OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER. NO USERSERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING
TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
The lightning ash with arrowhead symbol, within an
equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the
product’s enclosure that may be of sucient magnitude
to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the appliance.
Safety Instructions
Read Instructions - All the safety and operating 1.
instructions should be read before the appliance is
operated.
Retain Instructions - The safety and operating 2.
instructions should be retained for future reference.
Heed Warnings - All warnings on the appliance in the 3.
operating instructions should be adhered to.
Follow Instructions - All operating and user 4.
instructions should be followed.
Water and Moisture - The appliance should not 5.
be used near water; for example, near a bathtub,
washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet
basement, or near a swimming pool. The apparatus
shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing liquids
and no objects lled with liquids, such as vases, shall
be placed on the apparatus.
Carts and Stands - The appliance should 6.
be used only with a cart or stand that is
recommended by the manufacturer.
An appliance and cart combination
should be moved with care. Quick
stops, excessive force and uneven
surfaces may cause the appliance and
cart combination to overturn.
Location of the Amplier - Do not mount this unit 7.
under a kitchen cabinet. Do not expose the amplier
to direct sun light or heating units as the amplier
internal components’ temperature may rise and
shorten the life of the components. Avoid damp and
dusty places.
Ventilation - The appliance should be situated so 8.
that its location or position does not interfere with
its proper ventilation. For example, the appliance
should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar
surface that may block the ventilation openings, or
placed in a built-in installation, such as a bookcase or
cabinet that may impede the ow of air through the
ventilation openings.
Heat - The appliance should be situated away from 9.
heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves,
or other appliances (including ampliers) that
produce heat.
Power Sources - The appliance should be connected 10.
to a power supply only of the type described in
the operating instructions or as marked on the
appliance.
Grounding or Polarization - Precaution should be 11.
taken so that the grounding or polarization means of
an appliance is not defeated.
Power Cord Protection - Power supply cords should 12.
be routed so that they are not likely to be walked
on or pinched by items placed upon or against
them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs,
receptacles, and the point where they exit from the
appliance.
Main Power Disconnect - The power switch is a single-13.
pole switch. When the switch is in the “O” position,
the appliance is not completely disconnected from
the main power. The main power plug is used as the
disconnect device and shall remain readily operable.
When installing the product, ensure that the plug is
easily accessible.
Cleaning - The appliance should be cleaned only as 14.
recommended by the manufacturer.
Non-Use Periods - The power cord of the appliance 15.
should be unplugged from the outlet when left
unused for a long period of time. To remove all power
(supply mains) from the appliance, remove the plug
from the wall outlet.
Object and Liquid Entry - Care should be taken so that 16.
objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the
enclosure through the openings.
Servicing - The user should not attempt to service the 17.
appliance beyond that described in the operating
instructions. All other servicing should be referred to
qualied service personnel.
Damage Requiring Service - The appliance should be 18.
serviced by qualied service personnel when:
A. The power supply cord or the plug has been
damaged.
B. Objects have fallen, liquid has been spilled into the
appliance;
C. The appliance has been exposed to rain; or
D. The appliance does not appear to operate
normally; or
E. The appliance has been dropped or the enclosure
The Russound R290DS is a 2-channel 90 watt dual source power amplier with
auto-source switching. It features Primary and Secondary audio line inputs with
a loop out to another zone, receiver, or device from the Primary source. A signal
only available as a speaker input can be connected and assigned as either the
primary or secondary source.
This amplier can be used for power upgrades in specic zones, for large speaker
selector or volume control systems and for long series-parallel speaker runs
(e.g., large outdoor zones).
The R290DS is rated at 90 watts per channel into 8 ohms, and 110 watts into 4
ohms. With the Stereo/Bridge Mono switch in the Bridge Mono position, both
amplier channels are combined for a higher powered mono output. In Bridge
mode the R290DS is rated at 220 watts of power into a single 8 ohm load. Each
amplier output channel incorporates robust protection circuitry for safety and
reliability under extreme circumstances.
The 12V Trigger In/Out allows the R290DS to be activated by other electronics
or to activate other electronics via a 3.5 mm mini phone plug cable.
Thermal Protection
All Russound ampliers are designed with special circuitry to safeguard the
amplier under a thermal overload condition. Thermal protection mode will
only engage when the unit has been run at high volume for extended periods
of time without adequate ventilation and/or when speaker impedances are
below the minimum levels for the amplier. In thermal protection mode the
amplier will automatically stop output and the status indicator LED will go OFF.
If this fault occurs, turn o the amplier, and check that the speaker impedance
rating is above the minimum rating. Also check for adequate ventilation around
the amplier and make adjustments if necessary. Once the unit has cooled to
safe operating temperatures, the amplier may be powered back on.
