DUAL MONO INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Thank you for purchasing the Musical Fidelity kW500 Integrated amplifier.
Used properly and carefully, it should give you many years of outstanding
musical reproduction.
Dust regularly with a soft cloth or soft brush, but be careful when using
cleaning or polishing agents - they may harm the surface finish.
If you have any questions about your audio system,
please consult your dealer who is there to help and advise.
Issue 2: Sept 2004
kW 500 Integrated Amplifier
Instructions for use Page 1 of 10
GENERAL ADVICE
INSTALLATION PRECAUTIONS and USER INFORMATION
Your new kW 500 Integrated amplifier is designed and built to provide trouble-free perform-
ance, but as with all electronic devices it is necessary to observe a few precautions:
Heed all warnings shown on the back of the product.
Only connect the kW 500 Integrated amplifier to a mains outlet having the same voltage as
marked at the back of the unit.
Always ensure that when disconnecting and reconnecting your audio equipment the mains
supply is switched off.
Position the mains lead and signal interconnects where they are not likely to be walked on or
trapped by items placed on them.
Do not use near water, or place water-filled containers on the amplifier, for example, flower
vases or potted plants. If water does spill inside, immediately pull out the mains plug from
the wall socket and inform your dealer, who should then check the unit before further use.
Entry of liquid into the amplifier is dangerous, and may cause electric shock or fire hazard.
Do not place the unit near heat sources such as radiators, direct sunlight or other equipment.
The case of this amplifier can run at high temperatures - operate the unit in a well ventilated
area, and do not touch the cabinet sides or top after periods of use at high output power.
Do not remove covers or try to gain access to the inside. There are no internal user adjust-
ments or fuses you can replace yourself. Refer all service work to an authorised Musical
Fidelity agent.
NOTE: Unauthorised opening of the equipment will invalidate any warranty claims.
Dust regularly with a soft duster or soft brush, but be careful when using cleaning or polishing
agents - they may harm the surface finish.
The electronics in modern hi-fi equipment is complex and may, therefore, be adversely affected
or damaged by lightning. For protection of your audio system during electrical storms, remove
the mains plugs and disconnect any aerial lead.
If after-sales service is required, to help your dealer identify the kW 500 Integrated amplifier
please quote the serial number located on the rear panel of the unit.
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE (R.F.I)
This product has been tested to ensure that its operation is not adversely affected by normal
background levels of R.F.I., and that it does not itself generate excessive amounts of interfer-
ence. However, if a problem persists, please contact your Musical Fidelity agent.
Issue 2: Sept 2004
kW 500 Integrated Amplifier
Instructions for use Page 3 of 10
CONNECTIONS AND FACILITIES - MAIN UNIT
7
8
9
10
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
Main unit front panel layout
Main unit back panel layout
1
2
Illuminated feet with multi-colour
11 Right SPEAKER output
terminals (two pairs)
indicator LEDs for power and mute
TAPE MONITOR selector button
and LED
PHONO input selector button and LED
CD input selector button and LED
Volume control
SACD input selector button and LED
TUNER input selector button and LED
Infra red receiver for remote control
AUXiliary input selector button and
LED
12 PRE-amplifier OUTput sockets
13 TAPE RECord output sockets
14 TAPE input sockets
15 AUXiliary input sockets
16 TUNER input sockets
17 SACD input sockets
18 CD input sockets
19 PHONO input sockets
20 Left SPEAKER output
terminals (two pairs)
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 TAPE input selector button and LED
21 Amplifier power inlet socket
- right channel
22 Pre-amplifier power inlet socket
23 Phono earth terminal
24 Amplifier power inlet socket
- left channel
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Issue 2: Sept 2004
kW 500 Integrated Amplifier
Instructions for use Page 4 of 10
CONNECTIONS AND FACILITIES - POWER SUPPLY
Power LED (blue)
Mains on / off
push switch
Power supply unit back panel layout
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Right power amplifier PSU output
Pre-amplifier PSU output
Left power amplifier PSU output
Right power amplifier PSU fuse
Pre-amplifier PSU fuse
Left power amplifier PSU fuse
Mains inlet - 16 Amp IEC type
1
2
3
FOR USE ONLY
WITH MUSICAL
FIDELITY
KW 500
4
5
6
7
Issue 2: Sept 2004
kW 500 Integrated Amplifier
Instructions for use Page 5 of 10
REMOTE CONTROL
REMOTE CONTROL
The blue buttons on the remote control enable main functions of the amplifier to be operated
from a convenient distance. Remaining buttons on this universal handset are for use with other
Musical Fidelity products, and have no effect on the kW 500 Integrated amplifier.
Equivalent buttons on the remote handset have the same functions as those on the front panel of
the unit.
As the remote control uses an invisible infra-red light beam, the transmitter must be pointed
directly towards the receiver window on the front of the amplifier, without visual obstruction
between them.
