Chord Electronics
Étude | Manual
_
Although the amplifier is
conservatively rated at 150W into
4Ω, Étude can be operated in
bridged mono mode, increasing
power to 300W into 4Ω. The
bridged mono configuration
allows two separate Étude
power amplifiers to be used in a
system, each feeding a separate
loudspeaker. In this manner, each
power amplifier only carries the
signal for the left or right channel
of audio. This ensures that cross-
talk distortion or interference
that may normally occur between
the left and right channels is
completely eliminated.
SET-UP: To initiate bridged
operation with two Étude power
amplifiers take two balanced
(or RCA) outputs from the
pre-amplifier or device on
one channel only i.e. output 1
left channel and output 2 left
channel and plug these into
the balanced inputs on the first
Étude. Plug one loudspeaker
across the red speaker terminals
only (one red post is on the left
output and one red post is on
the right output). This will now
be bridged. Repeat the process
with the second Étude for the
right channel, making sure all
the connections are identical
as for the left channel. Connect
the output 1 right channel and
5.1 Bridged operation & set-up
Bridged operation & set-up 5.1
24 // 26
output 2 right channel of the pre-
amplifier to the balanced inputs
of the second Étude. As before,
connect the second loudspeaker
across the red speaker terminals
only.
BRIDGED OPERATION AND
PHASE SWITCHING: Étude’s
phase toggle switch is capable
of changing the absolute phase;
positive (in phase) is ‘up’,
negative (out of phase) is ‘down’.
To correctly use the amplifier(s)
in bridged mode, each input
must have the opposite phase:
one switch must be in the ‘up’
position, whilst the other one
must be down. It doesn’t matter
which switch is up or down,
just that they are opposite. It’s
important to ensure that the
second amplifier in the bridged
system, has exactly the same
phase switch settings.
NOTE 1: if you are
using a pre-amplifier
or device with only
one balanced output you’ll
need to use two balanced
‘Y’ leads to connect, feeding
both channels of one Étude
amplifier with the same
signal i.e. either right or left.
You only use the two red
terminals when bridged.
So right red (+) remains as
is and left red (+) becomes
Right return (-) or black in
the case of most speaker
cables.
CAUTION: with the
increased power
output available from
bridged mode, please take
extra precaution when
connecting the Études to
equipment within the signal
path, ensuring all devices
are switched o and that the
volume setting is operated
to its lowest setting, before
slowly being raised to a
comfortable listening level.
To Next Page
