Cambridge Audio Car Amplifier 550A User Manual

Integrated amplifier  
User’s manual  
2
azur  
550A/650A  
Your music + our passion  
 
azur 550A/650A  
Important safety instructions  
For your own safety please read the following important safety  
instructions carefully before attempting to connect this unit to the mains  
power supply. They will also enable you to get the best performance from  
and prolong the life of the unit:  
1. Read these instructions.  
2. Keep these instructions.  
3. Heed all warnings.  
The lightning flash with the arrowhead symbol within an equilateral  
triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of un-insulated  
‘dangerous voltage’ within the product’s enclosure that may be of  
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.  
4. Follow all instructions.  
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert  
the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance  
instructions in the service literature relevant to this appliance.  
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.  
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.  
WEEE symbol  
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the  
manufacturer's instructions.  
The crossed-out wheeled bin is the European Union symbol for  
indicating separate collection for electrical and electronic  
equipment. This product contains electrical and electronic  
equipment which should be reused, recycled or recovered and  
should not be disposed of with unsorted regular waste. Please return the  
unit or contact the authorised dealer from whom you purchased this  
product for more information.  
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,  
stoves, or other apparatus (including other amplifiers) that produce  
heat.  
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type  
plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other.  
A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.  
The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the  
provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for  
replacement of the obsolete outlet.  
CE mark  
This product complies with European Low Voltage  
(2006/95/EC), Electromagnetic Compatibility (2004/108/EC)  
and Environmentally-friendly design of Energy-related Products  
(2009/125/EC) Directives when used and installed according to this  
instruction manual. For continued compliance only Cambridge Audio  
accessories should be used with this product and servicing must be  
referred to qualified service personnel.  
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly  
at plugs, convenience receptacles and the point where they exit from  
the apparatus.  
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.  
12. Use with only the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table  
specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus.  
When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/  
apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.  
C-Tick mark  
This product meets the Australian Communications Authority’s  
Radio communications and EMC requirements.  
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for  
long periods of time.  
Ross Test Stamp  
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required  
when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as the  
power-supply cord or plug having been damaged, liquid has been  
spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has  
been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has  
been dropped.  
This product meets Russian electronic safety approvals.  
FCC regulations  
NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY RADIO OR  
TV INTERFERENCE CAUSED BY UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS TO THIS  
EQUIPMENT. SUCH MODIFICATIONS COULD VOID THE USER AUTHORITY  
TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT.  
WARNING  
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the  
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the  
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable  
– To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this unit to  
rain or moisture.  
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This  
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and,  
if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause  
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no  
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.  
– Batteries (battery pack or batteries installed) shall not be exposed to  
excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or the like.  
The unit is of Class 1 construction and must be connected to a mains  
socket outlet with a protective earthing connection.  
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television  
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,  
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more  
of the following measures:  
The unit must be installed in a manner that makes disconnection of the  
mains plug from the mains socket outlet (or appliance connector from  
the rear of the unit) possible. Where the mains plug is used as the  
disconnect device, the disconnect device shall remain readily operable.  
Only use the mains cord supplied with this unit.  
– Re-orient or relocate the receiving antenna.  
Please ensure there is ample ventilation. We recommend that you do not  
place the unit in an enclosed space; if you wish to place the unit on a  
shelf, use the top shelf to allow maximum ventilation. Do not put any  
objects on top of this unit. Do not situate it on a rug or other soft surface  
and do not obstruct any air inlets or outlet grilles. Do not cover the  
ventilation grilles with items such as newspapers, tablecloths, curtains,  
etc.  
– Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.  
– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to  
which the receiver is connected.  
– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.  
This unit must not be used near water or exposed to dripping or splashing  
water or other liquids. No objects filled with liquid, such as vases, shall be  
placed on the unit.  
3
 
Limited warranty  
Cambridge Audio warrants this product to be free from defects in  
materials and workmanship (subject to the terms set forth below).  
Cambridge Audio will repair or replace (at Cambridge Audio's option) this  
product or any defective parts in this product. Warranty periods may vary  
from country to country. If in doubt consult your dealer and ensure that  
you retain proof of purchase.  
Ventilation  
IMPORTANT – The unit will become hot when in use. Do not place anything  
on top of the unit. Do not place in an enclosed area such as a bookcase  
or in a cabinet without sufficient ventilation.  
