Talk electronic Thunder 3.1B User Manual

Talk Electronics

Thunder 3.1B CD Player

User Manual

T

ALK ELECTRONICS LTD

TEL: [phone] F

. U

NIT

3 I

MAGE HOUSE

AX

: [phone] E-

326 M

OLESEY ROAD

MAIL

: [e-mail] www.talkelectronics.com

H

ERSHAM

S

URREY

KT12 3PD E

NGLAND

1

Talk Electronics

Thunder User Manual

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing a Talk Electronics
Thunder CD player. We are confident that it
will provide you with many years of musical
enjoyment and reliable service. However,
please take the time to read this guide
thoroughly before using the amplifier. It
explains how to install and connect it, and
suggests how to ensure that you always
enjoy its optimum performance.

UNPACKING LIST

CD player
Remote control handset
AC power cord
Instruction manual

NOTE: We recommend that the supplied AC
power cord is replaced with a high quality Merlin
Cables power cord for best results.
Please be aware that this unit is not supplied with
interconnects and we recommend the use of the
Merlin series of interconnect cables.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

HOW TO SITE AND CONNECT YOUR THUNDER CD PLAYER

BEST PERFORMANCE AND SAFE OPERATION

FOR

Please unpack your CD player carefully and position
it on a stable, level surface close to a mains socket.
Before attempting to connect it into your system
please read this manual carefully.

The Thunder will perform well placed on a coffee
table or bookshelf but if you wish to achieve the best
performance we suggest you place it on a specialist
hi-fi support. There are many suitable designs
available, which your dealer will be happy to advise
you about.

Position the CD player so that it will not be subjected
to high ambient temperatures: avoid sites where it
will be in direct sunlight or close to a central heating
radiator. For your own safety – and your CD player’s

well-being – do not allow it to come into contact with
water. Keep it away from potted plants to avoid
those all-too-common watering accidents! To clean
the amplifier’s case disconnect it from the wall
socket and wipe it with a barely damp, lint-free cloth
or chamois leather. If you suspect that water has
entered the casework, return the amplifier to your
dealer so that he can examine it.

Once you have installed your CD player please
retain all packaging including the polythene bag
which is designed to protect the finish of the unit
whilst in transit. If you decide to upgrade or add a
Whirlwind power supply, the packaging will be
required to protect the Thunder and ensure it arrives
undamaged at the factory or your distributor.

SAFETY

The Talk range of CD players contains Class 1 laser
optics. You must never remove the lid from a player
and look into the laser while it is operating: this could
damage your eyes.

ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS

The Thunder comes with a ready assembled mains
lead and we suggest that you use this to connect it
to the mains supply. We strongly recommend that
you connect the lead directly to a wall socket and do
not use extension blocks, which degrade sound
quality. For the same reason we also advise against
“line filters” and “mains conditioners”. If your mains
supply is noisy or you have household appliances
that generate clicks and pops that can be heard
through your hi-fi system, have an electrician correct
the problem at its source. We do however
recommend the use of ‘Merlin Cables’ power chords
which do not interfere with the current flow and offer
a significant performance improvement

Should you need to replace the fuse in the mains
plug, please fit only the correct replacement types.
This is a standard 5A.

If, for any reason, you wish to replace the plug or
cable, please note that the lead must be connected
as follows.

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NOTE: These instructions apply in the United
Kingdom only – consult your dealer about wiring
conventions in other countries.

Green and yellow wire connects to EARTH (E or
symbol )
Blue wire connects to NEUTRAL (N)
Brown wire connects to LIVE (L)

Please ensure that the replacement lead contains a
5A fuse.

The power switch mounted on the Thunder’s rear
connects and disconnects the mains supply. When
mains is connected, the display on the facia will
illuminate. If you plan to be away from home for long
periods – when, for example, you are on holiday –
you can use this switch to power down the CD
player completely. For absolute safety, disconnect
the mains lead from the wall socket. We advise that
you do this during thunderstorms to avoid damage
from power line surges.

OPTIONAL DC POWER CONNECTIONS

If you have opted for one of our external Whirlwind
DC power supplies this should be connected using
only the cables supplied with the Whirlwind. We
strongly recommend that you do not replace or
attempt to modify these cables. Doing so can
adversely affect the CD player’s performance and is
likely to cause damage.

You will also need to re-configure your player for
external DC operation using the internal jumpers as
described below.

Before attempting to re-configure your player, dis­connect the mains lead at the wall socket. Having
made your player safe, remove the cover by un­screwing the screws located on the top and those
on the underside using a combination of a T10
security torx driver and a No.1 posi-drive screwdriver
lift the cover and locate the blue jumpers in the back
right corner using Diagram 3 (see page 9) and
position them for the desired configuration. Replace
the cover, connect your Whirlwind power supply and
re-connect the mains lead to the wall socket.

SWITCHING YOUR CD PLAYER ON AND OFF

If you are using a Whirlwind external DC supply to
power the analogue parts of your CD player we
suggest that this, once connected, is left switched
on all the time. To avoid “switch-on thumps” being
transmitted to your loudspeakers when you switch
on your CD player, we recommend that you always
switch on – or cancel mute on – your amplifier last.
Start by powering source components, such as your
CD player, then power the pre-amplifier. Then switch
on the power amplifier. When you’ve finished
listening, mute or turn off the power amplifier and
then mute your pre-amplifier. Finally, turn off your CD
player and other source components. You may, if
you wish, leave your CD player powered up at all
times: this will enable it to deliver optimum
performance as soon as you begin listening,
however we suggest that you switch off the display
when not required. This requires that a disc is
present in the player at all times.

