Bel Canto S500 User manual

S500 Dual Mono
Audio Amplifier
Bel Canto Design, LTD.
221 1st Street North
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.belcantodesign.com
[email protected]
©2005 Bel Canto Design, LTD
UUsseerr''ss GGuuiiddee aanndd OOppeerraattiinngg IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn

page 2© 2008 bel canto design, Ltd.
TTAABBLLEE OOFF CCOONNTTEENNTTSS
Bel Canto Design Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Design Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Initial Setup and peration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6, 7
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
The Bel Canto Design e. ne Series is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when
elegant engineering and depth of empirical knowledge are combined. All components are
selected for high sound quality, precision, technical performance, and material quality. Bel
Canto’s circuit designs and component quality will provide superb performance and years
of listening satisfaction.
S500 Dual Mono Audio Amplifier
oowweerr AAmmpplliiffiieerrss
S500 User ‘s Guide 0608 Rev A.

page 3© 2008 bel canto design, Ltd.
Bel Canto Design audio products are designed to bring you closer to the power and
beauty of your music. ur goal is simply to provide the most expressive and powerful
musical experience outside of the live event and bring some of the greatest musicians and
their performances into the intimacy of your home. We design equipment which is easy to
own, use and live with. We fully expect that your enjoyment and appreciation of your
Bel Canto purchase will grow as you live with it and experience all of the fine audio
subtleties that emerge.
Bel Canto Design
GGeett CClloosseerr
S500 User 's Guide 0608 Rev A.

WWaarrmm UUpp
The amplifier’s sonic performance will start to stabilize after approximately 100 hours of
continuous power up. We recommend that the amplifier remains powered for optimum
performance.
The e. ne S500 amplifier is a dual-mono
audio power amplifier that delivers over
400 watts into 4 ohm loads. Each amplifi-
er contains its own dedicated regulated
power supply for all amplifier stages,
including the output section. This is
achieved in a compact and elegant prod-
uct through our adaptation of the latest
analog switching amplifier and power
supply technology from the ICEpower
group.
A proprietary Bel Canto input stage pro-
vides optimumally balanced drive signal
into the amplifier and maximizes common
mode rejection while minimizing distor-
tion and noise components. Use of high
quality Caddock resistors and ultra-low
ESR solid electroytic capacitors insures
the most musical and transparent
performance.
This technology brings unprecedented
performance gains in absolute musical
performance. The regulated power supply
and fully balanced analog switching
amplifier architecture liberates your loud-
speakers to perform at their best. The
ultra-low noise operation insures that the
most subtle of musical expressions comes
through with palpable clarity.
The superb measured performance
insures that harmonic and intermodulation
distortion don’t interfere with the pristine
beauty or raw power of the musical mes-
sage.
The e. ne series amplifiers from
Bel Canto insure that you fully
experience the musical intensity
and beauty of your favorite artists.
DDeessiiggnn FFeeaattuurreess
page 4© 2008 bel canto design, Ltd. S500 User 's Guide 0608 Rev A.

WWaarrnniinngg!!
DDoo nnoott ccoonnnneecctt ppoowweerr ttoo tthhiiss aammpplliiffiieerr yyeett!!
This amplifier, like any electrical component, can be dangerous and cause injury unless
correct handling procedures are observed and used. Before powering this preamplifier it is
necessary to read and follow proper procedures concerning its setup and use.
AAnnyy ttaammppeerriinngg ooff iinntteerrnnaall ppaarrttss wwiillll iimmmmeeddiiaatteellyy vvooiidd yyoouurr wwaarrrraannttyy..
USA customers: For Warranty Coverage complete and mail the wner's Registration
Papers immediately.
Unpacking
The S500 Amplifier box contains:
1 – User's Guide
1 - Power Cable for connection
to utility power [1.85m,
6' long]
1 – S500 Amplifier.
1 - wner's Warranty /
Registration Sheet
Carefully inspect your new unit and check
for shipping damage. If there is any
damage, or if any piece is missing,
please contact your dealer, distributor
or Bel Canto Design.
Save all packing materials as the packing
is specially designed to protect the ampli-
fier for shipping or transporting it. If you
lose or damage the packing materials or
carton, please contact your dealer or dis-
tributor before attempting to transport the
preamplifier.
The power supply is preset for the proper
AC power line voltage before you receive
it. The power cable will have the correct
plug for your local power system. IIff yyoouu
bbeelliieevvee tthhiiss iiss nnoott ttrruuee,, pplleeaassee ccoonn--
ttaacctt yyoouurr ddeeaalleerr iimmmmeeddiiaatteellyy.. DDoo nnoott
aatttteemmpptt ttoo aalltteerr oorr cchhaannggee ppoowweerr
sseettttiinnggss yyoouurrsseellff.. TThhiiss wwiillll vvooiidd tthhee
wwaarrrraannttyy..
UUnnppaacckkiinngg
page 5© 2008 bel canto design, Ltd. S500 User 's Guide 0608 Rev A.

