Kramer TOOLS 900xl User manual

Kramer Electronics, Ltd.
USER MANUAL
Model:
900xl
Power Amplifier

Contents
i
Contents
1 Introduction 1
2 Getting Started 1
2.1 Quick Start 2
3 Overview 3
4 Your 900xl Power Amplifier 4
5 Connecting the 900xl Power Amplifier 6
5.1 Connecting a PC 7
6 Operating the 900xl Power Amplifier 7
6.1 Using the Front Panel Buttons 7
6.2 Using Serial Commands 8
7 Technical Specifications 8
8 Hex Table 9
9 Kramer Protocol 2000 9
Figures
Figure 1: 900xl Power Amplifier – Top, Front, and Rear Views 4
Figure 2: 900xl Power Amplifier – Underside View 5
Figure 3: Connecting the 900xl Power Amplifier 6
Figure 4: RS-232 Control Cable 7
Tables
Table 1: 900xl Power Amplifier Front, and Rear Functions 4
Table 2: 900xl Power Amplifier Underside Functions 5
Table 3: 900xl Technical Specifications 8
Table 4: 900xl Hex Table 9
Table 5: Protocol Definitions 9
Table 6: Instruction Codes for Protocol 2000 10

Introduction
1
1 Introduction
Welcome to Kramer Electronics! Since 1981, Kramer Electronics has been
providing a world of unique, creative, and affordable solutions to the vast
range of problems that confront the video, audio, and presentation
professional on a daily basis. In recent years, we have redesigned and
upgraded most of our line, making the best even better! Our 500-plus
different models now appear in eight groups
1
that are clearly defined by
function.
Thank you for purchasing the Kramer TOOLS 900xl Power Amplifier,
which is ideal for:
Presentation rooms and multimedia applications for quick, local
audio amplification
Personal audio listening (for example, a PC and portable CD
player)
The package includes the following items:
900xl Power Amplifier
Power supply (12V DC/2A Input)
This user manual
2
2 Getting Started
We recommend that you:
Unpack the equipment carefully and save the original box and
packaging materials for possible future shipment
Review the contents of this user manual
Use Kramer high performance high resolution cables
3
1 GROUP 1: Distribution Amplifiers; GROUP 2: Video and Audio Switchers, Matrix Switchers and Controllers; GROUP 3:
Video, Audio, VGA/XGA Processors; GROUP 4: Interfaces and Sync Processors; GROUP 5: Twisted Pair Interfaces;
GROUP 6: Accessories and Rack Adapters; GROUP 7: Scan Converters and Scalers; and GROUP 8: Cables and Connectors
2 Download up-to-date Kramer user manuals from our Web site at http://www.kramerelectronics.com
3 The complete list of Kramer cables is on our Web site at http://www.kramerelectronics.com

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Getting Started
2
2.1 Quick Start
This quick start chart summarizes the basic setup and operation steps.

Overview
3
3 Overview
The Kramer 900xl is a high-performance power amplifier for line-level
stereo audio signals. It accepts either a stereo audio signal on an RCA
connector or a stereo audio signal on a 3.5mm mini jack. It delivers a
speaker output of 10 watts RMS per channel into a 4-ohm load on a 10A
4-pin terminal block connector.
The 900xl includes:
Input selector buttons
Audio gain buttons for volume control
Overheating warning protection with LED indicator
A 12V DC power source
The 900xl is housed in a Kramer TOOLS enclosure.
To achieve the best performance:
Use only good quality connection cables
1
to avoid interference,
deterioration in signal quality due to poor matching, and elevated
noise levels (often associated with low quality cables).
Avoid interference from neighboring electrical appliances that
may adversely influence signal quality
Position your Kramer 900xl away from moisture, excessive
sunlight and dust
Caution – No operator-serviceable parts inside unit.
Warning – Use only the Kramer Electronics input power
wall adapter that is provided with this unit
2
.
Warning – Disconnect power and unplug unit from wall
before installing or removing device or servicing unit.
1 Available from Kramer Electronics on our Web site at http://www.kramerelectronics.com
2 For example: model number AD2512C, part number 2535-000251

