AperionAudio ENERGY Series User manual

ENERGY SERIES
2 To 7-CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
OWNER`S GUIDE

Please Read First Safety Instructions
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not
remove the cover (or back). No user serviceable parts
in-side. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
The amplifier is a wideband design with substantial power output
capability. Certain precautions must be taken to ensure proper
operation.
1. Never expose the unit to moisture.
2. Never plug an input cable into the amplifier while the amplifier
is turned on.
3. Never apply the “thumb test” (touching the “hot” lead of the
input cable with your finger) to the tip of the input cable or input
jack of the amplifier. RF rectification and/or hum will be created
and could cause damage to the loudspeakers. Aperion will not be
responsible for damage to the loudspeakers due to improper use
of the equipment.
4. Under no circumstances should the output terminals of the
amplifier be short-circuited.
5. Avoid restricting the airflow around the unit. Good airflow is
necessary to help insure proper operation.
6. Be sure that the loudspeakers connected can handle the
output power of the amplifier at the loudspeakers rated
impedance. The warranty on the amplifier does not cover
damage to loudspeakers that have inadequate power handling
capabilities.
7. Do not stack other system components or any other materials
directly on top of the unit. The heat dissipating system of the
amplifier depends on free flowing air around the chassis.
Read all the safety and operating instructions before connecting or
using this unit.
All warnings on the unit and in this operating manual should be
adhered to.
All operating and use instructions should be followed.
Do not use this unit near water: for example, near a bathtub,
washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a
swimming pool.
This unit should be installed so that its location or position does not
interfere with its proper ventilation.
For example, It should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar
surface that may block the ventilation openings: or placed in a
built-in installation, such as bookcase or cabinet, that may impede
the flow of air through its ventilation openings.
The unit should be situated away from heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other devices (including
amplifiers) that produce heat.
The unit should be connected to a power-supply outlet only of the
voltage and frequency marked on its rear panel.
The power-supply cord should be routed so that it is not likely to be
walked on or pinched, especially near the plug, convenience
receptacles, or where the cord exits from the unit.
Clean unit only as recommended in this instruction manual.
The power-supply cord of the unit should be unplugged from the wall
outlet when it is to be unused for a long period of time.
Care should be taken so that objects do not fall, and liquids are not
spilled, into the enclosure through any openings.
The unit should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:
1. The power cord or the plug has been damaged; or
2. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled, into the unit; or
3. The unit has been exposed to rain, or liquids of any kind; or
4. The unit does not appear to operate normally, or exhibits a
marked change in performance; or
5. The device has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.
To prevent electric shock, do not use the polarized plug with an
extension cord, receptacle or other outlet unless the blades can be
fully inserted to prevent blade exposure.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR
MOISTURE.
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do
not expose this appliance to rain or moisture.
The lightning flash with arrowhead, with-in an
equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user
to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous
voltage” within the product’s enclosure that
may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a
risk of electrical shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operation maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.
Page 2
PRECAUTIONS:
CAUTION:
WARNING:

FeaturesTable of Contents
Please Read First ........................................................
Safety Instructions .......................................................
Table of Contents .........................................................
Introduction ..................................................................
Features .......................................................................
Unpacking ....................................................................
Placement ....................................................................
Rack Mounting .............................................................
Getting to Know the Rear Panel ..................................
Connecting Your Amplifier.............................................
Input Connections ........................................................
Speaker Connections....................................................
Connecting the Trigger Input and Output .....................
Line Voltage .................................................................
AC Power Switch .........................................................
AC Circuit Breaker .......................................................
Standby Switch ............................................................
Trigger Input and Output .............................................
Dimmer Light ...............................................................
Rear Panel Drawings of all Energy Amps ....
Power Amplifier Specifications ...................
Care and Maintenance...............................................
Troubleshooting..........................................................
Page 2
Page 2
Page 3
Page 3
Page 3
Page 3
Page 3
Page 3
Page 4
Page 4
Page 5
Page 5
Page 6
Page 6
Page 6
Page 6
Page 6
Page 6
Page 6
Page 7 - Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 10
Your new Aperion Energy amplifier is a state of the art, high
performance, audio component. It is built utilizing fully balanced
circuitry. Dual custom-designed, toroidal transformers drive the high
current power supply with independent secondary windings for each
channel. Each output module employs an advanced optically
coupled protection circuit that replaces the need for bothersome
fuse changes. The amplifier is cooled by convection through the use
of custom designed, efficient heat sinks.
Placement
During normal home operation the chassis and top-cover of the
amplifier will become warm. However, there are instances during
high level playback into low impedance speakers when the chassis
and top-cover may become much warmer than usual. To ensure the
amplifier’s trouble-free operation, it is necessary to pro-vide
adequate ventilation for the heat sinks. Your amplifier should be kept
away from external sources of heat such as radiators and hotair
ducts. The amplifier should never be placed with other
heat-producing components in a cabinet or enclosure lack-ing free
airflow. Do not stack other components on top of your amplifier.
Rack Mounting
Your amplifier may be mounted in a standard 19-inch rack by using
the optional 19-inch rack mount panel.
CAUTION: THE RACK MOUNT PANEL CANNOT SUPPORT
THE WEIGHT OF YOUR AMPLIFIER. BE SURE TO MOUNT
THE UNIT ON A STRONG, WELL-SUPPORTED SHELF.
Unpacking
The carton and packing materials used in shipping your new
amplifier were specially designed to protect it from the shock and
vibration of shipping. We strongly suggest that you save the carton
and packing materials to use if you move, or if the unit ever needs to
be shipped back to us for any reason. Should you discover that your
amplifier has been damaged during shipping, please contact your
dealer or Aperion Audio immediately and request the name of the
carrier so a written claim may be made.
THE RIGHT TO A CLAIM AGAINST A PUBLIC CARRIER CAN
BE FORFEITED IF THE CARRIER IS NOT NOTIFIED
PROMPTLY IN WRITING AND IF THE SHIPPING CARTON AND
PACKING MATERIALS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR
INSPECTION BY THE CARRIER. SAVE ALL PACKING
MATERIALS UNTIL THE CLAIM IS SETTLED.
Page 3
Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing Aperion Audio
Energy Series Amplifier. Designed and engineered in the
United States, it offers significant advances in circuit topology
and performance over virtually all currently available
amplifiers.
The Energy Series is comprised of six models; E2
two-channel amplifiers, E3 three-channel amplifiers, E5
five-channel amplifiers and E7 seven-channel amplifiers. This
manual covers all four models with the only difference being
the number of channels.
In order to receive the maximum performance from your new
amplifier, please take a few minutes to read this manual. This
important information will help you make certain that the
amplifier is properly configured for operation with the rest of
the equipment in your system. If you have any questions
about this product, its installation or operation, please contact
us via email at [email protected] or via
telephone at 503-598-8815.
Energy Series
Multichannel Power Amplifiers

Getting to Know the Rear Panel
Connecting Your Amplifier
Page 4
1. Input Selector Switch
Selects either the BALANCED INPUT (XLR) or the
UN-BALANCED (RCA) INPUT jack.
2. Unbalanced RCA Audio Inputs
Use the UNBALANCED INPUT jacks to connect to the
out-puts of a preamplifier, receiver with preout connections,
CD player, or other source device with RCA style outputs.
3. Balanced XLR Audio Inputs
Use the BALANCED INPUT jacks to connect to the outputs of
a preamplifier or other control device with XLR outputs.
4. Trigger Input and Output Port
Trigger Input: This allows the amplifier controlled by a source
or preamplifier device.
Trigger Output: Link out to another amplifier via 1/8" mono
mini cable.
When making connections between any source components and the amplifier, or when making connections to any speaker, be certain that both
the input devices and the amplifier are turned off. To assure that there will be no unwanted signal transients that can damage equipment or
speakers, it is always best to unplug all equipment before making any connections.
23 54
6
7
8
9
1

