Parasound TDQ-1600 Owners manual

O W N E R ' S M A N U A L

affordable audio for the critical listener

T/DQ-1600 Broadcast Reference Tuner

Congratulations on your purchase of this precision audio component and thank you for your selection of
Parasound. Your T/DQ-1600 Broadcast Reference Tuner has been designed with the latest technology
to perform flawlessly in the finest music systems. Premium parts and advanced design with full remote
control make the T/DQ-1600 one of the finest tuner values 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 tuner.

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T/DQ-1600 Broadcast Reference Tuner

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Unpacking

Remove the remote control handset and the AC cord which are packed separately inside the carton. We
recommend using only this specially selected cord for the best musical reproduction.

Save your carton and the packing 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 ____________________ .

Placement of the T/DQ-1600

Keep your Parasound T/DQ-1600 away from direct sunlight that may interfere with its remote control
sensor. 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 T/DQ-1600 below or alongside other components
which may generate heat. Additionally, close proximity to some power amplifiers or CD players may
interfere with clear radio reception of your T/DQ-1600.

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Connecting Your T/DQ-1600

Audio Connections

Before making any connections, turn off the power to your preamplifier and power amplifier. This will
avoid an accidental “blast” of sound which could damage your speakers.

Connect the cables supplied between the OUTPUT jacks on your T/DQ-1600 and any high level input
jacks on your preamplifier or receiver marked TUNER, CD, AUX or TAPE PLAY. Connect the RIGHT
and LEFT channels according to their markings on both units. Make certain that all your connections are
secure and that there is no tension on the cables which could cause them to pull loose later.

You may prefer to try premium audio interconnect cables which are available from your Parasound
dealer. The benefits of these are debated among audio hobbyists, and we cannot guarantee you will
always hear an audible improvement that will justify their cost.

You may connect the output of your T/DQ-1600 directly to a power amplifier which has input level
controls, however you may require the additional gain of a preamplifier to reach adequate listening levels.

Once the inputs have been connected, plug the AC cord into any convenient outlet or into an outlet on the
rear panel of your preamplifier or receiver. Try to run the AC cord in a perpendicular direction to the
audio cables to minimize hum.

FM Antenna Connections

Adequate FM reception and subsequent sound quality is largely dependent upon your choice and location
of the antenna. There are several options to consider when selecting an antenna and connecting it to your
T/DQ-1600.

Dipole Antenna

A standard FM "folded dipole" antenna is included with your T/DQ-1600. The dipole antenna is
adequate for most urban and suburban locations and is very easy to install. Simply connect the spade
connectors to the screws marked 300 Ω on the supplied balun adapter and connect the adapter to the round
"F" connector on the rear panel of your T/DQ-1600.

Outdoor Antenna

For best reception and maximum noise rejection, we recommend the use of a high-quality outdoor FM
antenna. Although this requires a little extra effort, the additional stations you can receive and the
superior sound quality will be well worthwhile. For best noise rejection, use 75Ω cable with an "F"
connector and connect the antenna directly to your T/DQ-1600. If you use 300Ω twin lead cable, use the
balun adapter as described above.

Cable Transmission

Many cable companies transmit FM stations and cable TV audio signals along with the cable TV
channels. With some cable operators, the quality of the signal can be very good depending on the quality
of their transmitter. Connection to your T/DQ-1600 is as simple as connecting a signal splitter to the
cable output and connecting a 75Ω cable to both your T/DQ-1600 and your television. Check with your
local cable company to check for the availability of FM stations in your area and any additional charges
for this service.

"Powered" Antennas

Small powered indoor antennas are sometimes useful when it is impractical to install an outdoor antenna
or when FM transmission is not available. However, they can sometimes add noise and distortion to the
RF signal. In most cases, you can receive signals better with the supplied dipole antenna. Use discretion
when using these types of antennas.

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AM Antenna Connections

A molded plastic loop antenna is supplied with your T/DQ-1600. To install the antenna, snap it into its
receptacle clip on the rear panel and connect the two wires to the posts labeled AM and GND. You can
swivel the antenna away from he rear panel for better AM reception. Note: Never try to lift your
T/DQ-1600 by this AM antenna; it will not support its weight and the antenna or its bracket may break.

External Remote Control Connection

Your T/DQ-1600 accepts the input of any popular infrared repeater system to facilitate remote control
operation from another room or when your tuner is installed within a closed cabinet. This connector is a
popular 1/8" (3.5 mm) mini jack and its center conductor is +, the outer is - . For further details contact
your Parasound dealer or custom installer.

AC Line Cord

The high-quality IEC standard AC cord supplied with your T/DQ-1600 should be connected directly to
an AC wall outlet or an unswitched outlet on your preamplifier or receiver that is always “live.” This
will insure that your preset stations will remain programmed even when your system is turned off.

Operating your T/DQ-1600

Before turning the unit on, recheck all your connections and turn down the volume control on your
preamplifier to avoid any unpleasant “blasts” that could damage your speakers.

On-Off Switch

Push once to turn on. Push again to turn off. The fluorescent display will light up within about 2
seconds.

Preset Buttons 1-8

Press these buttons to recall a preset station. You can use the front panel preset buttons in conjunction
with the +10 shift button on the front panel for a total of 16 of the 20 available preset FM or AM
stations.

+10 Shift Button

Press and hold this button to shift to the upper level of preset stations. For example to select preset 16,
press the +10 button then press preset 6; to select preset 11, press the +10 button then press preset 1.

Memory Button

Press this button to program the preset stations into memory. To preset a station first press memory,
then press the preset number. You have 5 seconds after you press memory to store a preset. The
memory button can also be used in conjunction with the +10 button.

AM/FM Button

Press this button to toggle between the FM and AM frequency bands. This switch automatically
operates according to how you have programmed your presets.

Mono/Mute Off Button

Your T/DQ-1600 has a circuit that will automatically mute weak or distant stations with excessive
interchannel noise. Press the MONO button prior to tuning in weaker stations. This button will defeat
the muting circuit and receive the station in mono to significantly reduce the level of noise.

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