Rotel RB-956AX User manual

RB-956AX
SIX
CHANNEL
POWER
AMPLIFIER
OWNER'S
MANUAL
WARNING:
TO
PREVENT
FIRE
OR
SHOCK
HAZARD,
DO
NOT
EXPOSE
THIS
APPLIANCE
TO
RAIN
OR
MOISTURE.
Write
your
SERIAL
NUMBER
here
The
number
is
located
near
the
identification
plate
on
the
rear
panel

SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
_
Please
read
this
section
carefully
before
you
begin,
in
order
to
ensure
the
best
safe-guarding
both
of
yourself
and
that
of
your
equipment
at
all
times:
1.
Read
Instructions
-
All
the
safety
and
operating
instructions
should
be
raid
before
the
appliance
is
operated
2.
Retain
Instructions
-
The
safety
and
operating
instructions
should
be
retained
for
future
reference
3.
Meed
Warnings
-
All
warnings
on
the
appliance
and
in
the
operating
instructions
should
be
adhered
to
4.
Follow
Instructions
-
All
operating
and
use
instructions
should
be
followed.
5.
Water
and
Moisture
-
The
appliance
should
not
be
used
near
water
-
for
example,
near
a
bathtub,
washbowl,
kitchen
sink,
laundry
tub,
in
a
wet
basement
or
near
a
swimming
pool,
etc.
6.
Carts
and
Stands
-
The
appliance
should
be
used
only
with
a
carl
or
stand
that
is
recommended
by
the
manufacturer
6A.An
appliance
and
cart
combination
should
be
moved
with
care.
Quick
stops,
excessive
force
and
uneven
surfaces
may
cause
the
appliance
and
carl
combination
to
overturn.
7.
Wall
or
Ceiling
Mounting
-
The
appliance
should
be
mounted
to
a
wall
or
ceiling
only
as
recommended
bv
the
manufacturer.
8.
Ventilation
-
The
appliance
should
be
situated
so
that
its
location
or
position
docs
not
interfere
with
its
proper
ventilation.
For
example,
the
appliance
should
not
be
situated
on
a
bed.
sofa,
rug,
or
similar
surface
that
may
block
the
ventilation
openings;
or
placed
in
a
built-in
installation,
such
as
a
bookcase
or
cabinet
that
may
that
may
impede
the
flow
of
air
through
the
ventilation
openings.
9.
Heat
-
The
appliance
should
be
situated
away
from
heat
sources
such
as
radiators,
heat
registers,
stoves
or
other
appliances
(including
amplifiers)
that
produce
heat.
10.
Power
Sources
-
The
appliance
should
be
connected
to
a
power
supply
only
of
the
type
described
in
the
operating
instructions
or
as
marked
on
the
appliance.
11.
Grounding
or
Polarization
-
The
precautions
that
should
be
taken
so
that
the
grounding
or
polarization
means
of
an
appliance
is
not
defeated.
12.
Power-Cord
Protection
-
Power
supply
cords
should
be
routed
so
that
they
are
not
likely
to
be
walked
on
or
pinched
by
items
placed
upon
or
against
them,
paying
particular
attention
to
cords
and
plugs,
convenience
receptacles
and
the
point
where
they
exit
from
the
appliance.
13.
Cleaning
-
The
appliance
should
be
cleaned
only
as
recommended
by
the
manufacturer.
14.
Power
Lines
-
An
outdoor
antenna
should
be
located
away
from
the
power
lines
15.
Nonuse
Periods
-
The
power
cord
of
the
appliance
should
be
unplugged
from
the
outlet
w
hen
left
unused
for
a
long
period
of
lime.
16.
Object
and
Liquid
Entry
-
Care
should
be
taken
so
that
objects
do
not
fall
and
liquids
arc
not
spilled
into
the
enclosure
through
the
openings.
17.
