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4. If neither the Mute or the Power button restores the sound, try the following steps in order. If any
one of the steps restores the sound, there is no need to continue to the next steps.
A. Check you are on the correct input. Cycle through available inputs using the front touchscreen
controls, or select the desired input using the remote.
B. Check that the source component is on and playing back—i.e., if it is a CD player, make sure
that the CD is playing and not in pause mode.
D. Check the connections between the Altair II and your amp, and between the Altair II and the
audio source device. If a cable is disconnected, reconnect it. If this does not restore sound, try
substituting a different set of cables in order to make sure the original set was functioning
properly.
E. Check the connection between your amp and the speaker. Make sure the speaker cable has not
come loose. If it has, turn the power off on your amp, then re-install the cable.
F. Check that the volume is at a sufficient level. Do not turn the volume all the way up to check
this, as if sound is reestablished while the Altair II is set to output maximum volume, damage can
be done to your speakers and amplifiers.
G. If none of these actions restores the sound, contact your Constellation Audio dealer.
Sound seems unfocused
1. Play a CD of typical pop vocals and sit in front of your speakers at an equal distance from both (at
least 8 feet away from each speaker). If the vocals seem to come from between the speakers, they are
connected correctly. Alternatively, you can use the “barking dog” test from the
Stereophile Test CD
or
a similar phase check test from another test CD.
2. If the vocals seem to come from all around you, make sure that the cables on your amplifier are
connected properly, with the marked connector or cable connected to the positive (red or +) binding
post on the amplifier, and the unmarked connector or cable connected to the negative (black or -)
binding post.
3. If you need to change the speaker cable connection, turn the amplifier off first. To avoid possible
electrical shock or damage to the amplifier, you must discharge the energy stored in the power supply.
To discharge the power supply, turn the power off with music playing. It may take up to a minute or so
for the sound to die out. After the sound dies out, it is OK to change or adjust the cables.
Sound comes from the wrong speaker
If left-channel sounds are coming from the right or vice-versa (i.e., the violins in an orchestral
recording come from the right speaker, not the left), check the cable connections between the source
and the Altair II, and the Altair II and your amp. Make sure left-channel cables are connected to the
left channels of the Altair II and amp, and right to the right channels.
Only one speaker is working, or one speaker is playing a different piece of music
1. Check each cable, starting with the source component. Make sure the left channel of the source
goes to the left input on the Altair II (which is on the right side, as you're looking at the back panel),
and the right channel to the right input (which is on the left side). On the back of the Altair II, the left
and right inputs are NOT next to each other. They are on opposite sides of the unit. In other words, the
XLR input numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2, 1, and the RCA input numbers are 5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 7, 6, 5.
2. Check that the cables to the amp are on the correct channels of the preamp. The XLR and RCA
outputs on the back of the Altair II, from left to right, are 1, 2, 2, 1.
Remote control does not work
1. Move the remote a few feet away to a different location and try again. The remote requires a clear
line-of-sight to the infrared detector on the Altair II’s front panel.
2. If the remote still doesn’t work, use a 3/32” Allen wrench to remove the remote’s battery
compartment cover, then replace the remote’s two AAA batteries and replace the cover.
Summary of Contents for Altair II
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