Audionet AMP VII User manual

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Modular Multichannel PowerAmplifier
User'sManual

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Contents
1Preface.........................................................................................5
1.1 Included........................................................................................6
1.2 Transport.......................................................................................6
2Overview control elements.........................................................7
2.1 Frontpanel.....................................................................................7
3Overview connections.................................................................8
3.1 Back panel....................................................................................8
4Installation and power supply...................................................9
4.1 Placement.....................................................................................9
4.2 Mainsconnection..........................................................................9
4.3 Orientation of mainsplug...........................................................10
5Inputsandoutputs....................................................................11
5.1 Inputs..........................................................................................11
5.2 Speaker terminals.......................................................................11
5.3 Audionet Link.............................................................................12
6Operating...................................................................................13
6.1 Powering up................................................................................13
6.2 Switching on/off.........................................................................13
6.3 Mainsphase detection................................................................14
6.4 Using Audionet link...................................................................15
6.5 AutoStart function......................................................................15
6.6 Warm Up countdown.................................................................15
7Protection system......................................................................17
8Setup menu................................................................................18
8.1 Set Dim Level.............................................................................20
8.2 Set Display..................................................................................20
8.3 Set Input......................................................................................21
8.4 Set AutoStart..............................................................................22
8.5 Set Off-Text................................................................................22
8.6 Overview factory defaults..........................................................23

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9Technical information..............................................................24
9.1 Design.........................................................................................24
9.2 Circuitry......................................................................................24
9.3 Power supply..............................................................................24
9.4 Handling.....................................................................................24
10 Security advice..........................................................................25
11 Technical data...........................................................................26

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1 Preface
The Audionet Team congratulatesyou on your purchaseof thisunit.
Audionet'slatestamplifier AMP VII givesyou the chance to combine all
power amplifiersof your home cinema in one cabinet. Equipped with up
to 7separate channels,the AMPVII renderspossibleeven modern 7.1
home cinema with only one amplifier unit. And you might aswellexpand
existing stereo or multichannelsystemsdue to itsmodular design and
configurable number of amplifier modules.
With amaximum power of 360 Wattsin 2Ohmsfor each channel simul-
taniously the AMP VII easily livesup to power demanding loudspeakers.
But not only the purepower and rock-solidstability impressesthe lis-
tener. The AMP VII unitesthemwith excessiverichness of information
and subtle detailsaswell asperfect immaculatenessof sound. Following
Audionet'sfinesttraditions,the AMP VII proofsto be an audiophile mate
for high quality multichannel music reproduction.
The modular design allowsthe user to configure the AMP VII from at
least4channelsup tothe maximum of 7channels.If required, expanding
the unit with additionalchannelsispossibleat any timemaking it future-
proof and very easytoadjustthe unit to every musicor home cinema
system.
But before you start listening to your new Audionet AMP VII,please
read thismanual carefully soyou are able touseand enjoy all functions
of thisunit without drawback on music quality.

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1.1Included
Included you will find the following items:
· the modular multichannel power amplifier AMP VII
· the user'smanual (that you are currently reading)
· two standard mainscords
1.2Transport
Important
· Please transport the AMP VII only in the included package.
· Alwaysuse the plastic bag to prevent scratcheson the housing.
· Pleaseallowthe AMP VII to adapt to the climatic conditionsin your
listening room before you switchon the unitfor the firsttime after
transport.

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2 Overview control elements
2.1Frontpanel
Note
· The mainsswitch islocated at the front right side on the bottom of
the unit.
Display
power
AMP VII
Multichannel power amplifier
power key
Mains switch

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3 Overview connections
3.1Back panel
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11
12
13
14
21
20 19
18
17
16
15
26
25
23
24
22
1
Balanced (XLR) input channel 1
2
Cinch input channel 1
3
Balanced (XLR) input channel 2
4
Cinch input channel 2
5
Balanced (XLR) input channel 3
6
Cinch input channel 3
7
Balanced (XLR) input channel 4
8
Cinch input channel 4
9
Balanced (XLR) input channel 5
10
Cinch input channel 5
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Balanced (XLR) input channel 6
12
Cinch input channel 6
13
Balanced (XLR) input channel 7
14
Cinch input channel 7
15
Speaker terminal channel 7
16
Speaker terminal channel 6
17
Speaker terminal channel 5
18
Speaker terminal channel 4
19
Speaker terminal channel 3
20
Speaker terminal channel 2
21
Speaker terminal channel 1
22
Marking mains phase 1
23
Mains input 1
24
Marking mains phase 2
25
Mains input 2
26
Audionet Link input

