Pioneer A-109 User Manual

STEREO AMPLIFIER

A-109

Operating Instructions

1

Thank you for buying this PIONEER product.
Please read through these operating instructions so you will
know how to operate your model properly. After you have
finished reading the instructions, put them away in a safe
place for future reference.
In some countries or regions, the shape of the power plug and
power outlet may sometimes differ from that shown in the
explanatory drawings. However, the method of connecting
and operating the unit is the same.

IMPORTANT

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an
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.

CAUTION:
TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE
PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.

WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD,

DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOIS­TURE.

This product complies with the Low Voltage Directive (73/
23/EEC), EMC Directives (89/336/EEC, 92/31/EEC) and CE
Marking Directive (93/68/EEC).

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.

The cut-off plug should be disposed of and must not be

IMPORTANT

FOR USE IN THE UNITED
KINGDOM

The wires in this mains lead are coloured in
accordance with the following code :

If the plug provided is unsuitable for your socket
outlets, the plug must be cut off and a suitable plug
fitted.

Blue : Neutral
Brown : Live

inserted into any 13 amp socket as this can result in electric
shock. The plug or adapter or the distribution panel should
be provided with a 5 amp fuse. As the colours of the wires
in the mains lead of this appliance may not correspond with
the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug,
proceed as follows :
The wire which is coloured blue must be connected to the
terminal which is marked with the letter N or coloured black.
The wire which is coloured brown must be connected
to the terminal which is marked with the letter L or coloured
red.

POWER-CORD CAUTION

Handle the power cord by the plug. Do not pull out the plug by
tugging the cord and never touch the power cord when your
hands are wet as this could cause a short circuit or electric
shock. Do not place the unit, a piece of furniture, etc., on the
power cord, or pinch the cord. Never make a knot in the cord
or tie it with other cords. The power cords should be routed
such that they are not likely to be stepped on. A damaged
power cord can cause fire or give you an electrical shock.
Check the power cord once in a while. When you find it
damaged, ask your nearest PIONEER authorized service
center or your dealer for a replacement.

Do not connect either wire to the earth terminal of a
three-pin plug.

NOTE
After replacing or changing a fuse, the fuse cover in the
plug must be replaced with a fuse cover which corre­sponds to the colour of the insert in the base of the plug
or the word that is embossed on the base of the plug, and
the appliance must not be used without a fuse cover. If
lost, replacement fuse covers can be obtained from your
dealer.
Only 5 A fuses approved by B.S.I. or A.S.T.A to B.S.
1362 should be used.

MAINTENANCE OF EXTERNAL SURFACES

÷ Use a polishing cloth or dry cloth to wipe off dust and

dirt.

÷ When the surfaces are very dirty, wipe with a soft cloth

dipped in some neutral cleanser diluted five or six times
with water, and wrung out well, and then wipe again
with a dry cloth. Do not use furniture wax or cleaners.

÷ Never use thinners, benzine, insecticide sprays or other

chemicals on or near this unit, since these will corrode
the surfaces.

2

CONTENTS

FEATURES ......................................................................... 3

INSTALLATION .................................................................. 3

CONNECTIONS.................................................................. 4

PANEL FACILITIES............................................................. 6

FEATURES

7 Advanced Direct Energy MOS Power Amp

Pioneer incorporates highest quality amp circuitry featur­ing Advanced Direct Energy MOS FET devices which can
achieve higher performance. Together with Pioneer’s origi­nal Wide Range Linear Circuit technology they reduce
power consumption while maintaining the power output of
current models.
In terms of performance, this technology contributes to flat
damping factor characteristics across the audio spectrum.
It also allows a wide range and especially ultra␣ high fre­quencies to be reproduced more accurately and improves
power linearity.

OPERATIONS..................................................................... 9

TROUBLESHOOTING ...................................................... 11

SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................. 12

7 High-power Output of 40 W+40 W/8 Ω(DIN)

7 Wide-Range Linear Circuit

This new current feedback circuit assures improved oper­ating stability for flat output impedance and stable driving
of speakers across the full range of frequencies.

7 Low power consumption design.

7 Complementary capacitor pair.

7 Stabilizer

Transformer stabilizer and stabilizer frame (attached to
chassis) deliver powerful sound.

INSTALLATION

LOCATION

Install the unit in a well-ventilated location where it
will not be exposed to high temperatures or humid­ity.

