O W N E R ' S M A N U A L HCA-1205A High Current Power Amplifier LUCASFILM Current Overload Power 1 2 3 4 5 AC Line Standby Normal HCA-1205A Five Channel High Current Power Ampl if ier HCA-855A High Current Power Amplifier Current Overload Power 1 2 3 4 5 AC Line Standby Normal HCA-855A Five Channel High Current Power Ampl if ier -1- Table of Contents Important Safety Instructions ........................................................................................ 3 Figure #1 HCA-1205A Front and Rear Panel Drawings .............................................. 4 Figure #2 HCA-855A Front and Rear Panel Drawings ................................................ 5 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 6 Installing and Rack Mounting Your Amplifier ................................................................ 6 Ventilation Requirements for Your Amplifier ................................................................. 6 Making Connections to Your Amplifier .......................................................................... 6 Speaker Connections...................................................................................................... 7 AC Power Connections and AC Grounding .................................................................. 7 DC Trigger Connection .................................................................................................... 8 Operating Your HCA-1205A or HCA-855A ..................................................................... 8 Maintaining Your Parasound Amplifier .......................................................................... 9 In Case of Trouble ............................................................................................................ 9 Parasound HCA-1205A Specifications .......................................................................... 10 Parasound HCA-855A Specifications ............................................................................ 11 Special Features for the Parasound HCA-1205A and HCA-855A HCA-1205A Designed by John Curl HCA-1205A THX certified by Lucasfilm Ltd. Independent power supplies for each channel 1.6 kVA power transformer, 100,000 uF filter capacitance in the HCA-1205A 1 kVA power transformer, 68,000 uF filter capacitance in the HCA-855A Modular circuit board layout Massive toroid power transformer Multiple polystyrene film bypass capacitors in power supply Can be powered with external DC source Cascode Class A input stages with matched J-FET pairs Hand-picked complementary transistors in high voltage driver stage 15 ampere 50 MHz output transistors Output transistors direct-coupled to speakers without LRC networks DC servo direct-coupled audio circuits with 0.8 Hz rolloff High-bias Class A/AB operation Gold-plated metal structure RCA input jacks Multiple protection circuits, temperature sensors and silver-cadmium relay protection Glass epoxy circuit boards, double-sided for precision Custom designed audiophile-grade AC power cord LUCASFILM R The Parasound HCA-1205A is manufactured under license from Lucasfilm Ltd. Lucasfilm and THX are trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd. -2- IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS The lightning flash with the arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of "dangerous voltage" inside the product that may constitute a risk of electric shock. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying the product. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Read Instructions -- Read all the safety and operating instructions before operating this product. Retain Instructions -- Retain safety and operating instructions for future reference. Heed Warnings -- Adhere to all warnings on the product and in the operating instructions. Follow Instructions -- Follow all operating and use instructions. Cleaning -- Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. Clean the outside of the product only. Attachments -- Do not use attachments that are not recommended by the product manufacturer; they may be hazardous. Water and Moisture -- Do not use this product near water. Accessories -- Do not place this product on an unstable cart or stand. The product may fall causing bodily injury and damage to the product. A product and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven surfaces may cause the product and cart to overturn. Ventilation -- Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation to ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it from overheating. These openings must not be blocked or covered. This product should not be placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or rack unless proper ventilation is provided. Power Sources -- Operate this product only from the type of power source indicated on the label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your dealer or local power company. This product is equipped with a three-prong grounding plug. This plug will only fit into a grounding power outlet. If you are unable to insert the plug into the outlet, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding plug. Power Cord Protection -- Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them. Lightning-- Unplug the unit from the wall outlet for added protection during a lightning storm and when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time. This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and power line surges. Overloading -- Do not overload wall outlets or extension cords. This can result in a fire or electric shock. Inserting Objects into Unit - Never push objects of any kind into this product through any openings; they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in fire or electric shock. Servicing -- Do not attempt to repair or service this product yourself. Opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage and other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Damage Requiring Service -- Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions: a) If the power-supply cord or plug is damaged. b) If liquid has been spilled into the product. c) If the product has been exposed to rain or water. d) If the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions. e) If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way. f) If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance. Replacement Parts -- When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, and other hazards. Safety Check -- Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition. Wall or Ceiling Mounting -- Mount the product to a wall or ceiling only as recommended. Heat -- The product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, and other products (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 19. 