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Your 900xl Power Amplifier
4
4 Your 900xl Power Amplifier
Figure 1, Figure 2, Table 1, and Table 2 define the unit.
Figure 1: 900xl Power Amplifier – Top, Front, and Rear Views
Table 1: 900xl Power Amplifier Front, and Rear Functions
# Feature Function
1 12V DC Connector +12V DC for powering the unit
2 RS-232 Tx Rx G Terminal Block
Connector
Connect to PC
3 L+ L– R+ R– OUT Terminal
Block Connector
Speaker output
4 IN 2 RIGHT RCA Connector Connect to stereo audio right input of source 2
5 IN 2 LEFT RCA Connector Connect to stereo audio left input of source 2
6 IN 1 3.5mm Mini-jack Connector Connect to stereo audio input of source 1
7 INPUT 1 Button Selects the input from audio source 1
8 INPUT 2 Button Selects the input from audio source 2
9 VOLUME – Button Decreases output volume
10 VOLUME + Button Increases output volume
11 OVER LED Illuminates red when device is overheating and mutes
output
12 ON LED Illuminates green when receiving power

Your 900xl Power Amplifier
5
Figure 2: 900xl Power Amplifier – Underside View
Table 2: 900xl Power Amplifier Underside Functions
# Feature Function
1 LEVEL L/H Switch Input level – low / high gain; set to low in case of distortion
2 PROG ON Switch For use when upgrading device firmware

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Connecting the 900xl Power Amplifier
6
5 Connecting the 900xl Power Amplifier
To connect the 900xl, as illustrated in Figure 3, perform the following:
1. Connect an unbalanced stereo audio source (for example, a computer audio
line out) to the IN 1 mini jack connector.
2. Connect an unbalanced stereo audio source (for example, an unbalanced
stereo audio player) to the LEFT and RIGHT IN 2 RCA connectors.
3. Connect the SPKR OUT terminal block to a pair of loudspeakers:
Connect the “L+” and the “L-” terminal block connectors to the left
loudspeaker, and the “R+” and the “R-” terminal block connectors to the
right loudspeaker. Do not ground the loudspeakers.
4. Connect the 12V DC power adapter to the power socket and connect the
adapter to the mains electricity (not shown in Figure 3).
Figure 3: Connecting the 900xl Power Amplifier

Operating the 900xl Power Amplifier
7
5.1 Connecting a PC
You can control the 900xl with a PC (or other controllers) via the RS-232
port using serial commands.
To connect a PC to the 900xl:
Connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub port on your PC to the RS-232
rear panel port on the Master 900xl using a cable as shown in
Figure 4:
Figure 4: RS-232 Control Cable
6 Operating the 900xl Power Amplifier
You can operate your 900xl using:
The front panel buttons
RS-232 serial commands transmitted by a PC, touch screen
system, or other serial controller
6.1 Using the Front Panel Buttons
To operate the 900xl using the front panel buttons:
To choose audio input source 1 (the PC line-out as shown in
Figure 3), press INPUT 1 button.
To choose audio input source 2 (a stereo tape), press INPUT 2
button.
Adjust the output volume to the speakers using the VOLUME + and –
buttons.
Note: In the case of output distortion that cannot be corrected using the
volume controls, try switching the LEVEL switch on the underside of the
unit (see Figure 2) from H to L and alter the output using the volume
control.

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Technical Specifications
8
6.2 Using Serial Commands
To operate your device using serial commands, you need to install Kramer's
control software
1
.
For an explanation of all control commands, see sections 8 and 9.
7 Technical Specifications
900xl technical specifications are shown in Table 3:
Table 3: 900xl Technical Specifications
2
INPUTS: 1. Stereo audio on a 3.5mm mini-jack connector
2. Stereo audio on RCA connectors
OUTPUTS: 1 stereo differential speaker output
MAX. OUTPUT LEVEL: 18.4Vpp, 10 RMS per channel
BANDWIDTH (-3dB): 25kHz
S/N RATIO: 60dB
CONTROLS
3
: Gain range:
-14.8 to +32dB at high-gain
-21.3 to +20.2dB at low-gain
COUPLING: Input: AC; Output: DC
AUDIO THD + NOISE: 2.2%
AUDIO 2nd HARMONIC: 1.2%
POWER SOURCE: 12V DC x 2.3A DC Fuse:4A/16V
DIMENSIONS 12cm x 7.5cm x 2.5cm (4.7" x 3.0" x 1.0") W, D, H
WEIGHT: 0.2kg (0.4lbs)
ACCESSORIES: Power supply
1 Download control software from our Web site at http://www.kramerelectronics.com
2 Specifications are subject to change without notice
3 External controls: IN1, IN2, VOLUME-, VOLUME+ by front panel pushbuttons. RS-232 connection by 3-pin terminal
block

