Arcam MULTI ZONE POWER AMPLIFIER MZ8 - Manual (Page 9)

9
bi-amping
Bi-amping is the separation of the amplification of low- and high-
frequency signals over two amplifiers. You will need to connect to
loudspeakers that provide separate terminals for the two cables. Each
speaker must have two pairs of terminals; one pair labelled HF For ‘High
Frequency’, the other pair labelled LF or ‘Low Frequency’.
If your speakers support bi-amping, then there will be a strip
of conductive metal or a wire on the speakers connecting the
low-frequency terminals to those for the higher-frequencies.
This connection mUST BE REmOVED in a bi-wired system.
Failure to remove this connection is likely to cause damage
to the amplifier when used in bi-amping configuration. This
damage is not covered by warranty.
Bi-amping requires the use of two zones for every pair of speakers. Zone
1 of the amplifier can easily be bi-amplified. Connect the Zone 1 speaker
terminals to the low-frequency loudspeaker terminals. Connect a second
zone to the high-frequency speaker terminals and set the input switch
for this zone to the Z1 position. For best performance, use Zone 3. Zone
1 and Zone 3 have completely independent power supplies, including
transformers, making this arrangement equivalent to using two separate
amplifier components.
Further zones can be bi-amplified by using splitter cables to feed
two zone inputs from one source. Contact your dealer for further
information.
Notes on making speaker connections
• Do not make any connections to any amplifier while
it is switched on. We recommend that 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-wiring or bi-amping, please contact your Arcam
dealer who will be happy to help you.
L
R
AUDIO IN
Z1 Z2
L
R
AUDIO IN
Z5 Z6
Z1
_ _
+ +
R L
Z2
_ _
+ +
R L
L
R
AUDIO IN
Z3 Z4
Source
Z1 Z3
Z3
INPUT
Z5
_ _
+ +
R L
Z6
_ _
+ +
R L
Z3
_ _
+ +
R L
Z4
_ _
+ +
R L
Zone 1 of an MZ12 amplifier connected to speakers using bi-amping, by means of Zone 3
right
speaker
terminals
left speaker
terminals