ARX ZA 400 User manual

ZA46800 Series Amplifier Owner's Manual world v 1.6 CE ©2003 ARX® ZA46800 Series Amplifier Owner's Manual world v 1.6 CE ©2003 ARX®
8 1
ZA400 • ZA600
• ZA800
Multi Channel Power
Amplifiers
OWNER’S MANUAL
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED WARRANTY
ARXSystems(ARX)warrantstothefirstpurchaserofanyARXequipmentthatitis
freefromdefectsinmaterialsandworkmanshipundernormaluseandservice.ARX’s
sole obligation under this warranty shall be to provide, without charge, parts and
labournecessarytoremedydefects,ifany,whichappearwithintwelve(12)months
from date of purchase, and for a further twelve (12) months supply parts only.
This is our only warranty. It does not cover finish or appearance items, or burned
voice coils, if the equipment has been, in ARX’s sole judgement:
• Subjected to misuse, abuse, negligence or accident;
• Repaired , worked on, or altered by persons not authorized by ARX;
• Connected, installed, adjusted or used for a purpose other than that for
whichitwasdesigned. Thisincludes damagecausebyconnectiontothe
wrongACvoltage,andrunningspeakersystems(a)withouttheappropriate
ISC processor (b) with a non ARX crossover, or (c) with the ISC
disconnectedorbypassed.
Thiswarrantygivesyouandusspecificlegalrightsandtheremayalsobeotherrights
and considerations which can apply.
Warranty Service Procedure
Shoulditbecomenecessarytohaveyourequipmentservicedunderthetermsofthewarranty,please
followthesesteps:
1.CallyourDistributorforReturnAuthorisation,freightdetailsandReturnaddress
2.Carefullyrepack theunit,in itsoriginalpackagingwhere possible.Ifnot, use plentyofpacking
material-bettertobesafethansorry.
3.Includeanotewithadescriptionoftheproblem
4.Includeacopyofthereceipt/invoiceshowingdateofpurchase.
5.Don’tforgettowriteyournameandaddressclearly,andincludeaphonenumberwhereyoucanbe
contactedduringnormalbusinesshours.Makeiteasyfortheservicetechnicianstocontactyouifthey
haveaquestion.
6.Attachallthesetotheactualunititself.
7.Westronglyrecommendyouinsurethepackage.Wecan’tfixitifitgetslost!SenditprepaidbyUPS,
Fedex,DHLorasimilarparcelservicethatcantrackthepackage.Parcelpostisnotrecommended!
If Warranty Registration Card is missing, please contact ARX, stating model, and where & when
purchased.
ARXHeadOffice,POBox15,Moorabbin,Victoria3189,Australia
Phone[phone] Fax[phone]Email:[email protected]
ARXARX
ARXARX
ARX Systems Pty Ltd, PO Box 15,
Moorabbin, Victoria 3189, Australia
PhonePhone
PhonePhone
Phone: [phone] FaxFax
FaxFax
Fax: [phone]
International FaxInternational Fax
International FaxInternational Fax
International Fax: [phone]
On the WebOn the Web
On the WebOn the Web
On the Web: www.arx.com.au
EmailEmail
EmailEmail
Email: [email protected]

ZA46800 Series Amplifier Owner's Manual world v 1.6 CE ©2003 ARX® ZA46800 Series Amplifier Owner's Manual world v 1.6 CE ©2003 ARX®
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ThissymbolindicatesthataSlowBlowfuseisusedinthisequipment.Replacewithsame
typeandvalueonly
Thissymbolisintendedtoalertyoutothepresenceofuninsulateddangerousvoltagewithin
theproduct'senclosurethatmaybeofsufficientmagnitudetoconstituteariskofelectric
shock.
Thissymbolisintendedtoalertyoutothepresenceofimportantoperatinginstructions
containedinthisowner'smanual
WARNING SYMBOLS USED ON THIS EQUIPMENT
IMPORTANT - This amplifier is designed to be
connected ONLY to the AC voltage ticked below
100 V AC, 50 - 60 Hz
120 V AC, 50 - 60 Hz
220-240 V AC, 50 - 60 Hz
240 V AC, 50 - 60 Hz
!
