Ecler APA600, APA1000, APA1400 User Manual

USER MANUAL
MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES
NOTICE D’EMPLOI
BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG

APA600
APA1000
APA1400

AUDIO CREATIVE POWER

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INSTRUCTION MANUAL APA600 / APA1000 / APA1400

1. IMPORTANT NOTE 04

1.1. Precautions 04

2. INTRODUCTION 04

3. INSTALLATION 05

3.1. Location, assembly, ventilation 05

3.2. Mains connection 06

3.3. Signal input connections 06

3.4. Subsonic filter 07

3.5. Limiter circuit 07

3.6. Output connections 07

4. OPERATION AND USAGE 08

4.1. Start up 08

4.2. Input attenuators 08

4.3. Indicators 08

5. CLEANING 09

6. DIAGRAMS 31

6.1. Technical characteristics 31

6.2. Figures 32

6.3. Function list 34

6.4. Function diagram 36

6.5. Block diagram 37

All numbers subject to variation due to production tolerances. ECLER S.A. reserves the right to make
changes or improvements in manufacturing or design which may affect specifications.

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1. IMPORTANT NOTE

Congratulations! You are the owner of a carefully designed and manufactured
equipment. We thank you for trusting on us and choosing our amplifier APA SPM (All purpose)
(Switching Power Mosfet).
In order to obtain maximum operativity and perfect functioning order, it is most
important to carefully read all considerations taken into account in this manual before connecting
this amplifier.
We recommend our authorised Technical Services if any maintenance task should be
needed so that optimum operation shall be achieved.

1.1. Precautions

The APA600/1000/1400 consumes a maximum power of 830VA / 1250VA / 1720VA,
we therefore recommend a mains wire not inferior to 1,5mm2 and a (circuit breaker) superior to
10A/220VAC (data for one amplifier).
The amplifier should have an earth connection in good conditions (earth resistance,
Rg=30Ω or less). The environment must be dry and dustless. Do not expose the unit to rain or
water splashes, and do not place liquid containers or incandescent objects like candles on top
of the unit. Do not obstruct the ventilation shafts with any kind of material.
In case there is some type of intervention and/or connection-disconnection of the
amplifier, it is most important to previously disconnect the mains power supply.
Do not manipulate the output terminals to the loudspeakers when the amplifier is
switched on, there are voltages present of more than 400Vpp in the APA1400. The output
cabling should be connected by a qualified technician. Otherwise only use pre-made flexible
cables. There are no user or serviceable parts inside the amplifier.

2. INTRODUCTION

With the PAM amplification series, ECLER introduced a new concept to the world of
professional audio: The use of switching field effect transistors. The integration of these parts
for audio applications represents a firm and spectacular enhancement comparing to
conventional amplifiers. These advantages can be outlined as follows:

a) Lower internal resistance than bipolar transistors, which leads to less heating of the
amplifier and more powerful and controllable bass.

Conventional Mosfets have a 4 to 7 times higher internal resistance than switching
Mosfets.

b) The extremely high speed of these devices gives a transparency to the upper
frequencies till now only achieved by tube amplifiers. This fact also reduces TIM (transitory
intermodulation) to very low levels.

The SPM-Technology (Switching Power Mosfet) has been developed and patented by
ECLER Laboratorio de Electro-Acústica, S.A.

The APA power amplifier line is yet another step forward in the evolution of the SPM
technology.

APA amplifiers introduce innovations which probably make them one of the most
reliable amplification lines of its class.

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SOA Contour following protection

The SOA is the safe operating area of transistors. A good protection system should
respect this area and its shiftings, as the SOA changes as a function of the operating
temperature. So, at 80°C it is considerably narrower than a 25°C, the start-up temperature.
Some manufacturers decide to use protection systems which compromise on the performance
of the components. You get a fair protection, but the performance remains mediocre. Others
prefer to leave "dark" areas between the safe operating area and the activation of protection,
which is very risky indeed.

