Wright Audio Royale SE2 Operation and maintenance manual

Wright Audio
Royale SE2
Single-Ended Triode 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
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 to the spea er terminals. Do not attach the
main spea ers to a subwoofer crossover plate which is mar ed ‘Spea er Terminals’.
3. Never switch or disconnect input cables while the amplifier is on AND the volume turned up.
Doing so may damage the output tubes and your spea ers.
4. Any modifications to the amplifier's circuitry or operation with other than Wright Audio recommended
tube types 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 and amplifier failure. See our website for suitable replacement tubes.
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 enclosed sheet, on the amplifier's top
surface or 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. 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 as mar ed.

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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 5 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 bac of the amplifier. Ta e care to align the ‘ ey’ at the base of each tube with the
soc et ‘ ey’. With the miniature tubes, a gap exists 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. For the larger tubes, grasp them
at the base, not the glass portion.
CAUTION: Do not 'rock' the large octal ase tu es ack and forth to insert them in the sockets.
Doing so may reak the tu es' center post key. Likewise, do not rock the tu es when removing them.
Due to manufacturing tolerances on oth the tu e and the socket, it may e possi le to incorrectly
rotate and insert the tu e in the socket. Check VISUALLY to e sure the ridge key on the tu e post
aligns with the cutout ridge on the tu e socket efore inserting.
5. Insert the appropriate RCA plugs to the amplifier inputs. Ma e sure the plugs are fully inserted into the
jac s with the outer s irt of the plug tight around the soc et.
6. When connecting the spea ers, be sure to observe the POLARITY of the connection. This amplifier
reverses absolute polarity. Because of this, you may connect the BLACK amplifier terminal to the RED
spea er terminal and the RED amplifier terminal to the BLACK spea er terminal. Be sure to do the same
connection for both spea ers.
LINE INPUTS
The 3 source inputs are all electrically identical, are interchangeable and compatible with all standard line-
level inputs.
A record turntable will require a separate preamplifier such as the Wright Audio PH-2 with its Power Supply.
PREAMPLIFIER OUTPUT / POWER AMPLIFIER SECTION INPUT
This integrated amplifier provides a stereo, low-impedance preamplifier output with a variable level control
and a power amplifier section input for the primary purpose of biamplification using an external electronic
crossover or connecting a subwoofer amplifier / spea er.
For use with separate self-powered subwoofers, the preamplifier’s output is connected to the line input of the
subwoofer crossover. For use with a single subwoofer, connect a ‘Y’ adapter at the preamplifier’s left and right
outputs to sum the stereo channels. Alternately, many single subwoofer systems sum the left and right
channels at the subwoofer input. In this case, run a stereo left /right pair of shielded cables to the subwoofer
unit.
Do not connect the su woofer amplifier to the Royale’s speaker terminals as this will provide poor
ass and possi ly damage the amplifier.
The initial volume level is set on the subwoofer unit listening to the system with the Bass Control on the
amplifier set at about the 12 o'cloc position. The bass volume on the subwoofer unit should be set slightly
less or at the middle setting with a variety of program sources. When greater bass is preferred, such as when
listening at overall lower volumes, the Bass Control can be set higher to compensate for the lac of bass in
the program or the loss of sensitivity to bass which is a characteristic of the ear at low listening levels.

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BI OR TRI-AMPLIFICATION
The ‘Direct-External’ switch on the amplifier’s top surface is at the power amplifier’s section input and is
normally ept in the ‘Direct’ position which provides the signal path from the internal preamplifier.
However, the Royale SE2 Integrated Amplifier may be used for even greater performance in a bi-, or
preferably triamplification system using an external dedicated crossover made by other companies.
In this instance, the crossover’s input is connected to the Preamplifier Output and the Bass Level Control on
the amplifier is turned fully cloc wise. The crossover’s midrange/treble or treble only output can be connected
to the Royale SE2 integrated amplifier’s power amplifier input. With this connection, the Royale’s ‘Direct-
External’ switch is set to the ‘External’ position.
In a tri-amplified system, the Royale SE2 Integrated Amplifier power amplifier section would power the
spea er system’s tweeter, the Royale SE Power Amplifier would power the midrange and probably a
transistor power amplifier would power the bass driver.
Tonal balance can now be provided via the crossover’s volume level controls for the tweeter, midrange and
bass spea er drivers (in a tri-amplified system) provided the spea er system has provision for directly
connecting its drivers to the respective power amplifier’s output bypassing the spea er system’s internal
passive crossover.
This arrangement provides maximum power transfer from the amplifier directly to the drivers for maximum
efficiency, best sound and most effective crossover slopes. This arrangement also ma es practical the use of
2 or more high quality, but lower output single-ended, triode connected amplifiers as the ideal solution for the
ultimate stereo system. It is recommended that some sort of passive protection be provided to a tweeter
when so connected in a tri-amplified system.
GENERAL OPERATING NOTES AND MAINTENANCE
When new, your unit will require 2 or 3 days of operation for about 2 hours per day before it ‘brea s in’ and
begins to sound its best. It will continue to improve during the next few wee s of operation.
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 the volume of one
channel or the other will adjust the volume balance between the channels. Turning both countercloc wise will
adjust for overly high-output sources and / or extremely efficient spea ers or listening in a small room close to
the spea ers.
Operate your Wright Audi amplifier only when you are actively listening to it. Unli e solid-state equipment,
Wright Audi amplifiers reach their optimum listening quality only in about 10 minutes, and it is simply a waste
of power and tube life to leave the amplifier on continuously.
TROUBLESHOOTING
The unit has been designed to be as free from trouble as possible. However, a couple conditions can occur
which will affect the amplifier’s operation.
TUBE ‘GLOWING’ OR FUSE FAILURE
If either of the large output tube plates (the grey, 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. Tube
substitution should be tried. DO NOT continue to operate the amplifier with a defective tube, as other parts
will be damaged. If tube substitution does not solve the problem, refer servicing to Wright Audio.

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The amplifier is provided with output tube cathode TEST jac s placed in close proximity of the tube being
measured and a convenient GROUND jac located behind the GZ34 / 5AR4 tube. A DC voltmeter may be
used to measure the individual tube’s cathode voltage. A reading of positive 26 to 36 volts is considered
normal for EL34 and KT77 tubes and the tube must be replaced if the reading falls outside these parameters.
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, a poor tube pin-to-soc et connection or a faulty tube.
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.
Liberal application of cleaner to the tube pins which are then inserted in the tube soc ets usually cures any
noise original from this source. The application may need to be repeated for satisfactory results. Do not
insert anything into the tube soc ets except the tubes.
Noise originating from operation of the controls indicates the controls or switches are dirty or worn. Contact
Wright Audio.
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 CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOUR UNIT BE SHIPPED TO WRIGHT AUDIO WITHOUT
AUTHORIZATION OR WITHOUT THE ORIGINAL PACKING. An attempted delivery to us without a Return
Authorization Number will be refused.
Ship PREPAID via UPS or FEDEX only. Be sure to INSURE the product for the full replacement cost. Collect
shipments cannot be accepted.
CONTACT INFORMATION AT THE WEBSITE
WWW.WRIGHTAUDIO.US
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