welcome

Thank you for buying a Chord product.

Before you start to enjoy using to your Chord product, please take a couple of
minutes to read how to connect your audio equipment and loudspeakers to your
pre-amplifier or integrated amplifier and how to maximize your listening experience.

user guide for

integrated amplifiers
CPM 2650, CPM 3350

Chord’s integrated amplifiers are based on a combination of our highly

successful pre-amplifiers and power amplifiers together with a few features of their
own.

The power amplifier is based on Chord’s tried and tested technology of ultra high
frequency ESR power supply which has the ability to store more energy far more
efficiently than conventional designs.

A variety of outputs means that you can choose to drive up to two sets of
loudspeakers, use your integrated amplifier as a pre-amplifier or use it in conjunction
with another power amplifier for bi-amping.

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 background
We want you to be confident using your new Chord amplifier.
You’re probably an audiophile with extensive knowledge of audio equipment.
However, you may not be!
So in the following section we explain a few basics to help you get started, or get you
back up to speed if you’re a little rusty.

connecting your equipment

Chord amplifiers are supplied with and designed to be connected using balanced
inputs. The interconnecting cables you use will depend on the available input and output
sockets on your other equipment. We have installed unbalanced inputs on all Chord
equipment, thus enabling you to mix Chord and other manufacturer’s equipment.

PUSH
Balanced inputs carry twice the strength of signal of unbalanced inputs and are able to
1 be fed down long lengths of cable with less deterioration of signal. They are also less
prone to interference than unbalanced inputs. Balanced inputs have three pins and use
Neutric XLR style connectors. Pin 1 is earth, pin 2 is positive and pin 3 is negative.

Unbalanced inputs use RCA phono connectors which are gold plated with teflon high
performance dielectric insulators for optimum performance.

speakers

outputs
power amplifier
inputs or
integrated
amplifier
outputs
inputs pre-amplifier

CD player tuner audio source

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when setting up
To ensure that your Chord integrated amplifier works efficiently and safely, please pay particular attention to the
following issues.

ventilation
Your Chord integrated amplifier should have at least 5cm of clear space all around it to ensure a free flow of air at all
times. When driven continuously at well above average levels, the temperature at the back of the unit may exceed 50 ºC.
This is normal and no cause for concern, although it does highlight the need for adequate ventilation around the unit.
We recommend that you do not place your integrated amplifier directly on a carpet.

mains lead and plug

All Chord equipment comes supplied with the correct mains lead and plug. This should be used at all times.

if you need to fit a plug for UK/Europe

Connect the blue wire to the neutral terminal
Connect the brown wire to the live terminal
Connect the yellow/green wire to the earth terminal

if you need to fit a plug for US/Canada

Connect the white wire to the neutral terminal
Connect the black wire to the live terminal
Connect the green to the earth terminal

earthing issues in Europe

In some European countries a hum may occur if your integrated/pre-amplifier is connected to mains sockets that do not
have an earth. If this is the case please ensure that:

1. Your integrated/pre-amplifier is connected via a multi-way mains block which contains an earth point at each socket
outlet. This is to ensure that the chassis metalwork of each item is connected together.
2. Use the connecting points on your Chord unit and connect to an available earth point.
3. We recommend that an earthing method for your building is implemented.

safety warnings
It is important that your integrated/pre-amplifier is earthed at all times via its own mains lead. Failure to do this may be
hazardous. The power supply components within the amplifier are designed to be operated at lethal voltages and energy
levels. Circuit designs that embody these components conform with applicable safety requirements. Precautions must be
taken to prevent accidental contact with power-line potentials. Do not connect grounded test equipment.

These units comply with EN 5008 1-1 and IEC 80 1/2

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 outputs on the CPM 2650
CPM 2650
You need to connect the outputs on the back of your integrated amplifier to your
loudspeakers. You can use any speakers that match the output power of your
amplifier. Note that the lower the impedance of your speakers the higher the
output power.

connecting to your loudspeakers

1. The loudspeaker connections are via two heavy duty WBT gold plated binding
posts labelled O/P 1 and these should be connected to your speakers.
2. On your remote control press HIFI and then OP 1 to output the signal to your
loudspeakers.

Note: The WBT rhodium plated 4mm speaker binding posts will accept 4mm banana
plugs (WBT-0645 or WBT-0644) or 6mm spades (WBT-0680). Making connections
using bare wire is not recommended.

using your integrated amplifier as a pre-amplifier

You can use your integrated amplifier as a pre-amplifier to provide a signal for
another power amplifier.

