~NALOG AND DIGITAL PRODUCTS S-SERIES BIAS LEVEL I 04 0 O~ I 40 ~0 01 10 KSA-100S / 200S/300S OWNER’S REFERENCE
INTRODUCTION Thank you for your purchase of the KRELL KSA-100S/200S/300S power amplifier. These amplifiers represent the latest evolution in amplifier technology, matching unprecedented performance with convenience not obtainable from most high performance audio designs. Throughout this Reference we will refer to all three of the amplifiers as KSA. All three amplifiers operate identically, while their sonic characteristics, specifications, and dimensions vary.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 UNPACKING 5 LOCATION AND REMOTE TURN-ON 6 CABINETRY AND AC POWER CONSIDERATIONS 7 AMPLIFIER FEET AND REMOTE MASTER/SLAVE 9 INPUT AND OUTPUT CONNECTIONS 12 AMPLIFIER OPERATION 13 TURN-ONDESCRIPTION 14 SYSTEMNOISE 15 CONNECTIONS BIAS LEVEL METER 16 FRONT PANEL METERBUTTON 17 REMOTECONTROLFUNCTIONS 18 PROTECTION CIRCUITRY AND TROUBLESHOOTINGSTEPS 20 22 23 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SPECIFICATIONS WARRANTY AND SERVICE INFORMATION PAGE 3
UNPACKING NOTE:Due to the extreme weight of the KSAamplifiers, it is strongly advised that unpacking and placement is completed by at least two individuals. 1. Open the box. 2. Fold back the flaps on all four sides of the box and carefully roll it over on to the exposed end. 3. Pull the box straight up and off exposing the foam packing material. 4. Pull the foam piece from the exposed end of the amplifier. 5. Roll the amplifier of foam.
BASIC INSTALLATION LOCATION Place the KSAon a firm level surface away from excessive dirt or moisture. When using custom racks or cabinetry, keep in mind the weight and ventilation requirements for these amplifiers. Ideally the amplifier should be placed as close to the speakers as possible. It is preferable to run long balanced interconnect cables to the amplifier and keep speaker cable length to a minimum. Speaker cable adds impedance to the load the amplifier must drive, regardless of the cable’s gauge.
BASIC INSTALLATION CABINETRY CONSIDERATIONS High bias amplifiers dissipate much of the power they consume in heat. Because the KSA- 100S/200S/300S utilize Sustained Plateau Biasing, they remain cool when not in use. When the KSAis in use, it can become quite hot. Therefore, the KSAshould be installed in a location that provides unobstructed ventilation. If you must install the unit on shelves or in a cabinet, extra ventilation may be necessary.
BASIC INSTALLATION AMPLIFIER FEET The feet on the KSAcan be used in several different ways. They are made from machined Delrin and are supplied with separate threaded rubber bottoms. The rubber bottoms can be screwed into the feet for protection of fragile surfaces such as hardwood floors or furniture. For use on rugs, we recommend using the feet without the rubber bottoms. KSA feet can also accept the KRELLAMDs(Acoustic Mass Damper). The AMDis a type spiked foot that threads into the bottom of the foot.
BASIC INSTALLATION 4. Connect additional amplifiers as described in step 3. 5. Whenthe cables are all in place, point the remote control at the amplifier designated as Master and press the Power button. The amplifiers will all turn on at the same time. The meter display for each amplifier may vary. Manually change the meter display via the front panel until all of the meters match. The amplifier will remember the meter setting when cycled On/Off via the remote control or front panel switch.
CONNECTIONS INPUT AND OUTPUT CONNECTIONS CAUTION:When making connections to this component or any other, make sure the power amplifier is OFF and the preamplifier is in the MUTEor STAND-BY mode. The wiring to and from the amplifier, and all components in, general, should be arranged in a neat, organized manner. Specifically, AC wires should be separated from audio wires. This practice avoids hum or other unwanted noise from being induced into the system. 1.
CONNECTIONS The pin pin pin pin 1 = 2 = 3 = assignment for the XLRis: shield (ground) non-inverting input (hot) inverting input NOTE:The RCAcenter conductor for each channel is wired in parallel with pin 2, the non-inverted input. Only one of these inputs should be connected to a preamplifier. Do not attempt to use the single-ended and balanced inputs simultaneously. 3. Insert the AC power cord into the receptacle located on the back of the KSA. Insert the other end into the wall AC receptacle.
CONNECTIONS LOUDSPEAKERS KSA AMPLIFIER R L PAGE 11
OPERATION AMPLIFIER OPERATION Understanding the ’operation of the amplifier is very easy. Equally important is an understanding of the care that should be exercised when operating the system as a whole, in relation to the enormous power output of the KSA. Simple mistakes, such as switching between active sources without muting the preamplifier output, or bumping/miscuing a cartridge, can generate large transients at low frequencies.