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4 Installation and powersupply
Important
· For connecting or removing loudspeakersand/or the pre ampli-
fier your AMPVII mustbe switched offtoprevent damagetothe
amplifier or the connected units.
· Pleasemakesure that all cablesare in absolute bestconditions!
Broken shieldsor short-cut loudspeakercablescould damage
speakersand/or amplifiers.
4.1Placement
The compact design of the AMP VII requiresthe unobstructed heatdissi-
pation during operation. Please mind the following security notes:
Important
· Pleasefindaplace foryour Audionet AMP VII that issufficiently
ventilated to allow the heat to dissipate.
· Do not cover the ventilation slotsof the unit.
· Pleasemakesure that the microprocessor controlled fan unitson the
bottom side of the AMP VII are able to intake cool air without any
obstruction. Particularly avoid placing theunit onto softsurfaceslike
furry carpetsor similar squashy materialsthe AMP VII might sink in.
· We strongly adviseyou not to operate the AMP VII inside aconfined
space, e.g. small cabinets.
· Do not expose the unitto direct sunlight.
· Do not place the AMP VII in closerange toheat sourceslike radia-
torsor fan heaters.
· Due to the heavyweight of the AMP VII, pleasecheck thecarrying
capacity ofyour rack or table before placingthe unit onto it.
4.2Mains connection
Both mainsinputs23 *and 25 are on the back panel of the AMP VII.
Toconnect the unit to mainsusethe included cords.If you prefer to use
different power cordsmake surethey meet the specificationsfor your
home country.
*see numbers in section 'Back panel' on page 8

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Important
· Alwaysuse both mainsconnections.
· The electrical specificationsof your home country mustmeet the
electrical specificationsprinted onto the back panel.
· The AMP VII isaClass I unit and mustbeearthed. Pleaseensurea
stable earthconnection. Phase('hot'pin)ismarked 'phase'(22 and
24 ) on the back panel for each mainsinput.
· If you connect the mainscordspleasemake surethat the mains
switch on the bottom of the unit (see section 'Frontpanel'on page 7)
isswitchedoff.
· Never pull the mainsplug(s)while the AMP VII isswitched on! Be-
fore you pull the mainscord(s)off their sockets,power down the unit
to stand-by mode and switch off the mainsswitch on the bottom side.
Only in casesof extended absence (like vacations)or if massivetrouble
on the mainspower isto be expected you should switchoff the AMP VII.
To disconnect the unitcompletely from mainspull both mainsplugs.
Tipp
· Using high-quality mainscordsmay improve the sound quality.
Please consult your local Audionet dealer.
4.3Orientation of mains plug
The correctpolarizationof mainsisimportant for reasonsof audioclarity
and stability. Pleaseconnect themainscord sothatthe hot pinsof the
wall outletsare connected to thepin of the mainsinputs23 und 25
marked 'phase'22 and24 .
Note
· Your Audionet AMPVII isableto detect awrong polarization of
both mainsplugsduring start-up. When youswitch on the unit from
stand-by mode using the power key on the front panel, the AMP VII
will issue the warning
Att.: Mainsphase
No.1 Incorrect!
if the mainsplug to mainsinput mains1 23 hasthe wrong orienta-
tion and/or
Att.: Mainsphase
No.2 Incorrect!

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if the mainsplug to mainsinput mains2 25 hasthe wrong orienta-
tion. In thiscasepleaseswitch off the unitwith the power keyto
stand-by mode. Then disconnect it from mainswith the mainsswitch
on the bottom side. Now, flip themainsplug with thewrong orienta-
tion in thewall outlet (see section 'Mainsphasedetection'on page
14).
5 Inputsand outputs
Important
· For connecting or removing loudspeakersand/or the pre ampli-
fier your AMPVII mustbe switched offtoprevent damagetothe
amplifier or the connected units.
· Pleasemakesure that all cablesare in absolute bestconditions!
Broken shieldsor short-cut loudspeakercablescould damage
speakersand/or amplifiers.
5.1Inputs
At first, connect your pre amplifier to inputs1 to 14 (depending on the
number of modules)of your AMP VII. For each channel (module) you
may chooseto useCinch or balanced (XLR) cablesalternatively. For
cable lengthsexceeding 10 m we recommend the useof balancedcables.
Important
· Do not forget to selectthe inputsyou are using in the setup menu (see
section 'SetInput'on page 21).
· The input may be selected for each channel individually.
5.2Speaker terminals
Now connect your speakersto the gold plated terminals15 bis21 on
the back panel of the AMP VII. You can useboth banana plugsorspades
aswell assimple cableends.