It is essential that you check that
this voltage is correct for your
area before connecting it to AC
power. Do not plug power cable
into AC power until voltage has
been checked. If incorrect, contact
your ARX distributor.
Your warranty does not cover
connecting the amplifier to the
wrong voltage AC power!
* Add 80mm to depth behind front panel to allow for rear rack mount
ears and connectors; add 30mm to depth before front panel to allow
for handles and volume controls (if fitted)
Complies with 89/336/EEC EMC Directive, amended
by 92/31/EEC and 93/68/EEC and meets the following
standards:EN 55013 : 1990, Sections 3.2 and 3.5 EN
55020 : 1988, Sections 4.3, 5.4, 6.2, 7.0, 8.0.
Complies with Australian Standard AS/N25 1053
SomemodelshavearemovableACpowerleadthatconnects
toanIECconnector(SeePictureatLeft)
Specifications ZA400 ZA600 ZA800
PowerOutput :
Channel @ 8 ohms: 180 100 75
Channel @ 4 ohms: 250 125 100
Bridged pair @ 8 ohms: 500 250 200
Distortion:
1 Watt @8 ohms, 1 KHz .01%
ChannelSeparation:
@ 1KHz -88dB -88dB -88dB
@ 10KHz -80dB -80dB -80dB
Frontpanelindicators:
Clip LED: yes yes yes
Protection LED: yes yes yes
Weight:
Kg 12 13 14
Lbs 22 24 26
Size 2 RU High (89 mm)
19” Wide (482 mm)
16” Deep (405 mm)*
Inputsensitivity:for
rated output 8 ohms: .775V .775V .775V
Frequencyresponse:
@ rated output: 20Hz - 20KHz ±4dB
CMRR >70dB @ 1 KHz
InputImpedance: 40 Kohms Balanced
InputConnectors: Jack
OutputConnectors: Neutrik Speakon
Construction All steel monocoque

ZA46800 Series Amplifier Owner's Manual world v 1.6 CE ©2003 ARX® ZA46800 Series Amplifier Owner's Manual world v 1.6 CE ©2003 ARX®
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1. EasyGripHandles
2. ‘Scribble-strip’forlabelling channels
3. ProtectionandClipLEDs
4. 4mmsteelfrontpanel
1. BalancedJackInputs
2. 20turn levelcontrols.Note thatamplifiersare
shippedwiththese controlssetatmaximum
(noattenuation)
3. BridgedMonomode switches
5. Non-scratchLexanprinted panel
6. Illuminatedpower switch
7. Fanfilters. Remove,cleanandreplace
atfirstsignofclogging
Other Controls
• Front volume controls (VF models only)
Onthesemodelsthevolumecontrolsareplacedonthefrontpanel,
enabling the levels to to be modified by the system engineer as
required
Rear Panel Layouts
Front Panel Layouts
➐
4. NeutrikSpeakon Output Connectors
5. ACpowerconnector
6. HeavyDutyRearrackears forfourpoint
racking
➊➎
About AutoLink™
TheZAamplifiersfeatureAutoLink,anexclusiveanduniqueinternalpatchingsystemthatletsyou
accessallchannelsinputsindividuallyorinmultiples.
Whatexactlydoesthismean?Here’sanexample.
IfyouinsertaleadintotheInputofChannel1,thesignalwillautomaticallyberoutedthroughChannels
2to8aswell,linkingall8channelsfromasinglesourcewithouthavingtolinkthemmanually(i.e.1
signalto8zones).SeeFig1below
However,ifyouinsertanotherinputleadfromanothersourceinto,say,Channel3,thenthissignalwill
runthroughChannels3to8,leavingChannels1and2withyouroriginalsignal.SeeFig2
Ifyouinsertanotherinputleadfromanothersourceinto,say,Channel5,thenthissignalwillrunthrough
Channels5to8.AndsoOn.Naturallyifyouneedadifferentsignalineachamplifierchannelthenyou
canjust plug intothemnormally ona1 to 1basis.See Fig3
➍
➌
➋
• Bridged Mono Switches (Rear Panel)
! READ THIS BEFORE WIRING UP FOR BRIDGED MODE !
