MA6.8Q & MA4.8Q User’s Guide The Martin Experience All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
1 CONTENTs 1 CONTENTS..................................................................................................................................................2 2 APPROVALS.................................................................................................................................................4 3 WARNINGS..................................................................................................................................................4 3.
CONTENTs 1 7.4.2 Output operation and connection............................................................................................16 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.4.4 Amplifier Gain..........................................................................................................................17 7.4.4.1 Channel gain / Level (front panel pots)...........................................................................17 7.4.4.2 Amplifier sensitivity......................................................
2 APPROVALS This equipment conforms to the requirements of the EMC directive 89/336/EEC, amended by 92/31/EEC and 93/68/EEC and the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC, amended by 93/68/EEC. Standards applied: EMC Emission EN55103-1, E3 EMC Immunity EN55103-2, E3, with S/N below 1% at normal operation level. Electrical Safety EN60065, Class I This equipment is tested and approved according to the U.S. safety standard ANSI/ UL 60065 and Canadian safety standard CSA C22.2 NO. 60065.
WARNINGS 3 3.3 User responsibility • 3.3.1 Mains connection grounding Your amplifier must be connected to a grounded socket outlet. • 3.3.2 Speaker output hazard Power amplifiers are capable of producing hazardous output voltages. To avoid electrical shock, do not touch any exposed speaker wiring while the amplifier is operating. The external wiring connected to the speaker terminals shall be installed by a qualified instructed person or ready-made leads or cords of appropriate capacity shall be used. 3.
4 WELCOME 4.1 Introduction Thank you for choosing Martin Audio Q Series power amplifiers for your sound reinforcement system installation. We are confident that you will be very pleased with the performance, configuration flexibility, reliability, and long-term durability offered by the Q Series products. This manual provides a comprehensive guide to the features and functionality of Q Series amplifiers.
WELCOME 4 avoiding a poor signal-to-noise ratio. This gain adjustment feature makes it easier to achieve an optimal balance between headroom and noise floor. 4.2.3 Voltage Peak Limiting The Voltage Peak Limiting (VPL) feature allows user adjustments that determine maximum voltage output, thus matching the amplifier to the connected speaker load.
5 InSTALLATION 5.1 Unpacking Carefully open the shipping carton and check for any noticeable damage. Every Martin Audio amplifier is tested and inspected before leaving the factory and should arrive in perfect condition. If any damage is discovered, please notify the shipping company immediately. Only the consignee may institute a claim with the carrier for damage incurred during shipping. Save the carton and packing materials for the carrier’s inspection.
INSTALLATION 5 amplifier can be turned on using the front panel power switch. The amplifier then goes through a soft-start sequence as it self-checks its circuits. The fans will blow at high speed before dropping to idle, and the “power” LED will illuminate. Inrush power is controlled and limited during “soft start”, enabling multiple amplifiers to be powered up simultaneously. 5.5 Grounding There is no ground lift switch or terminal on the Q Series amplifiers.
6 QUICK GUIDE OVERVIEW 6.1 front Panel overview The amplifier’s front panel presents the performance and fault condition indicators, power and remote switches ,and a removable dust-filter cover. Four level potentiometers located behind the cover provide individual attenuation for the four amplifier channels. Range is 0 dB to - infinity. The 12 o’clock position indicates -10 dB attenuation.
QUICK GUIDE OVERVIEW 6 6. Rear Panel overview 200-240VAC 50-60Hz :2300W PUSH PUSH 44dB 41dB 38dB 35dB 32dB 29dB 26dB 23dB 141V* 118V 100V** 85V 71V 59V 50V 42V Ser.
6 QUICK GUIDE OVERVIEW 6.3 NomadLink / Ethernet network setup The amplifier includes, as a standard feature, internal facilities for the NomadLink monitoring and control network. All features of the NomadLink network are accessible via a PC running proprietary DeviceControl software. A single rackspace network bridge, the NLB 60E, accepts the TCP/IP data stream from the computer and converts it to the NomadLink protocols.
Q Series Operation Manual 13 All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
7 OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE Overall amplifier input gain is adjusted using the input stage DIP switches. Please note that the gain setting is global, affecting all four channels. Following the input stage, the dedicated level control on each channel allows signal attenuation from 0 dB to minus infinity. 7.1 Introduction The following sections provide comprehensive information on amplifier connection, setup, operation, and performance.
OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE 7 7.3.2 Headroom, sensitivity and VPL / Gain settings The input amplifier and limiter system is designed to accommodate extremes of performance. Typically, exceeding maximum input by much as +10 dB will only result in a 1% increase in distortion.
7 OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE 7.4 Audio Input and Output connections, setup and features 7.4.2 Output operation and connection 7.4.1 Balanced / Unbalanced Input connection Screw-terminal connectors with + and – poles are provided at each channel output for connection of the speakers. Two electronically balanced Phoenix-type inputs are available. Follow the +,– and Ground labels when connecting the input signal.
OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE 7 7.4.4 Amplifier Gain All Q Series amplifiers feature adjustable input gain. This versatility enables the amplifier to accommodate a multitude of system configurations with various input sources and speaker layouts. Amplifier gain is set globally for all four channels. The range is +23 dB to +44 dB in 3 dB steps. Individual channel fine level adjustment is available using the potentiometers on the front panel.
