Esoteric F-03A Owner's Manual
F-03A
Integrated Amplifier
OWNER’S MANUAL .................... 3
MODE D’EMPLOI ...................... 29
MANUAL DEL USUARIO ........... 55
D01285921A
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USERSERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an
<
B
equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated “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 (servicing) instructions in
the literature accompanying the appliance.
Model for USA
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:
• Reorient or relocate the equipment and/or 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
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR
MOISTURE.
CAUTION
o DO NOT REMOVE THE EXTERNAL CASES OR CABINETS TO EXPOSE
THE ELECTRONICS. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS ARE INSIDE.
o IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THIS PRODUCT,
CONTACT THE STORE WHERE YOU PURCHASED THE UNIT FOR
A SERVICE REFERRAL. DO NOT USE THE PRODUCT UNTIL IT HAS
BEEN REPAIRED.
o USE OF CONTROLS OR ADJUSTMENTS OR PERFORMANCE OF
PROCEDURES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFIED HEREIN MAY RESULT
IN HAZARDOUS RADIATION EXPOSURE.
IN USA/CANADA, USE ONLY ON 120 V SUPPLY.
China RoHS
Model for Canada
Industry Canada’s Compliance Statement:
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Model for Europe
This product complies with the European
Directives request, and the other Commission
Regulations.
CAUTION
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
o The information in the following table is only applicable to products for sale in the People’s Republic of China.
o The products sold in the European area are manufactured in accordance with the European RoHS Directive.
)$
*%7
*%7
3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (continued)
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 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 amplifiers) that
produce heat.
9) Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or groundingtype 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 only with 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 power-supply cord or plug is 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
Products with Class ! construction are equipped with a power
supply cord that has a grounding plug. The cord of such a product must be plugged into an AC outlet that has a protective
grounding connection.
CAUTION
o Do not expose this apparatus to drips or splashes.
o Do not place any objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on
the apparatus.
o Do not install this apparatus in a confined space such as a
book case or similar unit.
o The apparatus should be located close enough to the AC
outlet so that you can easily reach the power cord plug at any
time.
o If the product uses batteries (including a battery pack or
installed batteries), they should not be exposed to sunshine,
fire or excessive heat.
o CAUTION for products that use replaceable lithium batter-
ies: there is danger of explosion if a battery is replaced with
an incorrect type of battery. Replace only with the same or
equivalent type.
o The apparatus draws nominal non-operating power from the
AC outlet with its POWER or STANDBY/ON switch not in the ON
position.
o The mains plug is used as the disconnect device; the disconnect
device shall remain readily operable.
o Caution should be taken when using earphones or headphones
with the product because excessive sound pressure (volume) from
earphones or headphones can cause hearing loss.
4
V
Pb, Hg, Cd
Precautions concerning batteries
Misuse of batteries could cause them to rupture or leak leading to
fire, injury or the staining of nearby things. Please read and observe
the following precautions carefully.
For European Customers
Disposal of electrical and electronic equipment and
batteries and/or accumulators
o Be sure to insert the batteries with correct positive (¥) and nega-
tive (^) orientations.
o Use batteries of the same type. Never use different types of batter-
ies together.
o If the remote control is not used for a long time (more than a
month), remove the batteries to prevent them from leaking.
o If the batteries leak, wipe away the leakage inside the battery
compartment and replace the batteries with new ones.
o Do not use batteries of types other than those specified. Do not
mix new batteries with old ones or use different types of batteries
together.
o Do not heat or disassemble batteries. Never throw batteries into
fire or water.
o Do not carry or store batteries with other metallic objects. The bat-
teries could short circuit, leak or explode.
o Never recharge a battery unless it is confirmed to be a recharge-
able type.
a) All electrical/electronic equipment and waste batteries/accu-
mulators should be disposed of separately from the municipal
waste stream via collection facilities designated by the government or local authorities.
b) By disposing of electrical/electronic equipment and waste
batteries/accumulators correctly, you will help save valuable resources and prevent any potential negative effects on
human health and the environment.
c) Improper disposal of waste electrical/electronic equipment
and batteries/accumulators can have serious effects on the
environment and human health because of the presence of
hazardous substances in the equipment.
d) The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
symbols, which show wheeled bins that have been
crossed out, indicate that electrical/electronic equipment and batteries/accumulators must be collected
and disposed of separately from household waste.
