RA-04Stereo Integrated Amplifier
A Few Precautions
WARNING: To avoid potential damage to your system, turn off ALL the components in the system when connecting or disconnect- ing the loudspeakers or any associated com- ponents. Do not turn the system components back on until you are sure all the connec- tions are correct and secure. Pay particular attention to the speaker wires. There must be no loose strands that could contact the other speaker wires, or the chassis of the amplifier.
Please read this manual carefully. It provides information on how to incorporate the RA-04 into your system as well as information that will help you get optimum sound performance. Please contact your authorized Rotel dealer for answers to any questions you might have. In addition, all of us at Rotel welcome your questions and comments.
Save the RA-04 shipping carton and all en- closed packing material for future use. Shipping or moving the RA-04 in anything other than the original packing material may result in severe damage to your amplifier.
Fill out and send in the owner’s registration card packed with the RA-04. Also be sure to keep the original sales receipt. It is your best record of the date of purchase, which you will need in the event warranty service is ever required.
Placement
Like all audio components that handle low- level signals, the RA-04 can be affected by its environment. Avoid placing the RA-04 on top of other components. Also avoid routing audio signal cables near power cords. This will minimize the chance it will pick up hum or interference.
The RA-04 generates heat as part of its normal operation. The heat sinks and ventilation open- ings in the amplifier are designed to dissipate this heat. The ventilation slots in the top cover must be open. There should be 10 cm (4 inches) of clearance around the chassis, and reason- able airfl ow through the installation location, to prevent the amplifier from overheating.
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Remember the weight of the amplifier when you select an installation location. Make sure that the shelf or cabinet can support it. We recommend installing the RA-04 in furniture designed to house audio components. Such furniture is designed to reduce or suppress vibration which can adversely affect sound quality. Ask your authorized Rotel dealer for advice about component furniture and proper installation of audio components.
Cables
Be sure to keep the power cords, digital signal cables and regular audio signal cables in your installation away from each other. This will minimize the chance of the regular audio signal cables picking up noise or interference from the power cords or digital cables. Using only high quality, shielded cables will also help to prevent noise or interference from degrad- ing the sound quality of your system. If you have any questions see your authorized Rotel dealer for advice about the best cable to use with your system.
AC Power and Control
AC Power Input o
The RA-04 does not draw high levels of current from the power outlet. However, whenever pos- sible, it should be plugged directly into a 2-pin polarized wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord. A heavy duty multi-tap power outlet strip may be used if it (and the wall outlet) can handle the current demanded by the RA-04 and all the other components connected to it.
Your RA-04 is configured at the factory for the proper AC line voltage in the country where you purchased it (either 120 volts AC or 230 volts AC with a line frequency of either 50 Hz or 60 Hz). The AC line configuration is noted on a decal on the back panel.
NOTE: Should you move your RA-04 amplifier to another country, it is possible to reconfigure it for use on a different line voltage. Do not attempt to perform this conversion yourself. Opening the enclosure of the RA-04 exposes you to dangerous voltages. Consult a qualified service person or the Rotel factory service department for information.
If you are going to be away from home for an extended period of time such as a month-long vacation, it is a sensible precaution to unplug your amplifier (as well as other audio and video components) while you are away.
Power Switch 2
and Power Indicator 1
Press the front panel Power Switch button, to turn the RA-04 on. The Power Indicator light is illuminated when the RA-04 is on. Press Power Switch button again to turn the RA-04 off.
Input Signal Connections
[See Figure 2.]
NOTE: To prevent loud noises that neither you nor your speakers will appreciate, make sure the system is turned off when you make any signal connections.
Phono Input e and
Ground Connection w
Plug the cable from the turntable into the ap- propriate left and right phono inputs. If the turntable has a “ground” wire connect it to the screw terminal to the left of the Phono inputs. It will help prevent hum and noise.
Line Level Inputs r
The CD, Tuner, and Aux inputs of the RA-04 are “line level” inputs. These are for connect- ing components such as CD players, Hi Fi or NICAM Stereo video cassette recorders, tuners, Laser Disc players or the analog output from a CD ROM drive.
The Left and Right channels are labeled and should be connected to the corresponding channels of the source component. The Left connectors are white, the Right connectors are red. Use high quality RCA cables for connecting input source components to the RA-04. Ask your authorized Rotel dealer for advice about cables.
