LEVEL 12 9 15 LEVEL 18 12 ODEP 21 9 15 18 21 ON 24 6 24 6 OFF SIGNAL / IOC 27 3 0 30 27 3 CH1 CH2 0 30 ENABLE Model: Macro-Tech 3600VZ Some models may be exported under the name Amcron.® © 1997 by Crown International, Inc., P.O. Box 1000, Elkhart, IN 46515-1000 U.S.A. Telephone: 219-294-8000. Fax: 219-294-8329. Macro-Tech amplifiers are produced by the Professional Audio Division of Crown International, Inc.
3 YEAR THREE YEAR FULL WARRANTY 3 YEAR WORLDWIDE NORTH AMERICA SUMMARY OF WARRANTY The Crown Audio Division of Crown International, Inc., 1718 West Mishawaka Road, Elkhart, Indiana 46517-4095 U.S.A.
The information furnished in this manual does not include all of the details of design, production, or variations of the equipment. Nor does it cover every possible situation which may arise during installation, operation or maintenance. If your unit bears the name “Amcron,” please substitute it for the name “Crown” in this manual. If you need special assistance beyond the scope of this manual, please contact our Technical Support Group. Crown Audio Division Technical Support Group Plant 2 SW, 1718 W.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier CONTENTS 1 Welcome ............................................................................ 6 1.1 Unpacking ................................................................... 6 1.2 Features ...................................................................... 7 2 Facilities ............................................................................ 8 3 Installation ....................................................................... 10 3.1 Mounting ..............
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier ILLUSTRATIONS 1.1 2.1 2.2 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 4.1 4.2 4.3 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 7.1 8.1 8.2 Macro-Tech 3600VZ Amplifier ................................................... 6 Front Facilities ........................................................................... 8 Rear Facilities ........................................................................... 9 Mounting Dimensions .....................
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier LEVEL 12 9 15 LEVEL 18 12 ODEP 21 15 18 9 21 3 27 ON 24 6 24 6 OFF SIGNAL / IOC 27 3 0 30 CH1 CH2 0 30 ENABLE Fig. 1.1 Macro-Tech 3600VZ Amplifier 1 Welcome Congratulations on your purchase of the Macro-Tech® 3600VZ® professional power amplifier. It is the first audio amplifier to offer Crown’s patented Variable Impedance (VZ) power supplies.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 1.2 Features The Macro-Tech 3600VZ amplifier uses the latest technology and miniaturized design to deliver the highest power and value for its size, weight and price. Crown’s grounded bridge™ output and patented ODEP protection circuitry combine to provide performance and reliability that surpass all conventional amplifier designs. Macro-Tech amplifiers also have an independent high voltage power supply for each channel.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier LEVEL 12 15 9 LEVEL 18 12 ODEP 21 15 18 9 21 3 27 ON 24 6 24 6 OFF SIGNAL / IOC 27 3 30 0 A B CH1 CH2 C D D C 30 0 B ENABLE E F Fig. 2.1 Front Facilities 2 Facilities A. Dust Filter The dust filters remove large particles from the air at the air intake. Check filters regularly to be sure they do not become clogged. The filter elements can be easily removed for cleaning by gently pulling them away from the front panel (see Sections 3.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 120 VAC / 60 Hz / 30 A IMPORTANT: CLASS 1 OUTPUT WIRING REQUIRED. PUSH PUSH INPUT INPUT 100 VAC / 20 A / 50-60 Hz 120 VAC / 20 A / 50-60 Hz 3 Programmable Input Processor (P.I.P.) 230 VAC / 10 A / 50-60 Hz ® INTERNATIONAL, INC. ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT SERIAL NUMBER CH-1 WARNING: MAXIMUM OUTPUT: 1800 WATTS PER CHANNEL INTO 2 OHMS AT 1 KHz WITH NO MORE THAN 0.1% THD. ELKHART, IN 46517 MADE IN U.S.A. CH-2 FX PUSH TO RESET 000000 STEREO PARALLEL MONO REG. U.S.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 3 Installation 3.1 Mounting Macro-Tech amplifiers are designed for standard 19 inch (48.3 cm) rack mounting and “stack” mounting without a cabinet. In a rack cabinet, it is best to mount them one on top of the other. This provides efficient air flow and enables each unit to support the one above. Important: Due to its weight, the back of the amplifier should be supported.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 3.3 Wiring The following section describes common ways to install your amplifier in a sound system. The input and output terminals are located on the rear panel. Please use care when making connections, selecting signal sources and controlling the output level. The load you save may be your own! Crown assumes no liability for damaged loads resulting from careless amplifier use or deliberate overpowering. 3.3.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 3.3.2 Bridge-Mono Operation Bridge-Mono mode is intended for driving loads with a net impedance of 4 ohms or greater. (See ParallelMono if the load is less than 4 ohms.) Installing the amplifier in Bridge-Mono mode is very different from the other modes and requires special attention. not defeated in Bridge-Mono mode. Any signal fed into Channel 2 may work against and add to or distort the signal in Channel 1.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 3.3.3 Parallel-Mono Operation Parallel-Mono mode is used to drive loads with a total impedance of less than 4 ohms. (See Bridge-Mono if the load is 4 ohms or greater.) Installing the amplifier in Parallel-Mono mode is very different from the other modes and requires special attention. Note: It is normal for the IOC indicator of Channel 2 to stay on in Parallel-Mono mode. The input jack and Level control of Channel 2 are not defeated in Parallel-Mono mode.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 3.3.4 Input Connection Both the balanced XLR and phone jack inputs have a nominal impedance of 20 K ohms (10 K ohms with unbalanced wiring) and will accept the line-level output of most devices. Female XLR input connectors are provided on the standard P.I.P.-FX input module (other P.I.P. modules are described in Section 8.1).
