BITTNER Basic 1200 BASIC_Manual.pdf

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Amplifier

Series BASIC

Installation &

Operations Manual

Bittner-Audio 2003

BITTNER Installation & Operations Manual

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Power Amplifier Series BASIC Installation & Operations Manual
Bittner - Audio
September 2003

© 2003 Bittner-Audio. All Rights Reserved.
Bittner-Audio reserves specification privileges Information in this manual is subject to change without notice or obligation.

FULL RANGE OF BITTNER AMPLIFIERS:

BASIC THE BASIC SERIES OF BITTNER AMPLIFIERS, BASED ON THE

TECHNOLOGY OF THE SERIES XB

XB AMPLIFIERS FOR PROFESSIONAL USE,

OPTIMIZED FOR LIVE- AND FIXED INSTALLATIONS

XR CLASS H AMPLIFIER,

TOP MODEL OF THE BITTNER PRODUCT RANGE

XV AMPLIFIER WITH INTEGRATED 100V TRANSFORMERS,

DESIGNED FOR THE PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATIONS MARKET

8X VERY COMPACT EIGHT-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER,

EQUIPPED WITH FOUR INDEPENDENT POWER SUPPLIES

2 X 100W TO 2 X 600W

2 X 200W TO 2 X 400W

2 X 600W TO 2 X 2000W

2 X 100W TO 2 X 800W

8 X 100W TO 8 X 400W

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATIONS OF CONFORMITY .................................................................................................................3

CAUTION ...................................................................................................................................................3

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................................................................4

GETTING STARTED .....................................................................................................................................5

UNPACKING ...........................................................................................................................................5

INSTALLATION ........................................................................................................................................5

FRONT PANEL .......................................................................................................................................5

BACK PANEL .........................................................................................................................................5

AIR VENTILATION AND COOLING REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................................5

POWER CONNECTION .............................................................................................................................6

LED INDICATORS ...................................................................................................................................6

CONNECTIONS ...........................................................................................................................................7

AUDIO INPUT CONNECTORS ....................................................................................................................7

BALANCED AND UNBALANCED INPUTS, LEVELS ..........................................................................................7

GROUNDING ..........................................................................................................................................7

DECIBEL EXPLANATION...........................................................................................................................7

LOUDSPEAKER OUTPUT CONNECTORS.....................................................................................................8

OPERATION MODES....................................................................................................................................8

STEREO OPERATION ..............................................................................................................................8

PARALLEL OPERATION............................................................................................................................9

BRIDGED OPERATION (MONO)...............................................................................................................10

FAILURES AND POSSIBLE CAUSES ..............................................................................................................11

WARRANTY TERMS & CONDITIONS .............................................................................................................12

Congratulations and thank you for your decision buying an amplifier from BITTNER. These amplifiers are
famous for their very high reliability. Advanced technical solutions and a big amount of electronic security
circuits allow a use with great efficiency.

DECLARATIONS OF CONFORMITY

Bittner-Audio hereby declares that this product is in accordance with the following standards:
EMC Regulation 89/336/EEC (Electromagnetic Compatibility)
EN-55013 (Radio Disturbance, Emission
EN-55020 (Electromagnetic immunity)

CAUTION

To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not remove the cover. There are no user serviceable parts inside,
refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Replace fuses only with same type. Avoid damaging the AC plug or
cord. It can potentially causing a shock hazard. The unit should only be connected to an AC power supply of
the correct voltage.
To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture. Do not use this
unit in damp areas or near water.
The amplifier must be adapted slowly to extreme temperature changes. These extreme changes can cause
moisture development inside the amplifier that can cause failure and /or electrical shock.
Though the amplifiers from BITTNER are quite simple to operate and are covered by a solid steel chassis,
improper use can be dangerous. Some of the amplifiers can put out very high voltages and a sizable current
at frequencies up to 30 kHz.