OPERATION DESCRIPTION OF TURN-ON SEQUENCE When turning on the system, the amplifier should always be last. The KSAOn/Off switch is part of a multi-level turn-on circuit that goes through several steps of protection. Upon turn-on, the amplifier’s outputs are not connected to the speakers. After the protection circuits have determined that the unit has completely stabilized, the speaker relays will engage. You will hear a click at this point.
OPERATION SYSTEM NOISE CONSIDERATIONS AC grounding often becomes critical when connecting high performance audio gear. When mixing and matching audio components, each with their own ground potentials, a low frequency hum can become present in one or both speakers. This can often occur when introducing a new component into the system. If there is a low frequency hum coming from the speakers when the KSAis connected into the system, follow these simple trouble-shooting steps: 1.
OPERATION BIAS LEVEL METER The KSAamplifiers utilize Sustained Plateau Biasing, a proprietary KRELL design. The Bias display meter on the front panel of the amplifier displays which level of bias the amplifier is utilizing. Unlike sliding bias designs, Sustained Plateau Bias only changes level when the demand situation relative to input and source material changes. The signal passes through a section called an Anticipator circuit.
OPERATION FRONT PANEL METER BUTTON A small button beneath the Power button on the front panel controls Bias Meter display illumination. Whenengaged, the meter display will no longer indicate bias levels; only the Blue pilot LEDwill be visible. The Bias Level meter can also be turned on or off via the remote control.
OPERATION REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS The KSA-100S/200S/300S are the first high performance amplifiers to utilize remote control functions. The amplifiers can be switched on or offand the meter function can be changed from your listening position via the handheld remote control. The KSAremote control duplicates the front panel switches on the amplifiers. The Power button will turn the amplifier on and off, while the Meter button will choose between a full bias meter display or no bias LED illumination.
OPERATION PROTECTION CIRCUITRY There are no fuses in the KSA. The amplifier is protected by a series of nonintrusive, opto-coupled circuits that constantly evaluate the amplifier’s operation. Appropriate protective action exists for DC conditions, short circuit, oscillation, ACpower anomalies, high ground resistance and out-ofphase ground.
OPERATION Should the amplifier turn off when either output cable is connected, the problem is cable or speaker related. Check to make sure there are good mechanical connections on the speaker cabling and there are no frayed ends or wires shorting the output terminals together. Have your speaker cables checked and repaired if necessary by your dealer before proceeding. 3. If the amplifier turns on normally to the output, turn the amplifier off for one channel only.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWER Q. Should I leave the KSAon at all times? A. Because of Sustained Plateau Bias, the KSAcan be left on at all times without fear of damage, excessive heat or excessive power consumption. The KSA amplifier however, is designed to be turned On/Off, and can do so without degradation. The amplifier will work at full performance within minutes of turn-on. Q. When I push the power button on the front doesn’t turn on. What should I do? of the KSA, the amplifier A.
QUESTIONS Q. My speakers axe only rated for 150 watts, going to be too much power for them? AND ANSWER is the KSA-200 or KSA-300 A. Seldom do you break a speaker by over powering it. Usually lower powered amplifiers will clip driving a loud speaker during heavy demand situations and consequentially damage the speaker. KRELL amplifiers can break speakers, but a responsible listener should know the limitations of his/her system and exercise caution.
SPECIFICATIONS AMPLIFIER KSA- 100S KSA-200S KSA-300S THD (1KHz/20KHz) 0.1%/0.5% 0.1%/0.3% 0.1%/0.3% GAIN 26.0dB 25.5dB 25.5dB SIGNAL TO NOISE 100dB 108dB 110dB INPUT SENSITIVITY 1.4VRMS 2.1VRMS 2.5VRMS INPUT 47K 47K 47K 113/40.0 139/49.0 100W 200W 400W 800W 200W 400W 800W 1600W 300W 600W 1200W 2400W 19.25" 19.0" 8.5" 21.0" 19.0" 8.5" 25.0" 19.0" 8.5" 95LBS 125LBS 200LBS IMPEDANCE OUTPUT VOLTAGE (PEAK TO PEAK/RMS) 8O.0/28.
WARRANTY AND SERVICE THERE ARE NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE THE KSA-100S/200S/300S. The KSA-100S/200S/300S has a limited and transferable warranty of five years for parts and labor. The warranty period begins on the date of retail purchase, as noted on the retail sales slip provided by an authorized KRELLDealer or Distributor, or on the warranty registration card sent to KRELL.
KRELL 45 Connair Road Orange, CT 06477 SALES (203) 799-9954 FAX (203) 799-9796 © 1994 KRELL INDUSTRIES (KSA9406)
