Krell KAV-400-XI Owners manual

THE LEADER IN AUDIO ENGINEERING

KAV–400xi

Remote Control

Integrated Amplifier

Instructions for Use

Owner’s Reference

This product is manufactured in the United States of America. Krell®is a registered trademark of Krell
Industries, Inc., and is restricted for use by Krell Industries, Inc., its subsidiaries, and authorized agents.
Krell Current Mode™ and Theater Throughput™ are trademarks of Krell Industries, Inc. All other trade­marks and tradenames are registered to their respective companies.

© 2003 by Krell Industries, Inc. All rights reserved P/N 306733

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).

Do not place the integrated amplifier where it could be exposed to dripping or
splashing.

The ventilation grids on the top and bottom of the KAV–400xi must be unob­structed at all times during operation. Do not place flammable material on top of
or beneath the component.

When making connections to this or any other component, make sure all compo­nents are off. Turn off all systems’ power before connecting the KAV–400xi to any
other component. Make sure all cable terminations are of the highest quality, free
from frayed ends, short circuits, or cold solder joints.

THERE ARE NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE ANY KRELL PRODUCT.
Please contact your authorized dealer, distributor, or Krell if you have any ques-

tions not addressed in this reference manual.

KAV–400xi
Remote Control Integrated Amplifier
Instructions for Use

v 03.0

CONTACT
INFORMATION

WARNINGS

Krell KAV–400xi iii

Contents

Page

INTRODUCTION 1
DEFINITION OF TERMS 2
UNPACKING 4
PLACEMENT 5

AC Power Guidelines 5

Power Cord 5
FRONT PANEL / REMOTE CONTROL DESCRIPTION 7
REMOTE CONTROL ONLY 9

Battery Installation and Removal 9

Remote Control Only Functions 9
BACK PANEL DESCRIPTION 12
CONNECTING THE KAV–400xi TO YOUR SYSTEM 14

Connection Steps 14
OPERATING YOUR KAV–400xi 15

Amplifier Operation 15

Tape Input and Output 16
OPTIONAL CONFIGURATIONS 17

Configuring the KAV–400xi for Theater Throughput 17

Preamplifier Output 18
HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT SYSTEM NOISE 19
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 20
WARRANTY 21
RETURN AUTHORIZA TION PROCEDURE 22
SPECIFICATIONS 23

iv Krell KAV–400xi

Illustrations

FIGURE 1 The KAV–400xi Front Panel 6
FIGURE 2 The KAV–400xi Remote Control 6
FIGURE 3 The KAV–400xi Back Panel 11

Page

Krell KAV–400xi 1

Introduction

Thank you for your purchase of the Krell KAV–400xi Remote
Control Integrated Amplifier. This fully integrated amplifier and pre­amplifier has a fully balanced signal path from input to output and
employs a wide bandwidth design with low negative feedback for
sonic accuracy throughout the frequency spectrum. All circuits up
to the driver stage are pure Class A.

Krell’s new surface mount technology (SMT) means that the
KAV–400xi is an integrated amplifier with big power—200 Watts
per channel—that does not require big space. SMT allows individ­ual circuit elements to be placed very close together. This shortens
signal paths and allows circuit elements to operate at the same
temperature, resulting in more accurate signal transfer and
enhanced reliablilty.

The KAV–400xi is easy to operate and integrate into your system.
The remote control accesses all amplifier functions, and remote
control connection options allow the KAV–400xi to be easily con­nected with other components. The Theater Throughput feature
provides easy integration of the amplifier into a home theater
system.

This owner’s reference manual contains important information on
the placement, installation, and operation of the KAV–400xi.
Please read this information carefully. Athorough understanding of
these details will help ensure satisfactory operation and long life
for your KAV–400xi and related system components.

Definition of Terms

OPERA TION

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

Theater Throughput

Theater Throughput is a Krell configuration option that allows the
signal from a surround preamp/processor to pass through a Krell
preamplifier or integrated amplifier with no gain, for integrated vol­ume and balance management of Krell home theater systems.

