Casatunes Ct-2100a User manual

CasaTunes CT-2100A

2 x 100W Stereo Amplifier

User's Manual

CONTENTS

SAFETY WARNINGS AND GUIDELINES ................................................................ 3

INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 4

FEATURES .................................................................................................................. 4

PACKAGE CONTENTS .............................................................................................. 6

PRODUCT OVERVIEW .............................................................................................. 7

Front Panel .............................................................................................................. 7

Rear Panel ............................................................................................................... 7

THERMAL PROTECTION .......................................................................................... 8

SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION ............................................................................... 9

MOUNTING OPTIONS ............................................................................................. 10

Stand-Alone Setup ................................................................................................ 10

Single Rack-Mount Setup ..................................................................................... 10

Dual Rack-Mount Setup ........................................................................................ 12

STEREO INSTALLATION ......................................................................................... 12

MONO BRIDGED INSTALLATION .......................................................................... 16

SPECIFICATIONS ..................................................................................................... 19

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE ................................................................................ 20

Notice for FCC ...................................................................................................... 20

Notice for Industry Canada .................................................................................. 20

SAFETY WARNINGS AND GUIDELINES

Please read this entire manual before using this device, paying extra attention

to these safety warnings and guidelines. Please keep this manual in a safe

place for future reference.

• This device is intended for indoor use only.

• Do not expose this device to water or moisture of any kind. Do not place

drinks or other containers with moisture on or near the device. If

moisture does get in or on the device, immediately unplug it from the

power outlet and allow it to fully dry before reapplying power.

• Do not touch the device, the power cord, or any other connected cables

with wet hands.

• This device uses a grounded power cord and requires a ground

connection for safe operation. Ensure that the power source has a proper

ground connection. Do not modify the plug or use a "cheater" plug to

bypass the ground connection.

• Do not expose this device to excessively high temperatures. Do not

place it in, on, or near heat sources, such as a fireplace, stove, radiator,

etc. Do not leave it in direct sunlight.

• This device ventilates excessive heat through the slots and openings in

the case. Do not block or cover these openings. Ensure that the device

is in an open area where it can get sufficient airflow to keep from

overheating.

• Prior to operation, check the unit and power cord for physical damage.

Do not use if physical damage has occurred.

• Take care to prevent damage to the power cord. Do not allow it to

become crimped, pinched, walked on, or become tangled with other

cords. Ensure that the power cord does not present a tripping hazard.

• Never unplug the unit by pulling on the power cord. Always grasp the

connector head or adapter body.

• Ensure that power is turned off and disconnected before making any

electrical connections.

• Clean using a soft, dry cloth only. Do not use chemical cleaners,

solvents, or detergents. For stubborn deposits, moisten the cloth with

warm water.

• This device has no user serviceable parts. Do not attempt to open,

service, or modify this device.

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the CasaTunes CT-2100A Amplifier. This 2-channel

class D power amplifier features a stereo speaker output, with support for 4-

ohm and 8-ohm speakers. It can deliver 100 watts per channel into 8-ohm

loads or 125 watts per channel into 4-ohm loads. Additionally, the output can

be bridged to provide 225 watts to a single 8-ohm speaker. It includes a

buffered loop line output of the original signal for driving another power

amplifier in distributed whole house audio systems. The amp can be configured

for always on, signal detection, or triggered power on status. It also includes a

12-volt trigger output for controlling other devices.

FEATURES

• Class-D amplifier providing 100 watts/channel (RMS) into 8 ohm loads or

125 watts/channel into 4-ohm loads

• Bridgeable output provides 225 watts into a single 8-ohm load

• 4-pole detachable speaker screw connector (Phoenix connector) with

support for up to 12 AWG speaker wire

• 12-volt trigger input for power-on/off

• 12-volt trigger output for controlling other devices

• Buffered loop output of original signal for connection additional amplifiers

• Rear panel volume gain adjustment

• Built-in thermal and short circuit protection circuits

• Includes rack-mount ears

PACKAGE CONTENTS

Please take an inventory of the package contents to ensure you have all the

items listed below. If anything is missing or damaged, please contact

CasaTunes Customer Service for a replacement.

1x 200-watt stereo power amplifier

1x AC power cord (NEMA 5-15 to IEC 60320 C13)

1x Power cord anchor

1x Trigger cable

2x Short rack-mount ears

1x Long rack-mount ear

1x Bridge plate

6x Button head screws

4x Countersunk screws

4x Rubber feet

1x User's manual

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Front Panel

1. Power Switch: Turns the amplifier on and off.

2. Power LED: Illuminates amber on initial power-up, then glows either

green during normal operation or red when in standby mode.