1.Use RCA style connectors to connect Right O/P 2 to the Right IN on your
power amplifier, and connect Left O/P 2 to the Left IN on your power
amplifier.
2.On your remote control press HIFI and then OP 2 to output the signal to
the power amplifier.

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if you want to bi-amp
Bi-amping is a technique where you use one amplifier to drive the woofers (low
frequencies) and another to drive the tweeters (mid and high frequencies).
1. Connect your loudspeakers’ low frequency inputs to the binding posts labelled Right and
Left O/P 1.
2. Use RCA style connectors to connect Right O/P 2 to the Right IN on your power
amplifier, and connect Left O/P 2 to the Left IN on your power amplifier.
3. Connect the outputs of your power amplifier to your loudspeaker’s high frequency
inputs.
Remove any shorting links in the speaker binding posts.
4. On your remote control press HIFI and then OP 1+2 to select both outputs 1 and 2.
See Figure 2 on page 20 for more details.

5
 inputs on the CPM 2650
CPM 3350
You can connect up to six items of source input equipment, such as CD player,
Video, Tuner etc. to the inputs on your pre-amplifier or integrated amplifier.

connecting to a CD or record player unit

1. Use either XLR or RCA connectors to the left and right pairs marked DISC 1 or
DISC 2.
2. You can connect to either of the left/right pairs numbered 1 or 2, but not both 1s
PUSH PUSH

1 1
2 2

3 3

PUSH PUSH

2 1 2 1

3 3

or both 2s at the same time.

Note: All record players need to be connected to a separate phono head amplifier like
the Chord Phono Stage before connecting to this product.

connecting to a Video, DVD or other products

Use RCA connectors to the left and right pairs marked V.

connecting to a Tuner/Radio or Satellite receiver

Use RCA connectors to the left and right pairs marked R.

connecting to a Tape recorder:

Use RCA connectors to the left and right pairs marked IN T1 or T2.

if you want to tape record

Refer to page 12 for more information.

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tape recording
You can tape record an input from another audio source or two sources at the same time. If
you’ve been using a tape recorder as an input source, it will already be connected to the T1
or T2 IN sockets. If you haven’t, first connect the tape’s output to the T1 or T2 IN
sockets.

connecting to a Tape recorder to tape an audio source

Use RCA connectors to the left and right pairs marked OUT T1 or T2, or both.

CPM 2650, CPM 3350

selecting the bus

Your amplifier has two input selection buses. The default bus is bus A and this is the one
you would use to choose your inputs in everyday operation. The advantage of having two
buses is that it allows for two tape recorders to tape (different inputs) simultaneously.

Bus A is permanently connected to the Tape 2 (T2) output and Bus B is permanently
connected to Tape 1 (T1) output which prevents you from accidentally taping to and from
the same machine.

You can tape from any source to either of the tape recorder outputs and both
outputs can be monitored. For example you can play a CD on Disc 1 on Bus A and
connect your tape recorder to the Tape 2 output while you play a record on Disc 2 on Bus
B and connect another tape recorder to the Tape 1 output. Simply switch between Bus
A and Bus B to monitor either of the sources.

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 everyday use
turning on your integrated amplifier
1. When you plug your amplifier into the mains using the supplied mains lead the power
indicator on the front panel will glow red which means that the amplifier is in standby
mode.

2. Press the power button beneath the power indicator and after a few seconds it will
glow green indicating that the amplifier is ready for use.

automatic shutdown
1. If there is a major overload or short circuit the integrated amplifier will detect this and
shut down automatically and the power indicator will fade and switch to red. The
integrated amplifier should then be switched off immediately at the mains.

2. When the fault has been rectified the integrated amplifier can be switched on and will
power up as usual. You should wait at least two minutes before turning the integrated
amplifier on again at the mains to allow the power supply protection circuitry to reset
itself.

select your input source

Your integrated/pre-amplifier Press button A to Press button B to
uses input bus A by default select: select:
and the display will read

.
To scroll through the other
input sources press button A.
Press button B to select Bus B.
It is indicated by a dot
displaying between each letter
.

adjusting the volume

Use the volume knob to adjust the volume manually.

changing the balance

Use the balance knob to shift the balance between the left and right loudspeaker.

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using the remote control
The Stealth Remote control is a universal controller for all Chord products.
This can provide a totally integrated audio solution. For full information please
consult the additional remote control manual provided.

For optimum use hold your remote control flat and point it directly at your
integrated amplifier.

