CHORD Alto Desktop Headphone Amplifier Instruction Manual
Introduction
The Alto is a technology-rich pro audio headphone and nearfield monitor amplifier capable of driving up to four pairs of headphones. The Alto is the perfect tool for monitoring in today’s high-resolution environment. It offers 50 watts per channel for nearfield monitoring, plus enough drive for its four headphone outputs simultaneously, via one front-panel 3.5 mm, one 4.4mm balanced jack and two 6.35 mm outputs.
Designed to fit into 19-inch racking, the 1U-tall Alto also benefits from both balanced and unbalanced inputs, plus a pair of balanced XLR outputs for bypass/external monitor control.
Safety and care
- Do not allow the device to come into contact with water or liquids.
- Do not spray cleaning products onto the device. Use a clean microfibre cloth to clean the casework.
- A further safety document is included in the box.
- The device does not contain any user-serviceable components. Do not attempt to open, dismantle or apply internal third-party devices to it. Doing so will void the warranty.
- The device benefits from extensive casework ventilation, however, always ensure the Alto is used in a well-ventilated setting, away from direct sunlight and heat sources, and has sufficient space around the unit.
Support and warranty
For support, please contact the supplying retailer or if you purchased through Chord Electronics you can send us an email at: pro@chordelectronics.co.uk
At the point of sale, Chord Electronics Ltd. provides the Alto with a comprehensive three-year warranty, which covers defects in materials and workmanship through fair usage.
The warranty is transferable with proof of purchase, however, the warranty on ex-demonstration units begins from the retailer‘s date of purchase. Warranty claims must be made via the supplying retailer.
Connections and controls
Rear and front panels
A 12 V output
B 12 V DC power input (supplied)
C XLR balanced output
D 4 mm banana speaker outputs
E RCA input
F XLR balanced input
G Volume control
H Input selector
J Power on/off
K IR remote window
L Output selector
M Headphone outputs: 1x 3.5 mm, 1x 4.4mm balanced jack*, 2x 6.35 mm (1/4 inch)
*If you’re using Alto in a rackmountable system, the feet are removable for ease of use, unscrew to remove the feet.
*Pseudo balanced as the amplifier itself is not a balanced design
WARNING: Ensure all system devices are switched off and any volumes are set to zero before making any connections.
Remote control
NOTE: Greyed buttons are not functional on Alto
Operation
WARNING: Always set the volume to zero before switching on/playback and before connecting/ removing headphones/speakers.
Power on/off
With desired connections from the source and to speakers/headphones successfully made (as per section 4.1), and with volume set to zero, press the power button, it will turn green from red. The unit will carry out a quick safety check whilst the rails are powering up, once finished, the front ball will turn teal to indicate that the unit is ready to use.
Input selection
Press the input button sequentially to cycle between XLR (input button displays green) or RCA (input button displays red). Alternatively use the remote control to select the input: Line 1 for XLR, Line 2 for RCA.
Output selection
Press the output button sequentially to cycle between speaker (button displays red), headphone (green) and XLR (blue). Alternatively use the remote control to select output.
The Alto’s 2 x 6.35 mm (1/4 inch), 1 x 4.4mm balanced jack and 1 x 3.5 mm headphone outputs can be used simultaneously with up to four pairs of headphones. The 4.4 mm jack is pseudo balanced as the amplifier itself is not a balanced design.
The Alto can be used as a pre-amplifier when connecting the balanced outputs directly to a suitable power amplifier, to enable volume control on a larger system. In this mode, it can also be used in conjunction with either the headphone output or the loudspeaker output. To enable this joint output mode, press and hold the ‘OUTPUT’ button. The button will then display either cyan (headphones with XLR) or purple (loudspeakers with XLR).
NOTE: If connecting headphones when the headphone output is selected, a short delay will be experienced before the headphone output becomes active (to protect the amp). Removing the headphones will also disable the output from the amplifier for a short period, before re-enabling.
Line level bypass
Line level bypass allows the XLR outputs to bypass the volume control on the front of the unit. This allows you to connect another Alto in the chain or send the signal on further down the line to an alternative piece of equipment.
To enable line level bypass, press and hold the input button. It will then illuminate either cyan when the XLR input is being used or purple when the RCA input is selected.
NOTE: The line level bypass is only available on the XLR outputs. The XLR output will need to be selected in order to use it.
WARNING: line level is full volume without attenuation, double check connections before activating.
Technical specifications
Please go to our website for the most recent specifications: www.chordelectronics.co.uk
Documents / Resources
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CHORD Alto Desktop Headphone Amplifier [pdf] Instruction Manual Alto Desktop Headphone Amplifier, Alto, Desktop Headphone Amplifier, Headphone Amplifier, Amplifier |