ART Pro Audio SDA1 User Manual

SDA-1

STUDIO DIGITAL AMPLIFIER

USER’S GUIDE

The ART

SDA-1 Studio Digital Amplifier

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTION – READ FIRST ....................................................................... 3

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 4

ADVANTAGES .................................................................................................................................. 4

FEATURES ........................................................................................................................................ 5

INSTALLATION .................................................................................................................................... 6

AC POWER HOOKUP ....................................................................................................................... 6

AUDIO CONNECTIONS .................................................................................................................... 6

OPERATION PRECAUTIONS ........................................................................................................... 6

CONTROLS & INDICATORS – FRONT PANEL .................................................................................. 7

POWER SWITCH .............................................................................................................................. 7

CHANNEL ATTENUATORS .............................................................................................................. 7

SIGNAL LED INDICATOR ................................................................................................................. 7

CLIP LED INDICATOR ...................................................................................................................... 7

PROTECT LED INDICATOR ............................................................................................................. 7

REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS ........................................................................................................... 8

INPUTS .............................................................................................................................................. 8

¼” INPUT JACKS .............................................................................................................................. 8

XLR INPUT JACKS ............................................................................................................................ 8

AMP MODE SWITCH ........................................................................................................................ 8

OUTPUT BINDING POST .................................................................................................................. 9

FUSE ................................................................................................................................................. 9

AC POWER INPUT ............................................................................................................................ 9

OPERATION ....................................................................................................................................... 10

NORMAL OPERATION.................................................................................................................... 10

MONO BRIDGE OPERATION ......................................................................................................... 10

PROTECTION ................................................................................................................................. 10

WARRANTY INFORMATION ............................................................................................................. 12

LIMITED WARRANTY ..................................................................................................................... 12

EXCLUSIONS .................................................................................................................................. 12

SERVICE ............................................................................................................................................ 13

SDA-1 SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................................................................. 14

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTION – READ FIRST

This symbol, whenever it appears, alerts you This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts
to the presence of uninsulated dangerous you to important operating and maintenance
voltage inside the enclosure-voltage that instructions in the accompanying literature.
may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock. Read read manual.

Read instructions: Retain these safety and operating instructions for future reference. Heed all warnings
printed here and on the equipment. Follow the operating instructions printed in this user guide.

Do not open: There are no user serviceable parts inside. Refer any service work to qualified technical
personnel only.

Power sources: Connect the unit to mains power only of the type described in this user guide or marked on
the rear panel. The power source must provide a good ground connection.

Power cord: Use the power cord with sealed mains plug appropriate for your local main supply as provided
with the equipment. If the provided plug does not fit into you outlet consult your service agent. Route the power
cord so that it is not likely to be walked on, stretched or pinched by items placed upon or against.

Grounding: Do not defeat the grounding and polarization means of the power cord plug. Do not remove or
tamper with the ground connection on the power cord.

Ventilation: Do not obstruct the ventilation slots or position the unit where the air required for ventilation is
impeded. If the unit is to be operated in a rack, case or other furniture ensure that it is constructed to allow
adequate ventilation.

Moisture: To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock do not expose the unit to rain, moisture or use in damp
or wet conditions. Do not place container of liquid on it, which may spill into any openings.

Heat: Do not locate the unit in a place close to excessive heat or direct sunlight, as this could be a fire hazard.
Locate the unit away from any equipment, which produces heat such as: power supplies, power amplifiers and
heaters.

Environment: Protect from excessive dirt, dust, heat, and vibration when operating and storing. Avoid tobacco
ash, drink spillage and smoke, especially that associated with smoke machines.

Handling: To prevent damage to the controls and cosmetics avoid rough handling and excessive vibration.
Protect the controls from damage during transit. Use adequate padding if you need to ship the unit. To avoid
injury to yourself or damage to the equipment take care when lifting, moving or carrying the unit.

Servicing: Switch off the equipment and unplug the power cord immediately if it is exposed to moisture, spilled
liquid, objects fallen into opening, the power cord or plug becomes damaged during a lightning storm or if
smoke odor or noise is noted. Refer servicing to qualified technical personnel only.

Installation: Install the unit in accordance with the instruction printed in the user guide.

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INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing an ART SDA-1 Studio Digital Amplifier - and
congratulations: you now own one of the most versatile amplifiers available.
Offering a superb level of sound quality, the SDA-1’s clean and powerful
circuitry combined with a straightforward user interface quickly and easily
delivers the power you need for professional and project studio monitoring.

Why would you choose a Digital switching amp over an Analog Linear amp.
Theoretical power efficiency of class D amplifiers is 100%. That is to say, all
of the power supplied to it is delivered to the load, none is turned to heat.
This is because an ideal switch in its on state will conduct all current but has
no voltage across it, hence no heat is dissipated. And when it is off, it will
have the full supply voltage standing across it, but no current flows through
it. Again, no heat is dissipated. Real-life power MOSFETs are not ideal
switches, but practical efficiencies well over 90% are common. By contrast,
linear AB-CLASS amplifiers are always operated with both current flowing
through and voltage standing across the power devices. An ideal class B
amplifier has a theoretical maximum efficiency of 78%.

Advantages

Despite the complexity involved, a properly designed class D switching
amplifier offers the following benefits:

 Reduction in size and weight of the amplifier,
 Reduced power waste as heat dissipation and hence smaller (or no)

heat sinks,

 No need for internal fan cooling,
 Reduction in cost vs. weight due to smaller heat sink and compact

circuitry,

 Very high power conversion efficiency, usually better than 90% above

one quarter of the amplifier's maximum power, and 50% or better at
low power levels.

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Features

• Studio Digital Audio Amplifier

• High Efficiency Switching Amplifier and Power Supply

• Lighter and Cooler than Conventional Audio Amplifiers

• Extremely Low Noise and Distortion Design

• 140 Watts/Channel @ 8 Ohms

• 200 Watts/Channel @ 4 Ohms

• 400 Watts/Bridged Mono @ 8 Ohms

• 280 Watts/Bridged Mono @ 70 V line operation

• 20 Hz to 20 kHz within +/- 0.5dB

• XLR & ¼” Inputs

• Multi-Way Binding Post Outputs

• Recessed “Pop Out” Detented Attenuator Knobs

• Low Profile 1U Rackmountable Design

• All Steel and Aluminum Chassis

• Perfect for Pro and Project Studios

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