Monster Power Signature MPA2250, Power Signature MPA3250 Owner's Manual
®
Signature
Monster Home Theater Music
Two Channel Reference Power Amplifier
Signature
Monster Home Theater Music
Three Channel Reference Power Amplifier
Owner’s Manual
MPA 2250
MPA 3250
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Important Safety Instructions i
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Installation Guidelines . . . . 5
Connection Guide . . . . . . . 8
MPA 3250 Connections. . . . 10
MPA 2250 Connections. . . . 15
Amplifier Operation . . . . . . 25
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . 27
Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . 28
Appendix A – System Connection Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Appendix B – Amplifier Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Please read and observe the following safety points at all times:
•
Read these instructions.
•
Keep these instructions.
•
Heed all warnings.
•
Follow all instructions.
•
Do not use this apparatus near water.
•
Clean only with dry cloth.
•
Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
•
Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or other apparatus
(including amplifiers) that product heat.
•
Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two
blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding
prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. This plug is designed to be
inserted into a grounded outlet only. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an
electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
•
Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles
and the point where they exit from the apparatus. Since the power cord is the method of connection
and disconnection to AC mains supply, it must remain readily operable to provide a means of
disconnection.
•
Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
•
Unplug this apparatus from its power source during lightning storms or when unused for long periods
of time.
•
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects
have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate
normally, or has been dropped.
•
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture
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Additional Manufacturer Warnings
WARNING – Power Sources
DO NOT plug this apparatus into a power outlet that differs from the source indicated for safe use. If you don’t know
the type of electrical power that is supplied to your home, please consult your local power company.
WARNING – Cord Safety
A. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles and the
point where they exit from the apparatus. When routing your Monster Reference Home Theater Music Power Amplifier
AC power cord, do not place it near heavy foot traffic areas (e.g., hallways, doorways, and kitchen floors).
Do not create a trip hazard with the power cord.
B. Since the power cord is the method of connection and disconnection to AC mains supply, it must remain
readily operable to provide a means of disconnection.
C. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
WARNING – Grounding and Polarization
Your Monster Home Theater Music Reference Power Amplifier has a three-wire grounding-type AC plug (a three-prong
outlet). This plug is designed to be inserted into a grounded outlet only.
A. A. If this plug doesn’t fit your outlet, DO NOT attempt to force it.
B. B. DO NOT attempt to defeat the grounding feature by using a 3-to-2 prong adapter. Instead, call a local electrician
to install a properly grounded outlet.
C. B. DO NOT attempt to defeat the grounding feature by using a 3-to-2 prong adapter. Instead, call a local electrician
to install a properly grounded outlet.
WARNING – Avoiding Electrical Shocks
A. To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. Do not operate near
rain or water that’s spilled or openly exposed (e.g., bathtub, kitchen or bathroom sink).
B. Do not operate your Monster Reference Home Theater Music Power Amplifier if liquid of any kind is spilled
onto or inside the unit.
WARNING – Exposure To Heat
Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or other apparatus (including amplifiers)
that product heat. Do not expose your Monster Home Theater Music Reference Power Amplifier to direct sunlight or
place it near wall heaters, space heaters, or any enclosed space prone to temperature increase. Please see the section
on installation for more information.
If, for any reason, your Monster Home Theater Music Reference Power Amplifier is not operating
properly, do not remove any part of the unit for repair. Unplug it and consult this owner’s manual
for warranty and service information.
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INTRODUCTION
Dear Enthusiast:
Thank you for purchasing my Signature Series Monster Home Theater Music Reference Power
Amplifier. I started my Signature Series in 2002 by introducing special versions of the Monster
Power Automatic Voltage Stabilizer 2000, Home Theater Power Source 7000 and Reference
Home Theater PowerCenter 5100. Each of these products represented a breakthrough in
performance and affordability and included special enhancements for audiophiles and videophiles
who appreciate minute attention to detail and elegant design…all geared towards getting
the most from their home theater system.