NEVER isolate the ground of the AC power cord (the non-fused earthed protective conductor) to eliminate
humm-problems. See chapter ‘Grounding’.
Always use safe operating techniques! Incompetent and improper servicing can void the warranty.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Type Basic 200 Basic 400 Basic 800 Basic 1200

Number of Channels
Power at 8 Ohm
Power at 4 Ohm
Power Bridge Mode 8 Ohm
Frequency Response Full
Power 20Hz - 20kHz (dB)
THD + N (%)
Channel Crosstalk
Noise A-rated
Inputs

Input Impedance
Max. Input Signal (full signal)
Minimal Load Impedance

Current Full Power
Current 1/3 Power
Current 1/8 Power
Air Ventilation, Cooling
Weight
Dimensions
(mm)

2 2 2 2
2x 80 Watt 2x 150 Watt 2x 230 Watt 2x 350 Watt
2x 100 Watt 2x 200 Watt 2x 400 Watt 2x 600 Watt
1x 160 Watt 1x 400 Watt 1x 800 Watt 1x 1200 Watt
0 / -0,5 dB 0 / -0,5 dB 0 / -0,5 dB 0 / -0,5 dB

0,03 0,03 0,03 0,03
>85 dB >85 dB >85 dB >85 dB
102 dB 102 dB 102 dB 102 dB
electronically
balanced
15 kOhm 15 kOhm 15 kOhm 15 kOhm
+ 6 dBu + 6 dBu + 6 dBu + 6 dBu
4 Ohm 4 Ohm 4 Ohm 4 Ohm

3,2 Ampere 4,4 Ampere 6,1 Ampere 8,5 Ampere
1,9 Ampere 2,6 Ampere 3,6 Ampere 5,0 Ampere
1,2 Ampere 1,7 Ampere 2,3 Ampere 3,1 Ampere
1 controlled fan 2 controlled fans 2 controlled fans 2 controlled fans
10 kg 12 kg 13 kg 15 kg
2 HE 2 HE 2 HE 2 HE
483 x 89 x 265 483 x 89 x 265 483 x 89 x 265 483 x 89 x 454

electronically
balanced

electronically
balanced

electronically
balanced

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GETTING STARTED

Unpacking

Upon unpacking, please inspect the amplifier. If you find any damage, notify your supplier immediately. Be
sure to save the carton and all packing materials in case you have to send the product to the supplier.
Please use only the original factory packing. If the shipment carton is unavailable, contact MediasPro
Medientechnik GmbH to obtain a replacement.

Installation

The amplifiers will mount in standard 19-inch racks having sufficient depth. BITTNER-Audio recommends
using all mounting holes to secure the power amplifier in the rack.
For the installation 4 metric M6 bolts should be used.

Front Panel

Air Ventilation Grill
LED CLIP, SIGNAL, PROTECT, POWER
Main Power Switch

Channel Attenuators Channel 1 and 2

Back Panel

Main Fuse, Loudspeaker Terminals,
Input Connectors XLR-3F Channel 1 and 2,
Groundlift-Switch, Speakon NL4 FC – Loudspeaker Connectors,
Air Ventilation / Controlled Fan(s), Operation Mode Switch (Stereo, Parallel, Bridged)

Air Ventilation and Cooling Requirements

The amplifier is equipped with a forced air-cooling system with variable speed and temperature controlled
fans to guarantee low operating temperature and minimal ventilation noise. The air flow takes place from the
rear of the amplifier to the front. The air-pulling fans are installed on the back side of the unit.

The models BASIC 400, BASIC 800 and BASIC 1200 are equipped with two temperature controlled fans, the
model BASIC 200 is equipped with one temperature controlled fan.
In case any heat sink becomes too hot, the temperature sensor opens the respective output relay,
disconnecting the output load from the particular channel. In case the power transformer gets overheated, a

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different sensor causes the output relays on all channels to open and to interrupt the outputs. After cooling
down to the appropriate operating temperature the relay contacts are closed again automatically.
It is important to have adequate air ventilation space behind the amplifier to allow a proper air flow. In case
the amplifier is mounted into a closed rack, do not cover the front of the rack with doors. Using racks with a
closed backside, use fans on the rear rack panel (air flow to the inside of the rack). We recommend that for
every 3 mounted power amplifiers one open rack space (1RU) will be provided.

