A Few Precautions
Please read this manual carefully. It provides complete informa-
tion on how to incorporate the RQ-970 into your system as well as
general information that will help you get optimum sound perfor-
mance. Please contact your authorized Rotel dealer for answers
to any questions you might have. In addition, all of us at Rotel wel-
come your questions and comments.
Save the RQ-970 shipping carton and all enclosed packing mate-
rial for future use. Shipping or moving the RQ-970 in anything
other than the original packing material may result in severe dam-
age to your amplifier.
Fill out and send in the owner's registration card packed with the
RQ-970. 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 RQ-
970 can be affected by its environment. Do not stack the RQ-970
on top of a power amplifier. This will minimize the chance it will
pick up hum or interference. We recommend installing the RQ-970
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 com-
ponents.
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 pick-
ing 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 degrading 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.
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AC Power and Control
AC Power Input
7
The RQ-970 does not use a significant amount of power. The most
convenient power source may be a switched power outlet on an-
other component. Then you can leave the power switch of the
RQ-970 in the "on" position and it will be turned on and off with
the other components.
Your RQ-970 is configured at the factory for the proper AC line
voltage in the country where you purchased it (either 115 volts AC
or 230 volts AC with a line frequency of either 50 Hz or 60 Hz). The
AC line configuration is noted on the back panel.
2
PHONO EQUALIZER RQ-970
Note: Should you move your RQ-970 to another country, it is pos-
sible to reconfigure your amplifier for use on a different line volt-
age. Do not attempt to perform this conversion yourself. Opening
the enclosure of the RQ-970 exposes you to dangerous voltages.
Consult a qualified service person or the Rotel factory service de-
partment 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 the RQ-970 (as well as other audio and video components)
while you are away.
Power Switch
and Power Indicator
2
The Power switch is located on the left side of the front panel.
When it is pressed the RQ-970 is turned on and the Power Indica-
tor light is illuminated. Pressing the Power switch again will turn
the RQ-970 off.
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Input Connection
[See Figure 2 for typical system connection illustration.]
The RQ-970 has conventional RCA type input connectors, the type
found on nearly all audio equipment.
Note: To prevent loud noises that neither you nor your speakers
will appreciate, be sure to turn off the power to all the compo-
nents in the system before you make any signal connections.
Phono Input Selector Switch
The RQ-970 can accept inputs from moving magnet (MM) or mov-
ing coil (MC) phono cartridges. Set the Phono Input Selector
Switch as appropriate for the phono cartridge you are using.
Leave the switch button in the out position for a moving magnet
cartridge; push the switch in for a moving coil cartridge. Some
high output moving coil cartridges are designed to operate in the
moving magnet position. If you are in doubt about the correct set-
ting, check the instruction manual for your phono cartridge for in-
formation regarding its output voltage and the expected input
impedance. The Phono input has 47 kOhms input impedance and
2.5 mV sensitivity in the MM position, and 100 Ohms input imped-
ance and 210 µV sensitivity in the MC position. If you still have
questions about the proper setting of the phono input selector
switch, consult your authorized Rotel dealer.
Phono Input Connection
5
Ground Terminal
Plug the cable from the turntable into the appropriate left and
right phono inputs. If the turntable has a "ground" wire connect it
to the screw terminal
5
prevent hum and noise.
1
3
and
4
to the right of the inputs. It will help