Niles Audio SI-1260 User Manual
INSTALLATION & OPERATION GUIDE
B LENDING H IGH F IDELITY AND A RCHITECTURE
®
Systems Integration Amplifier
®
®
CONGRATULATIONS!
Thank you for purchasing the Niles SI-1260 Systems Integration Amplifier, one of the
most versatile and powerful multi-channel amplifiers ever offered. Like all Niles
products, the SI-1260 is built to the highest standards of quality and reliability. With
proper installation and operation, you'll enjoy years of trouble-free use.
Niles manufactures the industry's most complete line of custom installation components and accessories for audio/video systems. For a free full-line catalog write:
Niles, Catalog Request, P.O. Box 160818, Miami, Florida 33116-0818 or visit
www.nilesaudio.com.
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 2
FEATURES AND BENEFITS 3
SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS 5
SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 6
APPLICATIONS 8
CONFIGURING YOUR SYSTEM 13
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS 14
INSTALLATION 16
FRONT & REAR PANELDETAILS 17
OPERATION 23
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE 27
CONFIGURATION WORKSHEET 29
SPECIFICATIONS 30
2
INTRODUCTION
Designed for use in high-end/high-powered distributed audio systems, the SI-1260
Systems Integration Amplifier provides a level of performance, flexibility , and ease of
installation previously unavailable to custom installers. The SI-1260's unique design
enables each of its channels to be independently configured to reproduce stereo or
mono in any combination, as well as to compensate for differing volume levels in
rooms of different sizes. Additionally, the amplifier's Dual Bus Matrix
™
feature and
multiple inputs enable it to be used in several different applications simultaneously
if desired (i.e. mono background music in some rooms and stereo in others).
As you read this manual and become more familiar with the SI-1260's capabilities,
you will understand why our multi-channel amplifier design has won many prestigious industry awards. The first multi-channel amplifier introduced by Niles, the SI1200, was selected Best New Product in 1994 by both Sound & Video Contractor
Magazine and the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA). In
addition, the SI-1200 also won the Consumer Electronics Show's Innovations '95
Design and Engineering Award.
SI-1260
Systems Integration Amplifier
Figure 1
INTRODUCTION
3
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Microcontroller Based Real World Power
The SI-1260 12 channel amplifier incorporates microcontroller technology which
maximizes the amplifier's operational efficiency and enables it to deliver a solid 60
watts per channel into 8 ohms, 20Hz to 20kHz, 0.04% THD. Its power increases to
80 watts per channel into 4 ohms, 20Hz to 20kHz, at 0.06% THD. The massive
Multi-T ap Toroid power transformer features 6 independent secondary windings, one
for each of the six amplifier modules. This extraordinary power supply design provides the power necessary to deliver solid, deep, controlled bass response to a house
full of speakers.
Transparent Sound
The audio circuitry of the SI-1260 is constructed with the finest parts available
including the latest in discrete output transistor design, featuring 1% metal film
resistors, high quality capacitors and oversized heat sinks. All this attention to
technical detail results in a sound that is clear and uncolored.
Microcontroller Based Operation and Protection Modes
The SI-1260 utilizes advanced microcontroller based operation circuitry that monitors all facets of the amplifier's operation and protection modes: over/under line
voltage, main power fuse status, channel pair on/off status, thermal protection, short
circuit/low impedance protection and DC output protection. Additionally, easy to
see front panel LED indicators display the operation or protection mode for each
channel pair (CH1/2, CH3/4, CH5/6, CH7/8, CH9/10 and CH11/12) as well as for
the amplifier's main power supply, providing fast and easy troubleshooting. In the
unlikely event that a problem occurs on one channel pair, the other channels will
continue to play. When conditions return to normal, regular operation will resume.
Dual Input BusMatrix™Selector
Nile’s unique Dual Input BusMatrix™selector gives you the flexibility to individually
assign each amplifier channel to a BusMatrix
™
input signal, either Left1, Right1,
Left1+Right1, Left2, Right2, Left2+Right2, or to a dedicated signal input. With the
BusMatrix
™
, routing surround sound to the master bedroom, stereo to the den, and
mono to a bathroom is as simple as flicking a switch. The Dual Input BusMatrix
™
makes the SI-1260 an ideal multi-room or multi-zone amplifier, offering the professional installer exciting new features and sound system design possibilities.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
4
Twelve to Six Channel Configurable Power
Each of the SI-1260's six adjacent output pairs are bridgeable. You can create up to
six 120-watt channels by setting the bridging switch to the "BRIDGED" position.