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier SOLVING INPUT PROBLEMS Sometimes large subsonic (subaudible) frequencies are present in the input signal. These can damage loudspeakers by overloading or overheating them. To attenuate such frequencies, place a capacitor in series with the input signal line. The graph in Figure 3.10 shows some capacitor values and how they affect the frequency response. Use only low-leakage paper, mylar or tantalum capacitors. 910 Ω + A – Balanced Out – 910 Ω 1.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier shielded pair cable is another effective way to reduce or eliminate hum resulting from inductive coupling. Ground loops often result when two or more devices are improperly grounded. This causes undesirable stray currents that may produce hum in the output. The best way to avoid ground loops is to ensure that all system devices are plugged into the same power strip. In addition, make sure that all cable shields are grounded at one end only. resistance increases.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 1. Note the load resistance of the loudspeakers connected to each channel of the amplifier. Mark this value on the “Load Resistance” line of the nomograph. 2. Select an acceptable damping factor and mark it on the “Damping Factor” line. Your amplifier can provide an excellent damping factor of 1,000 from 10 to 400 Hz in Stereo mode with an 8-ohm load. In contrast, typical damping factors are 50 or lower.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 3.3.6 Additional Load Protection Because the amplifier generates enormous power, it may be desirable to protect loudspeakers (or other sensitive loads) from damage due to excessive power. A common way to do this is to put a fuse in series with the load. This may be accomplished by using a single fuse to protect the entire system, or by fusing each driver.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 4 Operation 4.1 Precautions Although the Macro-Tech 3600VZ is protected from external faults, the following precautions should be followed for safety and optimum operation: LEVEL 12 9 15 LEVEL 18 12 ODEP 21 15 18 9 21 3 27 ON 24 6 24 6 OFF SIGNAL / IOC 27 3 0 30 CH1 CH2 0 30 ENABLE 1. There are important differences among the Stereo, Bridge-Mono and Parallel-Mono operating modes (see Section 3.3). 2.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier Indicator Status ODEP OFF SIGNAL / IOC OFF ODEP SIGNAL / IOC ODEP SIGNAL / IOC ODEP SIGNAL / IOC ON Amplifier Condition There is no power to the amplifier and all indicators are off, including the Enable light. Possible reasons: (1) The amplifier’s enable switch is off. (2) The amplifier is not plugged into the power receptacle. (3) The AC circuit breaker has been tripped. (4) The amplifier’s low-voltage power supply fuse has blown.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier Its name describes what it does: Output Device Emulation Protection or ODEP. It not only simulates the operation of the output transistors but it also compares their operation to their known SOA. If ODEP sees that more power is about to be asked of the output devices than they are capable of delivering under the present conditions, ODEP immediately limits the drive level until it falls within the SOA.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier SENSITIVITY SWITCH INSIDE ACCESS HOLE most other severe conditions. The breaker can also trip in situations where extremely low-impedance loads and sustained high output levels result in current draw that exceeds the breaker’s rating. Again, this should only be possible when operating outside rated conditions or when an input signal is clipped severely. 1.4 V 26 dB 0.77 V 4.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier The Circuit Breaker Reset Buttons (PUSH TO RESET) are located on the back panel to protect the power supplies against overload. If a circuit breaker trips, the Signal/IOC indicator of the affected channel turns on (the Enable indicator remains illuminated). 4.5 Filter Cleaning Dust filters are provided on the air intakes to the cooling system (Figure 2.1).
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 5 Technical Information 5.1 Overview Your Macro-Tech VZ amplifier incorporates several new technological advancements including low-stress output stages, real-time computer simulation of output transistor conditions, advanced thermal management, a modular system for signal input and processing, and the articulated VZ power supplies. Custom protection circuitry limits temperature and current to safe levels while making the amplifier highly reliable and tolerant of faults.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier POWER TRANSISTOR Also, the lower the resistance of the power transistors, the more voltage you can deliver to the load. But when you lower the resistance of the transistors, you increase the current passing through them, and again increase the amount of heat they must dissipate. + POWER SUPPLY SPEAKER LOAD – POWER TRANSISTOR Fig. 5.1 A Typical Power Supply 5.2.
