Maintenance; Troubleshooting - Audio Alchemy PPA-1 Owner's Manual

Maintenance

The PPA-1 requires no user maintenance. If the PPA-1 does not seem to be working properly, please contact your dealer.
Do not attempt to open the chassis—there are no user-serviceable parts inside.
Occasionally, gently wipe off any accumulated dust with a soft microfiber cloth. Stubborn fingerprints or dirt may be re-
moved by spraying a small amount of water or window cleaner onto the cloth, then using the moistened cloth to clean the
PPA-1. Do not spray cleaner or other moisture directly onto the PPA-1.

Troubleshooting

Power Won't Turn On
If pushing the Power button on the front panel or remote doesn't turn the PPA-1's power on, check these things in order:
1. Make sure the stock power supply or the PS-5 is plugged into the wall socket. If you're using a power strip or a line con-
ditioner, make sure the unit is plugged in and turned on. If you are using the PS-5, make sure its AC cord is also plugged
into the wall (or power strip or line conditioner) and into the back of the PS-5.
2. If you're using the PS-5, make sure it's turned on and the LED surrounding its front power button is lit.
3. Check to make sure the power supply is firmly connected to the PPA-1.
4. Check your home's electrical box. If the circuit breaker has been tripped, flip it back on.
5. If these steps do not fix the problem, please contact your dealer.
Power Is On But There's No Sound
If the front LED is illuminated but the system produces no sound, check the following things in order:
1. If the LED to the left of the Mute button is lit, press the Mute button to take the unit out of mute mode.
2. Make sure the correct input is selected. Press the Input button to change inputs.
3. Make sure the turntable's tonearm is lowered, the stylus is contacting the record, and the record is turning.
4. Check the preamp and amp (or integrated amp) to make sure they are powered up and running.
5. Check the connections between your components to make sure all cables are properly connected. If you suspect any
cables are damaged, swap them out with another set of cables. If the sound comes back, replace the damaged cables.
6. If these steps do not fix the problem, please contact your dealer.
Sound Comes From Only One Channel
If only one channel is working, check the following things in order:
1. Check the connections between the turntable and the PPA-1, the PPA-1 and the preamp (or integrated amp), and the
other components. If any cables are disconnected, reconnect them, and if they appear damaged, replace them.
2. If you are using monoblock amplifiers, make sure both amplifiers are turned on.
3. Try swapping the left and right cables between the turntable and the PPA-1, then between the PPA-1 and the preamp,
the preamp and the amp, and the amp and the speakers. If any of these actions restores the sound in the dead channel
and cuts the sound in the other channel, the cable must be replaced.
4. Swap the left and right speakers, without changing the speaker cable connection at the amplifier. If the sound in the
dead channel is not restored, that speaker is likely malfunctioning.
5. Check to see if your preamp and amp (or integrated amp) are working correctly. If possible, swap them out with similar
devices. If swapping the component restores the sound in the dead channel, the original component is probably defective.
6. If none of these steps restores the sound, consult your dealer.
Sound Is Weak, Distorted or Unnatural
If the sound is on in both channels but seems weak, distorted or unnatural, check the following things in order:
1. Make sure you have the gain set correctly for your cartridge (MC or MM).
2. Make sure your load impedance settings are in the recommended range for your cartridge.
3. Try a different set of interconnects between the PPA-1 and the preamp or integrated amp, and between the preamp and
amp if applicable. If a different set of interconnects fixes the problem, replace the original set.
4. If these steps do not improve the sound, please contact your dealer.
Turntable Produces Excessive Hum
If hum increases greatly when you use your turntable, check the following things in order:
1. Make sure the ground cable between the PPA-1 and the turntable is firmly connected.
2. Try disconnecting the ground cable to see if hum is lessened.
3. Try plugging the turntable, the PPA-1 and the preamp or integrated amp into the same outlet or power conditioner.
4. If these steps do not reduce hum sufficiently, please contact your dealer.
For more information about the PPA-1 and other Audio
Alchemy products, please visit www.audioalchemy.com.
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