Krell KAV-1500 Owners manual

KAV-1500

Leader in Audio Engineering

Instructions for Use

Five-Channel Power Amplifier

Owner’s Reference

KAV-1500

Five-Channel Power Amplifier
Instructions for Use

v 00.0

Krell Industries, Inc.
45 Connair Road

Orange, CT 06477-3650 USA
TEL [phone]

FAX [phone]
E-MAIL [e-mail]

WEBSITE http://www, krellonline.com

This product complies with the EMC directive (89/336/EEC) and the low-voltage directive (73/23/EEC).

WARNINGS

The amplifier must be placed on a firm,/eve/surface where it is not exposed to dt~pping or splashing.
The ventilation grids on the top of the amplifier and the space underneath the amplifier must be unobstructed

at all times during operation. Do not place flammable material above or beneath the amplifier.

Contact your authorized Krel/ dealer, distributor, or Krell before using any devices designed to alter or stabi-

lize the AC power for the KAV-1500.
Before connecting the KAV-1500, make sure the amplifier is turned off and any output device (such as

preamplifier) is in mute or stand-by mode. Make sure all cable terminations are of the highest quality and
free from frayed ends, short circuits, or cold solder joints.

Use only one set of inputs to the amplifier at a time.
After reconfiguring for MAT, do not use more than one input at a time.
After bridging, one channel must remain unbridged.

THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE ANY KRELL PRODUCT.
Please contact your authorized Krell dealer, distributor, or Krell if you have any questions not addressed in

this reference manual.

This product is manufactured in the United States of Amedca. Krell® is a registered trademark of Krell Industries, Inc., and is restricted for use by Krell

Industries, Inc., its subsidiaries, and authorized agents. Multi Amp Throughput
are registered to their respective companies.

TM

is a trademark of Krell Industries, Inc. All other trademarks and tradenames

© 2000 by Krell Industries, Inc. All rights reserved P/N 303961

Contents

Page

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF TERMS

UNPACKING
PLACEMENT

AC Power Guidelines

FRONT PANEL DESCRIPTION: KAV-1500
BACK PANEL DESCRIPTION: KAV-1500
CONNECTING THE KAV-1500 AMPLIFIER
TO YOUR SYSTEM

Input and Output Connections

OPTIONAL SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS

Multi Amp Throughput
Bridged Operation

Example of Connection Scenario: Multi Power Mode

1
1

3
4

4

6
8

10
10
12

12
16

18

AMPLIFIER OPERATION

On/Off and Operation

TROUBLESHOOTING SYSTEM NOISE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

WARRANTY

RETURN AUTHORIZATION PROCEDURE
SPECIFICATIONS

Krell KAV-1500 Amplifier iii

20
21
22

23

19
19
19

Illustrations

Page

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 4

The KAV-1500 Front Panel
The KAV-1500 Back Panel

Reconfiguring the KAV-1500 for MAT Operation
Reconfiguring the KAV-1500 for Bridged Operation

5
7

13
15

iv Krell KAV-1500 Amplifier

Introduction

Thank you for your purchase of.the Krell KAV-1500 Five-Channel Power Amplifier.
The KAV-1500 amplifier provides substantial five-channel output power that delivers

realistic music reproduction at an exceptional value. The amplifier can be customized

with a variety of optional system configurations, including a multi power mode using the

Multi Amp Throughput (MAT) feature, and bridged operation. The KAV-1500 amplifier
has balanced and single-ended inputs for compatibility with other components. The

multi-channel (DB-25) input also allows you to integrate the amplifier easily and

seamlessly into home theater or whole house systems. The amplifier can be operated

using the 12 VDC power on/off (12 V trigger) signals from other components.

This reference manual contains important information on placement, installation, and
operation of the KAV-1500 amplifier. Please read this information carefully. A thorough

understanding of these details helps ensure satisfactory operation and long life for your
KAV-1500 amplifier and related system components.

Definition of Terms

Following are the definitions of key terms used in your owner’s reference manual.

