VSSL A.3 User manual

vV

VSSL A.3 – Product Guide 2
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF
PRINTING. HOWEVER, THIS INFORMATION MAY BE CHANGED OR UPDATED AT ANY TIME
WITHOUT NOTICE.
This document is protected under the copy write laws of the United States and other
countries. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including but not limited
to photocopying, recording, information retrieval systems, or computer networks without the
express written permission of VSSL LLC.
VSSL™ is a registered trademark of VSSL, LLC, registered with the U S Patent and Trademark
Office. Additionally VSSL has other product names and slogans that are protected under U S
Trademark laws, which may not be used without the express written permission of VSSL, LLC.
Please take notice that VESSL™ products may also be protected by one or more patents
issued by the U S and other countries.
Android, Google Play and Chromecast are trademarks of Google Inc.
iPhone®, iPod®, iPad®, AirPlay®, iTunes®, Mac®, OS X®, macOS™ and Apple Music™ are
trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Windows® is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation registered in the U S and other countries.
November, 2017
© 2017 by VSSL, LLC. All rights reserved.

VSSL A.3 – Product Guide 3
WELCOME TO VSSL
VSSL is the music system you always wanted.
§ Out of sight.
§ No other apps.
§ Just the music you love.
VSSL strives to deliver you the best music listening experience based on your music
ecosystem. By incorporating Apple Airplay, Google Chromecast, and Spotify Connect to
every zone, you can choose your favorite music app, device, and ecosystem.
Note:
Your favorite music apps are maintained outside of the VSSL system. These apps
may be subject to updates or changes and could affect the performance of your music
system.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Front
Power Indicator
Indicates the power state of the device. There are 2 power states,
on and sleep.
Solid bright - device is on
Solid dim - device is in sleep
Zone Status Indicators
Indicates the status of the zones. See the Device Status section
for more details.
Flashing red - zone is powering up and connecting to network
Solid red - zone has a connection error
Solid white - zone is active with audio playing via analog input or
streaming
Off - zone is not active

VSSL A.3 – Product Guide 4
Rear
Bus Inputs (1)
Analog RCA global inputs. Any of the zones can be set to play either
of the two inputs. Can be set up using the VSSL app.
Local Inputs (3)
Local analog RCA inputs.
Network Input
Ethernet LAN connection. Use a standard ethernet cable to connect
your A.3 to a high speed data network.
Network Output
Ethernet connection to extend the network to other devices.
Optical Input
A global digital input. Use a TOSLINK cable.
Power Input
100-120/220-240 VAC 50/60 Hz
Use the power cord supplied with the unit. Adapters can be used for
international power connections.
Speaker Output
Use the phoenix connectors supplied, 1 connecter for each zone.
Output is not bridgeable. The L+, L- are positive and negative
outputs for the left channel speaker while the R+, R- are the positive
and negative outputs for the right channel speaker.
Bus Outputs (1)
Analog RCA outputs. The output can be variable or fixed and is
designed to work with external amplified systems like subwoofers,
home theater receivers, or higher powered amplifiers for outdoor
audio.

VSSL A.3 – Product Guide 5
Accessories
Rack Ears
Used for installation in a standard equipment rack.
Phoenix Connectors (3)
Can accept size 14-20 gauge speaker wire.
Power Cord
Standard 3 prong power adapter for the US.
SPECIFICATIONS
Zones
3
Channels
6
Amplifier
Class D - 50 watts/ch RMS @ 8/4 ohm
Inputs
(1) Network input, (1) bus line level, (3) local line level, (1) optical
Wireless Inputs
3 - Airplay/Chromecast built-in/Spotify Connect
Outputs
(1) selectable line level, (1) Network output
EQ
7 band parametric adjustable
S/N Ratio
>100 dB A-weighted
Frequency Response
20 - 20,000 Hz
Rack Space
1U
Dimensions No Feet
17” W x 3.37” H x 14” D
Dimensions With Feet
17” W x 4.15” H x 14” D
Shipping Weight
10.3 lbs
NETWORK REQUIREMENTS
High-speed data network
VSSL needs to be installed with a high-speed network switch, router, or Wi-Fi/router combo.
High-speed internet connection
In order to access all of the internet music services and receive automatic updates, you need
to have a high-speed internet connection, such as a high-speed DSL/Cable modem, fiber-to-
the-home broadband, or a high-speed wireless internet provider.

VSSL A.3 – Product Guide 6
Wi-Fi / WLAN
For VSSL to work with your wireless phone, tablet, laptop or computer, you must have a
wireless router or wireless access point installed. To ensure proper function, you should
ensure that a strong wireless signal from your network is present to all the areas/zones you
want to use VSSL.
DEVICE STATUS
There are several ways to determine the status of your device. The VSSL app can be
referenced to see the real time status of your A.3 system. There are also several indicators on
the A.3 meant to indicate the status of the system. See the Quick Reference section below.
Boot Up Sequence
1. During boot up, the zone indicators will flash pink as the device initializes.
2. After the device initializes, all of the zone indicators will flash red. The zone indicators
flash red while the streaming services for each zone are started.
3. The zone indicator will briefly show white to indicate the zone is ready and connected to
the network.
4. The zone indicators then turn off until streaming or audio is started in the zone.
5. If there is an error, the zone indicator will display solid red.
6. If no network is connect, all the zone indicators will show solid red.
7. If a system update is available the device will enter update mode. See the ‘System
Updates’ section for more details on updates.
Power Modes
The A.3 is equipped with the HiNA functionality of a network switch. The A.3 device is a
networking device with high network availability and provides network switching when
operational.
The A.3 device has two power modes, ‘Always On’ and ‘Auto’. These modes can be changed
by using the VSSL iOS or Android app.
Always On
When in ‘Always On’ mode, the device will never go into network standby mode or a low
power sleep mode.