Damage
Requiring
Serv
ice
-
The
appliance
should
be
serviced
by
qualified
factory-authorized
sen
ice
personnel
w
hen
•
The
power-supply
cord
or
the
plug
has
been
damaged;
or
•
Objects
have
fallen,
or
liquid
has
been
spilled
into
the
appliance;
or
•
The
appliance
has
been
exposed
to
rain,
or
•
The
appliance
docs
not
appear
to
operate
normally
or
exhibits
a
marked
change
in
performance;
or
•
The
appliance
has
been
dropped,
or
the
enclosure
damaged.
18.
Serv
icing
-
The
user
should
not
attempt
to
service
the
appliance
beyond
that
described
in
the
operating
instructions.
All
other
servicing
should
be
referred
to
qualified
factory-authorized
service
personnel.
Explanation
of
Graphical
Symbols
The
lightning
flash
with
arrowhead
symbol,
within
an
equilateral
triangle,
is
intended
to
alert
the
user
to
the
presence
of
uninsulated
'dangerous
voltage'
within
the
product's
enclosure
that
may
be
of
sufficient
magnitude
to
constitute
a
risk
of
electric
shocr.
to
persons.
The
exclamation
point
within
an
equilateral
triangle
is
intended
to
alert
the
user
to
the
presence
of
important
operating
and
maintenance
instructions
in
the
literature
accompanying
the
appliance.
WARNING:
To
reduce
the
risk
of
fire
or
electric
shock,
do
not
expose
this
appliance
to
rain
or
moisture.
Do
not
remove
the
panels
There
arc
no
user-serviceable
parts
inside
Refer
servicing
to
qualified
service
personnel.
RISK
OF
ELECTRIC
SHOCK
DO
NOT
OPEN
CAUTION:
TO
REDUCE
THE
RISK
OF
ELECTRIC
SHOCK,
DO
NOT
REMOVE
COVER
(OR
BACK).
NO
USER-SERVICEABLE
PARTS
INSIDE.
REFER
SERVICING
TO
QUALIFIED
SERVICE
PERSONNEL.

INTRODUCTION
A
WORD
FROM
ROTEL
Rotel
wishes
to
take
this
opportunity
to
thank
you
for
choosing
our
product.
Our
commitment
and
dedication
to
the
design
and
manufacturing
of
high
fidelity
products
for
more
than
thirty
years
have
guided
the
creation
of
equipment
with
the
highest
level
in
sound
reproduction.
We
are
confident
that
you
will
enjoy
your
Rotel
equipment,
now
and
for
many
years
to
come.
Please
read
this
instruction
manual
carefully
before
you
start
using
your
amplifier
and
keep
it
in
a
safe
place
for
future
reference.
Thank
you
UNPACKING
AND
INSTALLING
UNPACKING
AND
LOCATION
•
Carefully
unpack
your
power
amplifier
and
place
it
gently
at
its
intended
location.
Please
keep
the
packaging
material
for
future
use
in
case
you
move
or
need
to
return
the
unit
for
service.
•
Place
the
amplifier
on
a
flat,
firm
surface
where
it
will
be
free
from
direct
sunlight,
excessive
humidity,
vibrations,
dust,
heat
or
cold.
•
Do
not
place
audio
or
video
cassettes
on
top
of
the
amplifier
because
their
content
may
be
erased
due
to
the
magnetic
fields
created
by
the
transformer
located
in
the
amplifier.
•
Ensure
the
amplifier
has
sufficient
ventilation.
Do
not
block
the
ventilation
openings
at
the
top
and
bottom
of
the
unit,
to
avoid
damage
from
overheating.
ELECTRICAL
REQUIREMENTS
Your
equipment
has
been
designed
to
be
powered
by
your
local
AC
(mains)
supply.
Before
connecting
it
to
the
AC
outlet,
check
the
rating
of
your
unit
on
the
identification
plate
found
on
the
rear
panel.
Never
plug
the
unit
into
an
outlet
of
voltage
different
to
that
specified.
The
wrong
voltage
can
cause
a
serious
fire
hazard.
Consult
your
dealer
if
in
doubt.
THE
CABINET
There
are
no
user-serviceable
parts
inside
the
unit.
Do
not
attempt
to
open
the
cabinet,
as
this
could
damage
your
unit
and
void
your
warranty.
