Fisher Ambassador IV User manual

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS AN
D WARRANTY
THE FISHER
Ambqssqdor
lV
MODEL
A.60
Stereophonic
Rqdio-Phonogrd
ph
PRICE
9r.00
WORLD LEADER IN HIGH FIDELITY

\tr/rtH your purchase of a FISHER instrument you have com-
VV pleted a chain of eventsthat began many months ago, in our
researchlaboratories. For it is there that the basic concept of the
equipment you have just acquired cameinto being-its appearance,
its functions, its quality of performance, its convenience of use.
But the end step-your purchase-is merely a beginning. A door
has now opened, for you and your family, on virtually unlimited
years of musical enjoyment. Recognizing that one of the keys to
pleasurable ownership is reliability, we have designedthis instru-
ment to give long and trouble-free service,In fact, instruments we
madeover twenty-five yearsagoarestill in usetoday.
Rememberalwaysthat we want this equipment to giveyou the best
performance of which it is capable. Should you at any time need
our assistance
toward that objective, please write me personally.
AN IMPORTANT SUGGESTION
Many hours have been spent by our engineers and technical writers
to create this instruction book for your guidance and enjoyment.
If you want the most out of your FISHER, there is only one way
to obtain it. With the equipmentbefore you, please
read this book-
let carefully. It will be time well speot!
1937
I
937
1937
1938
1938
1939
1939
1945
1948
1949
1952
1952
1953
1953 First
Universal
Horn-Type
SpeakerEnclosure
for
anyroomlocation
andanyspeaker.
1953 FirstFM-AM
Receiverwith
a Cascode
FrontEnd.
1954 Firstlow-cost
electronic
Mixer-Fader.
Aa*y F*at r- Founderand
presidenl
1960 Firstto uSeMicroRay
for FM
tuningandas a
Recording
AudioLevel
Indicator.
1960 First
completestereoFM-AM
receiverwith60-
watt
power
amplifierandnew
7591outputtubes.
1960 SmithsonianInstitution,Washington,
D.C.,accepts
for its collectionAmdrica's
first comfierciallv
manufactured
high fidelity radio-phonograph',
made
byAveryFisher
in1937.
1960 Firstreverberation
device,foruse in
hish
fidelitv
equipment
- TheFisherDynamic
Spac-expander-.
1960 Firststereo
tunerwithMicroTune.
1960 FirstFMtuner
withsixlFstages.
1960 First
FMtunerwith
fivelimiters.
1960 First
front
panel
antennaselector
switch,
72-300
ohm,Local-Distant
positions.
1961 FirstMultiplexunitswith Stereo
Beacon
and
automatic
switching,
monoto stereo.
1961 First
completereceiverswithMultiplex.
1961 First FM-Stereo-Multiplextuners
with Stereo
Beam.
1961 Firstloudspeaker
systemwith
framelesswoofer
cone,eliminating
allparasitic resonance.
1961 Firstinternal
switchingsystemtopermit
imme-
diatetape
playback
with
useofall
controlsand
switches.
O1962 FrsHeR RADto coRpoRAttoN
TiAlt trhfu, - Milestones
lntheHistory
ofHish
Fidetity
Reproduction
First high-fidelity
soundsystemsfeaturing
a
beam-power
amplifier,inverse
feedback,
acous-
tic speaker
compartments
(infinite
baffleand
bass
reflex)
and
magnetic
cartridges.
First
exclusivelyhighfidelity
TRFtuner,featur-
ingbroad-tuning
20,000
cyclefidelity.
Firsttwo-unit
highfidelity
systemwith
separate
sDeaker
enclosure.
First
coaxialspeakersystem.
First
high
fidelity
tunerwithamptified
AVC.
First
3-WaySpeaker
in a high
fldelitysystem.
FirstCenter-of-Channel
Tuningindicator.
First
Preamplifier.Equalizerwith
selective
pho-
nographequalization.
FirstDynamic
RangeExpander
withfeedback.
FirstFM-AM
Tunerwithvariable
AFC.
