Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista User manual

Tri-Vista Power Instructions for Use Page 1of 9
Issue 1: March 2003
Tri-Vista
MONOBLOC POWER AMPLIFIER
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Thank you for purchasing the Musical Fidelity
Tri-Vista Power Amplifier.
Used properly and carefully, it should give you many
years of outstanding musical reproduction.
Aesthetically, the Tri-Vista Power amplifier is a perfect match for the
Tri-Vista Preamplifier and Tri-Vista SACD player which are part of
our 20th Anniversary series.
Together, they form one of the finest hi-fi systems available today.
Dust regularly with a soft duster 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.

Tri-Vista Power Instructions for Use Page 2of 9
SAFETY INFORMATION
Issue 1: March 2003
IMPORTANT! (U.K. only)
This unit is supplied in the U.K. with a mains lead fitted with a moulded 13 amp plug.
If, for any reason, you need to cut off this plug, please remove the fuse holder and dispose of
the plug safely, out of reach of children. It must not be plugged into a mains outlet.
The wires in the mains lead supplied with this appliance are coloured in accordance
with the following code:
Green and yellow ........... Earth
Blue ............................ Neutral
Brown ............................. Live
WARNING - This appliance must be earthed
As the colours of the wires of the mains lead of this appliance may not correspond with the
coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:
The wire which is coloured green-and-yellow must be connected to the terminal in the plug
which is marked with the letter E or coloured green or green-and-yellow, or by the earth
symbol:
The wire which is coloured brown must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the
letter L or coloured red.
The wire which is coloured blue must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the
letter N or coloured black.
If connecting to a BS1363 plug, a 13 amp fuse must be used.
WARNING:
The Tri-Vista Power is a powerful amplifier and must necessarily supply high
voltages through the loudspeaker terminals. Therefore, to avoid any possibility of
an electric shock DO NOT TOUCH THE SPEAKER TERMINALS when the unit
is being used.
WARNING:
Any modifications to this product not expressly approved by Musical Fidelity who
is the party responsible for standards compliance could void the user’s authority to
operate this equipment.

Tri-Vista Power Instructions for Use Page 3of 9
Issue 1: March 2003
GENERAL ADVICE
INSTALLATION PRECAUTIONS and USER INFORMATION
Your new Tri-Vista Power amplifier is designed and built to provide trouble-free performance,
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 Tri-Vista Power 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 side heatsink fins 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. Refer all service work to an authorised Musical Fidelity agent.
NOTE: Unauthorised opening of the equipment will invalidate any warranty claims.
There are fuses inside the Tri-Vista amplifier. In the unlikely event that one blows, refer the unit
to your audio dealer. Do NOT try to replace the fuse yourself as this will invalidate the war-
ranty.
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 Tri-Vista 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.

Tri-Vista Power Instructions for Use Page 4of 9
Issue 1: March 2003
Audio input socket (RCA type)
Front panel
Back panel
Illuminated feet with multi-colour indicator LEDs
CONNECTIONS AND FACILITIES - MAIN UNIT
Power supply lead input - low voltage
Mains input from
power supply unit
Control lead socket
Speaker output
terminals
(three pairs)

Tri-Vista Power Instructions for Use Page 5of 9
Issue 1: March 2003
CONNECTIONS AND FACILITIES - POWER SUPPLY
Power supply unit back panel
10 Right channel PSU fuse
11 Right PSU low voltage output
12 Control circuit fuse
13 Left PSU low voltage output
14 Left channel PSU fuse
15 Mains switch
16 Mains inlets - 16 Amp IEC type (two)
17 Right PSU switched mains output
18 Right control lead socket
19 Left control lead socket
20 Left PSU switched mains output
Power supply unit front panel
1Power-on button
2Power-off button
3Fluorescent display - see page 7
4Left power indicator LED
5PSU power indicator LED
6Right power indicator LED
7Display brightness button
- see page 7
8Display information change button
- see page 7
9Illuminated feet with multi-colour
indicator LEDs
1 2 7 8
3456
10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 16
9
9

