated front mounted auxiliary MP3/iPod

input for gaining the best possible sound quality from portable music players. This input is automatically selected when something is plugged into it.

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.

Thanks for taking the time to read this manual, we do recommend you keep it for future reference.

Matthew Bramble Technical Director

Thank you for purchasing this Cambridge Audio Azur 340A or 340A SE integrated amplifier.

About the 340A

The design of a high quality but cost-effective audio amplifier presents a major challenge. Providing first-class performance on an unlimited budget is one matter; achieving the same performance within tight price limits is quite another, and requires the expertise and experience that Cambridge Audio brings to its product design process. We believe we have succeeded in our aim of creating a first-class affordable amplifier.

For instance, separate very high quality Integrated Circuit Amplifiers modules are used for each channel for freedom from crosstalk and best possible stereo imaging.

The power supply is also a vital part of a power amplifier. A toroidal transformer, selected for low external magnetic field, is used in conjunction with generously specified reservoir capacitors and optimally placed decoupling components.

Close attention has been paid to the performance and quality of the passive components used, both in the signal paths and for decoupling purposes.

The 340A incorporates tone controls that give subtle control of the frequency response, allowing the correction of imperfect source material, and compensation for loudspeaker inadequacies or problems with room acoustics. These tone controls can be switched completely out of the audio path by use of the DIRECT switch, to give the shortest possible audio path.

INTRODUCTION

4 Azur integrated amplifier

Checking the Power Supply Rating

For your own safety please read the following instructions carefully before attempting to connect this unit to the mains.

Check that the rear of your unit indicates the correct supply voltage. If your mains supply voltage is different, consult your dealer.

This unit is designed to operate only on the supply voltage and type that is indicated on the rear panel of the unit. Connecting to other power sources may damage the unit.

This equipment must be switched off when not in use and must not be used unless correctly earthed. To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the unit's cover (or back). There are no user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel. If the power cord is fitted with a moulded mains plug the unit must not be used if the plastic fuse carrier is not in place. Should you lose the fuse carrier the correct part must be reordered from your Cambridge Audio dealer.

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.

This product complies with European Low Voltage (73/23 /EEC) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (89/ 336/EEC) 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.

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.

Plug Fitting Instructions (UK Only)

The cord supplied with this appliance is factory fitted with a 13 amp mains plug fitted with a 3 amp fuse inside. If it is necessary to change the fuse, it is important that a 3 amp one 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 13 amp 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 your model does not have an earth wire, then disregard this instruction.

If a 13amp (BS 1363) plug is used, a 3amp fuse must be fitted, or if any other type of plug is used a 3amp or 5 amp fuse must be fitted, either in the plug or adaptor, or on the distribution board.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

340A/340A SE Integrated amplifier

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Please take a moment to read these notes before installing your Azur amplifier, they will enable you to get the best performance and prolong the life of the product. We advise you follow all instructions, heed all warnings and keep the instructions for future reference.

Only use the specified attachments/accessories with this unit.

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

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. Any space open at the back (such as a dedicated equipment rack) is fine however.

When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart to avoid injury from tip-over.

The unit requires ventilation. Do not situate it on a rug or other soft surface and do not obstruct any air inlets or outlet grilles. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

Due to stray magnetic fields turntables should not be located nearby due to interference.

It is recommended that when bi-amping, the same type power amplifiers are used.

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.

Do not route the power cable so that it can be walked upon or damaged by other items near it. The unit must be installed in manner that makes disconnection of the mains plug from the mains socket outlet (or appliance connector from the rear of the unit) possible.

When using for the first time it is advisable that it is left on, playing music, for at least 36 hours prior to critical listening. For subsequent use, a warm up period of 10-15 minutes is recommended for maximum enjoyment.

This unit must be disconnected from the mains socket to be turned off completely. If you do not intend to use this unit for a long period of time, unplug it from the mains socket. Unplug this unit during lightning storms.

WARNING - To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture. This unit must not be exposed to dripping or splashing water or other liquids. No objects filled with liquid, such as vases, shall be placed on the unit. In the event of spillage, switch off immediately, disconnect from the mains supply and contact your dealer for advice.

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.

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.

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

If you have checked the Troubleshooting section in this manual with no improvement, do not attempt to repair, disassemble or reconstruct the unit. A serious electric shock could result if this precautionary measure is ignored.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

6 Azur integrated amplifier

Aux, CD, Tuner/DAB, DVD, AV/MD

These inputs are suitable for any 'line level' source equipment such as CD players, DAB or FM/AM tuners etc.

Note: These inputs are for analog audio signals only. They should not be connected to the digital output of a CD player or any other digital device.

Record Out

This socket can be connected to a tape deck or to the analog Record In sockets on a MiniDisc or CD recorder.

Tape In

Connect to a tape deck or to the analog output sockets on a MiniDisc, portable digital music player or CD recorder using an interconnect cable from the recorder's Line Out sockets to the amplifier's Tape In sockets.

The Tape Input circuit of the amplifier is a "monitor" type, different from

the other 5 inputs. For the 5 normal inputs, the source selected for listening to will be sent out of Rec Out for recording. The source currently being listened to and (optionally) recorded is then shown on the front panel by a corresponding blue LED.

However, when the Tape Mon Input is selected a second LED will illuminate indicating that the Tape Monitor Input is now being listened to with a different source being sent out of the Rec output for recording. The recording source is shown by the first LED and can be changed by pressing the other source buttons. To switch Tape Monitor off, simply press the Tape Mon button again, toggling this function off.

This feature is most useful when using 3-head analog cassette decks which allow the signal being recorded to be played back live off tape (via a 3rd head) whilst it is simultaneously recorded. It is then possible by toggling the Tape Monitor input on and off to compare directly in real time the original and recorded signal so that adjustments to the recording parameters of the tape machine can be made (consult the manual of your 3-head analog cassette deck for full details).

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