STA-235 (310-2065) Connections Faxback Doc. # 16063 BEFORE MAKING CONNECTIONS: 1. Do not plug in the receiver's power cord. 2. Be sure POWER is off. NOTE: To reduce hum, use shielded audio cables for all connections except speakers. SPEAKERS The STA-235 has two sets of A (main/front) speaker outputs - use only one set. If the speakers have phono plug inputs, use the receiver's phono plug outputs and a set of unshielded speaker cables. Otherwise use the receiver's screw terminal outputs. For maximum bass response, be sure to observe proper phasing. Connect the + Receiver speaker output to the speaker terminal labeled A, 1 or + and the - output to the speaker terminal labeled B, 2 or -. Most speaker wire is marked with a ridge along one conductor or has one color-coded conductor. If you use preassembled phono plugs, phasing will automatically be correct. Connect B (remote/rear) speakers following the instructions above. Be sure the speakers are phased properly. NOTES: 1. The STA-235's outputs are designed for 4-16 ohms speakers. However, when more than one pair of speakers are being connected, use only 8-16 ohms systems. This will prevent the amplifier from being overloaded. 2. When using the screw terminals, be sure no stray strands of wire touch a second terminal or the chassis - a harmful short could result. 3. Connect no more than two pairs of speakers to the receiver. 4. Use only as much wire as necessary to connect the speakers. Excessive lengths can result in reduced audio output from the speakers. If you are using lengths of over 10/12 feet (3 - 3.6 m), use heavy gauge wire (18 or larger). If you are using 4 ohm speakers, connect only one pair of speakers, or use only one pair of speakers at a time. That is, don't use A + B or REAR/QUATRAVOX if one pair is 4 ohms. Low impedance speaker systems will tend to trip the automatic circuit protection/amplifier shut-down circuitry when operating at high volume levels (to prevent damage from amplifier overdrive). See notes below on Overload Protection. PHONOGRAPH Connect the turntable leads to the PHONO inputs. If the turntable has a ground wire (usually black or green) connect it to the PHONO GND screw. Plug the turntable's AC cord into a rear panel outlet or a wall socket. Normally, the rear panel sensitivity switch should be set to LOW. If the cartridge has an especially high output, slide the switch to HIGH. Try to match the phono level to the FM tuner's so that there is little change in volume when switching sources. TAPE DECK For recording, connect the Receiver's TAPE MONITOR 1 OUT jacks to a recorder's Aux or Line Input. For playback, connect the deck's Output or Line Out Jacks to the Receiver's TAPE MONITOR 1 IN jacks. You can connect a second deck to the front panel DUB OUT and rear TAPE MONITOR 2 IN jacks. For playback only, you can connect a 3rd deck to the AUX jacks (assuming you are not already using them). ANTENNAS The built-in AM and FM antennas should be adequate in most areas. If you think you need an external antenna see "Hints For Better Sound". Connect antennas to terminals as shown in the owner's manual. AUXILIARY Plug the output from any high level source into the AUX jacks. This input is ideal for a second tuner, TV audio, ceramic or crystal phono cartridges, a tape player, shortwave radio, etc. BEFORE PLUGGING IN THE STA-235 1. Double-check all connections - especially the speaker connections - to assure that all connections are firm and that there are no shorts. 2. Set the VOLUME controls to "0" (minimum). 3. All push-buttons should be out. CHOOSING THE REST OF THE SYSTEM SPEAKERS No stereo system sounds better than its speakers, so choose the best you can afford for your front or main speakers. With a high quality receiver like the STA-235, you should carefully consider Radio Shack's Optimus and Nova-series speakers. To be able to hear your new receiver's superior performance, we recommend one of the MC-series speakers as a minimum investment. Ideally the rear channel speakers for Quatravox should be identical to the front speakers. This assures a perfect tonal match and makes it easy and inexpensive to convert to one of the discrete 4-channel systems whenever you're ready. However, it is possible to enjoy the added spaciousness of Quatravox with an inexpensive set of rear speakers like Radio Shack's Solo-series. Of course there are a wide variety of speakers intended primarily for remote use. Some are weather-proofed for outdoor installations and others offer the convenience of built-in volume control. Naturally, if you plan to use the remote speakers for critical listening, you should consider using the same type of speakers for both the main and remote installations. Your nearest Radio Shack has a complete selection of speakers for every application and budget. TURNTABLE For convenience, most people prefer a record changer (often called an automatic turntable) to a manual turntable. A changer will play an entire stack of records and returns the tonearm to its rest at the end of the last record. For the best sound, the turntable should be equipped with a magnetic cartridge. Cartridges equipped with conical styli (needles) are usually inexpensive and have good sound. But a cartridge with an elliptical stylus follows the record groove more accurately and, so, produces better sound. Your Radio Shack store has a selection of changer systems which come with factory-mounted bases and cartridges. TAPE DECKS Until very recently, reel-to-reel tape decks were the only possible choice for those interested in true high-fidelity. Recent technological advances have made 8-track and cassette recorders approach the sound quality of reel-to-reel machines. Reel-to-reel decks are a must for those who want to edit their own tapes and they still have marginally the best performance. The best cassette decks, equipped with special tape bias settings and noise reduction circuitry, will out-perform many reel-to-reel decks. They have the additional advantage of compactness and convenient pop-in loading. In addition, cassettes can be used in the car as well as at home. 8-track cartridges provide slightly less fidelity than cassettes or reels, but have several advantages. An 8-track recorder plays pre-recorded car tapes at home and can save money by recording new auto tapes. In addition, an 8-track cartridge uses a continuous tape loop which can provide hours of uninterrupted music. Many 8-track playback decks are less expensive than record changers and let you use car tapes at home. HEADPHONES Any system can benefit from a good pair of stereo headphones. They provide convenient private listening and many people find the heightened stereo very exciting. The STA-235's front-panel headphone jack will accept any low impedance stereo headphones. When shopping, wear each pair of headphones long enough to be sure they will be comfortable. ANTENNAS Under most conditions the receiver's built-in antennas should provide adequate AM and FM reception. If you have difficulty see HINTS FOR BETTER SOUNDS. (llg/all-07/21/95)