Gato Audio DPA-2506 User manual

DPA-2506
6 Channel Power Amplifier
User Manual

Gato Audio DPA-2506 - 6 Channel Power Amplifier
Page 2
Contents
Don’t be a stranger 3
Package contents 3
Safety rst! 4
About the amplier 5
Setting up your amplier 6
Basic connection 6
Overview 6
How does it work? 7
Power on 7
Standby 7
Channel read out 7
Display dimming 7
Protection warnings 7
Conguration 8
Single ended and bridge conguration 8
Gain setting 9
Make it last! 10
If all else fails… 10
Technical specications 11

User Manual
Page 3
Don’t be a stranger
Thank you for purchasing the Gato Audio DPA-2506. We are absolutely condent that it will bring you many hours of listening pleasure.
We hereby cordially invite you to join the Gato Audio family by registering your product online. You may also consider signing up for our
newsletter to receive information about exciting new products, events and technical updates. We are also present on several social media
like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and LinkedIn.
All this and more on www.gato-audio.com
Our very best,
Gato Audio
Package contents
Please check that the following is included in the package:
• 1 Gato Audio DPA-2506 power amplier
• 1 Mains cable
• 1 Mini jack link cable
• This manual - which you should be reading now 

Gato Audio DPA-2506 - 6 Channel Power Amplifier
Page 4
Safety first!
Mains plug and cable:
• Insert the mains plug fully into the mains outlet socket
• Do not use any mains cable other than the one provided with this amplier
• Do not defeat the ground connection
• Do not move the amplier around while it is connected to mains
• Do not place heavy objects on the mains cable or place the cable near high-temperature objects
• Do not use damaged mains plugs or socket outlets
Liquids:
Electricity and liquids are not a safe combination, therefore:
• When cleaning the amplier, remove the mains plug
• Do not handle the mains plug with wet hands
• Do not spray any liquid directly onto the amplier
• Do not place liquid containers above or near the amplier
• Keep liquids away from the amplier
…And:
• This is not a toy and should not be handled like one (by children OR adults)
• Do not remove the covers of the amplier (for service see page 10)
• Do not attempt to put foreign objects inside the amplier (for service see page 10)
• Do not cover the amplier with cloth
• Do not place the amplier on sloped or unstable surfaces
• When the amplier will not be used for a long time, remove the mains plug
• Never connect or disconnect cables when the amplier is switched on
• Do not short the amplier outputs
• This unit is made for indoor temperature (15-25OC or 59-77 OF). If it has been exposed to cold temperature, let it adjust itself to indoor
temperature before use
• Make sure that your amplier is able to breathe by securing a minimum safe distance around the heat sinks of 100 mm or 4 inches
• The amplier can get hot during use. Normal operating temperature is from room temperature to 50OC or 122OF
DPA-2506
100 mm / 4” 100 mm / 4”

User Manual
Page 5
About the amplifier
General design
The Gato Audio DPA-2506 is a 6 channel exible power amplier that oers unparalleled power and performance in the smallest and most
beautiful package. The DPA-2506 oers no less than 6x250W / 8ohm, doubling in 4ohm. Each pair of channels is bridgeable – enabling this
fully congurable powerhouse to be used for either multichannel setups, active systems or for bi-amping speakers. This amplier is the
obvious choice for the Gato Audio PRD-3 preamplier/DAC, but is also very suitable as a workhorse for the integrated ampliers DIA-250
and DIA-400 – oering even more channels and exibility. For multichannel systems it will serve as a slave for a surround processor perhaps
in combination with a PRD-3, DIA-250 or DIA-400 enabling their Home Theater setting.
Class-D Output Stage
The DPA-2506 amplier oers six state of the art Class-D output stages with dedicated and optimized switch mode power supplies. The
multiple stage power ampliers are built around proven technology from International Rectier, optimized with a precision high frequency
oscillator and PWM modulator. A pair of precision switching MOS-FET transistors, with super low on-resistance ensures the high frequency
switching is done perfectly and with as little loss as possible. The output lters are made from quality PP capacitors and low DCR coils,
converting the high power PWM signals back into detailed and smooth analogue music.

