Amplifier Series BASIC Installation & Operations Manual Bittner-Audio 200
Power Amplifier Series BASIC Bittner - Audio September 200 200 Bittner-Audio. All Rights Reserved. Bittner-Audio reserves specification privileges Information in this manual is subject to change without notice or obligation. FULL RANGE OF BITTNER AMPLIFIERS: BASIC XB XR XV 8X THE BASIC SERIES OF BITTNER AMPLIFIERS, BASED ON THE TECHNOLOGY OF THE SERIES XB AMPLIFIERS FOR PROFESSIONAL USE, OPTIMIZED FOR LIVE- AND FIXED INSTALLATIONS CLASS H AMPLIFIER, TOP MODEL OF THE BITTNER PRODUCT RANGE AMPLIFIER WITH INTEGRATED 100V TRANSFORMERS, DESIGNED FOR THE PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATIONS MARKET VERY COMPACT EIGHT-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER, EQUIPPED WITH FOUR INDEPENDENT POWER SUPPLIES 2 X 100W TO 2 X 600W 2 X 200W TO 2 X 400W 2 X 600W TO 2 X 2000W 2 X 100W TO 2 X 800W 8 X 100W TO 8 X 400W Bittner-Audio 200 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATIONS OF CONFORMITY... CAUTION... TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS...4 GETTING STARTED...5 UNPACKING...5 INSTALLATION...5 FRONT PANEL...5 BACK PANEL...5 AIR VENTILATION AND COOLING REQUIREMENTS...5 POWER CONNECTION...6 LED INDICATORS...6 CONNECTIONS...7 AUDIO INPUT CONNECTORS...7 BALANCED AND UNBALANCED INPUTS, LEVELS...7 GROUNDING...7 DECIBEL EXPLANATION...7 LOUDSPEAKER OUTPUT CONNECTORS...8 OPERATION MODES...8 STEREO OPERATION...8 PARALLEL OPERATION...9 BRIDGED OPERATION (MONO)...10 FAILURES AND POSSIBLE CAUSES...11 WARRANTY TERMS & CONDITIONS...12 Congratulations and thank you for your decision buying an amplifier from BITTNER. These amplifiers are famous for their very high reliability. Advanced technical solutions and a big amount of electronic security circuits allow a use with great efficiency. DECLARATIONS OF CONFORMITY Bittner-Audio hereby declares that this product is in accordance with the following standards: EMC Regulation 89/6/EEC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) EN-5501 (Radio Disturbance, Emission EN-55020 (Electromagnetic immunity) CAUTION To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not remove the cover. There are no user serviceable parts inside, refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Replace fuses only with same type. Avoid damaging the AC plug or cord. It can potentially causing a shock hazard. The unit should only be connected to an AC power supply of the correct voltage. To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture. Do not use this unit in damp areas or near water. The amplifier must be adapted slowly to extreme temperature changes. These extreme changes can cause moisture development inside the amplifier that can cause failure and /or electrical shock. Though the amplifiers from BITTNER are quite simple to operate and are covered by a solid steel chassis, improper use can be dangerous. Some of the amplifiers can put out very high voltages and a sizable current at frequencies up to 0 khz. NEVER isolate the ground of the AC power cord (the non-fused earthed protective conductor) to eliminate humm-problems. See chapter Grounding. Always use safe operating techniques! Incompetent and improper servicing can void the warranty. Bittner-Audio 200
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Type Basic 200 Basic 400 Basic 800 Basic 1200 Number of Channels 2 2 2 2 Power at 8 Ohm 2x 80 Watt 2x 150 Watt 2x 20 Watt 2x 50 Watt Power at 4 Ohm 2x 100 Watt 2x 200 Watt 2x 400 Watt 2x 600 Watt Power Bridge Mode 8 Ohm 1x 160 Watt 1x 400 Watt 1x 800 Watt 1x 1200 Watt Frequency Response Full 0 / -0,5 db 0 / -0,5 db 0 / -0,5 db 0 / -0,5 db Power 20Hz - 20kHz (db) THD N (%) 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 Channel Crosstalk >85 db >85 db >85 db >85 db Noise A-rated 102 db 102 db 102 db 102 db Inputs electronically balanced electronically balanced electronically balanced Input Impedance 15 kohm 15 kohm 15 kohm 15 kohm Max. Input Signal (full signal) 6 dbu 6 dbu 6 dbu 6 dbu Minimal Load Impedance 4 Ohm 4 Ohm 4 Ohm 4 Ohm electronically balanced Current Full Power,2 Ampere 4,4 Ampere 6,1 Ampere 8,5 Ampere Current 1/ Power 1,9 Ampere 2,6 Ampere,6 Ampere 5,0 Ampere Current 1/8 Power 1,2 Ampere 1,7 Ampere 2, Ampere,1 Ampere Air Ventilation, Cooling 1 controlled fan 2 controlled fans 2 controlled fans 2 controlled fans Weight 10 kg 12 kg 1 kg 15 kg Dimensions 2 HE 2 HE 2 HE 2 HE (mm) 48 x 89 x 265 48 x 89 x 265 48 x 89 x 265 48 x 89 x 454 Bittner-Audio 200 4