Ensure that small objects do not fall through any ventilation grille. If this  
happens, switch off immediately, disconnect from the mains supply and  
contact your dealer for advice.  
To obtain warranty service, please contact the Cambridge Audio  
authorised dealer from which you purchased this product. If your dealer  
is not equipped to perform the repair of your Cambridge Audio product,  
it can be returned by your dealer to Cambridge Audio or an authorised  
Cambridge Audio service agent. You will need to ship this product in either  
its original packaging or packaging affording an equal degree of  
protection.  
Positioning  
Choose the installation location carefully. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight  
or close to a source of heat. No naked flame sources, such as lighted  
candles, should be placed on the unit. Also avoid locations subject to  
vibration and excessive dust, cold or moisture. The unit can be used in a  
moderate climate.  
Proof of purchase in the form of a bill of sale or receipted invoice, which  
is evidence that this product is within the warranty period, must be  
presented to obtain warranty service.  
This unit must be installed on a sturdy, level surface. Do not place in a  
sealed area such as a bookcase or in a cabinet. Do not place the unit on  
an unstable surface or shelf. The unit may fall, causing serious injury to  
a child or adult as well as serious damage to the product. Do not place  
other equipment on top of the unit.  
This Warranty is invalid if (a) the factory-applied serial number has been  
altered or removed from this product or (b) this product was not  
purchased from a Cambridge Audio authorised dealer. You may call  
Cambridge Audio or your local country Cambridge Audio distributor to  
confirm that you have an unaltered serial number and/or you made a  
purchase from a Cambridge Audio authorised dealer.  
Due to stray magnetic fields, turntables or CRT TVs should not be located  
nearby due to possible interference.  
This Warranty does not cover cosmetic damage or damage due to acts of  
God, accident, misuse, abuse, negligence, commercial use, or  
modification of, or to any part of, the product. This Warranty does not  
cover damage due to improper operation, maintenance or installation, or  
attempted repair by anyone other than Cambridge Audio or a Cambridge  
Audio dealer, or authorised service agent which is authorised to do  
Cambridge Audio warranty work. Any unauthorised repairs will void this  
Warranty. This Warranty does not cover products sold AS IS or WITH ALL  
FAULTS.  
Electronic audio components have a running in period of around a week  
(if used several hours per day). This will allow the new components to  
settle down and the sonic properties will improve over this time.  
Power sources  
The unit should be operated only from the type of power source indicated  
on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power-supply to  
your home, consult your product dealer or local power company.  
REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENTS AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS WARRANTY ARE  
THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF THE CONSUMER. CAMBRIDGE AUDIO SHALL  
NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR  
BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY IN THIS PRODUCT.  
EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY LAW, THIS WARRANTY IS  
EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESS AND IMPLIED  
WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE  
WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PRACTICAL  
PURPOSE.  
This unit can be left in Standby mode when not in use and will draw <1W  
in this state. To turn the unit off, switch off at the rear panel. If you do not  
intend to use this unit for a long period of time, unplug it from the mains  
socket.  
Overloading  
Do not overload wall outlets or extension cords as this can result in a risk  
of fire or electric shock. Overloaded AC outlets, extension cords, frayed  
power cords, damaged or cracked wire insulation and broken plugs are  
dangerous. They may result in a shock or fire hazard.  
Some countries and US states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of  
incidental or consequential damages or implied warranties so the above  
exclusions may not apply to you. This Warranty gives you specific legal  
rights, and you may have other statutory rights, which vary from state to  
state or country to country.  
Be sure to insert each power cord securely. To prevent hum and noise, do  
not bundle the interconnect leads with the power cord or speaker leads.  
Cleaning  
For any service, in or out of warranty, please contact your dealer.  
To clean the unit, wipe its case with a dry, lint-free cloth. Do not use any  
cleaning fluids containing alcohol, ammonia or abrasives. Do not spray an  
aerosol at or near the unit.  
Plug-fitting Instructions (UK only)  
Battery disposal  
The cord supplied with this appliance is factory-fitted with a UK mains plug fitted with  
a 5-amp fuse inside. If it is necessary to change the fuse, it is important that a  
5-amp fuse is used. If the plug needs to be changed because it is not suitable for  
your socket, or becomes damaged, it should be cut off and an appropriate plug  
fitted following the wiring instructions below. The plug must then be disposed of  
safely, as insertion into a mains socket is likely to cause an electrical hazard. Should  
it be necessary to fit a 3-pin BS mains plug to the power cord, the wires should be  
fitted as shown in this diagram. The colours of the wires in the mains lead of this  
appliance may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals  
in your plug. Connect them as follows:  
Please dispose of any discharged batteries according to local  
environmental/electronic waste disposal guidelines.  