Pressing the volume-up or -down buttons on the remote handset will turn the motorised volume
control in the required direction.
The MUTE button mutes the SPEAKER output and PRE-OUT sockets. To show that the
amplifier is muted, the LEDs in the feet will change from their current colour to red. Press the
MUTE button again to cancel mute function, and the feet LEDs will revert to their previous
colour (see page 8, under “Starting”).
If the range of the remote control greatly decreases, replace the batteries with new ones.
Do not mix old and new batteries - two are required, type SUM-4, AAA or LR03. Do not
dispose of used batteries in a fire.
SACD input select
TUNER
input select
PHONO pickup
input select
CD input select
VOLUME (Up)
VOLUME (Down)
TAPE input select
AUXiliary
MUTE button
input select
Issue 2: Sept 2004
kW 500 Integrated Amplifier
Instructions for use Page 6 of 10
CONNECTIONS
PRE-AMPLIFIER OUTPUT
All input, output and power connections
should be made with the mains power
switched OFF.
The kW 500 Integrated amplifier has its
pre-amplifier output available from RCA
sockets on the back panel marked PRE-
OUT, and is controlled by the volume
adjustment.
INPUT CONNECTIONS
The kW 500 Integrated amplifier has a pair
of phono inputs for moving magnet (MM)
pickups.
This is to allow “bi-amplification” using
suitable external amplifiers and crossover
networks to power the speaker drive com-
ponents separately, giving noticeable
improvement in clarity, imaging and bass
weight.
Some turntable/pickup arm combinations
are fitted with an extra wire for chassis
earthing. This should be connected to the
earth terminal on the back panel.
In this arrangement, typically the kW 500’s
speaker outputs are used to drive the speak-
er’s “tweeter” (high audio frequencies), and
an external stereo amplifier drives the
“woofer” (low frequencies).
The kW 500’s PRE OUT RCA sockets
would therefore be connected to the input
of the external “woofer” amplifier in this
example.
The kW 500 also has five “line level”
inputs which are electrically identical, and
therefore suitable for use with any source
component having an output of at least
300mV. The sockets on the rear panel are
marked CD, SACD, TUNER, AUXiliary,
and TAPE, to correspond with function
buttons on the front panel.
If you are in doubt about bi-amplification,
please contact your dealer for advice.
Using good quality co-axial audio leads,
connect the left and right outputs from
your CD player, tuner or phono/record
deck to the appropriate RCA input sockets
on the back panel.
BEFORE SWITCHING ON
Connect the two accessory power supply
leads into the RIGHT and LEFT PSU
(Power Supply Unit) INPUT sockets at the
rear of the amplifier. The other ends of the
leads plug into corresponding marked sock-
ets on the back panel of the power supply
unit.
Connect the kW 500’s TAPE input sockets
to the line output of your tape recorder,
and kW 500’s TAPE RECORD output
sockets to the line input sockets of the tape
deck.
OUTPUT CONNECTIONS
A single lead with smaller plugs connects
between the PRE-AMP PSU sockets on
each unit.
Connect your loudspeakers to the terminals
on the back panel marked as LEFT and
RIGHT SPEAKER outputs.
Plug the accessory IEC mains lead into the
rear PSU mains socket, then the other end
into a wall outlet. Turn the volume control
on the front panel to low (anticlockwise).
Issue 2: Sept 2004
kW 500 Integrated Amplifier
Instructions for use Page 7 of 10
OPERATION
STARTING . . . .
TAPE RECORDING
Press the POWER button on the front panel
of the kW 500 power supply unit. The blue
LED above the button should now light.
To record, simply select the required source
with the input selector button on the front
panel or remote control. This source will
now be routed to the kW 500’s TAPE
RECORD output for recording by the
external tape deck. You will also be able to
hear the selected source through the loud-
speakers.
The LEDs in the feet of the amplifier unit
will light red for about fifteen seconds indi-
cating that all audio outputs from the unit
are muted. Feet illumination then fades
over approximately fifteen seconds to
amber, indicating that output is no longer
muted, and that your kW 500 amplifier is
now ready for use. However, after a further
period of about 35 minutes, the colour fades
to blue, confirming that the amplifier has
fully warmed up.
Note - adjustment of the volume control has
no effect on the recording level.
OFF TAPE MONITORING
The kW 500 Integrated amplifier has a sin-
gle tape circuit with facility for off-tape
monitoring with 3-head tape decks.
Unless using your amplifier for off-tape
monitoring (see paragraph opposite
ensure that the TAPE MONITOR button
has not been pressed accidently, as other-
wise no sound will be heard through the
speakers.
)
In conjunction with a 3-head cassette deck,
off-tape monitoring allows the user to com-
pare recorded sound with the original whilst
a recording is being made. To do this, first
select the required source in the normal way
and start recording.
