Parasound HCA 806A Multi-ZoneStereo Operation, Speaker Connections to the HCA-806A, Polarity

Multi-Zone Stereo Operation

Refer to Figure #2

You can switch your HCA-806A to reproduce a single stereo source through up to three pairs of stereo channels via input cables connected to channels 1 and 2 input jacks only. This permits a neater and less confusing hookup. It eliminates the requirement for two or four “Y” adapters in order to split your preamplifier’s single pair of stereo outputs to feed the 3 pairs of HCA-806A power amplifier input jacks.

When you switch the LOOP 1/2 > 3/4 Switch for channels 3 and 4 to its ON position, these channels receive the internally paralleled looped input signals from the same cables connected to the inputs of channels 1 and 2. Input 1 loops over to channel 3. Input 2 loops over to channel 4.

The Loop 1/2 > 5/6 Switch for Channels 5 and 6 offers the same internal paralleling convenience. Input 1 loops over to Channel 5. Input 2 loops over to Channel 6.

Speaker Connections to the HCA-806A

Refer to Figure #2

Five-Way Binding Posts

The five-way binding posts on the rear panel of your HCA-806A will accept banana or dual banana plugs, most 1/4" spade lugs, or up to AWG 12 bare solid or stranded wire.

Polarity

It is important to observe correct speaker connection polarity to prevent phase cancellation. One side of the speaker wire will have some sort of mark, either printing, a raised ridge on the insulation or a different color of conductor. This permits you to know which wire you had connected to the + and which to the — speaker terminals so you can do exactly the same at the power amplifier terminals. Polarity is marked separately for both stereo and bridged connections.

Banana Plugs

Banana plugs offer the most convenient connection to the speaker terminals. They also have a large amount of surface contact into the speaker terminal. For these reasons, we recommend the use of banana plugs in most applications. However, you may want to use the “gas tight” connection provided by spade lugs or bare wire.

Spade Lugs

If you prefer to use speaker cable with spade lugs, make sure you do not permit the lug to rotate as the terminal is tightened. Do not overtighten the speaker terminal onto the spade lug. The limited warranty does not cover terminals that are sheared off as a result of overtightening.

Bare Wire

If you use bare wire without plugs, be sure to strip off only enough insulation so the bared wire fits into the hole that runs sideways through the terminal’s metal shaft. Before inserting the wire, twist all its strands tightly to prevent strays that could cause a short circuit between + and — terminals or adjacent channel terminals. If you have a soldering iron, it is a good idea to “tin” the bare wire with solder to keep it from unraveling and to prevent oxidation.

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