Power Connection

The power amplifier must be connected only with the attached three-wire safety power cord with protective
conductor (non-fused earthed conductor).

This amplifier is made for use with the mains voltage labelled on the back of the
amplifier only. Check the label on the back panel of the amplifier for the
appropriate voltage. Make sure the voltage of your mains outlet is correct.
The power voltage is factory set as labelled on the back panel and cannot be
changed afterwards. The amplifier must be ordered set to the appropriate power
voltage. Damage caused by connecting the amplifier to improper AC voltage
voids the warranty.

Always turn off and disconnect the amplifier from the mains voltage before
making any audio connections. As a precaution, turn the audio attenuators on
the front panel down during powering up.
The power fuses are located on the back panel of the amplifier and can be accessed from the outside. Use
only the appropriate fuses as labelled.

After properly mounting and connecting the AC cord and the audio connections, the unit can be switched on.
The POWER indication LED indicates that the amplifier has been turned on.
The PROTECT - LED will also light up and indicate active protection relays. This LED will turn off after 1.5
sec.

LED Indicators

The amplifier is equipped with 4 LEDs for each amplifier channel:
CLIP, SIGNAL, PROTECT and POWER

LED COLOUR FUNCTION

POWER green Indicates, that the amplifier is powered up.

CLIP red Indicates, that the input is overloaded. The LED starts illuminating as soon as the

signal is 0,5 dB under full power.

SIGNAL green Indicates, that signal reaches the output stage of the amplifier.

PROTECT red This LED will light up as soon a protection circuit has been activated or if one of

the output relays have been activated. When the amplifier is switched on, this
LED illuminated for approximately 1.5 seconds.

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2 3 1 2

+ -

GND GND

CONNECTIONS

Always turn off the amplifier before making audio connections !

Audio Input Connectors

The amplifiers series BASIC are equipped with two XLR connectors.
The audio inputs of the series BASIC amplifiers are electronically
balanced.

Standard pinout for
XLR connectors:

1 = Ground, Shield
2 = Signal positive
3 = Signal negative

3

1

Symmetrisch

+

Unsymmetrisch

Balanced and unbalanced Inputs, Levels

The amplifier can accept unbalanced or balanced lines. For optimum performance and with longer cable
runs, use balanced lines whenever possible. The driving device should be equipped with a balanced output.
With short cables inside one rack the issue is not that critical.
A balanced connection provides excellent noise immunity from interference and ground loops. A balanced
audio connection is accomplished by using a differential pair of signals, isolating them from ground. While
these connections provide great noise immunity, care must be used when connecting balanced and
unbalanced equipment together.

Grounding

The chassis ground of the amplifier is connected with the ground of the AC power cord (the non-fused
earthed protective conductor).
As soon as several devices are connected with each other in a signal chain, a ground loop is created.
Ground loops are caused when current flows from the analog ground plane of one piece of equipment to the
ground plane of another. A compensating current travels between the different devices on the shields of the
audio cables. This is mostly causing humm-problems. On the back side of the amplifier you’ll find the
GROUND LIFT switch. This switch isolates the device chassis-ground from the pin 1 of the audio connectors
and interrupts any compensating current between different devices.

NEVER isolate the ground of the AC power cord (the non-fused earthed protective conductor) to eliminate
humm-problems. This is a violation of the law and dangerous !

Decibel Explanation

A decibel is a logarithmic scale commonly used to express differences in signal levels. It is useful in audio
because it can express a wide dynamic range with relatively small numbers (or a small movement on a
meter), and it more closely matches how we perceive sound.
The measurement quoted in dB describes the ratio between the quantity of two levels, the level being
measured and a reference. The absolute quantity of the signal is not relevant. This means that decibels are
always comparing one quantity to another. For example, when we measure gain in dB, we are comparing
the output level to the input level.
To describe an absolute value, the reference point must be known. There are different reference points
defined.
dBV represents the level compared to 1 Volt RMS. 0dBV = 1V with no reference to impedance.
dBu represents the level compared to 0,775 Volt RMS on an unloaded, open circuit.

