Crate Amplifiers SPA100 User Manual
In order to achieve maximum performance
from your new Crate Audio SPA Series
Power Amp we recommend that you read
this user’s guide prior to its use.
User’s Guide
for the
CRATE AUDIO
SPA100
1/2-Rack Power Amplifier
Power
On
Off
Signal Limit Protect
Power
2
Table of Contents:
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Front Panel Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Rear Panel Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Speaker Impedances And Power Ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Joining Two Amplifers For Rack Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Installations and Operation
Mono Operation (One Amplifier) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Stereo Operation (Two Amplifiers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Main / Monitor Combination (Two Amplifiers) . . . . . . . . .9
Biamping (Two Amplifiers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Triamping (Three Amplifiers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
System Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .back cover
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .back cover
SPA100 1/2-Rack Power Amplifier
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a damp cloth.
7. Do not block any of the ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized-type plug. Apolarized plug has two
blades with one wider than the other. The wide blade is provided for your safety. When
the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the
obsolete outlet.
10.Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plug, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
11.Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12.Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the
manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use
caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury
from tip-over.
13.Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14.Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus
has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has
been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to
rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
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Introduction:
Congratulations. You have selected one of the finest sound reinforcement amplifiers available,
the Crate Audio SPA100 1/2-Rack Power Amplifier. Our many years of experience in high-performance audio equipment, combined with our extensive research and development procedures, have
enabled us to produce an amplifier which provides the highest quality and reliability possible.
Like all Crate products, your SPA100 amplifier was designed and manufactured using only the
finest components and materials. Each amplifier design must satisfy our team of highly-trained technicians and musicians before it is approved. We insist upon high level of quality control to ensure that
each amplifier produced will provide its owner with years of trouble-free, ear-pleasing performance.
Your new SPA100 is a flexible part of any sound system – simple to connect and easy to operate
– if you first know how to incorporate it into your application. Several configurations are covered in
this manual, along with important information regarding impedance ratings and output power. In
order to get the best performance and highest level of quality and reliability from your new amplifier,
please read this user’s guide before operating the unit.
Features:
The Crate SPA100 is a ruggedly constructed high quality power amplifier designed to give you
continuous performance with professional results. Two of these amplifiers can be mounted side by side
in a standard 19” rack, requiring only 1-3/4 inches of vertical rack space. The automatic variablespeed internal cooling system uses the front, side and rear of the amplifier - not the top and bottom for its air intake and exhaust, allowing you to stack multiple components closer together in a rack
mount situation.
The SPA100 produces up to 100 watts of power @ 4 ohms, or 75 watts @ 8 ohms. Several “professional” features have been built into the SPA100, such as 1/4” phone and XLR input jacks with electronically balanced Low or High impedance operation. Built-in limiting circuitry constantly monitors
the output of the amplifier for clipping, thus helping prevent the generation of speaker-damaging
square waves. A built-in protection circuit guards the amplifier against damages from overloads, short
circuits, or overheating. In addition, each channel features a Signal LED to assist in hookup and troubleshooting, and a Peak LED to allow you to set the input level for the best signal to noise ratio.
SPA100 1/2-Rack Power Amplifier
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
• READ, FOLLOW, HEED, AND KEEPALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS.
• DO NOT OPERATE NEAR ANY HEATSOURCE AND DO NOT BLOCK ANY VENTILATION OPENINGS ON THIS APPARATUS. FOR PROPER OPERATION, THIS UNIT REQUIRES 3”
(75CM) OF WELL VENTILATED SPACE AROUND HEATSINKS AND OTHER AIR FLOW PROVISIONS IN THE CABINET.
• DO NOT USE THIS APPARATUS NEAR SPLASHING, FALLING, SPRAYING, OR STANDING LIQUIDS.
• CLEAN ONLY WITH LINT-FREE DAMP CLOTH AND DO NOT USE CLEANING AGENTS.
• ONLY CONNECT POWER CORD TO APOLARIZED, SAFETY GROUNDED OUTLET WIRED TO CURRENT ELECTRICAL CODES AND COMPATIBLE WITH VOLTAGE, POWER, AND
FREQUENCY REQUIREMENTS STATED ON THE REAR PANEL OF THE APPARATUS.
• PROTECT THE POWER CORD FROM DAMAGE DUE TO BEING WALKED ON, PINCHED, OR STRAINED.
• UNPLUG THE APPARATUS DURING LIGHTNING STORMS OR WHEN UNUSED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.