Page 26 BALANCED Fig. 5.5 Circuit Block Diagram INPUTS 1/4" PHONE XLR P.I.P.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier The balanced gain stage (U104-C,D) causes balanced-to-single-ended conversion to take place using a difference amplifier. From there, gain can be controlled with a potentiometer. The error amp (U104-A) amplifies the difference between the output signal and the input signal from the gain pot, and drives the voltage translator stage.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 6 Specifications These specifications apply to 120 VAC units in stereo mode with 8 ohm loads and an input sensitivity of 26 dB unless otherwise specified. 120 VAC, 60 Hz Units: These units are equipped with transformers rated for 120 VAC, 60 Hz power. International Units: These units are equipped with transformers for either 100 VAC, 50/60 Hz, or 230 VAC, 50/60 Hz power. Performance Frequency Response: ±0.1 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at 1 watt. See Figure 6.3.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier Controls Enable: A front panel push button used to turn the amplifier on and off. Level: A 31-position detented rotary attenuator for each channel located on the front panel used to control the output level. Stereo/Mono: A three-position back panel switch used to select Stereo, Bridge-Mono or Parallel-Mono operation. Sensitivity: A three-position switch located inside the P.I.P. compartment used to select one of three input sensitivities for both channels: 0.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier Construction Durable black powder coated steel chassis and aluminum front panel with Lexan overlay; specially designed “flow-through” ventilation from front to side panels. Cooling: Forced-air with custom heat diffusers and patented circuitry to promote uniform dissipation. Dimensions: 19 inch (48.3 cm) standard rack mount (EIA Std. RS-310-B), 3.5 inch (8.9 cm) height, 16 inch (40.6 cm) depth behind mounting surface and 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) in front of mounting surface.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier Crown specifications are guaranteed for three years. In an effort to provide you with as much information as possible about the high power-producing capabilities of your amplifier, we have created the following power matrices. Minimum Guaranteed Power Specifications Crown’s minimum power specifications represent the absolute smallest amount of output power you can expect from your amplifier when it is driven to full output under the given conditions.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier Maximum Power Specifications Crown’s maximum power specifications represent the largest amount of output power you can expect from your amplifier when it is driven to full output under the given conditions. These specifications can be used to prevent loudspeaker and hearing damage. The maximum power matrices include specifications for single cycle and 40 millisecond burst sine waves. Burst signals act like large transient peaks that are present in common source signals.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier +2 +1 0 –1 –2 8 ohm 4 ohm –3 2 ohm 1 watt dB –4 –5 –6 –7 10 100 1K 10 K 100 K FREQUENCY (Hz) Fig. 6.3 Typical Frequency Response 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 8 ohm 200 100 0 100 20 1K 10 K 20 K FREQUENCY (Hz) Fig. 6.4 Typical Damping Factor 504.0 126.8 6 dB MILLIOHMS 31.8 8.0 2.0 10 100 1K 10 K 100 K FREQUENCY (Hz) Fig. 6.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier TEF ® Measurement +45˚ 0˚ –45˚ 100 TECHRON TEF ® 1K 10 K 20 K FREQUENCY (Hz) Fig. 6.6 Typical Phase Response (Measured with a TEF® Analyzer) TEF ® –60 Measurement –66 –72 –78 dB –84 –90 –96 100 TECHRON TEF ® 1K FREQUENCY (Hz) Fig. 6.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 7 AC Power Draw and Thermal Dissipation Here are the equations used to calculate the data presented in Figure 7.1: This section provides detailed information about the amount of power and current drawn from the AC mains by the Macro-Tech 3600VZ, and the amount of heat produced under various conditions. The calculations presented here are intended to provide a very realistic and reliable depiction of the amplifier.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 8 Accessories FTE CH-2 INPUT + CH-1 INPUT – + – 8.1 P.I.P. Modules One advantage of Macro-Tech amplifiers is the ability to customize them using P.I.P. (Programmable Input Processor) and PIP2 modules. Macro-Tech amplifiers are equipped with an edge card connector inside the back panel P.I.P. compartment. The modules install easily: L BACK PANE ER OF AMPLIFI Programmable Input Processor (P.I.P.) P.I.P.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier CH-1 PUSH PUSH INPUT PUSH INPUT FMX 3 Programmable Input Processor (P.I.P.) GND 1 P.I.P.–CLP detects and prevents overload. Its compressor is driven by the amplifier’s built-in IOC error detection circuitry. Unlike typical signal-driven compressors, it only compresses the signal to prevent overload. It can deliver up to 13 dB of additional headroom without being noticeable. ISO CH-2 INPUT + + 3 CH-1 INPUTS GND 1 2 P.I.P.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 8.2 Level Control Security Kit The MA-LOCK security accessory can be used to secure your amplifier’s level controls in situations where the front panel controls are subject to tampering. The MA-LOCK security kit includes the necessary hard- ware to lock the two level controls on the front panel of any Macro-Tech amplifier. For more information, contact your local Crown dealer or Crown’s Technical Support Group. Fig. 8.
Macro-Tech 3600VZ Power Amplifier 9 Service This unit has very sophisticated circuitry which should only be serviced by a fully trained technician. This is one reason why each unit bears the following label: CAUTION: To prevent electric shock, do not remove covers. No user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to a qualified technician. Factory Service Shipping Instructions: 1.
Crown Factory Service Information Shipping Address: Crown Factory Service, Plant 2 SW, 1718 W. Mishawaka Rd.