VSSL A.3 – Product Guide 7
Auto
The ‘Auto’ mode allows the device to network standby mode after 15 minutes of no music
output. To wake the device from network standby mode, the user can start a music stream to
the device.
While in network standby mode, if the network is disconnected, the device will immediately
enter a lower-power mode. To wake the device from the lower-power mode, the user can
turn off the power switch on the back of the unit, wait 5 seconds, then turn power switch on.
Network standby mode and low-power mode are indicated by the power indicator on the
front of the device.
Updating
During system updates the zone indicators will flash red from left to right. See the ‘System
Updates’ section for more details on updates.
LED Status Quick Reference
All zones blinking red
The device is booting up.
All zones are solid red
The device has lost connection to the network,
check the ethernet cable or networking device.
See the troubleshooting section of this guide.
A single zone is solid red
The zone has a connection error, see
troubleshooting section of this guide.
A single zone is solid white
The zone is active.
Zone indicators flashing from left to
right
The device is in FW update mode.
Power indicator is solid bright
The device is on and ready.
Power indicator is solid dim
The device is in a low power sleep mode, to wake
the device start a music stream, or turn on an
analog source.
Ethernet connection indicator is solid
green
The network connection is good.
Ethernet connection indicator is
flashing orange
There is network activity on the connection.

VSSL A.3 – Product Guide 8
INSTALLATION
Tabletop Installation
For cabinet or countertop installation, ensure the location has adequate ventilation and at
least 1.75” of headroom above the device.
Rack Installation
For rack installation, the A.3 comes with rack ear adapters and can be installed in a standard
19” wide equipment rack. The device requires 2U of space for mounting and 1U for ventilation
above the device. Remove the feet before installing into the rack space.
Connecting
1. Leaving the power switch in the off position, make
all of the connections to the A.3. First terminate the
speaker cables to the included phoenix connectors.
2. Connect all phoenix connectors, auxiliary audio
sources, and external audio subsystems.

VSSL A.3 – Product Guide 9
3. Use an ethernet cable to connect the device to a
high speed data network.
Make sure to connect to
the ‘Network In’ port.
4. Once all the connections are made, power the
device on.
5. See the Device Status section of this guide for
details about the boot up sequence.
Note:
For any unused zones, you can use the VSSL app to disable the streaming services
for that zone. This will make it so you can’t inadvertently connect to a zone that is not used.
Configuration
First download the Google Home and VSSL app from Google Play store or Apple App store.
Set up first with Google Home app, then sse the VSSL app to adjust all settings for the VSSL
system. Using the VSSL app you can set the inputs, and configure zone output settings like
EQ, max volume, or mono/stereo output.
Video Guide:
For a video walk through on set up on in the VSSL and Google Home app
follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf4ptjJ-GcE
Connecting to External System
External Amplifier (Output)
You can connect your A.3 to an external amplifier system, for example a home theater
receiver, powered subwoofer or passive subwoofer with separate amplifier.

VSSL A.3 – Product Guide 10
1. Connect the external amplifier to the bus output.
2. The output from the bus output is variable, which
allows you to control the volume of the external
system from your phone or other streaming
device.
3. See the Connecting Subwoofer section for more
info on connecting a sub.
Note:
The A.3 outputs should only be connected to another amplifier system and not a
system that redistributes the signal, such as an audio matrix. Doing so may cause
unintended consequences and cannot be guaranteed.
External Audio Source (Input)
Add external audio inputs by connecting the
audio source to the analog inputs on the A.3. You
can wire the output of any RCA analog source,
like a Satellite TV box, to any of the local inputs or
bus inputs. Each zone can select one of the local,
bus 1, or bus 2 inputs.
Note:
The analog source selection can only be adjusted in the settings of the VSSL app.
Once chosen in the settings, the A.3 will always play the analog input until a stream is
started. Streams override the analog, but once it stops the A.3 will switch back to the
analog input.
Connecting to an Automation System
You can extend the functionality of your A.3 by connecting it to an automation system. The
automation system can control the matrixing abilities of the amplifier. Through the
automation driver, any of the 6 local inputs or 2 global bus inputs can be routed to any of the
speaker outputs. The streaming inputs are always set to the same zone and cannot be
changed.
Use with AppleTV
Through AirPlay on the VSSL A.3 you can connect a zone of your A.3 directly to an AppleTV.
This is an easy way to get audio from the TV to inceiling speakers. However, this will only
work when using the AppleTV as a source.
In the settings of the Apple TV, you can navigate to the audio settings to select an Airplay
speaker as the audio output device. From this menu, you can select an zone on the VSSL A.3
to output to. Please reference the AppleTV manual for details on the audio settings of the
AppleTV.