Arcam Alpha 9C - Manual (Page 5)

ENGLISH
PREAMP OUT CONNECTIONS
® MAIN PREAMP OUTPUTS - Connect one set of the
PREAMP OUT sockets (left and right) to the input
sockets of your power amplifier. The second set of
sockets can be used to connect to a second power
amplifier for biamping or to another power amplifier in a
different room.
® ZONE 1 PREAMP OUTPUTS
© ZONE 2 PREAMP OUTPUTS
The outputs available on these sockets are
independently determined by the setting of the LISTEN
(ZONE 1) and SEND (ZONE 2) selectors. They are
fixed level unbalanced signals which can be used to
connect to other integrated amplifiers in different rooms
for simple multi room use. They are buffered and so are
typically capable of driving up to 15 metres of high
quality interconnect cable. The Zone outputs are not
affected by the volume control or the remote control
MUTE command (See also
OPERATION OF THE ALPHA 9C PREAMPLIFIER
® NORMAL/
AN
READY SWITCH - (This switch is found
on the rear panel.)
With the switch set to NORMAL the unit functions as a
standard amplifier. For use with an
AN
decoder with its
own volume control, such as the Arcam Xeta 2, set the
switch to
‘AN
READY'. This bypasses the Alpha 9C's
volume control when 'PROCESSOR/TAPE 2' input is
selected, to provide a fixed gain stereo preamplifier.
The volume control and MUTE cannot be operated by
the remote control handset in this situation.
CAUTION: Do not set the switch to A/V READY if you
have a cassette deck connected to the PROCESSOR/
TAPE 2 input.
This will bypass the volume control when you push the
PROCESSOR/ TAPE 2 button in and send the signal
straight to your power amplifiers. This could give an
extremely high sound output sufficient to damage your
loudspeakers.
© LISTEN/ZONE 1 SELECTOR - Selects the input you
wish to listen to. This signal also goes to the TAPE 2
output sockets for recording on to a cassette deck or for
external processing and also to the ZONE 1 preamp out
sockets. The selector can also be operated by remote
control. (See Remote Control Functions).
© SEND TAPE 1/ZONE 2 SELECTOR - Selects the input
you wish to record onto TAPE 1. This operates
independently of the LISTEN function. Additionally this
switch can also be used as a simple ‘second zone’
selector, routing a chosen source signal, via the
ZONE 2 preamp out sockets, to a second integrated
amplifier operating in another room in the house.
Note: The ZONE 1 & ZONE 2 preamp outputs are not
controlled by the volume control but they can be muted
via the MUTE button on the remote handset or by use of
the front panel ZONE 1 / ZONE 2 switches ©, ® .
© VOLUME - Simultaneously adjusts the volume level of
the main preamp outputs (®) and headphones.
■ The VOLUME control is motorised and can be controlled
remotely with the supplied remote control handset (see
Remote Control Functions for more details).
Note: With the volume at minimum it may still be
possible to hear music very faintly. This is normal.
© PROCESSOR/TAPE 2 - This is a tape loop which allows
you to monitor a recording made on a 3 head cassette
deck. It can also be used to enable line inputs to be
sent to an external surround decoder such as the Arcam
Xeta 2 for processing, before being routed back to the
amplifier.
For playback from a cassette deck or to reconnect the
output from an
AN
processor attached to TAPE 2 press
the button in.
With the button out the ‘loop’ is taken out of circuit, so
that the input signal chosen with the LISTEN selector is
routed through the amplifier.
Note: PROCESSOR/TAPE 2 is not remote controllable.
© DIRECT - When this button is pushed in it bypasses the
bass, treble and balance controls. This affects all inputs
and will generally give a small improvement in sound
quality.
® BASS - Rotate clockwise to boost the bass response
and anti-clockwise to cut the bass response. For a flat
response leave in the central 'click' position.
© TREBLE - Rotate clockwise to boost the treble response
and anti-clockwise to cut the treble response. For a flat
response leave in the central 'click' position.
■ The range of the tone controls has been deliberately
limited to approximately +/- 6dB at the frequency
extremes.
© BALANCE - Rotate clockwise or anti-clockwise to move
the position of the stereo image. This may be necessary
if it is not possible to sit centrally between the speakers.
In normal use leave in the central 'click' position.
© ZONE 1 - Push the button in to activate the ZONE 1
preamp out sockets. With the button in the out position
the ZONE 1 preamp out sockets are muted.
® ZONE 2 - Push the button in to activate the ZONE 2
preamp out sockets. With the button in the out position
the ZONE 2 preamp out sockets are muted.
© HEADPHONES SOCKET - Accepts headphones rated
between 8 ohms and 2k ohms fitted with a 6.3mm stereo
jack plug. If your headphones are fitted with a different
plug contact your dealer for a suitable adaptor.
■ If you wish to listen on headphones only use the remote
handset MUTE button to mute the main preamp out
sockets.