The Audioaccess MA-361 Twelve Channel
Digital Amplifier—designed, engineered
and manufactured by Madrigal in
Middletown, CT—will no doubt be recognized as the finest amplifier available for
use in any dedicated multi-room system
application. The product of over two years
of development and research, the goals of
the MA-361 were clear: high power, low
distortion, quiet, cool operation, outstanding sonics and ease of installation not only
with associated Audioaccess components,
but also with other home and commercial
audio distribution systems. The trend
towards use of higher quality and larger
speaker systems for custom installed applications has created a need for power
amplification offering both true higher
power levels with low distortion. The
MA-361 is a category leading product that
finally addresses the evolution of high
quality custom audio systems.
Main Features
Some of the main features of the MA-361
include a conservative power rating of
100 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms from
20Hz-20kHz with all channels driven,
7-band graphic equalization programmable on a per-zone basis, signal sensing,
and voltage triggers to activate main
power in each stereo zone of amplification. In normal use, the MA-361 runs
amazingly cool, thanks to its highly efficient
digital design. A modular layout permits
the installing dealer to easily replace individual amplifier modules, should service
ever be required. The MA-361 can be
configured for use in either mono or
stereo operation by means of dip-switches on the rear panel of the amplifier. A
simple bussing scheme allows audio
signals to be routed to a single zone,
selected zones, or all areas. To aid in both
the pre-wiring phase of the project and in
final installation, a speaker termination
board—available separately—allows the
dealer to complete the speaker wiring to
the termination board during the preliminary phase of the project. Later, upon final
installation, the termination board is then
plugged directly into a slot on the back of
the amplifier, minimizing the chances of
wiring errors within the system.
7-Band Graphic Equalization
The MA-361’s 7-band graphic equalization
capabilities allows the installing dealer to
custom tailor the sound in each zone to
compensate for the different room acoustics
throughout a residence, maximizing the
performance of each pair of speakers.
Signal Sensing and Voltage Triggers
The signal sensing capabilities of the
MA-361 ensure that the amplifiers for a
given zone are only powered on when a
particular area is active, saving on energy
consumption. Voltage triggers allow the
MA-361 to automatically turn on accessory
items such as a fan, or a separate device
when either the amplifier or a designated
zone is activated.
Optional Volume/Tone Control Modules,
which plug into available slots inside the
amplifier, provide the dealer with the
ability to supply high power at very low
distortion levels to expansion rooms
within the multi-room system. A total of
6 Volume/Tone Control Modules may be
installed in the MA-361.
Flexible Installation Capabilities
The MA-361 is designed for use not only
with Audioaccess systems, but also with
other Multi-room or RS-232 based systems.
The unit is programmed with the proprietary Installation Manager application
when it is used with other Audioaccess
Multi-Room components. Configuration
settings are downloaded from a Windows
PC or laptop via the RS-485 communication port on the MA-361. When used with
other RS-232 based systems, a separate
application is available, which downloads
amplifier configuration settings via the
RS-232 port on the MA-361CP version.
Summary
The combination of the MA-361’s power
capabilities, sonic quality, features, programming ease, installation flexibility and
serviceability clearly sets the new standard
for amplifiers within the multi-room category.
Features
Specifications
Number of Channels:
▲ 12, configured as 6 left/right mono or
stereo pairs (zones)
Power Output:
▲ 100 Watts @ 8 Ω, from 20Hz – 20kHz,
all channels driven
130 Watts @ 4 Ω, from 20Hz – 20kHz,
all channels driven
200 Watts @ 4 Ω, from 20Hz – 20kHz,
single channels driven
Efficiency:
▲ 93% @ 100 Watts/8Ω
THD & Noise:
▲ < 0.3%, 0.1 Watt – 200 Watts, 4Ω
IMD:
▲ 0.26% @ 4Ω, 200 Watts
Frequency response:
▲ ± 0.3 dB at rated power, 8Ω load
Bandwidth:
▲ 60kHz at rated power, 8Ω load
Signal/Noise:
▲ 97dB unweighted (ref: rated power) into 8 Ω
Crosstalk:
▲ -84 dB between any two channels
(no audible crosstalk)
Protection:
▲ Short Circuit, Over Current, DC, Thermal
and Undervoltage
Muting:
▲ Turn-on, Turn-off, Signal Sensing and
Triggered per zone
Input Impedance:
▲ 20K Ω
Input Sensitivity:
▲ 1.3 Volt for full output 4 or 8Ω
Gain:
▲ 27dB
Dimensions:
▲ 171⁄4"W x 51⁄8"H x 175⁄8"D
(438 mm x 130 mm x 448 mm)
(with connectors & feet)
Weight:
▲ 110 Volt Amplifier:48 lb (21.8 kg)
230 Volt Amplifier:51 lb (23.2 kg)
Features, specifications and dimensions are subject to change.
