Alpha 3 amplifier handbook‘Arcam Alpha § handbook Introduction ‘Te Azcam Alpha 9 intogeated stereo amplorhas been asignedto povde acombination orig quality sound reproduction and Sopmstoatedsiying, The Alpha ampinerhas Wo input fortuna, ompact dsc payer. tuner, ideo sound output and apo recorder. “The Alp 3 provides eupusfor bo speakers and headphones, and produces lw lval signals suitebie for recording ont tape. ‘Attough cosgnod lor spt of operation ihe Apa sas corpratensie {ono cone acti which enable geod esuts tbe ebained wih amide ‘arty of programme material ie ‘A matching Alpha tuner, Compact Disc player and Alpha speakers are aso avaele Please ask your doa’ or tino ri bial, or wo to Arcam at tho adéeoss shown a tho enol his boouet Installing and using your Al ipmer Mains connections ‘Check thatthe voltage setng ofthe amplifier, as nccated on the back pane, isthe same as to local mains supply. The wires inthe mains, lead are olouted in aoordance with he ToBowng de Groen and yellow - Earth luo -Noutal Brown = Uve ‘As he colours of he wires in the mans fas may ot correspond ih he elses range deriving earls hou UD rocend as (olows : ‘The wire which is coloured green and yellow must be connected thermal inthe pug which & mated Oy te ter Eor by he Saley earth syot or csloured gregn or groan and yaw, Tho wie whichis e>bured ove mus be connected to te tena wich e maeaty teeter ‘or colured ack: bo. Tne re wies coloured orown ms oo Connected othe terminal wai is markodby the lett Lor cooure ed ot brown pod unis or catan markets have moulded mans pugs feted as standars the mans pugis used a amp tase othe ABS mer. 7 ‘The AC supply inlet to the Alpha 3 ampiifier uses a standard EC chassis mounting pug’ the I tne soccer on your man eaé arte TEE pg on ne Apna Sut ae atight befor te wing an Apia "mpl its threlore mpotant to eneue tat he cosets puhed try ifame int the chasis pg. page 2 Ploase rot io diagrams on ins of rear cover ‘AlLinputs and tape outputs are via RCA phono connections. For most equipment, the ight hang channel outputs Indicated by a red plug, and the leit hand channel by a black or white plug ise input ‘This inputs only suitable for use with turtables fed with a ‘moving magnet or high output moving col cariridge. I your turntable tes wih alow output moving col caridge you wil need to use some form of ’xloral step-up device (a rarstormer or head amplen betwaen ta caricge ‘andthe Atha 3. your luertabe sited wih a fing earth lead, connect to tha ground terminal recy above the cise nou. Never iy fo use anyother {2udo equipment euch as a CD player or tape deck ) trough the dsc input ‘Tho Input vill be overoaded and tna sound wil be badly distorted. (0D, Video and Tuner inputs Tose inputs may also be used as general pupose inputs for ‘sources with ain lavel output, sich as a second tape recorder. ‘Tape input/output Signals ean be received from the line output, and sent othe fine input ofa tape recorder via those sockets ‘Speaker outputs The speaker outputs wil dive speakers within the range of 410 18 ohms impodentce. The speaker binding posts wil accept baro mies or ‘41mm banana plugs. The speaker cable's postive conductor must be ‘connociog to tho fod terminals, ang the negative conductor tothe black Terminals. The postive conductor of he cables usualy marked as Such, oF may have age running down the length ofthe outer insulation ‘When fting 4 mm plugs, ensure that the postive conductors: ‘connected to the red pg, and the negative conductor othe black pg. When Using bare wires, stip back approximately 12 mm, (1/2" an twist he are fends tightly” Unscrew the banging post and inser the wire underneath than lighten, Check tnat no stay strands can short to other terminals, orto the chassis, Operating two pats of speakers cance (righ spoakar inte Aas ample, One pa impedance (or igen speakere th the Apa 9 amp One pa Cormocte sha rect speaker terminals and the Seoand pare comectes ‘othe rani“Arcam Alpha 3 handbook. ‘The speakers connectod to the 'srect terminals wll work al r