Alto Mistral-900 Users Manual

R

LTO

User's Manual

MISTRAL 900/1500

STEREO POWER AMPLIFIER

www.altoproaudio.com

Version 1.0 OCT. 2007

English

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTION

CAUTION

RISK OFELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOTOPEN

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER OR
THE BACK PANEL OF THIS EQUIPMENT.
THERE ARE NO PARTS NEEDED BY USER
INSIDE THE EQUIPMENT. FOR SERVICE,
PLEASE CONTACT QUALIFIED SERVICE
CENTERS.

This symbol, wherever used, alerts you to the

presence of un insulated and dangerous voltages
within the product enclosure. These are voltages that
may be sufficient to constitute the risk of electric
shock or death.

This symbol, wherever used, alerts you to
important operating and maintenance instructions.

Please read.

Protective Ground Terminal
AC mains (Alternating Current)

Hazardous Live Terminal
ON: Denotes the product is turned on.
OFF: Denotes the product is turned off.

CAUTION

Describes precautions that should be observed to
prevent damage to the product.

1.

Read this Manual carefully before operation.
Keep this Manual in a safe place.

2.

Be aware of all warnings reported

3.

with this symbol.

4.

Keep this Equipment away from water and
moisture.

5.

Clean it only with dry cloth. Do not use
solvent or other chemicals.

6.

Do not damp or cover any cooling opening.
Install the equipment only in accordance with
the Manufacturer's instructions.

Power Cords are designed for your safety. Do

7.

not remove Ground connections! If the plug
does not fit your AC outlet, seek advice from
a qualified electrician. Protect the power
cord and plug from any physical stress to
avoid risk of electric shock. Do not place
heavy objects on the power cord. This could
cause electric shock or fire.

Unplug this equipment when unused for long

8.

periods of time or during a storm.

Refer all service to qualified service personnel

9.

only. Do not perform any servicing other than
those instructions contained within the
User's Manual.

To prevent fire and damage to the product,

10.

use only the recommended fuse type as
indicated in this manual. Do not short circuit
the fuse holder. Before replacing the fuse,
make sure that the product is OFF and
disconnected from the AC outlet.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of electric shock
and fire, do not expose this equipment
to moisture or rain.

Dispose of this product should
notbeplacedinmunicipalwaste
and should be separate collection.

Move this Equipment only with a cart,

11.

stand, tripod, or bracket,
specified by the
manufacturer, or
sold with the
Equipment. When
a cart is used, use
caution when
moving the cart /
equipment
combination to
avoid possible
injury from tip over.

12.

Permanent hearing loss may be caused by
exposure to \ extremely high noise levels.
The US. Government's Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) has
specified the permissible exposure to noise
level.
These are shown in the following chart:

HOURS X DAY

8
6
4
3
2
1,5
1
0,5
0,25 or less

According to OSHA, an exposure to high SPL in
excess of these limits may result in the loss of
heat. To avoid the potential damage of heat, it is
recommended that Personnel exposed to
equipment capable of generating high SPL use
hearing protection while such equipment is
under operation.

The apparatus shall be connected to a mains
socket outlet with a protective earthing
connection.

The mains plug or an appliance coupler is used
as the disconnect device, the disconnect device
shall remain readily operable.

EXAMPLE

SPL

Small gig

90

train

92

Subway train

95

High level desktop monitors

97

Classic music concert

100
102
105
110
115

Rock concert

IN THIS MANUAL:

1. INTRODUCTION.........................................................................1

2. FEATURES................................................................................1

3. CONTROL ELEMENTS................................................................2

4. APPLICATION............................................................................5

5. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

6. WARRANTY.............................................................................14

.....................................................13

1. INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the MISTRAL 900/1500.
They are the line of high power, low profile, professional Power Amplifiers with
advanced features and great reliability. They deliver tremendous power in only
two rack spaces, providing high level performance under the most demanding
conditions. An automatic speed fan matches cooling capacity with heat requirements.
The amplifiers contain two independent channels, with separate AC transformer
secondaries, power supplies and protection system. Each channel has independent
protective circuitry against open circuit, short circuit, mismatched loads and
over temperature and LED indicators for operating/protection, limit, power on
and clip. The power outputs employ standard power connectors and all the inputs
are electronically balanced.