20. 21. -3- Input Connectors, and Level Controls + 12 Vdc Trigger Connector Channel 1 DC Trigger +12V GND Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Manufactured under license from Lucasfilm Ltd. Lucasfilm and THX are registered trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd. HCA-1205A THX Level Input Input Input Input Input THX Level THX Level THX Level THX Level High Current Power Amplifier Parasound Products, Inc San Francisco, CA U.S.A. External Fuse Post Fuse 12 A Channel 1 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 2 Channel 5 CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOTREMOVE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD.DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. AC 120V 60Hz Power Consumption: 1000 W Carry Handle Speaker Connectors Current Overload Indicators AC Receptacle -4HCA-1205A High Current Power Amplifier 1 2 Power Current Overload 3 4 5 AC Line Standby Normal Power Switch Power Status Indicators Figure #1 HCA-1205A Front and Rear Panel Drawings Input Connectors, and Level Controls + 12 Vdc Trigger Connector Channel 1 Channel 3 DC Trigger +12V GND Channel 2 Channel 4 Channel 5 HCA-855A High Current Power Amplifier Parasound Products, Inc San Francisco, CA U.S.A. Input Input Input Input Input External Fuse Post Fuse 12 A Channel 1 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 2 Channel 5 CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOTREMOVE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD.DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. AC 120V 60Hz Power Consumption: 1000 W Carry Handle Speaker Connectors AC Receptacle -5HCA-855A High Current Power Amplifier 1 2 Current Overload Indicators Power Current Overload 3 4 5 AC Line Standby Normal Power Switch Power Status Indicators Figure #2 HCA-855A Front and Rear Panel Drawings Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of this precision audio component and thank you for your selection of Parasound. The Parasound HCA-1205A and HCA-855A five channel amplifiers are virtually identical in operation and sonic performance. However, the HCA-855A has slightly less power and is therefore not THX certified like the HCA-1205A. Please take a few moments to read these instructions so that you may fully understand the capabilities of your new Parasound power amplifier. Unpacking Your Amplifier Carefully unpack your amplifier and remove all the enclosed accessories. Be sure to inspect the unit for any possible shipping damage. If you see any, contact your Parasound Dealer immediately. Save all the packing material in case you need to ship the amplifier for repair. Before you proceed, find the serial number located on the rear panel of your amplifier and record it here for reference: Serial #____________________ Date of Purchase____________________ Installing and Rack Mounting Your Amplifier Place your amplifier away from heat sources such as air ducts and radiators. Always mount the amplifier horizontally and make sure that your cabinet or shelf can support its weight. It is best to provide a separate shelf for your amplifier rather that stacking it directly above or below other components. With the use of the optional Parasound RMK-3, both the HCA-1205A and HCA-855A occupy three rack spaces (5 1/4") in a standard 19 inch equipment rack. Be sure to use the heavy duty mounting bolts with nylon shoulder washers on both sides of the faceplate to avoid scratching the amplifier's front panel and to help prevent ground loops. This mounting hardware is included with the RMK-3. When rack mounting equipment, have someone help support the unit while you bolt the component to the rack rails. Ventilation Requirements for Your Amplifier To insure safe and reliable operation, it is very important that the amplifier has plenty of ventilation to prevent overheating and automatic shut down from its thermal protection circuitry. Please observe the following ventilation guidelines when installing your amplifier in a cabinet or other enclosed area: 1) If you are not using a fan, allow at least six inches on each side and above the amplifier, and do not close off the front with a cabinet door or panel. 2) If you are enclosing the amplifier within an equipment cabinet, use a fan to draw in cool air and exhaust warm air. Two vent holes are required: one for intake and one for exhaust. 3) Do not place the amplifier on carpeting that will obstruct the air flow into the bottom of the amplifier chassis and heatsinks. 4) Avoid stacking components. If you do stack components, you must use a fan to circulate the warm air that will quickly become trapped between them when they are powered on. Making Connections to Your Amplifier Leave the AC cord disconnected while making any input or speaker connections. When making connections to the amplifier, make sure there is no strain or tension on the input leads, speaker wires, or AC cord that could cause them to pull loose. -6- Home Theater Configurations and Input Connections Refer to Figure #1 or Figu ...