Krell Industries KAV-500 Quick start guide

The Leader in Audio Engineering
KAV-500
Multi-Channel
Power Amplifier
v 99.0
Owner’s Reference

Rrell Industries, Inc.
45 Connair Road
Orange, CT 06477-3650 USA
TEL [phone]
FAX [phone]
E-MAIL [email protected]
WEBSITE www.krellonline.com
CE MARKING
This product complies with the EMC directive (89/336/EEC) and the low-voltage
directive (73/23/EEC).
This product is manufactured in the United States of America. KRELL
is a registered trademark of KRELL Industries, Inc., and is restricted for
use by KRELL Industries, Inc., its subsidiaries, and authorized agents.
©1999 by KRELL Industries, Inc. All rights reserved
P/N 1960101801069

TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 INTRODUCTION
5 UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY
6 BASIC INSTALLATION
7 INPUT AND OUTPUT CONNECTIONS
10 CONFIGURATION CHANGES
12 TROUBLESHOOTING
14 WARRANTY
15 RETURN AUTHORIZATION PROCEDURE
BACK SPECIFICATIONS
COVER
3

INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your purchase of the KRELL KAV-500 Multi-Channel Power
Amplifier. The modular nature of the KAV-500 makes it the ideal amplifier for
the variety of configurations encountered in music and home theater systems.
The KAV-500 can be configured with two to five channels of amplification. The
operation of the amplifier remains the same whether it is equipped with two,
three, four, or five amplifier channels. Each amplifier channel is rated at 100
watts @ 8Q. Any two adjacent channels can be bridged together to form one
400 watt channel. The flexibility was a primary design feature for the KAV-500.
The result is an amplifier that can be tailored to meet the requirements for a
great variety of system arrangements.
To obtain the best performance from your KAV-500, careful attention should be
paid to its placement, installation and operation. A thorough understanding of
these details will help insure satisfactory operation and long life for the
KAV-500 and related system components.
The Owner’s Reference is divided into several sections, each designed to
perform a different function. As you read through the Owner’s Reference you
will become better acquainted with the features and functions that make the
KAV-500 a superb value. A Troubleshooting section is included with solutions
to potential problems. Should you have any questions or suggestions, please
feel free to contact your authorized dealer or the KRELL staff for assistance.
In the unlikely event that your KAV-500 should require service, you will be
pleased to know that it is backed by a comprehensive Customer Satisfaction
policy and one of the most advanced service facilities in the industry. For
detailed information on the terms and conditions of service, please consult your
warranty registration card, or your KRELL Dealer or Distributor.
4

UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY
After opening the box and removing the top layer of foam, the KAV-500 and
the following items wall now be visible:
1 5/32” hex wrench
1 T-10 Torx wrench
1 T-15 Torx wrench
2 Bridging jumpers
1 20 Amp slow blow fuse (100/120 Volt only)
1 12 Amp slow blow fuse (200/220/240 Volt only)
4 12 Amp standard fuses
1 12 VDC (12 V trigger) cable
1 AC power cord
1 Owner’s Reference
1 Warranty card
NOTE: If any of these items are not included please contact your authorized
KRELL dealer.
NOTE: Save all packing materials. If you must ship your KAV-500 in the future,
re-pack the unit in its original packaging to prevent shipping damage.
5

BASIC INSTALLATION
Place the unit on a firm level surface free from excessive dirt or moisture.
When using custom racks or cabinetry, keep in mind the weight and ventilation
requirements for this amplifier. It is preferable to run long balanced
interconnect cables to the amplifier and keep speaker cable length to a
minimum. Although the KAV-500 is designed to have minimal interaction with
speaker cable, long runs of cable add impedance to the load the amplifier must
drive. This is true regardless of the speaker cable’s gauge.
CABINETRY CONSIDERATIONS
When the KAV-500 is in use, it can become quite warm. Therefore, the
KAV-500 should be installed in a location that provides unobstructed
ventilation. If you must locate the unit within a closed cabinet, extra ventilation
is advised. This can often be accomplished with cabinet shelf spacing or
alternate unit placement. In more extreme instances the use of small fans can
aid in removing excessive heat from internal spaces. Consult your dealer for
assistance.
Generally, with the front and rear of a cabinet open, one inch of clearance on
each side and two inches of vertical clearance will provide adequate ventilation.
Since the bottom of the amplifier gets quite hot, caution should be used when
placing the amplifier on deep pile carpeting, as discoloration may result
through prolonged use.
AC CONSIDERATIONS
While the KAV-500 does not require a dedicated circuit, we strongly advise
against any connections through extension cords or multiple AC adapters. High
quality 15 amp line conditioners or grounded AC strips are acceptable.
6