Protection Circuitry
Special circuitry has been designed into the amplier to safeguard under
a short-circuit condition. A faulty speaker can also cause a short circuit
condition.
The front panel LED illuminates orange when the amplier is in short circuit
protection. If this fault condition occurs, turn o the amplier and check
speakers for short circuit conditions when appropriate.
Rack Mounting
The R290DS amplier can be rack mounted using the included rack-mount
ears and hardware to attach the ears to the amplier. The amplier will take two
rack spaces with the feet removed.
If mounted in a rack , one open rack space above and below is recommended
to allow for ventilation and heat dissipation.
4Russound R290DS Installation Manual
Page 5
Status Indicator LED
Red - Standby
Green - Active
Orange -Short Circuit Protection
Primary Input/Output
Secondary InputStereo / Bridge Switch
FRONT AND REAR pANEL
Power Switch
12V Trigger In / Out
Left and Right Channel Controls
Delay Time
Speaker Level Line Input Switch
Speaker Level Input (Screw Down Connector)
Russound R290DS Installation Manual
Speaker Output
Power Inlet & Fuseholder
Voltage Selector
5
Page 6
SYSTEm CONFIGURATION - STEREO mODE
The R290DS has dual source capability. If two sources are used, connect the
source you want to have priority to the Primary input and the other source to
the Secondary input.
Whenever the Primary source is active, that signal will take priority over the
distributed audio signal on the Secondary line. The signal is still active on the
Secondary line, and once the Primary audio signal is muted or turned o the
R290DS will automatically switch back to the Secondary audio signal.
Stereo Mode
The R290DS can be congured as a power upgrade for specic zones, for
use with large speaker selectors, and for long parallel speaker runs (outdoor
zones)
Unplug the R290DS.1.
Set the Stereo/Bridge switch to Stereo.2.
Connect the audio line output from a stereo preamplier or source to 3.
the left and right Primary input jacks of the R290DS. If the output is only
available as speaker level see Speaker Level Signal at right.
Connect the audio line output from the secondary source to the Secondary 4.
input jacks in the same manner.
Connect your speakers to the terminals, observing proper polarity.5.
Restore power to the amplier. Both channel levels can be adjusted with 6.
the corresponding channel level adjustments.
Dual source connections
Connect the source audio outputs to both Primary and Secondary inputs as
instructed above.
Set the delay with the Delay Time knob. The Delay Time adjustment determines
when the switch back to the Secondary signal will occur. Example: If the primary
source is a CD changer, increasing the delay time will prevent a switch back to
the secondary source while the disc is changing.
Note: This works with all incoming signals, line level or speaker level.
Speaker Level Signal
If either of the sources is only available as a speaker level signal, connect it to
the Speaker In terminals, using the screw down terminal block and observing
proper polarity. Only one set of speaker level inputs can be utilized and assigned
by the selector switch.
Set the switch to Primary or Secondary.
Only one type of input (speaker or line) should be assigned to each line. For
typical connectivity, do not set speaker input switch to Primary and make
connections to the Primary line input.
Note: If there are two inputs assigned as Primary (Speaker and Line) the Line
input will take priority.
Typical Connections
Line Input
Primary /
Secondary
Primary
Secondary
Connections for Unique Solutions
Line Input
Primary /
Secondary
Primary /
Secondary
Speaker Input
/ Switch Position
n/a
Secondary
/ Secondary
Primary
/ Primary
Speaker Input
/ Switch Position
Primary
/Primary
Secondary
/Secondary
Audible Output
Primary if signal present
Secondary if no Primary signal
Primary if signal present
Secondary if no Primary signal
Primary if signal present
Secondary if no Primary signal
Audible Output
Primary Line Input if signal present
Speaker Input if no Primary Line signal
Secondary if no Primary Line or Speaker signal
Primary Line Input if signal present
Secondary Line Input if no Primary signal
Speaker Input if no Line signal
6Russound R290DS Installation Manual
Page 7
SYSTEm DIAGRAm - STEREO mODE
Source
8 Ohm Speakers
CAA66 Multizone Controller
Speaker Cables
Line Out
RCA Cable
R290DS Amplier
Line Out
RCA Cable
Stereo Mode Conguration with Dual Sources
(CD player signal takes precedence)
Russound R290DS Installation Manual
7
Page 8
SYSTEm CONFIGURATION - BRIDGED mODE
R290DS Amplier
8 Ohm Speaker
Line out from Source
(+) Positive Speaker Cable
(-) Negative Speaker Cable
Bridged Mode
In this mode both the left and right channels are combined for a higher power
mono output. For proper operation, the left channel adjustment should be set
to the center position to start and then adjusted appropriately from there. The
right channel adjustment is not applicable.