Do not install the unit in a location which is exposed to direct
rays of the sun, or near hot appliances or radiators. Excessive
heat can adversely affect the cabinet and internal compo­nents. Installation of the unit in a damp or dusty environment
may also result in a malfunction or an accident. (Avoid
installation near cookers etc., where the unit may be exposed
to oily smoke, steam or heat.)
Do not install the unit on a tottered stand, nor on an unstable
or inclined surface.

VENTILATION

÷ When installing this unit, make sure to leave space around

the unit for ventilation to improve heat radiation (at least 60
cm at top, 10 cm at rear, and 30 cm at each side). If not
enough space is provided between the unit and walls or
other equipment, heat will build up inside, interfering with
performance or causing malfunctions.

÷ Do not place on a thick carpet, bed, sofa or fabric having a

thick pile. Do not cover with fabric or other covering.
Anything that blocks ventilation will cause internal tem­perature to rise, which may lead to breakdown or fire
hazard.

3

CONNECTIONS

Before making or changing the connections, switch off the power switch and disconnect the power cord from
the AC outlet.

CD player

OUT

L

R

CD

Cassette deck/
CD recorder/
MD recorder

MINIDISC

PLAY

REC

L

R

L

R

L

R

R

L

R

L

L

L

R

L

R

L

R

R

Cassette deck

L

R

REC

PLAY

L

R

L

R

Adaptor component
(graphic equalizer etc.)

IN

OUT

L
R

L

R

L

R

L

R

Turntable

SIGNAL

PHONOINTUNERINCDINLINEINTAPE 1/CD-R/MD

GND

L

R

TAPE 2 MONITOR

REC PLAY REC PLAY

SPEAKERS

RL

L

R

OUT INOUT IN

L

R

L

R

L

R

·ª·

ª

·

ª

L

R

L

R

OUT

FM-AM

Tuner DVD player, VCR, etc.

ª·

L

R

AUDIO OUT

DVD

AC INLET

To an AC wall socket.

Speaker
system (Left)

Speaker
system (Right)

4

CONNECTIONS

CONNECTING THE SPEAKER CORDS

1. Strip off the vinyl covering and twist the tip of the
wire core.

10mm

Twist the wire core

2. Loosen the knob and insert the wire core into the
terminal hole.

3. Tighten the knob to fix the wire core in place.

2

1

\

3

NOTE:

Do not allow any of the cord conductors to protrude from the
terminals or touch any other conductors. Malfunctioning or
breakdowns may occur when conductors come into contact
with each other.

CONNECTING THE INPUT/OUTPUT
CORDS

Connect the white plug to the L (left) channel, and the red plug
to the R (right) channel. Be sure to push the plugs securely.

Left channel

L

White plug

Right channel

R

Red plug

Speaker Impedance

The speaker systems used should have a rated impedance in
the range of 6 - 16 Ω.

5

PANEL FACILITIES

[ FRONT PANEL ]

1234

OFF ON

_

—

SPEAKERS

PHONES

STEREO AMPLIFIER

POWER

BASS

–

z¿,?/

Direct Energy MOS

TREBLE

LOUDNESS DIRECT

+

–

+

-

1 POWER (—OFF/_ON) switch

Press to turn power to the unit ON and OFF.

2 VOLUME control

Use to adjust the volume level.

3 INPUT SELECTOR knob/indicators

Turn the knob clockwise or counterclockwise so that the
indicator lights for your desired input source. Turning the knob
clockwise causes the lit indicator to right. Turning counter­clockwise causes it to left.

CD : For compact disc playback with a CD player.
TUNER : For AM or FM broadcast reception with a tuner.
PHONO : For record playback with a turntable.
LINE : Set to this position when listening to the pro-

gram from a component connected to the LINE
terminals.

TAPE 1/
CD-R/MD

: For playback with a cassette deck, CD recorder

or MD recorder connected to the TAPE1/CD-R/
MD terminals.

VOLUME

MIN MAX

4 TAPE 2 MONITOR button/indicator

Use when there is an adaptor component (graphic equalizer,
etc.) or cassette deck connected to the TAPE2 MONITOR
terminals.

On : Indicator lights when using the adaptor component or

Off : Indicator goes off when not in use.

NOTES:

• When no connections are made to the TAPE2 MONITOR

• When the TAPE2 MONITOR indicator is on and the INPUT

CD

BALANCE

L

TUNER

R

PHONO

TAPE 1/

LINE

CD-R/MD

INPUT SELECTOR

TAPE 2

MONITOR

TAPE 2

MONITOR

567890

listening to the cassette deck.

terminals, or when they are not in use, be sure to set this
switch to the off position. (No sound will be heard if it is set
to the on position.)

