Page 4
3 Connecting inputs & outputs
Many
problems
associated
with
electronic
equipment involves connecting leads, which are
usually either
‘BAD CONNECTION’ or a
‘WRONG CONNECTION’
. So it’s worth making
sure that you have good connections and that
your leads are the right way round.
Inputs
The amplifier will work with any standard piece of
hi fi e.g. CD, Tuner, Tape Deck, Mini Disc, TV,
Video Recorder, DVD etc having an output of
300mv or more, to get full power.
If you wish to use a turntable you will need a
suitable phono pre-amp. Your dealer or Icon
Audio can advise you. Our new PS1 MM/MC all
valve phono stage is an ideal partner.
To use as a power amplifier.
The ST20SE can
be used as a power amplifier with a volume
control.
This
is
achieved
by
using
the
integrated/power switch at the rear of the unit. In
the power position the volume control will be
virtually invisible to the pre-amplifier if it is in the
fully clockwise position. If you have too much
gain, “back off” the volume no more than
necessary. If you still have too much gain Icon
Audio can modify the sensitivity to your
specification. If required the remote control for the
volume can be disabled, (contact us for
information)
Connecting a tape deck.
(Or CDRW/MP3 etc)
The STEREO 20SE will playback any tape deck
having suitable output, It is not possible to record
with this amplifier, unless you connect directly to
the output unit.
Connecting loudspeakers
It is important to use good quality loudspeaker
cable. This should be relatively thick and muti-
stranded. i.e. QED ‘Original’ or better. Take care
to connect the correct polarity. The use of
‘Banana plugs’ or ‘spade’ connections will ensure
a good connection whilst minimising the risk of
‘shorts’.
In our experience Icon valve amplifiers are more
tolerant of cables, therefore the benefits of some
very ‘exotic’ cables may be less apparent. But this
is also personal taste.
As all cables have losses, keeping the speaker
cables short is best. It may be better and be
cheaper to re-arrange your room and use shorter
cables than to spend a fortune on longer cables!
You can either ‘hard wire’ your cable to the
amplifier by baring enough cable to fit in the
connector and twist together to avoid any spare
strands touching anywhere else (soldering the
stands together helps).
Be warned this amplifier does not have an
output
protection
device,
which
would
degrade the sound. So a prolonged short due
to strands of wire touching could cause
damage.
Alternatively use good quality
‘banana’
plugs or spade connections, once fitted they are
trouble free.
Speaker polarity. It is essential that you
observe the polarity of the terminals; they
must be the same for the left/right connections
at the amplifier end and at the loudspeaker
end
. Otherwise the sound will be ‘out of phase’
with the sound stage ‘inside out’ with reduced
bass.
If you are unable to check this or confirm
the polarity
(e.g. if you have ‘built in’ wiring), try
the following; Connect the system up and play
some music with plenty of bass (e.g. dance
music), preferably in mono (FM tuners are usually
switchable to mono) and stand the speakers close
together. If correct you should hear plenty of bass,
if not
reverse the terminals for one channel
only, either at the amp or speaker.
You will now
hear more, or less bass. The higher bass output is
the correct setting to use. Another alternative is to
use a test disc. If you are ‘bi-wiring’ your speakers
only two terminals, you must use only 4 or 8
ohms, not both, as this will not load the amplifier
properly.
The STEREO 20SE is designed to work with full
range,
medium
to
high
efficiency
having
impedance of 4 ohms to 8 ohms. Speakers having
efficiency of lower than 86db will have greater
difficulty in providing a high sound level. But this
will also depend upon individual speakers, room
size, type of music and positioning etc.
Speaker impedance.
It is important to use the
correct speaker impedance terminals, as this will
give the best sound quality and power matching. If
using
15-ohm
speakers
use
the
8-ohm
connections.
If you are unsure or “6 ohms” or “4 to
8 ohms” is quoted; a rule of thumb guide is to try
both positions. The loudest being the best match.
Although your personal taste should be the final
deciding factor.
Do not connect to more than one pair of terminals
for each channel. If two pairs of speakers are
required to be connected, they must both be 8-
ohm and connected 4 ohm terminals. Contact
Icon Audio for more information. Damage could
occur if care is not taken.