Tri-Vista Power Instructions for Use Page 6of 9
AUDIO CONNECTIONS
Either of the two Tri-Vista Power ampli-
fiers can be used with a preamplifier or
line level source which has a volume con-
trol. We highly recommend the matching
Tri-Vista preamplifier available from
Musical Fidelity.
Connect the left and right audio outputs
from your pre-amplifiers to the RCA input
sockets on each of the two Tri-Vista power
amplifiers marked INPUT, using good
quality co-axial audio leads (not supplied).
LOUDSPEAKER CONNECTIONS
Using the accessory speaker leads supplied,
connect your loudspeakers to the terminals
on the back panel marked SPEAKER
OUTPUTS. Any of the three pairs of ter-
minals provided can be used. The wiring
must be “in phase”, namely, the +and -
terminals connected to the left and right
speakers the same way round.
Warnings:
1:
The Tri-Vista Power amplifier has a
very large output capability. All input,
output and power connections must
therefore be reliable, and made with the
mains power switched OFF to prevent
possible damage to your loudspeakers.
2.
The negative (black) terminal is part of
a “bridged” circuit, and therefore has
live speaker output. It must not be con-
nected to any chassis or earth terminal.
Issue 1: March 2003
POWER CONNECTIONS
There are three accessory interconnection
leads supplied for each of the two
monobloc amplifiers, two leads for low
voltage and one thick armoured mains
cable. Connect one set of leads between
the power supply unit and the left channel
amplifier sockets, and the other set from the
power unit to the right amplifier sockets.
Left and right channel destinations must be
as shown by the panel socket markings.
Plug the two accessory IEC mains leads
into the rear panel sockets of the power
supply unit, then the other ends into con-
venient wall outlets.
BEFORE SWITCHING ON . . . . .
Turn the volume control on your preampli-
fier to minimum, and switch on its power.
OPERATION
Press the POWER rocker switch on the
back panel of the power supply unit. A sin-
gle blue PSU POWER LED on the front
panel will light to confirm that power is
applied, but the system will not operate, as
control is now from the front panel.
To switch on, press the ON button on the
front panel. One amplifier will power up
first, then after a short delay the other chan-
nel, confirmed by left and right blue power
LEDs on the front panel.
LEDs in the feet of the amplifiers and
power supply will also light red for about
six seconds, indicating that all audio out-
puts are muted. Muting is then disabled,
and feet illumination fades over approxi-
mately fifteen seconds to amber, showing
that your Tri-Vista Power amplifiers are
now ready for use.
continued . . .
CONNECTIONS and OPERATION

Tri-Vista Power Instructions for Use Page 7of 9
OPERATION (contd.) &FLUORESCENT DISPLAY
Issue 1: March 2003
BRIGHTNESS
Pressing the BRIGHTNESS button on the
power supply front panel cycles the fluo-
rescent display through five brightness
levels.
DISPLAY INFORMATION
Each time the INFOrmation button on the
power supply front panel is pressed, the
display mode changes between three
states. Note that the display still functions
if power to the amplifiers has been
switched off by the OFF button.
When the button is pressed for the first
time after the system has been switched on,
the display shows the total number of
hours the amplifiers have been powered :
Press again . . .
. . . the serial number is shown :
Press again . . .
. . . the model number is shown :
Press again . . .
. . . the display reverts to its initial state :
Select the required audio input source on
your pre-amplifier, and adjust the volume
control to obtain the preferred sound level.
After a period of about 35 minutes, the
LED feet colour fades to blue, confirming
that the amplifiers are fully warmed up.
Pressing the OFF button turns off the dis-
play and power to both amplifiers.
AUTOMATIC FAULT DETECTION
If there is a fault with either left or right
channel, or the cables are not connected
correctly, that channel will shut down auto-
matically.
There are sensors in each channel to detect
adverse operating conditions. Under these
conditions the display shows the word
CLIPPING and a number between 1 and
240 depending on severity. If this number
reaches 240, both amplifiers will shut
down.
Similarly, if a major overload is detected by
either amplifier, both amplifiers will shut
down immediately.
Note :
After an initial “burn-in” period of 168
hours in the factory, this counter has been
set to zero.
The fluorescent display then shows the fol-
lowing automatic sequence:

Tri-Vista Power Instructions for Use Page 8of 9
PROBLEMS ?
Issue 1: March 2003
Basic problem-solving with an amplifier is similar to troubleshooting any other electrical or
electronic equipment. Always check the most obvious possible causes first, such as the
following:
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 Tri-Vista Power amplifier your-
self, as this will invalidate the guarantee.
Problem Possible Cause Remedy
No power when MAINS Mains plug or plugs not Plug in securely
POWER switch is operated inserted fully into rear socket
No sound Tape monitor function has Switch off tape monitor
been selected on the pre- at the pre-amplifier
amplifier
Wrong connections between Check audio input lead
pre-amplifier and the connections
Tri-Vista Power
Speakers not connected, or Check speaker cables
incorrectly wired
The sound is not precise, Speakers are connected out of Ensure method of conn-
lacking bass and stereo phase, i.e. connections to one ection is the same for left
image speaker (+ and -) are reversed and right speakers