Rear Panel

3. Line In: Stereo line-level analog RCA input jacks. When using bridged

mode, the mono input should be connected to the L input.

4. Line Out: Stereo, buffered, loop line output of the original signal for

connecting additional amplifiers.

5. Volume: Gain control to limit the maximum volume level.

6. Output Selection: Switch to configure the type of output. When in the

Bridged position, the amplifier can be bridged for more power into a

single 8-ohm load. The 8-ohm and 4-ohm positions optimize the stereo

output for 8- or 4-ohm loads.

7. Power Selection: Switch to control the power-on behavior of the

amplifier. When in the On position, the amplifier is always on whenever

the Power Switch (1) is in the On position. When set to Auto, the

amplifier will automatically go into standby mode when no audio signal is

detected and will power on when an audio signal is detected. When set

to the Trigger position, the amplifier will power on or off whenever a 12-

volt trigger is applied to the Trigger In (8). When set to the Auto or

Trigger positions, the Power Switch (1) on the front panel should be left

in the On position.

8. Trigger: 3.5mm jacks for 12-volt Trigger In and Out. The Trigger In can

turn the amplifier on or off and the Trigger Out can be used to control

other devices.

9. Speaker: Removable Phoenix connector for attaching the speaker wires.

When connecting a single speaker in bridged mode, the negative lead

should be attached to R+ and the positive lead to L+. It can accept

speaker wire up to 12 AWG.

10. AC IN: IEC 60320 C14 panel connector for attaching the included power

cord.

THERMAL PROTECTION

The amplifier monitors its temperature and will activate the thermal protection

circuit if the temperature exceeds a safe limit. This can occur if the amp has

been operated at high volumes for an extended period of time, if it has

inadequate ventilation, or if the speaker load is below the minimum impedance

of 4 ohms. The amp will shut down when the Thermal Protection circuit

engages. You must turn off the amp's power switch and wait until the amp

cools down, then power the amp back on.

SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION

If the amplifier detects a short circuit on one or both speaker outputs, the

Power LED (2) will glow orange and output will be disabled. If this occurs, turn

off the amplifier and check the speakers and speaker wires for a short circuit.

MOUNTING OPTIONS

This amplifier can be placed stand-alone on a flat surface, such as a table or

shelf, or can be installed into a standard 19" equipment rack, either by itself or

side-by-side with a second Unity power amp.

Stand-Alone Setup

To use the amplifier in a stand-alone installation, locate the included sheet with

four rubber feet. Peel each rubber foot from the sheet and attach them to the

bottom of the amp at each of the four corners. This will both protect your

mounting surface from scratches and will prevent any incidental noise from

vibration.

Single Rack-Mount Setup

Perform the following steps to install a single amplifier into a 19" equipment

rack.

1. Using three of the button head screws, attach one short rack-mount ear

to one side of the amplifier, with the flat side flush with the front panel.

2. Using the remaining three button head screws, attach the long rack-

mount ear to the other side of the amplifier, with the long flat side flush

with the front panel. It does not matter which side of the amp has the

short rack-mount ear and which side has the long one.

3. Using rack-mount screws (not included), secure the two rack-mount ears

to the rack mount.

Dual Rack-Mount Setup

Perform the following steps to install two amplifiers side-by-side into a 19"

equipment rack.

1. Turn the amplifiers over and place them side by side.

2. Place the bridge plate over the junction of the two amps with the

beveled holes visible, then attach it to the two amps using the four

countersunk screws.

3. Turn the amps over so they are right-side up, then attach one short

rack-mount ear to the exposed side of each amp using three button head

screws.

4. Using rack-mount screws (not included), secure the two rack-mount ears

to the rack mount.

STEREO INSTALLATION

1. Ensure that all equipment to be connected is powered off and unplugged

from its power source prior to making any electrical or audio connections.

2. Place the amplifier in its intended location.

3. Using a 1/8" flat head screwdriver, loosen the four screws on the

Speaker (9) Phoenix connector to open the speaker wire clamps.

4. Using a two-conductor speaker wire (not included), insert the negative

lead into the L- connector, then tighten the screw to lock it in place.