connected to tha suiced torinals can be muted by inserting a4" (6.35 jack plug the headphones socket on he ont panel o he amir. This ack plug canbe stoao or mono, and need not be onneciad to anything to operate tre speaker mute smth, tho time. The, siting your speakers are b-wirable, you can conveniently use both ‘airs of speaker terminals on the Apha 3 to Brite your speakers, an Improve tho sound of he system. Atematvely tho Gable uns 10 each speaker ‘canbe comoned together at tho ampiior ad in order leave a et of terminals te to ave a second pair of speakers, Speaker fuses ‘Those ar 2 amp tat iow 2mm uso ite tat. They may bow it the amor coruousy a vn ign ove fs he coro Speake oad or a igh evel no a ssaxer oo lw an npodace {scaly les ian 4 oma, ruse ove to set of om tenes Speakers ornnitoa shot cea “They ar sor placeabe, ara spare fees provided inside he amir However they tom Consitoniyin the absonce ary of ‘he above condone posse const your Seas “The Speaker foes ato tidied he amor nod oto soeakererinas fa use noose a be oping st ch off the plier and unplug from the mains Remove heist y uteerewing thet screws onthe topo ho cover tthe cova sigty ad ae heck towards ine rar! he ui. The damaged lose exn now be famovos, Aeplacement la new soi spy the reversal ol ts proses bo rot (ac wi aie rr va an ag (wih sewer {an surgeyoe) ices wil endanger bth thsampteran Your speakors ‘This will also invalidate your guarantee. ba IMPORTANT! BEFORE REMOVING THE COVER, ALWAYS SWITCH OFF THE ‘AMPLIFIER AND UNPLUG IT FROM THE WALL SOCKET. page 3 Please refer tothe dlagrams on inside of rear cover Input selector switen ‘Tho input selector such, whichis stuatog on the far lt of the front panel, selects which input signalis fed tothe speakers and headphones, The solocio signals algo fed fo the tape out sockets. ‘Tape monitor switch ‘The ape monitor switchs general tin the off postion (switch ou), so thal the programme selected by theinput switch is routed to the speakers. When thetaps mantor switch is Gopressed, te return signal ‘rom te tape recorder i routed tothe speakors “The tape monitor switch also allows of tape motoring ta three head tape machine is being used. By depressing the switch he signal recorded onto tape can be routed tothe speakers, allowing direct AB ‘Comparisons as tne recording is made. With Ihe tape manor ston depressed the of1ape signals the only signal avalable tothe speakers. Direct switch ‘Won tis switch is pressed in, the bass, treble and balance controls become inoperative. Th purpose othe dict switch st bypass {hese ciruts. This can resut in a Sghty clearer and more dynamic sound, ‘This can be paricalarlyefectva wnen using the Alpha 9 with atop qualty CO player, but the action ofthe switch takes place on alinpus, not ust the CO. Input Volume ‘The volume control adjusts the sound level for both the speakers and the headphones, Bass ‘The bass contol cus ow frequencies when tuned ant Clocieise and boss them when tured cleckease. The latest response is ‘obiained when the contol isin he conte ‘lick positon, Treble ‘The treble contro cuts high frequencies when tumed ant clocknise and boosts them when turned clecswise. The atest response is obtained when the corral isin tne centre ‘eck postion,scam Alpha 3 handbook Balance ‘Tha balance controls used te move the stereo sound image to holt or ight It can be used 1o compensate for imbalance in room ‘courts or input signals. Headphones socket ‘The headphones socket accepts any dynamic headphones tines with a standard 14 inch (6 95m) stereo jack plug I your headphones. fare ited with a smaller jack (usualy $5 mn), your dealer can supply a utable adaptor. The headphones nay mute the speakers, or not, a8 required {Gee Operating two pairs of speakers, page 2). This ouput isnot sutabe for ‘ving most elacrodtaic headphones. Power ‘The ampiiio is turned on by pressing the mains power switch, The green ight ncicatos thal the ower suppy inthe ameiiers ‘operating twill continue o gow fora short time after the ampiiier Nas been Swtched of. A