If
the
amplifier
is
dropped,
damaged
or
does
not
seem
to
function
properly,
disconnect
the
power
cord
immediately
and
consult
your
dealer.
CLEANING
YOUR
UNIT
If
your
unit
becomes
dirty,
wipe
it
gently
with
a
soft,
clean,
dry
cloth.
Never
use
solvents
of
any
kind.
HUM
AND
NOISE
In
any
high
fidelity
installation,
hum
may
be
caused
by
the
interconnection
of
a
turntable,
tuner,
amplifier
and
speakers,
as
a
result
of
wiring,
different
grounding
or
locations
of
the
components.
If
hum
or
noise
is
experienced
with
your
unit
try
one
or
a
combination
of
the
following
measures:
•
Check
that
all
cable
connections
have
been
well
and
securely
made,
and
that
they
do
not
run
too
close
to
a
strong
AC
field.
•
Disconnect
all
components
from
the
preamplifier,
except
the
power
amplifier.
Then
reconnect
the
turntable
and
if
hum
or
howling
appears,
move
the
turntable
further
away
from
the
speakers.
•
Use
an
improved
outdoor
antenna
on
your
tuner,
or
move
the
equipment
away
from
objects
such
as
fluorescent
lamps,
rheostats
and
house
appliances
that
use
motors
or
thermostats,
when
receiving
broadcasts.
•
Connect
a
wire
from
the
ground
terminal
on
the
rear
panel
of
this
unit,
to
the
ground
terminal
on
the
applicable
source
unit
(or
any
other
point
on
the
cabinet
where
noise
can
be
brought
down
to
a
minimum).
However,
absolutely
ensure
the
wire
does
not
touch
any
areas
related
to
the
power
source
such
as
auxiliary
AC
outlets,
and
do
not
insert
the
wire
inside
the
cabinet.
•
Contact
your
dealer
for
further
advice.
1

STEREO
AND
BRIDGED
MONO
OPERATION
The
power
amplifier
can
be
used
either
as
a
normal
6-channel
stereo
amplifier
or
as
a
multi-channel
bridged
amplifier.
The
unit
comes
factory-set
as
a
stereo
amplifier
(the
BRIDGED
switches
on
the
back
of
the
unit
are
set
at
the
STEREO
position).
Do
not
tamper
with
the
switch,
unless
you
wish
to
use
the
unit
as
a
mono
amplifier,
in
which
case
reset
the
switch
to
the
BRIDGED
position.
Do
not
connect
the
speakers
before
the
switch
position
is
set
correctly
according
to
your
choice.
The
amplifier
may
be
bridged
to
become
a
5,
4,
or
3
channel
amplifier.
All
settings
and
wiring
should
be
done
prior
to
turning
on
the
amplifier.
MAKING
THE
CONNECTIONS
_
See
Illustration
1
-
Rear
Panel,
to
visualize
where
the
connections
to
components
are
to
be
made.
NOTE:
•
Please
ensure
the
power
is
turned
off
and
that
the
power
cords
from
the
equipment
have
been
unplugged
from
the
AC
(mains)
outlet
before
making
any
connections.
•
The
RB-956AX
has
3
sets
of
level
controls
on
the
front
panel
and
3
bridged
mode
switches
on
the
rear
panel.
These
3
sets:
AMPLIFIER
A,
B
and
C,
all
perform
the
same
functions
and
therefore
only
one
set
of
connections
will
be
explained
in
this
section.
1.
CONNECTING
THE
SPEAKERS:
•
The
illustration
shows
what
audio
components
you
can
connect
to
the
rear
panel
of
the
unit
and
how
they
should
be
properly
hooked
up
via
RCA
type
pin
cords.
Ensure
that
the
Left
and
Right
channels
are
correctly
matched
between
the
RCA
type
sockets
of
the
unit
and
those
on
the
components.
•
Use
speakers
of
impedance
ratings
of
4
to
16
ohms.
