Harman Kardon D200 Owners Manual - Page 4

setting for the particular record you are to play. With Loudness Contour Selector in the uncompensated position, turn the loudness (volume) control to as high a level as you can briefly allow. (This to permit you to make the remaining adjustments while you are listening at your own maximum efficiency). Now adjust the Bass and Treble Tone Controls to correct for the electromechanical characteristics of the loudspeaker you are using and for the acoustic characteristics of the room in which you are listening. These adjustments are wisely pragmatic. Modify each until settings are chosen which in your total system create .the proper sense of aural balance and evenness. Now reduce the loudness (volume) control setting to a level somewhat lower than normal listening level in your room. You will note that the full bodied - lifelike quality you experienced at high listening level has disappeared (this because of the Fletcher -Munson effect described in the paragraph on the I-1/K Dynamic Loudness Contour). With all other controls unchanged, select the best contour setting for you. Do this by switching quickly from the uncompensated position to the most compensated and then backing down one position at a time until you find the one which most nearly duplicates the full-bodied sound you enjoyed at high level. Now turn the loudness control up to the level at which you wish to listen - (perhaps the maximum level you can permit in your home) - and listen. You'll find that there is automatic compensation of contour wherever you set the loudness control thereafter. In fact, under normal circumstances, you should not find it necessary to readjust the tone controls or the contour selector once having chosen the correct settings for you, your room and your system. HUM PROBLEMS In some installations where a record-player, tape recorder, or other auxiliary AC operated equipment is used, hum may be encountered due to voltage differences between the various units. This may be eliminated by reversing one or all of the AC power plugs. Simply reverse one a a time until improvement is experienced. An additional refinement incorporated in the Recital is the special hum balance control located on the top of the chassis near the front panel. This is a screwdriver control which requires initial adjustment. whenever new tubes are used in the amplifier section. To set this control properly, place the function selector on RIAA, advance the volume control to 3/4 of maximum, and vary the balance control for minimum hum. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR Due to the conservative design and high quality components of the Recital, no routine maintenance other than yearly tube -checking is required. Should trouble develop, however, only the most qualified service man should be employed, as special equipment and training is required to properly align a high-fidelity FM receiver. .27512A