INPUT AND OUTPUT CONNECTIONS
CAUTIONS: When making connections to this component or any other, make sure
the power amplifier is off and the preamplifier/processor is in the mute or stand¬
by mode.
The wiring to and from the amplifier, and all components in general, should be
arranged in a neat, organized manner. Specifically, AC wires should be
separated from audio cables. This practice avoids hum or other unwanted noise
from being introduced into the system.
1. Connect the speaker cables to the amplifier’s output terminals.
The KAV-500 utilizes standard binding posts for each amplifier channel.
These connectors accept bare wire, banana plugs, pins, or spade lugs. The
red terminal is used for the positive connection and the black terminal is
used for the negative connection.
CAUTION: Make sure all cable terminations are of the highest quality, free from
frayed ends, shorts, or cold solder joints.
2. Connect the interconnect cables from your preamplifier/processor to the
inputs of the KAV-500.
Each KAV-500 channel has balanced and single-ended inputs. The balanced
inputs use standard three pin XLR connectors and the single-ended inputs
use standard RCA connectors. We recommend use of balanced
interconnects; they reduce noise and do not incur significant sonic loss due
to extreme cable lengths.
Use of a balanced connection in any channel will increase gain by 6 dB in
that particular channel. This gain increase is a characteristic of balanced
circuitry. For systems that include both balanced and single-ended
connections, each KAV-500 channel is equipped with a gain switch, located
next to the input connectors, to compensate for this difference. Generally,
the appropriate position of this switch is dictated by the inputs used. The
following two guidelines address the vast majority of systems:
a. All balanced or all single-ended connections:
All KAV-500 channel switch settings should be at either 0 dB or +6 dB. This
choice will depend on the sensitivities of the speakers connected to the
amplifier.
7

b. Combination of balanced and single-ended connections:
All channels using balanced connections should be set at 0 dB. The
channels utilizing single-ended connections should be set at +6 dB.
These settings are meant as starting points. Individual speaker sensitivities,
processor adjustment capabilities and listening room characteristics are
among the variables that dictate the final switch settings for each KAV-500
channel. Please consult your KRELL dealer for additional assistance.
CAUTION: Use only one input to each amplifier channel at a time. The KAV-500 is
shipped with shorting pins in the XLR inputs. These pins should remain in the
XLR inputs if you are operating a KAV-500 channel in the single-ended mode.
When the shorting pin is inserted, pins one and three are shorted together. The
shorting pins must be removed to connect a KAV-500 channel for balanced
operation.
The pin assignments for the XLR connectors are:
Pin 1 Shield (ground)
Pin 2 Non-inverting input (hot)
Pin 3 Inverting input
3. Power up the source components, preamplifier/processor and then engage
the power switch on the KAV-500.
The KAV-500 power supply incorporates a slow start protection circuit that
prevents excessive current from reaching the audio circuitry upon initial
turn on.
After pressing the power switch, the pilot light will illuminate. There is a
short delay, followed by an audible click. This click is the protection circuitry
disengaging. The amplifier is now ready for operation. Should you have any
questions regarding system set-up, contact your dealer or KRELL.
8

USING A DEDICATED AC WALL OUTLET AND SWITCH
The KAV-500 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier can be powered on from an AC
wall receptacle with a dedicated wall switch rather than from the front panel
power button or optional remote control. Please contact your authorized
KRELL dealer, distributor, or KRELL for more information before you connect
your amplifier to a dedicated AC wall outlet with a switch
12 VDC POWER OUT AND IN (12 V TRIGGER)
The KAV-500 is equipped with an output that sends 12 VDC power on/off
(12 V trigger) signals to other KRELL components and an input that
recognizes 12 VDC power on/off signals from other KRELL components and
devices that incorporate a 12 V trigger. This allows the remote turning on
and off of the KAV-500 with the power activation of another KRELL
component and with other components used in a custom installation.
9

CONFIGURATION CHANGES
The modular nature of the KAV-500 makes changing the original
configuration of the amplifier a simple procedure. Configuration changes are
made by adding, bridging or removing KAV-500 amplifier channels.
IMPORTANT
Removing the cover to reconfigure for bridged operation and to change fuses
(see Troubleshooting) are the ONLY instances you are authorized to remove
the cover of any KRELL component without voiding your Warranty. For more
information on product limitations and restrictions, see Warranty page.
2. To install an additional amplifier channel.
a. Turn the amplifier off.
b. Remove the two screws on the top rear edge of the amplifier channel and the
two screws on the bottom rear edge of the amplifier channel that secure the
blank panel to the rear of the KAV-500 at the new amplifier channel location.
c. Each amplifier channel is equipped with three male banana plugs. Slide the
amplifier channel into the chassis until the three plugs lock into place at the
rear of the front panel.
d. With the supplied 5/32” hex wrench, install the ten hex bolts on the bottom
of the amplifier, firmly securing the T-bar heatsink to the chassis. Do not
tighten the bolt until all ten are threaded.
e. Install the two screws on the top rear edge of the amplifier channel and the
two screws on the bottom rear edge of the amplifier channel. These screws
are situated on the plate to which the binding posts are mounted.
f. Connect input and output cables.
g. Set the gain switch following the guidelines outlined previously.
h. Power up all source and control components and then the KAV-500.
2. Bridging two amplifier channels
Any two adjacent channels can be combined, or bridged, to form one 400 watt
channel. The KAV-500 can support two bridged 400 watt channels.
a. Turn the amplifier off.
b. Remove the top cover using the supplied T-10 and T-15 Torx wrenches.
10