First
so-Watt,all-triode
amplifier.
Firstself-powered
Master
AudioControl.
Firstself-powered,
electronic
sharp-cut-off
filter
system
for high fidelity
use.
1954 Firstmoderately.priced,
professional
FMTuner
withTWometers.
1955 FirstPeakPower
Indicator
in highfidelity.
1955 First MasterAudio
ControlChassiswith five.
position
mixingfacilities
1955 Firstcorrectly
equalized,
directtape-headmas.
ter
audio
controls
and
self-powered
preamplifier.
1956 First
to usePowerMonitor
ina home
amplifier.
1956 First
All-Transistorized
Preamplifier-Equalizer.
1956 First
dual
dynamic
limiters
in an FMtunerfor
home
use,
1956 First Performance
Monitorin a high quality
amDlifier
for homeuse.
1956 FirstFM-AM
tunerwithTWo
meters.
1956 Firstcomplete
graphic
response
curveindicator
for
bassandtreble.
1957 First
coldenCascodeFMTuner.
1957 FirstMicroRay
Tuning
lndicator,
1958 First
StereophonicRadio-Phonograph
with Mag-
neticStereoCartridge.
1959 Firsthigh.quality
StereoRemoteControl
System.
1959 Firstcomplete
StereophonicFM-AMReceiver
(FM-
AM
tuner,audiocontrol,
4o.wattamplifier).
1959 Firsthigh.compliance plus
high-efficiency
free.
piston
speaker
system.

f, oveNcen
ELECTRoNTc
ENGTNEERTNGhas been combined with old.
f! world cabinet craftsmanshipto create the new FISHER Ambassa-
dor - a musical instrument that meets
the mostexacting criteria, Each
unit in the Ambassad,or
hasbeen designedto meet the laboratory stand-
ards that distinguish all FISHER components.The unusually sensitive
tuning seclionscan be usedseparatelyfor the reception o{ monophonic
FM or AM broadcasts, or simultaneously to receive FM-AM stereo-
phonic broadcasts.
The renowned Garrard Automatic Turntable, con-
taining a professional magnetic cartridge with a diamond stylus, will
faithfully convey every musical nuance of your most treasured stereo-
phonic or monophonic record selections. Located on the operating
panel of Ihe Ambassador are eight controls which will enable you
to select any program source instantly, and adjust the volume and
tonal characteristics of sound to your most critical listening tastes.
Special connectionsare provided for the FISHER Spacexpander and
the MPX-70 multiplex adaptor, and a new Automatic Shutoff switch
has been included which will turn off the entire Ambassatl,ora:uto-
matically, after the last record has been played. Fifty watts of music
power, free of all audible distortion, is supplied by a dual-channel
Power Amplifier which can reproduce the most complex symphonic
passage
as easily as the softest notes of an oboe. Lastly, two acous-
tically-balanced speaker enclosures, each containing a three-way
speaker system, provide the full orchestral sweep that only stereo-
phonic soundmakespossible.
THEFISHER
AMBASSADOR
IV
MODETA-60
Stereophonic Rqdio-Phonogroph
Flawless circuitry, the use of costly, durable materials, and un-
hurried manufacture - essential ingredients that are often lost in
massproduction * all of thesewill contribute to years of trouble-free
operation and your greater listening pleasure.These are the qualities
that have for over two decadeswon for the FISHER a r,yorid-wide
reputation.