GETTING STARTED Unpacking Upon unpacking, please inspect the amplifier. If you find any damage, notify your supplier immediately. Be sure to save the carton and all packing materials in case you have to send the product to the supplier. Please use only the original factory packing. If the shipment carton is unavailable, contact MediasPro Medientechnik GmbH to obtain a replacement. Installation The amplifiers will mount in standard 19-inch racks having sufficient depth. BITTNER-Audio recommends using all mounting holes to secure the power amplifier in the rack. For the installation 4 metric M6 bolts should be used. Front Panel Air Ventilation Grill LED CLIP, SIGNAL, PROTECT, POWER Main Power Switch Channel Attenuators Channel 1 and 2 Back Panel Main Fuse, Loudspeaker Terminals, Input Connectors XLR-F Channel 1 and 2, Groundlift-Switch, Speakon NL4 FC Loudspeaker Connectors, Air Ventilation / Controlled Fan(s), Operation Mode Switch (Stereo, Parallel, Bridged) Air Ventilation and Cooling Requirements The amplifier is equipped with a forced air-cooling system with variable speed and temperature controlled fans to guarantee low operating temperature and minimal ventilation noise. The air flow takes place from the rear of the amplifier to the front. The air-pulling fans are installed on the back side of the unit. The models BASIC 400, BASIC 800 and BASIC 1200 are equipped with two temperature controlled fans, the model BASIC 200 is equipped with one temperature controlled fan. In case any heat sink becomes too hot, the temperature sensor opens the respective output relay, disconnecting the output load from the particular channel. In case the power transformer gets overheated, a Bittner-Audio 200 5
different sensor causes the output relays on all channels to open and to interrupt the outputs. After cooling down to the appropriate operating temperature the relay contacts are closed again automatically. It is important to have adequate air ventilation space behind the amplifier to allow a proper air flow. In case the amplifier is mounted into a closed rack, do not cover the front of the rack with doors. Using racks with a closed backside, use fans on the rear rack panel (air flow to the inside of the rack). We recommend that for every mounted power amplifiers one open rack space (1RU) will be provided. Power Connection The power amplifier must be connected only with the attached three-wire safety power cord with protective conductor (non-fused earthed conductor). This amplifier is made for use with the mains voltage labelled on the back of the amplifier only. Check the label on the back panel of the amplifier for the appropriate voltage. Make sure the voltage of your mains outlet is correct. The power voltage is factory set as labelled on the back panel and cannot be changed afterwards. The amplifier must be ordered set to the appropriate power voltage. Damage caused by connecting the amplifier to improper AC voltage voids the warranty. Always turn off and disconnect the amplifier from the mains voltage before making any audio connections. As a precaution, turn the audio attenuators on the front panel down during powering up. The power fuses are located on the back panel of the amplifier and can be accessed from the outside. Use only the appropriate fuses as labelled. After properly mounting and connecting the AC cord and the audio connections, the unit can be switched on. The POWER indication LED indicates that the amplifier has been turned on. The PROTECT - LED will also light up and indicate active protection relays. This LED will turn off after 1.5 sec. LED Indicators The amplifier is equipped with 4 LEDs for each amplifier channel: CLIP, SIGNAL, PROTECT and POWER LED COLOUR FUNCTION POWER green Indicates, that the amplifier is powered up. CLIP red Indicates, that the input is overloaded. The LED starts illuminating as soon as the signal is 0,5 db under full power. SIGNAL green Indicates, that signal reaches the output stage of the amplifier. PROTECT red This LED will light up as soon a protection circuit has been activated or if one of the output relays have been activated. When the amplifier is switched on, this LED illuminated for approximately 1.5 seconds. Bittner-Audio 200 6
CONNECTIONS Always turn off the amplifier before making audio connections! Audio Input Connectors The amplifiers series BASIC are equipped with two XLR connectors. The audio inputs of the series BASIC amplifiers are electronically balanced. Standard pinout for XLR connectors: 1 = Ground, Shield 2 = Signal positive = Signal negative GND - GND Symmetrisch Unsymmetrisch Balanced and unbalanced Inputs, Levels The amplifier can accept unbalanced or balanced lines. For optimum performance and with longer cable runs, use balanced lines whenever possible. The driving device should be equipped with a balanced output. With short cables inside one rack the issue is not that critical. A balanced connection provides excellent noise immunity from interference and ground loops. A balanced audio connection is accomplished by using a differential pair of signals, isolating them from ground. While these connections provide