Loudspeakers  
Before making any connections to loudspeakers, make sure all power is  
turned off and only use suitable interconnects.  
Servicing  
The wire which is coloured BLUE must be  
connected to the terminal which is marked with  
the letter ‘N’ or coloured BLACK.  
These units are not user serviceable. Never attempt to repair,  
disassemble or reconstruct the unit if there seems to be a problem.  
A serious electric shock could result if this precautionary measure is  
ignored. In the event of a problem or failure, please contact your dealer.  
The wire which is coloured BROWN must be  
connected to the terminal which is marked with  
the letter ‘Lor coloured RED.  
The wire which is coloured GREEN/YELLOW must  
be connected to the terminal which is marked  
with the letter ‘E’ or coloured GREEN.  
If a standard 13-amp (BS 1363) plug is used, a 5-amp fuse must be fitted or, if any  
other type of plug is used, a 5-amp fuse must be fitted, either in the plug or adaptor,  
or on the distribution board.  
4
 
azur 550A/650A  
Rear panel connections  
1
4
5
3
2
8
9
6
7
1
7
Power On/Off  
Tape In  
Switches the unit on and off. This switch is a master on/off control that,  
when switched off, overrides the Standby/On button on the front of the  
unit and that on the remote control.  
Connect to a tape deck or to the analogue output sockets on a MiniDisc,  
portable digital music player or CD recorder using an interconnect cable  
from the recorder's Line Out sockets to the amplifier's Tape In sockets.  
The Tape Input circuit of the 550A/650A is a ‘monitor’ type, different from  
the other five inputs. For the five normal inputs, the source selected for  
listening to will also be sent out of the Rec 1/Rec 2 outputs for recording.  
The source currently being listened to and (optionally) recorded is then  
shown on the front panel by a corresponding blue LED.  
2
AC power socket  
Once you have completed all connections to the amplifier, plug the  
AC power cable into an appropriate mains socket and turn the unit on.  
Your amplifier is now ready for use.  
However, when the Tape Mon Input is selected the Tape Mon LED will also  
illuminate, indicating that the Tape Monitor Input is now being listened to  
with a different source being sent out of the Rec1/Rec2 outputs for  
recording. The recording source is shown by the first LED and can be  
changed by pressing the other source buttons. To switch Tape Monitor  
off, simply press the Tape Mon button again, toggling this function off.  
3
Loudspeaker terminals  
Two sets of loudspeaker terminals are available, A (main loudspeaker  
terminals, top row) and B (secondary switchable loudspeaker terminals,  
bottom row). Connect the wires from your left channel loudspeaker to the  
LEFT positive and negative terminals, and the wires from the right  
channel loudspeaker to the RIGHT positive and negative terminals.  
In each case, the red terminal is the positive output and the black  
terminal is the negative output.  
This feature is most useful when using three-head analogue cassette  
decks which allow the signal being recorded to be played back live off  
tape (via a third head) whilst it is simultaneously recorded. It is then  
possible, by toggling the Tape Monitor input on and off, to compare  
directly in real time the original and recorded signal so that adjustments  
to the recording parameters of the tape machine can be made. (Consult  
the manual of your three-head analogue cassette deck for full details.)  
Care should be taken to ensure no stray strands of wire are shorting  
speaker outputs together. Please ensure that the loudspeaker terminals  
have been tightened adequately to provide a good electrical connection.  
It is possible for the sound quality to be affected if the screw terminals are  
loose.  
8
Record Out 1/2  
The use of A and B speakers affords you an easy and inexpensive way to  
create a simple multi-room system.  
These two identical output sockets can be connected to a tape deck or  
to the analogue Record In sockets on a MiniDisc or CD recorder.  
Note: When using two pairs of speakers, use speakers with a nominal  
impedance of 8ohms.  
9
Aux, DVD, Tuner/DAB, CD, MP3  
These inputs are suitable for any 'line level' source equipment such as  
DVD players, DAB or FM/AM tuners, CD players, MP3 players, etc.  
4
IR (Infrared) Emitter In  
Allows modulated IR commands from multi-room systems or IR repeater  
systems to be received by the amplifier. Commands received here are not  
looped out of the Control Bus. Refer to the ‘Custom Installation’ section  
for more information.  