gone ‘clck of 'pop'may sometimes be heard shorty aftr turning the amphier of. This is orTecty normal, and will ot harm your speakers. ordin “The tape inpuvotput is designed to suit most eeHo-reel and cassette tape recorders. Recording Select the signal source to be recorded using the selector ‘site dis, tuner, CD o¢ ideo). Than sel the Correct ecoraing levels on your {ape rsodor andswtch tino "RECORD mode, ‘During recording the volume and tono controls have no effect ‘onthe signal boing sent tote tape out sockets Replay Depress the tape monitor switch and then switch your tape recorder into 'PLAY mode. ‘Connecting cables |We strongly recommend the use of qualty speaker and Interconnect cables wih your fv system. Th better the Components used in Your ystem, the more important becomes to match them with good cable, {Wrehave found inoreonnect and speaker cables rom the Audioguest range to be parieulary eultable, Detaled irtomaton on the AudoQuest range of Cas may be oblained rom your doar of th Lactory. page 4 Hints and Tips Follow the manufacturer instructions onthe placement of speakers for the best results, Generally, speakers should be mounted on eslcatod stands, and sted away from corners, ‘Aways ensure thal he speaker cable ls connected securely tothe output terminals, with no loose strands of wire, and thatthe mains ‘connections are ight and tuly home inher sockets. ‘Koop the turtable away rom the speakers to avoid acoustic piu byte uae rom the speakers they Sheu not be paced nthe Same pleco of urture, “Ihe ampifior wil got quite warm when being used a igh levels. This pertecy normal, However, bacomes too hat fo touch, setch one ampitir at once and consul your dealer there aft of hum wit the dic input selected, check hat the earth lead from the turntable is connected tothe gourd terminals ove ne cinpul scl, ante he apie is cot eared wa he ‘mains Eneure that the ampitiris not directly underneath the tuntable, or next io any unit contatang a large mains transformer! (Check by ‘moving te unt and assessing whether the bum lovel changes) It your system does not work check that: 4. The amplifiers switched on and the greon LED ison. 2. The source is plugged ino the corect input sockets 43 The soleotor swish s switched othe correct source. ‘4 The speakors are connacied to the arpifir correct. 5. The tape monitor swich ie not i when tying to use another input 6. The volume controls not et to minimum. 7. The speaker uses have not blown. 8, The fose inthe mains plug has nol blown, {sound comes out of one speaker only chock tha: 1. Both speakers are connected tothe amplier corey. 2. The balance contol isnot set fully clockwise ora locals 8. Both and right channels ofthe source are connected to ‘the puts comecty andthe nput wiring is not tay. {chedt by swapping tet and nght input connectors, 44, Repeaker fuse has not blownscam Alpha 3 handbook Balance ‘Tha balance controls used te move the stereo sound image to holt or ight It can be used 1o compensate for imbalance in room ‘courts or input signals. Headphones socket ‘The headphones socket accepts any dynamic headphones tines with a standard 14 inch (6 95m) stereo jack plug I your headphones. fare ited with a smaller jack (usualy $5 mn), your dealer can supply a utable adaptor. The headphones nay mute the speakers, or not, a8 required {Gee Operating two pairs of speakers, page 2). This ouput isnot sutabe for ‘ving most elacrodtaic headphones. Power ‘The ampiiio is turned on by pressing the mains power switch, The green ight ncicatos thal the ower suppy inthe ameiiers ‘operating twill continue o gow fora short time after the ampiiier Nas been Swtched of. A gone ‘clck of 'pop'may sometimes be heard shorty aftr turning the amphier of. This is orTecty normal, and will ot harm your speakers. ordin “The tape inpuvotput is designed to suit most eeHo-reel and cassette tape recorders. Recording Select the signal source to be recorded using the selector ‘site dis, tuner, CD o¢ ideo). Than sel the Correct ecoraing levels on your {ape rsodor andswtch