Niles SVL-1 Original operating instructions

SVL-1
INSTALLATION & OPERATION GUIDE
NILES
®
MODEL
SVL-1
SPEAKER-LEVEL VOLUME CONTROL SYSTEM
SVL-1

Introduction
The SVL-1 is a table top volume control for speakers. It con-
nects between the speaker-level output of an amplifier,
speaker selector, etc. and a pair of speakers.
A perfect application for the SVL-1 is adjusting the volume of
remotely located speakers. The SVL-1 adjusts the volume of
speakers connected to it by attenuating the amplifier signal.
Niles volume controls use autoformers instead of L-pads for the
volume controlling element. This assures minimal internal power
dissipation with virtually no power wasted as heat.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Features and 2
Benefits
Installation 4
Considerations
Installation 7
Operation 9
Specifications 10
S PEAKER -L EVEL V OLUME C ONTROL
SVL-1
Speaker Level
Volume Control
1
®

Features and Benefits
The SVL-1 offers a number of improvements over other
volume controls:
●The SVL-1 uses a 12 position control, which is superior to
10 position designs. You get a broader range of
adjustment—there are 10 steps of attenuation instead of
8. Steps 11 - 6 attenuate -3 dB per step; steps 5-2 are -6
dB per step. Step 12 is "full-on" and step 1 is "full-off".
●Greater dynamic range—you get 42 dB of total attenua-
tion instead of the typical 20 or 30 dB.
●POP-FREE switching between all steps.
●100% tested, electronically and acoustically, for frequency
response, distortion and power handling.
●Pre-printed Room Labels are included for easy identifica-
tion of the SVL-1's volume control.
●Spring-loaded push terminal connectors accommodate
up to 14 gauge wire or "pins", making the SVL-1 com-
patible with most “high definition” speaker cables.
●Only 8 1/2" wide. Matches the width of 17" components
when combined with another Niles 1/2-width product. 2
S PEAKER -L EVEL V OLUME C ONTROL
TECH
SUPPORT
HOTLINE
If you have
questions regarding
the operation of the
Niles SVL-1, contact
your local Niles
dealer or Niles
Customer Service at
1-800-289-4434.

●Printed circuit board design assures high reliability.
●Isolated left and right channel grounds make it safe for use
with any amplifier.
●May be used with 4, 6, or 8-ohm speaker systems.
●Ideal for both home and commercial sound installations.
●Only a wire stripper is required for installation.
●Power handling: 60 watts/channel continuous music
power.
●Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±1.2 dB.
●Ten year parts and labor warranty.
●Proudly made in the USA.
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Installation Considerations
SVL-1 Power Handling
The SVL-1 is designed for use with a receiver or amplifier hav-
ing a maximum power output of 100 watts per channel at 8
ohms. Damage caused by the use of a higher-power receiver
or amplifier will void the warranty. Consult your Niles dealer,
or receiver/amplifier manufacturer, if you are uncertain about
the power rating of your receiver or amplifier.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT USE THE SVL-1 WITH AMPS OR
RECEIVERS RATED AT MORE THAN 100 WATTS PER CHANNEL
RMS AT 8 OHMS.
Type of Speaker Wire
For most applications, we recommend you use 16 or 18
gauge, stranded copper speaker wire for the SVL-1 connec-
tions. For wiring runs longer than 80 feet, 14 gauge wire is
recommended. Using speaker wire larger than 14 gauge for
the SVL-1 connections is not recommended—the wire may
not fit into the connectors. Never use solid-core, aluminum,
or "Romex" type wire with the SVL-1. When running speaker
wires inside walls, most states and municipalities in the U.S.
specify that you must use a special type of speaker wire .
Usually, the requirement is that the wire has a specific "CL"
fire rating, such as "CL-2" or "CL-3". Consult your Niles deal-
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S PEAKER -L EVEL V OLUME C ONTROL
IMPORTANT
DO NOT use the
SVL-1 with amps
or receivers rated
at more than 100
watts per channel
RMS at 8 ohms.
TOOLS
REQUIRED
• Wire Stripper

er, building contractor, or local building and inspection
department if unsure about which type of wire is best for
your application.
Avoiding Interference
Speaker wires can act as an "antenna" for electrical noise.
Locating speaker wires too close to a light dimmer or switch
may cause a "buzzing" or "popping" sound to be heard
through the speakers. If you must locate the SVL-1 wiring
near electrical devices, route the speaker wires several feet
away from the electrical wiring.
SVL-1 Mounting Location
Convenient mounting locations for the SVL-1 are:
●With other stereo components
●Near a desk
●At your bedside
●Close to a telephone
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S PEAKER -L EVEL V OLUME C ONTROL
"TECH TIP"
Wire size is
expressed by it's
AWG (American
Wire Gauge)
number. The lower
the AWG number,
the larger the wire,
i.e., 12 AWG wire is
physically larger
than 14 AWG.

