Kenwood KM-Z1 Guide

Setting up and
using your KM-Z1
Power Amplifier
KENWOOD

1 Table of Contents 1
2 Safety First. 2
3 Welcome 6
• About this manual 6
• Unpacking vour amplifier 6
• In this box. vou should have 7
• Vou will need to purchase 7
• For vour records 7
4 About Your Amplifier 8
• Using the controls 8
5 Setting Up Your Amplifier 9
• Placing your amplifier 9
• Connecting vour amplifier 10
• Connecting the system control cabie 11
• Connecting vour speakers 12
• Using Speaker Wire 13
• Using banana plugs 13
6 Troubleshooting Guide 14
■ No sound from one or more speakers 14
• I he sound cuts in and out 14
• the STANDBY indicator Mink- but there I- .,v i n d 14
• I he S I AN DB\ indicator does not turn ON when the
amplifier is plugged into the wall outlet 1 5
• 1 he amplifier (connected with a Svstem Control Cable)
does not turn ON or OFF when the Kenwood controller
or reciever is switched ON or OFF 15
• Other problems not listed here 15
7 Specifications 16
1

Warning:
To prevent fire or electric shock, do not expose this unit to rain
or moisture.
Caution:
To prevent electric shock, match the wide blade of the plug to the
wide slot in a wall socket, and insert fully.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
Caution:
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the unit's cover.
There are no user-servicable parts inside. Have the unit serviced by
qualified service personnel.
Safety Symbols
Weve placed these safety symbols on the hack of the unit.
I he lightning bolt symbol ts to alert von to the danger of electric
shock from the operating electric parrs inside rhe unit.
The exclamation point symbol is to let vou know that there are
important operating and servicing instructions in this manual that
vou should read before vou operate this unit.

About the power supply
I h is unit is designed lor operation in the L SA and Canada n.sin>i a power suppiv ot
AC 1 20 volts onlv.
Safety Precautions
Read this page carefully to ensure safe operation.
Please read all of the safety and operating instructions before operating this unit. Adhere
to all warnings on the unit and in this manual. Follow all the safety and operating
instructions. These safety and operating instructions should he retained for future
reference.
1 Power sources. ; lie unit should be connected to a power supply onlv ot the tvpe described
in this manual or as marked kin the unit. It you are not sure of the tvpe of power suppiv to
your home, consult your unit dealer or local newer company. For units intended to operate
from batterv power, or orher sources, refer to the instruction manual.
2 Power-cord protection. Power suppiv cords mould he routed so that they are not likely to
he walked on or pinched hv items placed upon or against them, paving particular attention to
cords at plugs, convenience recept.ic.es. ana me point where thev exit from tlie unit.
3 CAUTION—Polarization. I'his unit mav be eoumped with a polarised alternating-current
line plug a plug having one blade wider that the other*. This plug will fit into the rower
outlet oniv one wav. I'his is a safety feature, if you are unable u> insert the pine fuiiv into the
outlet, irv reversing the ring. If the plus; should rail to lit. contact vimr electrician to
replace vour outlet. Ho not detent the sjtetv rurpose ot the polarized plug.
4 Ventilation, slots and openings m the cabinet are provided for venrilation and to ensure
reliable operation ot tile unit and to protect it from overheating, and these openings must not
he blocked or covered. I he unit should he situated so that ir.s location or position does not
interfere with its proper ventilation.
• To maintain good ventilation, do not put records or a table-cloth on the unit. Place the
unit at least 4 inches avvav from the wails.
• Do not use the unit on a bed. sofa, tug or similar surface that may block the ventila¬
tion openings. Ibis unit should not Pe placed in a huik-in installation such as a
bookcase or rack unless proper ventilation is provided or the manufacturers instruc¬
tions have been adhered to.
5 Water and moisture. I he unit should not he used near water, for example, near hathtuh.
washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pooi. etc.
6 Temperature. The unit mav nor function proper!'. - if used at extremely low. or freezing
temperatures. I he ideal ambient temperature is above -4 IT.
7 Heat, The unit should he situated avvav from neat sources such as radiators, heat 'cei-tcrs,
stoves, or other units 1 including amplifiers., that produce heat.
8 Electric Shock. Dare mould he taken mi that opiect' do not fall and liquid is not spilled
3

into the enclosure through openings. If .t metal object, such as a hair pm or a needle, comes
mto concact with die inside ol this unit, a dangerous electric shock may result. For families
with children, never permit children to put anything, especially metal, inside this unit.
Enclosure removal. Never remove the enclosure. If the internal parts are touched
accidentally, a serious electric shock might occur.
Cleaning, Unplug this unit from the wall outlet before .leaning. Do nor use volatile
solvents such as alcohol, paint thinner, gasoline, or benzine, etc. to clean the cabinet.
Use a clean dr. cloth.
Lightning, for added protection tor this unit during a lightning storm, or when it is left
unattended and unused for long periods of rime, unplug it from the wall outlet and
disconnect the antenna or cable system. I lus will prevent damage to the unit due ro lightnin
and power-line surges.
Abnormal smell, if an abnormal smell or smoke is detected, immediately turn the power
Old- and unplug the unit from the wall outlet. Contact your dealer or nearest service center.
Damage requiring service. 1 he unit should he serviced hv qualified service personnel
when:
• I he power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged.
• > )bjecrs Have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the unit.
• 1 he unit has been exposed to ram or water.
• 1 he unit lias been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.
• 1 he unit exhibits a marked change in performance.
1 lie unit cioes not appear ro operate normallv hv following tire instruction manual.
• Adjust unit those controls that are covered hv the instruction manual as ,m improper
aciiusnncm of other controls may result in damage and wiii orten require extensive
wntK :n a qualified technician to restore the unit to tts normal operation.
Servicing. I he user should nor attempt to service the am bevoitd rhat described in the
instruction manual. All other servicing should he referred to qualified sendee personnel.
Power lines. An outside antenna system should not he located in tile vicinitv of overhead
[lower lines or other electric light or power circuits, or where tt can fall into such power lines
or circuits. \\ hen detailing an outside antenna system. extreme .are should be taken to keep
from touching suJ; power lines or circuits as contact with mem might be fatal.
AC outlets. Do ,oi . oit.iecr orb.-r audio equipment w;tn a power consumption larger than
hai -pc\::;.\t v- uv d -Hike; ->n rite rear pane.. Never connecr other eiecrricai units, such as
an iron or toaster, to it to prevent fire or electric shock.
Overloading. Do not overload wall outlets, extension eorus, or integral convenience
receptacles as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.
Attachment. Do nor use attachments not recommended by the unit manufacturer as they
mav cause hazards.
Replacement parts. When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician
has used replacement parrs specified by the manufacturer or have the Mine characteristics as

