loudspeakers
Single wiring
Single wiring is the conventional wiring method of
running a single cable per channel between the amplifier
and the speaker; this is the easiest technique.
If each speaker has more than one pair of connecting
terminals, use the terminals labelled
or 'Low
LF
Frequency' for each speaker.
Connect the positive terminal of the right speaker
connection on the amplifier (coloured red and labelled
) to the positive terminal of your right speaker.
+R
An A19 connected to speakers using single wiring
Bi-amping
Bi-amping is the separation of the amplification of low-
and high-frequency signals over two amplifiers.
Bi-amping requires the use of two amplifiers per
channel. Normally, your A19 is used to drive the high-
frequency (treble) speakers, with a P38 used for the
lower (bass) frequencies.
Connect your A19 to the speakers as described for
single wiring, with the exception that the A19 should
be connected to the speaker terminals labelled
or
HF
'High Frequency' . Then connect the power amplifier
(an Arcam P38 for example) to the
or 'Low
LF
Frequency' terminals, as in the diagram. A pair of audio
interconnect cables are also required to connect the
pre-amp outputs of the A19 to the power amp inputs of
the P38.
Similarly, connect the negative terminal of the amplifier
(coloured black and labelled with
) to the negative
R–
terminal of your speaker. Repeat the process for the left
speaker, using the amplifier terminals labelled
If your speakers support bi-wiring, then there is a strip
of conductive metal on the speakers connecting the low-
frequency terminals to those for the higher-frequencies;
this MUST NOT BE REMOVED in a single-wired
system.
Arcam A19
Note that the strip of metal on the speakers connecting
the lower terminals to the upper terminals MUST BE
REMOVED. Failure to do so will result in damage to
both amplifiers, which will not normally be covered
under warranty.
An A19 and P38 connected to speakers using bi‑amping
E-9
Notes on making speaker
connections
Do not make any connections to any amplifier
<
while it is switched on. We recommend that
and
.
+L
L–
your amplifier is completely disconnected from
the mains supply before starting.
Before switching your amplifier(s) on for the
<
first time after connecting to speakers, please
check all connections thoroughly. Ensure that
bare wires or cables are not touching each other
or the amplifier's chassis (which could cause
short circuits), and that you have connected
positive (+) to positive and negative (–) to
negative. Be sure to check the wiring for both
the amplifier and the speaker.
After making connections: switch the
<
amplifier(s) on, select a source signal, then
gradually increase the volume to the required
listening level.
If you are unsure as to how your system should
<
be connected, or need advice on bi-amping,
please contact your Arcam dealer who will be
happy to help you.
Arcam A19
Arcam P38