A NOTE
ON STEREOPHONIC
SOUND
[l ne oevnornrnr of stereophonic
sound has brought us c]oseto
I achievins "Concert Hall" reaiism in the home, This dual-channel
system offers a distinct advantage over monophcnic (single-channel)
systemsby virtue o{ two important audio characteristics: the dimen-
sions of direction and depth. These live sound qualities are for the
most part missing in monophonic systemsbecause
recordings are made
and reproduced over a single channel, This is somewhat analogous
to
listening to music with one ear. Stereophonic recording techniques,
however, utilize two separate banks of microphones which are posi
tioned in the left and right sectionsof the orchestra. In this arrange-
ment, the microphdnes receive the musical sounds in.much the same
manner as the two ears of a listener. The sound picked up by each
bank of microphonesis then fed to independent channelsand recorded
on disks or tape, or transmitted over s€parate channels of a stereo-
phonic broadcast,

TABLEOF
CONTENTS
INSTATLING
THEAMBASSADOR
HOW TO USE
IHE CONIROI.S
THE FM AND AM ANTENNAS
SERVICE
NOTES
PAGE
6
7
To reproduce a stereophonic recording or broadcast in the home,
two separatesoundchannels
are required. The stereophonicsoundout-
put of a record player, tape recorder or tuner is fed to two separate
amplifier channels,
which in turn drive two separatespeaker systems.
Thus, instruments located on the left and right sides
of the orchestra
are heard predominantly in the left and right speakers,
respectively;
while instruments located in the center appear to be heard mid-way
between the two speaker systems.
The result is a startling sense of
presence
heretofore realized only at a live orchestral performance.
INSTATLING
THE AMBASSADOR
[t ur AuoassADoR operates on AC only. Connect the power cable
I "rt"ndins from the back of the cabinetto a wall outlet supplying
105 to 120 volts AC, at 50 to 60 cycles.
Maximum power consumption
is 165 watts. (Where line voltage is too high or too low, a step"down
or step-up
trans{ormer wili be necessary,
For S0-cycle
current' a special
adaptor pulley is required for the Automatic Turntable. In each case'
see
your FISHER dealer.)
Note: We suggest
you read the information in this booklet care-
fully. Proper installation together with a good knowledge of the con-
trols are essential for deriving the fullest enjoyment {rom your
FISHER.
The Automqtic Turntqble
During transit the Automatic Turntable is held in place by a
large wooden retaining bracket. This bracket and its two mounting
screws should be removed after the Ambassador has been placed in
its final location. The smali wooden blocks under the metal motor
board can be removed by loosening the screws
holding the Automatic
Turntable to the wooden shelf. When this is done, the Automatic
Turntable will ride freely on springs which act as shock absorbers.
Depress
eachsideo{ the Turntable to determinewhether it rides freely
on its spring mounts, If it doesnot move downward and back under
hand pressure, consult your FISHER dealer.

To remove the V-Guard, simply grasp the "V" of the stylus
assemblybetweenthe tips of the thumb and forefinger, pull gently to
remove the stylus assembly.To replace the V-Guard, grasp the "V" of
the stylus asserrrbly with the stylus point down, and slip into the cavity
as far as it will go.
The Anlennqs
TheAnrbassadorisequipped with two antennls,oneto receiveFM
broadcasts and one for AM lrroadcasts.These should provide good
recepticn in all casesexcept extreme fringe areas,or where special
local conditions.resultin high signal loss. (Buildings constructed
of
steel girders, for example, ('an cause a loss of signal strength.) If
receptionis weak or poor, see
the instructions
on page
6 to rectify the
condition.
HOWTO
USE
THE
CONTROLS
[t ue orrnerroN oF ALLcol.-rRoI-sis explained in this section.Refer-
I ring to Figure I while reading will be helpful. If you wish to
connectadditional components
to the sound systemo{ the Ambassador,
such as a Tape Recorder, for example, full information is provided
on page5. Befort: attempting to operate the Automatic Turntable, read
the instruction booklet accompanying this unit.
AC ond Volume
The AC Switch, which supplies power to the Ambassador,is com-
bined with the Volume Control. Turning this switch slightly clockwise
until it r:licks,
turns on the power and lights the dial scale. Note:
Make eertain automatic shutoff switch is in the off position.
The Volume Control is used to adjust the level of sound for both
channels.Turning this control in a clockwise direction will increase
the volume simultaneously at both speaker systems.
Note: Although only stereophonic programs require the use of
two speakersystemsto achievethe necessary
sound separation,the two
speaker systemsoI the Ambassad.orare in operation for monophonic
piograms as well, This use of both systems
provides a superior mono-
phonic effect.
