CHORD 
Pre-amplifiers and integrated amplifiers
welcome
Thank you for buying a Chord product.
Before you start to enjoy using to your Chord product, please take a couple of minutes to read how to connect your audio equipment and loudspeakers to your pre-amplifier or integrated amplifier and how to maximise your listening experience.
user guide for
pre-amplifiers CPA 2200 CPA 3200E CPA 4000E
integrated amplifiers CPM 2600
CPM 3300
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pre-amplifiers
CPA 2200, CPA 3200E, CPA 4000E
The pre-amplifier is the control centre of your system. By connecting your audio sources to it you can choose the source you want at any particular time and control it.
You can also adjust the balance and volume before the signal is sent to a power amplifier. Your pre-amplifiers can be operated manually or via the Chord remote control.
integrated amplifiers
CPM 2600, CPM 3300
Chord’s integrated amplifiers are based on a combination of our highly successful pre-amplifiers and power amplifiers together with a few features of their own.
The power amplifier is based on Chord’s tried and tested technology of ultra high frequency ESR power supply which has the ability to store more energy far more efficiently than conventional designs.
A variety of outputs means that you can choose to drive up to two sets of loudspeakers, use your integrated amplifier as a pre-amplifier or use it in conjunction with another power amplifier for bi-amping.
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We want you to be confident using your new Chord amplifier.
You’re probably an audiophile with extensive knowledge of audio equipment. However, you may not be!
So in the following section we explain a few basics to help you get started, or get you back up to speed if you’re a little rusty.
connecting your equipment
Chord amplifiers are supplied with and designed to be connected using balanced inputs. The interconnecting cables you use will depend on the available input and output sockets on your other equipment. We have installed unbalanced inputs on all Chord equipment, thus enabling you to mix Chord and other manufacturer’s equipment.
Balanced inputs carry twice the strength of signal of unbalanced inputs and are able to be fed down long lengths of cable with less deterioration of signal. They are also less prone to interference than unbalanced inputs. Balanced inputs have three pins and use Neutric XLR style connectors. Pin 1 is earth, pin 2 is positive and pin 3 is negative.
Unbalanced inputs use RCA phono connectors which are gold plated with teflon high performance dielectric insulators for optimum performance.
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when setting up
To ensure that your Chord integrated amplifier works efficiently and safely, please pay particular attention to the following issues.
ventilation
Your Chord integrated amplifier should have at least 5cm of clear space all around it to ensure a free flow of air at all times. When driven continuously at well above average levels, the temperature at the back of the unit may exceed 50ºC. This is normal and no cause for concern, although it does highlight the need for adequate ventilation around the unit. We recommend that you do not place your integrated amplifier directly on a carpet.
mains lead and plug
All Chord equipment comes supplied with the correct mains lead and plug. This should be used at all times.
if you need to fit a plug for UK/Europe
Connect the blue wire to the neutral terminal
Connect the brown wire to the live terminal
Connect the yellow/green wire to the earth terminal
if you need to fit a plug for US/Canada
Connect the white wire to the neutral terminal
Connect the black wire to the live terminal
Connect the green to the earth terminal
earthing issues in Europe
In some European countries a hum may occur if your integrated/pre-amplifier is connected to mains sockets that do not have an earth. If this is the case please ensure that:
1.Your integrated/pre-amplifier is connected via a multi-way mains block which contains an earth point at each socket outlet. This is to ensure that the chassis metalwork of each item is connected together.
2.Use the connecting points on your Chord unit and connect to an available earth point.
3.We recommend that an earthing method for your building is implemented.
safety warnings
It is important that your integrated/pre-amplifier is earthed at all times via its own mains lead. Failure to do this may be hazardous. The power supply components within the amplifier are designed to be operated at lethal voltages and energy levels. Circuit designs that embody these components conform with applicable safety requirements. Precautions must be taken to prevent accidental contact with power-line potentials. Do not connect grounded test equipment.
These units comply with EN 50081-1 and IEC 801/2
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outputs on the |
CPA 2200 |
You need to connect the outputs on the back of your pre-amplifier to a power amplifier in order to drive your loudspeakers. There are three pairs of outputs, each of which will drive a 68
load. You can connect to either the XLR or RCA outputs numbered 1, but not to both types at the same time.
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connecting to your power amplifier if it has balanced XLR style inputs
1.Use XLR style connectors to connect Right O/P 1 to Right IN on your power amplifier, and connect Left O/P 1 to Left IN on your power amplifier.
2.On your remote control press PRE and then O/P 1 to select output 1.
connecting to your power amp if it has unbalanced RCA style inputs
1.Use RCA style connectors to connect Right O/P 1 to Right IN on your power amplifier, and connect Left O/P 1 to Left IN on your power amplifier.
2.On your remote control press PRE and then O/P 1 to select output 1.
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if you want to bi-amp
Bi-amping is a technique where you use one amplifier to drive the loudspeakers’ woofers (low frequencies) and another to drive the tweeters (mid and high frequencies).
1.Use XLR style connectors to connect Right and Left O/P 1 to your first power amplifier.
2.Use XLR style connectors to connect Right and Left O/P 2 to your second power amplifier.
3.Connect the outputs of your first power amplifier to your loudspeaker’s low frequency inputs.
4.Connect the outputs of your second power amplifier to your loudspeaker’s high frequency inputs.
Remove any shorting links in the speaker binding posts.
5.On your remote control press PRE and then OP 1/2 to select both outputs 1 and 2. See Figure 1 on page 19 for wiring details.
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outputs on the CPA 3200E CPA 4000E
You need to connect the outputs on the back of your pre-amplifier to a power amplifier in order to drive your loudspeakers. There are three pairs of outputs, each of which will drive a 68
load. You can connect to either the XLR or RCA outputs numbered 1, but not to both types at the same time.
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connecting to your power amplifier if it has balanced XLR style inputs
1.Use XLR style connectors to connect Right O/P 1 to Right IN on your power amp, and connect Left O/P 1 to Left IN on your power amplifier.
2.On your remote control press PRE and then O/P 1 to select output 1.
connecting to your power amplifier if it has unbalanced RCA style inputs
1.Use RCA style connectors to connect Right O/P 1 to Right IN on your power amplifier, and connect Left O/P 1 to Left IN on your power amplifier.
2.On your remote control press PRE and then O/P 1 to select output 1.
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if you want to bi-amp
Bi-amping is a technique where you use one amplifier to drive the loudspeakers’ woofers (low frequencies) and another to drive the tweeters (mid and high frequencies).
1.Use XLR style connectors to connect Right and Left O/P 1 to your first power amplifier.
2.Use XLR style connectors to connect Right and Left O/P 2 to your second power amplifier.
3.Connect the outputs of your first power amplifier to your loudspeaker’s low frequency inputs.
4.Connect the outputs of your second power amplifier to your loudspeaker’s high frequency inputs.
Remove any shorting links in the binding posts.
5.On your remote control press PRE and then OP 1/2 to select both outputs 1 and 2. See figure 1 on page 19 for wiring details.
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