DOWNLOAD Harman Kardon SIGNATURE 1.3 (serv.man5) Service Manual ↓ Size: 69.45 KB | Pages: 12 in PDF or view online for FREE

2

Your new Signature Series 1.3 amplifier has been factory-
configured for use with 230-volt AC line current.
Connecting the amplifier to a line voltage other than 
that for which it is intended can create a safety and fire
hazard, and may damage the amplifier.

If you have any questions about the voltage requirements
for your specific model, or about the line voltage in your
area, contact your selling dealer before plugging the unit
into a wall outlet.

High-power output of your amplifier may require heavy
current draw under full-load conditions. To ensure proper
performance and avoid potential safety hazards, we
recommend that it be connected to a circuit with 16-amp
capacity. Connecting multiple amplifiers to the same
circuit, or connecting the amplifier to a circuit used by
other heavy-power devices, such as high-wattage lights,
may cause circuit breakers to trip. It is always a good idea
to avoid using any audio equipment on the same AC
circuit as equipment with motors, such as air conditioners
or refrigerators. This will lessen the possibility of power
variation and electrical start-up noise affecting your sound
system.

To avoid safety hazards, use only the power cord supplied
with your unit. If a replacement cord is used, make certain
that it is of a similar gauge. We do not recommend using
extension cords with this product. As with all electrical
devices, do not run power cords under rugs or carpets or
place heavy objects on power cords. Damaged power
cords should be replaced immediately with cords meeting
factory specifications.

When disconnecting the power cord from an AC outlet,
always pull the plug, never pull the cord. If you do not
intend to use the amplifier for a considerable length of
time, disconnect the plug from the AC outlet.

There are no user-serviceable components inside this
product. Opening the cabinet may present a shock hazard,
and any modification to the product will void your
guarantee. If water enters the unit, or any metal object
such as a paper clip, wire or staple accidentally falls inside
the cabinet, disconnect the unit from the AC power
source immediately and consult an authorized warranty
station.

■ To ensure proper operation and to avoid the potential

for safety hazards, place the unit on a firm and level
surface. When placing the unit on a shelf, be certain
that the shelf and any mounting hardware can support
the amplifier’s weight.

■ Make certain that proper space is provided both above

and below the unit for ventilation. If the amplifier will
be installed in a cabinet or other enclosed area, make
certain that there is sufficient air movement within 
the cabinet. Consult with your dealer or installer for
more information.

■ Do not place the unit directly on a carpeted surface.

■ Avoid installation in extremely hot or cold locations, 

in an area that is exposed to direct sunlight or near
heating equipment.

■ Avoid moist or humid locations.

■ Do not obstruct the ventilation slots on the top of the

unit or place objects directly over them. Remember,
power amplifiers generate heat, and the heat sink fins
and ventilation slots that form part of the cabinet are
specially designed to remove this heat. Placing other
electronic equipment near these heat-dissipation
systems may possibly affect the long-term reliability 
of both your amplifier and the objects placed above it.

3

When the unit gets dirty, wipe it with a clean, soft and dry
cloth. If necessary, first wipe the surface with a soft cloth
slightly dampened with mild soapy water, followed by a
fresh cloth with clean water. Wipe immediately with a
dry cloth. Never use benzene, thinner, alcohol or any
other volatile cleaning agent. Do not use abrasive cleaners,
as they may damage the finish of metal parts. Avoid
spraying insecticide near the unit.

Before moving the unit, be certain to disconnect any
interconnection cords with other components, and make
certain that you disconnect the unit from the AC outlet.

In order to help you use this manual with the front panel
controls and rear panel connections, certain conventions
have been used.

– (bold type) indicates a specific front 

panel control or rear panel connection

1 – (number in a square) indicates a specific front 
panel control

¡ – (number in a circle) indicates a rear panel connection

The carton and shipping materials used in protecting your
new amplifier were specially designed to cushion it from
the shocks and vibration of shipping. We suggest that you
save the carton and packing materials for use in shipping
if you move or if the unit ever needs repair.

To minimize the size of the carton in storage, you may
wish to flatten it. Carefully remove any staples used to
close carton seams; carefully slit the tape on the bottom
and collapse the carton. Other cardboard inserts may be
stored in the same manner. Packing materials that cannot
be collapsed should be saved along with the carton in a
plastic bag.

When positioning the amplifier in its final location, make
certain that it has adequate ventilation on all sides, as well
as on the top and bottom. Do not place CDs, record
jackets, owner’s manuals or other paper on top of, or
beneath the unit, or in between multiple amplifiers in a
stack. This will block the air flow, causing degraded
performance and a possible fire hazard. If the unit is to be
enclosed in a cabinet or rack, make certain that there is
adequate air circulation, with means provided for hot air
to exit and for cool air to be brought in.