If a battery or accumulator contains more than the
specified values of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and/or
cadmium (Cd) as defined in the Battery Directive
(2006/66/EC), then the chemical symbols for those
elements will be indicated beneath the WEEE symbol.
e) Return and collection systems are available to end users. For
more detailed information about the disposal of old electrical/electronic equipment and waste batteries/accumulators,
please contact your city office, waste disposal service or the
shop where you purchased the equipment.
English
MEXCEL is a registered trademark of Mitsubishi Cable Industries, Ltd. in Japan and other countries.
ESOTERIC is a trademark of TEAC CORPORATION, registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Other company names, product names and logos in this document are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
5
Contents
Before use
Thank you for purchasing this Esoteric product.
Read this manual carefully to get the best performance from this
product. After reading it, keep it in a safe place with the warranty card
for future reference.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ...............................3
Before use .........................................................6
Precautions for use ................................................7
Connections .......................................................8
Connecting speakers .............................................10
Notes about the protection circuits ...............................11
Connections for use as a preamp .................................12
Connections for use as a power amp ..............................12
Notes about the remote control ..................................13
Names and functions of parts (main unit) .........................14
Using headphones ...............................................15
What’s in the box
Check to be sure the box includes all the supplied accessories shown
below. Please contact the store where you purchased this unit if
any of these accessories are missing or have been damaged during
transportation.
Power cord × 1
Remote control (RC-1301) × 1
Batteries for remote control (AAA) × 2
Felt pads* × 4
Owner’s manual (this document) × 1
Warranty card × 1
* Apply the included felt pads to the bottoms of the feet to avoid
scratching the surface where the unit is placed.
Names and functions of parts (remote control) ....................16
Basic operation ...................................................17
Settings ..........................................................21
Settings Menu 1 ..................................................22
Settings Menu 2 ..................................................23
Settings Menu 3 ..................................................24
Restoring factory settings .........................................25
Troubleshooting ..................................................26
Specifications .....................................................27
Dimensional drawings ............................................28
6
Precautions for use
o Place the unit in a stable location near the audio system that you
will use with it.
o Do not install this unit in a location that could become hot. This
includes places that are exposed to direct sunlight or near a radiator, heater, stove or other heating equipment. Moreover, do not
place it on top of another amplifier or equipment that generates
heat.
o Avoid locations that are subject to vibrations or exposed to exces-
sive dust, cold or moisture.
o In order to enable good heat dissipation, leave at least 20 cm (8")
between this unit and walls and other equipment when installing
it. If you put it in a rack, take precautions to prevent overheating
by leaving at least 20 cm (8") open above the top of the unit and
at least 10 cm (4") open behind it. Failure to provide these gaps
could cause heat to build up inside and result in fire.
o Do not install the unit face up or on its side.
o Do not place anything, not even CDs, CD-Rs, LP records or cassette
tapes, on top of the unit. Do not put cloth on top of the unit or
place the unit on top of bedding or thick carpet.
Maintenance
Use a soft dry cloth to wipe the surface of the unit clean.
For stubborn smudges, use a damp cloth that has been thoroughly
wrung out to remove excess moisture.
V
For safety, disconnect the power plug from the outlet before cleaning.
o Never spray liquid directly on this unit.
o Do not use chemically-treated wipes, thinner or similar substances
because they could damage the surface of the unit.
o Avoid allowing rubber or plastic materials to touch the unit for
long periods of time because they could damage the cabinet.
Note about pinpoint feet
High-precision metal pinpoint feet are attached firmly to the bottom
plate of this unit.
Chassis Pinpoint foot (metal)
English
o Do not move the unit during use.
o Be careful to avoid injury when moving the unit due to its weight.
Have someone help you move it if necessary.
o The voltage supplied to the unit should match the voltage printed
on the rear panel. If you are in any doubt regarding this matter,
consult an electrician.
o Do not open the body of the unit as this might result in damage
to the circuitry or cause electric shock. If a foreign object should
get into the unit, contact your dealer.
o When removing the power plug from the wall outlet, always pull
directly on the plug; never yank on the cord.
