CREST CPX 2600 User Manual

owner’s manual

CPX

S E R I E S

CPX power amplifier

20	23						20	23			ON
16		26					16			26
			A			B
6			29				6			29
	(dB)	32	PWR SIG	GCLTM	GCLTM	SIG	PWR	(dB)	32	CPX 2600 POWER AMPLIFIER	POWER

CPX 900

CPX 1500

CPX 2600

important precautions

1 Save the carton and packing materi-

als! Should you ever need to ship the unit, use only the original factory packing.

For replacement packaging, call Crest Audio’s Customer Service Department directly.

2 Read all documentation before

operating your equipment. Retain all documentation for future reference.

3	Follow all instructions printed on
	unit chassis for proper opera-
	tion.
4
	Never hold a power switch or cir-
	cuit breaker in the on-position, if
	it won’t stay there by itself!
5	Do not use the unit if the electri-
	cal power cord is frayed or bro-
	ken.
	The power supply cords should be
	routed so that they are not likely to
	be walked on or pinched by items
	placed upon or against them.
6	Always operate the unit with the
	AC ground wire connected to the
	electrical		system	ground.
	Precautions should be taken so that
	the means of grounding of a piece of
	equipment is not defeated.
7	Damage caused by connection to
	improper AC voltage is not cov-
	ered by any warranty. Mains voltage
	must be correct and the same as that
8	printed on the rear of the unit.
	Do not ground any hot (red) terminal.

Never connect a hot (red) output to ground or to another hot (red) output!

9 Power down and disconnect units

from mains voltage before making connections.

10 Do not drive the inputs with a

Do not run the output of any amplifier channel back into another channel’s input.

Do not parallelor series-con- nect an amplifier output with any other amplifier output.

Crest Audio is not responsible for damage to loudspeakers for any reason.

Do not connect the inputs or outputs of amplifiers to any other voltage source: such as a battery, mains source, or power supply, regardless of whether the amplifier is turned on or off.

Connecting amplifier outputs to oscilloscopes or other test equipment while the amplifier is in bridged mono mode may damage both the amplifier and test equipment!

Do not spill water or other liquids into or on the unit, or operate the unit while standing in liquid.

Do not block fan intake or exhaust ports.

Do not operate equipment on a surface or in an environment which may impede the normal flow of air around the unit: such as a bed, rug, weathersheet, carpet, or completely enclosed rack.

If the unit is used in an extremely dusty or smoky environment: the unit should be periodically “blown free” of foreign matter.

Do not use the unit near stoves, heat registers, radiators, or other heat producing devices.

The power cord of equipment should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time.

Service Information

Do not remove the cover!

Removing the cover will expose you to potentially dangerous voltages. There are no user serviceable parts inside.

Equipment should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:

A.The power supply cord or the plug has been damaged.

B.The equipment has been exposed to rain.

C.The equipment does not appear to operate normally, or exhibits a marked change in performance.

D.The equipment has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.

To obtain service:

contact your nearest Crest Audio Service Center, Distributor, Dealer, or Crest Audio at 201.909.8700

USA

or visit www.crestaudio.com for additional information.

email: [e-mail]

signal level greater than that required to enable equipment to reach full output.

CPX Owner’s manual

1

2

3

4

introduction p.3

installation p.5 unpacking mounting

cooling and ventilation powering maintenance

features overview p.11 front panel

rear panel

contents

application details p.23 installations

bridged GCL

5 connectionsinput p.27 output

6 Specifications p.31

wire gauge charts p.32, 33

p. 1

1 introduction

CPX owner’s manual

p. 2

introduction 1

welcome

Congratulations on your purchase of a new CPX Series power amplifier, and thank you for your confidence in Crest Audio products. You are among the growing number of audio professionals who have made Crest Audio one of the world’s leading suppliers of professional and commercial/industrial audio systems.

For your safety, please read the Important Precautions section before installing and operating the amplifier. The Crest Audio CPX Series amplifiers are designed for high operating efficiency and accurate sonic performance across the full audio bandwidth, even under stressful conditions.

CPX series amplifiers feature a 2-way crossover and sub-sonic (low-cut) filter for each channel. Crossover frequencies are fixed at 150 Hz, allowing subwoofers to be driven at extremely high sound pressure levels, and the filters cut at 40 Hz to prevent low-end rumble. Using proven technology gained through years of amplifier design, this unit takes advantage of rugged TO-3P output devices mounted on massive aluminum extrusions and dissipates heat via an extremely quiet and effective 2-speed fan. CPX amplifiers employ mammoth toroidal power transformers and offer impressive specifications and features not found on similarly priced competitive units.

These amps are designed to drive a 2-ohm load per channel, thus achieving awesome performance levels into 4 ohms in BRIDGE mode. CPX amplifiers are ruggedly constructed, rack-mountable pieces of gear with superb patching capability, allowing superior flexibility in application.

Front panel features include calibrated, detented gain (dB) controls and LED indicators for power (PWR), signal presence (SIG), and GCL (Gain Comparator Limiter) activation on each channel, as well as a rocker mains POWER switch.