great noise immunity, care must be used when connecting balanced and unbalanced equipment together. Grounding The chassis ground of the amplifier is connected with the ground of the AC power cord (the non-fused earthed protective conductor). As soon as several devices are connected with each other in a signal chain, a ground loop is created. Ground loops are caused when current flows from the analog ground plane of one piece of equipment to the ground plane of another. A compensating current travels between the different devices on the shields of the audio cables. This is mostly causing humm-problems. On the back side of the amplifier you ll find the GROUND LIFT switch. This switch isolates the device chassis-ground from the pin 1 of the audio connectors and interrupts any compensating current between different devices. NEVER isolate the ground of the AC power cord (the non-fused earthed protective conductor) to eliminate humm-problems. This is a violation of the law and dangerous! Decibel Explanation A decibel is a logarithmic scale commonly used to express differences in signal levels. It is useful in audio because it can express a wide dynamic range with relatively small numbers (or a small movement on a meter), and it more closely matches how we perceive sound. The measurement quoted in db describes the ratio between the quantity of two levels, the level being measured and a reference. The absolute quantity of the signal is not relevant. This means that decibels are always comparing one quantity to another. For example, when we measure gain in db, we are comparing the output level to the input level. To describe an absolute value, the reference point must be known. There are different reference points defined. dbv represents the level compared to 1 Volt RMS. 0dBV = 1V with no reference to impedance. dbu represents the level compared to 0,775 Volt RMS on an unloaded, open circuit. Bittner-Audio 200 7
dbm represents the power level compared to 1 mwatt. This is a level compared to 0,775 Volt RMS across a 600 Ohm load impedance. 1dBV equals 2.2dBu, 4dBu equals 1.2 Volt RMS, the reference level of -10dBV is the equivalent to a level of -7.8dBu. Headroom is a measure (usually in db) of how much higher the peaks of a signal can be compared to the nominal level without clipping. That is, it compares the peak level (in volts RMS) to the nominal level (in volts RMS). The difference between the two (in db) is the headroom. Loudspeaker Output Connectors Speaker cables must be connected to the binding post connectors with banana plugs or to the 4 pin NEUTRIK SPEAKON connectors. SPEAKON-connector NL4FC for channel 1 and 2: The Speakon connector for Channel 1 is internally connected to both output channels: Channel 1 on pair / and Channel 2 on pair /. The Speakon connector for Channel 2 is internally connected only to output channel 2 on pair /. This twin connection on output connector 1 enables the connection of two-wire and four-wire speaker cables to connect (for instance) active-powered twoway loudspeakers. See also the illustrations at the chapter Operation Modes. The binding post output connectors are connected internally respectively to Channel 1 and Channel 2. They are connected internally parallel to channel 1 and 2 of the SPEAKONconnectors. It is possible to use both connections parallel (two parallel loudspeakers could be connected to the biding posts and/or the SPEAKONconnector. Please pay attention that the red binding post connector corresponds with the pin of the SPEAKON connector of that channel. In the operation mode BRIDGE, the loudspeaker cable has to be connected to the two red binding post connectors of both channels. The positive pole of the loudspeaker should be connected to the red connector of channel 1, the negative pole to the red connector of channel 2. The impedance of the connected loudspeaker line could be between 4 Ohms and 16 Ohms. The minimal loudspeaker impedance is 4 Ohms. In the operation mode BRIDGE the minimal impedance is 8 Ohms. OPERATION MODES On the rear of the amplifier you'll find a mode select switch for the three different operation modes: STEREO, PARALLEL and BRIDGED MODE. Stereo Operation For stereo operation, turn the amplifier off and set the mode select switch to the STEREO position. In this mode, both channels operate independently of each other, with their input attenuators controlling their respective levels. Thus, an input signal at Channel 1 produces an amplified signal at the output of Channel 1, while an input signal at Channel 2 produces an amplified signal at the output of Channel 2. The minimum load impedance for stereo operation is 4 Ohms per channel. The level attenuators and the SIGNAL LEDs for both channels are located at the front panel. These LEDs display the output level of the respective channel. Bittner-Audio 200 8
