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adjusting listening settings

The A38 allows you to customise various features of the 

amplifier to fit your system. Use this diagram to help you 

navigate through the available configuration options.
In the diagram, the control knob is shown as  

.

Normally, the display shows the current volume and the 

control knob is used to adjust this.
Press 

MEnu 

once to enter the setup menu, then press 

oK 

repeatedly to cycle through the menu items. When 

A38 setup

you have found the setting that you wish to adjust (as 

shown on the front panel display), you can change the 

setting using the control knob. Press 

MEnu 

to store the 

change and return to volume display mode – or press 

oK 

again to move to the next setting.

Note that the menu will time-out after a short period 

without pressing a button, with the display reverting to 

the current volume.
The following items can be adjusted from the setup 

menu:

configuring your A38 amplifier

Balance

This allows you to adjust the output balance between left and right channels. The display is 

also available directly by pressing the front panel 

dIsPLAy

 button.

Volume resolution

There are three volume-display options to chose from: ‘Standard’, ‘Fine’ or ‘Reference’. 

Standard and Fine represent different levels of volume-control sensitivity; the Reference 

setting gives absolute increments in 0.5dB steps.

Input trims

Input trims are used to compensate for variations in output levels of different source 

equipment. If, for example, your CD player is louder at a given volume display value 

than other inputs, you can attenuate it by using this setting so that it matches your other 

components. 

Use the source-select buttons to select the input you wish to adjust, then the control knob 

to set (increase or decrease) the input volume for that source.

Max on volume

This can be used to limit the maximum volume the amplifier operates at when it is first 

switched on: the A38 comes on at the (reduced) ‘Max. On Volume’ level if the last-used 

volume exceeds this value. 

If this item is set to ‘Disabled’, the A38 always comes on at the last used volume, even if this 

is very loud.

Processor mode

Processor mode enables you to fix the gain (volume setting) of your A38. The A38 (in 

combination with a power amp.) can then be used to drive the front left and right speakers 

of a surround-sound system, when fed from a separate processor. The volume of the entire 

system can then be controlled using the processor.
Feed the sound from the processor into the 

AV

 input, then set the gain of the A38 to match 

the amplifiers that drive your other loudspeakers.

Reset

Confirming ‘Yes’ restores all amplifier settings to their factory defaults.

‘Power On’ state

Summary of Contents for A38

Page 1: ...A38 P38 HANDBOOK Integrated and power amplifiers English ...

Page 2: ...ent is not being used for an extended period we recommend that you unplug the power cord of the equipment from the outlet to save power 13 Abnormal smell If an abnormal smell or smoke is detected from the equipment turn the power off immediately and unplug the equipment from the wall outlet Contact your dealer and do not reconnect the equipment 14 Servicing You should not attempt to service the eq...

Page 3: ...ration In the unlikely event of any fault or if you simply require further information about Arcam products our network of dealers will be happy to help you Further information can also be found on the Arcam website at www arcam co uk The FMJ development team Contents safety guidelines E 2 Important safety instructions E 2 Safety compliance E 2 welcome E 3 overview E 4 Placing the unit E 5 Power E...

Page 4: ...h sealed reed relays from Arcam s range topping C31 deliver a wonderfully transparent signal to each power amplifier A completely new volume control gives unprecedented linearity and noise performance allowing fine details to be reproduced in startling clarity The CR90 remote control supplied with the A38 is an eight page universal learning remote control which is simple to use and once set up is ...

Page 5: ...r mains supply voltage or mains plug is different please contact your Arcam dealer immediately Push the IEC plug end of the power cable into the socket on the back of the amplifier making sure that it is pushed in firmly Plug the other end of the cable into your mains socket and if necessary switch the socket on Stand by power For remote stand by operation the amplifier s control power supply is k...

Page 6: ...mplifier Speaker terminals The A38 is equipped with two pairs of speaker terminals See page 8 for information on connecting loudspeakers Recording loops The A38 is equipped with two recording loops for use with recording devices cassette decks CD recorders etc See pages 7 and 10 for more information Remote in This allows remote control signals to be received by the A38 if the remote sensor is cove...

