Making connections to the amplifier
Speaker cables
Install the speaker cables first. We recommend the use of high-quality cables terminated with
spade or ring lugs that will fit the amplifier’s binding posts. These will provide the best conductivity
and the most reliable connection. We advise against the use of pin connectors, banana plugs or
bare-wire connections.
Note that the positive (+) binding post has a red ring and the negative (-) binding post has a black
ring. Double check to confirm that you are connecting your speaker cable’s conductors to the
appropriate binding posts—red to positive, black to negative. If your cables are marked to show
desired signal flow, orient the cable so that the installation conforms to the cable manufacturer’s
instructions.
To install speaker cables tipped with spade lugs or rings, use a binding post wrench to carefully
loosen each speaker binding post. Turn counter-clockwise to loosen. If using spade lugs, insert
each spade lug so that its two tines straddle the binding post, then tighten the binding post nut
with the binding post wrench. If using rings, remove the binding post nut entirely, place the ring on
the binding post, then replace the nut and tighten it securely.
A firm connection, tight enough that the spade lug or ring cannot move, is all that’s needed. Too
much torque could damage the binding posts. Do not use a conventional wrench to tighten the
binding posts.
Interconnect cables
We recommend the use of high-quality balanced XLR audio interconnect cables between
your preamp and the Master Power 3+ or Master Power 2+ amplifier. If you have a source
device that does not offer XLR outputs, please contact your D’Agostino Master Audio
Systems dealer to acquire the proper adapters.
Connect each XLR cable (or RCA-to-XLR adapter) to the appropriate XLR jack by pushing
the plug into the jack. To release the plug, push on the small tab atop the jack and gently
detach the plug. Never grasp interconnect cables by the cable itself—you could damage the
cable. Be sure to connect left channel to left input, right channel to right input.
AC cord
The Master Power 3+ and Master Power 2+ amplifiers are supplied with a high-quality AC
cord tipped with a 20-amp IEC connector at the amp end and a three-conductor AC plug at
the other end. You may use a different power cord with the amplifier if you wish, as long as
it is tipped with a 20-amp IEC connector and a three-conductor AC plug.
After the speaker, interconnect cables, and power supply connector cable are connected,
push the IEC connector on the power cord into the IEC jack on the amplifier
Do not plug the amplifier or any other Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems product into a
power strip or power conditioner.