Stereo operation with two independent channels: Eingang Eingang Bridged Parallel Stereo Stereo operation with a two-way loudspeaker cabinet (both channels connected to SPEAKON connector 1): Eingang Tiefton Eingang Hochton Bridged Parallel Stereo The loudspeaker could be connected to the SPEAKON connector and / or to the binding post connector. A mixed connection is possible too. The red binding post connector corresponds to the pin of the SPEAKON connector. Parallel Operation For parallel operation, turn the amplifier off and set the mode select switch on the PARALLEL position. Both amplifiers are then driven by the signal at Channels 1's input. Output connections are the same as for the stereo operation. Only the input of channel 1 is active, channel 2 is out of circuit. However, both input attenuators remain active for individual level control. The recommended minimum nominal load impedance for the parallel operation is 4 Ohms per channel. Parallel Mode (both channels connected to SPEAKON connector 1): Eingang Bridged Parallel Stereo Bittner-Audio 200 9
Parallel Mode (channels connected to separate SPEAKON connectors 1 and 2): Eingang Bridged Parallel Stereo The loudspeaker could be connected to the SPEAKON connector and / or to the binding post connector. A mixed connection is possible too. The red binding post connector corresponds to the pin of the SPEAKON connector. Bridged Operation (Mono) Both amplifiers can be bridged together to create a powerful single-channel mono amplifier. Use extreme caution when operating in bridged mode. To bridge the amplifier, turn the amplifier off and set the rear mode select switch to the BRIDGED position. Only the input of channel 1 is active, channel 2 is out of circuit. Both input attenuators remain active for individual level control. Connect the speakers across the hot outputs (the binding posts of Channels 1 and 2). For proper operation, both input attenuators must be in the same position, this keeps the load balanced between the channel outputs. The recommended minimum nominal load impedance for the bridged operation is 8 Ohm. Bridged Mode (bridged channel connected to both positive pins of the two internal channels on SPEAKON connector 1, SPEAKON connector 2 is not connected!): Eingang Bridged Parallel Stereo The loudspeaker can be connected to the SPEAKON connector 1 or to the two red binding post connectors of channel 1 and 2. The binding post connector of channel 1 corresponds to the pin of the SPEAKON connector of channel 1. Bittner-Audio 200 10
FAILURES AND POSSIBLE CAUSES SYMPTOM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION The amplifier cannot be switched on. Amplifier is switched on, audio signal supplied but LED SIGNAL doesn t illuminate. Power cord not connected properly (the Series 8X amplifier is equipped with TWO power cords). Mains power not available. Main power fuses defect. Audio input cable defect or not properly connected. Check the power cords and the mains power supply. Check the main power fuses at the back panel of the amplifier. Check the audio signal cables and the signal source.. SIGNAL LED is on, but no sound. Speaker cables are not connected properly. Loudspeaker defect. Speaker cables connected to the wrong channel. Check the speaker cables and the loudspeakers. Bittner-Audio 200 11
WARRANTY TERMS & CONDITIONS Bittner-Audio (the manufacturer) warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship. Should any part of this equipment be defective, the Manufacturer agrees to repair or replace any defective part free of charge (except transportation charges) for a period of three years from the date of the original purchase. Warranty service is effective and available to the original purchaser only. To obtain service under this warranty, the product must, on discovery of the defect, be properly packed and shipped to the nearest Bittner-Audio dealer. The party requesting service must provide proof of original ownership and date of purchase of the product. If the warranty is valid, Bittner-Audio will, without charge for parts or labour, either repair or replace the defective parts. Without a valid warranty, the entire cost of the repair is the responsibility of the product s owner. The warranty does not cover defects or repairs needed as a result of : 1. Damage caused by abuse, accident, or negligence. 2. Damage caused by any tampering, alteration, or modification of the product or its components.. Damage caused by failure to maintain and operate the product in strict accordance with the written instructions in this operating manual. 4. Damage caused by repairs or attempted repairs by unauthorized persons. 5. Damage caused by fire, water and other natural events. 6. Damage caused by operation on improper voltages. Bittner-Audio, September 200 Bittner-Audio 200 12