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Mono Bridging — Channels 3+4 and 5+6
When you bridge channels 3+4 and/or 5+6, your speakers are connected to the bridged channels
differently. You bridge by using the red + terminals of the adjacent channel pairs only. Note that
bridged connections are made horizontally rather than vertically and the upper red + terminals have
separate markings for bridging. In the bridged mode, channel 4 (and/or 6) output is positive and channel
3 (and/or 5) output is negative.
Unbridged speaker connections can be made with standard 3/4" (19 mm) dual banana plugs. However
internal space required by the high current protection relays prevent the bridged terminal pair spacing to
be close enough to accept 3/4" (19 mm) dual banana plugs. Single banana plugs, spade lugs, or bare
wire termination are required.
Select MONO BRIDGING (up) or SEPARATE (down) as marked on the rear panel. Switch the power
off before moving either of these switches. If you accidentally leave either switch in the mono bridge
position, the stereo output will be very weak and distorted.
For bridged operation of channels 3+4, use only the input jack and level control for channel 4.
For bridged operation of channels 5+6, use only the input jack and level control for channel 6.
Use Good Speaker Wire
For best results, you should never use speaker wire thinner than 16 AWG and keep the length of speaker
wire as short as possible to maintain a high damping factor and avoid deteriorating bass response. You
may also wish to experiment with audiophile-grade speaker wire and interconnects.
The benefits of these are debated among audio hobbyists, and we cannot guarantee you will always
hear an audible improvement.
AC Power Connections and Audiophile-Grade AC Cord
Before you attach the AC cord, make sure the HCA-1206 power switch is in its off position. Your
HCA-1206 includes a detachable audiophile-grade AC cord. We recommend that you use only this cord
and make a direct connection to the AC wall outlet.
Do not connect the amplifier to the accessory AC outlet on your preamplifier. The current draw exceeds
the ratings of most preamplifier’s power switches and power cords and could cause premature failure of
the switch.
If you use an external AC line conditioner/surge suppressor, make sure it can handle the full power
required by the amplifier. If you want the very best sound possible, you might consider having a
licensed electrician run a dedicated AC power line for your HCA-1206. This will isolate it from most of
the power line interference caused by older wiring and household appliances.
While 3 pin grounded AC cords are standard on most high end components, sometimes it becomes
necessary to "lift" the ground or reverse the polarity of the AC plug to reduce hum. In this case, you
may use a 3 pin -to- 2 pin AC plug adaptor, or “cheater” plug, which is readily available at a low cost
from any hardware store. This will not compromise the sound quality of your system.
