™ ARCHITECT™ Model 1680 EQ • Model 1660 Model 1280 EQ • Model 1260 12 & 16 Channel Multi-Zone Amplifiers Professional Installer’s Guide ARCHITECT Model 1680 EQ – 16 Channel Amplifier with Speaker Equalizer ARCHITECT Model 1660 – 16 Channel Power Amplifier ARCHITECT Model 1280 EQ – 12 Channel Amplifier with Speaker Equalizer ARCHITECT Model 1260 – 12 Channel Power Amplifier ® Making Good Sound Great 22410 70th Avenue West • Seattle, WA 98043 USA 425-775-8461 • Fax 425-778-3166 • www.audiocontrol.
Project Information Dealer Name_________________________________________ Date Installed_________________________________________ Serial Number________________________________________ Ethernet MAC Address_________________________________ IP Address Dynamic / Static_____________________________ ®
Table of Contents Table of Contents Architect Model 1280 EQ / 1260 / 1680 EQ / 1660 Product Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 A Guided Tour Of the Architect Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Installation Guide Audio Hook-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Introduction Introduction Congratulations! You are now installing a component which will dramatically improve the performance of any distributed audio system, especially those utilizing in-ceiling speakers. AudioControl Architect series amplifiers provide high levels of power, pristine sound quality, unique zone equalization controls, flexible input switching plus a number of installation friendly features that make them perfect products for performance oriented audio systems.
Product Highlights The Architect Series Product Highlights Here is a list of features that are part of the Architect series from AudioControl and make these very unique products unlike any other amplifiers. • Superior Sound Quality; Pristine sonics happens first in all AudioControl designs and is not compromised by any other feature. You often get the feeling that sound quality is an after thought with products from other companies.
A Guided Tour Of The Architect Model 1280 EQ and Model 1680 EQ Front Panel Stereo Speaker Equalization controls - This array of knobs provide up to 12dB boost or cut at 75Hz, 250Hz, 700Hz, 2500Hz and 12KHz.
Guided Tour Rear Panel Ethernet LAN Connection (Models 1681 EQ , 1660, 1281 EQ and 1261) – This enables control of the Architect via a standard 10BaseT computer network. The internal web server of the Architect also allows the technician to remotely monitor the status of the amplifier. See page 14 for more information. Bypass Switch – For diagnostics only. This button disables all the Ethernet control functions and forces all channels on.
Guided Tour 13 15 13 11 12 14 Bus Select Switches – The switches below each zone’s local input jacks select the input source for that amplifier zone. If the switch is in the “Local” position, the zone receives audio signals from the local input. If the switch is in “Bus 1” or “Bus 2”, audio signals come from the appropriate “Bus” inputs. Whenever a Bus Input is selected, the zone input can be remotely triggered to the local input using the 12 volt Local Trigger input (see #6 on previous page).
Installation Guide InstallationGuide Audio Hook-up If you’re an installation veteran, this may seem repetitive, but some things can never be repeated too many times. 1. Turn off ALL components before making any connections. 2. When making connections, designate RED RCA plugs as RIGHT and WHITE, BLACK, or GREY plugs as LEFT. In fact, this is a good idea for ALL signal connections made in your audio system. The key is consistency. Stick with the same colorcoding and you’ll reduce possible problems.
Installation Guide Whole House System with Tuner Only Background Music ARCHITECT ™ Model 1280 EQ • Model 1260 Model 1680 EQ • Model 1660 Installer’s Guide 7
Installation Guide Remote Power Control The Architect has several means of power control: • Main AC Power switch - This is the master control and must be turned ON for the Architect to function. When the main power switch is on, the blue Power LED on the front panel lights up. Normally the only time that you would need to turn the AC power switch OFF is when the system is going to be unused for an extended period. Warning - Always connect the safety earth ground.
Installation Guide Speaker Connections The same rule applies to the speaker wires as the RCA connections. Establish a standard connection color code and stick with it. One conductor of the speaker wire is normally marked by a different color (silver versus copper) or there is a ribbing on one side. Typically this marked conductor is used for the positive (+) speaker leads. Of course the really good wire has Positive and Negative printed right onto the wire jacket.
Installation Guide Bridging The Architect To increase the output power of the Architect amplifier you can join (bridge) two channels into a single channel of 250 watts. Accomplishing this is a simple matter. Just press the Mono button to send the same audio signal to both channels of the zone and then connect the speaker terminals as shown in the diagram below. Caution - Do not use a speaker rated at less than 8 ohms when bridging.