Now I am introducing my signature line of Monster Reference Home Theater Music Power Amplifiers for those
of you who are passionate about movies and music. I’ve spent years perfecting this design working with renowned
audiophile designers Richard Marsh, Demian Martin and the other dedicated professionals at Monster. After countless
hours of critical listening and dozens of prototype designs, we have finally completed an amplifier that is good
enough to be part of The Head Monster’s Signature Series.
The Home Theater Music amplifiers are designed to please the most demanding critical listeners…like me! I like
to listen to music LOUD with all the complex harmonics and dynamic range reproduced as accurately as possible.
I also like to watch movies and to have the power and responsiveness necessary to reproduce movie soundtracks
from the subtlest rustle of leaves to the most violent explosions. It takes a very special amplifier design to satisfy
the needs of both home theater and music.
I hope you enjoy your favorite music and movies even more with your new Monster home theater music amps.
Monsterously,
Noel Lee
The Head Monster
P.S. Here are some of the unique features of the Monster Home Theater Music Reference Power Amplifiers:
MONSTER MIRRORED AMPLIFIER TECHNOLOGY™— (MMAT™)
The MPA 2250 two channel, and MPA 3250 three channel amplifiers use a current-feedback topology we call MMAT™
to ensure low distortion and greater clarity even at the highest playback levels. Any signal put into this amp will be mirrored
at the output, just amplified, with all details intact. Monster amplifiers employ fully complimentary differential circuits,
so the two halves of the amplifier are mirror images of themselves — helping lower noise and distortion.
OTHER CIRCUIT INNOVATIONS
At the input end, a balanced complimentary push-pull stage delivers ultra-wide bandwidth performance for
the best reproduction of today’s ultra high resolution 192khz DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD formats. Monster
amplifiers are specially designed to be stable at high frequencies to support DVD-A and SACD.
At the output end, high current MOSFET output transistors deliver instantaneous current for maximum transient impact.
Monster amps provide high current peak delivery for a realistic, exciting home theater and music experience.
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SEPARATE POWER SUPPLIES ON EACH CHANNEL
A unique feature of Monster amplifiers, which allow them to outperform any receiver, is that each channel has its own
transformer and power supply. Receivers that share a single power supply across all channels will actually deliver far lower
power levels than the maximum power rating when all channels are driven. Monster amps won’t sag when the power
demands are high because they are designed to support the current delivery for each channel independently.
Monster home theater music reference power amps deliver detail, clarity, dimensionality and low distortion sound with
powerful bass at virtually any power level.
LOADS OF POWER
Monster home theater music amps deliver 400 continuous watts per channel into 4 ohms with all channels driven (250
watts/channel into 8 ohms). Instantaneous peak power exceeds 500 watts into 4 ohms (300 watts/channel into 8 ohms or
750 watts/channel into 2 ohm loads).
LABORATORY-GRADE DIGITAL POWER METERS
Watch how the power meters jump around with your favorite dynamic music passage or explosive movie scene, and which
channels require the most power. That will tell you how much power the amps are delivering and what is required
by the material you are listening to. You’ll be surprised to see how much power some music and movie transients need
to sound as powerful as the composer or director had in mind for the original experience.
Watch the meters as the amplifiers pump out big, powerful, but tightly controlled bass. The separate transformer and power
supply on each channel is the key. Big room-energizing bass, properly recreated, gives the sound a sense of space. Give
yourself a good view of the meters really jumping with power by playing Telarc International’s recording of Tchakowski’s 1812
Overture with Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops. Just after 14 minutes into the recording, listen to the cannon shots and
watch the amp meters show just how much sheer power is required to accurately reproduce one of the biggest
and most breathtaking transients in recording history.
THE MONSTER BACKBONE
Monster recently introduced a new way of looking at a total home theater music experience. It all starts with the “polluted”
AC power from your wall. Power line noise, spikes, sags, noise from your own components, noise generated from other
devices on the same electrical circuit as your system — all of these are detrimental to the audio experience. To achieve
the best home theater and music listening experience, you must take steps to ensure that the power delivery to all
of your home theater music components is stable and clean.
You can realize a truly amazing home theater music experience if you ensure that the power being delivered to all
of your audio and video components is at a stable voltage and filtered from power line noise. Just as the home theater music
amplifiers are designed to provide all the power (wattage) that is demanded from movies and music, Monster recommends
providing all of the clean and stabilized power (voltage and current) that is needed by your electronics to get all
the performance they were designed to deliver.