Tri-Vista Power Instructions for Use Page 9of 9
SPECIFICATIONS :
Output voltage, RMS 92 Volts 20Hz to 20kHz
peak 130 Volts
Power output, single or both channels driven 1000 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms (24dBW)
1800 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms
3000 Watts per channel into 2 Ohms
Peak output current ±200 Amps
Damping factor 205
Output devices per channel 40
Total Harmonic Distortion + noise 0.005% at 1kHz up to 80% power, into 8 Ohms
< 0.005% 20Hz to 20kHz at 12.5 Watts into 8 Ohms
Intermodulation distortion 0.002% at 12.5 Watts into 8 Ohms
Frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz ±0dB
10Hz to 100kHz +0/-1dB
Audio gain 30dB (31.5 times) nominal
Input impedance 31K Ohm
Input sensitivity for full power output into 8 Ohms 2.92 Volts
Signal / noise ratio, reference full power output > 124dB “A”- weighted
Input 1 RCA connector per monobloc
Outputs 2 monobloc channels via 3 pairs of speaker binding posts
per channel,
Power requirements 100 / 115 / 230V AC, 50 / 60Hz (factory preset)
3000 Watts maximum with 8 Ohms load
160 Watts idle per channel
Dimensions Main units 483 mm, 19 inches wide
318 mm, 12.5 inches high including feet
450 mm, 17.7 inches deep including terminals
Power supply 483 mm, 19 inches wide
168 mm, 6.6 inches high including feet
374 mm, 14.7 inches deep including sockets
Weight Main units, each 43 kg, 94.8 lbs unit only, unboxed
61 kg, 135 lbs in shipping carton
Power supply 42.7 kg, 94.1 lbs unit only, unboxed
48.2 kg, 106 lbs in shipping carton
Standard IEC mains leads - 16 Amp type :two, 2.4 metres (94.5 inches) each
accessories Switched mains interconnection leads :two, 1.2 metres (47.3 inches), and 0.7 metres (27.5 inches)
Low voltage interconnection leads :two, 1.2 metres (47.3 inches), and 0.7 metres (27.5 inches)
Control interconnection leads :two, 1.2 metres (47.3 inches), and 0.7 metres (27.5 inches)
Loudspeaker leads :two, twin conductors, 3 metres (118 inches) each
Issue 1: March 2003
Musical Fidelity reserves the right to make improvements which may result in specification or feature changes without notice.
Tri-Vista
Power Amplifier

CAUTION
Read this BEFORE connecting your
kW Amplifier - it could save your
loudspeakers.
Make sure the kW is turned OFF for at least five
minutes before connecting or disconnecting it, or
making any other changes, for example changing
loudspeaker cables.
Turning the kW OFF will protect your loudspeakers
from the destructive power of an accidental 5000
watt peak.
Because the kW will NOT CLIP, any inadvertent
electrical noise will be hugely amplified by the kW.
As the kW can deliver 5000 watt peaks, a mistake
could vaporise the internals of your loudspeakers.
At the factory, we ALWAYS switch off the kW for
at least five minutes before we change anything.
So should you. You have been warned . . .
COVER

Caution
Turn off the kW amplifier at least five minutes before you
connect, disconnect or make any changes.
To explain further:
The RMS power capacity of the kW is far higher than the theoretical short-term peak current
of an ordinary amplifier. Used wrongly, this power can vaporise your speakers.
If you make an error when changing the interconnects, an ordinary power amplifier will try to
deliver its peak power and current into the loudspeaker. This might only last for a few micro-
seconds, not long enough to damage a properly designed loudspeaker.
The kW, however, behaves differently when an error is made. As its RMS power is much
higher than almost any other amplifier’s peak rating, the kW will deliver its peak power for as
long as the problem exists. If you react quickly, you may pull out the offending cable in half a
second. A small error, but more than enough to vaporise you loudspeakers, because the kW
will release between 1000 and 5000 watts peak into them. One mistake, and it’s bye-bye
speakers, so . . .
To protect your loudspeakers, ALWAYS turn the kW OFF before changing any interconnect,
or doing anything which might cause the amplifier to deliver its full peak power and current
into your loudspeakers. At Musical Fidelity, we treat the kW with extreme respect. When we
change interconnects, or do any form of maintenance, we ALWAYS TURN IT OFF at
least five minutes before touching anything.
The kW will deliver truly astonishing dynamics and control into any loudspeakers, but because
of its stupendous power, voltage and current ratings, you must think before acting.
When working with the kW, we always “think fast, act slow”, and so far, we haven’t blown
any speakers. If you are careful, your speakers should be fine.
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