Foot-stand (metal)
The stands for these feet are loose, but when the unit is placed in
position, it is supported by these pinpoint feet, which will effectively
disperse vibrations.
o Apply the included felt pads to the bottoms of the foot-stands to
avoid scratching the surface where the unit is placed.
Screws that attach
foot-stand
7
Connections
V
Precautions when making connections
o After completing all other connections, plug the power plug into a power outlet.
o Read the owner’s manuals of all devices that will be connected, and follow their instructions.
o Do not bundle connecting cables with power cords. Doing so could cause noise.
Record player
CD recorder, etc.
Audio input
(AUDIO IN, etc.)
XLR pin assignment
1. COMMON
2. HOT (+)
3. COLD (−)
Change the phase inversion setting when connecting a device
with 3 HOT (+) (page 22).
E
XLR audio cables
RCA audio cables
A
B
Included power cord
DC
FA
Audio outputs
(AUDIO OUT, etc.)
Super Audio CD player,
etc.
Audio outputs
(AUDIO OUT, etc.)
Super Audio CD player,
tuner, etc.
c
wall outlet
8
A Analog input (INPUTS) connectors
D Analog output (PRE OUT/REC OUT) connectors
Connect the analog output connectors of Super Audio CD players, DVD players, cassette decks, tuners and other equipment to
these connectors.
Connect the R connector of a pair on this unit to the right (R)
connector of an output device and the L connector of the same
pair on this unit to the left (L) connector of the output device.
Use commercially-available cables for connections.
For XLR connectors: Use a balanced XLR audio cable.
Insert a balanced XLR plug until the connector lever locks.
Press this lever when disconnecting.
For RCA connectors: Use an RCA audio cable.
Connect the white pin plugs to the white (L) connectors and
connect the red pin plugs to the red (R) connectors.
o The XLR input connectors can be switched to 3 HOT (+)
(page 22).
Connecting record players
This unit has a built-in phono equalizer. When connecting a
record player, use the PHONO connectors.
o Always connect the record player’s ground to the SIGNAL
GND grounding connector on this unit.
o Use the PHONO MM/MC button to set the cartridge type
being used (page 19).
These output 2 channels of analog audio.
Connect these to the analog input connectors on another
device.
When connecting these to a CD recorder or other audio input
device, set the PRE OUT output (page 23) according to the use.
To use this unit as a preamp, see “Connections for use as a preamp” on page 12.
Connect the R connector of a pair on this unit to the right (R)
connector of an input device and the L connector of the same
pair on this unit to the left (L) connector of the input device.
Use commercially-available cables for connections.
For XLR connectors: Use a balanced XLR audio cable.
Insert a balanced XLR plug into the connector until it locks.
For RCA connectors: Use an RCA audio cable.
Connect the white pin plugs to the white (L) connectors and
connect the red pin plugs to the red (R) connectors.
E Optional board slot
This slot is for installing optional boards that are sold separately.
F AC power inlet (~IN)
English
B SIGNAL GND grounding connector
Using a commercially-available sheathed wire to connect this
to the grounding terminal of a Super Audio CD player, power
amplifier or other device might improve the audio quality.
o This is not an electrical safety ground.
C Preamp input (EXT. PRE IN) connectors
Connect an external preamp here to use this unit as a power
amp (page 12).
Connect the included power cord to this socket. After completing all other connections, plug the power plug into a power
outlet.
Use only a genuine Esoteric power cord. Use of
V
other power cords could result in fire or electric
shock.
At Esoteric, we use Esoteric MEXCEL stressfree cables for
reference.
For detailed information, access the following website.
http://www.esoteric.jp/products/esoteric/accessory/indexe.html
9
Connecting speakers
Right speaker Left speaker
Notes about speaker cables
o Use commercially-available speaker cables to connect the
speakers.
o Use the shortest speaker cables possible. The longer the cable, the
greater the resistance value and the more that damping performance is reduced. Moreover, length also increases impedance and
capacitance, degrading the sound quality of high frequencies.
o Use left and right speaker cables that have the same length.