Voltage stabilization can be achieved by adding a Monster Power Automatic Voltage Stabilizer to your system (AVS 2000).
“Polluted” power can be cleaned by adding a Monster Power Reference Home Theater PowerSource (HTPS 7000) which
will also isolate your components and protect them from electrical spikes and surges.
By addressing the needs of power quality (stabilized, clean power) and power capacity (powerful amplification) from
your electronics, you can build the backbone for a truly amazing home theater music experience.
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THE DESIGN MINDS BEHIND THE MONSTER HOME THEATER MUSIC
REFERENCE POWER AMPLIFIERS
Richard Marsh – There are few experts able to solve the complex problems of AC power.
Richard Marsh is one of the illustrious few. He has designed best selling power conditioning
components costing more than $3,000 and now brings his expertise to Monster Power.
Richard developed Monster’s exclusive Clean Power™ circuitry. He is also responsible
for several other groundbreaking designs. Richard’s background and research into amplifier
and capacitor design led to his development of the Servo-DC feedback concept in power
amplifiers – a concept that is used by virtually every amplifier manufacturer today.
His status as both the inventor of the MultiCap™ internal bypass capacitor and as the driving
force behind the high-end audio balanced circuit design concept has influenced the audiophile
community for years. Richard is responsible for some of the high end audio world’s most
respected product designs, essays and articles, and has contributed to Fi, The Absolute Sound
and Audio magazines. He is included in Who’s Who in the West.
Noel Lee – Noel Lee is best known for popularizing the concept of high performance audio
cable over 20 years ago with his creation of Monster Cable. Originally a laser-fusion design
engineer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and later a touring musician, Noel has
invented or co-invented over 125 U.S. and international patents and drives the explosive growth
of The Monster Group into more than 80 countries worldwide. Monster Power is his realization
of a long-nurtured vision of making affordable power solutions that deliver the best possible
sound and picture.
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OVERVIEW
The following information will guide you through the setup and operation of the MPA 2250 Monster Home Theater Music
Reference Amplifier. For full Home Theater Music enjoyment please read through this entire manual before proceeding
with setup.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Please make sure you have the following to best enjoy the high performance of your Monster Home Theater Music
Reference Power Amplifier.
A. This owner’s manual.
B. Your favorite pen or a computer with an Internet browser (for registering your warranty information).
C. One or more Monster Home Theater Music Reference Power Amplifiers.
D. Your source equipment, speakers and their owners manuals.
E. Monster Cable interconnects and Monster Cable speaker cable to connect source components and speakers
to your Monster Reference Home Theater Music Power Amplifier(s).
CABLES NEEDED TO CONNECT 5 CHANNELS OF AMPLIFICATION
A. 5 individual Monster Cable, M-Series, Z-Series or Sigma Audio Interconnects – length determined by your system
rack. Connector type determined by your receiver/preamp.
B. 5 runs of Monster Speaker Cable – length determined by the size of your room and speaker placement.
If your Receiver/Preamp has a remote trigger out:
A. 2 runs of 1/8”-to-1/8” mono mini cable included with the amplifier.
If your receiver does not have a remote trigger out:
B. 1 run of 1/8”-to-1/8” mono mini cable and a 3-30v power transformer included with the amplifier.
UNPACKING THE AMPLIFIERS
Take care in unpacking your new Monster amplifier so as not to scratch or damage the unit. Monster recommends
saving the box should you ever need to move it or return it for any reason.
While unpacking please make note of the enclosed items and set them aside.
Items Included
1 Ea Copy of this Manual
1 Ea 1/8”-to-1/8” mono mini remote trigger cable
1 Ea DC Power Transformer to be used as a remote trigger if needed
1 Pr Front Rack Mounting Ears
1 Pr Rear Rack Mounting Bracket
1 Set Screws for Rear Rack Brackets
1 Ea PL 400 IEC - type AC Power Cord
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INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
Before placing, connecting and using your new Monster Home Theater Music Reference amplifier, please read
through these guidelines to familiarize yourself with the installation specifications.
