Niagar a 1200 Low-Z Power | Noise-Dissipation System Owner’s Manual
EN Instructions in English are available at the link below. Las instrucciones de instalación en el español se encuentran disponibles en el enlace que se indica a continuación. FR Les instructions d’installation en français sont disponibles au lien suivant. ZH 安 裝說明請詳見下列網址連結. JA 日 本語 のインストールガイドは下記リンク先でご覧いただけます。 ES www.audioquest.
Table of Contents Niagara 1200 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Connection to Audio/Video Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Suggested AC Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Niagara 1200 Features ¡¡ Ground Noise-Dissipation System: AQ’s patented technology vastly reduces groundborne noise without compromising safety or creating low-level ground loops. ¡¡ Linear Noise-Dissipation Technology: Ensures the most consistent and widest bandwidth noise dissipation possible, without the inconsistent results that typify minimalist, multi-node resonant peaking found in many AC power conditioners.
Where Alternating Current (AC) is concerned, we’re relying on a century-old technology created for incandescent lights and electric motors—technology that was certainly never meant to power the sophisticated analog and digital circuits used in premium audio/video systems. To properly accommodate the promise of today’s ever-increasing bandwidth and dynamic range, we must achieve extraordinarily low noise across a wide range of frequencies.
“audiophile-grade parts” or relying on a proprietary technology—common approaches used within the audiophile market. For years, we have all been witness to the same, seemingly endless audiophile debates: Valves versus transistors. Analog versus digital. Can cables really make a difference? The debates go on and on. While we, too, can brag about our many unique technologies, we realize that true audio/video optimization is never a matter of any one secret or exotic circuit.
outlet contacts with heavy silver plating over extreme-purity copper and beryllium copper, assuring a tight grip and high system performance. A great system is built from a solid foundation, and that foundation starts with power.
Installation Unpacking Before unpacking your Niagara 1200, inspect the carton for any obvious damage to the boxes and internal protective materials. If internal damage is likely, contact the carrier who delivered the unit. If shipping damage is evident on the product, then please contact your shipping carrier. Please save all shipping and packing materials. Should you move or otherwise need to transport your Niagara 1200, these packing materials will ensure the safest transportation.
Servicing | Return to AudioQuest Servicing of the Niagara 1200 must be performed by AudioQuest, and is only required when: ¡¡ The Niagara 1200 has been exposed to rain, flooding, or extreme moisture. ¡¡ The Niagara 1200 does not appear to operate normally. (See “Trouble-Shooting Guide.”) ¡¡ The Niagara 1200 has been dropped and sustained considerable physical damage. If sending the Niagara 1200 to AudioQuest for servicing (or shipping it for any reason), please use the factory approved packaging materials.
Placement The Niagara 1200 is manufactured with four rubber feet for safe, secure placement on any table, cabinet, shelf, or floor. It can also be safely mounted on its edge or side (for front edge mounting, we have provided four adhesive rubber bumpers to protect the chassis finish). The Niagara 1200’s design obviates the need for compliant or high-Q isolation feet. Although many audio/video products benefit greatly from these devices, the Niagara 1200 does not.
Whenever possible, it is best to keep at least three inches (approximately 7cm) between AC cables and any signal cable. When this is not possible in a practical layout of system cabling, crossing the AC cables to signal cables at 90 degrees is best to minimize induced noise. High-Current Power Bank The two High-Current Power Banks were designed to enhance the performance of power amplifiers, powered subwoofers, and powered receivers via the Niagara 1200’s low-impedance, differential-filter circuitry.
Linear Noise-Dissipation System There are five outlets that utilize this technology within the Niagara 1200. Though it would be simple to recommend putting the digital or video components into the upper three outlets and the line-level audio components and turntable into the two banks below them, the quest for optimal performance is more complex.