Select the required audio input source by
pressing an appropriate function button on
the front panel, or remote control. Now
adjust the volume control to obtain the pre-
ferred sound level.
The TAPE MONITOR button on the front
panel can now be used to switch between
the original source sound and the recorded
version, allowing direct comparison.
OVERLOAD PROTECTION
On some 3-head tape decks there is an addi-
tional ‘tape/source’ switch, which must be
in the ‘tape’ position for the above to work.
If for any reason, speaker output power of
your kW 500 is excessive, for example at
very high volume setting or due to wrong
load impedance, an overload protection cir-
cuit is activated. The motorised volume
control will be turned down automatically,
and the four illuminated feet will change
colour to violet for about five seconds, or
until the problem is removed.
If in doubt, please refer to your tape deck
operating manual.
Issue 2: Sept 2004
kW 500 Integrated Amplifier
Instructions for use Page 8 of 10
TROUBLESHOOTING
Basic problem-solving with an amplifier is similar to troubleshooting any other electrical or
electronic equipment. Always check the most obvious possible causes first. To give you a few
ideas of what to look for, check the following:
Problem
Possible Cause
Remedy
No power when POWER
button is pressed
Mains plug not inserted
fully into rear socket
Plug in securely
No sound
Tape monitor function has
been selected
Switch off tape monitor
Mute funtion is still active
(feet LEDs are still red)
Press the mute button
again to cancel
Wrong connections between
input sources and the kW 500
amplifier
Check audio input lead
connections
Speakers not connected, or
incorrectly wired
Check speaker cables
Sound is not precise, lacking Speakers are connected out of
Ensure speakers are
connected correctly
in bass and stereo image
phase, i.e., connections to one
speaker (+ and -) are reversed
If none of these actions effect a cure, please contact your dealer, or an authorised Musical
Fidelity service agent. Remember, never open the case of the kW 500 Integrated amplifier
yourself, as this will invalidate the guarantee.
Issue 2: Sept 2004
kW 500 Integrated Amplifier
Instructions for use Page 9 of 10
kW 500
Dual Mono Integrated Amplifier
SPECIFICATIONS :
Output:
Voltage RMS:
Voltage peak to peak:
Power:
63.9 Volts 20Hz to 20kHz
180.6 Volts
510 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms (27dBW),
770 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms
Peak-to-peak output current:
Damping factor:
160 Amps
> 200
Output devices per channel:
Pre-output impedance:
8
50 Ohms
Line inputs:
Harmonic distortion at 1kHz
< 0.002% up to 90% power into 4 or 8 Ohms
Total harmonic distortion + noise, 20Hz to 20kHz < 0.007%
Signal / noise ratio
> 102dB ‘A’-weighted
Input sensitivity for 350 Watts into 8 Ohms
Input impedance
330mV
220K Ohms
Overload margin
36dB
Channel separation
Frequency response
> 70dB 20Hz to 20kHz
20Hz to 20kHz, +0, -0.0dB
20Hz to 60kHz, +0, -1.2dB
Phono input:
20
15
10
5
Frequency response reference
IEC RIAA - see graph....
RIAA RESPONSE
dB
0
RIAA
PHONO
RIAA/IEC
-5
-10
-15
-20
16
32
63
125
250
500 1.2K 2.5K
FREQUENCY
5K
10K
20K
Signal / noise ratio
Input sensitivity
Input impedance
Overload margin
> 96dB ‘A’-weighted
2.5mV (moving magnet)
47k Ohms
29dB
Power requirement:
100 / 115 / 230Volts AC 50 / 60Hz (factory pre-set),
1950 Watts maximum into 8 Ohms
Inputs: 5 pairs line level RCA connectors,
Outputs:
2 amplifier channels via 2 pairs per
channel binding posts.
1 pair phono (moving magnet) RCA connectors
1 pair RCA audio pre-outputs controlled by
the volume setting
1 pair RCA tape record fixed line level output
Weight, main unit: 26.8 kg, 59 lbs unit only, unboxed
Dimensions, main
483 mm, 19 inches wide
31.8 kg, 70.1 lbs in shipping carton
unit:
167 mm, 6.6 inches high including feet
470 mm, 18.5 inches deep including terminals
P.S.U: 18.3 kg, 40.3 lbs unit only, unboxed
21.3 kg, 47 lbs in shipping carton
P.S.U: 364 mm, 14.4 inches wide
167 mm, 6.6 inches high including feet
278 mm, 11 inches deep including rear sockets
Standard accessories:
IEC type mains lead,
Power supply leads, main (two)
Power supply lead for pre-amplifier
Remote control (universal type)
Two batteries (type SUM-4, AAA, LR03)
Musical Fidelity reserves the right to make improvements which
may result in specification or feature changes without notice
Issue 2: Sept 2004
kW 500 Integrated Amplifier
Instructions for use Page 10 of 10
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