Enjoy your MISTRAL900/1500 and make sure to read this Manual carefully before
operation.

2. FEATURES

Mountable in a 19" unit (2U), stereo high power amplifier
Fantastic audio quality even with extremely high volume levels
Solid and durable can be mounted into a cabinet
User-controllable clip limiter

2 300 Watt EIAJ on 4 ohms for MISTRAL 900

2 500 Watt EIAJ on 4 ohms for MISTRAL 1500

Stereo (dual-channel) or bridge mono operating modes
Balanced XLR inputs/parallel outputs to ensure noiseless long wiring
Binding post and Neutrik Speak-on connectors for output
Single channel, bridge and bi-amp output wiring possibility
Front panel LED indicators for operating/protection, limit, power on and clip
Accurate gain control

Independent DC and thermal overload protection on each channel automatically

protects amplifier and speakers
Over-heat protection for each channel

Manufactured under QS9000, VDA 6.1 certified management system

1

SPOTLIGHT

3. CONTROL ELEMENTS

2 3

1500

CH2

OPERATING/

4 5 6

LTO

1

POWER SWITCH

POWER

1

CH1

ON

OFF

StereoPower Amplifier

It switches the amplifier ON and OFF.

2

CLIP LED

When the signal distortion reaches or surpasses 0.5% , the LED lights up. This
means the output level of signal source is too high and it is time to reduce the
input level until the LED turns off.

3

OUTPUT LIMITER LED

When the unit limits the output signal, the LED lights up.

4

OPERATION AND PROTECTION LED

When there presets signal, the yellow LED lights up. When at protection status,
the LED turns off.

5

POWER LED

This LED lights up when the unit is powered on.

6

LEVEL CONTROL (For CH1&CH2)

Adjust the output signal level to avoid signal distortion.

2

SPOTLIGHT

Rear panel

3. CONTROL ELEMENTS

7

7

COOLING FAN

NEW TDE

21

INPUT

14 11

POWER OUTPUTS

CH1

1+ 1-

12

PA ALLEL

O TPUT

POS NEG

3

CH2

2+ 2-

POS NEG

BRIDGE

LMI ER

MODE

1+ 2+

FF

TER O

ON

RI GE

POS NEG

OUTPUT1

CH2

12

1+ 1-

POS NEG

3

PARA LEL

OUT UT

OUTPUT2

3

N W IDE

3

21

12

TIPPIN 2
RING/PN 3
SLEEVEPIN 1

CH1

TIPPIN 2
RING/PN 3

MODEL

SERAL

SLEEVEPIN 1

CH2

13

9

Appar ten s all nsutas
tl jodat u t g den
ansuts il e t na ve k

CH1

BREAKER

BRDGE
MONO

CH2

810

This fan secures enough cooling for your amplifier. The fan speed is electronically
regulated depending on the temperature of the power devices.

8

IEC SOCKET FOR AC POWER CABLE

Connect the supplied main cord. Do not insert the power cord into the MISTRAL

900/1500 amplifiers and into the AC Outlet until voltage has been correctly set.

9

CIRCUIT BREAKER (Manual reset button)

This is an electronic fuse for protecting the unit from possible damage. When
the unit is overloaded or the temperature inside the unit is too high, this push
type button will spring out and disconnect the power supply. Push the Breaker
down again to restore normal working conditions.

OUTPUT CONNECTOR

10

These connectors have two kinds: Binding post and Neutrik connector. You can
choose proper connectors according to practical need. For your safety, please
be careful when do connecting work.

LIMITER SWITCH

11

Set the switch at "ON" position, when the output level is above maximum, the
clip begins, thus keeping consistent output level for protecting apparatus. If
the switch is set at "OFF" position, this clip function doesn't work.

BALANCED INPUT CONNECTOR

12

These connectors connect the input signal of CH 1 and CH 2 separately.