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 single­ended connections and allow the use of long interconnect cables.
Balanced connections are completely immune to induced noise
from the system or the environment.

Single-ended

A two-wire input or output circuit. Use care when using single­ended connections as the ground connection is made last and
broken first. Turn the system off prior to making or breaking single­ended connections. Single-ended connections are not recom­mended for connections requiring long cable runs.

Off

The component is off when the AC power cord is unplugged from
the wall receptacle.

Stand-by Mode

Alow power consumption status that keeps the audio circuits at
idle. When you plug the AC power cord into the wall receptacle,
the red stand-by LED illuminates. The component is now ready to
be switched to the operational mode. Krell recommends leaving
the component in the stand-by mode when it is not playing music.

Operational Mode

When the component is in the stand-by mode, and you press the
power button on the front panel or the power key on the remote
control, the blue power LED illuminates. The component is in the
operational mode and is ready to play music.

CONFIGURATIONS

INPUT AND OUTPUT
CONNECTIONS

2 Krell KAV–400xi

Definition of Terms, continued

Krell Current Mode

A proprietary Krell circuit topology in which the audio gain stages
of a component operate in the current rather than voltage domain.
This unique technology provides the component with exceptional
speed and a wide bandwidth.

TECHNOLOGY

Krell KAV–400xi 3

4 Krell KAV–400xi

Unpacking

Follow these steps to safely unpack the KAV–400xi:

1. Open the shipping box and remove the top layer of foam. The

KAV–400xi and the KAV–400xi accessory kit containing the
following items are visible:

1 AC power cord
1 12 VDC (12 V trigger) cable
2 spare loudspeaker fuses (AGC 8)
1 KAV–400xi remote control
1 CR2025 lithium battery
1 packet containing the Quick Setup Guide

and the warranty registration card

2. Grasp the underside of the amplifier and lift it straight out of

the packing box.

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

plastic wrapping.

I

f any of these items are not included please contact your authorized

Krell dealer.
Save all packing materials. If you must ship your KAV –400xi in the future,

repack the unit in its original packaging to prevent shipping damage.

Notes

Krell KAV–400xi 5

Placement

Before you install the KAV–400xi into your system, review the fol­lowing guidelines to choose the location for the KAV–400xi. This
will facilitate a clean, trouble-free installation. The KAV– 400xi does
not require any type of special rack or cabinet for installation. For
the dimensions of the KAV–400xi, see Specifications, on the
back cover.

Place the KAV–400xi on a firm, level surface, away from exces­sive heat, humidity, or moisture. The KAV– 400xi requires at least
two inches (5 cm) of clearance on each side and at least two inch­es (5 cm) of clearance above and below the component to provide
adequate ventilation. Installations inside cabinetry may need extra
ventilation.

The KAV–400xi is not hum-sensitive. Other components may be
placed on or around the KAV–400xi (make sure ventilation grids
remain unobstructed).

Place the amplifier as close to the loudspeakers as possible and
keep loudspeaker cable lengths to a minimum. Loudspeaker cable
adds impedance to the load the amplifier must drive, regardless of
the cable’s gauge. All Krell amplifiers drive the lowest impedances
with ease, but long loudspeaker cables reduce the maximum
power that can be delivered to the loudspeakers.

The KAV–400xi has superb regulation and does not require a ded­icated AC circuit. Avoid connections through extension cords or
multiple AC adapters. High quality 15 amp grounded AC strips are
acceptable. High quality AC line conditioners or filters may be
used if they are grounded and meet or exceed the unit’s maximum
power consumption of 1800 Watts.

The KAV–400xi should be operated only with the power cord
supplied. Please contact your authorized Krell dealer, distributor,
or Krell before using any devices designed to alter or stabilize the
AC power for the KAV–400xi.

AC Power
Guidelines

Power Cord