Give the wire a gentle tug to ensure it is securely attached to the

connector. Repeat for the positive lead and the L+ connector.

5. Connect the negative lead of the speaker wire to the negative input on

your left channel speaker, then connect to the positive lead to the

positive input.

6. Using a second two-conductor speaker wire, repeat steps 4 and 5 for the

R- and R+ connectors, and the right channel speaker.

7. Using a stereo RCA cable (not included), plug the left and right plugs

into the L and R connectors on the Line In (3), then plug the other end

into the analog stereo outputs on your preamplifier, television, or other

audio source device.

8. (Optional) Using a stereo RCA cable (not included), plug one end into

the inputs on a second amplifier, then plug the left and right plugs into

the L and R connectors on the Line Out (4).

9. (Optional) Using a 3.5mm cable (not included), plug one end into the

Trigger In (8) jack, then plug the other end into the trigger output of

your controller.

10. (Optional) Using a 3.5mm cable (not included), plug one end into the

trigger input of a device you want to control using the amplifier, then

plug the other end into the Trigger Out (8).

11. If you connected 8-ohm speakers, set the Output Selection (6) switch to

the 8Ω position. If you connected 4-ohm speakers, set it to the 4Ω

position.

12. Set the Power Selection (7) switch to the On, Auto, or Trigger position,

depending on how you want to control the amplifier's power-on behavior.

When set to On, the amplifier is always on whenever the Power Switch

(1) is in the On position. When set to Auto, the amplifier will power on

when an audio signal is detected and will power off after a few minutes

without an audio signal on the input. When set to the Trigger position,

the amplifier turns on and off when a 12-volt signal is detected on the

Trigger In (8). When using the Auto or Trigger options, the Power

Switch (1) on the front panel must be set to the On position.

13. Using a 1/8" flat head screwdriver, turn the Volume (5) control fully

counterclockwise to the minimum position.

14. Ensure that the Power Switch (1) is in the Off position.

15. Plug the C13 connector on the included AC power cord into the C14

Power In (10) connector, then plug the other end into a nearby AC

power outlet.

16. (Optional) Squeeze both sides of the included power cord anchor, insert

the two ends into the two loops above the Power In (10) connector, then

release the anchor so the two ends lock into the two loops. Position the

anchor over the boot of the power cord connector, so that it cannot

accidentally disconnect from the amplifier.

17. Flip the Power Switch (1) to the On position.

18. Plug in and power on your audio source device, then start audio

playback.

19. Set the volume control on your preamplifier, television, or other audio

source device to the maximum position.

20. Using a 1/8" flat head screwdriver, slowly turn the Volume (5) control

clockwise until the volume level is at the loudest you would ever want it

to be.

MONO BRIDGED INSTALLATION

Rather than driving two 8-ohm or 4-ohm speakers in stereo mode, the amplifier

can be configured to bridge the two channels to provide 225 watts of power

into a single 8-ohm load.

Note that only 8-ohm loads can be used when using

Mono Bridged mode.

1. Ensure that all equipment to be connected is powered off and unplugged

from its power source prior to making any electrical or audio connections.

2. Place the amplifier in its intended location.

3. Using a 1/8" flat head screwdriver, loosen the L+ and R+ screws on the

Speaker (9) Phoenix connector to open the speaker wire clamps.

4. Using a two-conductor speaker wire (not included), insert the negative

lead into the R+ connector, then tighten the screw to lock it in place.

Give the wire a gentle tug to ensure it is securely attached to the

connector. Repeat for the positive lead and the L+ connector.

5. Connect the negative lead of the speaker wire to the negative input on

your speaker, then connect to the positive lead to the positive input.

6. Using a single conductor RCA cable (not included), plug one end into the

L connector on the Line In (3), then plug the other end into one of the

analog stereo outputs on your preamplifier, television, or other audio

source device.

7. (Optional) Using a second single-conductor RCA cable (not included),

plug one end into one of the inputs on another amplifier, then plug the

other end into the L connector on the Line Out (4).

8. (Optional) Using a 3.5mm cable (not included), plug one end into the

Trigger In (8) jack, then plug the other end into the trigger output of

your controller.

9. (Optional) Using a 3.5mm cable (not included), plug one end into the

trigger input of a device you want to control using the amplifier, then

plug the other end into the Trigger Out (8).

10. Set the Output Selection (6) switch to the Bridge position.

11. Set the Power Selection (7) switch to the On, Auto, or Trigger position,