These switches are located at the top of the rear panel (see Page 21 Figure 16).
Bridging enables you to double the power to specific speaker locations, including
large rooms and outdoor applications.
Freedom From Noise and Cross-Talk
The unique design of the SI-1260's Dual Input BusMatrix™PC board ensures
extremely high channel-to-channel isolation. Signal-to-noise ratio and cross-talk
specifications are comparable to those of mixing consoles used in professional
recording studios. With the SI-1260, the music playing in the living room will not
interfere with the music playing in the den.
Independent Level Controls
Each channel has its own independent volume level control, enabling you to
individually adjust the setting for up to twelve different speaker locations for optimum audio performance, providing uniform sound in every room.
Turn-On Modes
The SI-1260 features three selectable turn-on modes: (1) manual turn-on via the front
panel switch, (2) microcontroller enhanced audio sensing which activates only the
appropriate amplifier channels while leaving unused channel pairs off to eliminate
cross talk and (3) a 3-30 volt AC/DC voltage trigger input which enables voltage activation. Audio Sense and External Voltage trigger modes enable you to configure the
SI-1260 to turn on automatically in any kind of system configuration.
DB25 Audio & Voltage Trigger inputs
The SI-1260 incorporates a DB25 input connector to reduce wiring and installation time when using Niles Systems Integration Electronics. Niles multi-zone preamplifiers are equipped with a mating DB25 output connector. This output connector provides 6 zones of line-level audio signal output and a 12V Trigger
Voltage for reliable amplifier activation.
Designed in the USA
The Niles SI-1260 was designed in the USA by Niles engineers and includes a
two year parts and labor warranty.
5
SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS
As shown in Figure 2, a distributed audio/video system is
defined by the number of listening zones it has. Within a listening zone you can listen to
only one (1) source (e.g. CD,
Radio, Tape, etc.) at any one
time. A listening zone can consist of a single room or a group
of rooms. To achieve different
volumes and greater convenience in different rooms within a zone, individual volume
controls can be used. Niles
makes volume controls in various styles and colors. When
designing your system, take
into account who will use the
system and when they will use
it. Consult your local Niles
dealer for more information.
A multi-zone system as shown
in Figure 3, offers the household more flexibility. For
instance, a family might have
their family room wired for surround sound and their living
room wired for background
music. In a two zone system,
the children can watch TV in
surround sound while Mom
and Dad are reading the paper
and enjoying background
music in the living room.
SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS
A Single-Zone System allows
only one source to be heard
throughout the house at a
given time.
Figure 2 - Single Zone System
Figure 3 - Multi-Zone System
CD PLAYER
TAPE PLAYER
RECEIVER
FAMILY ROOM LIVING ROOM
LISTENING ZONE 1
CD PLAYER
RECEIVER
LIVING ROOM
LISTENING ZONE 1
TAPE PLAYER
VCR
VCR
RECEIVER
FAMILY ROOM
LISTENING ZONE 2
TV
TV
SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
6
SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Speaker Compatibility
A single channel (not bridged) of the SI-1260 is capable of driving a low impedance speaker load. As many as three eight ohm speakers can be safely connected to a single channel, presenting the amplifier a 2.66 ohm load. Proper ventilation of the SI-1260 is critical when driving low impedance loads. If the SI-1260
is not properly ventilated, the protection circuits may activate and shut off the
channel at higher volume levels (for more information on proper amplifier placement, see Installation Considerations on page 14).
A channel pair that has been BRIDGED is capable of driving an impedance load
of 4 ohms. Proper ventilation of the SI-1260 is critical when driving a 4 ohm load
with bridged channels. If the SI-1260 is not properly ventilated, the protection circuits may activate and shut off the channel at higher volume levels (for more
information on proper amplifier placement, see Installation Considerations on
page 14).
When designing your system, try to specify 6-8 ohm speakers (Niles offers a complete line of in-wall, in-ceiling, outdoor and home theater loudspeakers with all
models rated from 6-8 ohms).
Cable and Wire
Because the SI-1260 has many connections on the rear panel (see Figure 13), it is
important that you correctly label all of the input cables and speaker wires. Label the
cables and wires with their destination or source, rather than the SI-1260 terminal to
which they are connected. This will make it easier to reconfigure your system in the
future.
The SI-1260 connects to your sources via shielded line level audio cables with RCAconnectors. Use high quality cables with your Niles amplifier for the lowest possible noise
and best overall performance. Your Niles dealer can recommend the proper cable.
