Rane SSA 6 User Manual

OPERATORS MANUAL

SSA 6

MULTICHANNEL AMPLIFIER

QUICK START

You gots your good habits, and you gots your bad habits. A good habit is to read at least this much of the manual. A bad
habit is not to read any of this manual. Reading just this section can prevent grief worse than your worst nightmare. Grief
that's hard to get rid of—harder than a bad habit.

Be sure the amplifier is off before making any connections. Euroblock speaker connectors make connecting the ampli­fier easy. They are just like little snap-on terminal blocks that take up to 12 gauge wire. Gold plated RCA connectors take
standard unbalanced sources. See Rane Note 110 for more information about other connectors. Keep your input cable
lengths as short as possible. Speaker loads should be no less than four ohms per output. If you are running multiple speak­ers per Channel in series or parallel, check your final impedances.

If you are running six separate Channels (unbridged), be sure all the BRIDGED switches on the rear panel are de-
pressed. If you are running any Channels bridged, you are obviously a power user and we highly recommend you read
further into the manual regarding this issue.

With Input and Output connections completed, be sure all front panel LEVEL controls are all the way counterclock-
wise. Now flip the POWER switch and after hearing the relays click in after a second, notice that the READY lights come
on. Slowly turn up each Channel's LEVEL control to the desired gain and if all is well you should hear something pleasant.
If not, re-check connections, put on a better CD, and read more of the manual.

Manual-1

FRONT PANEL DESCRIPTION

1. POWER switch: Obediently turns the SSA 6 on and off every time you poke it with your finger (or other suitable object).

All six Channels have delayed turn-on/instant turn-off relays to eliminate any switching transients.

2. THERMAL overload indicator: This red LED lights up if the SSA 6 becomes too hot, indicating that power has been

removed from all six Channels. Be sure to check the fan filter and actual speaker impedances if this lights up.

3. POWER indicator: This magnificent blue LED lights whenever the SSA 6 POWER switch is turned on.

4. READY indicators: Each of these green LEDs light whenever the mute relay is passing the signal through to the speaker.

Normal operation is the on status.

5. LOAD LIMIT indicators: Each of these red LEDs lights whenever a Channel leaves the Safe Operating Area (SOA). This

means the amplifier turned down the Input level quickly and automatically, avoiding over-dissipation. Input signals 30 dB
over a safe limit will cause the READY indicator and mute relay to turn off until the amplifier has been turned off and the
problem corrected. Normal operation is the off status.

6. PEAK LIMIT indicators: These red LEDs light whenever a Channel’s Output cannot follow its Input. The amplifier has

turned down the Input level quickly and automatically, avoiding audible distortion. Normal operation is the off status.

7. Channel LEVEL controls: Each of these rotary controls determines the Input sensitivity of each respective Amplifier

Channel. At its full clockwise position, an Input signal of 0 dBu (.775 vrms) drives the Amplifier to full power. As the
controls are rotated counterclockwise, more Input signal level will be needed to achieve full power.

Manual-2

REAR PANEL DESCRIPTION

1. INPUTS: These are standard unbalanced RCA connectors. For balanced sources consult Rane Note 110.

2. NORMAL/BRIDGED switches: With the switch in the out position and the LED indicator on, the SSA 6 is operating in

BRIDGED mode. The SSA 6 utilizes the BRIDGE switch to make internal connections between each pair of Channels: 1&2,
3&4, and 5&6. Whenever a signal is connected to an odd numbered Channel (say channel 1), the next even-numbered
Channel is driven inverted when the BRIDGE switch is activated. When the BRIDGE switch is inactive, the internal
connection is defeated and both Channels operate independently. Inputs should be connected to Odd Amplifier Channels
only (1,3,5), and speakers connected to the “+” terminals of each Channel pair as shown on the SSA 6 chassis silk-screen.

3. OUTPUTS: Connect the speaker(s) to each of the six Channels by means of the Euroblock connectors with 18 to 12 AWG

wire (See #2 for Bridged operation).

4. AC line cord: Plug this into a grounded AC outlet of l20VAC (or 240VAC if the SSA 6 is internally wired for 240V

operation). NOTE: If you use an adapter to plug the SSA 6 into a non-grounded outlet (three-to-two prong adapter), be sure
to screw the ground adapter to the outlet by means of the cover plate screw.

5. Line fuse: Use only a 15 amp 250 volt Fast-blow (or Normal blow—not Slow blow) fuse, 1.25" long, such as Buss ABC-15

(120 volt) or equivalent. For 240 volt use Buss ABC-8 or equivalent.

6. Fan filter: This washable filter may easily be removed for periodic cleaning by gently pulling on the black plastic housing

and then lifting it away–perform this feat with the fan off, of course. Once the filter is removed, rinse it under hot tap water;
and use dish soap to cut through particularly stubborn pollution deposits.

IMPORTANT: Keep this filter clean to ensure proper cooling and reliability of the SSA 6. Never remove the filter with the

unit plugged in.

The SSA 6 draws a tremendous amount of air to ensure proper cooling and resultant long term reliability. Check and clean

the filter as often as necessary, especially if the thermal overload indicator ever comes on.