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Note
· Look out for the correct connection of your speaker cables.Usually
the terminalsof your speakersare marked '+'and '-'.The AMP VII
usesthe same marks.
· Wrong speaker polarization will result in severe loss of sound quality!
Important
· Although the AMPVII hasan effective protection system to pre-
vent damage to the circuits,switch off theunit while working on
the speakersand/or audio cables.
· The nominal loudspeaker impedance should be 2 Ohmsor higher.
· Never use force or toolstightening the terminal screws.
Tip
· If your speakerssupport bi-wiring, usetwo separate cablesto connect
each speaker to the AMP VII. Impulseresponseandspatiality my
improve significantly.
Note
· Again, please mind thecorrect polarization of the speakers!
5.3Audionet Link
For yourconvenience,the AMPVII can be controlled remotely by one of
Audionet'smultichannel pre amplifiers(e.g. MAP or MAP 1) aswell as
one of Audionet'sstereo pre amplifiers(e.g. PREorPRE1) using the
'Audionet Link'interface.
You only need asimple optical 'Toslink'cable to connect the'Audionet
Link'output of your Audionet pre amplifier to the 'Audionet Link'input
link IN 26 of the AMP VII.

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6 Operating
6.1Powering up
Firstof all,pleasemake sure your AMP VII isconnected correctly to
your pre amplifier, speakersandmains(see section'Installation and
powersupply'on page 9 und Section 'Inputsand outputs'on page 11).
The AMP VII isastand-by unit. Pleaseoperate the mainsswitchon the
bottom side. The display showsfor abrief moment awelcome message.
After that the AMP VII isin stand-by mode. The display indicatesthe
stand-by mode either with the text off orwith asmall dot (pixel) in the
display (see section 'Set Off-Text'on page 22).
Only in casesof extended absence (like vacations)or if massivetrouble
on the mainspower isto be expected it isrecommendedto disconnect the
AMP VII from mains.Operate the mainsswitch on the bottom side to
switch off the unit from mains. The display goesdark.
Important
· Never pull the mainscord(s)while the AMPVII isswitched on!
Before youoperate the mainsswitch on the bottomside or pull
the mainsplug, power down the unit to stand-by mode first.
6.2Switching on/off
Topower up the AMP VII from stand-by mode, pressthe power key on
the front panel. The AMP VII issuesthe message:
Waking up...
In casethemainsplug(s)has/have the incorrect polarization awarning
will appear in the display (see section 'Mainsphasedetection' on page
14). After that the unitpowersupall installedamplifier modulessequen-
tially. Assoon asall modulesareup and running the speaker outputsare
enabled. The unit informsthe user of all active channelsand isnow in
normal operating mode.
If you would like to switch off the unit, pleasepressthe power keyon the
front panel. The display showsthe message:
Going to sleep..,
which thenwill be replaced after a short moment by:
DISCHARGING NOW
please wait...
until the power suppliesof all modulesinthe AMP VII are discharged

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completely.The unit isnow in stand-by mode, and the display showsthe
selected stand-by text (see section'Set Off-Text'on page 22).
Note
· Pleasewaituntil theend of thedischarging process,before you
switch on the AMP VII again by pressing the power key on the front
panel.
6.3Mains phase detection
The correctpolarizationof mainsisimportant for reasonsof audioclarity
and stability. Pleaseconnect the mainscordsthat the 'hot'pinof the wall
outlet isconnected to the pinsmarked 'phase'22 and 24 of the mains
inputs23 and 25 .The AMP VII recognizesthe incorrect polarization
of the mainsplug automatically. Right after switching on the unit from
stand-by mode by pressing the power key on the frontpanel the follow-
ing messageappearsinthe display in casemainsinput 23 hasthe wrong
polarization:
Att.: Mainsphase
No.1 Incorrect!
or in casemainsinput 25 hasthe wrong polarization:
Att.: Mainsphase
No.2 Incorrect!
If you readthe above message(s), power down the unit by pressing the
power key.Please wait until the display no longer reads:
DISCHARGING NOW
please wait...
Disconnectthe AMP VII from mainsby operating the mainsswitch on
the bottom side. Nowpull the mainsplug(s)with the wrong polarization
and re-insert it/them rotated by 180°.
If you switch on the unit again, the warning(s) should not appear.
Important
· If the AMP VII issuesthe polarization warning or no warning at all
for both positionsof the mainsplugs,check the connection to earth of
your mainssocketsandmainscords. You have to ensure astable
connection to earth for the mainsphasedetection of the AMPVII
to workcorrectly!

