AVR 85 (serv.man4) - Harman Kardon Audio User Guide / Operation Manual. Page 16

Installation, Setup and Configuration

System Installation
After unpacking the unit, and placing it
on a solid surface capable of supporting
its weight, you will need to make the
connections to your audio and video
equipment. These steps need to be done
only when the receiver is first installed,
or when a change is made to the input
source equipment.

Audio Input and Output Connections
We recommend that you use high-quality
cables when making connections to
source equipment and recorders to
preserve the quality of the signals.

When making connections to audio
source equipment or speakers it is always
a good practice to unplug the unit from
the AC wall plug. This prevents any possi-
bility of accidentally sending audio or
transient signals to the speakers that may
damage them.

1. For playback only audio sources, such
as a CD player, CD changer, external
phono preamp or external digital to ana-
log converter, connect the output jacks of
the player to the appropriately labeled
inputs on the rear panel 

¶

.

Note: When the source device has both
fixed and variable audio outputs it is best
to use the fixed output unless you find
that the input to the receiver is so low
that the sound is noisy, or high that the
signal is distorted.

2. When connecting recording devices
such as audio cassette recorders, open
reel audio tape decks, DCC, DAT or MD,
connect the PLAY/OUT jacks of the
recorder to the 

jacks on the AVR85.

Connect the RECORD/IN jacks on the
recorder to the 

jacks on the AVR85.

3. Connect the output of any digital
sources to be used to the appropriate

connections on the AVR85 rear panel.
Note that the 

and 

digital inputs 

°·

may be used with

either a Dolby Digital (AC-3*) source 
or the output of a conventional CD or LV
player’s PCM (SP/DIF) output. The 

input 

a

may ONLY be con-

nected to the special AC-3 RF output of 
a laser disc player.

4. Assemble the AM Loop Antenna sup-
plied with the unit as shown below.
Connect it to the 

and 

screw

terminals 

¡

.

5. Connect an FM antenna to the 

connection 

™

. The 

FM antenna may be an external roof
antenna, an inside powered or wire lead
antenna, or a connection from a cable
TV system. Note that if the antenna or
connection uses 300-ohm twin lead
cable, you must use the 300-ohm to 
75-ohm adapter supplied with the unit 
to make the connection.

6. Connect the front, center and
surround speaker outputs 

¤‹›

to 

the respective speakers.

To assure that all the audio signals are
carried to your speakers without loss of
clarity or resolution, we suggest that you
use high-quality speaker cable. Many
brands of cable are available, and the
choice of cable may be influenced by the
distance between your speakers and this
receiver, the type of speakers you use,
personal preferences and other factors.
Your dealer or installer is a valuable
resource to consult in selecting the
proper cable.

Regardless of the brand of cable selected,
we recommend that you use a cable con-
structed of fine, multistrand copper with
a gauge of 14 or larger. Remember that
in specifying cable, the lower the num-
ber, the thicker the cable.

Cable with a gauge of 16 may be used for
short runs of less than ten feet. We do not
recommend that you use cables with an
AWG equivalent of 18 or higher due to
the power loss and degradation in
performance that will occur.

Cables that are run inside walls should
have the appropriate markings to indicate
listing with UL, CSA or other appropriate
testing agency standards. Questions about
running cables inside walls should be
referred to your installer or a licensed
electrical contractor who is familiar with
the NEC and/or the applicable local
building codes in your area.

When connecting wires to the speakers,
be certain to observe proper polarity.
Remember to connect the “negative” or
“black” wire to the same terminal on the
receiver and the speaker. Similarly, the
“positive” or “red” wire should be con-
nected to the like terminal on the AVR85
and speaker.

Note: While most speaker manufacturers
adhere to an industry convention of using
black terminals for negative and red ones
for positive, some manufacturers may
vary from this configuration. To assure
proper phase, and optimal performance,
consult the identification plate on your
speaker, or the speaker’s manual to verify
polarity. If you do not know the polarity
of your speaker, ask your dealer for advice
before proceeding, or consult the
speaker’s manufacturer.

13

AVR85 120   rev (g) 6/14/97

AVR85 om (g)  9/16/98 11:21 AM  Page 13