Selector Switch
This seven-position switch selectsthe program you wish to hear,
whether a radio broadcast,a record selection,or some other program
source
you may haveconnected
to the sound systemof theAmbassador,
The positions havethe following functions:
PHONO MONO: Use this position to play regular LP or 45 RPM
records on the Record Changer, The stereophonic cartridge in the
Tone Arm will accommodate monophonic as well as stereophonic
records.In addition, all verticle rumble and noisecharacteristicsof LP
monophonic records will be completely eliminated, resulting in su-
perior monophonic sound,
NOTE: To play 78 RPM records, a special cartridgc is required. You
can obtain one from your FISHER dealer.
PHONO STEREO:Play all stereophonic
recordsin this position.
FM: This position selectsthe FM tuner for reception of FM broadcasts.
AM: This position selects
the AM Tuner for reception of AM broad-
casts.
FM-AM: In this position both Tuners are selectedfor the reception of
a stereophonic FM-AM broadcast. The FM sound will be heard on
the left speaker system; the AM on the right. (Consult your news-
paper for the station to which each Tuner must be set.)
AUX MONO: Use this position to select any additional monophonic
component you may have connected to the Ambassad,or
- a mono-
phonic tape recorder, record turntable, etc,
MPX STEREO:This position is used for the reception of FM multiplex
stereoprograms rvith the addition of the FISHER MPX-70 adaptor. A
stereotape recorder or other stereosound
sourcemay beplayed through
theAmbassador if multiplex reception is not desired.
FM ond AM Tuning
The FM Tuning knob selectsstations in the 87.5 to 108megacycle
band, while the AM Tunins knob selectsstations in the 535 to 1620

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kilocycle band. Turning either knob will move the corresponding
pointer along the dial.scaleto the station you wish to bear. A logging
scale, numbered 0 to I00, is included on the dial glass between the
FM and AM scales.By using this scale as a reference, you can tune
in your favorite stations more easily - the numerical order is linear,
and the gradations are equal, As you tnne in a station, the left (FM)
or right (AM) portion o{ the dual-displayMicro-Raytuning indicator
will close.Best reception is achieved by tuning until the dark band is
narrowest. (On AM, the two bright sections may overlap somewhat
on strong stations.)
BqsscrndTreble Conlrols
These controls permit you to adjust the tonal qualities of sound
to your personal listening requirements. The Bass Control varies the
intensity of the low {requency bass tones, while the Treble Control
varies the intensity of the high frequency treble tones, Each Control
varies the tones for both channels simultaneously, To increase or de-
crease
bassor treble intensity, turn these knobs toward MAX or MIN,
as desired.
To listen to program material exactly asit originatesfrom a broad-
casting studio, set these controls to NORMAL. This is "flat" position,
and is equivalent to RIAA equalization. If you leave thesecontrols at
NORMAL while playing an LP or stereophonicrecord, RIAA equaliza-
tion will be provided automatically. (A Tape Recorder is provided
with NARTB equalization within its own circuitry. Leaving the Bass
and Treble Controls in NORMAL position will maintain thii equaliza-
tion.) It should be remembered,however, that these controls may be
set to any position dictated by personal listening preferences,
Eqlqnce Control
This controi enablesyou to obtain equal sound levels {rom each
speaker systern,
Balanced separationis important when you are listen-
ing to stereophonic
program material, sinceeachsection
of an orchestra
must be heard in its true perspective; that is, neither section should
come through any louder than it normally would in relation to the
other.
FIGURE
l. Fronf Ponel Of The Ambqssodor.

Vith the Balance Control pointing to NORMAL, the volume at
the left and right speaker syst€ms
should be the same.
However, any
slight imbalance that may exist due to record characteristics,differ-
ences in roonl acoustics etc, can be corrected with this control,
Simply turn the knob slightly toward MAX-A or MAX-B lo increase
the volume at the left or right speaker systems,as required. You can
also use this control when you are listening to monophonic program
material, since both speaker systems are also in use. In this case,
of course, balanced sound outpui is not very critical.
