AQ-3 amplifier User Manual v1.0 EM Acoustics Loudspeakers Building 74 Dunsfold Park Cranleigh Surrey GU6 8TB UK www.emacoustics.co.
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 2
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 3 CONTENTS DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY 4 THANKS 5 INTRODUCTION 5 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 6 INSTRUCTIONS DE SECURITE IMPORTANTES 7 Installing Your Amplifier: Electrical Considerations 8 Installing Your Amplifier: Mechanical Considerations 9 Installing Your Amplifier: RF Emissions 9 About Your Amplifier: Dynamic Amplifier Performance Measurements Error! Bookmark not defined.
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 4 DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY We, the manufacturer: MC2 Audio, Units 6-8 Kingsgate Heathpark Industrial Estate Honiton, Devon England EX14 1YG acknowledge our responsibility that the following products: Kind of equipment: Commodity Code: Type Designation: Audio amplifier 8518408990 E4-75 and all OEM variants of this model are manufactured: in accordance with EMC Directive 2004/108/EC, in compliance with the following norm(s) or document(s): Technical Regulations: EN55103-1
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 5 THANKS Thank you for choosing an AQ-3 amplifier for your application. Please spend a little time reading through this manual, so that you obtain the best possible performance from the unit and become familiar with its operating requirements. The AQ-3 is designed and manufactured by MC 2 Audio in the UK. All MC2 products are carefully designed and engineered for cutting-edge performance and world-class reliability.
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS CAUTION: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 7 INSTRUCTIONS DE SECURITE IMPORTANTES ATTENTION: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR Le symbole représentant un éclair fléché dans un triangle équilatéral a pour but d’alerter l’utilisateur de la présence d’une “tension dangeruese” non isolée à l’intérieur du boitier, pouvant être d’une force suffisante pour constituer un risqué d’électrocution.
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 8 Installing Your Amplifier: Electrical Considerations The amplifier has been manufactured to comply with your local power supply requirements, but before connecting the unit to the supply, ensure that the voltage (printed on the rear panel) is correct. The amplifier is fitted with either a 100/120V or 220/240V tapped transformer according to customer requirements. Make sure power outlets conform to the power requirements listed on the back of the unit.
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 9 Installing Your Amplifier: Mechanical Considerations To ensure that this equipment performs to specification, it should be mounted in a suitable rack or enclosure as described below. Like all high power amplifiers, it should be kept away from other equipment which is sensitive to magnetic fields. Also, this amplifier may suffer a substantial reduction in performance if it is subjected to, or mounted close to equipment which radiates high RF fields.
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 10 Connecting To Your Amplifier: Inputs XLR M ALE The inputs are made via 3-pin XLR connectors, which are electronically balanced and should be connected via a high grade twin core screened cable, as follows: PIN1: Screen (see note) PIN2: Hot (signal +) PIN3: Cold (signal -) The amplifier is designed to operate with fully balanced equipment and ground loops or loss of performance may be experienced if connected to unbalanced sources.
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 11 Connecting To Your Amplifier: Speaker Outputs SPEAKON NL2 & NL4 The speaker outputs are via Neutrik SpeakONTM connectors. 2 pole (NL2FC) or 4 pole (NL4FC) connectors can be used. Pin 1+: Hot Pin 1-: Cold Additionally the Channel A SpeakONTM connector carries Channel B output on Pins +2 & -2 to allow easy bi-amping or bridged operation using a single NL4 connector. Similarly, Channel C’s SpeakONTM connector also carries Channel D output.
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 12 Connecting To Your Amplifier: Bridged (Mono) Operation Pairs of channels may be independently bridged – channel pair A&B, and/or channel pair C&D. The method is the same for both channel pairs: Supply signal to Channel A or C input only and push in the appropriate rear panel switch marked “BRG A&B” or “BRG C&D”.
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 13 Operating Your Amplifier: Front Panel Controls and Indicators 1: Power Switch: This single pole switch turns the amplifier fully off (but does NOT isolate it from the mains supply). 2: Power LED: This indicates when the amplifier is active. This does NOT indicate the presence of a mains supply when the power switch is OFF. 3: Signal Meter: These LED bar graphs show instantaneous level on each channel to indicate proximity to the limiter threshold.
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 14 Typical conditions that could cause the protection to be triggered include very high frequency or subsonic input signals, DC in the inputs, short-circuited outputs, or internal high temperatures. Temperature related faults will reset if the unit has cooled sufficiently. Output short circuits will require manual reset after clearing the fault.
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 15 Operating Your Amplifier: Rear Panel Sockets and Switches Channel A output SpeakONTM socket: Normal output is on pins 1+ hot, 1- cold. Channel B’s output is also wired to this socket to enable a single NL4 to provide both channels and to facilitate easier wiring in bridged mode. Channel B is wired pins 2+ hot, 2- cold. Similarly channel C’s output SpeakONTM socket carries Channel D’s output. Check the table on the rear panel for details.
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Output connector C Page 16 Pin +1 = +ve channel C Pin +2 = +ve channel D Pin -1 = -ve channel C Pin -2 = -ve channel D For bi-amped operation connect as above.
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 17 Looking After Your Amplifier: Maintenance These maintenance instructions are for use by qualified personnel only. Before any routine maintenance, please ensure that your amplifier is disconnected from the mains supply! The filter behind the air intake apertures on the front of your amplifier should be cleaned or replaced periodically, e.g. 3-6 months. (Filters in amplifiers located in more 'dirty' atmospheres may require more frequent maintenance).
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 18 Changing the Gain of Your Amplifier: Internal Adjustments! CAUTION: These servicing instructions are for use by qualified personnel only. Ensure that electrical power to the unit is disconnected before carrying out any maintenance. GAIN/SENSITIVITY SETTINGS Gain settings are changed internally by simple jumper links. Four rows of pins marked:- GAIN A, GAIN B, GAIN C and GAIN D - are situated on the input PCB (PCB721).
AQ-3 Operating Instructions Page 19 Performance Of Your Amplifier: Specifications Main Specifications Parameter (Units) AQ-3 Output Power per channel [Crest Factor = 4.8] (Watts) 8 Ohms 4 Ohms 2 Ohms 775 900 N/A 8 Ohms 4 Ohms 1800 N/A Output Power per channel bridged [Crest Factor = 4.