Note: These inputs are for analogue audio signals only. They should not  
be connected to the digital output of a CD player or any other digital  
device.  
Connecting a turntable  
If it is desired to connect a turntable without a built-in phono stage, an  
external phono stage such as our 540P or 640P models should be used.  
Contact your Cambridge Audio dealer for more details.  
5
Control Bus  
In Allows un-modulated commands from multi-room systems or other  
components to be received by the unit.  
Out Loop out for control bus commands to another unit.  
Note: A very few turntables have built-in phono stages, in which case it is  
not necessary to use a separate phono stage amplifier. If you’re unsure,  
please consult your turntable user manual.  
6
Pre-Out  
Connect these sockets to the inputs on an external power amplifier(s),  
such as Cambridge Audio’s 840W model, or an active subwoofer, etc.  
5
 
Connections  
When designing our amplifiers we include features that allow you to  
connect your system in various ways. The inclusion of features such as  
Pre-Out and Speaker B connections mean that you can flexibly configure  
your system depending on your requirements.  
Basic connection  
The diagram below shows the basic connection of your amplifier to a  
CD player and a pair of loudspeakers.  
Right  
speaker  
Left  
speaker  
Black  
Red  
Black  
Red  
Red Black Black Red  
Amplifier  
CD player  
Tape connection  
The diagram below shows how to connect the amplifier to a tape recorder  
or other source with a record and monitor connection. Please note that  
either of the tape loop outputs can be used (as they are both the same  
signal in parallel).  
Right  
speaker  
Left  
speaker  
Amplifier  
Tape/MD player  
6
 
azur 550A/650A  
Speaker B connections  
The Speaker B connections on the back of the amplifier allow for a second  
set of speakers to be used (i.e. speakers located in another room).  
The Speaker A/B button on the remote control allows the two sets of  
speakers to be toggled on and off. Refer to the Remote Control section of  
this manual for more information on the Speaker A/B operation.  
Set either A or B, or both A and B may be selected for use.  
Note: When using two pairs of speakers, use speakers with a nominal  
impedance of 8 ohms each.  
Speaker A  
Main Room  
Amplifier  
Speaker B  
Room Two  
Pre-Out connections  
The Pre-Out sockets are for connecting to the input sockets of a power  
amplifier, such as Cambridge Audio’s 840W model, or active subwoofer.  
The diagram below shows how to connect the amplifier to an active  
subwoofer via the Line In inputs on the subwoofer.  
Right  
speaker  
Left  
speaker  
Amplifier  
Subwoofer  
7
 
Front panel controls  
4
5
1
2
3
6
7
8
9
10  
11  
12  
1
8
Standby/On  
Volume  
Switches the unit between Standby mode (indicated by dim power LED)  
and On (indicated by bright power LED). Standby is an eco power mode  
where the power consumption is less than one watt. The unit is designed  
so that it can be left safely in Standby mode when not in use.  
Use to increase or decrease the level of the sound from the outputs of the  
amplifier. This control affects the level of the loudspeaker output, the pre-  
amp output and the headphone output. It does not affect the Tape Out  
connections. It is advisable to turn the Volume control fully anti-clockwise  
before switching the amplifier on.  
2
Phones  
9
Balance  
Allows for the connection of headphones with a ¼" jack plug connector.  
Headphones with an impedance of between 32 and 600ohms are  
recommended. When the headphones are connected, the loudspeaker  
relay is released switching off the output to the loudspeakers (speakers  
A and B).  
This control allows you to adjust the relative output levels of the left and  
right channels. In the central position the output from each channel is  
equal. This control only modifies the sound through your loudspeakers  
and the Pre-Out sockets – it does not affect the signals sent through the  
Tape Out connections.  
3
Infrared sensor  
10  
MP3 Input  
Receives IR commands from the supplied Azur remote control. A clear,  
unobstructed line of sight between the remote control and the sensor is  
required.  
This source input allows you to connect a portable audio device such as  
an MP3 player, plugged into either the rear panel Phono/RCA input  
pair (labelled ‘MP3’) or the front panel 3.5mm stereo-jack input (labelled  
‘MP3 In’).  
4
Protection  
Press the MP3 button on the front panel to select the input, or insert a  
device into the front panel socket which automatically selects the input  
and overrides the rear Phono/RCA sockets.  
LED flashes to indicate activation of CAP5 protection system. Refer to the  
CAP5 section of this manual for more information.  
