Parasound HCA-3500 User Manual
O W N E R ' S M A N U A L
HCA-3500 Ultra High Current Power Amplifier
HCA-3500 Ultra High Current Power Amplifier
Power
Left
Power
Right
Designed in California by John Curl
-1-
Table of Contents
Important Safety Instructions ........................................................................................... 3
Figure #1 HCA-3500 Front and Rear Panel Drawings ..................................................... 4
Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 5
Ventilation Requirements .................................................................................................. 6
Making Connections to the HCA-3500.............................................................................. 6
RCA Input Connections ..................................................................................................... 6
XLR Input Connections...................................................................................................... 6
XLR Selector Switch .......................................................................................................... 7
Speaker Connections......................................................................................................... 7
Bi-Wiring ............................................................................................................................. 7
AC Power Connections and AC Grounding ..................................................................... 7
Maintaining Y our Parasound Amplifier ............................................................................. 8
In Case of Trouble............................................................................................................... 8
Special Features for the Parasound HCA-3500 ............................................................... 9
Parasound HCA-3500 Specifications............................................................................. 10
Special Features for the Parasound HCA-3500
Independent power supplies for each channel for true dual-monaural operation
Massive encapsulated 1.4 kVA toroid power transformer for each channel
97,600 uF power supply capacitance for each channel
Multiple polystyrene film bypass capacitors in power supply
Direct coupled design uses no inductors or capacitors in the signal path
DC servo direct-coupled audio circuits with 0.5 Hz rolloff
Output transistors direct-coupled to speakers without LRC networks
Cascode Class A input stages with matched J-FET pairs
Hand-picked complementary MOSFET transistors in high voltage driver stage
High-bias Class A/AB operation provides 15 Watts of pure Class A operation
8 complementary pairs of 15 ampere 60 MHz output transistors per channel
High-quality Neutrik XLR jacks for balanced inputs
Two sets of gold-plated metal structure RCA input jacks for balanced operation
Two sets of gold-plated 5-way binding posts facilitates bi-wiring
Multiple protection circuits, temperature sensors and silver-cadmium relay protection
Glass epoxy circuit boards, double-sided for precision
Two hand-made audiophile-grade AC power cords-separate for each channel
-2-
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
The lightning flash with the arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to
the presence of “dangerous voltage” inside the product that may constitute a risk of electric shock.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE
PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL
1. Read Instructions — Read all the safety and operating instructions before operating this product.
2. Retain Instructions — Retain safety and operating instructions for future reference.
3. Heed Warnings — Adhere to all warnings on the product and in the operating instructions.
4. Follow Instructions — Follow all operating and use instructions.
5. Cleaning — Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. Clean the
outside of the product only.
6. Attachments — Do not use attachments that are not recommended by the product manufacturer; they may be
hazardous.
7. Water and Moisture — Do not use this product near water.
8. Accessories — Do not place this product on an unstable cart or stand. The product may fall causing bodily injury
and damage to the product. A product and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive
force, and uneven surfaces may cause the product and cart to overturn.
9. Ventilation — Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation to ensure reliable operation of the
product and to protect it from overheating. These openings must not be blocked or covered. This product should not
be placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or rack unless proper ventilation is provided.
10. Power Sources — Operate this product only from the type of power source indicated on the label. If you
are not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your dealer or local power company. This product is
equipped with a three-prong grounding plug. This plug will only fit into a grounding power outlet. If you
are unable to insert the plug into the outlet, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the
safety purpose of the grounding plug.
11. Power Cord Protection — Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or
pinched by items placed upon or against them.
12. Lightning— Unplug the unit from the wall outlet for added protection during a lightning storm and when it is left
unattended and unused for long periods of time. This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and power
line surges.
13. Overloading — Do not overload wall outlets or extension cords. This can result in a fire or electric shock.
14. Inserting Objects into Unit - Never push objects of any kind into this product through any openings; they may
touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in fire or electric shock.
15. Servicing — Do not attempt to repair or service this product yourself. Opening or removing covers may expose you
to dangerous voltage and other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
16. Damage Requiring Service — Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service
personnel under the following conditions: a) If the power-supply cord or plug is damaged. b) If liquid has been
spilled into the product. c) If the product has been exposed to rain or water. d) If the product does not operate
normally by following the operating instructions. e) If the product has been dropped or damaged in
any way. f) If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance.
17. Replacement Parts — When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement
parts specified by the manufacturer. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, and other hazards.
19. Safety Check — Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician to perform
safety checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition.
20. Wall or Ceiling Mounting — Mount the product to a wall or ceiling only as recommended.
21. Heat — The product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, and other
products (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
-3-
Figure #1
HCA-3500 Front and Rear Panel Drawings
HCA-3500 Ultra High Current Power Amplifier
Rack
Mount Holes
Non-Inverting RCA Input Jack
Inverting RCA Input Jack
Input Selection Switch
Right Channel
Unbalanced Inputs
Input Selector
Balanced
Left Power Switch
Normal and Bi-Wire
Speaker Connectors
Non-Inverting
Inverting
Unbalanced
Overload
Right
Power
Power
Temp
High
Left
Operation Status
Indicators
Right Power Switch
Right Speaker Left Speaker
Bi-Wire Bi-Wire
Same as Right Channel
Left Channel
Non-Inverting
Unbalanced Inputs
Inverting
Input Selector
Unbalanced
Balanced
Carry Handle
Balanced XLR Connector
Carry Handle
1
3
2
Balanced Input
CAUTION
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE
THE COVER. THERE ARE
NO USER SERVICABLE
PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL
Fuse T15A/250 V
Main Power Fuse
IEC AC Cord Connector
Power Consumption: 1200 W
-4-
HCA - 3500
Ultra High Current Power Amplifier
Parasound Products, Inc
San Francisco, CA U.S.A.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
AC 120V 50/60Hz
Power Consumption: 1200 W
Fuse T15A/250 V
Balanced Input
WARNING
TO PREVENT FIRE
OR SHOCK HAZARD,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
UNIT TO RAIN OR
MOISTURE. DO NOT
RESTRICT ADEQUATE
VENTILATION.
Loading...