Knoll KES600, KES400 User Manual

KES400 and KES600 Eco-System™ Amplifier
specifications:

Inputs: 8 or 12 gold RCA jacks with adjustable gain
Input impedance: 50k ohms
Outputs: 5 way gold binding posts
Output power: 50 watts RMS per channel (8 ohms)
Peak output power: 100 watts per channel (8 ohms)
Ideal impedance: 4 – 8 ohms
Frequency response: 10 Hz – 40 kHz +/- 1dB (1w)
S/N ratio: Over 105 dB A weighted (50 watts)
THD distortion: Less than 0.1% 20 Hz to 20 kHz
IMD distortion: Less than 0.01% 60 Hz 7 kHz 4:1 (SMPTE)
Dimensions: 17” x 3.5” x 11.5” (432 x 89 x 292 mm)
Fan noise: Quiet 28 dBA
Power: Standby in Eco-System™ less than 5 watts

Maximum 750 watts at 117 VAC or 230VAC
Weight: KES400 20 lbs (9 kg); KES600 22 lbs (10 kg)
Construction: Steel chassis, powder coated; glass epoxy
printed circuit boards

Warranty

Knoll Systems warrants its products sold in the USA and Canada by
authorized Knoll dealers to be free of defects in materials and
workmanship. This warranty extends for three full years from the date
of purchase by the original consumer. Any products returned to Knoll
Systems and found to be defective by Knoll Systems within the
warranty period will be repaired or replaced at Knoll Systems option, at
no charge. Knoll Systems will not be responsible for the actual cost of
installation or removal of the product, nor for any incidental or
consequential damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or
limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above
limitation may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal
rights. You may have additional legal rights that vary from state to
state.

Knoll Systems www.knollsystems.com

145 Tyee Drive Point Roberts, WA 98281
12140 Horseshoe Way Richmond BC V7A 4V5
tel [phone], fax [phone]

KES400 and KES600 Made in Canada, 2011, Knoll Systems All Rights Reserved

KES400 KES600

Eco-System Power
Amplifiers
Installation Instructions v1.3

Warning: To be installed and/or used in accordance with

appropriate electrical codes and regulations.

Introduction: Thank you for your purchase of a Knoll
Eco-System multi-channel power amplifier and
congratulations on your choice. This amplifier is
specifically designed to save energy when idling, which
can be most of the time. When compared to similar power
amplifiers the KES400 and KES600 uses less than 5% of
the energy required for normal amps to idle.

FEATURES:

 Eco-System™ Circuitry saves energy (and

money) and increases power.

 12 channels x 50 watts RMS at 8 Ohms (over

100W peak). KES400 8 channels.

 Individual and automatic channel resetting

protection for low impedance, overheating,
overloading, overvoltage and undervoltage.

 Individual gain controls for all channels.
 Electronic Link feature connects stereo inputs

channel 2 through 6 to channel 1. KES400
connects stereo inputs channel 2 through 4 to
channel 1.

 Side-mounted thermostatically controlled fan for

internal cooling.

 Two rack spaces (3-1/2”) with optional rack

mount version.

The eco-friendly choice

The Knoll KES400 and KES600 are class A/B amplifiers that
produce 50 watts per channel at 8 ohms and 70 watts per
channel at 4 ohms. While offering unparalleled reliability, power
and sound quality the KES400 and KES600 offers a Knoll
exclusive, the Eco-System™ circuit. This patent pending circuit
determines which of the 12 stereo channels (6 pairs) are in use
and delivers power only to those channels needing it. The

channels that are “off” are truly off, not in “standby” or “mute”.

With this circuit the active channels share more rail voltage
resulting in more reserve power for the stereo channels in use.

The most important feature of the Eco-System™ circuit is the
electrical savings that is delivered to the owner over what a
comparable class A/B amplifier will cost to operate. The typical
homeowner will see a savings of a hundred dollars or more per
year in actual electrical costs and that can be multiplied when
taking into account the increased costs of air conditioning the
home to extract unwanted heat produced by a typical multi­channel amplifier. The KES400 and KES600 also feature a very
quiet energy saving thermostatically controlled fan. A
comparable amplifier without the Eco-System™ circuit (we
should know, we make lots of them) uses about 14 times (65
watts) as much power while idling in standby. By comparison
the KES600 with Eco-System™ uses under 5 watts while idling!

For over 15 years Knoll multi-channel amplifiers have sold
around the world because of their legendary reliability and
unparalleled sound quality. The KES400 and KES600 take the
next logical step by being eco-friendly. Please consider the
environment when choosing your next system.

Problem Action

Power led does 1. Check that the KES400 or KES600 is
not light-no sound plugged in.

2. Test the AC outlet with a lamp.

3. Check KES400 or KES600 power button
is on (in).

4. Slowly turn down the “SENS”
adjustment (counterclockwise) on the
amplifier rear, until the amplifier just
turns on.

Sound cuts out 1. Verify speaker impedance is 4-16 ohms.
Changing speakers may be required.

2. Check if the amp feels hot. If it's
hot, increase cooling – see

Installation.

