Warranty, Installation, Unpacking – darTZeel Audio CTH-8550 User Manual
Page 6: Location, Connections
darTZeel CTH-8550
User Manual, version 1.0
Page 6 of 15
4. Warranty
Your CTH-8550 is guaranteed for one full year (parts 
and labor), against any breakdown or component 
failure, as is the tradition in Switzerland for such 
equipment. 
As we view it, any electrical component with no 
moving parts either will fail within days, or will last 
virtually “forever.” 
This is the reason all our machines are thoroughly 
tested and broken in, before being lovingly packed 
and sent on to you. 
We are nonetheless aware that no component is 
always flawless, and that a problem could arise after 
the expiration of the warranty period. 
In such a case, we will carefully examine all the 
circumstances, with the aim of reducing the likely 
repair costs to minimum levels. You can always 
trust us for customer care, as you already trusted us 
when purchasing your CTH-8550. 
The warranty is valid in the original country of 
purchase only. 
The warranty is transferable to a single second-hand 
user within the first year, but only in the original 
country of purchase. 
5. Installation
5.1. Unpacking
Please remember how your CTH-8550 was packed, 
which will be very useful in case you relocate. 
Your CTH-8550 has been carefully inspected and 
packed before shipping. Make sure your shipping 
carton has arrived in mint condition, without any 
sign of external damage.
If you notice any shipping damage, please 
immediately notify your official dealer!
All future shipping must be done in the original 
packing carton. Your warranty rights will be void if 
the CTH-8550 is not shipped/returned in its original 
package.
Your carton should contain: 
 The CTH-8550 
 The IRC-885 infrared remote control 
 The darTZeel USB key 
 An AC power cable appropriate for your region 
 This user manual 
5.2. Location
Before making any connections, you should 
carefully plan the location where you will install 
your gear. If you plan to install your CTH-8550 
inside furniture or cabinetwork, please remember 
that you absolutely must allow at least one inch of 
free space all around the unit, 
as well as providing an
adequate fresh-air inlet and outlet
, to ensure proper
cooling.
As noted in the “Brief description” chapter, the 
CTH-8550 does run comparatively cool. However, 
failing to provide proper ventilation will quickly 
increase its internal temperature. 
Therefore, please be forewarned that the CTH-8550 
will stop playing if it becomes too hot. 
The CTH-8550’s thermal-shutdown point is 
approximately 70°C (158°F). The power supply 
starts up again when the operating temperature has 
dropped to 60°C (140°F). 
Please also note that continued excessive operating 
temperatures will reduce the lifespan of your 
machine. 
It is also advisable, where possible, to leave enough 
space around your CTH-8550 to allow easy access 
when making or changing connections. 
 
5.3. Connections
As you will see in next chapter, making or changing 
connections to the CTH-8550 is quite easy, thanks to 
its clearly labeled rear panel. 
The only thing you will have to
confirm
is the proper
voltage setting
. You will find above the IEC
connector a small window showing the voltage that 
has been selected. 
Please read chapter 6.2.1 about this topic.
The speaker binding posts accept most types of 
cable terminations. If you use speaker cables 
terminated by spade lugs, be sure 
not to over-tighten
the binding posts
. Over-tightening will create play,
which can lead to loose binding posts.
We prefer spring-loaded banana-plug speaker cable 
terminations. Our experience is that they provide 
very reliable contact over the long haul, without 
needing periodic re-tightening. 
As soon as the CTH-8550 is plugged into the AC 
wall outlet, its operation-status LED will turn 
red
.
There is no master hardware (physical) on/off 
switch. We hope you nevertheless will sleep well, 
knowing that the CTH-8550’s electrical-power 
consumption in standby mode is less than 3 watts.