Wright Audio Royale SE2A Operation and maintenance manual

Wright Audio
Royale SE2A
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 amplifier's 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 and / or the tube. 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.

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11. Connect the unit to an electrical outlet providing 50 to 60 cycles AC and the voltage as mar ed.
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. Take care to align the ‘ke ’ at the base of
each tube with the socket ‘ke ’. 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 base tubes back and forth to insert them in the sockets.
Doing so ma break the tubes' center post ke . Likewise, do not rock the tubes when removing
them.
Due to manufacturing tolerances on both the tube and the socket, it ma be possible to
incorrectl rotate and insert the tube in the socket. Check VISUALLY to be sure the ridge ke on
the tube post aligns with the cutout ridge on the tube socket before 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
This integrated amplifier provides a stereo, low-impedance preamplifier output with a variable level
control for 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.

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Do not connect the subwoofer amplifier to the Ro ale’s speaker terminals as this ma provide
poor bass and possibl 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.
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 Audio 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.
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.

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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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