5
Note: Whilst plugging a device into the front panel automatically selects  
the MP3 input, any other input can still be selected once this has been  
done. As a result you may, if desired, leave a device permanently plugged  
into the front panel.  
Speaker LEDs  
Indicator shows the speaker terminals that are selected. The speaker  
terminals selected are changed with the remote control.  
6
Direct  
11  
CD, Tuner/DAB, DVD, Aux  
This control gives the audio signal a more direct path to the power  
amplifier stage of your amplifier, bypassing the bass and treble control  
circuits for the purest possible sound quality.  
Push the appropriate input selection button to select the source  
component that you wish to listen to. The signal selected is also fed to the  
Tape Out sockets so that it may be recorded. The input should not be  
changed whilst recording (but the recorded signal can be checked using  
the tape input Tape Monitor).  
7
Bass and Treble  
These controls allow subtle adjustments to the tonal balance of the  
sound. In the central position these controls have no effect. They only  
modify the sound through your loudspeakers and the Pre-Out sockets,  
and do not affect the signals sent through the Tape Out connections.  
With a well-produced CD and a good system, the tone controls are  
unnecessary and can be switched out by the ‘Direct’ switch. If the musical  
recording is of poor quality or other factors are affecting the sound quality,  
it may be necessary to adjust the tone controls to compensate.  
12  
Tape Monitor  
This control lets you listen to the output signal from a tape recorder or  
signal processor connected to the amplifier's Tape In/Rec Out sockets.  
When Tape Monitor is selected, the source component chosen by the  
input selection buttons continues to be routed to the Rec Out sockets for  
recording or processing.  
8
 
azur 550A/650A  
Remote control  
Apple device compatibility  
The 550A and 650A are supplied with an Azur Navigator remote control  
that operates both this amplifier and Cambridge Audio Azur range CD  
players. Insert the supplied AAA batteries to activate. The functions  
relevant to the amplifier are as follows:  
The Azur 550AC/650AC Navigator remote control can control the basic  
functions of Apple devices such as Apple TV and Apple’s  
iPod/iPhone/iPad range when docked in a Cambridge Audio or Apple  
dock.  
Press and hold the source button that corresponds to the input that the  
Apple product is connected to whilst also pressing one of the buttons  
below.  
Standby/On  
Switches the amplifier between On  
and Standby mode.  
The functions are slightly different depending on the Apple product.  
Select  
Source  
Play/pause  
Stop or Menu  
Cycles through the amplifier’s source  
inputs.  
Press briefly to skip or navigate left or right. Press and hold to  
scan forwards or backwards.  
Mute  
Mutes the audio on the amplifier. The  
mute mode is indicated by the  
source LED flashing. Press again to  
cancel mute.  
Used to control volume and/or navigate menus.  
Used to navigate menus.  
Note: The speaker outputs, Pre-out  
and headphone outputs will all  
be muted. The Record outputs are  
unaffected.  
In addition, the Azur remote can be paired with up to six specific Apple  
devices using any of the six source buttons. This can be useful if you have  
more than one Apple product.  
Speaker A/B  
For more information on pairing refer to your Apple device’s instruction  
manual.  
Toggles the speaker terminals on the  
rear panel to output speaker A only,  
speaker B only, both speakers A and  
B or no speaker output at all. The  
speaker indicators on the front panel  
of the amplifier show which speaker  
terminals are selected.  
Pairing – To pair with an Apple device, press and hold the required source  
button along with the button for six seconds. Some devices like Apple  
TV have visual indication once pairing is achieved.  
Un-pairing – To un-pair an Apple device, press and hold any of the source  
buttons along with the button for six seconds.  
Note: The ‘no speaker output’ option  
allows the 550A/650A to be used as  
a preamplifier only.  
Custom installation (C.I.) use  
Volume controls  
Increases or decreases the volume  
of the amplifier output.  
The 550A and 650A feature a Control Bus input/output that allow un-  
modulated remote control commands (positive logic, TTL level) to be  
received electrically by the unit and looped to another unit if desired.  
These control commands are typically generated by custom installation  
(multi-room) systems or remote IR receiver systems. The Control Bus  
sockets are colour-coded orange.  
,
,
,
,
,
The six source select buttons are  
used to directly select the input  
source to the amplifier.  
An IR Emitter Input is also provided that allows modulated IR remote  
control commands to be received electrically by the unit. Commands on  
this input operate the unit only and are not looped out demodulated on  
the Control Bus Output.  
