OWNER’S MANUAL Nighthawk Headphone Amplifier NOTE: Before installing your new component, please read this manual carefully as it will inform you of the product specifications, proper installation and correct operating procedures for your unit. Also included in this manual are guidelines on how to service and care for your new Audio Electronics product.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Important Safety Instructions ............................................................................................................. 2 Welcome Thank You ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Specifications Basic Speficiations ................................................................................................................................
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WARNING: The triangle with the lightning flash symbol displayed on the unit advises the user of dangerous uninsulated voltage inside the product’s enclosure. CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the cover. There are no user-serviceable parts inside; it is recommended that only qualified personnel service this component.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 17. IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: Before connecting a new product such as the Cinema 12 to your audio or home theater system, turn off all other equipment (preferably unplugging them from the AC power source). Many audio components feature automatic turn-on circuits that may activate during an installation, potentially causing damage to electronic components and/or speakers.
WELCOME THANK YOU Thank you for purchasing the new Audio Electronics by Cary Audio Nighthawk Headphone Amplifier! Cary Audio has a long history of providing the high-end community true audiophile sound quality with its award winning line of tube and solid state amplification and digital products for audio and cinema systems. Through Audio Electronics, Cary Audio’s subsidiary originally created in 1993 and now re-launched, a new segment of music lovers is about to be wowed.
SPECIFICATIONS The following section describes the Nighthawk’s basic specifications. The specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation. BASIC SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................................................ Input Impedance 50K ohms ................................................................................................................................................ Gain 20dB .........
FEATURES The following section describes the Nighthawk’s basic features. The features are subject to change without notice or obligation. PRODUCT FEATURES The new Nighthawk solid-state headphone amplifier from Audio Electronics by Cary Audio is an allnew design, featuring top quality parts mounted on a heavy gauge fiberglass circuit board. A power transformer, rated at three times what is required for the amplifier’s design, feeds a fully regulated discrete power supply for the best sound quality.
CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS FRONT PANEL 1. POWER Press once to turn the power ON. The power indicator will blink for five (5) seconds and then stay on at which point the unit is ready to operate. Press again to turn the power OFF. 2. HEADPHONES Insert headphones into jack for use. 3. VOLUME KNOB Use this knob to adjust the overall volume level.
OPERATION REAR PANEL 1. LINE IN This input accepts any line level input from sources such as CD players, tuners, phono amplifiers, or fixed outputs such as a preamplifier or receiver (i.e. tape output). 2. LINE OUT The line out socket passes on the line input, which is directly connected to the line input and can be used to connect to a recording device or a preamplifier or receiver. This output is fixed and is not affected by the volume control.
INSTALLATION UNPACKING This section describes the proper unpacking and installation procedures for your new component. Unpacking All Audio Electronics shipping cartons have been specially designed to protect their contents and special care has been taken to prevent damage under normal shipping conditions. Mishandling should be evident upon inspection of the shipping container. If shipping damage is found after visual inspection, take care not to destroy the evidence.
OPERATION CONNECTIONS SINGLE SOURCE The Audio Electronics Nighthawk Headphone Amplifier is primarily intended as a single source amplifier. RCA line level source (See FIGURE 1 & 2 below). Connecting the line level RCA audio outputs of a CD player or other line level source to the inputs of the Nighthawk Headphone for output. This Should ONLY be done using the source’s fixed output. It is NOT recommended to use a source’s variable output.
OPERATION OUTPUT The Nighthawk Headphone Amplifier is designed with a single pair of FIXED line level RCA outputs. The purpose of this fixed output is to send the signal of the Nighthawk Headphone Amplifier to either a preamplifier or an integrated amplifier. It is NOT intended to be connected to the input of a power amplifier. CAUTION: Connecting the RCA output of the Nighthawk Amplifier directly to a power amplifier’s input may result in damage to the power amplifier and/or connected speakers.
DIAGRAMS Single Source with Preamplifier Configuration. (FIGURE 1) Single Source with Receiver or Integrated Amplifier Configuration.
DIAGRAMS Multiple Sources with Preamplifier Configuration. (FIGURE 3) Multiple Sources with DAC or Source Selector Configuration.
SERVICE AND CARE CARE AND CLEANING The cabinet housing and front panel of the Nighthawk may be cleaned with a soft cloth and Windex or a window cleaner. The frequency of cleaning will be governed by how many hours the Nighthawk is operated and by operating environment cleanliness. CAUTION: Do not let any liquids spill into the vents on top of the unit. FACTORY SERVICE Careful consideration has been given to the design of your Nighthawk Headphone Amplifier to keep maintenance problems to a minimum.
LIMITED WARRANTY Audio Electronics Warrants to the Original Purchaser for the Following Audio Electronics Products for the Periods Indicated: 1. Power Amplifiers, Integrated Amplifiers, Preamplifiers, and Digital to Analog Convertors (DAC) have a one (1) year parts and labor warranty from the date of the original purchase from Audio Electronics. 2.
LIMITED WARRANTY What Will We Pay For? We will pay for all labor and material expenses for items covered by the warranty. Payment of shipping charges is discussed in the next section of this warranty. How Can You Get Service? In the event that the owner needs to return the unit to Audio Electronics for service or repair of a possible defect, he must follow the following steps: 1.
LIMITED WARRANTY How State Law Relates to the Warranty Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts and/or do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
AUDIO ELECTRONICS 1020 Goodworth Drive, Apex, NC 27539 phone 919-355-0010 fax 919-355-0013 www.caryaudio.