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dBm represents the power level compared to 1 mWatt. This is a level compared to 0,775 Volt RMS across a
600 Ohm load impedance.
1dBV equals +2.2dBu, +4dBu equals 1.23 Volt RMS, the reference level of -10dBV is the equivalent to a
level of -7.8dBu.

Headroom is a measure (usually in dB) of how much higher the peaks of a signal can be compared to the
nominal level without clipping. That is, it compares the peak level (in volts RMS) to the nominal level (in volts
RMS). The difference between the two (in dB) is the headroom.

Loudspeaker Output Connectors

Speaker cables must be connected to the binding post connectors with banana plugs or to the 4 pin
NEUTRIK SPEAKON connectors.

SPEAKON-connector NL4FC for channel 1 and 2:

The Speakon connector for Channel 1 is internally connected to both output channels: Channel 1 on pair
1+/1- and Channel 2 on pair 2+/2-. The Speakon connector for Channel 2 is internally connected only to
output channel 2 on pair 1+/1-.

This twin connection on output connector 1 enables the connection of two-wire
and four-wire speaker cables to connect (for instance) active-powered two­way loudspeakers. See also the illustrations at the chapter ‘Operation Modes’.

The binding post output connectors are connected internally respectively to
Channel 1 and Channel 2.
They are connected internally parallel to channel 1 and 2 of the SPEAKON­connectors. It is possible to use both connections parallel (two parallel
loudspeakers could be connected to the biding posts and/or the SPEAKON-

connector.
Please pay attention that the red binding post connector corresponds with the „1+ „ pin of the SPEAKON
connector of that channel.
In the operation mode BRIDGE, the loudspeaker cable has to be connected to the two red binding post
connectors of both channels. The ‘positive’ pole of the loudspeaker should be connected to the red
connector of channel 1, the ‘negative’ pole to the red connector of channel 2.

The impedance of the connected loudspeaker line could be between 4 Ohms and 16 Ohms. The minimal
loudspeaker impedance is 4 Ohms. In the operation mode BRIDGE the minimal impedance is 8 Ohms.

1+

2-

1-

2+

1+

2-

1-

2+

OPERATION MODES

On the rear of the amplifier you'll find a mode select switch for the three different operation modes: STEREO,
PARALLEL and BRIDGED MODE.

Stereo Operation

For stereo operation, turn the amplifier off and set the mode select switch to the STEREO position. In this
mode, both channels operate independently of each other, with their input attenuators controlling their
respective levels. Thus, an input signal at Channel 1 produces an amplified signal at the output of Channel 1,
while an input signal at Channel 2 produces an amplified signal at the output of Channel 2.
The minimum load impedance for stereo operation is 4 Ohms per channel. The level attenuators and the
SIGNAL LEDs for both channels are located at the front panel. These LEDs display the output level of the
respective channel.

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Eingang Hochton

Stereo operation with two independent channels:

CH1

1

1

CH2

CH1

3

1

3

1

CH2

3

2

3

2

Bridged
Parallel

Stereo

Eingang

2

Eingang

2

Bridged
Parallel
Stereo

Eingang Tiefton

1+

1-

2-

2+

+

1+

1-

2-

2+

+

Stereo operation with a two-way loudspeaker cabinet (both channels connected to SPEAKON connector 1):

CH1

1+

1-

2-

2+

1-

+

+

CH2

1+

2-

2+

The loudspeaker could be connected to the SPEAKON connector and / or to the binding post connector. A
mixed connection is possible too. The red binding post connector corresponds to the pin „1+” of the
SPEAKON connector.

Parallel Operation

For parallel operation, turn the amplifier off and set the mode select switch on the PARALLEL position. Both
amplifiers are then driven by the signal at Channels 1's input. Output connections are the same as for the
stereo operation.
Only the input of channel 1 is active, channel 2 is out of circuit. However, both input attenuators remain
active for individual level control. The recommended minimum nominal load impedance for the parallel
operation is 4 Ohms per channel.