It should be pointed out that the Balance Contlol is zol a volume
control; for, as the level of sound is increased on one speaker system,
it is decreasedon the other, maintaining approximately the sameover-
ail soundoutput. (NOTE: You can cut ofi the soundat either loud-
speaker system by moving the control to its extreme MAX-A or
MAX-B position.)
Aufomqtic Shuroff
In order to usethe automatic shutoff {eature,the AC Power switch
on the control panel must first be turned ON. Then by turning the
Automatic Shutoff switch to ON, the entireAmbassador will be turned
off after the last record has beenplayed,and will be turned on again as
soon as the Automatic Turntable is once more put in operation, This
feature may be defeated by turning the switch to OFF. Be sure to
leate this switch OFF when not using the Automatic Turntable, or
the Ambassador
will be inoperatiue.
CONNECTING
ADDITIONAL
COMPONENTS
TO THESOUND SYSTEM
OF THE AMBASSADOR
f r aoorrrorv ro LrsrENINcto radio broadcasts
and playing the Auto-
I matic Turntable, you can connect
other program sources
to the sound
systemof the Ambassador.These can include the sound from your TV
set, the FISHER Spacexpander and MPX-70 multiplex adaptor, or a
stereo tape recorder (if multiplex reception is not desired). The in-
formation that follows describes
how to connectadditional equipment,
and also gives the necessarycontrol settingsfor proper operation, The
input and output jacks to which connectionsare made are located
on the Tuner and Amplifier chassis,as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.
Tope R.ecorder
A monophonic tape recorder may be played through lhe Ambassa-
dor by connecting the recorder output to the AUX MONO jack on the
Tuner-Control chassis.You can record a program from the Ambassa-
dor by connecting the tape recorder input jack to the Channel A or B
RCRDR OUTPUT jack on the samechassis.
A stereo tape recorder may be used if the MPX-70 multiplex
adaptor is not instailed in your Ambassad,or. In this case, connect
the MPX INPUT jacks on the Ambassador to the recorder outputs,
and the RCRDR OUTPUT jacks on the Ambassador to the recorder
inputs. Be sure you do not reverse the channels when making these
connections. To play back your tapes through the sound system of
the Ambassador,turn the Selector switch to MPX STEREO.
Mulriplex Slereo
FM multiplex is a new method of transmitting stereo broadcasts
over a single FM station. In order to receive multiplex programs in
stereosound,the FISHER MPX-70 must be added to the Ambassador.
Without the addition of the MPX-70, you will hear muitiplex programs
monophonically, just as ordinary FM broadcasts.
'Io install the MPX-
70, simply follow these {our steps:
1 Mount the NIPX-7Owith the four screws provided.
2- Connect the MPX OUTPUT on the Tuner-Control chassiso{ the
Ambassador
(see
Figure 5) to the INPUT jack of the MPX-70 with
the three-{oot cable supplied.
3- Connect the Channel A and Channel B OUTPUT jacks of the
MPX-70 to the corresponding
MPX INPUT jacks on the Tuner-Control
chassis
of the Ambassador.Two cables are supplied {or this purpose.

4- The power cable of the MPX-70 should be connected to the
special NIPX CONNECTOR jack on the Tuner chassis.
TV Sound
Becausetelevision receivers differ widely in circuit design, it is
advisable
to consult your serviceman
before attempting to connect
the sound output of your TV set to the sound systemoI the Ambassa-
dor. However, cnce the method of connection has been determined,
the cable from the TV set should be connected to the AUX MONO
input jack on the side of the Tuner chassis.
Set the Selector Switch
to AUX NIONO and adjust the audio controls as desired.
WS-l Speokers
Jacks are provided on the Amplifier chassisol the Ambassador
for the connection of two FISHER WS-1 Speakers as adjuncts to
the two speaker systems. With the addition of the WS-l system,the
stereophonicas well as monophonic sound pattern can be augmented
to a startling degree. Simply connect the WS-I cables to the WS-l
jacks. Place the speaker connected to the A jack on the le{t side
of the room, and the speaker connected to the B jack on the right
side of the room, (as viewed from the listening area.)