A DB25 Multi-Zone Input Connector is provided for use with Niles Multi-Zone
Products which include a mating DB25 output connector. All 12 dedicated inputs
are included within the single connector, along with the SI-1260's Voltage Trigger
Input.
The SI-1260 connects to your speakers using two conductor speaker wire. For most
applications, we recommend you use 16 or 18 gauge wire. For wiring runs longer
than 80 feet, we recommend 14 gauge wire. The SI-1260's high-quality, gold-plated
5-way binding posts will accommodate up to 12-gauge wire. Attaching banana
plugs to the wire will enable the connection of larger wire sizes.
7
SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Using Mono For Smoother Coverage
In large or irregularly shaped rooms, you may find that the main listening area may be
closer to one of the speakers. If the speakers in the room are connected to a stereo
amplifier you will only hear half the music. The SI-1260's BusMatrix
™
enables you to
create mono sound from one speaker without impacting the stereo quality in the rest
of the system. You can configure each room to either stereo or mono as needed with
no ill effects. Some of the most popular areas where mono will greatly enhance the
sound quality would be:
• Large rooms with many seating areas and/or many pairs of speakers.
• Irregularly shaped rooms.
• Bathrooms with one speaker over the tub and one speaker over the sink(s).
• Hallways or passageways (including those with multiple speakers).
• Small rooms, such as walk-in closets where more than a single speaker is not
required.
Bridging Channels for Areas that Require More
Volume and Power
There are several situations where bridging is an excellent way to improve the
sound. There are also applications where bridging would seem to be appropriate but
is not recommended. Bridging channels increases the power to 120 watts per channel with an 8 ohm impedance.
These are some of the most common Do's and Don'ts:
1. Outdoors (DO) - Sound dissipates faster outside than it does in a room where the
walls enclose the sound and reflect it back to the listener . Apair of speakers playing into a large patio or yard will greatly benefit from bridging four channels into
two 120 watt channels.
2. Surround Sound Systems (DO) - The dynamic demands for the center channel
are much greater than the left, right or surround channels. This is an excellent
application for two channels to be bridged into one 120 watt channel.
3. More than one pair of 8-ohm speakers (DON'T) - In a large room or a long hall-
way, often the best way to get good background music is to install multiple pairs of
speakers. You will actually deliver more power to two pairs of 8 ohm speakers by
using two unbridged amplifier channels than you would if you bridged four amplifier channels into two and connected the two pairs of speakers in parallel.
8
APPLICA TIONS
Advantages of Using The SI-1260 in a Single Zone System
By connecting a Niles SI-1260 to a stereo receiver's preamplifier outputs, you dedicate
a robust 60 watts to each speaker in your multi-room system. Each channel has its own
level control, enabling you to compensate for architectural differences which may
cause one speaker to seem louder than another. In addition, you can fine tune the system so that when all of the room volume controls are set to the loudest level, the large
rooms and the small rooms play at the same volume.
Figure 4 - Single Zone
APPLICATIONS
DSS VCR CD
Preamplifier or
AM/FM receiver
SI-1260
Niles VCS-2D
Volume Control
Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Room 6
Single Zone
9
APPLICATIONS & SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Creating a Low-Cost Second Zone
Using A Dedicated Source
The main problem in a single zone system is that when a source is being listened to
in one room, you cannot listen to another source in another room simultaneously.
However, for a listener who only listens to CDs, a low-cost second zone may be created to allow simultaneous CD listening while the main system is playing another
source. This is possible only if the CD player you are using has dual audio outputs,
one with remote controllable volume and the other a fixed volume. As shown in
Figure 5, you connect the CD player's variable output to the SI-1260's dedicated
channel inputs for the particular room where you will listen only to CDs. The fixed
output is connected to the main preamp or receiver so you can also listen to CDs in
the rest of the house. The finishing touch is to install a Niles infrared repeater system
(IRR-4D, IRP-2+ and IRC-2) so you may adjust the CD player's volume via remote
control from your CD listening room.
Figure 5 - Low Cost Second Zone for CDs
DSS VCR CD
Niles VCS-2D
Volume Control
™
BusMatrix Input 1
Preamplifier or
AM/FM receiver
SI-1260
ZONE 1 ZONE 2
(Fixed)
(Variable)
™
BusMatrix Input 2
IRP-2+
IRC-2
I
FLASHERS
Niles IRR-4D+
IR Sensor
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