Amplifier Placement and Set Up
In general, the location of your new Rocket 88 R amplifier is not critical. The best placement in your system is near the speaker system with short lengths of speaker cables. Certain precautions must be taken to ensure optimum performance. Avoid hot locations near radiators or other heating units. Keep the top of the Rocket 88 R clear of books, paper, or other equipment to protect against overheating.
Power Requirements
The Rocket 88 R is designed to operate from house current mains. The design voltage is 117 VAC at 50/60 Hz. (Export models are 117 or 240 VAC at 50/60 Hz, depending on destination.)
Cables
The speaker cables to the speakers can be any convenient length your setup requires. Please choose speaker cables of sufficient size to preserve the outstanding performance capabilities of your Rocket 88 R. Heavy gauge #14 AWG wire is suitable for distances up to 10 feet; #12 AWG for 25 feet. Our recommendation for best sound is to place the Rocket 88 R in between the stereo pair of loudspeakers. Use heavy duty loudspeaker cables with a length to reach from the Rocket 88 R to the speakers. Avoid long lengths that have excess slack. If your loudspeaker has the facility for
Signal input connection is made via the input jacks on the rear of the amplifier located next to the output binding posts. The interconnect cables from the output of the preamplifier can be any convenient length your setup requires. Through the years we have found that using tube amplifiers like the Rocket 88 R, it is better to have short loudspeaker cables and long interconnect cables to the preamplifier. The choice of a high quality shielded interconnect cable is important. Once again, your dealer will have the proper cables in stock for this purpose.
The tubes used in your new Rocket 88 R have gone through a 48 hour burn in process and testing with your individual Rocket 88 R. They are matched and labeled on the tube boxes. Look at the top panel of the Rocket 88 R for the proper placement of the tubes. Be careful to insert the tubes in the proper sockets with the key way in order. At the end of this manual you will also see a block diagram of the tube layout. Your new Rocket 88 R is ready for operation after the speaker, interconnect cables and the vacuum tubes have been installed.
AC Power Switch
Simply turn the AC power to the ON position (the red bias LED’s will light). After 30 to 60 seconds observe that all tubes are lit (filaments) and the green eye tubes are