How to connect speaker cables
Use commercially-available speaker cables to connect the + terminal
of the unit to the + terminal of the speaker and the − terminal of the
unit to the − terminal of the speaker.
o Use speakers with at least 4Ω impedance.
o If you plan to output sound from two sets of speakers at the same
time, use speakers with at least 8Ω impedance.
o If the exposed tip of the core wire of a speaker cable contacts
another cord or terminal, a short could occur.
Never allow a speaker cable to short.
o Do not connect more than one amplifier to a speaker.
o Do not bundle speaker cables with power cords. Doing so could
cause noise.
V
The power plug should always be disconnected
when connecting speaker cables.
10
Notes about the protection circuits
When using bare wires
Loosen the cap and insert the core wire into the hole in the terminal.
Then, tighten the cap.
When using spade lugs
Loosen the cap and insert the lug between the cap and base of the
terminal. Then, tighten the cap.
o When using a spade lug to connect, use one with an inside diam-
eter of at least 8 mm (3/8").
This unit has a DC protection circuit, an overcurrent protection circuit
and an overheating protection circuit built-in.
When a protection circuit is operating, the ring around the POWER
button blinks and one of the following error messages blinks on the
display.
DCout ERR!
The DC protection circuit is active.
Turn the unit off once and wait several minutes before turning it
on again.
OverCURNT!
The overcurrent protection circuit is active.
A short might have occurred with the +/− speaker cables. In this
case, turn the unit off and check the speaker cable connections.
Over TEMP!
The overheating protection circuit is active.
The internal temperature has become high. Turn the unit off and
wait a while for the temperature to decrease. You can also change
the installation conditions to improve ventilation.
o If the overheating protection circuit continues to operate for
30 seconds, the unit will automatically turn itself off. After this,
the POWER button will be disabled for as long as the internal
temperature remains high.
English
When using banana plugs
With the cap tightened, insert the plug into the opening in the end
of the terminal.
o Carefully read the instructions for the banana plugs that you are
using.
Notice about the European model
In accordance with European safety regulations, connecting
banana plugs to speaker terminals is not allowed on European
models. The holes into which banana plugs could be inserted
have been covered with black caps. Connect speakers using bare
wires or spade lugs. If a black cap should become separated from
its terminal, return it to its original position.
If the indicator continues to blink even after likely causes have been
eliminated, contact the store where you purchased the unit.
11
Connections for use as a preamp
Connections for use as a power amp
Power amplifier
Connect using a set
of only one type.
XLR audio cables
AUDIO IN
RCA audio cables
XLR audio cables
Preamplifier
AUDIO OUT
Connections
Connections
Use commercially-available XLR or RCA cables to connect the analog
output (PRE OUT/REC OUT) connectors on this unit to the analog
input connectors on the power amp.
Settings
Using Settings Menu 3, set the operation mode to PREAMP (page
25).
V
Precautions when making connections
After completing all other connections, plug the power plug into a
power outlet.
Read the owner’s manuals of all devices that will be connected, and
follow their instructions.
Do not bundle connecting cables with power cords. Doing so could
cause noise.
Use commercially-available XLR cables to connect the preamp input
(EXT. PRE IN) connectors on this unit to the audio output connectors
on the preamp.
Settings
Using Settings Menu 3, set the operation mode to PWRAMP (page
25).
V
Precautions when making connections
After completing all other connections, plug the power plug into a
power outlet.
Read the owner’s manuals of all devices that will be connected, and
follow their instructions.
Do not bundle connecting cables with power cords. Doing so could
cause noise.
12
Notes about the remote control
Precautions for use
When using the remote control, point it toward the remote control
signal receiver on the main unit from a distance of 7 m (23 ft) or less.
Do not place obstructions between the main unit and the remote
control.
Moreover, operation from an angle can make reception difficult, so
use the remote facing the front of the main unit as much as possible.
Remote control signal receiver
7 m/23 ft
Installing batteries
Remove the cover from the back of the remote control and insert
two AAA batteries with their ¥/^ oriented as shown in the case.