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selecting your input source
1. Press HIFI then Bus-A.
2. Press one of: Disc 1, Disc 2, Tape 2, Video or Radio.

adjusting the volume

1. Press the button marked Vol + to increase the volume.
2. Press Vol - to decrease the volume. The volume chosen will be displayed on the
digital display with figures from 0 to 98.

choosing your output

1. Press OP 1 if your output is connected to O/P 1 on the back of your integrated
amplifier.
2. Press OP 2 if you are using the line output from O/P 2 on the back of your
integrated amplifier.
3. Press OP 1+2 if you are bi-amping.

Note: With the CPM2650 and CPM3350 integrated amplifiers, O/P 1 is internally
connected to the internal amplifier stage. O/P 2 is the pre-amplifier output for
connecting to an additional external amplifier.

changing the balance

1. Press the balance button marked Bal + to move the balance to the right.
2. Press Bal - to move the balance to the left. The direction you are moving the
balance towards will be displayed on the digital display.

mute
1. Press Mute to mute the amplifier.

to unmute
1. Press Mute again to unmute or
2. Press the volume buttons up or down or
3. Turn the volume knob on your amplifier up or down.

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input gain control
CPM 3350

You can adjust the input gain on your input devices so that you can align the volume levels
of your different inputs There are four settings which are x1, x1.5, x1.75 and x2. This
feature is not available on the CPA 2500 and the CPM 2650.

Most modern input devices such as CD players have an unbalanced output voltage of 2V
and a balanced output of 4V which does not require any additional gain. In fact, to increase
the gain on such an output level can lead to a distortion of the signal.However, older
audio equipment may have an output voltage of less than 2V, in which case you may
like to adjust the input gain.
increasing the input gain
1. Using your remote control press HIFI and then the input device of your choice (eg
Disc 1). The display will show:

.
2.Press BUS-A (or BUS-B if you are going to record from the Tape 1 output).
The display will show:

3.Press the volume button marked Vol+ to increase the gain to x1.5.
The display will show:

4.Repeat steps 2 and 3 to increase the gain to x1.75, and repeat these steps once
again to increase the gain to x2.
reducing the input gain
1. Using your remote control press HIFI and then the input device of your choice (eg
Disc 1). The display will show:

2.Press BUS-A (or BUS-B is you are going to record from the Tape 1 output).
3.Press the volume button marked Vol- to decrease the gain.
4.Repeat steps 2 and 3 to reduce the gain again.

Once you have adjusted the gain setting on an input device your amplifier will
remember the setting, even if it is switched off for many months.
to reset all gain levels to x1 on Bus A and Bus B
1. On the front of your amplifier press and hold the A button for three seconds. The
display will show a gain setting.

2. Press and hold the Set(S) button until you see RESET Release the button
and the display will show five dashes.
3. Select a source on either bus system.

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maintenance

adjusting the settings

Always remember to make any changes to settings with the volume set low or an
instant burst of sound could damage your loudspeakers

cleaning
To clean finger marks and other blemishes from your amplifier spray clear glass cleaner
onto a soft lint free cloth and then use the cloth to gently clean your amplifier.

changing the batteries in the remote control

Simply undo the four small cross head screws on the side of your remote control. You
may need to run a sharp knife along the join to remove the battery casing, then replace
with four new AAA batteries as shown inside the battery compartment.

servicing
There are no user serviceable parts in your Chord amplifier, and it should only be
serviced by Chord Electronics Limited or their expressly approved Service Agents.

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frequently asked questions
why aren’t any of the remote control buttons working?

Press HIFI to set up the remote control for pre-amplifier functions.

I’ve connected all the wires up but I can’t hear any sound?
Ensure that you’ve selected the correct bus (typically Bus A), the correct input (eg
Disc 1) and the correct output (eg Output 1).

why is there no display when I’ve turned the amplifier back on?

You need to wait for two minutes after switching the unit off before switching it on
again.

why is there humming coming from the loudspeakers?

Check that you’ve earthed the unit. The interconnects need to be properly screened and
placed away from mains cables. Interference can be reduced by using balanced inputs and
outputs instead of RCA phono types.

the sound coming from the loudspeakers is distorted

Check that the speakers are connected properly. It may be that the volume is
turned up too loud for your speakers or that you have set the gain for the input
device too high.

the amplifier was in standby mode and has turned itself off

Changing connections while the amplifier is on, for example, dropping the stylus onto
a record can cause the unit to shutdown. Check that the speaker cables have no stray
inner core wires touching each other as this can cause a short circuit.