tino "RECORD mode, ‘During recording the volume and tono controls have no effect ‘onthe signal boing sent tote tape out sockets Replay Depress the tape monitor switch and then switch your tape recorder into 'PLAY mode. ‘Connecting cables |We strongly recommend the use of qualty speaker and Interconnect cables wih your fv system. Th better the Components used in Your ystem, the more important becomes to match them with good cable, {Wrehave found inoreonnect and speaker cables rom the Audioguest range to be parieulary eultable, Detaled irtomaton on the AudoQuest range of Cas may be oblained rom your doar of th Lactory. page 4 Hints and Tips Follow the manufacturer instructions onthe placement of speakers for the best results, Generally, speakers should be mounted on eslcatod stands, and sted away from corners, ‘Aways ensure thal he speaker cable ls connected securely tothe output terminals, with no loose strands of wire, and thatthe mains ‘connections are ight and tuly home inher sockets. ‘Koop the turtable away rom the speakers to avoid acoustic piu byte uae rom the speakers they Sheu not be paced nthe Same pleco of urture, “Ihe ampifior wil got quite warm when being used a igh levels. This pertecy normal, However, bacomes too hat fo touch, setch one ampitir at once and consul your dealer there aft of hum wit the dic input selected, check hat the earth lead from the turntable is connected tothe gourd terminals ove ne cinpul scl, ante he apie is cot eared wa he ‘mains Eneure that the ampitiris not directly underneath the tuntable, or next io any unit contatang a large mains transformer! (Check by ‘moving te unt and assessing whether the bum lovel changes) It your system does not work check that: 4. The amplifiers switched on and the greon LED ison. 2. The source is plugged ino the corect input sockets 43 The soleotor swish s switched othe correct source. ‘4 The speakors are connacied to the arpifir correct. 5. The tape monitor swich ie not i when tying to use another input 6. The volume controls not et to minimum. 7. The speaker uses have not blown. 8, The fose inthe mains plug has nol blown, {sound comes out of one speaker only chock tha: 1. Both speakers are connected tothe amplier corey. 2. The balance contol isnot set fully clockwise ora locals 8. Both and right channels ofthe source are connected to ‘the puts comecty andthe nput wiring is not tay. {chedt by swapping tet and nght input connectors, 44, Repeaker fuse has not blownArcam Alpha 3 handbook. Alpha 3 amplifier (Noise and sensitivities ref, 40W into 8 ohms at tk) OUTPUT POWER (pica) Both channels driven Info 8 ohms 40W. (202-204 at 0.5%THD) ‘Single channel driven at kHz {nio'8 ohms 50W typcal. Ito 4 ohms BOW typical Harmonie distortion ‘ALOW, & hms a tH 0.02% typical FREQUENCY RESPONSE Disc Input Typically +! 0.548 GOH2 20 ke, 28 at 20H. Other inputs Typically «05 68 10H2 - 20 kHz ‘Tone Controts Maximum variation +15 of at SOHz and 15 ke, Inputs. Dise {sultable for MM and high-output MC cartidges.) ‘Sensitvty 2.2m, impedance 47k ohm100- Slanal to noise ratio (CCI) 75 dB. ‘Overload margin 3348, page 5 © en vin am ey Seren cone Sronoas margin 9008 ourpurs Tape output ‘Nominal ouput level 1S0mV, impedance 2k ohm Headphones ‘Maximum output level into 609 ohms 10V rms. Output ‘impedance 290 ohms. Sutable or heaphones of 8 ohms to 2k ohms impedance. Loudspeakers, Nominal output lave! 40W per channel. Suitable for speakers of ohms or higher nominal impedance, GENERAL, Power supply 24QV nominal 230VA max. May be dealer acted to 220 land ¥20V nominal. (100V models to special order) Internal mains fuse 00mAT (slow blow) or 240V of 220V operation. ‘LGA (slow blow) Tor 120V of 100V operation. The informal mains fuse isnot user replaceable. Size (overal) 4430 em WX 248 mm D X 86 men H, weight 4.9K. nett 4.8KG. packes. E808,Arcam Apa 3 handbook. Guarantee for UK sales ‘Ths equipment has been fly tested and a full record of these tests made belore despath from the factory. Both the workmanship and ths Performance of his equipment