Sound is distorted 1. Turn the volume down.

2. Check speakers for damage.

3. Check inputs for proper levels.
KES400 or KES600 gain and source
output level may have to be adjusted.

4. Speakers may be less than 4 ohms.

KES400/KES600 1. Turn KES400 or KES600 power switch
not turn off (out).

2. With the power switch on, and all input
channels music source turned on, very
slowly adjust “SENS” on rear of

amplifier in a clockwise direction until
amp turns off.

Speaker pops when 1. Speaker may need resistor placed
amp turned on or off across terminal. Suggest 2k0 1/4 w.
This discharges the speaker internal

capacitor.

8. Make sure the speakers in each room are connected in phase
with the amplifier + going to the speaker +. Out of phase
speakers give unstable imaging and poor bass response.

9. Connect the AC power into an outlet than can supply at least
six amps (750 watts) dedicated to each KES400 or KES600.

10. After the amp has been turned on adjust the “SENS” pot on
the rear of the amplifier if necessary. The “SENS” adjustment

can be adjusted up (clockwise) to make the amp less
susceptible to be turned on due to nuisance noise and hum. If it
is adjusted too high, the amp may delay turn on or turn off
during a quiet music or speech passage.

Caution: Never listen to sound that is distorted. If distorted
sound is heard, turn the volume down immediately or speaker
and/or amplifier damage could occur that is not covered by the
warranty. If this problem persists, contact your dealer.

User Adjustments and Service: There are no user
adjustments inside the KES400 or KES600. Your installer may
make certain gain and sensitivity level adjustments on the rear
panel.

Caution: The KES400 or KES600 contains no user serviceable
parts, so do not attempt to open or repair the KES amp.
Refer servicing to a qualified technician only or contact the
factory for information.

Troubleshooting

If a problem is encountered with the KES400 or KES600
amplifier, the most expedient procedure is to locate the problem
and if possible repair it before requesting service. Be sure to
carefully check other system components such as controllers,
CD players, volume controls, wiring, speakers, etc. that may be
at fault.

Installation

Installing the amplifier should be relatively easy. With a bit of
planning, this amplifier will give trouble free service for years.

1. The most important consideration when installing the
KES400 and/or KES600 is cooling. This amplifier has a lot of

power packed into a small chassis size. When installing it in an
equipment stack, it should be the top component. It needs at
least 3"-5" of space above the amplifier to allow for adequate
convection cooling.

2. When installing the KES400 and/or KES600 in a rack we
suggest adding a 3-1/2" blank above and below the amplifier. In
multiple KES400 and KES600 installations, plan for a 3-1/2"
blank (double) between each amplifier and a 3-1/2" blank on
the top and bottom. Amplifiers should always be the top
components in a rack system.

3. The KES400 and KES600 are available as an optional 19" EIA
rack mount style.

4. Never operate a KES400 or KES600 on its side, as the cooling
potential drops significantly when operated on the side.

5. Connect the KES400 or KES600 RCA inputs to the source
component outputs with good quality, short as possible RCA
jack cables. Connect each channel individually.

6. Connect the KES400 or KES600 speaker outputs to speakers
using good quality speaker wire. Minimum 16 gauge copper wire
is recommended with 14 gauge minimum for runs over 30'
(10m). Fire-rated wire may be required if installing wires inside
walls, ceilings or floors.

Note: Ideally the KES400 and KES600 amplifiers like 6-8 ohm
loads. Connecting to 4-ohm loads won't hurt the amplifier, but
the channels connected to 4-ohm loads may occasionally
shutdown due to overloading. Never connect any KES400 or
KES600 amplifier to less than 4 ohms.

7. Individually adjust the channel gains as required. Ideally, all
gains are fully on (fully clockwise).

KES600 Rear Panel

The Link button is normally set to the in position to give
all six stereo inputs individual sources. When a channel
Link button is set to the out position, that channel is
(Left/Right) linked or cascaded to input #1 (without the
use of Y cords). Any or all combinations of linked inputs 2
to inputs 6 are possible. When all inputs are linked to
input one, the input impedance is about 8500 ohms.

Note: When linked unused RCA inputs can be used as
outputs to other amplifiers.

Note 1: Ideal speaker impedance is 6-8 ohms.

Caution: NEVER connect the KES400 or KES600 to
impedances less than 4 ohms or amplifier damage not
covered by the warranty may occur.

The “SENS” pot controls the level threshold setting of the
automatic power on and off to all channels. Each channel
turns on and off individually.

Power On

Initially adjust the “SENS” on to about 1/3 level. Turn on a

source to one or more channels and see if the channel
turns on (observe the front panel led). With soft music on,
the channel should sense the music and turn on. If it does

not turn on, try turning the “SENS” adjustment counter

clockwise slowly until the channel turns on.

Power Off

If the channel does not turn off about 3-30 seconds after

a source has been muted or shut off, adjust the “SENS”

slowly clockwise and wait 30 seconds. If it still does not
turn off, turn it a bit more clockwise and wait another 30
seconds. Keep doing this until the channel turns off in 3­30 seconds.