▲ 6 built-in 7-Band Graphic EQ, one per zone
▲ Signal sensing
▲ Voltage trigger for each zone set with remov-
able screw terminal
▲ Available in two versions: MA-361 with RS-485
port and MA-361CP with RS-232 port
▲ Optional modules configured by Audioaccess
Installation Manager application or stand-alone
PC program
▲ Dual-color LED status indicator on front panel
illuminates Green for normal operation, Red for
standby and a flashing Red for DC and/or thermal protection
▲ AC mains switch on front panel
Easy installation
▲ Simple built-in input bussing scheme, no con-
figuration switches required
▲ Plug-in TI-501 Speaker Termination Board, a
snap for advance installations (available separately, not included with amplifier)
Modular construction
▲ Amplifier modules may be replaced quickly
and easily
▲ Permits installation of optional modules
Upgradeable
▲ Firmware upgradeable
▲ Optional EM-401 Volume/Tone Control mod-
ule for all six zones (available separately)
▲ Download project settings via serial port using
Installation Manager application or dedicated
stand-alone software
Robust design
▲ Low voltage standby (brown out protection)
▲ Short circuit protection
▲ Thermal cutoff protection
▲ Soft clipping
▲ Quiet, convection cooling (when properly
installed according to factory recommendations)
▲ UL/CSA/CE approved
FEATURES
The Audioacc ess MA-361 T welve Channel Digital Amplifi er – designed, engineered and manufactur ed by Madrigal in
Middletown, CT – r epr esents the pr oduc t of over two years of research and developm ent.
As the inventor of the 12 channel amplifier category, Audioaccess has reinvented this cat egor y with the introduction of the
MA-361. The goals for the MA - 361 were clear: high power, low distortion, quiet, cool operation, outstanding sonics and
ease of install ation, when used not only in Audioaccess system s, but also with other home and comm ercial audio
distributi on systems. The trend towards higher qual ity and larger speakers for c ustom installed applications has created a
need for this amp. W e believ e y ou will agr ee that the MA-361 is the first in an entirely new class of twelve channel
amplifiers.
Unique features
The main featur es of the MA - 361 incl ude a c onservative power rating of 100 Wat ts per channel into 8 Ohms from 20Hz20kHz with all channels driven at 93% efficiency. Thi s amazing eff ic iency not only minimizes power consum ption, it also
runs surprisingly cool. Other unique features i nc lude programmable 7-band graphic EQ (set by the installer vi a PC) f or
each zone and optional plug-in stereo Volume/T one Control Modules, which pro-vide volume control in Expansion
rooms/sub zones within an Audioaccess system or another RS - 232 based cont r ol system. The modular lay out permi ts the
dealer to easily r eplac e individual amplifi er modules should service ever be required. An ex ternal speaker termination
board can be ordered in adv anc e t o allow termination of loudspeakers before the amplifier is delivered for final install ation.
At final, simpl y pl ug the speaker termination board onto t he r ear panel of the amplifier.
Other features
To make the amplifier specifically attractive for use in whole-house audio distribution, we have included specif ic features
to ensure reliable and easy installation. Si gnal sensing and voltage triggers activ ate the main power in each stereo zone
of amplific ation. Dip switches on the rear-panel configure the MA-361 for use in either m ono or ster eo oper ation. A simple
bussing scheme all ows audio signals to be routed into a single zone, sel ected z ones, or all areas.
7-Band Gr a phic Equa liz a tion
The MA-361’s 7-band graphi c equalization capabilities allows the installing dealer to custom tailor the sound in each zone
to compensate for the different room acoustics thr oughout a residence, maximi zi ng the performance of each pair of
speakers. Thi s i s accom plished by using the Audioaccess Installation Manager Software application (or stand-alone
applicati on) r unning on the dealer’s PC or laptop.
