Speaker Outputs 21, Front Panel Controls

Speaker Outputs 21 and 22

The RA-985BX has two sets of speaker outputs, labeled “A” and “B”. The Speaker Selector 5 on the front panel controls which set(s) of speakers are operating.

Speaker Selection

If only one set of speakers will be played at any one time, the speakers may have an impedance as low as 4 ohms. If both the A and B sets of speakers will be operated at the same time the speaker should have an impedance of 8 ohms or more. Speaker impedance ratings are less than precise. In practice, very few loudspeakers will present any problems for the RA-985BX. See your authorized Rotel dealer if you have any questions.

Speaker Wire Selection

Use insulated two-conductor stranded wire to connect the RA- 985BX to the speakers. The size and quality of the wire can have an audible effect on the performance of the system. Standard speaker wire will work, but can result in lower output or dimin- ished bass response, particularly over longer distances. In gen- eral, heavier wire will improve the sound. For best performance, you may want to consider special high-quality speaker cables. Your authorized Rotel dealer can help in the selection of appropri- ate cables for your system.

Polarity and Phasing

The polarity — the positive/negative orientation of the connec- tions — for every speaker and amplifier connection must be con- sistent so all the speakers will be in phase. If the polarity of one connection is mistakenly reversed, bass output will be very weak and stereo imaging degraded. All wire is marked so you can iden- tify the two conductors. There may be ribs or a stripe on the insu- lation of one conductor. The wire may have clear insulation with different color conductors (copper and silver). There may be po- larity indications printed on the insulation. Identify the positive and negative conductors and be consistent with every speaker and amplifier connection.

Speaker Connection

The RA-985BX has two sets of color coded binding posts on the back panel. These connectors accept bare wire, connector lugs, or dual banana type connectors (except in the European Commu- nity countries where their use is not permitted).

Route the wire from the RA-985BX to the speakers. Give yourself enough slack so you can move the components to allow access to the speaker connectors.

If you are using dual banana plugs, connect them to the wires and then plug into the backs of the binding posts. The thumbscrews of the binding posts should be screwed in all the way (clockwise).

English

If you are using terminal lugs, connect them to the wires. If you are attaching bare wires directly to the binding posts, separate the wire conductors and strip back the insulation from the end of each conductor. Be careful not to cut into the wire strands. Un- screw (turn counterclockwise) the binding post thumbscrews. Place the connector lug or wire around the binding post shaft. Turn the thumbscrews clockwise to clamp the connector lug or wire firmly in place.

Note: Be sure there are no loose wire strands that could touch adjacent wires or connectors.

Front Panel Controls

Volume Control 10

The Volume control increases or decreases the volume in both channels at the same time. Turn it clockwise to increase the vol- ume and counterclockwise to decrease the volume.

Balance Control 11

The Balance Control alters the relative volume level of the two channels. Turn the Balance Control to the right to make the right channel louder. Turn it to the left to make the left channel louder.

Tone Defeat Switch 9

When the Tone Defeat switch is set to “On” the Bass and Treble tone controls can be used to adjust the bass and treble content of the sound. When the Tone Defeat switch is set to “Off” the tone controls are removed from the signal path. If you are not using the tone controls leave the Tone Defeat switch in the “Off” position to ensure the purest possible sound.

Bass Control 7 and Treble Control 8

When the Tone Defeat switch is set to “On” turning the tone con- trols clockwise increases the bass or treble output. Turning the controls counterclockwise decreases the bass or treble output.