Parasound PHP-850 Owner's Manual
O W N E R ´ S M A N U A L
P H P - 8 5 0 S t e r e o P r e a m p l i f i e r
Congratulations on your purchase of this precision audio component and thank you for your selection of
Parasound. Your new PHP-850 Stereo Preamplifier has been designed with the latest technology to become
the heart of a top flight, but practical music system. With premium parts and advanced design, the PHP-850
represents one of the finest preamplifier values we've ever offered. You have made an excellent choice.
Please take a few moments now to read these instructions thoroughly so you may fully understand the
sophisticated capabilities of your new preamplifier.
Remove the AC cord which is packed separately inside the carton. We recommend using only this specially
selected cord for best musical reproduction.
Save your carton and the cardboard inserts for future safe transport in case you move or the unit requires
shipping for repair. Note: the actual printed carton is not itself strong enough for safe shipping: you must
place this carton into an additional outer "overcarton" before shipment.
Before you proceed, find the serial number which is located on the rear panel of the unit and note it here for
future reference or in case the unit is ever stolen___________________________.
Unpacking
Placement
Keep your Parasound PHP-850 out of direct sunlight and away from windows which might accidentally be
left open to let in rain. It should be placed away from a heat source such as hot air registers or radiators. Do
not place the unit directly on a pile carpet that could interfere with air flow into its bottom vent openings. If
you stack your components, we suggest you place your PHP-850 below or alongside other components
which may generate heat. Proximity to some power amplifiers may contaminate low level signals with
radiated hum from their transformers.
Making Connections
Before making any signal connections, make sure your PHP-850's volume control is turned fully counterclockwise or its power is turned off. When making connections, make sure then is no strain or tension on any
wires that could cause them to pull loose later on.
Input Connections
•CD These inputs have the same input sensivity and impedance and are
•Tuner compatible with any typical analog line level source: DAT, DCC, audio
•Video output of a Laserdisc or VCR, D-A converter, tape deck. It’s normal if
•Tape your CD player or D-A converter sounds louder than any of the other
sources and requires a slight volume control adjustment.
•Phono This input accepts the output of a MM or high output MC phono cartridge.
•GND Terminal The adjacent ground “GND” terminal is used for the 3rd ground wire from
the turntable. in some rare cases, disconnecting the ground wire will reduce
audible hum.
Tape Record/Playback Jacks
Play jacks connect to the Line Output jacks of the analog deck.
Rec jacks connect to the Line Input jacks at the deck.
Make sure you connect inputs and outputs of the Right and Left channels consistently, otherwise channels
will be exchanged when you replay a tape you had recorded through this system.
Line Out Connectors
Normal These are the jacks you can use with any power amplifier. They connect to circuits
that block DC which might be amplified through the power amplifier.
Direct These are directly coupled and are used where you are certain your amplifier
either blocks DC with a capacitor at its input or bypasses DC with servo cir-
cuits. The Direct output should sound a little stronger and clearer.
AC Line cord
The IEC standard AC cord supplied with your PHP-850 is an audiophile-grade accessory. Please connect it
directly to an AC wall outlet and avoid use of an extension cord or power strip; these will degrade sound
quality.
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