Heritage Audio RAM System 500 User Manual

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RAM SYSTEM 500 USER MANUAL

Jan 22th, 2018

Rev. 1.0,

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INSTALLING THE RAM SYSTEM 500

Thanks for purchasing the RAM System 500. Please make sure the following
items are in the box when you open it.

• This manual.

• RAM System 500 main unit.

• Bluetooth antenna.

Depending on your system requirements, you will need several TRS and/or
XLR cables to hook up your system. Please check your input sources and
output destinations and buy the correct cables.

Additionally, please insert the Bluetooth antenna in its threaded connector in
case it comes unplugged from the factory.

The RAM System 500 is a 2-slot 500 Series module and should be able to
operate in any 500 series chassis without issues. However we recommend
our OST boxes, due to the individual power supplies per slot they provide.

Please note that after turning on the unit, MUTE will always be engaged
regardless of the level shown on the red knob. This is to prevent damage of
your speakers due to excessive level on startup.

Any time you plug the unit on, the status of the RAM System will be that of
the last time it was turned off. Last input chosen is stored.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Heritage Audio RAM SYSTEM 500 is a professional monitor controller in
an innovative 500 Series format. It is specifically designed for small studios
requiring a mastering grade monitoring section without needing a plethora of
input and output connections. With a pair of analog inputs and main output,
and the innovative professional quality HA Bluetooth technology, the System

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500 will cover all the monitoring needs of the most demanding project
facilities at a price never heard before.

The level control is taken care of by means of microprocessor controlled gold
plated relays, giving an exceptional resolution of 64dB of attenuation in 1dB
steps. Keeping active electronics to a minimum, the attenuator is buffered
using state of the art Burr Brown circuitry for negligible coloration and no
noise.

Headphone monitoring is as critical as main speaker is. Usually a weak part
even in the most expensive units, the RAM System 500 employs very high
current drivers in a diamond buffer configuration which are able to drive any
headphones to very high levels without coloration or noise. It has one stereo
amplifier which follows the selected input signal.

INPUT FEATURES

The RAM System 500 has the following stereo inputs:

• BACK INPUT (B): Balanced, accessible on the 500 Series chassis

connectors.

• FRONT INPUT (F): Exactly as Input 1, but located on the front panel of

the unit by means of a pair of combo XLR/TRS jacks.

• BLUETOOTH (BT): This input features the same architecture found in

the acclaimed Heritage Audio BT-500. If you are not familiar with it,
the BT-500 is an Audio Streaming device in a convenient 500 Series
format. It streams audio from your Bluetooth-equipped device and
delivers a fully balanced, +22dBu stereo output. Integration of mobile
devices intro a professional studio environment has never been
easier. More info on the Bluetooth features later.

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MONITORING OUTPUT FEATURES

The RAM System 500 features one pair of balanced outputs available on the
connectors on the back of the 500 Series chassis of your choice.

ADDITIONAL MONITORING FEATURES

The RAM System 500 has the usual MUTE, DIM and MONO functions often
found in this type of units as follows:

• MUTE: Global Mute, equivalent to rotary knob all fully counter

clockwise.

• DIM: Attenuates further 20 dB from the attenuation marked by

either the red knob or the level preset.

• MONO: It outputs a mono signal to the left and right outputs.

HEADPHONE MONITORING

Your RAM System 500 provides with a mastering grade headphone amplifier,
accessible at the front panel of the unit. It is capable of extremely loud levels
without distortion, noise or coloration of any kind so, before plugging your
headphones in, make sure the headphone level is at its minimum setting, and
adjust accordingly.

The headphone amplifier follows the input signal selected.

UNDERSTANDING THE BLUETOOTH INPUT

There is still a popular misconception that Bluetooth is detrimental to the
audio quality. Although this has been true in the past, it is no longer the case.
Bluetooth is just a “wireless serial port” and, as so, has no ability to interact
with your sound quality. However, in order to fit the heavy data traffic that

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digital audio needs, digital audio compression is applied. This is the real

source for audio degradation in Bluetooth connections.

This being said, modern Bluetooth technology allows for very high quality
codecs taking care of the audio data and, which is more important, pre coded
data (such as that in iTunes) is kept unmolested.