SELECTOR knob is not set to TAPE1/CD-R/MD, the signals
which are input through TAPE2 MONITOR are then output
at TAPE1/CD-R/MD REC OUT.

6

PANEL FACILITIES

5 BALANCE control

Should normally be left in the center position. Adjust balance
if the sound is louder from one of the speakers. If the right side
is louder, turn toward the L (left) position and if the left side is
louder, turn toward the R (right) position.

NOTE:

This control does not operate when the DIRECT button is in
the on position.

6 DIRECT button/indicator

Use this button when you do not wish to pass the output from
input terminal equipment through the various frequency ad­justing circuits (BASS, TREBLE, BALANCE, LOUDNESS).
On : The indicator lights: The signals passing through the

input terminals are reproduced without passing through
the various frequency adjusting circuits. This results in
flat, pure sound which is a more faithful reproduction of
the input source.

Off : The indicator goes off: The signal passes through the

various frequency adjusting circuits.

7 LOUDNESS button/indicator

Use when listening at low volume levels.
On : The indicator lights: Boosts low and high frequencies to

give added punch to playback even at a low volume
level.

Off : The indicator goes off: Should normally be left in this

position.

8 TREBLE tone control

Use to adjust the high-frequency tone. The center position is
the flat (normal) position. When turned to the right, high­frequency tones are emphasized; when turned to the left,
high-frequency tones are de-emphasized.

NOTE:

This control does not operate when the DIRECT button is in
the on position.

9 BASS tone control

Use to adjust the low-frequency tone. The center position is
the flat (normal) position. When turned to the right, low­frequency tones are emphasized; when turned to the left,
low-frequency tones are de-emphasized.

NOTE:

This control does not operate when the DIRECT button is in
the on position.

0 PHONES jack

When using headphones, insert the plug into this jack.

NOTE:

The speakers continue to output sound even when head­phones are plugged into this jack.
To mute the sound from the speakers, press the SPEAKERS
button to OFF.

NOTE:

This button does not operate when the DIRECT button is in
the on position.

- SPEAKERS button/indicator

Use this button to listen to the speaker system connected to
the SPEAKERS terminals.
On : The indicator lights. Sound is heard from the speaker

system.

Off : The indicator goes off. No sound is heard from the

speaker system. Set to this position when listening with
headphones.

7

PANEL FACILITIES

[ REAR PANEL ]

1 0 - =2 3 4 65 7 8 9

SIGNAL

PHONOINTUNERINCDINLINEINTAPE 1/CD-R/MD

GND

L

R

TAPE 2 MONITOR

REC PLAY REC PLAY

OUT INOUT IN

1 GND (Turntable ground) terminal

2 PHONO terminals

3 TUNER terminals

4 CD terminals

5 LINE terminals

6 TAPE 1/CD-R/MD REC (OUT) terminals

SPEAKERS

RL

L

R

ª

·

·

ª

AC INLET

= AC INLET jack

Connect one end of the power cord to here and the other end
to an AC wall socket, or the AC outlet of an audio timer.
If you are going to be away from home for a long period of
time, disconnect the unit from the wall socket.

NOTES:

÷

If you use an other power cord than provided, we cannot
assume the liabilities in what may occur as a result of it.

÷

(The provided power cord has a current capacity of 2.5 A.)

7 TAPE 1/CD-R/MD PLAY (IN) terminals

8 TAPE 2 MONITOR REC (OUT) terminals

9 TAPE 2 MONITOR PLAY (IN) terminals

0 SPEAKERS terminals (Right channel)

- SPEAKERS terminals (Left channel)

8

OPERATIONS

BEFORE BEGINNING OPERATIONS

1. Set the VOLUME control to minimum.

2. Set the POWER switch to ON.

3. Press the SPEAKERS switch to ON.

4. Set the BALANCE control to the center position.

5. Set the DIRECT button to off.

6. Set the TAPE2 MONITOR button to off.

PLAYBACK PROCEDURES

1. Set the INPUT SELECTOR knob to the desired
playback source.

÷ For playback of a compact disc: Set to [CD].
÷ For reception of an AM/FM broadcast: Set to [TUNER].
÷ For playback of a record: Set to [PHONO].
÷ For playback with the equipment connected to the LINE

terminals: Set to [LINE].

÷ For playback of a tape: Set to [TAPE1/CD-R/MD].

NOTES:

÷

When you do not want to monitor the TAPE2 MONITOR
sound, set the PATE2 MONITOR button to OFF.

÷

When you select PHONO, the sound is muted for a few
seconds.

