Chord Electronics SPM-600 Owners manual

CHORD

Power amplifiers

welcome

Thank you for buying a Chord product.

Before you start to enjoy using your Chord amplifier, please take a couple of

minutes to read how to connect your audio and visual equipment and speakers to

your power amplifier and how to maximise your listening experience.

user guide for power amplifiers

stereo power amplifiers SPM 600 SPM 1200C SPM 1200E SPM 4000 SPM 5000 SPM 12000

mono power amplifiers SPM 1400E SPM 6000

multi-channel power amplifiers SPM 603 SPM 1203 SPM 1900 SPM 2000 SPM 3005

stereo power amplifiers

SPM 600, SPM 1200C, SPM 1200E, SPM 4000, SPM 5000 SPM 12000

The power amplifier is the heart of your system, and your Chord amplifier offers

stunning results providing effortless power across the whole spectrum of music’s

tonal span.

mono power amplifiers

SPM 1400E, SPM 6000

Using two mono amplifiers instead of one stereo amplifier has the advantage that

each amplifier can be placed close to the loudspeaker it is driving which reduces

signal losses that occur in long lengths of loudspeaker cable.

multi-channel power amplifiers

SPM 603, SPM 1203, SPM 1900, SPM 2000, SPM 3005

Chord’s multi-channel amplifiers offer the perfect solution for those seeking the

ultimate audio/visual surround system. A perfect home theatre setup can be achieved

by teaming up a Chord multi-channel amplifier with the Chord AV processor and

loudspeaker package.

Whether it is 5 channels, 6 channels or adding 3 channels to your existing hi-fi,

Chord makes the perfect solution for your demanding home theatre requirements.

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outputs

speakers

power amplifier

pre-amplifier

audio source

inputs

outputs

inputs

CD player tuner

PUSH

We want you to be confident using your new Chord amplifier.

You are 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 are 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.

when setting up

To ensure that your Chord amplifier works efficiently and safely, please pay particular attention to the

following issues.

ventilation

Your Chord 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 do not recommend that you place your 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 amplifier is connected to mains sockets that do not have an

earth. If this is the case please ensure that:

1. Your 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. We recommend that an earthing method for your building is implemented.

3. Use the connecting points on your Chord unit and connect to an available earth point.

safety warnings

It is important that your 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

RIGHT  BALANCED INPUT

PUSH

RIGHT  INPUT PHONO SOCKET



MAINS INPUT

LEFT INPUT PHONO SOCKET

LEFT  BALANCED INPUT

AB AB

RIGHT

LEFT

-ve

+ve

BLACK

RED

stereo power amplifiers

connecting your SPM 600

You need to connect the outputs from your pre-amplifier to your power

amplifier and then connect your power amplifier to your loudspeakers. There are two

pairs of inputs. You can connect to either the XLR or RCA outputs, but not to both

types at the same time. All connections should be made with the power turned off.

connecting to your power amplifier using XLR style inputs:

Use XLR style connectors to connect:

• the Right output from your pre-amplifier to the Right balanced input

• the Left output from your pre-amplifier to the Left balanced input.

connecting to your power amplifier using unbalanced RCA style inputs

Use RCA style connectors to connect:

• the Right output of your pre-amplifier to the Right input phono socket

• the Left output of your pre-amplifier to the Left input phono socket.

connecting your loudspeakers

1. Connect one set of loudspeakers to Right A and Left A, matching +ve to +ve

and -ve to -ve on the amplifier and loudspeakers.

2. You can connect a second pair of loudspeakers to Right B and Left B. See

Figure A on page x.

3. You can use both A and B to bi-wire your loudspeakers if they allow. See Figure

B on page 21.

Note: The WBT rhodium plated 4mm speaker binding posts will accept 4mm

banana plugs (WBT-0645 or WBT-0644) or 6mm spades (WBT-0680). Making

connections using bare wire is not recommended.

RIGHT  BALANCED INPUT

PUSH

RIGHT  INPUT PHONO SOCKET



MAINS INPUT

LEFT INPUT PHONO SOCKET

LEFT  BALANCED INPUT

AB AB

RIGHT

LEFT

-ve

+ve

BLACK

RED

stereo power amplifiers

connecting your SPM 1200C

SPM 1200E

You need to connect the outputs from your pre-amplifier to your power

amplifier and then connect your power amplifier to your loudspeakers. There are two

pairs of inputs. You can connect to either the XLR or RCA outputs, but not to both

types at the same time. All connections should be made with the power turned off.

connecting to your power amplifier using XLR style inputs

Use XLR style connectors to connect:

• the Right output from your pre-amplifier to the Right balanced input

• the Left output from your pre-amplifier to the Left balanced input.

connecting to your power amplifier using unbalanced RCA style inputs

Use RCA style connectors to connect:

• the Right output from your pre-amplifier to the Right input phono socket

• the Left output from your pre-amplifier to the Left input phono socket.

connecting your loudspeakers

1. Connect one set of loudspeakers to Right A and Left A, matching +ve to +ve

and -ve to -ve on the amplifier and loudspeakers.

2. You can connect a second pair of loudspeakers to Right B and Left B. See

Figure A on page x

3. You can use both A and B to bi-wire your loudspeakers if they allow. See Figure

B on page 21.

