RDL RUPA518 Data Sheet

RACK-UP® SERIES

Model RU-PA518
Audio Power Amplifier

ANYWHERE YOU NEED...

• Compact, 1/3-Rack width Amplifier

• Selectable Stereo or Bridged Mono

• 9 W RMS Stereo, 18 W RMS Mono

• Front Panel Control for 2 Inputs

• Selectable Built-In Peak Limiter

• Clean, Transparent Audio Quality

You Need The RU-PA518!

The RU-PA518 is part of the group of versatile RACK-UP products, featuring the advanced circuitry for
which RDL products are known, combined with accessible, user-friendly controls and displays. The ultra­compact design permits high-density installations, with three products mounted in a single rack unit! The
RU-PA518 may be placed on a shelf or mounted below a shelf using optional mounting brackets.
Optional rack-mount adapters (RU-RA3) are available for conventional RACK-UP series installation.

APPLICATION: The RU-PA518 is a very versatile audio amplifier ideally suited to a wide variety of
installations. This amplifier features two modes of operation: stereo and bridged mono. Each mode is
switch selectable on the rear panel.

In stereo mode, each of the two inputs feed its respective left or right output. Front-panel level controls
set the gain for left (channel A) and right (channel B). When the rear-panel switch is set to the bridge
mode, the two inputs (A and B) are mixed together and fed to the output.

In either the stereo or mono modes, an internal audio peak limiter may be turned on using a rear-panel
switch. The limiter protects the speakers from high transient audio peaks which permits more of the
amplifier’s power to be delivered to the speakers without clipping. This allows the RU-PA518 to deliver
more unclipped power than is possible in a typical power amplifier of similar power rating. A front-panel
LED flashes when the peak limiter operates, permitting accurate audio gain setting when operating at high
levels.

In stereo mode, the RU-PA518 can be connected to either an 8 Ω or 4 Ω load, delivering more than 5 W
RMS at 8 Ω or more than 9 W RMS into 4 Ω. In the bridge mono mode, the amplifier can deliver more
than 18 W RMS into 8 Ω.

Each of the audio inputs is provided with both balanced and unbalanced connections. Balanced audio is
connected through a rear-panel full-size barrier block. Unbalanced audio is connected through a standard
phono input jack. Outputs are available on a barrier block. 24 Vdc power is connected through either
barrier block terminals or through a dc power jack mounted on the rear panel. Front-panel controls
include two audio level knobs and a power switch with an LED indicator.

With its high performance, small size and professional appearance, the RU-PA518 is the ideal power
amplifier in its power range. Use the RU-PA518 individually, or combine it with other RDL RACK-UP or
STICK-ON products as part of a complete audio/video system.

RDL •• P.O. Box 1286 •• Carpinteria, CA., USA 93014 •• [phone] •• FAX [phone] •• http://www.rdlnet.com

RACK-UP® SERIES

Model RU-PA518
Audio Power Amplifier

24 VDC POWER

OR

24 VDC

POWER

SOURCE

EACH INPUT MAY BE WIRED BALANCED OR UNBALANCED

24 VDC POWER

BRIDGE

OR

MODE

BRIDGE

B A

OUTPUT(S)

STEREO

RDL

MADE IN U.S.A.

LIMITER

ON

OFF

B

UNBALANCED

INPUTS

BALANCED INPUTS

A

BRIDGE

OR

MODE

STEREO

BRIDGE

B A

OUTPUT(S)

INPUT

WIRING

OR

RDL

MADE IN U.S.A.

LIMITER

ON

OFF

B

UNBALANCED

BALANCED INPUTS

SIGNAL

FROM
BALANCED
LINE-LEVEL

SOURCE

24 VDC POWER

Installation/Operation

EN55103-1 E1-E5; EN55103-2 E1-E4

Typical Performance reflects product at publication time
exclusive of EMC data, if any, supplied with product.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.

A

INPUTS

SIGNAL

FROM

UNBALANCED

LINE-LEVEL

SOURCE

BRIDGE

OR

SIGNAL

UNBALANCED

LINE-LEVEL

SOURCE

MODE

STEREO

BRIDGE

B A

OUTPUT(S)

FROM

SET SWITCH TO STEREOSET SWITCH TO BRIDGE

MADE IN U.S.A.

RDL

LIMITER

ON

OFF

B

UNBALANCED

INPUTS

BALANCED INPUTS

A

OUTPUT

WIRING

MONO

8 OHM SPEAKER

TYPICAL PERFORMANCE

Inputs(2): Line level
(+4 dBu nominal balanced)
(-10 dBV nominal unbalanced)
Input Impedance: 20 kΩ balanced bridging
10 kΩ unbalanced
Input Connectors: Balanced on terminal block;
Unbalanced on phono jack
Minimum Input Levels:
Balanced: -6 dBu for rated power output
Unbalanced:

-20 dBV for rated power output
Maximum Input Levels:
Balanced: +20 dBu
Unbalanced: +6 dBV
Frequency Response:
Stereo (5W RMS, 8Ω): 20 Hz to 40 kHz (+/- 1 dB)
Stereo (9W RMS, 4Ω): 25 Hz to 40 kHz (+/- 1 dB)
Mono (18W RMS, 8Ω): 25 Hz to 30 kHz (+/- 1 dB)

Radio Design Labs Technical Support Centers

U.S.A. [phone], [phone]; Fax: [phone]

891-3056H

Europe [NH Amsterdam] (++31) 20-6238 983; Fax: (++31) 20-6225-287

+

4 OR 8 OHMS

+

4 OR 8 OHMS

THD+N: < 0.05% below rated power
(@ 1 kHz)
< 0.1% below 18 W RMS
(50 Hz to 20 kHz)
CMRR: > 55 dB (50 Hz to 120 Hz)
Output Power:
Stereo Mode: >
>

5 W RMS per channel into 8 Ω

9 W RMS per channel into 4 Ω
Mono Mode: > 18 W RMS into 8 Ω
Crosstalk: < -60 dB (stereo mode, 1 kHz)
Power Requirement: 24 to 33 Vdc @ 1500 mA

(for continuous RMS power
output, Ground referenced)
24 to 33 Vdc @ 1000 mA
(for continuous music or voice
output, Ground referenced)

OUTPUT

WIRING

STEREO