are (except as set out below )quarantoud [Bgaint detects fora period o tw years tom the dae of purchase, provided that twas ognaly purchased trom an authorised UK dealer under consumer sale agreoment( Tho words “consumer sal” shall construed in ‘accordance wth Section 16 ofthe Supply Of Goods { Impied Terms ) Act 1973), “The manufacturers can accept no responsi for dotects arising rom accent, misuse, abuse, wear an tear, neglect o through Unauthonsed adjustment andlor pai, nether can thay accept responstbilty for damage or oss occuring during ranst to or fom the person caiming under tis quarantee This guarantee covers both labour and parts, and is transferable o subsequert purchacors, butthelabily ofthe manufacturers is limited tothe cost of repair or replacement ofthe defective pats (atthe discretion of he manufacturers) and under no Groumstances extends fo ‘consequential ioss or damage ‘Guarantee for overseas sales Equpment ret preased in tho UK is generally quarantoed bythe distituo it the couty 0 purchase ony. oc Tuer deta, please beta your astro. (Claims under this guarantee ‘This equipment should be packed in the original packing and ‘otumed to the dealer rom whom twas purchased or, faling tis, to any other authorised Arcam dealer Is not possibe to return the equipment by har, then it should be sent carage prepaid by a reputable carer. he orginal Packing s not avaiable, replacement packing can be purchased tom tho Flanutacturers. The equipment should NOT be Sent by post DO NOT CONSIGN THE EQUIPMENT TO ARCAM UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED TO DO SO BY THE MANUFAC- ‘TURER’S TECHNICAL SALES OR SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ATTEMPT TO DISASSEMBLE THE. EQUIPMENT BEFORE DESPATCH. page 6 you have any iticuty complying with these requirements, please contac he manufacturers a ne folowing adress: ARCAM, Pembroke Avenug, Denny Industal Contre, Wateroeach, Cambreae, G85 ¢P8 England, TTolophone: (0223 ) 440064 Fax (0208) 863384 Ineitner case you should state clearly your name and ‘address, tho dato and place of purchase together wit abet Gascrpton of the fault nine event of equipment boing retumed which aftr having been tested, |S found to comply wit he published specteaton, he manuiacturers seve the right o charge a reasonable fee for tetng the equlpmant, and Tor he rotumearnage, Enquiries ‘The manulactuers are happy to answer any quenes you may have regarding the use a his equipment onthe conation tnt this enquty is by eter anda stamped addressed envelope is provided. You should state Clearly the eoral numbor ol he url, the dealer rom whom lt was purchased and the date of purchase. THIS GUARANTEE IN NO WAY VARIES OR REMOVES A PURCHASER'S, ‘STATUTORY RIGHTS. Pan umber SHOTeE Tseve 2 108917 Q@© OO= ei il 7CHANGE OF MAINS VOLTAGE (ALPHA 3 AMPLIFIER) WARNING - The unit must be unplugged from the mains supply when changing the wiring or the mains fuses since the fuse is at mains potential even with the unit switched off. The Alpha 3 has a multi voltage transformer’ so the same transformer can be used for 240V, 220V and 120V by moving two of the three wires, (orange, yellow or brown) and changing the fuse rating as necessary. The wire in the bottom left hand corner determines the mains voltage, i.e. orange for 240V, and the other two wires go into the holes marked "Spare Wires". The black wire does not move. The pcb legend is shown below. 240V WIRING (800mA ANTI-SURGE FUSE) = BROWN a ‘SPARE WIRES BLACK & YELLOW 240V ORANGE & ORANGE 220V YELLOW (This wire determines the voltage) 120V BROWN 220V WIRING (800mA ANTI-SURGE FUSE) @ BROWN a ‘SPARE WIRES BLACK & ORANGE . 240V ORANGE = YELLOW 220V YELLOW (This wire determines the voltage) 120V BROWN, 120V WIRING (1.25A ANTI-SURGE FUSE) & YELLOW a ‘SPARE WIRES BLACK & ORANGE 240V ORANGE = BROWN 220V YELLOW (This wire determines the voltage) 420V BROWN “The first 100 Alpha Ils have a 240/120V transformer and do not have the extra yellow wire, To convert these to 220V requires a new transformer.