PushingthisinswitchesthepairsofChannels1and2,3and4,5and
6,7and8intohigherpowersinglechannelsdesignedtodrivesingle
8ohmloads.Pleasefollowtheseinstructionsexactly.
Routes signal to all 8 outputs
via AutoLink Routes signal to remaining
outputs via AutoLink
Routes signal
to 1 and 2
outputs
Routes 8 signals to 8 outputs
Fig.1 Fig.2
Fig.3
➊➍
➎
➏➌➋
➏
Front Panel Level Controls
1. Turnthe amplifier off.
2. Pressinthesquare switch under the InputsoftheChannelpair that you want to bridge
3. Connect a Speakon connector wired 1+ and 2+ only to the appropriate Output (1/2, 3/4,
5/6,7/8)
5. Doublecheckyour connections, then turntheamplifierpowerback on.
6. Checkatlowlevel beforeturning itup!
NOTE:An8ohmspeakerloadinbridgedmonomodeisequivalenttoa4ohmloadperchannel.
Bridged Mono switches
ZA800
ZA600
ZA400

ZA46800 Series Amplifier Owner's Manual world v 1.6 CE ©2003 ARX® ZA46800 Series Amplifier Owner's Manual world v 1.6 CE ©2003 ARX®
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Introduction
ThankyouforchoosingthisARXamplifier.Wehopeyouenjoyusingitasmuchasweenjoyedcreating
it. Itisaprecisionengineeredproductdesignedforprofessionaluseinallpro-audioapplications,and
assuch,a workingknowledgeofbasic electronicsafetyproceduresis assumedonthepart ofthe
operator.
LikeallARXequipment,ithasundergoneextensivefactorycalibration,testingand‘burnin’before
shipping.Toensurecontinuedtroublefreeuse,pleasefamiliariseyourselfwiththecontentsofthis
manualbeforeusing.
About the ZA400, ZA600 and ZA800 amplifiers
Acompleterangeofmultichannelamplifiersdesignedfromthegroundupfortheintensivedutycycle
thattoday’sinstallationsdemand.Morepower,moreprotection;lessheat,lessweight,andmostofall
-bettersound.
TheZA400isa4channelunit,theZA600isa6channel,andtheZA800isan8channelunit.This
owner’smanualdetailsallthechanneloptionsavailableinallmodels;naturally,ifyouhaveaZA400
thentheseoptionswillonlybeavailablefor4channels,not8!
FortheZAseriesweareusingthenewgenerationLateralMosfetdevicesfortheall-important
amplifier output stage, ensuring an ultra fast high frequency, high current-to-load measured in
nanoseconds,upto100timesfasterthanamplifiersusingconventionalBipolartransistors.
Based on the core technology developed by ARX for our new range of ISC Loudspeaker
Processors,ournew‘HeadroomEnhance’circuitryprovidesMaximumpoweroutputlevelsunderall
ratedloadconditions,eliminatingOutputStageclipping.
TheZAseriesfeaturestheAutoLinkchannelinputlinkingsystemmadepopularbytheunique
ARX Multi Q Parametric Equalize. This unique and extremely useful function automatically links
channelinputsasrequired,eliminatingtheextraexpenseofanexternalzoner/splitter.
Advanced computer modelling of the ZA series chassis design has put strength where it’s
needed,andreducedexcessweightwherepossible.Couplingthiswiththeuseofcompacttoroidal
transformershasresultedinanexcellentpower-to-weightratiofortheZAamplifiers.