6
S PEAKER -L EVEL V OLUME C ONTROL
SVL-1 SPEAKER-LEVEL VOLUME CONTROL
NILES
SPEAKER
LR
AMPLIFIER
LR
++
--
++
--
Niles Audio
Corporation, Inc.
Miami, Florida USA
NILES
Recessed
area for
custom
room labels.
Attractive
low-profile
design.
12 position volume control
provides greater attenuation
than conventional 10 position
designs.
Spring
loaded push
connectors.

7
S PEAKER -L EVEL V OLUME C ONTROL
Installation
1. Select a convenient location for the SVL-1.
2. Run all the necessary wiring to the SVL-1. Label the wires
for future reference. See (Figure 1).
SPEAKER
LR
AMPLIFIER
LR
++
--
++
--
Niles Audio
Corporation, Inc.
Miami, Florida USA
NILES
TUNER 94.9
15
Niles SVL-1
Receiver
Speaker Pair
Figure1
Wiring Diagram

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S PEAKER -L EVEL V OLUME C ONTROL
3. Make the connections to the SVL-1. Strip 3/8" of insulation
from the end of each wire. Tightly twist the end of each wire
until there are no frayed ends. Insert each wire into the
appropriate hole on the spring-loaded connector terminals.
Be certain that proper phasing is observed—connect the
positive terminals on the SVL-1 to the positive terminals on
the amplifier and speakers and the negative terminals on the
SVL-1 to the negative terminals on the amplifier and speak-
ers. See (Figure 2).
Figure2
Connecting the
Wires

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S PEAKER -L EVEL V OLUME C ONTROL
The inputs of the SVL-1 are the connector terminals labeled
"AMPLIFIER". The outputs are the connector
terminals labeled "SPEAKERS". Be sure not to reverse these
connections or the SVL-1 will not function properly.
4. Locate the pre-printed Room Labels. Affix the appropriate
label to the recessed area next to the knob on the SVL-1.
Operation
1. Make sure the amplifier or receiver power is OFF and set
the volume to minimum.
2. Set the SVL-1 volume to maximum (fully clockwise).
3. If you are using a Niles speaker selection system, locate the
ON/OFF button which corresponds to the speaker pair you
wish to play. Set it to the ON position.
4. Turn on the amplifier or receiver and select a source, such
as the tuner or CD player.
5. Slowly turn up the amplifier or receiver volume and set it
to a comfortable (not maximum) listening level. Be careful
not to overdrive or "clip" your amplifier. If the sound
becomes muddy or distorted, you have reached the limit of
your amplifier's volume capability and should quickly reduce
the volume to avoid damaging your speakers.

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S PEAKER -L EVEL V OLUME C ONTROL
6. Using the knob on the front of the SVL-1, adjust the vol-
ume of the speakers to the desired listening level.
7. You can turn off the speakers by turning the knob on the
SVL-1 fully counter-clockwise, or by pressing the ON/OFF
button on your speaker selector.
Balancing Speaker Volume
The volume control on your receiver or amplifier serves as
the "master" volume for all speaker pairs connected.
The volume level of the speakers may vary from room to
room. This is caused by several factors. Two lesser factors are
the size of the speaker and its efficiency. The largest factor is
the physical size of the room.
The best way to balance speaker volume is to equip each of
the speaker pairs in your system with a Niles volume control.
The controls allow you to adjust the volume of each speaker
pair individually. If all the speaker pairs in your system are
equipped with Niles volume controls, you can leave the
amplifier or receiver volume set at one position and use the
Niles controls exclusively.
SPECIFICATIONS
Audio Power Handling
60 Watts/channel
continuous music
power
Mounting
Table-top component
Wiring Requirements
Individual runs of
2-conductor speaker
wire. Connectors
accommodate wire
sizes 14-22 gauge
(16 gauge
recommended)
Overall Dimensions
8 1/2" wide x 2" high
x 7 1/4" deep
Weight
2 1/4 lbs.

Niles Audio
Corporation
www.nilesaudio.com
12331 S.W. 130 Street
Miami, Florida 33186
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
®
NILES
®
© 1999 Niles Audio Corporation. All rights reserved. Because Niles constantly strives to improve the
quality of its products, Niles reserves the right to change product specifications without notice. Niles
and the Niles logo are registered trademarks of Niles Audio Corporation. Printed in USA 4/96
DS00093A