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3 Connecting inputs & outputs
Many problems associated with electronic
equipment involves connecting leads, which are
usually either
‘BAD CONNECTION’ or a
‘WRONG CONNECTION’
. So it’s worth making
sure that you have good connections and that
your leads are the right way round.
Inputs
The amplifier will work with any standard piece of
hi fi e.g. CD, Tuner, Tape Deck, Mini Disc, TV,
Video Recorder, DVD etc having an output of
250mv or more, to get full power.
If you wish to use a turntable you will need a
suitable phono pre-amp. Icon Audio or your dealer
can advise you. Our new all valve phono stage is
an ideal partner.
To use as a power amplifier.
In this mode of
operation it is suggested that the volume control
be fully clockwise, and volume be controlled on
the pre-amplifier for best results. The tape input
will provide the most direct signal path. Good
quality leads should be used, making sure that
you have good connections both ends.
Connecting a tape deck
The STEREO 60 will work with any tape deck
having suitable output, and it is possible to record
from any connected source using the terminals
marked ‘Pre-out’. The STEREO 60 has a ‘Tape
Monitor’ facility, which enables you to use a ‘three
head deck’ or an equalizer.
Some tape decks ‘Present a load’ to the amplifier
terminals, even when not in use, which can affect
sound quality. (You can do an audible check for
this by removing the plugs and listening for a
change). Therefore for best results do not leave
anything connected to these terminals
unnecessarily.
Connecting loudspeakers
It is important to use good quality loudspeaker
cable. This should be relatively thick and muti-
stranded. i.e. QED ‘Original’ or better. Take care
to connect the correct polarity. The use of
‘Banana plugs’ or ‘spade’ connections will ensure
a good connection whilst minimising the risk of
‘shorts’.
In our experience valve amplifiers are more
tolerant of cables, therefore the benefits of very
‘exotic’ cables may be wasted! But this is personal
taste. Icon or your dealer will advise you.
As all cables have losses, keeping the speaker
cables short is best. It may be better and be
cheaper to re-arrange your room and use shorter
cables than to spend a fortune on longer cables!
You can either ‘hard wire’ your cable to the
amplifier by baring enough cable to fit in the
connector and twist together to avoid any spare
strands touching anywhere else (soldering the
stands together helps).
Be warned this amplifier
does not have an output protection device,
which would degrade the sound. So a
prolonged short due to strands of wire
touching could damage the valves
.
Alternatively use good quality ‘banana’ plugs,
once fitted they are trouble free.
Speaker polarity.
It is essential that you observe the polarity of the
terminals; they must be the same for the left/right
connections at the amplifier end and at the
loudspeaker end. Otherwise the sound will be ‘out
of phase’ with the sound stage ‘inside out’ with
reduced bass.
If you are unable to check this or
confirm the polarity
(e.g. if you have ‘built in’
wiring), try the following; Connect the system up
and play some music with plenty of bass (e.g.
dance music), preferably in mono (FM tuners are
usually switchable to mono) and stand the
speakers close together. If correct you should
hear plenty of bass, if not
reverse the terminals
for one channel only, either at the amp or
speaker.
You will now hear more, or less bass.
The higher bass output is the correct setting to
use. Another alternative is to use a test disc. If
you are ‘bi-wiring’ your speakers only two
terminals, you must use only 4 or 8 ohms, not
both, as this will not load the amplifier properly.
The STEREO 60 is designed to work with full
range, medium to high efficiency having
impedance of 4 ohms to 8 ohms. Speakers having
efficiency of lower than 83db may have greater
difficulty in providing a high sound level. But this
will also depend upon individual speakers, room
size, type of music and positioning etc.
Speaker impedance.
The output impedance of
the Stereo 60 has been optimised to work with 4-
10 ohm speakers. The use of one output winding
makes for simpler and better quality transformers.
Do not connect to more than one pair of terminals
for each channel. If two pairs of speakers are
required to be connected, they must both be 8-
ohm and connected 4 ohm terminals. Contact
Icon Audio for more information. Damage could
be occur if care is not taken.
