Cary Audio Design CAD-280SA - Manual (Page 6)

size to preserve the outstanding performance capabilities of your power amplifier.
Heavy gauge #14 wire is suitable for distances up to 15 feet, #12 wire for up to 30 feet.
Your Authorized Cary Audio Dealer will have proper speaker cable in stock for this
purpose.
Signal input connection is made via the input jack(s) on the rear of the CAD-280 SA.
The interconnect cable(s) from the output of a variable output CD player or
preamplifier can be any convenient length your set-up requires. The choice of a
shielded, high quality interconnect cable is important. Once again, your audio dealer
will suggest and have the proper cables in stock for this purpose.
3.1 Operation
Your new power amplifier is ready for operation after the speaker, interconnect cables
and the vacuum tubes have been installed into their proper sockets. Refer to the tube
placement sheet at the end of this manual for proper tube installation. On the
amplifiers rear panel please select either the RCA or XLR input(s), according to your
installation.
3.2 4 or 8 OHM Speaker Binding Posts
Select the proper speaker binding post (4 or 8 ohm) for the speaker(s) in your system.
The selection should be based on your current speakers’ rated specifications and
listening tests to confirm the correct connection.
3.3 Triode or Ultra-Linear Mode Switches
Select either the “Triode” 50 (100 Mono) watts or “Ultra-Linear” 100 (200 Mono)
watts output setting. Make sure all six switches are set to the same operating mode
position. You can switch between the operating modes while playing music at a
moderate volume level. Flipping one mode switch at a time is OK.
3.4 Power ON and Standby Operate Switches
Flip the power switch to the “On” position and then flip the standby switch to the
“Operate” position. Observe that all 16 vacuum tubes are lit, after a delay of 10-15
seconds. When the power tubes start to conduct, red ‘Good Health’ LED’s on the top
panel will light up next to each one. This might take 30-45 seconds delay.
3.5 The Break-In Period
The tubes, capacitors and output transformers take approximately 100 hours use to
settle in for peak performance. The V-12R will sound good right out of the box but it
will improve within a short time. After the first 50-100 hours you will notice increased
depth and tighter bass. This break-in period defies engineering theory perhaps, but we
believe it is true with quality audio amplifiers.