Arcam A38 - Loudspeaker Connections; Connecting Loudspeakers to A38;P38; Single Wiring; Bi-wiring

E-8
loudspeakers
Notes on making speaker
connections
< Do not make any connections to any amplier
while it is switched on. We recommend that
your amplier is completely disconnected
from the mains supply before starting.
< Before switching your amplier(s) on for the
rst time aer connecting to speakers, please
check all connections thoroughly. Ensure
that bare wires or cables are not touching
each other or the amplier’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 amplier and the speaker.
< Aer making connections: switch the
amplier(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.
Single wiring
Single wiring is the conventional wiring method of
running a single cable per channel between the amplier
and the speaker; this is the easiest technique.
Bi-wiring
Bi-wiring is running two separate cables between the
amplier and each speaker, with one cable carrying
the low-frequency information, the other the higher-
frequency signals.
Bi-wiring can improve the sound of your system because
the separation of high- and low-frequency signal
currents into dierent speaker cables avoids distortions
caused by the dierent currents interacting with one-
another within a single cable, as occurs in single-wired
systems.
e A38 and P38 are designed to allow easy bi-wiring,
but 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 or ‘High Frequency’, the other pair labelled
LF or ‘Low Frequency’.
Bi-amping
Bi-amping is the separation of the amplication of low-
and high-frequency signals over two ampliers.
Bi-amping requires the use of two ampliers per
channel. Normally, your A38 is used to drive the high-
frequency (treble) speakers, with the P38 used for the
lower (bass) frequencies.
Connecting loudspeakers to the A38/P38