Chord Etude User manual

Étude
Manual
V.1.0
Chord Electronics
Product Communication | English
_
The Pumphouse Farleigh Lane,
East Farleigh, Maidstone
ME16 9NB United Kingdom
[e-mail]
chordelectronics.co.uk

THIS IS PURE AUDIO

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Étude | Manual
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Étude | Manual
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Contents 0.0
1.0 Safety instructions 07
1.1 Introduction 08
1.2 Protection against liquids & heat 09
1.3 Dismantling & Radio 10
frequency interference
1.4 Connecting your equipment 11
2.0 Warranty 13
2.1 Warranty period & registering 14
your purchase
2.2 Making a claim & warranty exclusions 15
3.0 Getting to know Étude 17
3.1 Getting to know Étude 18
3.2 The front panel 19
3.3 The top panel 20
3.4 The rear panel 21
4.0 Setting up Étude 23
4.1 Placement 24
4.2 Connecting Étude to 25
ancillary equipment
4.3 Line level inputs 26
4.4 Audio outputs 27
4.5 Power-on sequence 28
4.6 Earthing issues in Europe 29
5.0 Special features 31
5.1 Bridged operation & set-up 32
5.2 Notes 34
0.0 Contents

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1.1 Introduction
1.2 Protection against liquids & heat
1.3 Dismantling & Radio Frequency interference
1.4 Connecting your equipment
1.0 Safety
instructions
Safety instructions 1.0

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1.1 Introduction
1.2 Protection against
liquids & heat
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Protection against
liquids & heat
1.3 Dismantling & radio frequency
interference
1.4 Connecting your equipment
1.3 Dismantling & radio frequency
interference
1.4 Connecting your equipment
Introduction Protection against
liquids & heat
1.1
1.2
Étude is an incredibly dynamic
next-generation power
amplifier which uses a brand
new analogue amplifier topology,
Chord Electronics’ first all-new design
since its inception.
Before operation, we strongly advise
that you read this user manual
thoroughly, storing it in a safe place
along with your original receipt of
purchase, in case you should require
assistance in the future.
The Étude is not protected
against liquids of any kind.
Never place containers of
liquid on Étude. Never allow Étude
to come into contact with moisture
or liquids; doing so could result in
electrocution or damage to the Étude’s
internal circuitry.
Be aware that liquids, including water
that has dried, can leave minerals
that can aect the PCB and other
components, which could eventually
lead to oxidisation and short-circuiting.
If the Étude comes into contact with
moisture or liquids, immediately
disconnect from the mains power
supply, and connected equipment, and
contact Chord Electronics for further
advice.
The Étude has internal thermal
protection which will increase
the speed of the cooling fans
if excessive temperatures are being
reached. Should this occur then check
that Étude has adequate ventilation
and/or reduce the volume level until
Étude has cooled and the fans slowed.
Never operate the Étude near sources
of heat or naked flames as this will
decrease the lifespan of the internal
components. It is advised that you do
not operate the Étude in an area of
direct sunlight or on top of significant
heat- producing devices.
Please be aware that it is entirely
normal for the Étude to become warm
during use, particularly within a stacked
configuration. If you are concerned
about the temperatures, please switch
the device o and consider a dierent
placement.

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Dismantling & radio
frequency interference
1.3 Connecting your equipment 1.4
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Protection against
liquids & heat
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Protection against
liquids & heat
1.3 Dismantling & radio frequency
interference
1.4 Connecting your equipment
1.3 Dismantling & radio frequency
interference
1.4 Connecting your equipment
There are no user-serviceable
components within the Étude
or its power supply. Dangerous
voltages/currents exist within the Étude
and its power supply, posing a severe
risk of electrocution and/or fire.
Never attempt to open,
dismantle or apply internal
third-party devices to it or
insert anything other than the listed
interconnects or speaker cables within
this user manual.
If the Étude develops a fault or
the casework becomes damaged,
immediately disconnect from the
mains power supply and connected
equipment and contact Chord
Electronics for further advice.
Before connecting the Étude to any
equipment, consult the manufacturer’s
user guide to confirm compatibility.
When connecting the Étude to any
equipment, make sure that all devices
are o, including the Étude. Once
connected, switch all equipment on
starting with the source and ending
with the amplification. Initially, operate
the Étude with your preamp/device
on its lowest gain setting and lowest
volume setting, gently increasing to
a comfortable listening level. Never
operate the Étude at excessive sound
levels; permanent hearing damage and
loss can occur.
Étude is supplied with its own
grounded 10A-rated mains IEC cable
and it is important that the amplifier is
earthed at all times via this cable, or an
appropriate alternative. Failure to do
this could be hazardous in the unlikely
event of a fault. Étude employs an auto-
sensing mains input voltage circuit and
will adjust to suit your region’s supply;
Étude will operate between 120V AC
and 240V AC -50Hz - 60Hz. Étude is
fully protected in the event of a short
circuit or fault and will automatically
shut down.
Étude’s supplied region-specific 10A
mains IEC cable can be supplemented
for an alternative power cable,
however, please make sure that it
has an earth. If any cable becomes
damaged you must discontinue use and
replace it immediately to avoid the risk
With a thick, solid aluminium chassis,
the Étude’s casework largely protects
the sensitive internal circuitryfrom
radio frequency interference.
However, for optimal performance, it is
recommended that the following points
are observed:
1. Consider placing the
Étude away from
wireless routers.
2. Separate the Étude
from amplifiers using
toroidal transformers.
3. Operate mobile phones
at a distance to avoid
interference.
Although the Étude is largely
shielded, it can generate
radio frequency interference
that may have an eect on radio and
television reception. If this occurs,
please reconsider your placement.
of electrocution.
Étude must be permanently connected
to a source of power. The included
mains lead simply plugs into the
Étude’s IEC mains socket. If the mains
lead is prematurely disconnected Étude
may still remain active for up to 15
minutes.
WARNING: Never
disconnect the
power cable during
operation. Only disconnect
when Étude is o. If the
power cable is disconnected
during operation there is a
risk of damage to connected
equipment.

