Heritage Audio RAM System 5000 User manual

RAM SYSTEM 5000 USER MANUAL

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Sept. 11th, 2018

Rev. 2.0, Firmware version V2.0

INSTALLING THE RAM SYSTEM 5000

Thanks for purchasing the RAM System 5000. Please make sure the following
items are in the box when you open it.

• This manual.

• RAM System 5000 main unit.

• RAM System 5000 remote unit.

• Power Supply labelled HA-PSU02.

• 3x Bluetooth antenna.

• IEC Cable.

• USB cable.

Depending on your system requirements, you will need several XLR, RCA,
DSUB snakes and digital cables to hook up your system. Please check your
input sources and output destinations and get yourself the correct cables.

Additionally, please insert the wireless antennas in their threaded connectors
in case they come unplugged from the factory.

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The power supply is of the auto switching universal type so it works
worldwide without adjusting anything. In case your country uses a different
mains cable other than the one provided in the box, just get the correct one
and you are done.

The remote unit is operated by means of an internal rechargeable battery,
similar to that found in your mobile phone. A charging dock comes included
in the main unit, as is the USB cable. A red LED on the back of the remote unit
will light when being charged and the unit can be fully operated while in
charge mode. It is recommended to completely charge the battery on its first
use.

Please turn on the main unit and the remote unit thereafter. A “Connecting”
message will display and, if connection is successful, a message will display
shortly thereafter.

Plugging the unit will display a welcome message and firmware unit´s
version. 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 connection problems, the remote will show the message “NO CONSOLE”
and will try to reconnect again. It is normal to have this message for a few
seconds when turning on, no worries.

Any time you plug the unit on, the status of the RAM System will be that of
the last time it was stored, so there is no need to reset preset levels or
talkback gain. Last input and output chosen is also stored.

In order to save your preferred status, press SHIFT + OUT4 (SAVE STATUS)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Heritage Audio RAM SYSTEM 5000 is a professional 5.1 ready monitor
controller in a convenient split format. With its matrix of inputs and outputs,
covering balanced and unbalanced analog, all common digital formats on a
state of the art Wolfson DAC, and the innovative professional quality HA
Bluetooth technology, the System 5000 will cover all the monitoring needs of
the most demanding professional facilities at a price never heard before.

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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 premium 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 5000 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 2 amplifiers

individually configurable to follow any of the CUE sends or the active input
(MIX).

CONFIGURING YOUR RAM SYSTEM 5000

The RAM System 5000 is an extremely flexible unit that covers an array of
inputs and outputs rarely seen on products at its price range. Contrary to the
usual “optional” 5.1 facilities on products in this category, the System 5000 is

5.1 ready out of the box.

This does not mean that, if your studio does not need 5.1 at present, you are
paying for features you don’t need, as it has some smart configuration
parameters that take all the juice of your 5000 no matter your application.

So, mainly based on your 5.1 and subwoofer needs, there are 2 main user
configuration options that should be set on installation:

• MODE 5.1/ST ( 5.1 or Full Stereo operation)

• LFE MODE CONFIGURATION

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MODE 5.1/ST CONFIGURATION

In case 5.1 mode is going to be used in your facility, please activate it by
pressing SHIFT + INPUT 1 and confirm as requested. Repeating the same
operation will turn the unit back into Stereo mode. Save status as explained
before.

The implications of setting the unit in 5.1 mode are as follows: Inputs 1, 2 and
3 get linked (all 3 lights work at the same time), as do Outputs 1, 2 and 3.
These 3 pairs will become your 5.1 system following the protocol below:

• INPUT 1 L-R/OUTPUT 1 L-R: FRONT L-R

• INPUT 2 L/OUTPUT 2 L: CENTER

• INPUT 2 R/OUTPUT 2 R: LFE

• INPUT 3 L-R/OUTPUT 3 L-R: REAR L-R

Additional stereo inputs and outputs should be wired to the additional
inputs/outputs.

LFE MODE CONFIGURATION

The RAM System 5000 allows your 5.1 LFE speaker to act as the subwoofer in
the additional stereo pair of speakers, a feature missing in most competing
products.

In case the same LFE speaker in your 5.1 system is to be used with your
additional stereo pairs of monitors, the unit can be configured so a mono
signal following the stereo inputs is always present at OUTPUT 2R (LFE).

In order to do so, please press SHIFT + INPUT 2 and confirm. Pressing again
and confirming reverts the configuration. Again, save the status so your
configuration is stored.

In case Stereo mode is selected (no 5.1) a discrete Sub channel is configured,
and OUT 2 is disabled (as it is dedicated for sub purposes!!).

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INPUT FEATURES

The RAM System 5000 has the following stereo inputs:

• INPUT 1 to 4: Balanced, accessible on a DSUB 25 connector which
follows the Tascam protocol. Input 1 is also duplicated on a pair of
XLR connectors for ease of use. Nominal level is +4 dBu. Depending
on 5.1/ST and LFE mode configurations, Inputs 1 to 3 represent the

5.1 system or are individual stereo inputs.

• UNBALANCED INPUT: Accessible on a pair of RCA connectors, its
nominal level is -10dBV.

• DIGITAL INPUT: Based on the Wolfson WM8741 DAC (still the best to
our ears!!), it features AES/EBU, TOS Link and Spdif connectors.
Inputs are transformer isolated and read the word clock from the
digital incoming signal. A maximum of 24 bit/192 Khz is allowed and