Viola Systems Symphony Owner's Manual
Revision: 01
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SYMPHONY POWER AMPLIFIER
OWNER’S MANUAL
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© Viola Audio Laboratories 2004, 2005
The information contained in the manual is subject to change without notice. The
most current version of this manual will be posted on our web site at
www.Violalabs.com.
P/N: 91-symphonymanual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Safety Instructions 3
• Introduction 4
• Unpacking 4
• Voltage Setting 4
• Location 5
• XLR Connector Pin Assignment 5
• Speaker Cable Connection 6
o Cables and Connectors 6
o Single Speaker Cable Connection 6
o Bi-Wire Connection 7
o Bridge Connection 8
• Bi-amplification 9
• AC Power Cable Connection 10
• Switching on for the First Time 10
• Breaking In 10
• Care and Cleaning 11
• Fuses 11
• Troubleshooting 12
• Warranty 13
• Service 14
• Contacting VIOLA 14
• Specifications 16
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Please read all of the following instructions carefully before operating your power
amplifier.
1. The VIOLA Symphony weighs approximately 120lbs (54kg). NEVER
try to move it on your own. Always use two people to move or
unpack the unit. Take care to lift using your legs and avoid
straining your back.
2. This product contains no user serviceable parts. NEVER attempt to
repair the unit yourself. Refer all servicing to a VIOLA approved
technician.
3. This product must be connected to the mains supply with a threeconductor AC mains power cord that includes a ground connection.
To prevent shock hazard, all three connections must ALWAYS be
used. NEVER defeat the ground connection.
4. ALWAYS disconnect your entire system from the AC mains before
connecting or disconnecting any cables, or when cleaning any
component.
5. NEVER operate this unit with any covers removed. Dangerous
voltages may exist within the unit even when it is disconnected from
the mains supply.
6. We do not recommend the use AC extension cords with this product.
If it is necessary to use an extension cord, please ensure that it
meets safety standards in your country and has sufficient current
capacity. (100V to 120V – 15A minimum, 220V to 240V 10A
minimum).
7. NEVER use flammable chemicals for cleaning this product.
8. NEVER wet the inside of this product with any liquid, or operate the
unit in a wet environment.
8. NEVER block airflow through the ventilation slots on either the top
or the bottom of the unit.
9. NEVER bypass any fuses.
10. NEVER replace any fuse with a value or type other than those
specified. Suitable replacements are available from your local VIOLA
dealer, national distributor or directly from VIOLA.
11. NEVER expose this product to temperatures outside the range 0°C
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to 55°C non-condensing.
12. ALWAYS disconnect the unit from the mains supply during lightning
storms, or if the unit will not be used for a prolonged period.
INTRODUCTION
TRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing the VIOLA Symphony Amplifier. Great care has gone into
the design and manufacture of the Symphony and if properly used, it will give a
lifetime of musical enjoyment. We strongly recommend that you read these
instructions before you attempt to use the unit, so that you can be sure it is set up to
give optimum performance.
UNPACKING
The VIOLA Symphony Power Amplifier is heavy - the shipping weight is
approximately 120 pounds (55 kilograms). To avoid the risk of both personal injury
and damage to the product, do not attempt to lift it from its packing carton alone.
We recommend you use two people to unpack this amplifier safely.
Never attempt to lift the unit while bending from the waist. Always stand as straight
as possible and use your leg muscles to lift.
Please keep all of the packing materials in case you ever need to ship the unit.
Should you need to return the unit to the factory , you must use the original, shipping
carton. The use of any other packing ma y result in the product sustaining damage in
transit. Such damage is not covered by the warranty. Replacement shipping cartons
may be obtained via your VIOLA dealer, or directly from the factory.
After unpacking the unit , please confirm that the following items are present:
1 Viola Symphony power a mplifier
1 user manual
1 three-conductor mains cord
If any of the above items are missing, or if the amplifier shows any signs of damage,
please contact your VIOLA dealer immediately.
VOLTAGE SETTING
Before going any further please, confirm that the unit is set to operate on the mains
voltage you plan to use. The setting is marked on the unit’s rear panel above the
right hand fuse. If the setting on your unit is not correct, contact your VIOLA dealer.
Only a VIOLA approved technician should change the voltage setting. Do not
attempt to do this yourself. Should you set the unit to the wrong voltage, you risk
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personal injury and you may also cause serious damage to the unit which will void
the warranty.
LOCATION
We recommend that you place the amplifier as close to the loudspeakers as possible,
as this reduces the length of speaker cable required. Whilst this make it necessary
to use longer interconnect cables, lo ng interconnects cause less sonic degradation
than long speaker cables.
The unit may be placed on a stand or shelf, provided it is strong enough.
Alternatively it may be placed directly onto the floor. In this case, please ensure that
that the ventilation slots on the base of the unit are not obstructed by carpeting or
other floor covering.
In all locations please allow a clearance of at least 3.5” (5cm) above the unit. You
must also allow a clearance of at least 6” (15 cm) behind the unit, to enable the
cables to be routed without being subject undue strain.
Regardless of where you locate your amplifier, we advise positioning it well away
from sensitive low signal level components such as pre-amplifiers and turntables.
The Symphony power amplifier dissipates approximately 225 watts as heat when
idling (i.e. no input signal). It is normal and perfectly safe for it to run somewhat
warm to the touch.
XLR CONNECTOR PIN ASSIGNMENT
The Symphony is fitted with XLR and Fischer type balanced inputs. The pin
assignments of the Symphony’s XLR input conforms to the AES 14 standard, which is
now commonly used throughout the audio industry. These assignments are shown
below:
Pin 1: Signal ground
Pin 2: Signal + (non-inverting)
Pin 3: Signal - (inverting)
Connector shell: Chassis ground
Some equipment may have the polarity of the signals on pins 2 and 3 of the XLR
connectors swapped over. Please refer to the user manuals of the other equipment
in your signal chain to conf irm whether this is the case.
If this is the case, it will not cause any damage, but it may reduce the quality of the
stereo image, as well as the perceived attack of the bass. This situation is easily
remedied by swapping the connections of pins 2 and 3 at either end of one of one set
of balanced cables in the signal chain. Alternatively you can swap over the polarity
of the speaker leads on both channels. Your dealer should be able to advise you on
the best course of action.
If two items in the signal path have the connections to pins 2 and 3 of the XLR
connector reversed with respect to the AES standard, this cancels out the problem
and you need take no further action.
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