Hex Table
9
8 Hex Table
Table 4 lists the Hex values (described in section 9) for the 900xl:
Table 4: 900xl Hex Table
Instruction # Hex Code Description
02 81 81 81 Connect Input 1 to output2. Switch Audio
02 82 81 81 Connect Input 2 to output
Input 1 Input 2
16 81 80 81 16 82 80 81 Mute
16 81 81 81 16 82 81 81
16 81 82 81 16 82 82 81
… …
…
22. Gain Control
16 81 FF 81 16 82 FF 81 Maximum gain
18 81 80 81 Increase output24. Increase/Decrease
Audio Parameter 18 81 81 81 Decrease output
9 Kramer Protocol 2000
The 900xl is compatible with Kramer’s Protocol 2000, version 0.50. This
RS-232/RS-485 communication protocol uses four bytes of information as
defined below. For RS-232, a null-modem connection between the machine
and controller is used. The default data rate is 9600 baud, with no parity, 8
data bits, and 1 stop bit.
Note: Compatibility with Kramer’s Protocol 2000 does not mean that a
machine uses all of the commands below. Each machine uses a sub-set of
Protocol 2000, according to its needs.
Table 5: Protocol Definitions
MSB LSB
DESTINATION INSTRUCTION
0 D N5 N4 N3 N2 N1 N0
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
1st byte
INPUT
1 I6 I5 I4 I3 I2 I1 I0
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
2nd byte
OUTPUT
1 O6 O5 O4 O3 O2 O1 O0
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
3rd byte
MACHINE NUMBER
1 OVR X M4 M3 M2 M1 M0
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
4th byte

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Kramer Protocol 2000
10
1
st
BYTE: Bit 7 – Defined as 0.
D – “DESTINATION”: 0 - for sending information to the switchers (from the PC);
1 - for sending to the PC (from the switcher).
N5…N0 – “INSTRUCTION”
The function to be performed by the switcher(s) is defined by the INSTRUCTION (6 bits). Also, if a function is performed
via the machine’s keyboard, then these bits are set with the INSTRUCTION NO. that was performed. The instruction codes
are defined according to the table below (INSTRUCTION NO. is the value to be set for N5…N0).
2
nd
BYTE: Bit 7 – Defined as 1.
I6…I0 – “INPUT”.
When switching (i.e. instruction codes 1 and 2), the INPUT (7 bits) is set as the input number which is to be switched.
Similarly, if switching is done via the machine’s front-panel, then these bits are set with the INPUT NUMBER which was
switched. For other operations, these bits are defined according to the table.
3
rd
BYTE: Bit 7 – Defined as 1.
O6…O0 – “OUTPUT”.
When switching (ie. instruction codes 1 and 2), the OUTPUT (7 bits) is set as the output number which is to be switched.
Similarly, if switching is done via the machine’s front-panel, then these bits are set with the OUTPUT NUMBER which was
switched. For other operations, these bits are defined according to the table.
4
th
BYTE: Bit 7 – Defined as 1.
Bit 5 – Don’t care.
OVR – Machine number override.
M4…M0 – MACHINE NUMBER.
Used to address machines in a system via their machine numbers. When several machines are controlled from a single serial
port, they are usually configured together with each machine having an individual machine number. If the OVR bit is set, then
all machine numbers will accept (implement) the command, and the addressed machine will reply.
For a single machine controlled via the serial port, always set M4…M0 = 1, and make sure that the machine itself is
configured as MACHINE NUMBER = 1.
Table 6: Instruction Codes for Protocol 2000
Note: All values in the table are decimal, unless otherwise stated.
INSTRUCTION DEFINITION FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION
# DESCRIPTION INPUT OUTPUT
NOTE
0 RESET MACHINE 0 0 1
2 SWITCH AUDIO Set equal to audio input
which is to be switched
(0 = disconnect)
Set equal to audio output which
is to be switched
(0 = to all the outputs)
2
6 REQUEST STATUS OF AN
AUDIO OUTPUT
Set as SETUP # Equal to output number whose
status is reqd
4, 3
12 REQUEST VIDEO / AUDIO
TYPE SETTING
Set as SETUP #, or
set to 126 or 127 to
request if machine has
this function
0 - for video
1 - for audio
2 - for VGA
3, 4, 6
22 SET AUDIO PARAMETER Equal to output number
whose parameter is to be
set = 1
Set as parameter value
0–127
2, 11
24 INCREASE / DECREASE AUDIO
PARAMETER
Equal to output number
whose parameter is to be
increased / decreased
by 1
0 - increase output
1 - decrease output
24
25 REQUEST AUDIO PARAMETER
Equal to output number
whose parameter is
requested
0 6, 20, 24
57 SET AUTO-SAVE I3 - no save
I4 - auto-save
0 12, 2
61 IDENTIFY MACHINE 2 - audio machine name
4 - audio software version
6 - RS422 controller
version
7 - remote control name
8 - remote software
version
9 - Protocol 2000 revision
0 - Request first 4 digits
1 - Request first suffix
13
62 DEFINE MACHINE 1 - number of inputs
2 - number of outputs
3 - number of setups
2 - for audio 14

