Breaking in the HCA-1200
Like other great power amplifiers, the HCA-1200 requires about 24 hours of operation after it is first turned on to sound its best. This gives delicate capacitors a chance to "form" and pass audio signals with greater definition, smoothness and transparency.
Although the HCA-1200 will sound spectacular when you first operate it, you will find it worthwhile to listen again after a few days and you'll discover details in your music you may not have guessed were there.
Maintaining your HCA-1200
The HCA-1200 requires no periodic maintenance and has no user serviceable parts inside. Do not remove the top cover to avoid risk of electric shock. To keep it clean use only a soft cloth and never use any solvents or abrasives. Fingerprints may be removed with a soft cloth moistened only with a few drops of water.
The HCA-1200 has corrosion-free gold input jacks, but each year it is a good idea to twist the input plugs to preserve perfect signal transfer by removing corrosion which might have accumulated on the connecting plugs themselves. Make sure the unit is turned off while you do this.
In Case of Trouble
If you suspect a problem with this unit, first recheck all your connections. If one channel is inoperative, the trouble maybe caused by another component or even a defective hookup cable. If only one channel is out for all sources, try reversing the L and R cables to the power amplifier (turn it off before moving wires). If the same channel stays out, it indicates trouble with the power amplifier itself. We suggest you contact your authorized Parasound dealer or call Parasound Technical Service if you suspect a problem. We will suggest other diagnostic tests you can easily perform yourself and which will save you a lot of trouble.
If it is determined that the HCA-1200 should be returned for inspection and possible servicing, you must first obtain a Return Authorization number. You will be asked to repack the unit in its original carton and styrofoam packing plus an additional outer box over its own box for proper protection in transit. You should send the unit by UPS with adequate insurance specified.
Units that arrive without the connect Return Authorization number, without a suitable shipping carton or evidence of improper internal packing or collect will be refused. We cannot accept collect shipments. After repair under warranty, the unit will be returned to you via prepaid UPS. If we found no problem with the unit, we will ship the unit by UPS collect for its return shipping charges.