Page 7: ...put As standard no phono input is fitted to the A38 The phono module or an external phono amplifier is required if you wish to connect a record player to the A38 This is because the low voltage output of a record player requires a pre amplification stage before the signal can be used A very high quality phono input is available as an optional extra please consult your dealer for price and availabi...

Page 8: ... of running a single cable per channel between the amplifier and the speaker this is the easiest technique Bi wiring Bi wiring is running two separate cables between the amplifier and each speaker with one cable carrying the low frequency information the other the higher frequency signals Bi wiring can improve the sound of your system because the separation of high and low frequency signal current...

Page 9: ...the same actions this time connecting the upper set of speaker terminals on your amplifier to the terminals labelled HF or High Frequency for each speaker Please refer to the illustration Speakers that support bi wiring have a strip of metal on the speakers connecting the low frequency terminals to those for the higher frequencies this must be removed in a bi wired system Bi amping Bi amping requi...

Page 10: ...urce A source selection button is used to select the source that is connected to the input corresponding to the button A light above the relevant button indicates which input is selected and this information is also shown on the display Listening using headphones The headphones socket Phones accepts headphones with an impedance rating between 8Ω and 2kΩ fitted with a 6 5mm stereo jack plug The pre...

Page 11: ...ifferent levels of volume control sensitivity the Reference setting gives absolute increments in 0 5dB steps Input trims Input trims are used to compensate for variations in output levels of different source equipment If for example your CD player is louder at a given volume display value than other inputs you can attenuate it by using this setting so that it matches your other components Use the ...

Page 12: ...m the CR90 to issue a sequence of commands macros from a single button press see the CR90 Handbook for details As the CR90 is a system remote controller some of the keys are not used with the A38 For instance the PVR and CD keys can still be programmed to control products so if you have a PVR connected directly to your TV or SAT box you can use the CR90 to control it as part of your system remote ...

Page 13: ...idual key descriptions below BC D E Navigate the menus on Arcam surround amplifiers OK confirms a selection Shift B to Power on Shift C to Power off OK Confirms a setting equivalent to Enter or Select on some remote controls Mode Cycles through Display modes on the front panel Menu Displays the Amplifier menu on the front panel Disp Cycles through Display panel brightness options dim to bright off...

Page 14: ...T channel from your pre amp or PRE OUT R from an A38 to the socket labelled Audio In R on your first P38 2 Pull out the link supplied on the back panel labelled link and use it to connect the left and right AUDIO OUT sockets together 3 Repeat steps 1 and 2 on your second P38 but this time connect the LEFT channel from your pre amp or PRE OUT L from an A38 to the socket labelled Audio In L 4 Follow...

Page 15: ...button of the A38 or the 2 button on the remote control switches both amplifiers on and off together This facility allows you to position your power amplifier in a remote location such as close to the speaker it is amplifying yet still control it The connecting cable to use is a 3 5mm jack lead It is possible to remotely switch several power amplifiers from an A38 by daisy chaining from the TRIG O...

Page 16: ...nsitivity 800mV 800mV Input impedance 22kΩ 22kΩ Gain 31 5dB 31 5dB Preamplifier output Nominal output level 700mV Maximum output level 2 6V RMS Output impedance 50Ω Headphone output Maximum output level into 600Ω 1 6V rms Output impedance 4 7Ω General Mains voltage 115V or 230V 115V or 230V Power consumption maximum 800VA 800VA Power consumption standby 2VA 2VA Dimensions W x D x H including feet ...

Page 17: ...it is possible to drive your amplifier at full power even though the volume is not set at maximum See page 11 to adjust the input trim of a CD player or other input device Amplifier does not switch back on Both the amplifiers detailed in this handbook have a protection mechanism which is activated if you switch the unit on immediately after turning it off If this mechanism activates wait 30 second...

Page 18: ...over transportation costs at any time Claims under guarantee This equipment should be packed in the original packing and returned to the dealer from whom it was purchased or failing this directly to the Arcam distributor in the country of residence It should be sent carriage prepaid by a reputable carrier not by post No responsibility can be accepted for the unit whilst in transit to the dealer or...

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