Gato Audio DPA-2506 - 6 Channel Power Amplifier
Page 6
XLR female pin out
Pin2 + Pin1 Shield
Mains
switch
Fuse
compartment
Setting up your amplifier
Basic connection
Follow these steps for setting up your system in this sequence:
1.Place the DPA-2506 as per the instructions on page 4
2.Connect all inputs to the amplier
3.Connect your loudspeakers to the amplier
4.Connect mains power cable to the amplier and turn it on
5.Enjoy!
PLEASE NOTE: It is only possible to use either XLR or RCA for each channel! Connecting both XLR and RCA inputs at the same time
in the same channel may damage the amplier or the connected equipment.
Overview
Bridge
Ch 1-2
Bridge
Ch 3-4
Display
Made in
Denmark
Link
Ch 1
Bridge
Ch 5-6
Ch 2
Ch 3
Ch 4
Ch 5
Ch 6
Ch 1 BalCh 2 BalCh 3 BalCh 4 BalCh 5 BalCh 6 Bal
Mains
Ch 1 +
Ch 2 +
Ch 3 +
Ch 4 +
Ch 5 +
Ch 6 +
DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-
SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL
SHOCK OR FIRE, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPLIANCE TO MOISTURE OR RAIN.
Live
Neutral
DPA-2506
6 pairs of speaker
terminals
Mains
socket
Channel read-out
Pin3 −
Balanced
inputs
Display setting
Analogue
inputs
Bridge
switch
12 V trigger

User Manual
Page 7
DPA-2506
Hot warning
Ch3-4
Ch3-4
Ch1-2 Ch5-6
Ch1-2 Ch5-6
DPA-2506
Failure warning
How does it work?
Power on
Use the mains switch on the back of the amplier to turn it on. The amplier will start up
immediately.
Standby
To set the amplier in standby mode connect it to a piece of equipment (e.g. pre amplier or
integrated amplier) featuring a 12 V trigger with the mini jack cable. The power amplier will go
into standby when the connected equipment goes into standby.
Channel read out
The central display of the amplier will show the number of available channels according to the
current conguration. Please see page 8 for further information about the conguration.
Display dimming
The display can be dimmed by pressing the Display on the back of the amplier. The display is
now turned o except for one LED indicating the dimmed display state. Press the button again
to exit display dimming mode.
Protection warnings
The DPA-2506 is equipped with a sophisticated protection circuit to protect the amplier and/or
the connected equipment in case of failure. The DPA-2506 features two warning signals:
A H(for HOT) sign will be shown in the display due to temperature problems. One or more dots
will ash indicating which output section is failing:
If this happens, turn o the amplier mains switch and wait about 10 minutes for the heat sinks
cool down before turning on the mains again. If a lot of heat is generated within a short period of
time, please check the following:
• The ventilation around the amplier
• The speaker cable and cable connections for the displayed channels
• The specications of the connected loudspeakers for the displayed channels
A F(for FAIL) sign will be shown in the display. One or more dots will ash indicating which
output stage is failing:
Turn o the amplier mains switch and please check the following before turning the mains on
again:
• The speaker cable and cable connections for the displayed channels
• The connected equipment for the displayed channels
• That you are not playing above the clipping area of the amplier
If the amplier keeps failing after the powering up routine, please turn o the amplier and
contact your dealer or national distributor.
DPA-2506
Standby
Display dim
DPA-2506
6 Channels
DPA-2506

