6
A Few Precautions
WARNING: To avoid potential damage to
your system, turn off ALL the components in
the system when connecting or disconnect-
ing the loudspeakers or any associated com-
ponents. Do not turn the system components
back on until you are sure all the connec-
tions are correct and secure. Pay particular
attention to the speaker wires. There must
be no loose strands that could contact the
other speaker wires, or the chassis of the
amplifier.
Please read this manual carefully. It provides
information on how to incorporate the RA-04
into your system as well as information that
will help you get optimum sound performance.
Please contact your authorized Rotel dealer
for answers to any questions you might have.
In addition, all of us at Rotel welcome your
questions and comments.
Save the RA-04 shipping carton and all en-
closed packing material for future use. Shipping
or moving the RA-04 in anything other than
the original packing material may result in
severe damage to your amplifier.
Fill out and send in the owner’s registration
card packed with the RA-04. Also be sure
to keep the original sales receipt. It is your
best record of the date of purchase, which
you will need in the event warranty service is
ever required.
Placement
Like all audio components that handle low-
level signals, the RA-04 can be affected by
its environment. Avoid placing the RA-04 on
top of other components. Also avoid routing
audio signal cables near power cords. This
will minimize the chance it will pick up hum
or interference.
The RA-04 generates heat as part of its normal
operation. The heat sinks and ventilation open-
ings in the amplifier are designed to dissipate
this heat. The ventilation slots in the top cover
must be open. There should be 10 cm (4 inches)
of clearance around the chassis, and reason-
able airflow through the installation location,
to prevent the amplifier from overheating.
Remember the weight of the amplifier when
you select an installation location. Make sure
that the shelf or cabinet can support it. We
recommend installing the RA-04 in furniture
designed to house audio components. Such
furniture is designed to reduce or suppress
vibration which can adversely affect sound
quality. Ask your authorized Rotel dealer for
advice about component furniture and proper
installation of audio components.
Cables
Be sure to keep the power cords, digital signal
cables and regular audio signal cables in
your installation away from each other. This
will minimize the chance of the regular audio
signal cables picking up noise or interference
from the power cords or digital cables. Using
only high quality, shielded cables will also help
to prevent noise or interference from degrad-
ing the sound quality of your system. If you
have any questions see your authorized Rotel
dealer for advice about the best cable to use
with your system.
AC Power and Control
AC Power Input
O
The RA-04 does not draw high levels of current
from the power outlet. However, whenever pos-
sible, it should be plugged directly into a 2-pin
polarized wall outlet. Do not use an extension
cord. A heavy duty multi-tap power outlet strip
may be used if it (and the wall outlet) can handle
the current demanded by the RA-04 and all
the other components connected to it.
Your RA-04 is configured at the factory for the
proper AC line voltage in the country where
you purchased it (either 120 volts AC or 230
volts AC with a line frequency of either 50 Hz
or 60 Hz). The AC line configuration is noted
on a decal on the back panel.
NOTE: Should you move your RA-04
amplifier to another country, it is possible
to reconfigure it for use on a different line
voltage. Do not attempt to perform this
conversion yourself. Opening the enclosure
of the RA-04 exposes you to dangerous
voltages. Consult a qualified service person
or the Rotel factory service department for
information.
If you are going to be away from home for an
extended period of time such as a month-long
vacation, it is a sensible precaution to unplug
your amplifier (as well as other audio and video
components) while you are away.
Power Switch
and Power Indicator
Press the front panel Power Switch button, to
turn the RA-04 on. The Power Indicator light is
illuminated when the RA-04 is on. Press Power
Switch button again to turn the RA-04 off.
Input Signal Connections
[See Figure 2.]
NOTE: To prevent loud noises that neither
you nor your speakers will appreciate, make
sure the system is turned off when you make
any signal connections.
Phono Input
E
and
Ground Connection
W
Plug the cable from the turntable into the ap-
propriate left and right phono inputs. If the
turntable has a “ground” wire connect it to the
screw terminal to the left of the Phono inputs.
It will help prevent hum and noise.
Line Level Inputs
R
The CD, Tuner, and Aux inputs of the RA-04
are “line level” inputs. These are for connect-
ing components such as CD players, Hi Fi or
NICAM Stereo video cassette recorders, tuners,
Laser Disc players or the analog output from
a CD ROM drive.
The Left and Right channels are labeled and
should be connected to the corresponding
channels of the source component. The Left
connectors are white, the Right connectors
are red. Use high quality RCA cables for
connecting input source components to the
RA-04. Ask your authorized Rotel dealer for
advice about cables.
RA-04 Stereo Integrated Amplifier