AM-77 Reference Class Dual-Mono Pre-Main Amplifier Owner’s Manual
FCC Declaration of Conformity - United States only This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. FCC WARNING: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
This products complies with the EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) and the Low Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC) issued by the Commission of the European Community.
WARNINGS The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying this component. ! This component weighs over 40 kilograms. Do not place this component on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table as the component may fall causing serious injury to a child or adult and serious damage to the unit. An appliance and cart combination should be moved with care.
Care should be taken so that objects do not fall, and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through any openings. This component should be serviced only by qualified AMR service personnel when: A. The power cable or the power input socket has been damaged; B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the component; C. The component has been exposed to rain or liquids of any kind; D. The component does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; E.
Precautions This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits set out in the EMC Directive using a connection cable shorter than 3 metres. On power sources The mains power cable should be routed so that it is not likely to be walked on or pinched, especially near the plug or back panel receptacle. The component should not be disconnected from the AC power source as long as it is connected to the wall outlet, even if the component itself has been turned off.
horizontal position only. Do not place heavy objects on the component. Keep the component away from equipment with strong magnets, such as microwave ovens or large loudspeakers. To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not place vessels filled with liquids, such as vases, on the component. Touch-Sensitive Buttons On the front fascia of this AMR component are touch-sensitive buttons.
Contents WARNINGS 5 Section 1 - Unpacking and Setup 11 12 1a. Unpacking 1b. Setup Section 2 - Component Overview 15 2a. Start-Up Section 3 - Advanced Features 3a. 3b. 3c. 3d.
Section 4 - System Configurations 4a. OptiOperation® Different System Configurations 4b. Switching and Connection Diagrams for Different Modes Section 5 - Additional Connectivity 33 33 41 5a. Input for iPod/other portable music players 5b. ‘HiFi/Pro’ Switches for Balanced XLR inputs 5c.
Section 1 - Unpacking and Setup Figure 1.1 - Front Panel of the AM-77 DUAL - MONO AMPLIFIER AM - 77 Figure 1.2 - Rear Panel of the AM-77 Speaker Output Balanced Input _ + Speaker Output Power On HiFi Off Pro Dual - Mono Amplifier AM - 77 In _ + Out Designed and Engineered in Great Britain R 1 Mode 2 3 4 5 Sync L L M L R M M IR Link R Power Amp Int Amp Under normal operation , set all switches to the default ( bold ) position .
Thank you for purchasing this AMR reference class component. We hope you derive as much pleasure from using this component as we have enjoyed making it for you. 1a. Unpacking This section refers to the unpacking of the AM-77 and its subsequent setup. Upon unpacking, please find: Please that check all contents are present i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii. ix. x. AM-77 Reference Class Dual-Mono Pre-Main Amplifier. RC-77 Remote Commander (with 2 x AAA batteries). PC-77 OptiLink® Reference mains power cable.
1b. Setup Pre-Main Stereo Amplifier Connection Default pre-main mode: the AM-77 as an integrated amplifier The following diagrams illustrate the standard connection of the AM-77 in pre-main stereo amplifier mode. This is the default factory setting and is suitable for the majority of audio systems. Figure 1.3 depicts the use of standard banana/spade speaker connectors while figure 1.4 illustrates the use of Speakon connectors. Speaker R Speaker L 100 100 Sensitivity: Impedance: Cont .
Figure 1.3 - System connection using banana plug/spade connector equipped speaker cables Speaker R 100 87dB 8Ohms 150W 600W ( see graph ) 100 Sensitivity: Impedance: Cont . Power Handing : Peak Prog . Handing: Frequency Response: 90 HF Level Adjustment Resistor 80 70 60 50 100 1000 87dB 8Ohms 150W 600W ( see graph ) 90 Output ( dB ) Sensitivity: Impedance: Cont . Power Handing : Peak Prog .
Section 2 - Component Overview Figure 2.1 - AM-77 Front Fascia The plastic protective film covering the display may be removed DUAL - MONO AMPLIFIER AM - 77 F1 F1. F2. F3. F4. F5. F2 F3 F4 F5 STANDBY switch: to place the AM-77 in active or standby mode. SOURCE selection buttons: to select between the 5 different inputs. VOLUME buttons: to adjust the volume level. iPod 3.5 Input Connector: for the connection of an iPod or similar portable music device.