The new SOA contour following protection systems built into the APA amplifiers
guarantees total protection of the amplifier at any output power, load or operating temperature,
as the intelligent electronic circuitry permanently watches for changes in the safety area,
adapting itself to any situation.

The best Damping in an amplifier of its class. In the APA series, the typical output
relays have been substituted with an electronic CROW BAR system. This device shunts to
ground any signal in case of high voltages which could damage the connected speakers. Any
kind of relay introduces a mechanical contact in the path of the audio signal to the
loudspeakers. This contact implies a certain degree of wearing and an important reduction of
the amplifiers damping factor. To minimize this implicit loss, the use of premium quality relays
is obligatory, as in the professional PAM amplifier series.

3. INSTALLATION

3.1. Location, assembly, ventilation

The APA600/1000/1400 amplifiers are 2 RU high 19'' rack modules.

It is important that the amplifier, as a heat source, is not placed next to other
equipment nor exposed to high temperatures. Therefore, the ventilation path should be kept
free to allow fresh air entering the forced ventilation tunnel. This system takes air from the
unit's backside, bringing it directly to the power amp modules and distributing it to the
transformer and capacitors and then obliging it to pass trough the MOSFET cooling tunnel to
finally blow out of the front panel. In case of rack mounting, this system avoids heat
accumulation inside the unit and thus increases lifetime of electrolytic capacitors. It is
recommended to place power amplifiers on top of other equipment and not underneath.

All APA amplifiers are supplied with plastic washers in order not to damage the rack

ears when tightening the screws.

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3.2. Mains connection

The APA amplifiers are fed with alternate currents, depending on the country, of
110-120, 220-240V 50/60Hz. (see characteristics in the back of the unit) consuming:

MODEL APA600 APA1000 APA1400
CONSUMPTION 830VA 1250VA 1720VA

The mains cables must not be near the shielded cables carrying the audio signal, as this
could cause humming.

To protect the amplifier from eventual over charges of consumption, there are five time
lag fuses incorporated (see chart), two situated in each power module and the fifth in the primary
transformer supply. Should a fuse blow, it must be replaced immediately by one of identical
characteristics. Should it blow again please consult our Technical Service Department. NEVER
REPLACE THE FUSE WITH ANOTHER ONE WITH A HIGHER VALUE.

CAUTION: Fuse substitutions have to be performed by a qualified technician.

FUSES APA600 APA1000 APA1400

POWER MODULE (5x20) T8A T12A T12A
MAINS (6x32) T6.3A T10A T16A

3.3. Signal input connections

The signal input connectors are of XLR-3 type (19, 21), electronically balanced. The pin
assignment is as follows:

HOT or direct signal > Pin 2
COLD or inverted signal > Pin 3
GROUND > Pin 1

For unbalanced connection short-circuit pin 3 to pin 1.

The “STK OUTPUT” (18, 20) are in parallel with the inputs and are used to supply the
same input signal to other amplifiers or sound systems. This signal output connectors are of jack
1/4" type. The pin assignment is as follows:

HOT or direct signal > Tip
COLD or inverted signal > Ring
GROUND > Body

The input impedance is 22KΩ (balanced) with a nominal input sensitivity of 0dBV(1V).
This impedance makes possible to parallel several amplifiers without loosing audio quality.

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3.4. Subsonic filter

This filter cuts off inaudible frequency components which when amplified suppose a
risk of damage to the low frequency speakers as they generate excessive excursions of the
woofer's diaphragm. The APAs feature a switchable, Butterworth shaped Subsonic Filter
located inside the unit (see figure 1) with a 25Hz cut-off frequency and 18dB/oct slope.

Subsonic filters are very important when playing back vinyl records because the
phono cartridges are specially sensitive to feedback and acoustic coupling at very low
frequencies.
APA amplifiers are delivered with switched ON Subsonic Filter.

CAUTION: Changes on the Subsonic Filter have to be performed by a qualified
technician.