Declaration of Conformity

We, Harman Consumer International

2, route de Tours
72500 Château-du-Loir
FRANCE

declare in own responsibility, that the product
described in this owner’s manual is in compliance
with technical standards:

EN 55 013/6.1990

EN 55 020/12.1994

EN 55 022/5.1995

EN 60 065/1993 

EN 60 555-2-3/1987/88

Steen Michaelsen

Harman Kardon Europe 12/99

4

¡

Connections from these terminals

should be made to the appropriate speakers in your
system.

™

Connect the outputs of the 

Signature 2.0, or other surround processor, preamplifier or
decoder to these jacks.

£

Connect this plug to a wall-

mounted AC outlet. Due to the current draw of the
Signature 1.3, it is NOT recommended that the accessory
outlets on the back of the audio/video components be
used to power this product.

¢

Connect this jack to the

matching trigger output on a Signature2.0 or other
compatible device to have the 1.3 automatically turn on
when the device is activated. See page 5 for additional
details.

Ω

Ω

Ω

£

¢

™

¡

On/Off

1

2

3

1

Press this switch to turn the 1.3 on for

manual operation, or to place it in the Standby mode for
automatic/remote turn-on when the 1.3 is connected to a
device with a compatible trigger circuit.

2

When the word 

IGNATURE

is

illuminated in blue, the 1.3 is in a normal operating
condition.

3

The color of this indicator varies with

the status of the 1.3. It is red when the unit is off, amber
in the standby mode, and flashing green during warm-up.
If the indicator flashes and alternates between red and
amber, the 1.3 is in the protect mode, indicating a
problem in the unit or connections to the speakers.

5

Note: When making any connections between source
components, processors or preamplifiers and the 1.3, or
when making any connections to speakers, be certain that
both the input device and the 1.3 are turned off. To ensure
that there will be no unwanted signal transients that can
damage equipment or speakers, it is always best to unplug
all equipment from AC power outlets before making any
connections. Modern electronic products often have a
“standby” mode that may be activated even though the
product may appear to be turned off.

The Signature Series 1.3 amplifier features a built-in
remote turn-on system that will automatically turn on the
amplifier when another device in the system is switched
on. To activate this system, this amplifier must be used in
conjunction with a Signature Series, other compatible
Harman Kardon products or other approved devices.

Note: Before making any connections to remote trigger
outlets, it is critical that both the 1.3 and the triggering
device be turned off. For additional safety, it is best that
these connections be made while both products are
unplugged from AC power sources.

Connect one end of the accessory cable supplied with the
2.0 or 1.0 to the 

jack ¢ on the

rear of the 1.3. Connect the other end to the jack on the
2.0 or 1.0 that carries the same identification.

If the 1.3 is not used with a compatible Harman Kardon
product, it is still possible to activate the unit for
automatic turn-on.

To control the amplifier in this manner you will need 
a small AC-to-DC power converter capable of delivering a
6- to 12-volt DC signal. The DC voltage should terminate
in a standard 3.5 mm mono miniplug, with the tip of the
plug “positive” (

). This type of converter may be

obtained as a “Power Adapter” from many electronics
retailers. Consult your dealer for further information.

Plug the AC adapter into a switched outlet that will be
activated when you wish to have the amplifier turn on.
This may be the switched outlet at the rear of an AV
receiver or other audio equipment, an AC outlet that is
part of a current sensing control unit activated by a pre-
amp or surround processor or a switched AC wall outlet.

Connect the 3.5 mm miniplug from the power converter to
the 

jack ¢ on the rear of the 1.3.

As a general rule, avoid running any input signal or
speaker wire connections next to or parallel with AC
power cords. This may cause undesired hum or other
interference that will greatly degrade signal performance.

When making connections with RCA-type plugs on
interconnect cables, make certain to gently but firmly
insert the plugs into the jacks on the rear of the 1.3. Loose
connections can cause intermittent sound and may
damage your speakers.

Connect the outputs of the 2.0 or your surround processor
to the 

™ of the 1.3. To simplify

installation, it is best to follow the markings on the rear
panel by connecting the Front Right output of the 2.0 to
the Front Right input on the 1.3, following the same
pattern for each channel.

Important Note: The 1.3 is not designed for use in
Bridged configuration. Do not connect the same input or
speaker to more than one channel.

To ensure that the high-quality signals produced by the
1.3 are carried to your speakers without loss of clarity or
resolution, we recommend 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 the amplifier, the type of
speakers you use, personal preferences and other factors.
Your dealer or installer is a valuable resource to consult in
selecting a proper cable for connections between your
amplifier and speakers.

Regardless of the brand or type of cable selected, we re-
commend that you use a cable constructed of high strand
count copper with a diameter of 2.5mm

2

or greater.