Replace the cover.
English
When to replace batteries
If the distance required between the remote and the main unit
decreases or if the unit stops responding to the remote buttons,
replace both batteries with new ones.
Dispose of the used batteries according to the instructions on them
or requirements set by your local municipality.
o The remote control might not work if the remote control signal
receiver is exposed to direct sunlight or bright light.
o Beware that use of this remote control could cause the unin-
tentional operation of other devices that can be controlled by
infrared rays.
CAUTION
Misuse of batteries could cause them to rupture
V
or leak, which might result in fire, injury or the
staining of nearby materials.
Please read and observe the precautions on
page 5 carefully.
13
Names and functions of parts (main unit)
A
B C
F G H I J K L M NE
D
o The control cover is open in the illustration above.
A INPUT knob
Turn this knob to select the active input. Select the input that is
connected to the device you want to use.
o You can change the names that are shown on the display for
the connectors (page 22).
When the Settings Screen is open, use this to change setting
values.
When inputting a source name, use this to move the cursor.
B Remote control signal receiver
This receives signals from the remote control. When using the
remote control, point the end of it toward this receiver panel
(page 13).
C Display
Shows the current input source name, volume, setting items, etc.
D VOLUME knob
Use to adjust the volume.
Turn this knob clockwise to increase the volume and counterclockwise to decrease it.
o The VOLUME knob will not affect input sources set to through
output (page 24).
Sudden loud noises might cause hearing damage and
V
other trouble. Always minimize the volume before
starting playback, and adjust it to an appropriate level
after playback begins.
E POWER button
Press to turn the unit on and off.
When the unit is on, the ring around the button lights blue.
o When not using the unit, turn it off.
o To protect your speakers, follow the proper procedures when
you turn the unit on or off (pages 17 and 18).
14
F Control cover
G Tone controls
Use these to adjust the levels of different frequency ranges.
Turn toward + to increase the level, and turn toward − to decrease
it.
Set to the o mark for a flat response (no adjustment).
BASS
Adjust the level of low frequencies.
MIDDLE
Adjust the level of medium frequencies.
TREBLE
Adjust the level of high frequencies.
o These adjustments only effect the output when TONE BYPASS
is off.
o When TONE BYPASS is off, “TONE” appears at the top of the
display.
H TONE BYPASS button
Using headphones
Connect a headphone plug (standard 6.3mm stereo) to the PHONES
jack, and adjust the volume to a suitable level.
V
When using headphones, be careful not to turn the
volume up too much.
English
Use this to turn tone bypass on and off.
Press at least three seconds to open the Settings Screen.
I PHONO MM/MC button
Set for the cartridge type (MM/MC) used by the player connected to the PHONO connectors (page 19).
J SPEAKER SELECT button
This selects which speaker connectors to use.
When the Settings Screen is open, press this to close it.
K BALANCE knob
Adjust the left-right volume balance.
L OPEN button
Press to open the control cover below the display.
M MUTE button
Press this button to temporarily mute the sound.
o When muted, “MUTE” blinks on the screen.
N PHONES jack
Connect standard 6.3mm stereo plugs here.
o When a headphone plug is inserted, speaker sound output
will stop.
15
Names and functions of parts (remote control)
o The buttons not explained here do not function with this unit.
o This remote control can also be used for other Esoteric products.
a
a Setting (STANDBY/ON) button
On the Settings Screen, use to confirm selection of some settings and to input connector names.
o This button does not turn the unit on/off.
b INPUT (k/j) buttons
Press these buttons to switch between input sources. Select the
connector that is connected to the device you want to play.
When the Settings Screen is open, use this to change setting
values.
When inputting a source name, use this to move the cursor.
c SETUP button
b
c
e
f
d
If both the main unit and the remote control have buttons with
the same function, we only explain procedures using one of them
in this manual. However, the other can also be used in the same
manner.
Use with Settings Screen Menus 1 and 2 (page 21).
d DIMMER button
Use to adjust the brightness of the display and indicators (page
20).
e VOLUME buttons (+/−)
Use to adjust the volume. Press the + button to increase the volume and the − button to decrease it.
o The VOLUME buttons (+/−) will not affect input sources set to
through output (page 24).
f MUTE button
Press this button to temporarily mute the sound.