Figure 2.2 - AM-77 Rear Panel Warning: ensure no speaker connector is in contact with the chassis Speaker Output Balanced Input _ + Speaker Output Power On HiFi _ Off Pro Dual - Mono Amplifier AM - 77 In + Out Designed and Engineered in Great Britain R 1 Mode 2 3 4 5 Sync L L M L R M M IR Link R Power Amp Int Amp Under normal operation , set all switches to the default ( bold ) position . Please refer to the instruction manual for further details . R1 R3 R2 R1. R2. R3. R4.
R7. INPUTS 2-5: RCA inputs, for signal input of source equipment. R8. SYNC connectors: for connection of more than one AM-77*. R9. RS232 option connector: to facilitate future upgrades*. R10. Infra-Red Link: for connection of a wireline remote control. R11. IEC power connector: for the connection of a PC-77 mains power cable to the AM-77. R12. POWER Switch: to switch on mains electricity to the AM-77.
Figure 2.3 - RC-77 Remote Control CD P ro c e RC1 Amp li fi e ssor RC7 r RC2 RC6 RC5 kHz RC3 RC1. MENU button: to enter Advanced Features mode*. RC2. STANDBY button: to place the AM-77 in active or standby mode. RC3. SOURCE selection buttons: to select between the 5 different inputs. RC4. VOLUME buttons: to adjust the volume level. RC5. MUTE button: to Mute (temporarily turn off sound) the AM-77. RC6. BRIGHTNESS button: to adjust brightness levels*. RC7.
2a. Start-Up 1. Power On/Off Press the ‘POWER’ rocker switch (R12) at the rear of the AMP to switch on mains power to the AM-77. Once powered OFF: always wait 30 seconds before switching on again To switch the mains power OFF, press again and release. Always WAIT at least 30 seconds before switching ON again. This is to enable the OptiMains® circuit to shutdown properly. The display will light up to indicate the unit is switched on and ready for use.
Once the system check is complete and the OptiMains®circuitry has completed its initiation process, the AM77 is ready for operation. 2. Standby After start-up, pressing the STANDBY button (F1) on either the front fascia or the RC-77 (RC2), the AM-77 will switch to STANDBY mode. S t a n d b y 3. Source Selection From either the front fascia of the AM-77 (F2) or the RC-77 (RC3), select the desired source input for playback.
4. Volume Adjustment Beware: prolonged listening at high volume levels is likely to damage your hearing From either the front fascia of the AM-77 (F3) or the RC-77 (RC4), select the desired volume. While adjusting volume levels, there is an audible “click” from AM-77 and the speakers. This is the normal operation of the relays within the OptiLevel® direct path precision volume control. 5.
7. Synch Connectors At the rear of the AM-77 are Synchronisation ‘In’ and ‘Out’ connection points (R8). This is for the linking of multiple AM-77s for alternative system configurations. Please refer to Section 4 - System Configurations for a detailed explanation. 8. Mode switch At the rear of the AM-77 the ‘Mode’ switch (R5) allows for the AM-77 to alternate between Stereo/Monoblock/Bi-Amplifier modes. Please refer to Section 4 - System Configurations for a detailed explanation. 9.
12. Menu (RC-77 only) The MENU button (RC1) will enter the Advanced Menu system of the AM-77. Please refer to Section 3 Advanced Features for a detailed explanation. 13. OK (RC-77 only) The OK button on (RC7) the RC-77 is for the confirmation of a desired selection within the Advanced Menu system of the AM-77. Please refer to Section 3 - Advanced Features for a detailed explanation. 14.
Section 3 - Advanced Features The following section provides instructions to access the AM-77’s advanced features. 3a. Labeling of Inputs and Setting Level Offset With the AM-77, in one process, it is possible to label each of the 5 inputs with a corresponding source and to set the respective level offset. This function is recommended only after ALL desired sources have been connected to the AM-77. A list of available labels is shown overleaf in chronological order.
List of available inputs: All types of sources accomodated 1. Input X (default) 15. MP3 Player 2. Aux I 16. PC Audio 3. Aux II 17. Phono Stage 4. Aux III 18. Plasma TV 5. CD Processor 19. Pre-Amplifier 6. D/A Processor 20. SACD Player 7. DVD Player 21. Tape Deck 8. DVD Recorder 22. Television 9. HD Recorder 23. Tuner 10.HDTV 24. Turntable 11.Home Theatre 25. Uni Player 12.iPod 26. Video Player 13.LCD TV 27. Home Theatre Direct 14.