2. Operate the equipment to begin playback.

3. Adjust playback volume with the VOLUME con­trol on this unit.

4. Adjust the tone to your preference using the
BASS and TREBLE controls, and LOUDNESS but­ton.

COPYING TAPES

When two decks are used, you can record the sounds from
one deck onto the other.

Application examples:

÷ To make a tape copy with contents identical to the original

tape.

÷ To edit a recording of an FM broadcast in order to cut out

unwanted commercials, recording only of desired material
onto another tape.

1. Load tapes for playback (pre-recorded tape) and
recording (blank tape) into the respective cas­sette decks.

2. Select the copying direction with the INPUT SE­LECTOR knob and TAPE2 MONITOR button.

÷ When copying from the cassette deck of the TAPE1/CD-

R/MD terminals to the cassette deck of the TAPE2
MONITOR terminals: Set the INPUT SELECTOR knob
to TAPE1/CD-R/MD.

÷ When copying from the cassette deck of the TAPE2

MONITOR terminals to the cassette deck of TAPE1/CD­R/MD terminals: Set the TAPE2 MONITOR button to
ON and the INPUT SELECTOR knob to a position other
than TAPE1/CD-R/MD.

3. Operate the cassette decks to begin copying.

Set the cassette deck with the original (playback) tape to
the playback mode, and set the cassette deck with the
blank tape to the recording mode.

RECORDING TAPES

1. Select the recording equipment with the INPUT
SELECTOR knob.

2. Begin recording by operating the recording equip­ment and cassette deck.

Refer to the operating instructions of your cassette deck
for proper operating procedures.

9

OPERATIONS

TO USE THE COMPONENT CONNECTED
TO THE TAPE2 MONITOR TERMINALS

[For a cassette deck]

÷ A cassette deck connected here can be operated in the

same way (recording and playback) as a deck connected to
the TAPE2 MONITOR terminals.

÷ Also, if two decks are used, you can copy tapes from one

deck onto the other (see the section on “COPYING TAPES”).

1. Set the TAPE2 MONITOR button to ON.

2. Operate the cassette deck to perform playback
(or recording).

NOTE:

The source selected with the INPUT SELECTOR knob is
backed up for a few days even when the POWER switch is set
to off or the power cord is unpluged.
After this period, the CD is automatically selected when the
power is supplied.

[For an adaptor component]

By connecting a graphic equalizer, source sounds (from discs,
tapes, AM/FM broadcasts, etc.) can be heard with added
sound and tone compensation.
Sounds compensated with the adaptor component can be
recorded on the cassette deck connected to the TAPE1/CD­R/MD terminals.

1. Set the TAPE2 MONITOR button to ON.

2. Play back the source.

3. Operate the adaptor component.

NOTE:

Be sure to perform this operation with the adaptor component
power switch in the on position. Even when not using the
adaptor component, its power switch must be left on. If the
adaptor component is switched off, no sound will be pro­duced, or the playback sound will be distorted.

10

TROUBLESHOOTING

Incorrect operations are often mistaken for trouble and malfunctions. If you think that there is something wrong with this component,
check the points below. Sometimes the trouble may lie in another component. Investigate the other components and electrical
appliances being used.
If the trouble cannot be rectified even after exercising the checks listed below, ask your nearest PIONEER authorized service center
or your dealer to carry out repair work.

Symptom

No power supplied to unit.

No sound.

No sound from one speaker.

Cause

÷ Power plug is disconnected from outlet.
÷ The amplifier’s power plug has been plugged

into another component’s power outlet (e.g.
timer, etc.) but power to that unit is discon­nected.

÷ The AC INLET plug is disconnected.

÷ Connecting cords are disconnected from ter-

minals, or connected incorrectly.

÷ Terminals, or connecting cords pin plugs are

dirty.

÷ The TAPE2 MONITOR button is set to ON

(except when using an adaptor component).

÷ Operation of other components is incorrect.

÷ The position of the INPUT SELECTOR does

not match the component to be played back.

÷ SPEAKERS button is set to OFF.

÷ Connecting cords or speaker cords are discon-

nected on that side.

÷ BALANCE control is set to one side.

Remedy

÷ Insert plug securely into outlet.
÷ Turn on power to other component.

÷ Insert the AC INLET plug securely till the

bottom of the jack.

÷ Connect securely.

÷ Clean terminals and plugs.

÷ Set the button to OFF.

÷ Consult the operating instructions for

the other components.

÷ Set the button correctly (CD, TUNER,

PHONO, LINE, TAPE1/CD-R/MD).

÷ Set the button to ON.

÷ Connect securely.