However
if
you
wish
to
operate
the
unit
in
bridged
mode
as
a
mono
power
amplifier
with
only
one
speaker,
ensure
the
speaker
is
rated
8
ohms
minimum.
The
speaker
impedance
will
be
indicated
on
the
back
of
the
speakers
or
in
the
speaker's
instruction
manual.
•
Use
proper
speaker
cords
-
which
your
dealer
will
normally
recommend
-
with
as
low
capacitance
content
as
possible.
The
speaker
connections
(five-way
binding
posts)
provided
on
the
back
of
the
amplifier
are
suitable
for
banana
plugs,
as
well
as
bare
wire
or
spade
lugs.
•
If
connecting
the
speaker
cords
directly
with
bare
wire
ends,
we
suggest
you
strip
off
about
1
cm
of
the
insulation
shield
cover
from
the
ends
of
the
speaker
cords.
Twist
any
exposed
strands
tightly,
and
insert
the
ends
fully
and
securely
into
the
terminals
on
the
rear
panel.
•
Check
that
the
speaker
cord
ends
(exposed
tips)
on
the
terminal
posts,
have
no
stray
wires
touching
one
another,
as
this
can
cause
short
circuits
and
may
damage
both
the
amplifier
and
the
speakers.
•
When
using
the
unit
as
a
STEREO
power
amplifier:
make
sure
the
BRIDGED
switch
is
set
correctly
to
the
STEREO
position.
Connect
the
Left
and
Right
channels
correctly
between
the
speaker
and
the
unit,
and
ensure
for
each
channel
that
the
"+"
and
terminals
are
also
correctly
matched.
•
When
using
the
unit
as
a
BRIDGED
power
amplifier
(bridged
mode):
make
sure
the
BRIDGED
switch
is
set
correctly
to
the
BRIDGED
position.
Connect
only
one
speaker
to
the
power
amplifier:
connect
the
"+"
speaker
lead
wire
to
the
LEFT
"+"
terminal
post
on
the
power
amplifier
and
the
speaker
lead
wire
to
the
RIGHT
"+”
terminal
post.
Do
not
operate
the
amplifier
with
a
common
ground
speaker
switching
device.
This
will
damage
the
amplifier
(and
void
your
warranty).
Consult
your
dealer
if
in
doubt.
2.
CONNECTING
THE
PREAMPLIFIER
See
Illustrations
2,
3
and
4
-
when
using
the
unit
as
a
stereo
power
amplifier,
a
bridged
amplirier
or
as
a
stereo
amplifier
for
bi-amplification,
respectively.
•
The
stereo
mode
uses
one
preamplifier
and
one
power
amplifier.
•
The
bridged
mode
(5,
4
or
3
channel
operation)
uses
one
preamplifier
and
bridged
power
amplifiers.
•
The
bi-amping
mode
uses
one
amplifier,
which
has
two
sets
of
outputs
connected
in
parallel,
and
two
stereo
power
amplifiers,
one
driving
the
tweeters
and
the
other
driving
the
woofers
of
the
speakers,
which
have
separate
connectors
for
the
tweeters
and
the
woofers.
•
Ensure
that
regardless
of
the
mode
you
choose,
that
the
correct
connections
are
done.
2

ILLUSTRATION
1
-
REAR
PANEL
ILLUSTRATION
3-WHEN
USING
THE
UNIT
AS
A
BRIDGED
AMPLIFIER

3.
CONNECTING
THE
POWER
CORD
•
Always
handle
the
power
cord
with
care
and
never
pull
the
plug
out
of
the
wall
socket
by
tugging
the
cord.
Hold
the
plug
to
remove
it
from
the
wall.
•
Ensure
the
VOLUME
control
is
set
to
the
minimum
position
before
plugging
in
the
power
cord.
•
Connect
the
power
cord
to
the
AC
(mains)
outlet.
•
When
plugging
and
unplugging
make
sure
the
power
switch
on
the
unit
is
turned
off.
NOTES:
•
Verify
that
all
connections
are
properly
and
securely
made
and
that
the
amplifier
and
components
have
been
plugged
in.