The following steps outline the procedure to label all the inputs and set the respective level offset. The AM-77’s default labelling of its inputs starts from ‘Input 1’ and runs through to ‘Input 5’: i. Press ‘MENU’ (RC1) on the RC-77. ii. The display will flash ‘Labelling Input 1’. iii. The 2nd line of the display will commence with the first from a list of input labels (please see the previous page for a list of input labels). iv. Scroll using the ‘+/- buttons’ of the Volume (RC4). iv.
3b. Setting Fixed Input Level When using the AM-77 as part of a home theatre system with an external processor controlling the overall system volume, it is possible to program one of the five input sources to have a fixed level of Input such as for a home theatre system of either 0.775V (0dbu) or 1.55V (+6dBu). This allows the 2-Channel music system to be seamlessly integrated into a high performance multi-channel home cinema system.
- Having entered the ‘Fixed Input’ menu, now select: HTD mode: always use an external pre-amp as this mode will switch the AM77 to full volume! Fixed Input 1.55V = +6dBu or Fixed Input 0.775V = 0dBu Warning! By selecting Home Theater Direct mode, the volume of the amplifier will be switched to full. Hence if it is used incorrectly, it will damage the connecting speakers. AMR assumes no responsibility for any speaker damage arising from the use of the AM-77.
3c. OptiMains® Protection for Excessive Under/Over-Voltages The AM-77 is fitted with the OptiMains® system to condition and adjust the incoming mains supply for best operation under all normal mains conditions (including situations that will cause audible problems without OptiMains®).
3d. OptiProtect® Speaker Overload Protection Within OptiProtect® the AM-77 has an in-built speaker protection circuit. Unlike common protection systems which are in series with the speaker output and where the music signal always passes through the protection circuit, the AMR speaker protection system acts as a crowbar circuit shorting across the output - hence it is separate from the audio circuitry and does not affect the sound quality unless it is engaged.
Section 4 - System Configurations 4a. OptiOperation® Different System Configurations It is assumed all prior sections have been read & understood with all requisite connections made Six different modes Supreme adaptability In keeping with AMR’s philosophy that ‘no one sound fits all’ the AM-77 is also adaptable to suit virtually any system configuration: able to operate at one end, as a pre-main stereo amplifier and at the other, as a singlechannel power amplifier.
In short, the AM-77’s flexibility is limited only to that of the imagination. For example, one may employ: - 3xAM-77s synchronised along with a high-quality digital crossover to drive a fully-active 3-way speaker system to the highest possible level of sound reproduction or; - 3xAM-77s synchronised for a multi-channel surround sound system or; - 2xAM-77s synchronised in monoblock or bi-amplification mode to drive suitably-equipped speakers. Figure 4.
The following pages provide an outline of the theoretical wiring system behind each of the six different configurations with a brief accompanying summary Figure 4.1 - Mode I: Pre-Main Stereo L R Pre Amp (L) Power Amp (L) Pre Amp (R) Power Amp (R) Left Speaker • Standard system with AM-77 as the only amplifier.
Figure 4.2 - Mode II: Pre-Main Monoblock L Pre Amp (L) Power Amp (L) Power Amp (R) • Need 2 or more AM-77s. • Drive low impedance speakers that only have one set of terminal connections. 1st AM-77 Left Speaker R Pre Amp (L) Power Amp (L) Power Amp (R) 2nd AM-77 Right Speaker 36 • ~600W/2Ohm RMS and ~300W/1Ohm RMS without current clipping. This is best suited to drive very low impedance speakers (Apogee Diva et al).
Figure 4.3 - Mode III: Pre-Main Bi-Amplifier L Pre Amp (L) Power Amp (L) Power Amp (R) 1st AM-77 R Pre Amp (L) • Need 2 or more AM-77s. • Drive speakers that have more than one set of terminal connections with improved performance and dynamic range. • Virtually all the power supply power is available to the low frequency channel with impproved channel separation.
Figure 4.4 - Mode IV: Power Stereo L R (L) (R) Power Amp (L) Left Speaker Power Amp (R) 1st AM-77 Right Speaker 38 • sec Same as Mode I, except the Pre-Amplifier tion has been bypassed. • A separate pre-amplifier is needed to control the volume.
Figure 4.5 - Mode V: Power Monoblock L (L) Power Amp (L) Power Amp (R) 1st AM-77 R (L) Left Speaker • Same as Mode II, except the Pre-Amplifier section has been bypassed. • A separate pre-amplifier is needed to control the volume.