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bi-amping
HF LF LF HF

speakers

outputs outputs
power amplifiers
inputs inputs

O/P2 O/P1
outputs pre-amplifier
inputs

Figure 1: Bi-amping for a pre-amplifier

HF LF LF HF

speakers

outputs
inputs power amplifier

O/P2 O/P1
outputs
integrated amplifier
inputs

Figure 2: Bi-amping for an integrated amplifier

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Product Specifications

CPM2650

Pre-Amp Section
Unbalanced Inputs: Video, Radio, Tape1 and Tape2
Balanced Inputs: Disc 1, Disc 2 are 3-pin female XLR inputs both with RCA Phono style input sockets wired
asymmetrically in parallel
Outputs: 2 x RCA Phono style, gold-plated with Teflon dielectric insulation
Intermodulation Distortion: -100dB all inputs
Signal to Noise Ratio: -93dB all inputs
Frequency Range: 2.5Hz – 200kHz (-3dB)
Harmonic Distortion: 10 Hz –91dB, 1kHz –93dB, 10kHz –90dB, 20kHz –87dB
Channel Separation: 10 Hz 90dB, 1kHz 90dB, 10kHz 90dB, 20kHz 85dB
Channel Balance: 0.01dB
Input impedance: Unbalanced 47kOhms, Balanced 94kOhms (Disc 1 & Disc 2)
Pre-amp Output impedance: 470 ohms
Output Offset: 0mV both channels

Power Amp Section

Output Power: 120W rms per channel @ 0.05% distortion into 8 Ohms
170W rms per channel into 4 Ohms
Dynamic Headroom: 180W rms per channel into 8 Ohms
220W rms per channel into 4 Ohms
Frequency Response: -1dB, 0.8Hz to 46kHz (8 Ohms)
-3dB, 0.8Hz to 77kHz (8 Ohms)
-1dB, 0.8Hz to 39kHz (4 Ohms)
-3dB, 0.8Hz to 75kHz (4 Ohms)
Signal To Noise Ratio: Better than –103dB, ‘A’ weighted two thirds
Channel Separation: -80dB
Output Impedance: 0.03 Ohms
Output Inductance: 2.6mH
Output Connections: 2 x gold plated WBT connections
Slew rate: 70V per S, 1kHz 20V square wave
Gain: 30dB
Stability: Unconditional

Dimensions: 420mm (w) x 355mm (d) x 133mm (h)

Weight: 16Kg

CPM3350

Pre-Amp Section
Unbalanced Inputs: Video, Radio, Tape1 and Tape2
Balanced Inputs: Disc 1, Disc 2 are 3-pin female XLR inputs both with RCA Phono style input sockets wired
asymmetrically in parallel
Outputs: 2 x RCA Phono style, gold-plated with Teflon dielectric insulation
Intermodulation Distortion: -100dB all inputs
Signal to Noise Ratio: -93dB all inputs
Frequency Range: 2.5Hz – 200kHz (-3dB)
Nominal Gain: All inputs subject to 4 levels of gain (x1, x2, x5, x7)
Harmonic Distortion: 10 Hz –91dB, 1kHz –93dB, 10kHz –90dB, 20kHz –87dB
Channel Separation: 10 Hz 90dB, 1kHz 90dB, 10kHz 90dB, 20kHz 85dB
Channel Balance: 0.01dB
Input impedance: Unbalanced 47kOhms, Balanced 94kOhms (Disc 1 & Disc 2)
Output impedance: 100 ohms
Output Offset: 0mV both channels

Power Amp Section

Output Power: 220W rms per channel @ 0.05% distortion into 8 Ohms
300W rms per channel into 4 Ohms
Dynamic Headroom: 300W rms per channel into 8 Ohms
520W rms per channel into 4 Ohms
Frequency Response: -1dB, 0.8Hz to 46kHz (8 Ohms)
-3dB, 0.8Hz to 77kHz (8 Ohms)
-1dB, 0.8Hz to 39kHz (4 Ohms)
-3dB, 0.8Hz to 75kHz (4 Ohms)
Signal To Noise Ratio: Better than –103dB, ‘A’ weighted two thirds
Channel Separation: -75dB
Output Impedance: 0.03 Ohms
Output Inductance: 2.6mH
Output Connections: 2 x gold plated WBT connections
Slew rate: 70V per S, 1kHz 20V square wave
Gain: 30dB
Stability: Unconditional
Dimensions: 420mm (w) x 355mm (d) x 133mm (h)
Weight: 19Kg
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 Chord Electronics limited

The Pumphouse
Farleigh Bridge
Farleigh Lane
East Farleigh
Kent ME16 9NB

Tel: +44 (0)1622 721444

Fax: +44 (0)1622 721555
Email: sales@chordelectronics.co.uk
http://www.chordelectronics.co.uk

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