Cary Audio Design CAD 808 - Manual (Page 8)

Amplifier Placement and Set Up
In general, the location of your new Rocket 88 R amplifier is not critical. The best
placement in your system is near the speaker system with short lengths of speaker
cables. Certain precautions must be taken to ensure optimum performance. Avoid hot
locations near radiators or other heating units. Keep the top of the Rocket 88 R clear of
books, paper, or other equipment to protect against overheating
.
Power Requirements
The Rocket 88 R is designed to operate from house current mains. The design voltage is
117 VAC at 50/60 Hz. (Export models are 117 or 240 VAC at 50/60 Hz, depending on
destination.)
Cables
The speaker cables to the speakers can be any convenient length your setup requires.
Please choose speaker cables of sufficient size to preserve the outstanding performance
capabilities of your Rocket 88 R. Heavy gauge #14
AWG wire is suitable for distances up
to 10 feet; #12 AWG for 25 feet. Our recommendation for best sound is to place the
Rocket 88 R in between the stereo pair of loudspeakers. Use heavy duty loudspeaker
cables with a length to reach from the Rocket 88 R to the speakers. Avoid long lengths
that have excess slack. If your loudspeaker has the facility for bi-wiring, then by all
means use separate cables or bi-wire speaker cables. Your Authorized Cary Audio Design
Dealer will have proper speaker cable in stock for this purpose.
Signal input connection is made via the input jacks on the rear of the amplifier located
next to the output binding posts. The interconnect cables from the output of the
preamplifier can be any convenient length your setup requires. Through the years we
have found that using tube amplifiers like the Rocket 88 R, it is better to have short
loudspeaker cables and long interconnect cables to the preamplifier. The choice of a
high quality shielded interconnect cable is important. Once again, your dealer will have
the proper cables in stock for this purpose.
The tubes used in your new Rocket 88 R have gone through a 48 hour burn in process
and testing with your individual Rocket 88 R. They are matched and labeled on the tube
boxes. Look at the top panel of the Rocket 88 R for the proper placement of the tubes.
Be careful to insert the tubes in the proper sockets with the key way in order. At the
end of this manual you will also see a block diagram of the tube layout. Your new
Rocket 88 R is ready for operation after the speaker, interconnect cables and the
vacuum tubes have been installed.
AC Power Switch
Simply turn the AC power to the ON position (the red bias LED ’s will light). After 30 to
60 seconds observe that all tubes are lit (filaments) and the green eye tubes are