Input Connections
Speaker Connections
Correct polarity connections are important to maintain proper
speaker phasing. When speaker phasing is correct, all speakers
move in and out at the same time, preserving the imaging of the
program material. Out-of-phase connections mean that some
speaker cones will be moving in, while others move out. This will
cause indistinct or confused imaging, and muddled and cloudy
sounds. To avoid incorrect phasing or polarity, be certain to use wire
that has distinct markings, colors, stripes, wording, or grooves on
each side of the speaker cable. When making connections to the
amp and speakers, adhere to a consistent pattern of using one side
of the wire to the red terminals and the other side to the black
terminals. When using cable with markings on one side only,
traditional convention is to consider the marked side of the wire as
the red, or positive (+) connection, and the non-marked side as the
black or negative (–) connection.
Next, loosen the knobs of the amplifier’s speaker output terminals,
far enough so that the pass through hole is revealed. Follow the
proper connection instructions for your system with regard to which
terminals are used. Once the connections are made, twist the cap
back so that the connection is secured, but do not over tighten or
use tools, as this may break the delicate wire strands and decrease
system performance.
If you are using spade lugs, connect them to the speaker wire using
the manufacturer’s instructions, and then loosen the caps on the
speaker terminals. Place lugs between the plastic cap and the back
of the terminal. Be sure to observe proper polarity, using the
appropriate speaker hookup icons for your system’s configuration.
Using your fingers, tighten to obtain a positive contact.
When using banana plugs, connections may be made by simply
inserting the jack affixed to your speaker wire into the hole pro-vided
on the rear of the colored screw caps on the binding posts. Before
using banana type jacks, make certain that the plastic screw caps
are firmly tightened down by turning them in a clock-wise direction
until they are snug against the chassis. This will insure that the
maximum surface area of the plug is in contact with the jack. Be
certain to observe proper polarity.
Run the cables to the speaker locations. Do not coil any excess
cable, as this may become an inductor that creates frequency
response variations in your system. Finally, connect the wires to the
speakers, again being certain to observe proper polarity.
Remember to connect your negative, or black wire, to the matching
terminal on the speaker. The positive, or red wire, should be
connected to the matching terminal on the speaker.
While most speaker manufacturers adhere to an industry convention of using red
terminals for positive connections and black terminals for negative, some manufacturers may vary
from this configuration. To assure proper phase connections, and optimal performance, consult
the identification plate on your speaker terminals, or the speaker’s manual to verify polarity. If you
do not know the polarity of your speaker, consult the speaker’s manufacturer for further
information.
Page 5
Connecting the amplifier to your source equipment is simple.
Using high-quality XLR cables or audio interconnect cables,
match the output channel designations on the rear of your
source equipment to the balanced input jacks or unbalanced
inputs jacks on the rear panel of your amplifier that have the
same channel name. When making connections with RCA
type plugs or XLR connectors on interconnect cables, make
certain to gently, but firmly, insert the plug into the jack and
make sure that they are firmly seated. Loose connections can
cause intermittent sound and may damage your speakers.
Some quality plugs may be very tight, and it is important to
assure a proper connection between the interconnection
cable and the input jack. Be careful to match the type of input
you have decided to utilize on your amplifier with the same
type on your preamp or other source device. Do not mix
types, i.e. do not use an RCA type jack on one end and an
XLR connector on the other as this will defeat the output.
Once you have chosen the type of connectors and made the
connections, be sure that the small toggle switches located
between the RCA and XLR jacks are thrown toward the
connector being used. There will be no output if the toggle
switches are in the wrong position.
To assure that the high quality signals produced by your
amplifier are carried to your speakers without loss of clarity or
resolution, we recommend that you use high quality speaker
wire. Many brands of wire are available; the choice may be
influenced by the distance between your speakers and the
amplifier, the type of speakers you use, personal
preferences, or other factors.
Regardless of the brand or type of speaker wire selected, we
recommend that you use a wire constructed of fine,
multistrand copper with a gauge of 14 or less. In specifying
wire, the lower the number, the thicker the cable. 16 gauge
wire may be used for short runs of less than twenty feet. We
do not recommend that you use any wires with an AWG
equivalent of 18 or higher due to the power loss and
degradation in performance that will occur.
To connect the amplifier to your speakers, a pair of binding
posts is provided for each channel output. These posts will
accept bare wire, spade lugs or banana type plugs. If bare
wire is used for the connections, strip approximately 1/2 inch
to 3/4 inch of insulation from the end of each wire and
carefully twist the strands of each conductor together.
Be careful not to cut the individual strands or twist them off.
All strands must be used for optimal performance.
There is an XLR pin assignment diagram located just below the binding posts
for Channel 1. Make certain that the cables connectors you choose utilize the same
order of wiring to your preamp or other source device...they may be different. Failure to
ensure this continuity will result in a malfunction. Please consult with your dealer if there
is any doubt.
NOTE:
NOTE:

Page 6
Connecting the Trigger Input and Output
The Trigger Input accepts a 12 VDC (nominal) trigger signal from another device via a standard 1/8" mono plug. When the trigger is asserted,
the Energy Amplifier will switch On; when the trigger is removed, the Energy Amplifier will return to Standby mode. The Trigger Output sends
out 12 VDC whenever the main power to the Energy Amplifier is On (and NOT when it is in Standby mode) which can be used to switch on
other units with trigger capabilities.
Line Voltage
The Energy Amplifier can operate from any line voltage between 110 VAC - 240 VAC and from any line frequency between 50 Hz and 60 Hz.
The amplifier will automatically detect which line voltage it is connected to and configure itself accordingly.
AC Power Switch
The rear-panel AC Power switch controls the main AC power for your Energy Amplifier. When this switch is in the Off position, the amplifier will
not operate. Turning it On will put the Energy Amplifier into Standby mode.
AC Circuit Breaker
If an electrical power fault occurs, the button on the rear-panel Circuit Breaker will pop up. When the Circuit Breaker button is up, the Energy
Amplifier will not operate, and none of the Status LEDs will be lit. The Circuit Breaker is reset by pressing the button firmly in.
Standby Switch (front panel push button)
If an electrical power fault occurs, the button on the rear-panel Circuit Breaker will pop up. When the Circuit Breaker button is up, the Energy
Amplifier will not operate, and none of the Status LEDs will be lit. The Circuit Breaker is reset by pressing the button firmly in.
Trigger Input and Output
Dimmer Light
When a trigger cable is connected to the Trigger Input (on the rear panel), and a trigger signal is received (between 5-20 V - AC or DC), the
Energy Amplifier will switch from Standby to On; when the trigger signal ceases, the Energy Amplifier will return to Off.
The trigger is typically connected to the preamp or pre/pro that provides a signal source for the Energy Amplifier, and configured to turn the
Energy Amplifier on when the preamp or pre/pro is turned on.
Whenever the Energy Amplifier is On, the Trigger Output will assert a 12 VDC signal, which may be used to turn on other trigger-enabled
equipment.
The Energy Series offer an advanced dimmer / brightness control of the front panel logo badge backlighting. The brightness of backlighting get
to be dimmer after five seconds. To make people feel comfortable in dark soundroom.

Page 7
E2
E3

Page 8
E5
E7

Energy Power Amplifier Specifications
Page 9
Number of Channels
Output Power at 8 ohms
Output Power at 4 ohms
Output Power at 8 ohms@All Channels Driver
Output Power at 4 ohms@All Channels Driver
Input Sensitivity for Full Rated Power@8 ohms
Frequency Response
Signal to Noise Ratio "A-Weighted"
Total Harmonic Distrotion(THD)
Load Impedance
Gain
Input Impedance
Remote Trigger Voltage
Power Requirements
Standby Power
2 to 7 Channels
180W
300W
150W
230W
1.3V
10Hz-35kHz(-1dB)
96dB/RCA; 108dB/XLR
Less Than 0.015% at Full EIA Power at 1kHz
4-16 ohms
29 dB
Nominally 50 kΩ
5-24V
110-240V
<0.5W
Series Energy

Care and Maintenance
If necessary, the Energy Amplifier should be cleaned gently with a soft rag.
• If something sticky gets on the front panel or case of the Energy Amplifier, it should be cleaned with a mild cleaning solution applied to a soft
rag, followed by wiping with a clean rag dampened with plain water and drying with a soft dry rag or cloth.
Note: DO NOT spray water or cleaning solution directly onto the Energy Amplifier or into the vents.
Troubleshooting
Your Energy amplifier is designed for trouble free operation. If you follow the instructions in this manual you should enjoy many years of high
quality listening enjoyment. However, as with any sophisticated electronic device, there may be occasional problems upon initial installation, or
during the life of the unit. The items below are a brief guide to the minor problems that you may be able to correct yourself. If these solutions do
not rectify a problem, of the problem persists, please contact us for assistance.
Page 10
Problem Solutions
Line cord disconnected
Plug line cord(s) into outlet and amplifier
Master Power Switches turned off. Turn on Master Power Switch(es)
Remote trigger cable not properly connected
Verify connection of trigger cable at both ends
Input cables not connected to proper jack or are loose
Check input connections
Input select switch in wrong position
Change input select to correct (RCA or XLR) position
Speakers or amplifier inputs are not properly connected
Check speaker and input connections at amp and speakers
Improper settings or output levels from processor or controller
Check the settings on your preamp, processor or controller
Speaker wires shorted
Check speaker connections for shorts at amp and speakers
Amplifier will not turn on
Amplifier will not turn on
Amplifier will not turn off
Amplifier turns on but no audio
from one or more channels
No audio from one or more channels
No audio from one or more channels
Audio levels are not consistent
Audio plays, then cuts off
2 to 7 Channels
180W
300W
150W
230W
1.3V
10Hz-35kHz(-1dB)
96dB/RCA; 108dB/XLR
Less Than 0.015% at Full EIA Power at 1kHz
4-16 ohms
29 dB
Nominally 50 kΩ
5-24V
110-240V
<0.5W

Page 11

25599 SW 95th Avenue, Suite D, Wilsonville, OR, 97070 - 503.598.8815