Press again to restore the volume setting (page 18).
o When muted, “MUTE” blinks on the screen.
16
Basic operation
Turning the unit on
1 Turn on the connected input source devices.
2 Press the POWER button to turn the unit on.
The ring around the button lights blue.
o When using this unit as a preamp, turn on the power ampli-
fier last.
4 Play the source, and then adjust the volume by turn-
ing the VOLUME knob.
Sudden loud noises might cause hearing damage
V
and other trouble. Always minimize the volume
before starting playback, and adjust it to an
appropriate level after playback begins.
English
3 Turn the INPUT knob to select an input source.
17
Basic operation (continued)
Turning the unit off
There might be noise from the speakers if the unit is turned off suddenly. When you turn the unit off, follow the steps below.
1 If a connected device is playing back, stop playback.
o When using this unit as a preamp, turn off the power ampli-
fier first.
2 Turn the unit’s VOLUME knob counterclockwise to
minimize the volume.
3 Press the POWER button to turn the unit o.
4 Turn o the connected input source devices.
Muting the output
V
Always turn the volume to the minimum level
before you turn the unit on or off. Failure to do so
could cause sudden loud noises that might result
in harm to your hearing or damage to the speakers
when you turn the unit on.
Press the MUTE button to temporarily mute the sound. Press again to
restore the volume setting.
o When muted, “MUTE” blinks on the screen.
o You can also restore the sound by turning the VOLUME knob or by
pressing the VOLUME buttons (+/−).
18
Opening the control cover
Press the OPEN button to open the control cover.
Tone controls
You can separately adjust the levels of low (BASS), medium (MIDDLE)
and high (TREBLE) frequencies.
Tone bypass
English
When TONE BYPASS is on, audio signals do not pass through the tone
circuit before amplification.
When TONE BYPASS is off, “TONE” appears at the top of the display.
Setting the cartridge type
The o at the center marks the unadjusted level.
o These adjustments have no effect when TONE BYPASS is on.
Before adjusting them, press the TONE BYPASS button so that
“TONE” appears at the top of the display.
Set the cartridge type being used by the record player connected to
the PHONO connectors.
Turn the INPUT knob to set the input source to PHONO before pressing the PHONO MM/MC button to change the setting.
19
Basic operation (continued)
Selecting speakers
Press the SPEAKER SELECT button to cycle through the following
speaker selections.
A
c
B
c
A+B
Dimmer
Each time you press the DIMMER button, the brightness of the display and indicators change as follows.
DIMMER3
c
DIMMER2
DIMMER1
o Even when set to off, the display will light at normal brightness for
a few seconds when you press a button or turn a knob. If TONE
BYPASS is on, however, this will not light when the tone controls
are turned.
o In setting mode, the display lights at normal brightness.
(normal brightness)
c
c
Off
Adjusting the balance
Adjust the balance between the left and right output channels.
20
Settings
Basic operation
1 Press and hold the TONE BYPASS button for at least
3 seconds.
Press for at least
3 seconds.
The MENU 1 icon appears on the display.
o You can also press the SETUP button on the remote control.
Opening Settings Menu 2
When Settings Menu 1 is open, press and hold the TONE BYPASS
button for at least 3 seconds.
o You can also press and hold the SETUP button on the remote
control for at least 3 seconds.
3 Turn the INPUT knob to change the setting.
English
4 Press the SPEAKER SELECT button to complete making
settings.
Opening Settings Menu 3
Show “goto MENU3” on Settings Menu 2, and press the PHONO
MM/MC button.
o You can also press the setting (STANDBY/ON) button on the
remote control.
2 Press the TONE BYPASS button repeatedly to select
the item to change.
o You can also repeatedly press the SETUP button on the
remote control.
o When making settings, the MENU icon appears on the
display.
o If you do nothing for 10 or more seconds, setting mode will
end and ordinary display will resume.
If you do nothing for 10 or more seconds, setting mode will end
and ordinary display will resume.
o Settings are retained even if the power plug is disconnected.