Gato Audio DPA-2506 - 6 Channel Power Amplifier
Page 8
Bridge
Ch 1-2
Bridge
Ch 3-4
Display
Made in
Denmark
Link
Ch 1
Bridge
Ch 5-6
Ch 2
Ch 3
Ch 4
Ch 5
Ch 6
Ch 1 BalCh 2 BalCh 3 BalCh 4 BalCh 5 BalCh 6 Bal
Mains
Ch 1 +
Ch 2 +
Ch 3 +
Ch 4 +
Ch 5 +
Ch 6 +
DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-
SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL
SHOCK OR FIRE, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPLIANCE TO MOISTURE OR RAIN.
Live
Neutral
B
r
i
d
g
e
C
h 1-
2
B
r
i
d
g
e
C
h
3
-
4
D
i
spla
y
Made
in
Denmark
L
i
nk
B
r
i
d
g
e
C
h 5-
6
2
4
Ch 6
C
h
2
Ba
l
C
h 4 Ba
l
C
h 6 Ba
l
Ma
i
n
s
Ch 1
Ch 2
+
Ch 3
Ch 4
+
Ch 5
Ch 6
+
D
O
N
O
T REM
O
VE
CO
VER. N
O
U
S
ER
-
S
ERVI
C
EABLE PART
S
IN
S
IDE. REFER
S
ERVI
C
IN
G
T
O
Q
UALIFIED PER
SO
NNEL.
TO
REDU
C
E THE RI
S
K
O
F ELE
C
TRI
C
AL
S
H
OC
K
O
R FIRE, D
O
N
O
T EXP
OS
E THI
S
APPLIAN
C
E T
O
M
O
I
S
TURE
O
R RAIN.
L
i
ve
N
eutra
l
Speaker terminals for
the bridged channel 1-2
RCA or XLR for the
bridged channel 1-2
RCA or XLR for the
bridged channel 3-4
RCA or XLR for the
bridged channel 5-6
Speaker terminals for
the bridged channel 3-4
Speaker terminals for
the bridged channel 5-6
Configuration
Single ended and bridge conguration
The DPA-2506 can be congured to 3, 4, 5 or 6 channel operation, accommodating your specic system requirements.
The DPA-2506 oers in total six discrete output stages, organized in three sections each containing two channels. All sections can be
congured as single ended or as bridged outputs. Each section is congured by its own little switch on the back of the amplier. Move the
switch towards if you want to set the section in two channel mode (single ended) or towards if the section should be set to one
channel mode (bridge). This individual control of each section makes it possible congure the DPA-2506 exactly to your needs or system
requirements.
Please note that when a section is congured as bridge, the connections on the back of the amplier are changed; the speaker will share
connectors from both channels in this section. Use the highlighted from one channel and from the other channel. Use only one of
highlighted inputs in this section, either the unbalanced or the balanced connector .
The amplier should be turned o while sections and cables are congured!
The specic in- and outputs for each section during bridge mode is shown in the below illustration.
+
Ch 1 Ch 1 Bal

User Manual
Page 9
Gain setting
The DPA-2506 has a default voltage gain setting of 26dB. In some system setups it can be useful to change the voltage gain to adapt dierent
connected equipment. The gain setting switches are located inside the DPA-2506 and can be adjusted with the assistance of a technician.
For each channel there is a two-way micro switch with these combinations:
* The default state matches the voltage gain for the Gato Audio DIA-250 and DIA-400 integrated ampliers.
Please note that when a section is bridged, both micro switches for each channel must be set to the same value.
Gain micro switch placement on the PCB:
Ch1 Ch3 Ch5Ch2 Ch4 Ch6
Gain adjustment
- 2.0 dB
0.0 dB (default)*
+2.5 dB
+6.0 dB
SW1
on
on
o
o
SW2
on
o
on
o
ON
12
ON
12
ON
12
ON
12

Gato Audio DPA-2506 - 6 Channel Power Amplifier
Page 10
Make it last!
Please apply simple common sense to maintain the sound quality and lifespan of your new Gato Audio amplier. Here are a few guidelines:
• Regular care: wipe the surfaces carefully by using a clean soft dry cloth
• Cleaning: if necessary, wipe the hard surfaces clean using a soft cloth dampened only with clean water.
• Grease stains or nger marks can be removed carefully with a clean soft cloth lightly dampened in a mix of clean lukewarm water and a
single drop of dish-washing liquid. Then wipe the surfaces dry using a soft dry cloth
• Be careful never to use hot water or any type of concentrated detergent, solvent, thinner, or any other volatile substance on the surfaces,
or you may cause permanent damage to the surface coating
• Keep the cabinet away from prolonged contact with rubber or PVC materials
• Do not expose the amplier to direct sunlight or other heat sources
If all else fails…
…don’t panic! Every Gato Audio product comes with a minimum 2-year warranty. See our website for details.
This warranty does not cover damage or wear directly or indirectly caused by improper use, violence, tampering with or unauthorized access
to or servicing of any part of the product.
If you are in need of service or repair, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]om or visit our website www.gato-audio.com
for more information.