ZR ‘C’ Series Amplifier Owner's Manual world v 2.1 ©2003 ARX® ZR ‘C’ Series Amplifier Owner's Manual world v 2.1 ©2003 ARX®63
Introduction
Thank you for choosing this ARX amplifier. We hope you enjoy using it as much as
we enjoyed creating it. It is a precision engineered product designed for profession-
al use in all pro-audio applications, and as such, a working knowledge of basic
electronic safety procedures is assumed on the part of the operator.
Like all ARX equipment, it has undergone extensive factory calibration, testing and
‘burn in’ before shipping. To ensure continued trouble free use, please familiarise
yourself with the contents of this manual before using.
About the ZR ‘C’ Series amplifiers
The ARX ZR ‘C’ series amplifiers (the C denotes Contractor) are designed smart,
and ready for the intensive duty cycle that today’s installations demand. More
power, more protection, less heat, less weight. These amplifiers represent significant
breakthroughs in the the art of providing effortless, reliable power from compact,
efficient amplifier designs. They incorporate 2 x toroidal output line transformers,
for easily driving constant voltage speaker systems.
For the all-important amplifier output stage, the ZR ‘C’ series use the new genera-
tion Lateral Mosfet devices . These provide ultra fast high current-to-load capability,
switching many amperes of high frequency current in nanoseconds, up to 100 times
faster than amplifiers using conventional Bipolar transistors.
Our massive precision engineered UltraFinTM heat exchanger rapidly and evenly
dissipates heat from the amplifier. Twin cooling fans supply a high c.f.m forced air
supply to ensure optimum temperature of the output devices.
‘Headroom Enhance’ circuitry based on the core ISC error correction technology
developed for our new range of ISC Loudspeaker Processors. This provides Maxi-
mum power output levels under all AC mains supply voltages and rated load
conditions, eliminatingOutput Stage clipping.
All the ZR series amplifiers have new re-settable High Current relay switched
protection circuits that instantly disconnect the speakers when a potentially damag-
ing signal is detected. New Input delay muting circuitry eliminates switch on/switch
off noise.
A feature of the ZR series is an internal insert point for the new range of ARX Plug-
in modules, such as the MicroPRO Plug-in ‘processor-on-a-card’ with all operating
parameters optimised for the MicroMAX range of speakers. The MicroPRO PlugIn
eliminates the need for a stand-alone processor, reducing system cost, wiring and
size.
At ARX we are committed to producing amplifiers that keep going day after day,
night after night, because we know that audio professionals like yourself depend on
them to earn a living.
The new ZR ‘C’ series is proof of that commitment.
WARNING!
THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE THE AMPLIFIER,
SO PLEASE DON’T TAKE THE LID OFF AND POKE AROUND!
Amplifiers run on DC voltages provided by the amplifier’s internal
power supply. TheZR ‘C’ series have separate + and - DC fuses for
both channels, mounted internally on the power supply circuit board.
The power Mosfets used in the amplifiers are extremely rugged devic-
es, and the correct rating fuses in the power supply ensure that the
amplifier circuitry is protected from short circuit damage.
A blown DC fuse will be indicated by a very distorted low volume
output from that side of the amplifier. A blown AC fuse will be indicat-
ed by nothing working at all - check to see if the fans are turning.
Any blown fuse should be investigated. It doesn’t necessarily mean that
something is wrong with the amplifier, but indicates that there is
something wrong in the complete signal path, from the mixing console
to the speakers.
If an AC fuse blows:
• Switch the power off, replace the fuse with another of the same
rating.
• Switch the power back on.
• If it blows again, switch the power off and replace the fuse with
another of the same rating.
• If it blows again, then contact your nearest ARX service centre or the
dealer where you bought the amplifier.
If a DC fuse blows:
• Get a qualified service person to inspect inside the amplifier. Please don’t
do it yourself! There are very dangerous voltages inside amplifiers, even
when they have been turned off!
Plug-in Modules
The ZR ‘C’ series feature an internal insert point for the new range of
ARX Plug-in module cards: Plug-in Loudspeaker processors specifically
tailored for the ARX MicroMAX range of speaker systems.
Note: Fitting the card requires removal of the amplifier lid and should
only be done by qualified technicians.
1. Switch amplifier off and remove from power point.
2. Allow all capacitors to discharge by waiting at least 10 minutes.
3. Remove the 12 screws holding the lid on.
4. Gently insert the card component side up into the mating connector
on the left hand side of the amplifier motherboard.
5. Switch the DIP switch S4 from NOR to CH B, and DIP switch S5 from
NOR to CH A. These switches are mounted on the motherboard imme-
diately above the plug in card, looking from the back of the amplifier to
the front.
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