21
Settings Menu 1
In Settings Menu 1, you can make settings for the selected input
source.
You can set the output level adjustment, phase inversion and input
source name. You can set these independently for each of the inputs.
Adjusting the output level
Level>***
You can adjust the output level for the selected input.
You can set this to values between −18.0 dB and +18.0 dB in 0.5dB
increments.
The default value is 0.0 dB.
Note about settings and sound quality
The Level (output level adjustment) setting items affect the volume. This unit’s microcomputer analyzes these settings and the
volume level value comprehensively to conduct unified control of
volume amplification.
For this reason, unlike ordinary amplifiers that pass audio signals
through multiple circuits, these settings will not degrade the
audio quality.
Phase inversion
PHASE>***
This switches the phase of the selected input connector.
This can be used to reverse the phase of the audio signal output.
If the XLR connector of the audio output device is pin 3 HOT, select
INV.
By default, this is set to NOR.
Input source name
XLR1>***
(This appears when the input source is XLR 1.)
You can change the names shown on the display for the unit’s connectors when you turn the INPUT knob. You can set the names as you
like (up to five characters).
EDIT
Use to change input source names.
Changing input source names
1 Show “EDIT”, and press the PHONO MM/MC button.
You can also press the setting (STANDBY/ON) button on the
remote control.
2 Enter the characters.
The cursor blinks beneath the character being input.
Use the INPUT knob to move the cursor, and use the VOLUME
knob to select characters.
You can also use the remote control INPUT (k/j) buttons to
move the cursor and its VOLUME (+/−) buttons to change the
character.
3 When you have finished input, press the PHONO MM/MC
button to confirm the change.
o While entering the name, the volume and input connector
cannot be changed.
o Available characters
English letters: A–Z, a–z
Numbers: 0–9
Symbols: ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , − . / \ : ; < = > ? @ (blank)
NOR
No phase inversion
When using XLR input connectors, pin 2 is HOT.
INV
Phase inversion enabled
When using XLR input connectors, pin 3 is HOT.
22
Settings Menu 2
In Settings Menu 2, you can make the following settings.
PRE OUT output
Illumination
Automatic display backlight off
Automatic power saving function
Volume display
You can also open Settings Menu 3 from this menu.
PRE OUT output
PREOUT>***
Use this to set the output from the analog output (PRE OUT/REC
OUT) connectors.
OFF
Disable audio output.
PRE
Preamp output is output.
Turning the VOLUME knob will change the volume.
REC
Input signals are output unchanged.
Automatic display backlight off
DPaOFF>***
You can set the display backlight to automatically turn off if no operation is conducted for a certain amount of time. By default, the setting
is ON.
ON
If no operation is conducted for 10 minutes, the display automatically turns off.
OFF
The display will not turn off, but it will dim to the same brightness
as DIMMER1 to protect the display from wear.
o We recommend setting this to “ON” because brightness irregulari-
ties might occur if the same information is shown without change
on the display for a long time.
Automatic power saving function
APS>***
o By default, the setting is 30m.
English
Illumination
Light>***
You can set whether or not the rings around the INPUT and VOLUME
knobs light.
The default setting is “AUTO”.
AUTO
When the knobs are operated, their rings light.
ON
The rings around the knobs will stay lit.
OFF
The rings around the knobs do not light.
If there is no audio input (continuous silence) from the selected input
source for the set amount of time, the unit will turn off automatically.
o Audio input from input sources other than the one selected
has no effect on the operation of the automatic power saving
function.
30m
30 minutes
60m
60 minutes
90m
90 minutes
120m
120 minutes
OFF
The automatic power saving function is disabled.
23
Settings Menu 2 (continued)
Volume display
Vdp>***
Settings Menu 3
V
Settings Menu 3 includes setting items related to
amplification. These settings could result in damage
to speakers if set incorrectly.
This sets the size of the characters and the units used to show the
volume on the display.
L_dB
Large characters show dB units.
The volume can be adjusted from −95.0 to +24.5 dB in 0.5dB
steps.
N_dB
Normal-sized characters show dB units.
The volume can be adjusted from −95.0 to +24.5 dB in 0.5dB
steps.