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2.1 Warranty period & registering your purchase
2.2 Making a claim & warranty exclusions
2.0 Warranty
Warranty 2.0

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Warranty period & registering
your purchase
2.1 Making a claim
& warranty exclusions
2.2
2.1 Warranty period & registering
your purchase
2.1 Warranty period & registering
your purchase
2.2 Making a claim & warranty
exclusions
2.2 Making a claim & warranty
exclusions
At point of sale, Chord Electronics
Ltd. provides the Étude with a
comprehensive five-year warranty*
which covers defects in materials and
workmanship through fair wear and
tear.
*The warranty is transferable with proof
of purchase, however is not available
on ex-demonstration products.
Please use the form below
to record the details of your
purchase in the event that
these are required at a later date, we
further advise that all purchases are
registered with Chord Electronics
at: chordelectronics.co.uk/register-
product/
In the unlikely event of a claim, you
must provide Chord Electronics with
the details of the claim, including your
original proof of purchase and serial
number in order to validate the nature
of the repair.
Upon receipt, Chord Electronics will
make an assessment within 30 days
and provide a reasonable solution.
All warranty repairs must be carried
out by Chord Electronics or an
approved service centre to guarantee
the quality and safety of the repair.
WARRANTY EXCLUSIONS: The warranty
does not cover connected equipment,
personal injury or development natural
patina of the metalwork and will be null
and void if the following is applied: wilful
neglect; modification or tampering of the
product; improper use of the product; acts
of God; damage caused by a connected
device; mechanical shock; fire or application
of excessive heat or repair/modification by a
non-authorised third-party vendor.
RETAILER:
UNIT COLOUR:
DATE OF PURCHASE:
TRANSACTION ID:

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3.1 Getting to know Étude
3.2 The front panel
3.3 The top panel
3.4 The rear panel
Getting to know Étude 3.0
3.0 Getting to know
Étude

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Getting to know Étude 3.1 The front panel 3.2
3.1 Getting to know Étude
3.2 The front panel
3.1 Getting to know Étude
3.2 The front panel
3.3 The top panel
3.4 The rear panel
3.3 The top panel
3.4 The rear panel
Étude has no user-controlled buttons
on the front panel and simply features
a ventilation system integrated into the
casework.
Étude is an incredibly dynamic next-
generation power amplifier which
uses a brand new analogue amplifier
topology, Chord Electronics’ first all-
new design since its inception. Before
operation, we strongly advise you read
this user manual thoroughly, storing it
in a safe place along with your original
receipt of purchase, should you require
assistance in the future.
WARNING: You must
keep all vents clear.

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The top panel 3.3 The rear panel 3.4
3.1 Getting to know Étude
3.2 The front panel
3.1 Getting to know Étude
3.2 The front panel
3.3 The top panel
3.4 The rear panel
3.3 The top panel
3.4 The rear panel
Similar to the front panel, the top
panel of the device also has no user-
controlled buttons and simply features
two ventilation systems integrated into
the casework.
The rear panel oers a comprehensive
connectivity suite, featuring both
balanced and unbalanced inputs for
connection to preamps and audiophile-
grade 30-amp loudspeaker binding
terminals, suitable for use with banana-
and spade-type speaker plugs.
The rear panel also features the IEC
mains input for use with the supplied
power cable, an on/o single analogue
rocker switch and a phase toggle
switch for each channel.
WARNING: You must
keep all vents clear.
WARNING: You must
keep all vents clear.
Mains input
On/o switch
Left channel negative
speaker terminal
Left channel positive
speaker terminal
Right channel positive
speaker terminal
Right channel negative
speaker terminal
Left channel balanced
XLR input
Right channel balanced
XLR input
Left channel unbalanced
RCA input
Right channel unbalanced
RCA input
Phase
toggle R/L