Figure 4.6 - Mode VI: Power Bi-Amplifier L (L) Power Amp (L) Power Amp (R) 1st AM-77 R (L) Left Speaker Power Amp (L) Power Amp (R) 2nd AM-77 40 Right Speaker • Same as Mode III, except the Pre-Amplifier section has been bypassed. • A separate pre-amplifier is needed to control the volume.
4b. Switching and Connection Diagrams for Different Modes The following is a description of the switch settings and connections required to engage the various modes. Figure 4.7 - Mode I: Pre-Main Stereo amplifier (default) Speaker R The default factory setting Speaker L 100 100 Sensitivity: Impedance: Cont . Power Handing : Peak Prog .
Figure 4.8 - Mode II: Pre-Main Monoblock amplifiers Pro HiFi Speake r R Speaker L Mode L R M M M 100 100 Sensitivity: Impedance: Cont . Power Handing : Peak Prog . Handing: Frequency Response: 90 HF Level Adjustment Resistor 80 70 60 50 100 1000 87dB 8Ohms 150W 600W ( see graph ) 90 HF Level Adjustment Resistor Output ( dB ) 87dB 8Ohms 150W 600W ( see graph ) Output ( dB ) Sensitivity: Impedance: Cont . Power Handing : Peak Prog .
Note: This function requires at least 2 x AM-77 synchronised pre-main amplifiers. i. Power OFF via the ‘POWER’ (R12) mains switch at the rear of both AM-77s. ii. Connect the cable from the ‘Sync Out’ connector (R8) of the ‘master’ amplifier to the ‘Sync In’ connector (R8) of the ‘slave’ amplifier. The amplifier with the cable connected to ‘Sync In’ becomes ‘slaved’ to the other and will automatically follow the ‘master’ AM-77.
Figure 4.8 - Mode III: Pre-Main Bi-amplifier (horizontal bi-amping) Pro HiFi Speake r R Speaker L Mode L R M M M 100 100 Sensitivity: Impedance: Cont . Power Handing : Peak Prog . Handing: Frequency Response: 90 HF Level Adjustment Resistor 80 70 60 50 100 1000 87dB 8Ohms 150W 600W ( see graph ) 90 HF Level Adjustment Resistor Output ( dB ) 87dB 8Ohms 150W 600W ( see graph ) Output ( dB ) Sensitivity: Impedance: Cont . Power Handing : Peak Prog .
Note: This function requires at least 2 x AM-77 synchronised pre-main amplifiers. i. Power OFF via the ‘POWER’ (R12) mains switch at the rear of both AM-77s. ii. Connect the cable from the ‘Sync Out’ connector (R8) of the ‘master’ amplifier to the ‘Sync In’ connector (R8) of the ‘slave’ amplifier. The amplifier with the cable connected to ‘Sync In’ becomes ‘slaved’ to the other and will automatically follow the ‘master’ AM-77. iii.
Figure 4.9 - Mode IV: Power Stereo amplifier Speaker R Speaker L 100 100 Sensitivity: Impedance: Cont . Power Handing : Peak Prog . Handing: Frequency Response: 90 HF Level Adjustment Resistor 80 70 60 50 100 1000 87dB 8Ohms 150W 600W ( see graph ) 90 Output ( dB ) 87dB 8Ohms 150W 600W ( see graph ) Output ( dB ) Sensitivity: Impedance: Cont . Power Handing : Peak Prog .
i. Power OFF via the ‘POWER’ (R12) switch at the rear of the AM-77. ii. Connect the desired separate pre-amplifier to the AM-77 via the Balanced or RCA female connector of Input 1 (R6). iii. Using a small flat blade screwdriver, move the ‘MODE’ switch (R5) to the centre to select ‘L R’. iv. Using a small flat blade screwdriver, move the ‘INT/POWER AMP’ switch (R4) to the left to select ‘POWER AMP’. v. Power the AM-77 back on via the ‘POWER’ switch (R12).
Figure 4.9 - Mode V: Power Monoblock amplifier Pro HiFi Speake r R Speaker L Mode M L R M M 100 100 Sensitivity: Impedance: Cont . Power Handing : Peak Prog . Handing: Frequency Response: 90 HF Level Adjustment Resistor 80 70 60 50 100 1000 87dB 8Ohms 150W 600W ( see graph ) 90 HF Level Adjustment Resistor Output ( dB ) 87dB 8Ohms 150W 600W ( see graph ) Output ( dB ) Sensitivity: Impedance: Cont . Power Handing : Peak Prog .