3.5. Limiter circuit

This system is an always active protection inside the APA series of amplifiers. The
ANTICLIP circuitry constantly analyses harmonic distortion caused by excessive signal
excursion at the power amplifier's output and automatically reduces the input level in order
never to exceed 1% total harmonic distortion. The APA range of amplifiers are delivered with
the anticlip system adjusted at a threshold of 1% THD (hard limiting). However, this value can
be switched to a softer limiting (5% THD) via an internal jumper (see figure 2).

The great convenience of such a circuit in any kind of installation has to be remarked:
The clear advantage of a limiting system in front of conventional compressors is that the former
does practically not alter the dynamic range, acting only when the distortion threshold is
reached.

CAUTION: Changes on the ANTICLIP configuration have to be performed by a qualified
technician.

3.6. Output connections

The OUTPUT section on the rear panel features Speak-on connectors (12).
Whenever you need to operate the amplifier in BRIDGED mode (mono or bridged), you must set
the “STEREO BRIDGED" Switch (16) to BRIDGED. The input signal is taken from the INPUT
connector on channel I (20) and the signal output to the loudspeaker is on pins 2+ and 2- of
the Speak-on connector “CH1”. The same contacts (2+ and 2-) of the Speak-On connector of
CH2 also carry the bridged signal in order to facilitate the parallel connection of loudspeakers.

ATTENTION: Terminals 1+, 1- must only be used in STEREO operation and terminals
2+, 2- in BRIDGED operation. Other combinations would lead to poor output quality.
When operating in BRIDGED mode, always make sure that the resulting load impedance of the
installation is never below 4 Ohm.
The connection cable that joins the amplifiers outputs and the loudspeakers must be of
good quality, sufficient section and as short as possible. This is most important when the
distances to cover are long ones i.e. up to 10 meters it is recommended to use a section not
inferior to 2.5mm2 and for superior distances 4mm2.

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4. OPERATION AND USAGE

4.1. Start up

Pushing the POWER (10) button lights up the integrated pilot light and both red CLIP
PROT (2, 8) LEDs during the approximately 10 seconds needed to stabilize all voltages. The
CLIP PROT LEDs will then turn off meaning that the amplifier is now operative.
In a complete audio installation, it is important to start up the equipment in the following
sequence: sound sources, mixer, equalizers, active filters and finally power amplifiers. To turn
them off the sequence should follow an inverse pattern.

4.2. Input attenuators

This consists of rotative potentiometers, situated on the front panel (4,6).
These attenuators enable the connection of different types of mixing tables, independent
regulation level and loudspeaker connections that allow an inferior power level that the level
already supplied by the power amplifier at its maximum power, with no danger of damaging, by
careless handling, the volume of the pre-amplified mixer.
Inside the device's packaging you will find a little plastic bag containing 2 transparent
caps which protect the input attenuation settings from unwanted manipulation. These caps are
transparent in order to let you visualize the current settings.

Once inserted, they cannot be removed with bare fingers, for this purpose, a small
screwdriver is needed.

4.3. Indicators

The APA amplifiers are equipped with a simple but efficient combined indicators system.

Indicator CLIP/PROT (2, 8) function as PROTECTION indicator.

They point to the lack of signal at the speaker outputs. These indicators may light up

due to following reasons:

1. From the moment the machine is switched on, until stand by period finalise that is
necessary for the stability of the internal tensions of the power amplifier.

2. Because the amplifier output has short circuited.

3. If the amplifier is giving a continuous voltage or is of very low frequency, this could
damage the loudspeakers.
In any case, should these indicators permanently light up, it is a sign of malfunctioning
and its cause should be investigated.

CLIP/PROT indicators functioning as CLIP indicator.
These illuminate when the signal given to the loudspeakers is 1.5dB before the real clip.
This CLIP system takes into account the possible variations in the mains voltage always giving a
real indication even if the electric mains varies. It is normal that working at high power levels, the
CLIP indicators illuminate at the rhythm of the low frequencies which are the ones that passes
major energetic contents. Make sure these indicators are not permanently illuminated.