Phono Amp Suggested AC Connections Phono Amp Cable / Sat Box Cable / Sat Box DAC Line-Level Pre Amp Mono Block Phono Amp Powered Subwoofer Computer Line-Level Pre Amp Mono Block Cable / Sat Box 10 DAC Audio-Powered Receiver or Integrated Amplifier DAC
Phono Amp Flat Screen Monitor / Projector Mono Block Line-Level Pre Amp Universal / CD Player Cable / Sat Box Line-Level Pre Amp Streamer DAC Phono Amp Cable / Sat Box DAC DAC Line-Level Pre Amp Line-Level Pre Amp MonoMono BlockBlock Turntable or Cable Satellite box Phono Phono Amp Amp / Sat Box CableCable / Sat Box DAC DAC 11
Operation and Continuous Use Power Switch | Circuit Breaker and LED Power Indicator Once the AC cords are properly connected to the AC source tap, and the components are connected to the appropriate outlet banks, it is safe to energize the Niagara 1200. On the left side of the Niagara 1200’s chassis, there is a black rocker switch. Firmly press the rocker switch so that its upper portion is flush with the end-cap or panel. This position is marked with the number “1.
Break-in Time | Continuous Use The Niagara 1200 is made of a variety of passive and active components. Though every attempt has been made to reduce the necessity of so-called “break-in,” “burn-in,” or “run-in” time—including high-power run-in of every critical capacitor in the Linear Noise-Dissipation Circuits—the Niagara 1200 will benefit from continuous use, just like any other audio/video component.
Specifications 14 Surge Suppression: Non-sacrificial (nothing to damage with repeated 6000V/3000A input surge tests, which is the maximum that can survive through a building’s AC electrical panel). Extreme Voltage Shutdown Voltage: 140VAC (will activate the main high-current relay to open within less than 0.25 second; automatically resets once the incoming power is within a safe range).
Number of AC Outlets: 7 (2 High Current/Ground Noise Dissipated; 5 Ultra-Linear Filtered/Ground Noise Dissipated). Power Consumption: Typically, less than 5W at 120VAC input. Dimensions: Width 19.61” Height 3.41” Depth 7.52” Weight: 15.10 lbs.
Troubleshooting Guide At AudioQuest, we always appreciate hearing from you. However, if you have questions, problems, or suspect that your Niagara 1200 requires service, please start here. There is no power to any of the AC outlets. When the Niagara 1200’s front-panel LED power indicator glows blue, the unit is operational.
If you discover that one or multiple products activate the circuit breaker, check the current consumption rating of that/those products. (Typically, this information can be found on the last page of the component’s owner’s manual; it should be listed as the power consumption at 120VAC.) The current specification will typically be in watts. Know that 15 amps at 120VAC equals 1800 watts. (You will want to be at least slightly under that number.
I have two powered loudspeakers or an additional powered subwoofer. Can I use one of the Linear Filtered outlets? The circuit utilized for these five AC outlets is in part a series filter, so by definition it will raise the AC impedance slightly (although the circuit utilized in the Niagara 1200 can sustain an extraordinary 50 amps peak before soft clipping occurs). Like many system interactions, it’s impossible to simply intuit whether current compression is a concern; it will vary by amplifier.
grime is beyond a polishing cloth’s capacity to thoroughly clean. Never use alcohol or solvent-based cleaners. They can damage the surfaces and silk-screening material. The AC inlet, outlet posts, and grips are all generously plated with silver. There is no need to clean these if they are not exposed to foreign substances such as grease and dirt. Silver oxide is a superior conductor to silver itself.
Warranty The Quest Group, DBA: AudioQuest, warrants to the original purchaser of this AudioQuest Niagara 1200, will be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year. The purchaser of the product is allowed 30 days from the date of purchase to complete the warranty registration by mail or on-line at the AudioQuest website. If the purchaser completes the aforementioned registration, the warranty period will be increased to five years from the date of purchase.
spike, or over-voltage event, unless AudioQuest determines after thorough inspection and testing by AudioQuest (with product shipped to AudioQuest USA at the owner’s expense), that the protection circuitry was in whole or in part improperly functioning. AudioQuest is not responsible for any connected equipment that is damaged due to external signal lines (non-AC power lines), that carry an electrical storm or signal wiring fault surge or spike (such as Ethernet, cable, and satellite connections).
THE FOREGOING IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Warranty claims should be accompanied by a copy of the original purchase invoice showing the date of purchase. (If a Warranty Registration Card was mailed in at the time of purchase or if the product was registered online, this is not necessary.) Before returning any equipment for repair, please be sure it is adequately packed and cushioned in either the original or a new AudioQuest factory-supplied polybag, foam insert pair, and dual carton set to protect against damage in shipment, and that it is insured.
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