7 OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE speaker or overheating of the output channel through high current draw. For example, with a very “hot” conti-nuous output signal, the temperature could rise to a critical level and activate Temp warning or even Temp Mute. Lowering the VPL setting normally will solve this situation. If the Current Peak Limiter is active or indicates low impedance, lowering the VPL setting can rectify this situation as well. 7.4.
OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE 7 signals do not appear in “natural” sources such as music. Any such signals can therefore be considered as a fault when present. VHF protection is essential in avoiding damage to high frequency drivers. prevent measurement of full peak output power. (Output will be muted long before maximum output power is attained.) To measure the true peak output power, use a burst signal. The VHF protection operational area is dependent on output power level and frequency.
7 OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE 7.5.7 Temperature protection Thermal measurement points are provided on each output channel as well as on the power supply. These indicators will, if the pre-specified temperature level is exceeded, give a high temperature warning. This warning condition is indicated by a flashing Temp LED on the front panel, and it is reported on the Device Control GUI via the NomadLink network. and in a controlled manner ensuring that breakers will not trip.
OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE 7 7.6 Front panel monitoring and adjustments 7.6.1 Level indicators Four signal/level/clip LEDs per channel are contained on the Q Series front panels : 1. Orange CPL (Current Peak Limiter) flashing indicates signal exceeds max. output current. 2. Red VPL/CLIP indicates that the signal has exceeded maximum output voltage. This activity is governed by the rear panel VPL settings. 3. Green - 4 dB indicates output signal has reached this level. 4.
7 OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE 7.6.4 Performance, Warning and Fault indicators • Power on/off (green) indicates that mains power is switched on. • NomadLink (blue) indicates that the network is connected. The NomadLink LED will light up even before the mains power is connected and switched on as it takes phantom power from the network cable. • CPL, Current Peak Limiter (orange), when flashing indicates the maximum possible current draw has been reached.
OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE 7 7.7 NomadLink network and PC editor 7.7.1 NomadLink network in the amplifiers network integrity is fully maintained and all amplifiers remain visible on the system. 7.7.2 Connection and setup The NomadLink network requires use of a NLB 60E. The NomadLink network is established by connecting the NLB 60E OUT port to the first amplifier’s IN port. Then a daisy-chain is established by connecting the first amplifier’s OUT port to the next amplifier’s IN port, and so on.
7 OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE 7.7.3 NomadLink network cable lengths In situations where the amplifiers and the NLB 60E will be positioned in different locations at some distance from each other, or where groups of amplifiers within a single subnet with up to 60 units will be installed with a distance in between, these general rules may be considered: Below are typical examples of NomadLink network setups: Example #1a: Daisy chain, total cable length max. 400m/1300ft E.g.
OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE 7 7.7.4 Ethernet network cable lengths The connection between the NLB 60E and your PC is a standard Ethernet network running the TCP/IP protocol. Cable distances between NLB 60E and your PC follow standard rules for Ethernet systems. Contact your IT expert for more details. 7.7.5 DeviceControl editor The DeviceControl editor is a proprietary software application for monitoring and controlling networked Q Series power amplifiers.
8 APPENDIX 8.1 Maintenance During normal operation your Q Series amplifier will provide trouble-free service. The only user maintenance required is to periodically vacuum clean the foam dust filters behind the front grille. In some extreme cases it may be necessary for authorized service personnel to clean the inside of the amplifier. These conditions usually occur after prolonged use in extreme environments such as those using “cracked oil” smoke machines.
APPENDIX 8 8.4 Additional documentation In case you didn’t find what you were looking for in this Operation Manual, please email us via www.martin-audio.com, where you can find a multitude of additional documentation for Q Series: Drawings, technical data sheets, tables with input sensitivity, background technology briefs and much more. Q Series Operation Manual 27 All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
8 APPENDIX 8.5 BTU specifications The following tables contain information on measured current consumption as well as calculated heat dissipation at three states: 1) Stand-by/idling; 2) Normal operation (1/8 of rated power); and 3) at extreme heavy duty operation (Max. power). Level Rated power Load MA6.8Q Line Current 115VAC 230VAC Standby w. remote Power Off via NomadLink Power On, Idling Watt *1) Out Dissipated BTU/hr kCal/hr 0 133 0 0 W 0 133 0 454 0 114 Amp (I) *2) 1/8 of 8 Ω / Ch.
9 technical SPECIFICATIONS Following are the Q Series technical specifications. These figures are accurate at the time of printing but please note that all figures are subject to change without notice. For the most accurate and current information available, please visit www.martin-audio.com. Individual values for Q Series amplifiers MA6.8Q MA4.8Q Number of channels per amplifier 4 4 Total Power Limit 6800 W 4800 W Max. output voltage per channel 100 Vrms 100 Vrms Max.
technical SPECIFICATIONS 9 Common values for all Q Series amplifiers Performance with Gain: 35dB and VPL: 141V THD 20 Hz - 20kHz for 1W 0.1% THD at 1kHz and 1dB below clipping 0.05% Signal To Noise Ratio 112 dBA Channel separation (Crosstalk) at 1kHz 70 dB Frequency response (1 W into 8 Ohm) +0/-3dB 6.8 Hz - 34 kHz Voltage Peak Limiter (VPL), max. peak output VPL, selectable per ch. (V) 3) 141, 118, 100, 85, 71, 59, 50, 42 V Voltage Peak Limiter mode (per ch.
10 WARRANTY General This product is manufactured by Martin Audio, and it is warranted to be free from any defects caused by components or factory workmanship, under normal use and service, for a period of two (2) years from date of purchase from an authorized Martin Audio dealer.