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THERMAL protection indicator (1, 5, 9)
Alerts of the tunnel cooling temperature when it has risen above 90 centigrade degrees.
The amplifier will then start up automatically when the temperature descends to 75 centigrade
degrees.

The APA600 amplifier features one TH indicator while the APA1000 and 1400
models use one for each channel, denoting that both channels operate independently. The
protection on one channel could be active while the other channel keeps working correctly.

SP Signal Presence indicator (3, 7)

It points to the existence of signal at the amplifier input. These indicators light up
when the input signal surpasses -40dB.

5. CLEANING

The control panel must not be cleaned with any dissolvent, abrasive or petroleum
derivated substance else paint and silk-printing could be damaged.
Whenever cleaning should be necessary use a soft cloth slightly wet with water and
neutral liquid soap or with a solution of water and alcohol at 50%. Be careful that no liquid gets
into the amplifier. Never use sharp or erosive objects to scratch the control panel.
Should any liquid get into the amplifier, do not use any cleaning sprays; send the unit
to the nearest ECLER Technical Service.

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MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES APA600 / APA1000 / APA1400

1. NOTA IMPORTANTE 11

1.1. Precauciones 11

2. INTRODUCCIÓN 11

3. INSTALACIÓN 12

3.1. Ubicación, montaje, ventilación 12

3.2. Conexión a red 13

3.3. Conexiones de entrada de señal 13

3.4. Filtro subsónico 14

3.5. Circuito limitador 14

3.6. Conexiones de salida 14

4. FUNCIONAMIENTO 15

4.1. Puesta en marcha 15

4.2. Atenuadores de entrada 15

4.3. Indicadores 15

5. LIMPIEZA 16

6. DIAGRAMAS 31

6.1. Características técnicas 31

6.2. Figuras 32

6.3. Lista de funciones 34

6.4. Diagrama de funcionamiento 36

6.5. Diagrama de bloques 37

Todos los datos están sujetos a variación debida a tolerancias de producción. ECLER S.A. se reserva el
derecho de realizar cambios o mejoras en la fabricación o diseño que pudieran afectar las especificaciones.

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1. NOTA IMPORTANTE

¡Enhorabuena!. Vd. posee el resultado de un cuidadoso diseño y una esmerada
fabricación. Agradecemos su confianza por haber elegido nuestro amplificador APA SPM (All
purpose) (Switching Power Mosfet).
Para que pueda conseguir la máxima operatividad y un funcionamiento perfecto, antes
de su conexión es MUY IMPORTANTE que lea detenidamente las consideraciones que se detallan
en éste manual.
Para asegurar el óptimo rendimiento del aparato, su mantenimiento debe ser realizado
por nuestros Servicios Técnicos.

1.1. Precauciones

El amplificador APA600/1000/1400 tiene un consumo a plena potencia de
830VA / 1250VA / 1720VA; se recomienda una acometida de sección no inferior a 1.5mm2 y un
disyuntor magnetotérmico superior a 10A/220VAC (datos para una etapa).
La etapa debe conectarse a una toma de tierra en condiciones (Resistencia de tierra,
Rg=30Ω o menos). El ambiente de trabajo deberá ser seco y estar totalmente libre de polvo. No
exponga el aparato a la caída de agua o salpicaduras, no ponga encima objetos con líquido ni
fuentes de llama desnuda, como velas. No obstruya los orificios de ventilación con ningún tipo
de material. En caso de requerir alguna intervención y/o conexión-desconexión del amplificador
debe desconectarse previamente la alimentación.
No manipular los terminales de salida hacia el altavoz con la etapa en marcha; se hallan
presentes tensiones de más de 400Vpp en la APA1400. El cableado de la salida debe ser
realizado por personal técnico cualificado o usar cables flexibles ya preparados. En el interior del
amplificador no existen elementos manipulables por el usuario.