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4.1 Placement
4.2 Connecting Étude to ancillary equipment
4.3 Line level inputs
4.4 Audio outputs
4.5 Power-on sequence
4.6 Earthing issues in Europe
Setting up Étude 4.0
4.0 Setting up
Étude

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Placement 4.1 Connecting Étude
to ancillary equipment
4.2
4.1 Placement
4.2 Connecting Étude to
ancillary equipment
4.3 Line level inputs
4.1 Placement
4.2 Connecting Étude to
ancillary equipment
4.3 Line level inputs
4.4 Audio outputs
4.5 Power-on sequence
4.6 Earthing issues in Europe
4.4 Audio outputs
4.5 Power-on sequence
4.6 Earthing issues in Europe
Whilst Étude will operate normally
within a stack of other Chord
Electronics Choral components within
the Choral Ensemble stand/floor
system, it is recommended that the
device is allowed to ‘breathe’ with 10cm
of space around it to convection-cool
during operation.
For this reason we recommend the
Chord Electronics Ensemble stand, as
shown.
When connecting the Étude to
equipment within the signal path,
ensure all devices are switched o. It is
recommended that once all equipment
is properly connected, that the volume
setting is operated to its lowest
setting, before slowly being raised to
a comfortable listening level. Always
observe partnering manufacturers’
guidelines.

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Line level Inputs 4.3 Audio outputs 4.4
4.1 Placement
4.2 Connecting Étude to
ancillary equipment
4.3 Line level inputs
4.1 Placement
4.2 Connecting Étude to
ancillary equipment
4.3 Line level inputs
4.4 Audio outputs
4.5 Power-on sequence
4.6 Earthing issues in Europe
4.4 Audio outputs
4.4 Power-on sequence
4.5 Earthing issues in Europe
Étude is equipped with a stereo pair of
unbalanced (single-ended) RCA inputs
and a stereo pair of balanced XLR
inputs. Étude has no ability to switch
between the inputs, therefore, only one
must be used. Connect the left and
right line input channels on Étude with
the corresponding line outputs on your
preamp or device and double-check.
Étude supports a single stereo
output. In order to connect Étude
to loudspeakers, use high-quality
loudspeaker cable terminated with
4mm banana plugs or 6mm spades.
Bare wire can be used, but it is not
recommended.
Étude also features a phase toggle
switch for each channel. In normal
stereo mode where one power
amplifier is being used, both toggle
switches should remain in the same
‘down’ position. The amplifier can also
be used in bridged mode, requiring
an alternative phase switch position;
details on this and bridging mode can
be found further on under Special
Features.
Connect the black (negative) terminal
from Étude to the negative terminal on
your loudspeaker and the red (positive)
terminal from Étude to the red positive
terminal on your loudspeaker. Repeat
for each channel.
WARNING: Étude
must be connected
to a dedicated
preamplifier, or a device
capable of attenuating its
output. Failure to attenuate
the volume before it enters
Étude could result in
irreversible hearing damage,
speaker damage and could
void the warranty.
Left channel negative
speaker terminal
Left channel positive
speaker terminal
Right channel positive
speaker terminal
Right channel negative
speaker terminal
Left channel balanced
XLR input
Right channel balanced
XLR input
Left channel unbalanced
RCA input
Right channel unbalanced
RCA input
Phase
toggle R/L

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Power-on sequence 4.5 Earthing issues in Europe 4.6
4.1 Placement
4.2 Connecting Étude to
ancillary equipment
4.3 Line level inputs
4.1 Placement
4.2 Connecting Étude to
ancillary equipment
4.3 Line level inputs
4.4 Audio outputs
4.5 Power-on sequence
4.6 Earthing issues in Europe
4.4 Audio outputs
4.5 Power-on sequence
4.6 Earthing issues in Europe
With the unit connected to a
mains power supply, switch
Étude ‘on’ using the analogue
rocker switch located next to the mains
input. This will switch the unit both
on and o. During the initial start-
up phase, Étude will power-up and
perform a safety check.
Once complete (after
approximately twelve
seconds), the relays will
engage and the output will be live, with
the internal LEDs glowing blue.
In some European countries,
a hum or buzz may occur if
the amplifier is connected
to mains sockets that do not have an
earth or adequate earth. If this occurs,
please ensure that your equipment is
connected via a good-quality multi-way
mains block which contains an earth
point at every socket outlet.
We recommend that an earthing
method for your building is
implemented.
If a fault is detected the unit will simply
switch itself o. As Étude consumes
very little power when idle, we
recommend leaving the unit switched
‘on’ when not in use.

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5.1 Bridged operation & set-up
5.2 Notes
Special features 5.0
5.0 Special
features

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 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.
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Bridged operation & set-up 5.1 Bridged operation & set-up 5.1
5.1 Bridged operation & set-up 5.1 Bridged operation & set-up5.2 Notes 5.2 Notes
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.

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Notes 5.2 Notes 5.2
5.1 Bridged operation & set-up 5.1 Bridged operation & set-up5.2 Notes 5.2 Notes
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Étude | Manual
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Étude | Manual
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THIS IS PURE AUDIO