HEAT DISSIPATION
The Monster Amp is a high current design, and like all amplifiers, will produce heat under normal
operating conditions.
To maintain proper operation of your amplifiers:
DO NOT stack your amplifiers in an enclosed environment such as closets or completely enclosed audio racks.
When placing your amplifier into your audio system allow 3” of clearance on the top and 2” of clearance
on each side to help disperse the heat. Each amplifier should be placed on a separate shelf with space above
and to the sides.
If the amplifiers are required to be mounted in an enclosed environment, the use of a fan is recommended
to remove excess heat from the enclosure.
DO NOT place amplifiers directly on carpeted floors.
An amplifier placed on carpeting restricts the flow of air from the bottom and causes the amplifier to heat
up prematurely. This may also pose a safety hazard because the carpeting may come in direct contact with
the amplifier’s chassis which is a source of heat.
AC POWER LINE
The Monster Amplifiers are designed to operate from a 120V 60Hz AC power line. Connection is made through
a heavy duty grounded power cord. For safety and proper operation DO NOT remove the ground pin, cut the power
cord or use a ground lifting adapter.
For proper operation and the best possible sound, Monster recommends using a Monster Power Reference Home
Theater PowerCenter to deliver clean AC power to protect your Monster Amplifiers from surges and spikes
on the AC power line. Consult your Monster dealer for information or visit www.monsterpower.com.
AUDIO CONNECTIONS
When purchasing cables to connect your Monster Power Amplifier to your system, make sure the cables are long
enough to have some slack between components. DO NOT stretch the cables tightly between components. Cables
should be of sufficient length so that they are not pulled around shelves or other components.
Speaker cables for the Front Left, Center and Front Right should be of equal length to maintain best delivery
of sound. The Rear Right and Rear Left should also be of equal length even if the cables runs allow one
to be shorted then the other.
OUTPUT METERS
One the major features of the Monster Home Theater Music Reference Amplifiers are the laboratory-grade digital
meters. The meters show the current output of the channel indicated in watts.
Monster recommends that the MPA 3250 3 channel amplifier be used for the front channels, and the MPA 2250
for the rear channels. When positioning the amplifiers on shelving or in a rack, it is recommended that the MPA 3250
be above the MPA 2250. This allows the meters to be used as a floor plan of the speakers as they are connected
to your system.
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RACK MOUNTING
WATTS
RIGHT CHANNEL
WATTS
LEFT CHANNEL
WATTS
TOTAL
POWER
ON
LEFT CHANNEL
FULL POWER
CENTER CHANNEL
FULL POWER
RIGHT CHANNEL
FULL POWER
WATTS
CENTER CHANNEL
MPA3250
Signature
MONSTER HOME T HEATRE MUSIC
THREE C HANNEL REFERE NCE POW ER AMPL IFIE
R
CENTER D ISPLAY OPTIO NS
CENTER CHANNE L WATT S
TOTAL WAT TS
POWER
ON/OFF
DISPLA
Y
BRIGHTNE SS
Trim Plate Allen Screws
Front of Amplifier
Top View of Amplifier
Your new Monster power amplifier comes with front and rear rack mounting for installing in equipment
racks. The front rack ears are separate from the unit and must be installed prior to rack mounting.
Please follow these instructions to mount your monster amplifier into a rack.
1. Remove the 10 Allen screws that secure the outer trim plates of the amplifier and set them
aside. Take care when removing to not scratch the rack ears or face plate.
2. Attach the rack ears by placing them along side each side of the amplifier. There is a small
metal strip on the back of each rack ear that should be flush with the side of the amplifier.
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3. Carefully replace the 5 Allen screws on each side. Make sure that the screws are tight.
Front of Amplifier
Take care when tightening to not over tighten the screws.
4. Carefully place the amplifier into the rack. Hold in position and tighten the front screws
while continuing to support the amplifier.
5. Adjust the depth of the rear rack bracket to match the rails at the back of the rack.
6. Attach the rear rack brackets to the amplifier. Continue to support the amplifier until
the rear rack brackets are secured to both the unit and the rack.
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