BALANCED OUTPUT CONNECTOR

13

These two output connectors are parallelled inside with input connectors. It enables
the unit work under parallelled mode. Please also refer to wiring diagram for
parallelled mode.

3

SPOTLIGHT

MODE SELECTOR

14

3. CONTROL ELEMENTS

The MISTRAL 900/1500 power amplifiers present two operating modes:

- Stereo Mode
In this mode, CH 1 and CH 2 operate independently (as a normal stereo amplifier).
The CH 1 input signal will be output from the CH 1 output connector, and CH 2
input signal will be output from the CH 2 output connector.

- Bridge Mode
In this mode, CH 1 input signal will be output from the bridge-mono output connector.
On the other hand, the output level control of CH 2 should be turned to the minimum.

4

4. APPLICATION

The MISTRAL 900/1500 amplifiers provide two operating modes: stereo mode and
bridge mode, you can decide each specific operating mode according to your actual
application circumstance. Please see following diagram for connecting the power
amplifier into your audio system.

- Stereo Mode

In this mode, CH 1 and CH 2 operate independently (as a conventional stereo amplifier).
The CH 1 input signal will be output from the CH 1 output connectors, and the CH 2
input signal will be output from the CH 2 output connectors.

Input Connector

3

INPUT

MOD L

SERIAL

Stereo Mode

Release this button

Balanced

GND

CH 2 CH 1

IPP N 2
RNG/P N 3
SLEEVEPIN 1

IPP N 2
RNG/P N 3
SLEEVEPIN 1

+

CH 1

NEW TDE

3

21

CH1

INPUT

NEW TDE

3

21

CH2

PARALLEL

POS NEG

3

CH2

2+ 2-

POS NEG

BRIDGE

LMI ER

MODE

1+ 2+

O F

TEREO

ON

B IDGE

OS NEG

OUTPUT

PARALLEL

OUTPUT

OUTPUT1

CH2

12

1+ 1­OS NEG

3

OUTPUT2

POWER OUTPUTS

CH1

1+ 1-

12

Appar ten sk ll nsutas
tl jodat u tag den
ansuts il e t n ve k

CH1

BREAKER

BRDGE

MONO

CH2

+

CH 2

5

- Stereo Mode

4. APPLICATION

Input Connector

Balanced

GND

1

3

2

INPUT

MODEL

SERAL

Stereo Mode

Release this button

CH 2

TIPPIN 2
RNG/P N 3
SLEEVEPIN 1

TIPPIN 2
RNG/P N 3
SLEEVEPIN 1

CH1

CH 1

NEW TDE

3

21

INPUT

NEW IDE

3

21

CH2

PARALLEL
OUTPUT

POS NEG

3

CH2

2+ 2­OS NE

BRIDGE

LMI ER

MODE

1+ 2+

O F

TER O

ON

RID E

POS NEG

OUTPUT1

CH2

12

1+ 1-

POS NEG

3

PARALLEL
OUTPUT

OUTPUT2

POWER OUTPUTS

CH1

1+ 1-

12

Appaaten s al ans utas
tl jodat u t gn rden
ansuts il e t n ve k

CH1

BREAKER

BRDGE
MONO

CH2

CH 1

+

CH 2

+

6

4. APPLICATION

- Stereo Mode

You can also operate the parallelled mode via outside wiring, so the signal input from
CH 1 or CH 2 will be output from both CH 1 and CH 2 simultaneously. The volume of
CH 1 or CH 2 can be controlled separately.