÷ Set BALANCE control to center posi-

tion.

Cannot record tapes.

Cannot perform tape copy­ing.

÷ Connections are incorrect.
÷ Operation of cassette deck is incorrect.

÷ The TAPE2 MONITOR button is set to ON.

÷ The position of the INPUT SELECTOR knob

and TAPE2 MONITOR button are incorrect
(when using 2 cassette decks).

÷ Operation of cassette decks is incorrect.

÷ Reconnect properly.
÷ Consult the operating instructions for

the cassette deck.

÷ Set the TAPE2 MONITOR button to OFF.

÷ Set buttons correctly. (See section

COPYING TAPES.)

÷ Consult the operating instructions for

the cassette decks.

Abnormal functioning of this unit may be cased by, static electricity, or other external interference. To restore normal operation, turn
the power off and then on again, or unplug the AC power cord and then plug it in again.

11

SPECIFICATIONS

Amplifier Section

Continuous power output
(both channels driven at 20 Hz to 20 kHz)**

T.H.D. 0.1 %, 8 Ω ..................................... 30 W + 30 W*

DIN Continuous power output
(both channels driven at 1 kHz)

T.H.D. 1.0 %, 8 Ω ....................................... 40 W + 40 W

Total harmonic distortion**

20 Hz to 20 kHz, 15 W, 8 Ω................................ 0.08 %*

÷

The above values are applicable when AC 230 V power is
supplied.

Input sensitivity/ impedance

PHONO (MM) ........................................... 2.8 mV/ 50 kΩ

CD, TUNER, LINE, TAPE1/CD-R/MD, TAPE2 MONITOR

................................................................. 200 mV/ 50 kΩ

PHONO (MM) overload level

1 kHz, T.H.D. 0.1 % ............................................. 150 mV

Output level/ impedance

TAPE1 REC, TAPE2 MONITOR REC ......... 200 mV/ 1 kΩ

Frequency response

PHONO (MM) ........................... 20 Hz to 20 kHz ± 0.5 dB

CD, TUNER, LINE, TAPE1/CD-R/MD, TAPE2 MONITOR

.....................................................5 Hz to 100 kHz dB*

Tone control

BASS ....................................................... ± 8 dB (100 Hz)

TREBLE ................................................... ± 8 dB (10 kHz)

Loudness contour (volume control set at – 30 dB position)

......................................+ 6 dB (100 Hz)/ + 4 dB (10 kHz)

Signal-to-Noise ratio (IHF short circuit, A network)

PHONO (MM, 5 mV input) ................................... 85 dB*

CD, TUNER, LINE, TAPE1/CD-R/MD,TAPE2 MONITOR .

............................................................................ 106 dB*

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DIN, continuous power/ 50 mW)

PHONO (MM) ............................................ 71 dB/ 67 dB*

CD, TUNER, LINE, TAPE1/CD-R/MD, TAPE2 MONITOR

...................................................................91 dB/ 71 dB*

+0
– 3

Power Supply/ Miscellaneous

Power requirements .................... AC 220 - 230 V, 50/60 Hz

Power consumption .....................................................80 W

Dimensions (including knobs and other protruding parts)

...................................... 420 (W) X 114 (H) X 307 (D) mm

Weight (without package) ...........................................4.3 kg

Accessories

Operating Instructions........................................................ 1

Power cord (Rated current 2.5 A)....................................... 1

Warranty card ..................................................................... 1

NOTE:

Specifications and design are subject to possible modification
without notice, due to improvements.

* Measured with DIRECT button set to on.
** Measured by Audio Spectrum Analyzer.

PIONEER CORPORATION

PIONEER ELECTRONICS [USA] INC.
PIONEER ELECTRONICS OF CANADA, INC.
PIONEER ELECTRONIC [EUROPE] N.V.
PIONEER ELECTRONICS AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD.
PIONEER ELECTRONICS DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.

<00B00ZF0P00>

12

4-1, Meguro 1-Chome, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8654, Japan

P.O. BOX 1540, Long Beach, California 90801-1540, U.S.A.

300 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario L3R OP2, Canada
Haven 1087, Keetberglaan 1, 9120 Melsele, Belgium TEL: [phone]

Published by Pioneer Corporation.
Copyright © 2000 Pioneer Corporation.
All rights reserved.

178-184 Boundary Road, Braeside, Victoria 3195, Australia, TEL: [03] 9586-6300

San Lorenzo Num 1009 3er piso Desp. 302 Col. Del Valle, Mexico D.F. C.P. 03100 TEL: [phone]

Printed in <ARB7237-A>