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6.4Using Audionet Link
If your AMP VII isconnected toan Audionet pre amplifier via 'Audionet
Link',usethe remote control of the pre amplifier to automatically switch
on/off the AMP VII (and all other unitsconnected via'Audionet Link').
For setting up the necessary connectionspleaserefer tosection 'Audionet
Link'on page 12.
Note
· Some Audionet unitsforward the 'switch on'signal overthe Audionet
interface with asmall delay to avoid all unitsswitching on at the
same moment, whichcould causean overload of your mainsfuse.
Pleaseconsult the manual of yourother Audionet unitsfor furtherin-
formation.
· Independently from the 'Audionet Link'interface, you can switch
on/off your AMP VII at anytime usingthe power keyon thefront
panel.
6.5AutoStart function
If the AutoStart function isactive, the AMP VII startsup automatically to
normal operating mode and doesnot stay in stand-by mode right after the
unit isconnected to mainspower (e.g. by operating the mainsswitch on
the bottom side). Usethisoptionto start upthe AMP VII automatically
using atimer device. For further detailspleaserefer to section 'Set
AutoStart'on page 22.
6.6Warm Up countdown
While you are absent the AMPVII can switch on automatically after a
preselectedtime (15 minutesup to 99 hours and 45 minutes)and isthen
preheated and ready for a listening session when you get back.
Tosetup the countdown clockpress the power keyon the front panel
longer than 2seconds(= long keystroke) while the AMP VII isin stand-
by mode. The display shows:
WARM UP IN :
01 hour 15 min
The cursormarksthedigit of the countdown time toedit. Along key-
stroke movesthe cursor one digit to the right.
Useshort keystrokes(= presskeylessthan2seconds)on the power key
to set the desired digit. Hourscan be programmed in stepsof 1hour,

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minutesin stepsof15min. The following diagram explainsthepossible
countdown timer settings:
01 hour 15 min 01hour 15 min 01 hour 15 min
11 hours 15 min 02hours 15 min 01 hour 30 min
91 hours 15 min 00hours 15 min 01 hour 00 min
10-hours setting 1-hour setting minutes setting
long keystroke shortkeystroke
Activate thecountdown timer by leavingthe timer setup menuwith a
long keystroke. Alternatively, the countdown isstarted automatically if
you do not change anysettingsfor longer than 12 seconds.
Note
· While the countdown isrunning, the display showsthe remaining
time until automatic start-up:
WARM UP IN :
02 hours 43 min
· If the display saver isactive, the display showsthe remaining count-
down time abbreviated(e.g. 02:43). Pleaserefer to section 'Set Dim
Level'on page 20 for detailed information on the display saver.
If you would like to usethe countdown timer again, simply activate it by
along keystroke: While in stand-by mode press the power keylonger
than 2secondsand wait. After 12secondsthecountdown will start again
with the previousprogrammed time.
Tode-activate arunning countdown justpress the power key for less
than 2 secondsat any time.

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7 Protection system
Your Audionet AMP VII protectsyour loudspeakersand itself with a
complex protection circuitry. In caseofamalfunction the displayinforms
the user about the nature of the detected error in plain text. Furthermore,
the unit also reportswhich module caused the error.
Example:
DC VOLTAGE IN:
Amp Module No. 5
Thismeansa 'DC Voltage'error wasdetected in module no. 5.
The following table givesan overview of error messages:
Error message Possible cause
Overload short circuit or defective speaker
Overheating ventilation slots covered
High Freq. defective pre amplifier
DC Voltage exceeding DC level at the output:
defective pre amplifierorsource unit
Power Failure! (temporary)breakdown ofmains
Even after powering down the AMP VII, the error message will still be in
the display. Press the power keyon the front panel to reset the display to
indicating the stand-bymode.
Note
· Mainsismonitored for all modulesglobally, sothatin caseofthe
error Power Failure! no module number isdisplayed.
· The error message Multiple Errors in Amp Modules! means
that multiple errorsoccurred simultaneouslyin different modules.
Important
· Remove cause of error prior to switching on the AMP VII again!