REAR PANEL

Refer to Diagram on Page 11

MAINS CONNECTIONS

Next to the mains switch, on the rear panel, is an
IEC socket into which the supplied mains lead fits.
The fuse in the UK mains plug is a 5A standard type.
Again, if you need to replace it use an identical type
rated at 5A. If the fuses keep blowing return the CD
player to your dealer.

OUTPUT CONNECTIONS

The analogue output sockets on the CD player are
found on the rear panel. There are both balanced
and unbalanced connections available and we
strongly advise you to use the balanced where
possible. Connect these to your amplifier or pre­amplifier’s CD or Auxiliary input using high quality
interconnect cables (we strongly recommend Merlin
cables for optimum performance). On all players, the
socket marked in red is the right channel, and the
white socket is the left channel.

There are both optical and coaxial digital outputs as
standard on all our players. Our research shows that
the levels of signal jitter caused by separating the
player’s transport mechanism and DAC introduce an
unacceptable degradation in sound quality,
counteracting the benefits accrued through using
our high quality, ultra-low jitter, 24-bit DAC. If you
wish to make digital recordings you will need to

switch on the digital output provided using the
yellow internal jumper, see Diagram 1 (see page 7).

However, we caution you that this addition will have
a slight detrimental effect upon the player’s
performance.

Before attempting to re-configure your player, dis­connect the mains lead at the wall socket. Having
made your player safe, remove the cover by un­screwing the screws located on the top and those
on the underside using a combination of a T10
security torx driver and a No.1 posi-drive screwdriver
lift the cover and locate the yellow jumper using
Diagram 1 (page 7) and position it for the desired
configuration. Replace the cover and re-connect the
mains lead to the wall socket. The Digital Output
should now work accordingly.

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VARIABLE OUTPUT VERSION.

If your player was specified as a variable type then
you will find a label “VAR”‚ next to the serial no.
There is no readout or display of the volume however
it will remember where you last left it, even if you
power the player off. So in answer to the question;
How do I know how loud it is? It is where you last left
it! The mute function on the handset will also mute
the players output completely, push the button for a
second time and output will be restored. There is
enough gain to drive any power amplifier into clip­ping however the factory default setting is quite low,
as we do not know what amp and speakers you
may have and we do not want you to leap out of
your skin when you first play a disk. The volume
control operates in the analogue domain so you are
not reducing the bit count or resolution, it is a micro
processor controlled resistor ladder and has only a
very subtle effect on sound quality like any volume
control.

OPERATING YOUR CD PLAYER

TIME: Push once during Play mode to display the

time remaining on the current track. Push again to
display the time remaining on the disc. Push while
the player is in Stop mode to display the total
number of tracks and playing time of the disc.
Note: if the disc contains more than 69 tracks the
display will show “_ _ . _ _” instead of the remaining
time. It will show the same if the remaining time
exceeds 100 minutes during PROGRAM PLAY
mode.

DISPLAY: Push once to turn off the display. Push
again to return the display to full brightness.
Note: When the display is switched off, pushing any
control on the player or remote handset, or changing
the disc, will switch on the display for about 3
seconds. Please note that this function only works if
a disc is present in the player and playing.

REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS

As well as duplicating the major controls found on
the player, the remote handset provides the following
additional features.

You can control the major functions of your CD
player from either the remote control handset or the
buttons on the player’s facia. If you simply wish to
play a disc you do not need the remote control.
However, do not lose the handset because it is
required when you wish to program the player or use
features such as FF or FR.

PLAYER CONTROLS

OPEN: Push once to close the player’s drawer after

inserting a disc. Do not push the drawer closed with
your hand as this can damage the drawer
mechanism.

PLAY/PAUSE: Push once to start the disc playing. If
the player’s drawer is open, pushing play will cause it
to close and commence playing automatically.
Pressing for a second time whilst playing a disc will
pause the disc.

REPEAT: Push once to repeat the whole disc. Push
twice to repeat the track currently playing. Pressing
the button a third time returns normal operation.

STOP: Push once to stop the player operating.

PREVIOUS: Push during Play mode to play the

previous track. Pushing more than once will cause
the player to go back an equivalent number of
tracks.

PROGRAM: push to construct a program
containing up to twenty-four selected tracks. The
player will play your selections in the order in which
you enter them into the program.

1. Select a track number by pressing the PREVIOUS
or NEXT key, or by using the numerical keys.

2. Press PROGRAM. “PROGRAM” appears on the
display panel indicating Program Play mode. This
is quite dull.

3. To add further tracks repeat steps 1 and 2.

Once you have entered all the desired tracks, you
can play your programme by pressing the PLAY
button

To erase a programmed track, press the CLEAR key.
Each time you press CLEAR, the last selection in the
program will be removed. Press STOP to stop the
program playing, then press STOP again.

FAST FORWARD and REWIND: To move rapidly to
a particular section of music you can use the FAST
FORWARD or REWIND keys, depending, obviously,
upon whether you wish to access a section not yet
reached or one that you have passed. While the
player is in Play mode you will hear music playing at
high speed. To move quickly through the disc in
silence, press PAUSE before pushing the FF or REW
buttons.

NEXT: Push during Play mode to play the next track.
Pushing more than once will cause the player to
advance an equivalent number of tracks.

NUMERIC KEYS: These are used for entering
selections in Program mode or for starting Play
mode from a particular track. For example, loading a
disc and then pressing “7” will cause the player to
start playing the disc beginning at track 7. To access
tracks greater than 9, first press “0” followed by the
track number required.

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