The remaining buttons are reserved  
for use with Cambridge Audio Azur  
CD players.  
In addition the units feature 'direct' IR/Control codes as well as toggle  
codes for some of their features to simplify programming custom  
installation systems. Special direct On/Off and Mute commands can be  
accessed on the supplied remote control for teaching into C.I. systems  
as follows:  
1. Press and hold the Standby button. The remote first generates its  
standby (toggle) command. Keep holding the button down and after  
12 seconds an amplifier “On” command will be generated. If the  
button is held down for a further 12 seconds, an amplifier “Off”  
command is generated.  
2. Press and hold the Mute button. The remote first generates its  
mute (toggle) command. Keep holding the button down and after  
12 seconds a “Mute On” command will be generated. If the button is  
held down for a further 12 seconds, a “Mute Off” command is  
generated.  
A full code table for this product is available on the Cambridge Audio  
9
 
CAP5: Five-way protection system  
Cambridge Audio has developed a proprietary protection system to  
ensure reliability and long life of its amplifiers. This protection system  
comprises five main protection methods:  
4. Short-circuit detection  
Indicator – As the unit attempts to come out of Standby mode, the  
protection LED flashes in bursts of four.  
Description – During power up from Standby, CAP5 performs a check on  
the loudspeaker terminals to see if a short across the terminals has  
been accidentally introduced. If the resistance measured across the  
loudspeaker terminals is too low, the unit will remain in Standby mode  
until the fault has been removed and power up is re-attempted.  
1. DC detection  
Indicator – Unit has switched off during operation, protection LED  
constantly flashes in single bursts.  
Description – CAP5 offers loudspeaker protection if the output of the  
amplifier goes to a high constant voltage (DC). This is a rare fault, although  
detecting it could just save those expensive loudspeakers.  
Remedy – User-related fault. There may be a short-circuit between the  
loudspeaker terminals. Check all loudspeaker connections before  
attempting to switch the unit out of Standby.  
Remedy – Due to the necessary sensitivity of the DC protection circuit,  
hard clipping of the amplifier may cause DC protection to be triggered.  
If this fault occurs please switch the unit off, power up again and check  
operation with a reduced volume level. If the DC fault occurs again please  
contact your dealer for service.  
5. Intelligent clipping detection  
Indicator – Volume is nudged down automatically.  
Description – CAP5 has the ability to detect when the amplifier starts to  
clip or overdrive at its output, which can damage loudspeakers and  
degrade the sound. Clipping distortion is caused at high volume levels  
when the output signal briefly goes outside the maximum voltage that  
the amplifier can provide, causing the tops of the signal to flatten off.  
When CAP5 detects clipping, the volume will be automatically nudged  
down until CAP5 detects an undistorted output.  
2. Over temperature detection  
Indicator – Unit has switched off during operation, protection LED  
constantly flashes in bursts of two.  
Description – CAP5 includes temperature detection which constantly  
monitors the heat generated by the output transistors. If the monitored  
temperature reaches a high level (suitably within the limits of the output  
devices) the amplifier will automatically switch into a fault mode. If the  
loudspeaker impedance is low, the temperature of the amplifier may rise  
faster as the amplifier is working harder. If the amplifier is mounted in a  
cabinet or the ventilation slots are obstructed, the over-temperature  
detection may activate/reactivate after a short listening time.  
The clipping detection is disabled by default. However, to enable the  
clipping detection, hold down the Standby/On button during power up  
(whilst switching on the unit at the rear panel power switch). The unit will  
indicate this by flashing the protection LED for several seconds.  
Remedy – The unit is not damaged, although it should be left for 15  
minutes to cool down before being switched out of Standby.  
3. Overvoltage/overcurrent detection  
Indicator – Unit has switched off during operation, protection LED  
constantly flashes in bursts of three.  
Description – CAP5 offers V/I protection by constantly monitoring the  
output transistors to keep them working inside their Safe Operating  
Area (SOA). The SOA is a set of limits given by the output transistor  
manufacturer to ensure reliability. V/I also protects the amplifier against  
short-circuits on the speaker terminals during use.  
Remedy – The amplifier is being used outside its performance envelope.  
Reduce the volume. Also check to see if there is a short- or partial short-  
circuit between the loudspeaker terminals.  