Equalizing Procedures Equalization Procedures (Architect Model 1680 EQ & Architect Model 1280 EQ) Benefits of Equalization Rarely is the room layout and room decor designed to get the most out of the audio system. In fact, almost always the opposite is the case where the speaker positions and sizes are dictated by some factors which are actually contrary to good sound. This real world situation is where equalization can provide great benefits.
Equalizing Procedures Audio Analysis It may take several series of adjustments since there is some interaction between each control. We have included some sample settings here and general descriptions of each control’s function further on page 13 or here.
Equalization Controls Equalization Controls Here is a brief introduction to each of the Speaker Equalization control frequencies and what their affect on your music is. 75 Hz – Bass. This is at the bottom end of the frequencies which typical in-wall and small bookshelf speakers can achieve. Even though the Architect’s subsonic filter cuts frequencies under 40 Hz, boosting this band more than 6 dB can cause distortion. Adjust this band with care.
Ethernet Connectivity Ethernet Connectivity & Control (Architect Model 1681 EQ & Architect Model 1281 EQ) To further enhance the flexibility of the Architect amplifier, the Model 1281 EQ and Model 1681 EQ include a built-in web server. The server connects to the outside world using a 10 BaseT Ethernet LAN port and the TCP/IP network protocol.
Ethernet Connectivity To remotely access the web server of the Architect from an area outside of the local network you will need a full time connection to the Internet (Cable, T1), a router/firewall, and more than basic knowledge of TCP/IP network setup. Check with a professional. The simplest means of making the web server of the Architect accessible to the Internet is by using the Port Forwarding feature found in most Ethernet Routers and Firewalls.
Ethernet Connectivity The commands are broken into two groups: Control and Inquiries. The Controls issue instructions to the Architect for power control and channel muting; the Inquires return the status of amplifier channels, AC line voltage, the amplifier temperature, and the failure data log.
Ethernet Connectivity Inquiry Commands M? Binary string showing all zones mute status 0 = Mute 1 = Active (unmuted) (i.e.
Ethernet Connectivity Header Format The response to inquiry commands may include both a header and footer for more precise identification if desired. The format of that header is as follows: IFBXXXXXXXXAC where I = the inquiry command, FB stands for feedback, X is the zone status, and AC is the footer identifying the response as from an AudioControl product.
Troubleshooting Troubleshooting the Architect Many problems can be eliminated by re-checking the wiring and settings of the Architect amplifier. If a problem cannot be solved using the guide below, please call the AudioControl factory for further assistance or email us at sound.better@audiocontrol.com 1. No Sound a. Verify the Power LED is Blue. b. Verify Protection LED is Blue. c. Verify Channel Status LED is Blue. d. Verify Source unit is operating. e.
Troubleshooting 4. Speaker channels are cutting in and out: a. If using volume controls, check that they can handle the power output. b. When bridging, the amplifier “sees” one-half the stated speaker impedance rating. Make sure the impedance is high enough. (See page 9.) c. There may be a short in the wires. Suspect a short if the problem happens only at the highest volumes. 5. Protection LED is Red: a. Disconnect power from the unit for 3 to 4 minutes and reconnect to power. b.
What to do if you need service What to do if you need service First, contact AudioControl, either by e-mail or phone. We’ll verify if there is anything wrong that you can correct yourself, or that it needs to be sent back to our factory for repair. Please include the following items with the returning unit: 1) A copy of your proof of purchase. No originals please. We cannot guarantee returning them to you. 2) A brief explanation of the trouble you are having with the Architect™.
Warranty The Warranty Legalese Section People are scared of warranties. Lots of fine print. Months of waiting around. Well, fear no more. This warranty is designed to make you rave about AudioControl. It’s a warranty that looks out for you and your client, plus helps you resist the temptation to have your friend, who’s “good with electronics”, try to repair your AudioControl product. So go ahead, read this warranty, then register the information at www.audiocontrolregistration.
Block Diagram Architect Amplifier Block Diagram ARCHITECT ™ Model 1280 EQ • Model 1260 Model 1680 EQ • Model 1660 Installer’s Guide 23
Specifications Architect Model Amplifiers Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . All Channels Driven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Single Zone Stereo Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 channels 8 ohm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Making Good Sound Great ® 22410 70th Avenue West Seattle, WA 98043 USA 425-775-8461 • Fax 425-778-3166 e-mail: sound.better@audiocontrol.com Visit us on the web at www.audiocontrol.com © AudioControl 2012, All Rights Reserved.
