THETA DIGITAL C O R P O R A T Dreadnaught II Owner’s Manual REV 1.
PREFACE CONGRATULATIONS You have just acquired the most advanced and versatile component for the amplification of audio ever to have been developed. IMPORTANT Save all packaging in a dry place away from fire hazards. Your Dreadnaught II is a precision electronic instrument and should be properly packaged any time shipment is made.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of significant magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
Dreadnaught II Identification Record This information is for your records and for future identification of the Dreadnaught II. Please take a moment to fill out all pertinent data now, and as upgrades and/or options are installed. Whenever upgrades, inquiries and/or changes are requested, the serial number will be required.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Please carefully read each item of the operating instructions and safety precautions before installing and using this product. Use extra care to follow the warnings written on the product itself and/or in the operating instructions. Keep the operating instructions and safety precautions for future reference. CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE ANY OF THE COVER PANELS. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. PERSONNEL ONLY.
Table of Contents PREFACE ........................................................................................................................................................... ii WARNING......................................................................................................................................................iii Dreadnaught II Identification Record .............................................................................................................
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INTRODUCTION Getting to know your Dreadnaught II This Dreadnaught II has been put through a rigorous and unique testing procedure that ensures that it will last for many years with minimal service requirements. This procedure includes the following: • All assembled circuit boards are given a thorough visual inspection and are then tested in a benchreference Dreadnaught II.
IMPORTANT NOTICE I. It is imperative that the Dreadnaught II be connected to a ground via its three wire AC power cord. It is important that the AC power outlet, which the Dreadnaught II is plugged into, is actually grounded. Failure to do so will severely compromise the performance, reliability and safety of use of the Dreadnaught II. II. Ventilation is an important issue when placing the Dreadnaught II in a system. Make certain that the Dreadnaught II is placed in a well-ventilated area or rack unit.
Dreadnaught II Block Diagram Figure 1 - Block Diagram (Dreadnaught II showing single channel module) 3
Dreadnaught II Block Diagram con’t.
Front Panel Layout Figure 3a - Front Panel Layout 1. STANDBY button. After the rear panel MAIN POWER switch is turned on press the front panel STANDBY button to exit the standby mode. All channels on the stereo bus will come out of standby. If the surround bus is active, with specific channels assigned to it, they will exit the standby mode as well. 2. SURROUND button. Activates/deactivates the SURROUND bus. 3. SURROUND LED. Illuminates when the surround bus is active. 4. THERMAL LED.
Front Panel Layout – Rackmount Option Figure 3b – Rackmount Front Panel Layout 1. STANDBY button. After the rear panel MAIN POWER switch is turned on press the front panel STANDBY button to exit the standby mode. All channels on the stereo bus will come out of standby. If the surround bus is active, with specific channels assigned to it, they will exit the standby mode as well. 2. SURROUND button. Activates/deactivates the SURROUND bus. 3. SURROUND LED. Illuminates when the surround bus is active. 4.
Rear Panel Layout Figure 4 – Rear Panel Layout showing both single and two channel modules installed 1. Channel THERMAL LED. Illuminates when the channel rises above the maximum operating temperature. The Dreadnaught II should be powered off and cooled when this LED is lit. 2. Channel RAIL FUSE + LED. When this LED is illuminated, the fuse on the positive rail of the channel is blown. (Internal on 2 channel modules). 3. + Module RAIL FUSE. If necessary to replace, use only same type and rating. 4.
17. BALANCED input jack – Channel B of two channel module. 18. SINGLE-ENDED input jack – Channel B on two channel module. 19. SURROUND REMOTE TRIGGER jack. When the rear panel SURROUND TRIGGER jack receives a 5-12 VDC pulse the Dreadnaught II’s surround mode will change from its current status, either on or off. 20. DB9 RS232 connector. Used for connecting a system control device to the Dreadnaught II to control and monitor its functions. 21. RJ45 RS232 connector. See DB9 RS232 connector, above. 22.
OPERATION Before turning on the Dreadnaught II, ensure that all precautions and warnings have been carefully reviewed and adhered to. Damage to the Dreadnaught II caused by improper operation, wiring and/or ventilation will not be covered under warranty and Theta will not be liable for any consequential damage or loss. When first turning on the rear panel power switch, the red STANDBY LED on the front panel will illuminate, indicating that all channels are in standby mode.
Appendix A Troubleshooting Guide If the Dreadnaught II should function abnormally during operation, please review the items in the following checklist. Please be sure to thoroughly check all other connected components such as speakers, preamplifiers, as well as cables. Symptom Possible Cause(s) Remedy No power or front panel lights and no sound. Power cable is not inserted 100% into AC input connector.
Appendix B Wiring Diagram This section provides an example illustration of an input and output wiring scheme. In this example, the Dreadnaught II has 3 single channels and two 2 channel modules installed. Before making any connections, please turn off ALL audio and video devices. Unplug those that do not have a main power switch. It is recommended that all cables, including speaker cables be kept as short as possible for best sound quality.
Appendix C RS232 Protocol RS232 settings are internally definable via jumper blocks, to accommodate interfacing with a wide range of control products. Baud rate Echo status Baud rate: Echo status: 9600 or 19200 AUTO or REQUEST Maximum number of bits per second. The duration of a single bit is equal to 1 / baud rate.
Command 01 02 Description Standby Status Argument 1 0 0 1 1 0 Argument 1 Description Main standby Main standby Surround bus Surround bus Return amplifier status. Argument 2 0 1 0 1 Argument 2 Desc Argument 3 Arg 3 Desc Put unit in standby Take unit out of standby. Make surround bus inactive. Activate surround bus. The RS232 can be set using a hardware jumper to automatically send changes to the RS232 port.
RS232 Hardware Connections Figure 6 – Dreadnaught II RS232 Jack Pinout These are the connector drawings only. The RS232 cable must be a regular RS232 or mouse extender cable, wired pin for pin.
Figure 7 – Dreadnaught II RS232 Jumper Settings RS232 Jumper Settings There are 2 possible Baud rates: 9600 and 19200. The factory default is 19200. To change the baud rate to 9600, move the jumper to the center and top pins (if the RS232 board is orientated as in figure 7). The STATUS can be returned to the controller either: automatically every time a parameter has changed, or the user can request it manually. The factory default is AUTO.
Appendix D Specifications Inputs: Analog Audio: 1 Single-ended per channel (RCA) on each module type. 1 Balanced per channel (XLR) on each module type. Input Impedance: 50 KΩ Single-ended or Balanced, for each phase (both modules). Input sensitivity: Mono Module: (Single-ended) 2.18V RMS input for 225W into 8 ohms. (Balanced) 1.09V RMS input for 225W into 8 ohms. Stereo Module: (Single-ended) 1.5V RMS input for 100W into 8 ohms. (Balanced) 0.75V RMS input for 100W into 8 ohms.
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90 DAY LIMITED WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS (3 Year optional extended service contract) 1. Theta Digital Corporation, henceforth referred to as Theta, warrants the product designated herein to be free of manufacturing defects in material and workmanship, subject to the conditions set forth herein, for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase by the original purchaser, henceforth referred to as purchaser.