the original parts. Unauthorized substitutions mav result in fire, electric shock, or other
hazards.
20 Safety check. Upon completion ot unv service or repairs to this unit, ask the service
technician to perform sate tv checks to determine that the unit is in proper operating
condition.
21 Carts and stands. Don't put this unit on a cart or stand that
is unsteady or that can not support the unit s sveight. It vou
move this unit on a cart or stand, he careful—quick stops,
excessive force and pushing over or unev en surfaces, mav cause
the cart to overturn and damage vour equipment.
FCC Warning
I his equipment mav generate or use radio frequence energy, Changes or modifications to this
equipment mav cause harmful interference unless the modifications are expressly approved in the
instruction manual. I he user could lose the authority to operate this equipment if an unauthorized
change or modification is made.
Important
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part ; i ot the K..C. Rules. I hese limns arc designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. Phis equipment mav cause harmful
interference ro radio communications if ir is not installed and used in accordance with rile
instructions. However, (here is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can he determined bv turning the equipment OFF and ON 1 , the user is encouraged to trv to
correct the interference bv one or more or the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiv ing antenna
• increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which rhe receiver is
connected
• ( onsult tire dealer or an experienced radio TA technician for help
Canadian !C Compliance Notice
1 his (.lass B digital apparatus meets all requirements or the Canadian Interference-Causing
F.quipmenr Regulations.
5

Kenwood's KM-Zl Power Amplifier is specially designed lor home theater systems with
multiple channels deft, right, surround, and so on). Superior technology ensures top-
quality high power output:
• HomeTHX'' certification indicates rhar the amplifier adheres to I.ucasfilms
stringent performance standards.
• Dual power supplies deliver the power needed for exceptional performance in
multiple channels, without distortion.
• Twin 2-speed cooiing fans and heat sink tunnels cool the unit during high-power
operation.
About this manual
Setting up vour amplifier isn't hard, bur you should follow rhe instructions in this manual
carefully to get maximum performance.
Use these instructions with those in the manuals for any other equipment you're connect¬
ing like a controller/runer, speakers, CD, cassette, or laser disc players. VCRs or televi¬
sions!.
Unpacking your amplifier
Unpack vour amplifier carefully, and examine i'. fu shipping damage. If it is damaged or
fails to operate, notify your Kenwood dealer immediately. It your amplifier was shipped to
vou directly, notify the shipping company without delay. Only the person or company
who originally received the amplifier can file a claim against the carrier for shipping
damage.
Keep the original carton and packing materials in case you need to transport or ship your
amplifier in the future.
6

In this box, you should have:
• Kenwood KM-Zl Power Amplifier ll)
You will need to purchase:
• Speaker w ire
• Audio connecting cable
Ae ask vou to buy speaker wire separately, since we don’t know how much wire you will
need. Vuir home (hearer system will sound better it you use the correct gauge of speaker
wire. Depending on tile length ut the wire van need, I.ucasfilnis THX division recom¬
mends the following:
For wire this long
Use this gauge
Up to 24 feet
16 gauge or larger
Up to 36 feet
14 gauge or larger
Up to 58 feet 12
gauge or larger
The smaller the number, the t hie key
r the wire. so /J ~{[tinge mire is thicker than / 6-^au^c wire.
For your records
Record the serial number (its on the back or the amplifier' on the warrants- card, and in
the space below. It you need to call sour dealer tor information or service, vou 1! need the
mode! and serial numbers. And he sure to save vour original receipt.
Model: KM-Z1
Serial Number:
7

Using the controls
Channel Indicators
Glow blue ',\nen the unit s ON and
turn oft when the unit is in STANDBY
Main Power Button
p ress to turn the oower ON
/
Remote Power Button
Press to cycle the unit between ON
and STANDBY
\
ON/Standby Indicator
Tows 'ed vvnen the unit is m STANDBY
Glows green when the unit is ON
- asnes red when Drotection circuits
~a*e actrvated
8

Placing your amplifier
High-powered amplifiers such as chis can produce large amounts of heat. For that reason,
it's important to allow plenty of ventilation.
• Leave at least 4 inches of space above and behind the amplifier.
• Leave at least 2 inches of space in front of, and on each side of the amplifier.
• Make sure that nothing blocks the fan intakes on the rear panel of the amplifier.
• If you place the amplifier inside a stereo rack or cabinet, make sure that vou leave
the door open slightly while the amplifier is on.