Using
higher
quality
interconnect
cables
will
improve
sound
quality.
LOCATION
AND
OPERATION
OF
CONTROLS
AND
INDICATORS
_
See
Illustrations
1
and
5
-
Rear
and
Front
Panels,
to
visualize
the
location
of
the
switches
and
controls.
NOTE:
Ensure
the
volume
control
is
set
to
the
minimum
position
before
turning
the
power
on.
1.
POWER
BUTTON/INDICATOR
Switches
the
power
on
and
off
once
power
is
supplied
to
the
unit.
2.
CHANNEL
INDICATORS
The
CHANNEL
indicators
light
up
red
to
show
which
channels
are
in
use.
3.
BRIDGED
MODE
INDICATOR
The
BRIDGED
mode
indicators
light
up
amber
to
show
that
the
BRIDGED
switch
on
the
rear
panel
is
set
to
the
BRIDGED
position.
4
LEVEL
CONTROLS
There
is
a
LEVEL
control
for
each
amplifier
set,
which
are
useful
for
custom
installations
or
for
setting
the
sensitivity
to
match
other
amplifiers
or
speakers
in
a
surround
sound
system.
Turn
the
LEVEL
controls
clockwise
for
greater
sensitivity,
and
counterclockwise
for
less
sensitivity.
5.
BRIDGED
SWITCHES
(ON
REAR
PANEL)
When
the
BRIDGED
switch
is
in
the
STEREO
position,
this
(A,
B
or
C)
is
a
2-channel
power
amplifier.
When
the
BRIDGED
switch
is
in
the
BRIDGED
position,
this
(A,
B
or
C)
is
a
single
channel
power
amplifier.
ILLUSTRATION
5
-
FRONT
PANEL
©
©
®
©
4

SPECIFICATIONS
Continuous
Power
Output.
DIN
Output.
Peak
Current.
Power
Output
(BTL).
Total
Harmonic
Distortion
(THD).
(20
to
20,000Hz)
Intermodulation
Distortion.
(60
Hz
:
7
kHz
=
4:1)
Output
(Speakers).
Damping
Factor.
Input
Sensitivity/Impedance.
Overload
Level
(THD
0.5
%,
1
kHz)....
Frequency
Response.
Signal
to
Noise
Ratio
(IHF,
A
network)
30
watts*
per
channel,
min.
RMS
both
channels
driven
into
8
ohms
from
20
to
20,000
Hz
with
no
more
than
0.03%
THD.
50
watts
per
channel
(1kHz,
4
ohms,
1%
THD)
20A
(0.1
ohms,
10
psec,
1
pulse)
90
watts
(bridged)
min.
RMS
driven
into
8
ohms
from
20
to
20,000Hz
with
no
more
than
0.03%
THD.
No
more
than
0.03%
(continuous
rated
power
output).
No
more
than
0.03%
(continuous
1/2
rated
power
output).
No
more
than
0.05%
(1
watt
per
channel
power
output,
8
ohms).
No
more
than
0.05%
(continuous
rated
power
output)
No
more
than
0.05%
(continuous
1/2
rated
power
output).
No
more
than
0.05%
(1
watt
per
channel
power
output,
8
ohms).
8
ohms
min
(bridged
mode):
4-16
ohms
(stereo
mode)
180
(20
to
20,000
Hz,
8
ohms)
1.0
V/27
kohms
5
V
10
to
80,000
Hz,+1
dB.-1.0dB
105
dB
GENERAL
Power
Requirement.120
V/60
Hz,
230-240
V/50
Hz
(depending
on
destination)
Power
Consumption.400
watts
Dimension
(overall).440
(W)
x
92
(H)
x
396
(D)
mm
7-3/8"
x
3-5/8"
x
15-5/8"
Weight
(net).10.5
kg
/
23.1
lbs
*
Measured
pursuant
to
the
Federal
Trade
Commission's
Trade
Regulation
Rule
or,
Power
Claims
for
Amplifiers
(applicable
to
the
USA
only).
NOTE:
Specifications
and
design
are
subject
to
possible
modification
without
notice.
5
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