Note: This function requires at least 2 x AM-77 synchronised pre-main amplifiers. i. Power OFF via the ‘POWER’ (R12) switch at the rear of both AM-77s. ii. Using a small flat blade screwdriver, move the ‘MODE’ switch (R5) to the left to select ‘M’. iii. Using a small flat blade screwdriver, move the ‘INT/POWER AMP’ switch (R4) to the left to select ‘POWER AMP’. iv. Repeat this process for the other AM-77. v. Power ON both AM-77s via the respective ‘POWER’ switch (R12).
Figure 5.0 - Mode VI: Power Bi-amplifier mode Pro HiFi Speake r R Speaker L Mode M L R M M 100 100 Sensitivity: Impedance: Cont . Power Handing : Peak Prog . Handing: Frequency Response: 90 HF Level Adjustment Resistor 80 70 60 50 100 1000 87dB 8Ohms 150W 600W ( see graph ) 90 HF Level Adjustment Resistor Output ( dB ) 87dB 8Ohms 150W 600W ( see graph ) Output ( dB ) Sensitivity: Impedance: Cont . Power Handing : Peak Prog .
Note: This function requires at least 2 x AM-77 synchronised pre-main amplifiers. i. Power OFF via the ‘POWER’ (R12) switch at the rear of both AM-77s. ii. Using a small flat blade screwdriver, move the ‘MODE’ switch (R5) to the right to select ‘MM’. iii. Using a small flat blade screwdriver, move the ‘INT/POWER AMP’ switch (R4) to the left to select ‘POWER AMP’. iv. Repeat this process for the other AM-77. v. Power ON both AM-77s via the respective ‘POWER’ switch (R12).
Section 5 - Additional Connectivity DC5V 0 . 5A 5a. Input for iPod/other portable music players When the 3.5mm jack is used, disconnect the RCA connecion to Input 4 at the rear of the AM-77 Input 4 DUAL - MONO AMPLIFIER AM - 77 On the front right-side panel, there is a 3.5mm jack (F4). This is for the connection of an iPod or any other portable music device for music playback through this medium.
5b. ‘HiFi/Pro’ Switches for Balanced XLR inputs Pro HiFi ‘Pro’ switch is for the few preamplifiers that have floating transformer balanced outputs Speaker Output Mode Balanced Input _ + Speaker Output Power On Pro HiFi Off _ + Out In Dual - Mono Amplifier AM - 77 Designed and Engineered in Great Britain R L R 3 2 5 4 Sync L L M M 1 Mode L R M M IR Link R M M Option Power Amp Int Amp Under normal operation , set all switches to the default ( bold ) position .
5c. RS232 ‘Options’ Connector For future upgrades Speaker Output Balanced Input _ + Speaker Output Power On Pro HiFi In Dual - Mono Amplifier AM - 77 Off _ + Out Designed and Engineered in Great Britain R 1 Mode 2 3 4 5 Sync L L M L R M M IR Link R Option Option Power Amp Int Amp Under normal operation , set all switches to the default ( bold ) position . Please refer to the instruction manual for further details .
Section 6 - Technical Features The following section provides a brief explanation of the most salient technical features of the AM-77. Circuit ‘X’® is AMR’s unique circuit: with NOS thermionic electron valves for voltage gain with a patentpending error-cancellation circuit for the Class A matched bipolar output power devices. OptiGain® inherently outperforms all conventional types of volume controls.
Appendix - Troubleshooting Figure A.
Specifications Figure S.1 - Specifications Table Inputs: 5 x RCA 1 x XLR Bal. shared with 1 RCA 1 x iPod® shared with 1 RCA Volume Control: -71dB – 0dB in 1dB steps + Mute Input Sensitivity (IHF 2.83V Out)/Impedance: < 0.
...continued Monoblock option An unlimited number of AM-77s can synchronised Thermionic Electron Valves 5687/6900 (NOS): amplification stage Power Transformer: 1200 VA Custom Double C-Core Power consumption: Standby: 50 W Power on: 95 W at rated output (4R): 1000 W Power Supply Capacitance: 96,000uF in total Rated voltage: 90V-135V & 190V-260VAC Colour: Champagne or Titanium Dimensions: 17.9in W by 6.2in H by 18.
Notes At AMR we feel that the IHF standard represents the best available rigidly mandated and standardised, musically relevant measurements applicable today (in preference to DIN45500 among others) despite their formidable age and our wish for something more up-to-date, while the FTC mandated standard is applicable under like-for-like ‘fair trade descriptions’ requirements in the USA (but we feel what is fair in the USA is still fair elsewhere) to make sure that one maker’s advertised ‘watt’ is like-for-lik