Input Connector

Balanced

+

CH 1

1

2

INPUT

GND

3

MODEL

SERAL

Stereo Mode

Release this button

CH 2

TIPPIN 2
RING/PN 3
SLEEVE/PN 1

TIPPIN 2
RING/PN 3
SLEEVE/PN 1

N W IDE

3

21

CH1

INPUT

N W TI E

3

21

CH2

PA ALLEL

O TPUT

3

PARALLEL

OUTPUT

POS NEG

CH2

2+ 2­POS NE

BRIDGE

LM TER

MODE

1+ 2+

FF

TE EO

ON

RDGE

POS NEG

OUTPUT1

CH2

12

1+ 1­POS NEG

3

OUTPUT2

POWER OUTPUTS

CH1

1+ 1-

12

Appaat n kal ans u as
t l j rdat tag arden
ansu s ll tt vek

CH1

BREAKER

B IDGE

MONO

CH2

CH 2

7

- Stereo Mode

4. APPLICATION

Input Connector

Balanced

GND

1

3

2

INPUT

MODEL

Stereo Mode

Release this button

TP/P N 2
RNG PIN 3
SLEEVEPIN 1

NEW TDE

3

21

PA ALLEL

CH1

NPUT

TP/P N 2
RNG PIN 3
SLEEVEPIN 1

NEW TDE

3

ERIAL

1

CH2

POWER OUTPUTS

CH1

1+ 1-

12

OS NEG

3

CH2

2+ 2-

POS NEG

BRIDGE

LMIT R

MODE

1+ 2+

O F

TEREO

ON

BRDGE

POS NEG

O TPUT

PARALLEL

OUTPUT

OUTPUT1

CH2

12

1+ 1-

POS NEG

3

OUTPUT2

A para en ska l a sl tas

ll o dat u tag r d n
nsuts il e t na verk

CH1

BREAKER

BRDGE
MONO

CH2

CH 2

CH 1

+

CH 2

+

8

- Stereo Mode

4. APPLICATION

Input Connector

Balanced

GND

1

3

2

INPUT

MOD L

ERIAL

Stereo Mode

Release this button

TP/P N 2
RNG PIN 3
SLEEVEPIN 1

TP/P N 2
RNG PIN 3
SLEEVEPIN 1

CH1

CH2

CH 1

NEW TDE

3

21

NPUT

NEW TDE

3

21

PARALLEL

OUTPUT

+

CH 1

POWER OUTPUTS

CH1

1+ 1-

12

POS NEG

3

CH2

2+ 2-

POS NEG

BRIDGE

LMIT R

MODE

1+ 2+

O F

TEREO

ON

BRDGE

OS NEG

OUTPUT1

CH2

12

1+ 1­OS NEG

3

PARALLEL

OUTPUT

OUTPUT2

A par tensk ll nsl tas
tll odat u tag r en
ansuts il e t n verk

CH1

BREAKER

BRDGE
MONO

CH2

CH 2

9

- Stereo Mode

INPUT

4. APPLICATION

Input Connector

Balanced

GND

1

3

2

MODEL

SERAL

Stereo Mode

Release this button

TIPPIN 2
RNG/P N 3
SLEEVEPIN 1

TIPPIN 2
RNG/P N 3
SLEEVEPIN 1

CH1

CH2

CH 1

NEW TDE

21

INPUT

POWER OUTPUTS

CH1

1+ 1-

12

PARALLEL

OUTPUT

POS NEG

3

CH2

2+ 2-

POS NEG

BRIDGE

LMI ER

MODE

1+ 2+

FF

TER O

ON

RI GE

POS NEG

OUTPUT1

CH2

12

1+ 1-

POS NEG

3

PARALLEL

OUTPUT

OUTPUT2

3

N W IDE

3

21

Appaaten s al ans ut s
tl jodat u t g den
ansuts il e t na ve k

CH1

BREAKER

BRDGE
MONO

CH2

CH 1

+

CH 2

+

10

4. APPLICATION

- Bridge Mode

In this mode, the CH 1 input signal will be output from the bridge output connector.
On the other hand, the output level control of CH 2 should be turned down to smallest
(turn the volume control at counterclockwise). Only the volume control of CH 1 is used
to control the volume of the whole system.