CONNECTIONS
Bridging

A method of linking two amplifier channels by distributing the speaker load between the

positive binding posts. Bridging the channels quadruples the power rating at 8 Ohms.
Bridged configurations should not be used with loads under 4 Ohms.

Krell Multi Amp Throughput (MAT)

An internal connection option that sends the same music signal to all amplifier channels

using one balanced or single-ended connection. MAT reduces installation complexity

and cabling requirements in systems containing multiple amplifiers. MAT also allows a
variety of connection scenarios, including powering multiple pairs of loudspeakers to

extend the listening environment throughout your home.

INPUTS AND OUTPUTS
Balanced

A symmetrical input or output circuit that has equal impedance from both input terminals
to a common ground reference point. The industry standard for professional and sound

recording installations, balanced connections have 6 dB more gain than single-ended

connections and allow the use ofr long interconnect cables.

Krell KAV-1500 Amplifier 1

Definition of Terms, continued

Single-ended

A two-wire input or output circuit, Use care when using single-ended connections, in
which the ground, connection is made last and broken first. Turn the system off prior to
making or breaking single-ended connections. Single-ended connections are not

recommended for configurations requiring long cable runs.

Multi-channel (DB-25)

A balanced input or output circuit that allows for the simultaneous connection of all
audio outputs plus one 5 VDC (5 Volt tdgger) via a single cable. DB-25 inputs and

outputs are becoming popular for connecting multi-channel AN processors and power
amplifiers, simplifying the integration of the two components into your system.

OPERATION
Off

When the power button on the front panel is pressed and the blue power LED turns off,
the component is off.

Operational Mode

When the power button on the front panel is pressed and the blue power LED
illuminates, the component is in the operational mode and ready to play music.

Stand-by Mode

A low power consumption status that keeps the audio and regulator circuits at idle. Krell

recommends leaving the component in the stand-by mode when it is not playing music.

2

Krell KAV-1500 Amplifier

Unpacking

Open the shipping box, which contains:

1 amplifier unit (packed in foam end-caps)

4 ribbon connection cables

Fuses

2 AGC- ~ (~-amp) speaker fuse

1 slow-blow (20 amp for 100/120V or 12 amp for 220/240V) line fuse

1 12 VDC output (12 V trigger) cable
1 T-15 Torx wrench

1 packet containing the owner’s reference manual and the warranty registration

card.

IMPORTANT

Two people are needed to remove the amplifier from the shipping box.

1. One person grasps the underside of the foam end-caps at one end of the amplifier;
at the same time, the second person grasps the underside of the foam end caps at
the other end of the amplifier.

2. Slowly lift the amplifier straight out of the shipping box.

3. Place the amplifier in a safe location and remove the protective plastic wrapping.

Notes

/f any of these items are not included in the shipping box, please contact your
authorized Krell dealer, distributor, or Kre// for assistance.

Save all packing materials. If you ship your amplifier in the future, repack the unit in its
original packaging to prevent transit damage. See Return Authorization Procedure,

on page 22, for more information.

Krell KAV-1500 Amplifier

3

Placement

Before you integrate the KAV-1500 into your system, review the following guidelines to

choose the location for the component. This will facilitate a clean, trouble-free

installation.

The KAV-1500 requires at least two inches (5 cm) of clearance on each side and

least two inches (5 cm) of clearance above the component to provide adequate

ventilation.
The KAV-1500 does not require any type of special rack or cabinet for installation. For

the dimensions of your amplifier see Specifications, on page 23.

Place the amplifier as close to the loudspeakers as possible and keep the speaker

cable length to a minimum. Speaker cable adds impedance to the load the amplifier

must drive, regardless of the cable’s gauge. Krell amplifiers drive the lowest
impedances with ease, but long speaker cables reduce the maximum power that is

delivered to the loudspeakers.

AC POWER GUIDELINES

Krell recommends operating each amplifier from a dedicated 15-amp AC power line.
For maximum power output, operate the KAV-1500 amplifier from a dedicated 20-amp

AC power line.

4

Krell KAV-1500 Amplifier

FIGURE 1 THE KAV-1500 FRONT PANEL

1 Power Button

2 Power LED

KAV- 1500