Kramer Protocol 2000
11
NOTES on the above table:
NOTE 1 – When the master switcher is reset, (e.g. when it is turned on), the reset code is sent to the PC. If this code is sent to
the switchers, it will reset according to the present power-down settings.
NOTE 2 – These are bi-directional definitions. That is, if the switcher receives the code, it will perform the instruction; and if
the instruction is performed (due to a keystroke operation on the front panel), then these codes are sent. For example, if the
HEX code
02 82 81 81
was sent from the PC, then the switcher (machine 3) will switch input 1 to output 1. If the user switched input 1 to output 1
via the front panel keypad, then the switcher will send HEX codes:
42 81 81 81
to the PC.
When the PC sends one of the commands in this group to the switcher, then, if the instruction is valid, the switcher replies by
sending to the PC the same four bytes that it was sent (except for the first byte, where the DESTINATION bit is set high).
NOTE 3 – SETUP # 0 is the present setting. SETUP # 1 and higher are the settings saved in the switcher's memory, (i.e.
those used for Store and Recall).
NOTE 4 – The reply to a "REQUEST" instruction is as follows: the same instruction and INPUT codes as were sent are
returned, and the OUTPUT is assigned the value of the requested parameter.
NOTE 6 – If INPUT is set to 127 for these instructions, then, if the function is defined on this machine, it replies with
OUTPUT=1. If the function is not defined, then the machine replies with OUTPUT=0, or with an error (invalid instruction
code).
If the INPUT is set to 126 for these instructions, then, if possible, the machine will return the current setting of this function,
even for the case that the function is not defined.
NOTE 11 – For machines where the audio parameter is programmable.
NOTE 12 – Under normal conditions, the machine's present status is saved each time a change is made. The "power-down"
save (auto-save) may be disabled using this code. Note that whenever the machine is turned on, the auto-save function is set.
NOTE 13 – This is a request to identify the switcher/s in the system. If the OUTPUT is set as 0, and the INPUT is set as 1, 2,
5 or 7, the machine will send its name. The reply is the decimal value of the INPUT and OUTPUT.
If the request for identification is sent with the INPUT set as 3 or 4, the appropriate machine will send its software version
number. Again, the reply would be the decimal value of the INPUT and OUTPUT - the INPUT representing the number in
front of the decimal point, and the OUTPUT representing the number after it. For example, for version 3.5, the reply to the
request to send the version number would be (HEX codes):
7D 83 85 81 (i.e. 128dec+ 3dec for 2nd byte, 128dec+ 5dec for 3rd byte).
NOTE 14 – The number of inputs and outputs refers to the specific machine which is being addressed, not to the system. For
example, if six 16X16 matrices are configured to make a 48X32 system (48 inputs, 32 outputs), the reply to the HEX code
3E 82 81 82 (i.e. request the number of outputs)
would be HEX codes
7E 82 90 82 i.e. 16 outputs

KRAMER: SIMPLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
12

Kramer Electronics, Ltd.
Web site: www.kramerelectronics.com
E-mail: [email protected]
P/N: 2900-000344 REV 1
For the latest information on our products and a list of Kramer
distributors, visit our Web site: www.kramerelectronics.com
where updates to this user manual may be found.
We welcome your questions, comments and feedback.
Caution
Safety Warning:
Disconnect the unit from the power supply before
opening/servicing.