Harman kardon a 12 owners manual

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kardon

OPERATION AND SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS

IMPORTANT

It is essential you read this instruction book care-
fully before setting up your Harman-Kardon system.
You have invested in a fine instrument into which
many excellent engineering developments have been
incorporated. Each is important for the proper opera-
tion of your system. This book has been written in
simple nontechnical language and if you will take the
time to read it first before doing anything else you will
find it simple to obtain optimum performance from your
Prelude II.

We especially call your attention to the paragraph
describing the proper adjustment of the Hum Bucking
Control. This control should be adjusted prior to
permanent installation of the instrument.

UNPACKING

After unpacking the Prelude II, inspect it care-
fully for signs of damage in transit. Your unit was
subjected to many inspections and tests prior to final

packing. If damage is visible, notify your dealer im-
mediately. If the unit was shipped to you, notify the
transportation company at once.

Check contents of the carton carefully, Be sure
to inspect the folds of the packing material before dis-
carding it. Your package should contain:

1 Prelude II, Model A-12 amplifier.

1 Instruction Booklet.

1 Warranty Card.

1 Mounting Template and Cabinet Installation In-

structions.

It is strongly urged that the warranty card be com-
pleted and mailed without delay, to protect your rights
under warranty. If you should require repair service
or information on the use of this high fidelity instru-
ment, we will be able to identify your unit immediately
and respond quickly. Note: To expedite service, when
necessary, please contact Harman-Kardon first. We
will suggest a warranty station in your area and give
you the proper procedure and authorization for shipping.

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INSTALLATION

Your amplifier may be installed on an open shelf,
table, bookcase or high fidelity equipment cabinet. For
cabinet mounting, refer to the template supplied with
this book.

Ventilation: .

All electrical equipment generates heat which must
be allowed to escape. Although the Prelude II is well
ventilated in itself, sufficient space should be allowed
around it to permit free air flow. If it is placed in a
bookcase, it should be located well toward the from,
to provide as much clearance as possible at the rear.
DO NOT place books or other objects on top of the
Prelude II. Covering the perforated metal cage will
prevent proper air flow and will result in sharply re-
duced component and tube life. For custom installation
into a cabinet the cage must be removed to assure maxi-
mum ventilation.

POWER REQUIREMENTS

Plug the AC power cord into any outlet furnish-
ing 117 volts, 50 or 60 cycles house current. The exact
voltage is relatively unimportant and may vary between
105 and 125 volts. Be sure, however, that you have a
50 or 60 cycle AC power source. The Prelude II has
a convenience outlet on the rear of the chassis. The
proper use of this outlet is described in the section under
Electrical Connections.

ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS

Phonograph Connections:

Any type of record player will operate with the
Prelude II. To derive maximum enjoyment it is sug-
gested that a high quality pickup and a rumble-free
turntable be used. Two classes of phonograph pickups
are in use today: Magnetic (GE, Audak, ESL, Fairchild,
Pickering and Recoton) and Crystal (including the
newly developed ceramics).

All magnetic cartridges should be connected to
the jack on the rear of the chassis marked PHONO.
Connect crystal or ceramic cartridges to the jack marked
AUX also located on the rear of the chassis.

A word of advice: The purchase of a diamond
needle is a~ worthwhile investment. It has extremely
long life and will not only protect your records, but
will insure maximum tone quality.

It is sometimes advisable to ground the phono-
graph chassis to the amplifier in order to reduce hum
and other unwanted noise. Attach a wire to the metal
framework of the changer and connect the other end
to the "G terminal of the Speaker Terminal Strip.

The power cord of the record changer or turntable
may be plugged into the AC convenience outlet located
on the rear of the chassis.

Tuner Input:

A coaxial connector marked Tuner" will be found
on the rear of the Prelude II. A shielded cable may be
connected between this receptacle and the output re-
ceptacle of any tuner rated for at least 1/2 volt output.

2

The tuner output impedance will determine the
maximum practical length of this cable. It is sug-
gested that not more than 3 or 4 feet be used if the
tuner has a high impedance output. A longer lead (up
to 50 feet) can be used without hum pickup or high
frequency attenuation if the tuner uses a cathode fol
lower output. This position is controlled by the Func-
tion Selector Switch located on the front panel.

Auxiliary Inputs:

The Prelude II incorporates an AUX" input lo-
cated at the rear of the unit. Plug all high level equip-
ment into this jack. (Tape recorder or TV tuner.) If
you are using a ceramic or crystal phono cartridge
make certain to connect your phonograph to the AUX"
jack. The AUX" position is controlled by the Func~
tion Selector Switch on the front panel.

Tape Input:

This jack is located on the tear of the chassis. Pro-
gram material from a tape recorder or tape deck may be
connected to the amplifier in two different ways. If
the tape player has a preamplifier or amplifier stage,
it should be connected to the AUX" jack. If the tape
player has no preamplifier the tape head may be con-
nected directly to the Tape jack. Setting the Func-
tion Selector Switch at the position marked "TAPE
HEAD will then activate the TAPE jack and pro-
vide the proper equalization.

Tape Output:

A jack marked TAPE OUT is located on the
rear of the Prelude II chassis. This will provide pro-
gram material to a tape recorder or other auxiliary
equipment. In other words, any program material ap-
pearing at the speaker terminals also appears at the
TAPE OUT jack, but unmodified by the volume
or tone controls. This makes it possible to record a
program with the proper recording equalization as de-
termined by your tape recorder, while simultaneously
monitoring the program with the proper tone control,
contour and loudness setting.

Convenience Outlets:

The Prelude II incorporates an AC convenience
outlet located at the rear of the unit. Auxiliary high
fidelity equipment (tape recorder, television tuner or
phonograph) may be connected to this outlet and will
then be controlled by the on/oft switch on the Prelude
II. Never load this AC convenience outlet with more
than a total of 2 amps.

Speaker Connections:

A unique method of connecting one or two loud-
speakers is incorporated in the Prelude II in order that
you may derive maximum enjoyment from this super»
lative instrument with any of today's fine speaker
systems.

Connecting one loudspeaker:

Connect one of the two speaker leads to terminal
G" and the other lead to "A" on the three screw ter-
minal strip at the rear of the chassis marked SPEAKER