AlltheZAamplifiershavenewre-settableHighCurrentrelayswitchedprotectioncircuitsthat
instantlydisconnectthespeakerswhenapotentiallydamagingsignaloramplifiererrorisdetected.
NewInputdelaymutingcircuitryeliminatesswitchon/switchoffnoise.
DualvariablespeedcoolingfanscirculatecoolingairthroughARX’sproven‘UltraFin
TM
’heatsink,
ensuringthattheMosfetoutputdevicesarekeptwellwithintheirthermaltolerancelevelsunderall
operatingconditions.
Asacompany,ARXisdedicatedtoproducingproaudioproductsthatconsistentlydeliverthe
powerandthequalitythataudioprofessionalsexpect.
TheZAseriesofmultichannelamplifiersareproofofourcommitment-amplifiersthatworkas
hardasyoudo,dayafterday,nightafternight,becauseweknowthataudioprofessionalslikeyourself
dependonthemtoearnaliving.
WARNING!
THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE THE AMPLIFIER, SO PLEASE
DON’T TAKE THE LID OFF AND POKE AROUND!
AmplifiersrunonDCvoltagesprovidedbytheamplifier’sinternalpowersupply.TheZAseries
haveseparate+and-DCfusesforbothchannels,mountedinternallyonthemaincircuitboard.
ThepowerMosfetsusedintheamplifiersareextremelyruggeddevices,andthecorrectrating
fuses in the power supply ensure that the amplifier circuitry is protected from short circuit
damage.
AblownDC fusewillbeindicated by averydistorted low volumeoutputfrom that sideofthe
amplifier. AblownACfusewillbeindicatedbynothingworkingatall-checktoseeifthefans
areturning.
Anyblownfuseshouldbeinvestigated.Itdoesn’tnecessarilymeanthatsomethingiswrongwith
theamplifier,butindicatesthatthereissomethingwronginthecompletesignalpath,fromthe
mixingconsoletothespeakers.
If a fuse blows:
Getaqualifiedservicepersontoinspectinsidetheamplifier.Pleasedon’tdoityourself!There
areverydangerousvoltagesinsideamplifiers,evenwhentheyhavebeenturnedoff!
Things to check before you plug your amplifier in
MainsACpower-checkthatthevoltageonyouramplifieristhesameasthevoltageatthepower
point.It is a very good idea to check this before plugging the amplifier into the power
point!Beespeciallycarefulofpluggingintounchecked‘piggyback’plugs,powerdistribution
boxesorextensioncables.
Yourwarrantydoes notcoverdamage causedbyincorrect wiring.
MakesuretheamplifierisconnectedtothesameACpowersupplyandEarth/Groundasthe
restofthesystem,otherwiseyoumaysetupaGroundloophum.
Westronglyrecommendthatyouusetherearmountingslotsaswellasthoseonthefrontpanel.
Thereare2coolingfansontheZAamplifierstoforceairaroundandthroughtheheatsinks.Do
notblocktheairexitpath!
Air flow and cooling
Itisextremelyimportantthatyouensurethatthereisunrestrictedairaccesstothesefans,andalso
unrestrictedairexitpath.Cleanthefanfiltersregularlyoratthefirstsignofbecomingclogged.
AllZAamplifiershavesufficientfancoolingcapacitybuiltin,andneednoextraexternalfancoolingto
operatenormally.Theircompact‘UltraFin’heatsinksprovidemassivesurfaceareasforrapidcooling
andstabletemperatures. BUT...When racking up ZA amplifiers, you MUST
allow space for the air to exit from the rear of the
amplifier.
Ifyouareusingarackthathasasealedrearpanel,with
pre wired multipin connectors, then the normal fan
cooling of the amplifiers must be supplemented by
additionalfanforcedairextractionfromtherack.Allthat
airbeingpumpedinbythefanshastoexitsomewhere!
RememberthatPower=Heat,andMaximumairflow=
successfulheatmanagement.
COLD AIR IN
FROM FRONT
WARM AIR OUT
AT REAR