Note: The WBT gold plated 4mm speaker binding posts will accept 4mm banana

plugs (WBT-0645 or WBT-0644) or 6mm spades (WBT-0680). Making connections

using bare wire is not recommended.

connecting your SPM 4000

RIGHT  BALANCED INPUT

PUSH

RIGHT  INPUT PHONO SOCKET



MAINS INPUT

LEFT INPUT PHONO SOCKET

LEFT  BALANCED INPUT

AB AB

RIGHT

LEFT

-ve

+ve

BLACK

RED

SPM 5000

You need to connect the outputs from your pre-amplifier to your power

amplifier and then connect your power amplifier to your loudspeakers. There are two

pairs of inputs. You can connect to either the XLR or RCA outputs, but not to both

types at the same time. All connections should be made with the power turned off.

connecting to your power amplifier using XLR style inputs

Use XLR style connectors to connect:

• the Right output of your pre-amplifier to the Right balanced input

• the Left output of your pre-amplifier to the Left balanced input.

connecting to your power amplifier using unbalanced RCA style inputs

Use RCA style connectors to connect:

• the Right output of your pre-amplifier to the Right input phono socket

• the Left output of your pre-amplifier to the Left input phono socket.

stereo power amplifiers

connecting your loudspeakers

Connect your loudspeakers to the right and left binding posts, matching +ve to

+ve and -ve to -ve on amplifiers and loudspeakers.

Note: The WBT gold plated 4mm speaker binding posts will accept 4mm banana

plugs (WBT-0645 or WBT-0644) or 6mm spades (WBT-0680). Making connections

using bare wire is not recommended.

RIGHT  BALANCED INPUT

PUSH

RIGHT  INPUT PHONO SOCKET

MAINS INPUT

LEFT INPUT PHONO SOCKET

LEFT  BALANCED INPUT

-ve

+ve

-ve

+ve

RIGHT

LEFT

stereo power amplifiers

connecting your SPM 12000

You need to connect the outputs from your pre-amplifier to your power

amplifier and then connect your power amplifier to your loudspeakers. There are two

pairs of inputs. You can connect to either the XLR or RCA outputs, but not to both

types at the same time. All connections should be made with the power turned off.

The SPM 12000 is designed and must be used with both mains leads plugged into

suitable sockets. Ensure that the phase is the same for both leads.

connecting to your power amplifier using XLR style inputs

Use XLR style connectors to connect:

• the Right output of your pre-amplifier to the Right balanced input

• the Left output of your pre-amplifier to the Left balanced input.

connecting to your power amplifier using unbalanced RCA style inputs

Use RCA style connectors to connect:

• the Right output of your pre-amplifier to the Right input phono socket

• connect the Left output of your pre-amplifier to the Left input phono socket.

connecting your loudspeakers

Connect your loudspeakers to the right and left binding posts, matching +ve to

+ve and -ve to -ve on amplifiers and loudspeakers.

Note: The WBT gold plated 4mm speaker binding posts will accept 4mm banana

plugs (WBT-0645 or WBT-0644) or 6mm spades (WBT-0680). Making connections

using bare wire is not recommended.

connecting your SPM 1400E

RIGHT  BALANCED INVERTING INPUT

PUSH

RIGHT  INVERTING INPUT PHONO SOCKET

MAINS INPUT

LEFT NON- INVERTING INPUT PHONO SOCKET

LEFT  BALANCED NON-INVERTING INPUT

BLACK

RED

SPM 6000

You need to connect the outputs from your pre-amplifier to your power amplifiers

and then connect your power amplifiers to your loudspeakers. There are two pairs of

inputs. You can connect to either the XLR or RCA outputs, but not to both types at

the same time. All connections should be made with the power turned off.

The inputs can be connected as either inverting or non-inverting modes. Connect the

output from your Chord pre-amplifier to the right input to give an inverted output,

as is normal with other Chord amplifiers.

Connect the output from your pre-amplifier to the left input to give a non-inverting

output, when using other makes of amplifier.

As these amplifiers are of mono block construction you should only connect one

input. When using a pair of units you need to ensure that all inputs used are

non-inverting or both are inverting otherwise the loudspeakers will be out of phase.

mono power amplifiers

connecting to your power amplifier using XLR style inputs

Use XLR style connectors to connect the output of your pre-amplifier to the Right

balanced inverting input.

connecting to your power amplifier using unbalanced RCA style inputs

Use RCA style connectors to connect the output of your pre-amplifier to the Right

inverting input phono socket.

connecting your loudspeakers

Connect your loudspeaker to the black and red binding posts.

To bi-wire using two mono power amplifiers see Figure D on page 22.

1 Ground 2 +ve 3 -ve

1 Ground 2 -ve 3 +ve

RIGHT  INPUT PHONO SOCKET



MAINS INPUT

LEFT INPUT PHONO SOCKET



CENTRE INPUT PHONO SOCKET

RIGHT

CENTRE LEFT

-VE

+VE

multi-channel power amplifiers

connecting your SPM 603

SPM 1203

You need to connect the outputs from your AV processor to your power amplifier

and then connect your power amplifier to your loudspeakers. There are three RCA

inputs. All connections should be made with the power turned off.

connecting to your power amp using unbalanced RCA style inputs

Use RCA style connectors to connect:

• the Right output of your AV processor to the Right input phono socket (green)

• connect the Centre output of your AV processor to the Centre input (red)

• connect the Left output of your AV processor to the Left input phono socket (blue).

connecting your loudspeakers

Connect your loudspeakers to the following binding posts.

• right (green)

• centre (red)

• left (blue).

See Figure E on page 23.

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