2. INTRODUCCIÓN

Con los PAM, ECLER introdujo a principios de los 90 un nuevo concepto en el audio
profesional: el empleo de los transistores de efecto de campo de conmutación, su incorporación al
audio significa una firme y espectacular mejora en relación a los sistemas convencionales. Estas
ventajas de los mosfets de conmutación pueden resumirse así:

a) Resistencia interna menor que los bipolares lo cual redunda en un menor
calentamiento de la etapa y en unos graves poderosos y muy bien controlados.
Los mosfets convencionales de audio presentan una resistencia interna de 4 a 7 veces
superior a los de conmutación.

b) La enorme rapidez de estos dispositivos confiere a los agudos una transparencia hasta
ahora sólo lograda con amplificadores a válvulas al tiempo que una TIM (Distorsión por
lntermodulación de Transitorios) muy reducida.

La tecnología SPM (Switching Power Mosfet) ha sido desarrollada y patentada por
ECLER-Laboratorio de Electro-Acústica S.A.
La línea de amplificadores APA es un nuevo paso al frente dentro de la evolución de la
tecnología de amplificación SPM.

Las APA incorporan innovaciones que las van a convertir, posiblemente, en una de las

líneas de amplificación más fiables del mercado dentro de su segmento.

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Protecciones por seguimiento de contorno de SOA.

La SOA es el área de operación segura del transistor (Safe Operating Area). Un buen
sistema de protecciones debe respetar esta área y sus cambios dado que la SOA varía en
función de la temperatura de trabajo. Así a 80 grados es considerablemente menor que a 25
grados, cuando se conecta el amplificador. Algunos fabricantes optan por protecciones que
limitan las prestaciones de los componentes, se obtiene seguridad pero el rendimiento es
mediocre. Otros en cambio dejan zonas oscuras entre el área de seguridad y la activación de las
protecciones, lo cual es muy arriesgado.

El nuevo sistema de seguimiento de contorno de la SOA de los amplificadores APA
garantiza la protección total del amplificador a cualquier nivel de potencia, carga o temperatura
ya que un circuito electrónico inteligente resigue permanentemente el área de seguridad
adaptándose a cada situación puntual.

El mejor Damping entre los amplificadores de su categoría. En la serie APA los
tradicionales relés de salida han sido sustituidos por un sistema electrónico CROW BAR. Este
dispositivo deriva directamente a masa la señal en el caso de detectar sobretensiones que
puedan dañar los altavoces conectados al amplificador. Cualquier tipo de relé introduce un
contacto mecánico, en el camino de la señal de audio hacia el altavoz. Este contacto implica un
desgaste y una importante disminución en el factor de amortiguamiento del amplificador
(damping), siendo necesario utilizar relés de muy alta calidad, como en la serie ECLER PAM
PROFESIONAL, para minimizar estas pérdidas.

3. INSTALACIÓN

3.1. Ubicación, montaje, ventilación.

Los amplificadores APA600/1000/1400 se presentan en módulo rack de 19" y dos
unidades de altura.
Es muy importante que, como elemento generador de calor que es, el amplificador no
esté completamente encerrado ni expuesto a temperaturas extremas. Por ello debe favorecerse el
paso de aire fresco a través del túnel de ventilación forzada. Este sistema toma el aire de la parte
trasera, dirigiéndolo directamente a los módulos de potencia y desviando una parte hacia
transformador y condensadores, obligándolo a salir, a través del túnel de refrigeración de los
MOSFET, por la parte frontal del amplificador, evitando en el caso de montaje en rack una
excesiva acumulación de calor en el interior de éste e incrementando la duración de los
condensadores electrolíticos. Asimismo es aconsejable no colocar los amplificadores de potencia
debajo de otros aparatos, sino encima de éstos.
Todos los amplificadores APA se suministran con arandelas de plástico con el fin de
poderlos montar en un rack sin dañar las orejas de fijación.