Parallel Mode (both channels connected to SPEAKON connector 1):

CH1

1+

1-

2-

2+

1-

+

+

CH2

1+

2-

2+

CH1

3

12

3

1

2

CH2

Bridged
Parallel
Stereo

Eingang

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Parallel Mode (channels connected to separate SPEAKON connectors 1 and 2):

CH1

1+

1-

2-

2+

+

The loudspeaker could be connected to the SPEAKON connector and / or to the binding post connector. A
mixed connection is possible too. The red binding post connector corresponds to the pin „1+ „ of the
SPEAKON connector.

Bridged Operation (Mono)

Both amplifiers can be bridged together to create a powerful single-channel mono amplifier. Use extreme
caution when operating in bridged mode. To bridge the amplifier, turn the amplifier off and set the rear mode
select switch to the BRIDGED position.
Only the input of channel 1 is active, channel 2 is out of circuit. Both input attenuators remain active for
individual level control. Connect the speakers across the hot outputs (the + binding posts of Channels 1 and

2). For proper operation, both input attenuators must be in the same position, this keeps the load balanced
between the channel outputs. The recommended minimum nominal load impedance for the bridged
operation is 8 Ohm.

Bridged Mode (bridged channel connected to both positive pins of the two internal channels on SPEAKON
connector 1, SPEAKON connector 2 is not connected !):

1-

The loudspeaker can be connected to the SPEAKON connector 1 or to the two red binding post connectors
of channel 1 and 2. The binding post connector of channel 1 corresponds to the pin “1+“ of the SPEAKON
connector of channel 1.

CH1

1+

2-

2+

+

CH2

1+

1-

1-

2-

2+

+

CH2

1+

2-

2+

1

1

1

1

CH1

3

3

CH2

CH1

3

3

CH2

2

2

Bridged
Parallel
Stereo

2

2

Bridged
Parallel
Stereo

Eingang

Eingang

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FAILURES AND POSSIBLE CAUSES

SYMPTOM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION

The amplifier cannot be switched on. Power cord not connected properly

(the Series 8X amplifier is equipped
with TWO power cords).

Mains power not available.

Main power fuses defect.

Amplifier is switched on, audio signal
supplied but LED SIGNAL doesn’t
illuminate.

SIGNAL LED is on, but no sound. Speaker cables are not connected

Audio input cable defect or not
properly connected.

properly.

Loudspeaker defect.

Speaker cables connected to the
wrong channel.

Check the power cords and the
mains power supply.

Check the main power fuses at the
back panel of the amplifier.

Check the audio signal cables and
the signal source. .

Check the speaker cables and the
loudspeakers.

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WARRANTY TERMS & CONDITIONS

Bittner-Audio (the manufacturer) warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship.
Should any part of this equipment be defective, the Manufacturer agrees to repair or replace any defective
part free of charge (except transportation charges) for a period of three years from the date of the original
purchase.
Warranty service is effective and available to the original purchaser only.
To obtain service under this warranty, the product must, on discovery of the defect, be properly packed and
shipped to the nearest Bittner-Audio dealer. The party requesting service must provide proof of original
ownership and date of purchase of the product.

If the warranty is valid, Bittner-Audio will, without charge for parts or labour, either repair or replace the
defective parts. Without a valid warranty, the entire cost of the repair is the responsibility of the product’s
owner.

The warranty does not cover defects or repairs needed as a result of :

1. Damage caused by abuse, accident, or negligence.

2. Damage caused by any tampering, alteration, or modification of the product or its components.

3. Damage caused by failure to maintain and operate the product in strict accordance with the written
instructions in this operating manual.

4. Damage caused by repairs or attempted repairs by unauthorized persons.

5. Damage caused by fire, water and other natural events.

6. Damage caused by operation on improper voltages.

Bittner-Audio, September 2003

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