• ONLY USE ATTACHMENTS, ACCESSORIES, STANDS, OR BRACKETS SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR SAFE OPERATION AND TO AVOID INJURY.
• WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK OR FIRE, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
• SERVICE MUST BE PERFORMED BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
• OUR AMPLIFIERS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMA-
NENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS ADVISED AND EAR PROTECTION IS RECOMMENDED IF UNIT IS OPERATED AT HIGH VOLUME.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE
THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
PRECAUCION
RIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO
NO ABRA
PRECAUCION: PARA REDUCIR EL RIESGO DE INCENDIOS O DESCARGAS ELECTRICAS, NO PERMITA QUE ESTE APARATO QUEDE EXPUESTO A LA LLUVIA O LA HUMEDAD. PARA DISMINUOIR EL
RIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO. NO ABRA LA CUBIERTA. NO HAY PIEZAS ADENTRO QUE EL USARIO
PUEDO REPARAR DEJE TODO MANTENIMIENTO A LOS TECHNICOS CALIFICADOS.
ATTENTION
RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION
NE PAS OUVRIR
ATTENTION: PROTÉGEZ CET APPAREIL DE LA PLUIE ET DE L'HUMIDITÉ AFIN D'ÉVITER TOUT
RISQUE D'INCENDIE OU D'ÉLECTROCUTION. POUR REDUIRE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PAS ENLEVER
LE COUVERCLE. AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE N'EST REPRABLE PAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTE
REPARATION, S'ADRESSER A UN TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE.
"IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE USER TO REFER TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL"
“ES NECESARIO QUE EL USUARIO SE REFIERA AL MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES.”
"REFERREZ-VOUS AU MANUAL D'UTILISATION"
EXPLANATION OF GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:
EXPLICACION DE SIMBOLOS GRAFICOS:
EXPLICATION DES SYMBÔLESGRAPHIQUES:
"DANGEROUS VOLTAGE"
“VOLTAJE PELIGROSO”
"DANGER HAUTE TENSION"
=
=
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Front Panel Information:
1: POWER SWITCH: This switch applies AC power to the
amplifier. The amp is on when the top of the switch is
depressed, off when the bottom of the switch is depressed.
The Power LED indicator (#3) illuminates when the amplifier is on.
2: LEVEL CONTROL: This rotary potentiometer controls
the level or gain of the amplifier, with the fully-clockwise
position providing a sensitivity of +2dBv. Normal calibration of the SPA100 to a mixer would cause the Peak LED
to flash at the same time that the mixer’s VU meters indicate full output.
3: POWER LED: This LED illuminates when AC power is
applied by means of the Power switch (#1). If the LED fails
to illuminate, check the AC outlet or the fuse on the rear
panel (#13).
4: SIGNAL LED: This LED illuminates when a signal is
detected at the amplifier’s output terminals. The level of
the signal must be at least 1% of the amplifier’s full rated
output to cause the LED illuminate.
5: LIMIT LED: The SPA100 employs an internal limit circuit to alert the user if the amplifier is approaching clipping. The Limit LED illuminates whenever the input signal
attempts to overdrive the amplifier. (Not only does clipping produce harsh sounding distortion, it is also capable
of damaging speaker components – particularly high fre-
quency drivers.) Periodic flashing of the Limit LED indicates operation at or near full output. This is normal.
Steady illumination of the LED indicates constant operation of the Limiter, with the possibility that the input signal should be reduced by means of the Level control (#2).
6: PROTECT LED: This LED illuminates whenever the internal protection circuit is activated. The protection relay is
activated for a short period upon initial turn-on and at turnoff to prevent transient “spikes” from being reproduced
through your speakers. A fault condition is also indicated in
the event of an overtemperature status, or if DC voltages
are present at the output. During thermal protection, the
output is shut down until the temperature returns to a safe
operating level. In the event of DC voltage on the output,
the output will be internally disconnected. The circuitry
associated with the LED indicator provides valuable protection for both the amplifier and your speakers.
7: FRONT PANEL EXHAUST VENT: The SPA100 employs a
variable-speed internal cooling fan to draw air through the
unit to keep it running cool even under extreme operating
conditions. Air is drawn in through the unit’s rear and side
intake vents and is forced out through the front panel
exhaust vent. Keep these vents clear and free from obstruction at all times to insure proper cooling.
SPA100 1/2-Rack Power Amplifier
Power
On
Off
Signal Limit Protect
Power
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