Knoll Systems MA-850 Owners manual

Warranty

Knoll Systems warrants MA850 amplifiers 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 decision, 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.

Specifications:

Inputs 8 Gold RCA jacks with adjustable gain

Input impedance 50k ohms

Outputs detachable plug

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)

Trigger control 12 VDC 35mA on 3.5mm mono jack

Dimensions 17" x 3.5" x 11.5" (432 x 89 x 292mm)

Fan Noise quiet 26 dBA

Power 500 watts at 117 VAC or 230 VAC

Weight 20 lbs (9 kg)

Note: Specifications subject to change without notice.

Knoll Systems

145 Tyee Drive Point Roberts, WA 98281
12140 Horseshoe Way, Richmond, BC V7A 4V4
Tel: [phone], fax [phone]

Made in Canada

MA850 Amplifier

Eight Channel Amplifier
Installation Instructions v1.0

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

electrical codes and regulations.

Description: The MA850 is a member of the long line of Knoll multi­channel amplifiers. Designed primarily for the custom install industry, it
is used to power speakers with different or similar sources in multiple
rooms. With eight channels rated at 50 watts per channels at 8 ohms,
the MA850 packs some serious punch. Each channel has a gain control.
The MA850 can be turned on and off via the front panel power switch or
via the 12 VDC trigger. MA850 channels 3-8 can be linked to channel 1­2 individually using the link switches. MA850 amplifiers designed to
meet the amplifier needs of custom installed systems where high­quality sound is a specific requirement.

Key Features:

1. Size efficiency. The MA850 consists of a total of 8 power

amplifiers in one 3-1/2” high enclosure. Each power amplifier
channel can deliver 50 watts RMS into an 8-ohm load.

2. Automatic protection circuitry. Each MA850 channel is
individually and fully protected against low impedance,
overheating, overloading, overvoltage and undervoltage. The
protection circuitry automatically restores the amplifier channel
as soon as its parameter returns to the safe operating area.

3. Individual input gain adjustment. Each channel features
an input gain adjustment pot to adjust each channel for gain
and speaker sensitivity variations. The gain adjustments are on
the rear of the MA850 so installers normally set the gain.

4. External power on/off. The MA850 can be turned off and
on by external controllers. To activate external power on, apply
a 12 VDC current to the trigger jack (the MA850 power switch is
in the off position for external power control).

5. Stackable 17" chassis.

6. Link Feature. Certain installations require that some or all of

the stereo channels play the same content. Instead of using Y
cords, "link" cascades any or all of channels 2-4 to channel 1
(l/r).

Precautions: The amplifier is a wideband design with

substantial power output capability. Certain precautions must be
taken to ensure proper operation.

1. Never expose the unit to moisture.

2. Never plug an input cable into the amplifier while the
amplifier is turned on.

3. Never apply the “thumb test” (touching the “hot” lead of
the input cable with your finger) to the tip of the input
cable or input jack of the amplifier. RF rectification
and/or hum will be created and could cause damage to
the loudspeakers. Knoll will not be responsible for
damage to the loudspeakers due to improper use of the
equipment.

4. Under no circumstances should the output terminals of
the amplifier be short-circuited.

5. Avoid restricting the airflow around the unit. Good airflow
is necessary to help ensure proper operation.

6. Be sure that the loudspeakers connected can handle the
output power of the amplifier at the loudspeakers rated
impedance. The warranty on the amplifier does not cover
damage to loudspeakers that have inadequate power
handling capabilities.

7. Do not stack other system components or any other
materials directly on top of the unit. The heat dissipating
system of the amplifier depends on free-flowing air
around the chassis.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT
TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

Read all the safety and operating instructions before connecting
or using this unit. All warnings on the unit and in this operating
manual should be adhered to. All operating and use instructions
should be followed.

WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead,
known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

Hum and noise

In most cases, one of the following suggestions should help you
solve a hum noise in your system. Please try these steps in the
order shown, proceeding from one step to the next if the prior
suggestion does not eliminate the problem.

Suggestion #1

To determine if a cable TV connection is responsible for the hum, first
turn off all the components. Disconnect the cable TV feed to your
system at the first place where it connects to your components.
Alternatively, disconnect the cable TV wire where it is connected at the
wall outlet. Turn your system back on, and listen if the hum has
disappeared. If removing the cable TV feed has eliminated the hum,
you will need to insert a Ground Loop Isolator (Knoll model GB634)
before reconnecting the cable TV feed, or contact your cable TV
operator to see if they can better isolate your cable feed.

Suggestion #2
Turn off all components in your system and then disconnect the input
cables at the amplifier. Turn the amplifier back on to see if the hum is
still present. If the hum disappears, the fault may be in the input cables
used. Try replacing them with cables that have better shielding, and
make certain that the input cables are not running on top of any AC
power cords. Change the cables one at a time to determine if one or all
cables are responsive. If the hum disappears when the input cables are
disconnected but returns after the cables are changed and the system
reconnected, your source device may be causing the problem.

Suggestion #3

Poor grounding of the electrical system in your home may also cause
ground loop problems, particularly when there are multiple components
with three prong, grounded, power cords. Unplug these components
one at a time, and see if one or all of them is causing the problem. The
ultimate solution to this type of problem is to rewire your house with an
isolated, star type-grounding configuration. Knoll understands that this
may be impractical and expensive. In some instances, the use of an
approved AC Power Isolation Transformer (Knoll model PLB200) of
sufficient capacity may solve this problem.

Warning: If you suspect that the grounding system in your
home’s electrical wiring is causing the hum problem, it is
important that you do not make any changes to the wiring. Only
a licensed electrician should make any changes to household
wiring and they must be made in full compliance with all local
building, safety and electrical codes.