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8 Setup menu
Beyond thefeatureof the 'Warm Up Countdown'you canadjustthe
AMP VII to your preferencesusing the setup menu.
List of settingsadjustable according to your preferences:
· Brightness of display (Set Dim Level)
· Display mode (Set Display)
· Input selection (set indiviually for each amplifier module): Cinch or
balanced (Set Input)
· AutoStart function: automatic start for timer control (Set AutoStart)
· Selection of stand-by indicator (Set Off-Text)
Press the power key on the front panel longer than 2seconds(= long
keystroke) to enter the setup menu. Useashort keystroke (= less then 2
seconds) tonavigate to the next menu item.
Select amenu item with along keystroke. Now you can select your de-
sired option with short keystrokes.
Toleave amenu item hold down the power key longer than 2secondsor
simply waitlonger than 12 seconds.If youwould liketo changemore
settingsplease re-enter the setup menu.
While you are in the main menu, get back tonormal operating mode by
waiting longer than 12secondsor navigate to menu item Exit... and
select it.
Note
· In caseyoustop editing any user settingsthe AMPVII leavesthe
setup menuautomatically after 12secondsand returnsto normal op-
erating mode.
· While you are in the setup menu the displaybrightness isadjustedto
100% for better readability. Leaving the setup menu resetsthedis-
play brightness to the user selected level automatically.
· If you power down the unit to stand-by mode, all user settingsare
stored automatically inthe non-volatile memory of the unit. Evenaf-
ter disconnecting from mainstheAMP VII will still remember your
settings.

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The following diagram givesan overview of the structure of thesetup
menu. The subsequentsectionsexplain all optionsof the setup menu in
detail.
Active
Set Dim Level 100%
75%
50%
25%
OFF
Select display brightness (5 steps)
Set Display Standard Standard display mode
Temperature Temperatur display mode
Select Module all Amp Modules do not change1No change2
Line (Cinch) Select Cinch input2
Balanced (XLR) Select balanced (XLR) input2
Amp Module No. 1
Line (Cinch) Select Cinch input3
Balanced (XLR) Select balanced (XLR) input3
Amp Module No. 7
Set AutoStart disabled AutoStart function off
active AutoStart function active
Set Off-Text off
dot Select indicator for stand-by mode
Exit... Exit setup menu
long keystroke shortkeystroke
1menu itemis onlyvisible, if notall modules are setup tothe sameinput
2selectinputfor all modules simultaneously
3selectinputfor each module individually

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8.1Set Dim Level
Select the brightness of the display on thefront panel. Five stepsare
available: 100%, 75%,50%, 25%and OFF.
Important
· Long-term usage of the display set to amaximum brightness (set-
ting 100%)may causeextended signsof wear resulting in adecay
of contrastor brightness of individual dots in the display. Do not
usethe display with abrightness set higher than the factory de-
fault of 50% over a longer period of time!
Note
· Isthe brightness set to Off the display isonly on during setup ad-
justmentes,powering up/down and while displaying an error mes-
sage. It switchesoff automatically severalsecondsafterthe lastuser
entry.
· The AMP VII activatesthe 'display saver'automatically after 10
minuteswithout any user entry.
· While the 'display saver'isactive, the display shows,depending on
the selecteddisplay mode (Set Display), either Active or the
temperature of the AMP VII in the form of Temp Cool/Ok/High.
The displaybrightness isautomatically reduced to 25%,and the lo-
cation of the information text changesrandomly every12 secondsto
prevent any'burn-in'effect of the display.
· The 'display saver'isde-activated, and the display retrunsto itsnor-
mal mode assoon asany user entry isdetected.
· The user cannot switch off the automatic 'display saver'function!
8.2Set Display
Select theinformationthe AMP VII displayswhile innormal operating
mode. There are two modesavailable:
Standard The normal operating mode isindicated by:
Active
Multi-Channel In
Temperature During normal operating mode the AMP VII showsits
working temperature in 3 steps:
Cool the AMP VII iscool,
Ok the AMP VIIhasitsnormaloperatingtemperature,
High the AMP VII isworking at ahigher tempera
ture under heavy load.