Note: If the indication remains the same and multiple loudspeakers are  
being used on each loudspeaker output, then please remove a pair and  
retry. If too many loudspeakers are connected to any amplifier, causing  
the load resistance to drop too low, the amplifier will be overdriven. CAP5  
will detect this situation. If the indication remains the same with only one  
set of loudspeakers connected, there may be a fault with one or both of  
the loudspeakers.  
10  
 
azur 550A/650A  
Technical specifications  
Troubleshooting  
550A  
Power output  
There is no power  
Ensure the AC power cord is connected securely.  
60 watts (into 8Ω)  
THD (unweighted)  
<0.002% @ 1kHz, 80% of rated power  
<0.05% 20Hz - 20kHz, 80% of rated  
power  
Ensure the plug is fully inserted into the wall socket and is switched on.  
Check the unit is switched on at the rear panel.  
<0.02% 20Hz - 20kHz @ 10W  
Check fuse in the mains plug or adaptor.  
Frequency response (-1dB)  
S/N ratio (ref 1W)  
5Hz - 50kHz  
>92dB (unweighted)  
47kohms  
There is no sound  
Make sure the unit is not in Standby mode.  
Input impedances  
Check that the source component is properly connected.  
Check that 'Tape Mon' is not switched on (unless tape input is required).  
Check that your speakers are properly connected.  
Power Amp damping factor  
Max. power consumption  
Standby power consumption  
Bass/Treble controls  
>100  
500W  
<1W @ rated mains  
Check that the correct speaker outputs are switched on (‘Speaker A/B’  
button on the remote control).  
Shelving, ultimate boost/cut  
+/- 7.5dB @ 20Hz and 20kHz  
If source LED is flashing, turn ‘Mute’ off.  
Dimensions  
Weight  
120 x 430 x 350mm  
(4.7 x 16.9 x 13.8”)  
There is no sound on one channel  
Ensure that balance control is in the correct position.  
8.0kg (17.6lbs)  
Check speaker connections.  
Check interconnects.  
650A  
Power output  
75 watts (into 8Ω)  
There is a loud buzz or hum  
Check turntable or tone arm for ground and connection lead fault.  
THD (unweighted)  
<0.002% @ 1kHz, 80% of rated power  
<0.03% 20Hz - 20kHz, 80% of rated  
power  
Ensure no interconnects are loose or defective.  
<0.02% 20Hz - 20kHz @ 10W  
Ensure that your tape deck or turntable is not too close to the amplifier.  
Frequency response (-1dB)  
S/N ratio (ref 1W)  
5Hz - 50kHz  
>92dB (unweighted)  
47kohms  
Unable to make or play tape recordings  
Check that ‘Tape Mon’ and ‘Tape Out’ have been connected correctly.  
Input impedances  
Power Amp damping factor  
Max. power consumption  
Standby power consumption  
Bass/Treble controls  
>100  
There is weak bass or diffused stereo imaging  
600W  
Ensure that speakers are not wired out of phase.  
<1W @ rated mains  
The sound is distorted  
Check that the volume or tone controls are not set too high.  
Shelving, ultimate boost/cut  
+/- 7.5dB @ 20Hz and 20kHz  
Dimensions  
Weight  
120 x 430 x 350mm  
(4.7 x 16.9 x 13.8”)  
Protection LED flashing  
See section on CAP5 protection system.  
8.4kg (18.5lbs)  
The remote handset will not function  
Check that the batteries have not expired.  
Ensure that nothing is blocking the remote sensor.  
In the event that the above solutions do not remedy your problem, please  
consult our frequently asked questions (FAQ) section on our website:  
For all servicing, in or out of warranty, please contact your dealer.  
11  
 
Cambridge Audio is a brand of Audio Partnership Plc  
Registered Office: Gallery Court, Hankey Place  
London SE1 4BB, United Kingdom  
Registered in England No. 2953313  
© 2010 Cambridge Audio Ltd  
 

Black Box Server 27070 User Manual
Black Box Tool Storage 12U User Manual
Bose Portable Speaker SE 5 User Manual
Bradford White Corp Water Heater 238 47878 00B 04 10 User Manual
Brother Fax Machine MFC4550 PLUS User Manual
Bush Hog Lawn Mower RDTH84 User Manual
Canon Digital Camera 200 IS User Manual
Casablanca Fan Company Outdoor Ceiling Fan 84GxxD User Manual
Chicago Electric Cordless Saw 94488 User Manual
Cisco Systems Computer Hardware 5580 User Manual