NO MORE MINI JACKS

Employing last generation audio specific Bluetooth technology, the best
Codecs your devices can support and a state of the Art, Burr Brown based
analog signal path, it solves the already classic, irritating problem of
connecting your iOS or Android device to your Studio setup.

To this day this has been solved using mini jack to XLRs adaptor cables, but
the limitations of mobile devices’ analog audio paths have become clearly
apparent.

Listening to references on the iTunes Store, recordings sent by email, Spotify,
You Tube, you name it. You do it every day, all the time. Nevertheless
integration has been non convenient to say the least, until now.

SOUND QUALITY OVER BLUETOOTH

The RAM System 500 Bluetooth device automatically recognizes your
device´s best Codec option and uses it for streaming.

Apple´s iTunes Store and You Tube use AAC* as native so streaming from an
iPhone or iPad will result in a lossless transmission, much better than an
analog wired connection!!

Vast majority of Android devices have already adopted the amazing sounding
“Qualcomm® aptX™ audio” Codec **, which is nearly lossless and the
standard that wireless high quality headsets and sound bars are adopting.

For a complete list of devices currently supporting aptX please visit:
http://www.aptx.com/products/browse/categories

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In case your device can´t support neither AAC nor aptX, the RAM 500 will
stream audio using the classic SBC codec.

(*) Heritage Audio is an official AAC licensee.

(**) Heritage Audio is an official aptX licensee.

BURR BROWN´S PEDIGREE IN THE ANALOG PATH

The RAM System 500 Bluetooth device substitutes your mobile device´s
analog circuitry with a state of the art, fully differential Burr Brown balanced
output stage which delivers a full 0dBfs = +22dBu output able to drive a load
of 600 ohms. This allows direct level comparisons while mastering or mixing
with Apple´s iTunes Store or mobile stored reference mixes.

SYNCHRONIZING YOUR DEVICE WITH THE RAM SYSTEM 500

Synchronizing your mobile device with the RAM System 500 is as simple as
pairing any other Bluetooth device. It will appear as “HERITAGE CM 500” on
your Bluetooth devices´ list.

You Tube hosts nice tutorials about how to do so in both Android and iOS if
you need help.

The System 500 automatically selects the best Codec supported by your
mobile device, so no configuration is needed.

OPERATION

Whenever a device is paired with the RAM System 500, the “SYNC” LED will
light. From then on, your mobile device takes over the transmission, including
Transport control (PLAY, STOP, etc.) and Level (Volume).

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Active streaming is confirmed by corresponding Codec LED being turned on.

Please note Codec IS NOT configurable. It is automatically chosen from the
best available option on your mobile device.

Devices can only be paired one at a time. Whenever a different device needs
to be paired, Bluetooth needs to be reset, so RESET button must be pressed
down.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Maximum analog input level: Over +27.5 dBu

• Bluetooth input: AAC, aptX or SBC, 0dBfs=+22dBu at the output, all

fader up.

• DIM attenuation: -20db.

• Maximum output level: Over +27 dBu into 600 ohms.

• Noise: Better than -99 dBu.

• THD: Better than .001% at 1Khz, balanced input to balanced output,

all fader up.

DISCLAIMER

- Qualcomm is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in

the United States and other countries, used with permission.

- aptX is a trademark of Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd.,

registered in the United States and other countries, used with
permission.

- AAC and Bluetooth® trademarks are the property of their respective

owners.

- Heritage Audio is a non-exclusive licensee of Qualcomm® aptX™

audio.

- Heritage Audio is a non-exclusive licensee of AAC.

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LIMITED 2 YEAR WARRANTY

Heritage Audio RAM SYSTEM 500 is warranted by Heritage Audio SL to be
free from defects in materials and workmanship for the period of 2 years to
the original purchaser. In the event of such defects, the product will be
repaired without charge or, at our option, replaced with a new one if
delivered to Heritage Audio prepaid, together with a copy of the sales slip or
other proof of purchase date. The warranty excludes problems due to normal
wear, abuse, shipping damage or failure to use the product in accordance
with the specifications.

Heritage Audio shall not be liable for damages based upon inconvenience,
loss of use of the product, loss of time, interrupted operation or commercial
loss or any other damages, whether incidental, consequential or otherwise.

This warranty is not transferable.

www.heritageaudio.net

Ardemans, 42. Local

28028 Madrid

Spain

[email protected]