The back panel contains an IEC connector for the mains power cord, a mains circuit breaker with reset, and the critical cooling fan opening. This opening should have an adequate supply of cool air and should never be blocked or restricted. Also on the back panel are the input and output sections, including an input barrier strip for permanent installations. Each channel input section includes a combo XLR / ¼" phone jack connector, THRU/LOW out and HIGH out ¼" jacks, and activation switches for the LOW CUT filter and crossover (150 Hz XOVER). Channel output sections feature dual shock-proof binding posts and 4-conductor Speakon connectors. An additional 4-conductor Speakon connector allows BRIDGE mode output.

p. 3

2 installation

CPX owner’s manual

p. 4

	installation	2
what to do with the shipping carton	unpacking
proper rack-mounting technique
keeping the amplifier cooled	mounting
routine maintenance practices
	cooling and
	ventilation

maintenance

p. 5

2 installation

CPX owner’s manual

unpacking

Please inspect the amplifier carefully immediately after unpacking. If you find any damage, notify your supplier/dealer immediately. Only the shipper may file a damage claim with the carrier for damage incurred during shipping. Be sure to save the carton and all packing materials for the carrier’s inspection.

If the packing materials are in good condition, please save them.

If you ever need to ship the unit anywhere without mounting it in a rack, you should take advantage of the

order to avoid unnecessary damage

For replacement packaging, call Crest Audio’s Customer Service Department directly.

see—service and support

p. 6

installation 2

mounting

All CPX Series amplifiers mount in standard 19-inch racks and occupy two rack spaces. Use of rear supports is highly recommended in all mobile and touring sound systems.

	CPX Front panel
front
height
3.47"/	20	23				20	23
88 mm										ON
	16		26			16		26
			A			B
	6		29			6		29
		(dB)	32 PWR SIG	GCLTM	GCLTM	SIG PWR	(dB)	32	CPX 2600 POWER AMPLIFIER	POWER

front width 19"/483mm

CPX rear panel

rear width 17"/432mm

front height 3.47"/ 88mm

CAUTION

BREAKER WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT

15 TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

A AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE-NE PAS OUVRIR.

M

P

MOUNT IN RACK ONLY - INSTALLER SUR

SUPPORT DE MONTAGE SEULEMENT

CHANNEL B		BRIDGE	CHANNEL A
		BRIDGE
-	+	+	-

CHANNEL B OUTPUT CHANNEL A

BRIDGE

OUT STEREO/ IN BRIDGE

GCL TM

OUT ENABLE /

IN DEFEAT

CHANNEL A INPUT

LOW CUT

150 Hz		+
X OVER	A
		-
THRU	BAL. LOW Z GND
HIGH OUT LOW OUT LOW CUT	HIGH Z
	B	-
150 Hz
		+
X OVER

CHANNEL B INPUT

CPX side view

depth16"

p. 7

2 installation

CPX owner’s manual

INSTALLATION

CPX professional power amplifiers are designed for durability in commercial installations and provide the quality performance required in studio and home applications. They are 2-rack-space units of 16" (406 mm) depth designed to mount in a standard 19" rack. Rear mounting ears are provided for additional support. The minimum rack depth required from the mounting surface is 17" (432 mm) to allow adequate connector clearance.

cooling and ventilation

CPX amplifiers use a forced air cooling system to maintain a low, even operating temperature.

Air is drawn in by a DC fan on the rear panel, flows through the cooling fins and then exhausts through the front panel vent.

Heatsink temperature is monitored and controls the variable speed fan. Fan speed increases only as required, keeping fan noise to a minimum.

If the heatsink surpasses it’s maximum allowed temperature, the thermal protection circuit will activate and open the output relays allowing the amplifier to cool to a safe temperature. Thermal protect activation only occurs under extreme thermal conditions and is not part of normal operation.

Make certain that there is enough space around the front and rear of the amplifier to allow the heated air to escape. When mounting in a rack, try to avoid using doors or covers on the front and rear of the enclosure; the exhaust air must not be impeded

suggestion

In racks with closed backs allow at least one standard-rack- space opening for every four amps.

p. 8

installation 2

Basic setup

Rack mount the amplifier in the location where it is to be used, remembering to allow for adequate access and cooling space. Make all the connections to the proper INPUT connectors on the desired channel. Select the proper mode configuration (STEREO or BRIDGE). Connect speakers to the proper OUTPUT connectors, reviewing carefully the impedance and phase considerations. With the POWER switch OFF, connect the IEC cord to the amplifier and then to a suitable electrical outlet to allow proper current draw. With both channel gain (dB) controls at their fully counterclockwise (-8) settings, turn the POWER switch to ON, and slowly raise the gain controls to desired settings. Please carefully review this manual. It covers all this information in greater detail.

maintenance

CPX amplifiers require no routine maintenance other than checking the cooling fans to make sure they’re unblocked and working.

If the amplifier is used in an extremely dusty or smoky environment , the unit should be periodically “ blown free “ ( using compressed air ) of any foreign matter that may have built up inside the unit.

Users will not need to make any adjustments to the amplifier during it’s lifetime. There are no user-serviceable parts or adjustments that require opening the amplifier.

p. 9