Wright Audio Mini Amplifier Operation and maintenance manual

Wright Audio
Mini Amplifier
Single-Ended Integrated Amplifier
INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPERATION
PLEASE READ BEFORE PLUGGING IN THE UNIT
Welcome!
The Wright Audio Integrated Amplifiers incorporate advanced circuit characteristics and parts, which have been chosen
based on sonic quality and reliability.
Please ta e a few moments to read this manual. Doing so will enable you to thoroughly enjoy your new amplifier's sonic
quality and fully utilize its versatility. First, a few cautions. Most are common sense, but are here as reminders. These
apply to all tube and most solid-state amplifiers and are not specific only to your Wright Audio Amplifier.
1. Never operate the amplifier unless spea ers are attached to its outputs.
2. Do not attempt to connect a subwoofer crossover / amplifier / spea er to the spea er terminals.
3. Never switch or disconnect input cables while the amplifier is on AND the volume turned up. Doing so
may damage your spea ers.
4. Any modifications to the amplifier's circuitry voids the warranty. Tampering with the warranty seals voids the
warranty.
5. Tubes must be replaced at the end of their useful listening life, which is about 2000 hours, or approximately
every 2 to 3 years of 'average' use. Operation past this point increases the ris of complete tube failure
which may require amplifier repair.
6. The tubes get hot in normal operation. Touching one can result in a minor burn.
7. Do not attempt to change or remove a tube while the amplifier is on.
8. This amplifier utilizes a vacuum tube rectifier, the GZ34 / 5AR4. Whenever the amplifier has been turned off,
wait at least 5 minutes before turning the amplifier on again to allow it to cool. Not doing so stresses the tube.
9. Always install tubes of the identical numbers as shown on the stic er on the amplifier's bottom plate.
Inserting ANY other tube number will cause unsatisfactory operation and will probably damage the amplifier.
Tube numbers are always shown on the tube and tube box.
10. Do not open the bottom cover of the amplifier. Lethal voltages exist within, even when the power cord is
disconnected from the soc et. Only a qualified service technician familiar with vacuum tube technology
must service your amplifier. Preferably, it should be returned to Wright Audio if there is a malfunction.
11. Connect the unit to an electrical outlet providing 50 to 60 cycles AC and the voltage mar ed on the amplifier.
12. This unit has been provided with a 3-prong grounding plug. This arrangement is utilized as an added
measure of safety.

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13. The power cord should be unplugged from the AC outlet when the unit will not be used for an extended
period of time.
14. The unit must not be exposed to excessive moisture. Never use any more than a soft cloth lightly
moistened with water to clean the unit. Never use solvents. Unplug the unit from the AC power before cleaning.
INSTALLATION
1. Position the amplifier so that children or pets can not inadvertently touch the tubes.
2. Locate the amplifier where there is adequate ventilation --- at least 4 inches of space above it.
3. To minimize the chance of hum, place it away from other units' power transformers and motors.
4. Be sure the amplifier's power switch is in the 'Off' position and insert the tubes as mar ed by numbers on the
tubes and on the bottom of the amplifier. Ta e care to align the ' ey' at the base of the GZ34/5AR4 tube with
the soc et ' ey'. Insert the large tube by placing the finger around the base of the tube and refrain from
handling them by the glass. With the miniature tubes, there exists a gap in the pins which indicates the correct
alignment. Be sure to press the tubes gently, but firmly all the way down into the tube soc ets.
5. Insert the appropriate RCA plugs to the amplifier inputs. Ma e sure the RCA plugs are fully inserted into the
jac s with the outer s irt of the RCA plug tight around the soc et. It may be necessary to very slightly squeeze
this ground connection with your fingers or pliers to ensure a tight fit to the soc et.
6. When connecting the spea ers, be sure to observe the POLARITY of the connections so they are both are the
same.
7. If 2 or more components are used in a stereo / video installation which are supplied with AC 3-prong grounding
plugs, it is desirable that one of the two grounding plugs be ‘lifted’ from the wall ground so as not to create a
‘ground loop’ causing excessive hum through the spea er. Use a ‘3-prong to 2-prong’ AC wall adapter on ONE
component’s AC power cord only.
INPUTS
The 2 inputs are electrically identical and are interchangeable. Any analog source other than a magnetic phono
cartridge may be used.
GENERAL OPERATING NOTES
When new, your unit will require 2 or 3 days of operation about 2 hours per day before it 'brea s in' and begins to
sound its best.
The small controls beneath the Volume Control adjust the individual Left and Right channel levels. Normally, they
are ept fully cloc wise where they are nearly out of the signal path. Reducing one channel or the other will adjust
the volume balance between the channels, and turning both countercloc wise will adjust for overly high-output
source devices and/or extremely efficient spea ers.
Operate your Wright Audio amplifier only when you are actively listening to it. Unli e solid-state equipment, Wright
Audio’s equipment reaches its optimum listening quality in about 10 minutes, and it is simply a waste of power and
tube life to leave it on more than necessary.

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In the course of operation, if either of the EL84 / 6BQ5 plates (the gray, chimney-shaped structure inside the
tube) glows a dull to bright red color soon after warmup or suddenly during operation, it is probable that the tube
is defective. T rn the amplifier off immediately and do not contin e to operate it with a defective t be as
other parts will be damaged, req iring ret rn of the amplifier to Wright A dio. If tube substitution does
not solve the problem, refer servicing to Wright Audio. If one output tube fails, the replacement should match
the other tube’s manufacturer and type for satisfactory operation.
Wright Audio supplies suitable matched sets of replacement tubes at reasonable prices. Contact Wright Audio.
TROUBLESHOOTING
The unit has been designed to be as free from trouble as possible. However, a couple conditions may occur which
may affect the amplifier's operation or ma e it inoperative.
FUSE FAILURE
If the fuse fails, it is li ely that one of the output tubes is defective as described above. If the fuse fails again soon
after its replacement or after a defective tube is replaced, please contact Wright Audio.
NOISE
Any noise or hum encountered during the life of the amplifier will normally be traced to dirty or otherwise poor
connections at the input/output jac s, faulty tubes, poor tube pin-to-soc et connection or a system ‘ground loop’.
The best remedy is to apply isopropyl alcohol to a cotton swab which can be used to clean the connection. Do not
use spray-type contact cleaners on the tube soc ets or around the connections at the rear of the amplifier as this
may damage the finish or parts. For a ground loop issue, be sure not more than one component is connected to the
AC soc et with a 3-prong plug.
IN CASE OF A PROBLEM OR QUESTION
Your continued satisfaction with our products is extremely important to us. We will be happy to answer your
questions pertinent to the installation and operation of your unit. If the problem cannot be resolved through our
combined efforts, we may wish to authorize the return of your unit to us.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHOULD YOUR UNIT BE SHIPPED TO WRIGHT AUDIO WITHOUT
AUTHORIZATION. Ship PREPAID via UPS or FEDERAL EXPRESS only. Be sure to INSURE the product for the
full replacement cost. COLLECT shipments cannot be accepted.
Pac the unit in the original boxes, if available. If not, be sure to pac with at least 3 inches of pac ing material
around the amplifier. Complete return instructions are at www.WrightAudio.us
Wright A dio
www.wrightaudio.us