Manual-3

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Voltage Controlled Attenuators

The voltage controlled attenuators (VCAs) in the SSA 6
allow a significant increase in usable volume levels without
excessive clipping or interference from conventional distor­tion causing muting circuits. The VCAs do not affect dynamic
response, distortion or noise levels of any material within the
rated output specifications of the amplifier. They simply
monitor the difference between Input and Output signals, and
the power dissipated in the output devices. In the event of
clipping or excessive dissipation in the output devices, the
VCAs “jump in” (out of hiding, as it were) and turn down the
Input level to correct the overdrive condition.

This means that whenever a PEAK LIMIT LED flashes, a
musical peak has been quickly turned down to avoid exces­sive clipping. This allows you to run the amplifier at a higher
continuous level, typically about 4dB SPL higher than
without VCAs. And that 4dB of increased SPL is the equiva­lent of a 250 watt amplifier without VCAs. If a LOAD LIMIT
LED flashes, the Input level has been quickly turned down to
prevent over-dissipation in the output devices due to excess
phase shift or abnormally low impedances which may occur
at some frequencies. This protection occurs without distorting
or interrupting the musical program.

Keep an eye on the LEDs on the SSA 6 front panel.
Occasional flashing of the LIMIT LEDs means you are
getting the most SPL out of the amplifier. Continual lighting
of either LED indicates excessive input overdrive, or too low
impedance of load. If the green READY LED goes off, a load
has been encountered that could not be corrected by the
VCAs, or the amplifier has offset. If this occurs, the amplifier
must be turned off and the problem corrected before the
Channel can be operated. If the READY LED will not light
with the load disconnected, then an internal fault has occurred
and the amplifier is in need of repair.

Rack Ears

Ears are available as an accessory. The SSA 6RM Rack
Mount Kit replaces the side panels to install the SSA 6 in a
19" rack. The SSA 6RM panels replace the side panels on the
SSA 6. Because electronics are exposed during this simple
procedure, we must issue the following
warning…CAUTION: Rack ears should be installed by

qualified personnel only. To avoid electric shock do not
perform installation unless qualified to do so.

Wait ten minutes before removing the side panels for the
power supply caps to safely discharge.

About the SSA 6 and Circuit Breakers...

The SSA 6 will easily deliver over 900 watts of audio
power, which requires as much as 15 amps of current from
the AC outlet. 15 amps is not an uncommon value for
household and some institutional circuitbreakers, though
20-amp versions are becoming more common. The bottom
line is that the SSA 6 is capable of tripping a 15 amp circuit
breaker under normal operation. An amp that delivers a lot of
power, drinks a lot of power to do so.

It is not likely that you will trip a breaker, but it is wise to
be aware of the possibility so you don’t panic if it happens.

Adapting the SSA 6 to Your Changing Needs

With six Channels to choose from and built-in Bridging,
there are a number of different combinations available to suit
your present and growing needs. The nice thing about the
SSA 6 is that you can re-configure it instead of losing money
on an obsolete, used piece of gear you no longer need.

Basically, you can start out with six Channels at 100 watts
or three Channels at 300 watts. When the time comes, you can
step up to six Channels at 300 watts by obtaining another
SSA 6 and keeping the original. Upgrading to biamped
speakers becomes easy as well, by simply adding a second
SSA 6, both taking up only 10.5" rack space.

©Rane Corporation 10802 47th Ave. W., Mukilteo WA 98275-5098 TEL [phone] FAX [phone] WEB http://www.rane.com

All features & specifications subject to change without notice. JUN96

Manual-4

Parameter Specification Limit Units Conditions/Comments

Power Output All Channels Driven, 20-20kHz

100 Min W (6) 8 Ohm Loads
150 Min W (6) 4 Ohm Loads

300 Min W (3) Bridged Pairs into 8 Ohms
Inputs: Active Unbalanced Gold Plated RCA Connectors

..........Impedance 20k 1% Ohms

..........Sensitivity 0.6V input=100W/8 ohms mV Level Controls at Max

Outputs:

..........Damping Factor 300:1 10% 1kHz

..........Minimum Load No Less Than 4 Ohms Single Channel Operation

No Less Than 8 Ohms Bridged Operation
Fan Cooling Continuous Variable Speed DC Intake Rear; Exhaust Front
Output Protection On/Off Transient Muting Output Relays

Input Protection Servo-Locked Input Atten.

..........Peak Limit 1% THD

..........Load Limit

Frequency Response 10-55kHz +0/-3 dB
THD+Noise 0.07 .03 % 100W/8 Ohms, 20-20kHz
IM Distortion (SMPTE) 0.1 .05 % 60Hz/7kHz, 4:1
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 103 2 dB re 100W, 0.775v sens., 20kHz BW
Crosstalk -60 3 dB 1kHz, Any Channel to Any Channel
Maximum AC Power 2200 W (6) Channels driven to full power
UL Listed UL Complies with UL 813
CSA Certified Complies with C22.2 #1 M90
Unit: Construction All Steel

..........Size 5.25"H x 17.4"W x 11"D (3U) (13.3cm x 44.1cm x 27.9cm)

..........Weight 32 lb (14.5kg)

Shipping: Size 11" x 23" x 16" (27.9cm x 58.4cm x 40.6cm)

..........Weight 37 lb (17kg)

Attenuates Input to Maintain <3% THD for
15dB of Overdrive
Attenuates Input as much as -30dB to
Maintain Safe Power DissapationRelay
Cutout Fail-Safe

Note: 0dBu=0.775Vrms

BLOCK DIAGRAM

Manual-5