Unplug the R290DS. 1.
Set the Stereo/Bridge switch to Bridge Mono. 2.
Connect the line out from a preamplier or source to the Left Primary input 3.
jack of the R290DS. Do not connect any input to the right side, it will be
ignored.
Connect the negative lead (-) of the speaker cable to the R(+) terminal. 4.
Connect the positive lead (+) of the speaker cable to the L(+) terminal. (See
the markings above the terminals on the rear panel). An 8 Ohm minimum
load is recommended.
Restore power to the amplier. 5.
Bridged Mode Conguration
8Russound R290DS Installation Manual
Page 9
INPUT
EXPANSIONS
SPEAKERSSPEAKERS
SPEAKE RSSPEAK ERS
RUSSOUND
INPUT
EXPANSIONS
SPEAKERSSPEAKERS
SPEAKE RSSPEAK ERS
RUSSOUND
Autoformer-based
Volume Control
EZB-1SC Modular
Connecting Block
IN
8 Ohm Speaker
Line out from Source
R290DS Amplier
System Conguration with External Volume Control
The R290DS can be congured for large autoformer-based volume control
systems/speaker selectors.
SYSTEm CONFIGURATION - ExTERNAL VOLUmE CONTROL
Conguration with Autoformer Volume Control
Russound R290DS Installation Manual
9
Page 10
TECHNICAL SpECIFICATIONS
R290DS Amplier
Continuous Output Power: 90W per channel at 8 ohms
(<0.1% THD=N) @ 1kHz 110W per channel at 4 ohms
250W at 8 ohms, 2 channels bridged
DistortionTHD+N: <0.3% from 20Hz to 20kHz for 90W into 8 ohms
<0.05% from 20Hz to 20kHz for 1W into 8 ohms
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >110dB A-weighted
Channel Separation: > 70dB @ 1 kHz
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz +/- 0.3dB
Input Sensitivity: 70mV for 1W at 8 ohms
680mV for 90W at 8 ohms
Input Impedance: 47kohms Line Input
Voltage Gain: 32dB
Power Requirements: North American Model:
120VAC 60Hz 2.5A
IEC 320 type connector with 3 terminal detachable power cord.
Power Requirements: European Model: 230VAC 50Hz 1.2A
IEC 320 type connector with 3 terminal detachable power cord.
Dimensions: 17” W x 14”D x 4.125”H
(43 x 35.5 x 10.5 cm)
Weight: 17.2 lbs. (7.8 kg)
10Russound R290DS Installation Manual
Page 11
Warranty
The Russound R290DS Power Amplier is fully guaranteed against all defects
in materials and workmanship for two (2) years from the date of purchase.
During this period, Russound will replace any defective parts and correct any
defect in workmanship without charge for either parts or labor.
For this warranty to apply, the unit must be installed and used according to its
written instructions. If service is necessary, it must be performed by Russound.
The unit must be returned to Russound at the owner’s expense and with
prior written permission. Accidental damage and shipping damage are not
considered defects, nor is damage resulting from abuse or from servicing by an
agency or person not specically authorized in writing by Russound.
This Warranty does not cover:
Damage caused by abuse, accident, misuse, negligence, or improper •
installation or operation
Power surges and lightning strikes•
Normal wear and maintenance•
Products that have been altered or modied•
Any product whose identifying number, decal, serial number, etc. has been •
altered, defaced or removed.
Russound sells products only through authorized Dealers and Distributors
to ensure that customers obtain proper support and service. Any Russound
product purchased from an unauthorized dealer or other source, including
retailers, mail order sellers and online sellers will not be honored or serviced
under existing Russound warranty policy. Any sale of products by an
unauthorized source or other manner not authorized by Russound shall void
the warranty on the applicable product.
Damage to or destruction of components due to application of excessive
power voids the warranty on those parts. In these cases, repairs will be made
on the basis of the retail value of the parts and labor. To return for repairs, the
unit must be shipped to Russound at the owner’s expense, along with a note
explaining the nature of service required. Be sure to pack the unit in a corrugated
container with at least three (3) inches of resilient material to protect the unit
from damage in transit.
WARRANTY
Before returning a unit for repair, call Russound at (603) 659-5170 for a Return
Authorization number. Write this number on the shipping label and ship to:
Russound
ATTN: Service
5 Forbes Road
Newmarket, NH 03857
Due to continual eorts to improve product quality as new technology and
techniques become available, Russound/FMP, Inc. reserves the right to revise
system specications without notice.