Signal Sensing and Voltage Triggers
The signal sensing capabilities of the MA-361 ensure that t he am plifiers for a given zone are only powered on when a
particular ar ea is active, saving on energy consumpti on. Voltage triggers all ow the MA - 361 to automatically turn on
accessory it em s such as a fan, or a separat e dev ic e when either the amplifier or a designat ed z one is activated.
Volume/Tone Cont rol Modules
Optional Volume/Tone Control Modules, which pl ug into available slots inside t he am plifier, provide the abilit y to supply
high power at very low distortion levels to expansion rooms within the multi-r oom system. The user may control the
volume in rooms with Audioaccess keypads and touchscreens, or by using ANY other touch screen/control systems. A
total of 6 Volume/Tone Control Modules may be installed in the MA - 361.
Flexible Installation Capabilities
The MA-361 is designed for use with Audioaccess systems, as well as other Multi-room or RS- 232 based systems. The
unit is programmed with the proprietary Installation Manager applic ation when it is used with other Audioac c ess MultiRoom component s. Confi gur ation settings are downloaded from a Windows PC or laptop via the RS-485 communicati on
port on the MA-361. When used with ot her RS - 232 based system s, a separat e application is available, which downloads
amplifi er confi gur ation settings via the RS-232 port on the MA-361CP v er si on.
Summary
The MA-361’s com bination of power capabiliti es, soni c quality, features, programming ease, installati on fl exi bility and
serviceability clearly sets the new standard for amplifiers within the m ulti-room category.
Specifications:
• Number of Channels: 12, c onfigured as 6 left/right mono or stereo pai r s (zones)
• Power Output: 100 Wat ts @ 8 ohms, from 20Hz — 20kHz, all channels driven
• 130 Watts @ 4 ohms, from 20Hz — 20kHz, all channels driven
• 200 Watts @ 4 ohms, from 20Hz — 20kHz, two channels driven
Affected Units ..........................................................................................................................................3
Cautions before Beginnning ...................................................................................................................3
Step 19 Disconnect Connector on Audio Board P1.....................................................................A000010P110
Step 20 Disconnect Cable on Audio Board to RCA Input Board .................................................... A000010P105
Step 21 Remove Screws on Audio Board1 ................................................................................. A000010P095
Step 22 Remove Back Panel Screws ......................................................................................... A000010P092
MA-361 Disassembly Instructions Page 2
Audioaccess
APRIL 15, 2002 A041102
AUDIO BOARD DISASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
Overview
The following procedure will allow a qualified Audioaccess Distributor to successfully remove and
reinstall the MA-361 Audio Board. New replacement audio boards shipped April 2002 eliminate a
problem where keypad messages may be heard as pops in Zones 1, 2 , 3 and 4 in affected units. In
addition, the signal sensing sensitivity was lowered to avoid audio from shutting off during low passages
of music if the amplifier is configured to turn on with Signal Sensing.
Affected Units
MA-361’s manufactured before the serial numbers listed below should receive an updated Audio Board.
Starting Serial Numbers
Updated Audio Boards
Domestic Units 361u1073
Export Units 361e1018
Cautions! Before Beginning
CAUTION!
Hazardous voltages available inside unit. Before proceeding, remove AC cable from
AC outlet.
CAUTION!
Static sensitive parts and subassemblies inside unit. A static protection wrist strap
must be worn when touch ing static sensitive components. Please follow wrist strap
manufacturers’ instructions for proper use.
Tools Required
o #2 Phillips Screwdriver
o 3/32” Hex Driver
o Needle Nose Pliers
MA-361 Disassembly Instructions Page 3
Audioaccess
APRIL 15, 2002 A041102
AUDIO BOARD DISASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
Disassembly/Reassembly Steps
The Disassembly steps are depicted in the process sheets and are identified below in Steps 1 through 22.
Instructions on each step are included in the process sheet for each step. In addition, some notes are provided below
to clarify a step for either Assembly or Reassembly.
Once the Audio Board has been extracted, repeat each step below in a backwards order from Step 22 through Step 1
when installing the replacement Audio Board.
Step Number Description Process Sheet Number
Step 1 Remove Top Cover.......................................................................................... A000010P265