S500 Amplifier Rear Panel
SS550000 AAmmpplliiffiieerr RReeaarr aanneell CCoonnnneeccttiioonnss
NNeevveerr CCoonnnneecctt EEiitthheerr tthhee oossiittiivvee oorr NNeeggaattiivvee SSppeeaakkeerr OOuuttppuutt ttoo AAnnyy
GGrroouunndd CCoonnttaacctt!!
Connecting any Speaker utput on the S500 to Ground will cause the amplifier to go into
protection and could damage the amplifier and void the warranty.
page 6© 2008 bel canto design, Ltd.
1) Power Switch: Power is on when the
switch is toggled to the I position and off
in the position.
2) Input Connections and RCA/XLR switch:
When using RCA cables for the input
insure that the RCA/XLR switch is pressed
in to the RCA position. When using XLR
cables insure that the switch is out in the
XLR position. Do not connect both
XLR and RCA cables to the inputs!
3) utput Connections: Attach your loud-
speakers to the output connectors, insure
that the polarity of each speaker is
correct and the same so that no phase
inversion can occur.
NNeevveerr CCoonnnneecctt EEiitthheerr tthhee oossiittiivvee oorr
NNeeggaattiivvee SSppeeaakkeerr OOuuttppuutt ttoo AAnnyy
GGrroouunndd CCoonnttaacctt!!
4) IEC power cord jack: Connect a heavy
gauge power cord from this jack to the
wall power supply. Note the power set-
ting indicated on the back of the amplifi-
er before connecting the power.
When all connections to and from the
amplifier have been made then double
check everything, insure that the preamplifi-
er is powered on and set to a Mute setting
and power on the S500.
S500 User 's Guide 0608 Rev A.

FFrroonntt aanneell IInnddiiccaattoorr LLaammpp
The small blue LED lamp indicates that the
power is connected to the amplifier and that
the power switch is in the N position. If
the amplifier detects a fault or short circuit
in the output connections then it will go into
a protection mode and stop playing. If this
occurs toggle the power switch to the FF
position and check the speaker cabling to
insure that no speaker output is either short-
ed together or connected to a ground.
When you are certain that the loudspeaker
cabling is correct then power the unit N
again and insure that the Blue lamp is lit
and that music will play.
page 8© 2008 bel canto design, Ltd.
1) Check that the RCA/XLR switch is in the
correct position for the type of connection
being used.
2) Insure that the preamplifier or any source
components are not producing hum by set-
ting the preamplifier to a MUTE or Standby
setting.
3) The design of the amplifier reduces the
chance for ground loop induced hum but
we still recommend that you use shorter
interconnect cables to the preamplifier
and connect all power cables to a com-
mon outlet box or power conditioner unit
to reduce the possibility for ground cur-
rent noise being induced into the audio
signal path.
WWhhaatt ttoo ddoo iiff tthheerree iiss hhuumm oorr ggrroouunndd nnooiissee::
S500 User 's Guide 0608 Rev A.

SSppeecciiffiiccaattiioonnss
page 9© 2008 bel canto design, Ltd.
aximum Power Output/Channel: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .500W 4 ohms, 250W 8 ohms
Power Output 1% THD/Channel: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .370W 4 ohms, 200W 8 ohms
inimum Load: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 ohms
Frequency Response: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +/-3 dB 1.5Hz-70KHz, all loads
THD+N: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.003% 1W, 1KHz, 4 ohms
I D (CCIF): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.0003%, 1W, 14:15KHz, 4 ohms
Output noise: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35uVR S A-weighted 10Hz-20KHz
Voltage gain: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27dB (single ended or balanced input)
Damping factor: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .>1000
Output Impedance at 100Hz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<8 milliohms
Dynamic Range: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121dB
Input Voltage for ax Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..2Vrms
Input connections: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Single-ended RCA or balanced XLR
RCA input impedance: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100Kohms
Balanced input impedance: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200Kohms
Output connections: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-sets WBT 5-way binding posts
Standby Power: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19W
Size: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8.5x3.5x12[inches], 216x76x305[mm] (WxHxD)
Weight: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15lbs, 7Kg
S500 User 's Guide 0608 Rev A.
SS550000 oowweerr AAmmpplliiffiieerr
Features and specifications are subject to improvements and changes without prior notice.

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