L_strp
Large characters show steps.
The volume can be adjusted from 0.5 to 120.0 in 0.5 steps.
N_step
Normal-sized characters show steps.
The volume can be adjusted from 0.5 to 120.0 in 0.5 steps.
Open Settings Menu 3
goto MENU3
Press the PHONO MM/MC button to open Settings Menu 3.
You can also press the setting (STANDBY/ON) button on the remote
control.
In Settings Menu 3, you can make the following settings.
Through output
Operation mode
Through output
THRU>***
Set whether to use the input connectors as signal through connectors.
By default, the setting is OFF.
OFF
No through inputs are set.
XLR1
XLR2
RCA1
RCA2
RCA3
RCA4
Only the signals from the selected input connectors bypass the
preamp and are input directly to the power amplifier.
If you select inputs connected to an ordinary line-level
V
device, signals that are too strong could be output to the
speakers, resulting in damage to them.
“THRU” appears on the display instead of the volume level set by
using the VOLUME knob.
For example, if you connect the pre-out connectors (for example,
FRONT L/R) of an AV amplifier to this unit’s RCA 2 connectors, and
set RCA2 to THRU, you can use the speakers connected to this unit
as the front speakers of the AV amplifier. (The AV amplifier controls
volume adjustment when the input source is set to “RCA2”.)
o The VOLUME knob will not affect the volume of the input con-
nectors set to THRU.
Always connect a device that has a volume control to the
V
input connectors set to THRU. Use that device to minimize the volume before switching the input source, and
then gradually raise the volume level.
24
Restoring factory settings
Operation mode
AMP>***
This sets the operation mode of the unit.
NORMAL
The unit will operate normally using its preamp and power
amplifier.
PREAMP
The unit will be used as a preamp.
Use this setting when connecting the analog output (PRE OUT/
REC OUT) connectors to an external power amplifier and not
using this unit’s power amplifier.
Regardless of the PRE OUT output setting made in Settings Menu2,
the unit’s preamp output will be output from its analog output (PRE
OUT/REC OUT) connectors.
PWRAMP
The unit will be used as a power amplifier.
Use this setting when connecting the preamplifier output from
other devices to the preamp input (EXT. PRE IN) connectors on
this unit and adjusting the volume with those devices. The input
audio will be input directly to the power amplifier without passing
through the preamp circuit.
You can restore the factory default settings, erasing all changes in
memory.
Turn the unit on while pressing and holding the TONE BYPASS button.
English
25
Troubleshooting
If you experience a problem with this unit, please take a moment
to review the following information before requesting service.
Moreover, the problem might be caused by something other than
this unit. Please also check the operation of the connected units.
If this product still does not operate correctly, contact the retailer
where you purchased it.
The unit does not turn on.
e Check that the power cord is plugged into a working power
outlet.
e Check that the power cord is properly connected to this unit.
The unit automatically turns off.
e This is because the automatic power saving function turned it
off.
Press the POWER button on the main unit to turn it on.
Change the automatic power saving setting if necessary (page
23).
Remote control does not work.
e Turn the main unit on (page 17).
e If the batteries are exhausted, replace both of them with new
ones (page 13).
e The remote control will not work if there is an obstruction
between it and the main unit. Point the remote control toward
the main unit and use it within 7 m (23 ft) of the front panel
(page 13).
This unit uses a microprocessor, so noise and other external
interference could cause it to stop functioning properly. If this
occurs, turn the unit off once, and then restart it after waiting
for about one minute.
A television or other device is operating improperly.
e The use of this unit’s remote control might cause some tele-
visions with wireless remote control functions to operate
incorrectly.
VOLUME knob does not work.
e The VOLUME knob will not affect input sources set to through
output (page 24).
Volume display blinks.
e The volume value exceeds the maximum total gain of this unit.
Lower the volume until the display stops blinking.
An error message appears.
e A protection circuit is active. Turn the unit off and eliminate the
cause (page 11).
e A short might have occurred with the +/− speaker cables.
Check the speaker cable connections (page 11).
The stereo sound position is irregular.
e Check that neither of the speakers has a connection cable with
+/− reversed.
26
Loading...