Spocexponder
Special Spacexpander jacks are located on the Tuner-Controi
chassis for the connection of this revolutionary ncw reverberation
device. Remove the jumper plugs before installing rhe Spacexpander
and store in a safe place for possible future use.Then make the fol-
lowing connections:
f-TO REV OUT A jack on the Ambassador to the Channel A Output
jack on the Spacexpander,
2-TO REV OUT B jack on lhe Antbassador
to the Channel B Output
jack on the Spacexpander,
3 TO REV IN A jack on the Ambassador to the Channel A Input
jack on the Spacexpand,er.
4-TO REV IN B jack on the Ambassador to rhe Channel B Input
jack on the Spacexpander.
NOTE: If rhe Spar:expander is not connected to these jacks, the
jumper plugs must be inserted, or the Ambassador will be inoperative.
THE FM AND AM ANTENNAS
-trpene're FM nNo Al\1 erqrnl{Nasare supplied rvith the Ambassad.or
t-) for the two typesof radio reception.Theseantennas
should be ade-
quate in all cases
exoept extreme fringe area conditions. If reception
is weak, the connection of a roof antenna may be necessary
to increase
the strength of the radio signals. The following information relers to
the Antenna Terminal strip at the rear of the Tuner chassis (see
Figure 5
)
.
FM Antenno
A folded dipole antenna for Fl\{ reception is stapled to the rear
of the cabinet along the edges.The leads from this antenna are con-
nected to FM T'erminals 2 and 3, To increasesignal strength, remove
these two leads and connect the leads from a roof antenna in their
place (see Fig. 2). Consult your serviceman about a proper FM
antenna for your area.
FIGURE2. Anlenno conncctions
(dipole or roof type)
for normolor fringe signoloreos.
r-FM-r rAM-r
AU/t763

t-FM-r rAM-r <
Ah>
4l/
SERVICE
NOTES
FIGURE3. FM Anlenno connectionsfor slrong signol orecs.
NOTE: In areas where reception is too strong, the signal may
overload the Tuner input circuit. To cut down on excessivesignal
strength, transfer the leads of the FM antenna to FM Terminals I
and 2. (See Fig. 3.)
l-FM-r rAM-r
I
Cleoning the Diql Glcrss
The dial glass
can be removed for cleaning purposes
by following
thesesimplesteps:
I Remove all of the control knobs from the front panei by pulling
them up.
2- Removethe screws{rom the wooden panel, then lift off the panel.
3- Loosenthe screwsthat retain the clips to the dial glass,
swing the
clips aside, then lift off the glass. (When you replace the dial glass,
make certain it is set in the sameposition it occupiedbe{ore removal.)
4- Remove dust with a dry cloth. For more thorough cleaning, use
a soapand water solution only. II yor use any stronge-fcleaning agent,
you may damage the markings on the glass.
At Your Service
It is our continuing desireto have your FISHER instrument
give
you the best performance of which it is capable.Toward that objective
we solir:it your correspondence on any special problems that may
arise. After you have had an opportunity to familiarize yourself with
THE FISHER, we would appreciatehearing from you on how it is
meeting
your requirements.
Your Fisher Deqler
"We take care of our own." Be sure to consult your FISHER
dealer promptly if any defect is indicated. He stands ready to assist
vou at anv time.
FIGURE
4.AM RoofAntennoconneclions
(link disconnecred).
AM Antennq
The built-in Ferrite Loop Antenna that provides AM reception is
connected to the AM Tuner when the metal link connects AM Ter-
minals4 and 5. lf reception
isweak on somestationsbecauseof fringe
area conditions, a roof antenna will provide greatel signal strength.
Disconnect the link from Terminal 4 and connectthe AM roof antenna
to this terminal, as shown in Fig. 4.

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