CONGRATULATIONS on your decision to become the proud owner of this Plinius SB-301 Power Amplifier. This manual has been prepared to help you understand the operation of your amplifier, and to provide information about its design and the variety of ways it may be used. We have designed and manufactured this amplifier to reproduce faithfully and accurately, your favourite music.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY From a distance you can see that the design of the Plinius products is more than an applied styling exercise to the front panel. We have started from the ground up to produce a casing for our electronics that is unrivalled in its physical strength and visual simplicity.
CONTENTS Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... Page 2 Design Philosophy ............................................................................................................................. Page 3 Precautions ........................................................................................................................................ Page 5 Amplifier Features - FRONT PANEL .......
PRECAUTIONS Please take special note of the following precautions before operating your new amplifier: • The Plinius SB-301 Power Amplifier may deliver in excess of 300 watts into 8 ohms. This amplifier is also capable of a very large peak current delivery. • The Plinius SB-301 Power Amplifier is capable of generating temperatures that could have an adverse effect on other equipment, furniture etc. DO NOT leave flammable material on the amplifier whilst running, as this could pose a serious fire risk.
AMPLIFIER FEATURES – FRONT PANEL STA NDBY ERROR FRONT PANEL LAYOUT SHOWING STANDBY AND ERROR LEDS STANDBY LED The Standby LED indicates when the amplifier has been put into standby mode by an external processor (connected to the remote trigger terminals described later). When the Standby LED is on, the external processor has muted the SB-301 and put the amplifier into power saving low bias mode.
AMPLIFIER FEATURES – REAR PANEL This panel incorporates all the terminals for connecting the input signals from your processor, and output to the loudspeakers, and mains supply. A reasonable understanding of this amplifier and a logical approach should ensure that you are listening to this amplifier without any difficulties at all. Please remember that your Plinius SB-301 Power Amplifier is a high quality electronic instrument capable of an exceptional level of performance.
INPUT TERMINALS Input terminals for your Plinius SB-301 Power Amplifier are easily accessible and fitted to the top centre area of the rear panel. A brief summary of connection possibilities is listed below, while a more detailed explanation follows later in this instruction manual. RCA INPUTS LEFT & RIGHT: These standard RCA terminals are for use with unbalanced signals from most signal sources such as audio preamplifiers or home theatre processors.
The ACS switch options are: RCA STEREO: This option provides a stereo output via both left and right output channels from a stereo signal connected to both left and right input RCA inputs. XLR STEREO: This option provides a stereo output signal from a balanced stereo input signal connected to both the left and right XLR inputs. All the advantages of balanced line transmission will be realised with good rejection of noise and some freedom from earth or ground loops (hum).
GROUND LIFT SWITCH This switch is located adjacent to the Mains Input Socket, and allows the signal ground to be disconnected from the chassis. In some installations a hum loop may exist due to duplicate ground paths from different equipment. Use this switch to remove the connection from 0V to ground thus allowing some flexibility in your particular set-up. MAINS POWER CORD IEC CONNECTOR This connector is where the mains supply cable from your wall connects to the amplifier.
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION PLACEMENT AND VENTILATION Your Plinius SB-301 is designed to operate at a moderately high temperature, even more so when used in Class A. The ideal location is on a rigid stand or floor mounted away from direct contact with any temperature sensitive materials or deep pile carpets. The flow of air around the amplifier should also be kept unimpeded, so ensure that the heat sinks (cooling fins) are not covered or restricted in any way to ensure adequate ventilation.
INPUT/OUTPUT CONNECTION RIGHT OUTPUTS LEFT OUTPUTS RIGHT INPUTS LEFT INPUTS + + RCA STEREO + X LR STEREO AM PLIFIER CONFIGURATION SELECTOR REFER TO OW NERS M ANUAL FOR USAGE INSTRUCTIONS + REAR PANEL SHOWING LOCATION OF INPUT/OUTPUT TERMINALS It is important that you connect your loudspeakers (outputs) and preamplifier or processor (inputs) to the Plinius SB-301 Power Amplifier correctly to ensure the amplifier is not damaged, and sounds it’s best with your system.
XLR STEREO Connect your processor or input signal to the two XLR inputs at the top of the amplifier back panel. Make sure you connect the RIGHT XLR input and LEFT XLR inputs to the right and left outputs from your processor respectively. Also make sure the XLR connectors click into place. Next connect your loudspeaker wires to the output posts on either side of the rear panel.
CONNECTING THE MAINS SUPPLY Now that your Plinius SB-301 Power Amplifier is configured to your system correctly, the mains cable can be plugged into the IEC connector on the back of the amplifier. Once the power is connected, flick the main power switch on the front panel to the right. The power LED will pulse until the circuitry within the amplifier has stabilised.
SB-301 FEATURES ERROR DETECTION The Plinius SB-301 Power Amplifier has in-built error detection. This will function under the following conditions: • • When the amplifier is overdriven/clipped If any internal fuse is damaged Should either of these circumstances arise the amplifier will disconnect both channels and mute the input. This condition will remain until the input signal level is reduced or the damaged fuse replaced.
MAINS/LINE FUSE A Mains/Line fuse is fitted within the IEC Mains/Line socket on the rear of the amplifier. A small drawer at the bottom of this socket may be removed (after the IEC plug is removed) by levering it out with a flat blade screwdriver. The fuse fitted should be rated as specified on the rear panel. In the unusual event that this fuse should blow, you must first establish the cause of this failure (such as power surges, damaged mains cable etc.
LOUDSPEAKER SELECTION Your Plinius SB-301 Power Amplifier is designed for use with high fidelity loudspeakers. It should not be used to operate any other type of appliance or equipment. Choice of loudspeakers is one of personal taste, providing the chosen loudspeakers are suitable for use with your amplifier. Be certain that your loudspeakers can handle most of the rated output power of this amplifier.
SPECIFICATIONS 310-WATTS CONTINUOUS PER CHANNEL INTO 8 OHMS. BOTH CHANNELS DRIVEN FROM 20Hz TO 20kHz. FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz to 20kHz ±0.2dB. -3dB at 1Hz and -3dB at 70kHz. DISTORTION: Typically <0.05% THD at rated power. 0.1% THD and IM worst case prior to clipping. CURRENT OUTPUT: 50A short duration peak per channel. Fuse protected. RISE TIME: Typically 5μs. PHASE RESPONSE: +0° at 20Hz and -14° at 20kHz. HUM & NOISE: 100dB below rated output 20Hz to 20kHz A-weighted. INPUT IMPEDANCE: 47kΩ.
INDEX ACS (Amplifier Configuration Selector) .......................................................................................... Page 8 Balanced Signal............................................................................................................................. Page 9 Bi-wiring...................................................................................................................................... Page 12 Date of Manufacture .................................................
CONTACT DETAILS All operational, technical and descriptive material published here is subject to change at any time without notice. For further product information or queries, please contact us at the address below. PLINIUS products are designed and manufactured by: Plinius Audio Ltd. P.O. Box 1836 Palmerston North New Zealand Phone: Facsimile: Email: Internet: 64 6 354 8583 64 6 354 8586 info@pliniusaudio.com www.pliniusaudio.com ©2005 Plinius Audio Ltd.