Input Connector

Balanced

GND

3

INPUT

MODEL

S RIAL

Bridge Mode

Press this button

TP/P N 2
RNG PIN 3
SLEEVEPIN 1

TP/P N 2
RNG PIN 3
SLEEVEPIN 1

CH1

CH 1

NEW TDE

3

21

NPUT

NEW TDE

3

21

CH2

PARALLEL

OUTPUT

POS NEG

3

CH2

2+ 2-

POS NEG

BRIDGE

LMIT R

MODE

1+ 2+

OF

S EREO
BRDGE

ON

OS NEG

OUTPUT1

CH2

12

1+ 1­OS NEG

3

PARALLEL

OUTPUT

OUTPUT2

POWER OUTPUTS

CH1

1+ 1-

12

Ap ara en ska l a slu as

ll or atu tag nar d n
nsuts t le t n verk

CH1

BREAKER

BRDGE
MONO

CH2

CH 2

CH 1

11

- Bridge Mode

INPUT

4. APPLICATION

Input Connector

Balanced

GND

3

MODEL

S RIAL

Bridge Mode

Press this button

TP/P N 2
RNG PIN 3
SLEEVEPIN 1

CH1

TP/P N 2
RNG PIN 3
SLEEVEPIN 1

CH 1

NEW TDE

3

21

NPUT

NEW TDE

3

1

CH2

PARALLEL
OUTPUT

POS NEG

3

CH2

2+ 2-

POS NEG

BRIDGE

LMIT R

MODE

1+ 2+

OF

S EREO

ON

BRDGE

OS NEG

OUTPUT1

CH2

12

1+ 1-

POS NEG

3

PARALLEL

OUTPUT

OUTPUT2

POWER OUTPUTS

CH1

1+ 1-

12

A para en ska l a slu as

ll or atu tag r d n
nsuts t le t na verk

CH1

BREAKER

BRDGE
MONO

CH2

CH 2

CH 1

12

6. WARRANTY

1. WARRANTY REGISTRATION CARD

To obtain Warranty Service, the buyer should first fill out and return the enclosed
Warranty Registration Card within 10 days of the Purchase Date.
All the information presented in this Warranty Registration Card gives the
manufacturer a better understanding of the sales status, so as to provide a
more effective and efficient after-sales warranty service. Please fill out all the
information carefully and genuinely, miswriting or absence of this card will void
your warranty service.

2. RETURN NOTICE

2.1 In case of return for any warranty service, please make sure that the
product is well packed in its original shipping carton, and it can protect your
unit from any other extra damage.

2.2 Please provide a copy of your sales receipt or other proof of purchase with
the returned machine, and give detail information about your return address
and contact telephone number.

2.3 A brief description of the defect will be appreciated.

2.4 Please prepay all the costs involved in the return shipping, handling and
insurance.

3. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

3.1 warrants that this product will be free from any defects in materials

LT O
and/or workmanship for a period of 1 year from the purchase date if you
have completed the Warranty Registration Card in time.

3.2 The warranty service is only available to the original consumer, who purchased
this product directly from the retail dealer, and it can not be transferred.

3.3 During the warranty service, may repair or replace this product at its
own option at no charge to you for parts or for labor in accordance with the
right side of this limited warranty.

3.4 This warranty does not apply to the damages to this product that occurred
as the following conditions:

Instead of operating in accordance with the user's manual thoroughly, any abuse
or misuse of this product.
Normal tear and wear.
The product has been altered or modified in any way.

Damage which may have been caused either directly or indirectly by another

product / force / etc.
Abnormal service or repairing by anyone other than the qualified personnel or
technician.

And in such cases, all the expenses will be charged to the buyer.

3.5 In no event shall be liable for any incidental or consequential damages.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so the above exclusion or limitation may not apply to
you.

3.6 This warranty gives you the specific rights, and these rights are compatible
with the state laws, you may also have other statutory rights that may vary
from state to state.

LT O

LT O

14

NO. 1, Lane 17, Sec. 2, Han Shi West Road, Taichung 40151, Taiwan

SEIKAKU TECHNICAL GROUP LIMITED

http://www.altoproaudio.com Tel: [phone]

email: [e-mail] Fax: [phone]

All rights reserved to ALTO. All features and content might be changed

without prior notice. Any photocopy, translation, or reproduction of part of this

manual without written permission is forbidden. Copyright 2007 Seikaku Group

c