PARASOUND ZoneMaster 12 Universal Twelve Channel Amplifier Owner’s Manual

ZoneMaster 12 Universal Twelve Channel Amplifier
Owner’s Manual

Important Safety Instructions

The lightning flash with the arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of “dangerous voltage” inside the product that may constitute a risk of electric shock.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER. NO USER- SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL

1. Read Instructions — Read all the safety and operating instructions before operating this product.

2. Retain Instructions — Retain safety and operating instructions for future reference.

3. Heed Warnings — Adhere to all warnings on the product and in the operating instructions.

4. Follow Instructions — Follow all operating and use instructions.

5. Cleaning — Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. Clean the outside of the product only.

6. Attachments — Do not use attachments that are not recommended by the product manufacturer; they may be hazardous.

7. Water and Moisture — Do not use this product near water.

8. Accessories — Do not place this product on an unstable cart or stand. The product may fall, causing bodily injury and damage to the product. A product and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven surfaces may cause the product and cart to overturn.

9. Ventilation — Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation to ensure the reliable operation of the product and to protect it from overheating. These openings must not be blocked or covered. This product should not be placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or rack unless proper ventilation is provided.

10. Power Sources — Operate this product only from the type of power source indicated on the label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your dealer or local power company. This product is equipped with a three-prong grounding plug. This plug will only fit into a grounding power outlet. If you are unable
    to insert the plug into the outlet, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding plug.

11. Power Cord Protection — Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them.

12. Lightning — Unplug the unit from the wall outlet for added protection during a lightning storm and when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time. This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and power line surges.

13. Overloading — Do not overload wall outlets or extension cords. This can result in a fire or electric shock.

14. Inserting Objects into the Unit — Never push objects of any kind into this product through any openings; they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in fire or electric shock.

15. Servicing — Do not attempt to repair or service this product yourself. Opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage and other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

16. Damage Requiring Service — Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions:
    a) If the power-supply cord or plug is damaged.
    b) If liquid has been spilled into the product.
    c) If the product has been exposed to rain or water.
    d) If the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions.
    e) If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way. f) If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance.

17. Replacement Parts — When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, and other hazards.

18. Safety Check — Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition.

19. Wall or Ceiling Mounting — Mount the product to a wall or ceiling only as recommended.

20. Heat — The product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, and other products (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ARE REQUIREMENTS OF UL AND CSA SAFETY REGULATIONS

Warning: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.| CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK I DO NOT OPEN|
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The graphic symbol of a lightning flash with an arrow point within a triangle signifies that there is dangerous voltage within the unit and it poses a hazard to anyone removing the cover to gain access to the interior of the unit. Only qualified service personnel should make any such attempt.
The graphic symbol of an exclamation point within an equilateral triangle warns a user of the device that it is necessary to refer to the instruction manual and its warnings for the proper operation of the unit.
Do not place this unit on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The unit may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the unit. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table recommended by the manufacturer or sold with the unit. Any mounting of the device should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and should use a mounting accessory recommended by the manufacturer.
Read all the safety and operating instructions before connecting or using this unit.
Retain this notice and the owner’s manual for future reference.
All warnings on the unit and in its operating instructions should be adhered to.
All operating and use instructions should be followed.
Do not use this unit near water. For example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool.
The unit should be installed so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper ventilation. For example, it 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 flow of air through its ventilation openings.
The unit should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other devices (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
The unit should be connected to a power supply outlet only to the voltage and frequency marked on its rear panel.
The power supply cord should be routed so that it is not likely to be walked on or pinched, especially near the plug, convenience receptacles, or where the cord exits from the unit.
The clean unit is only recommended in its instruction manual.
The power supply cord of the unit should be unplugged from the wall outlet when it is to be unused for a long period of time.
Care should be taken so that objects do not fall, and liquids are not spilled, into the enclosure through any openings.
This unit should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:
A. The power cord or the plug has been damaged, or
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled, into the unit; or
C. The unit has been exposed to rain, or liquids of any kind, or
D. The unit does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or
E. The device has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.
DO NOT ATTEMPT SERVICING OF THIS UNIT YOURSELF. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

ATTENTION
POUR PREVENIR LES CHOCS ELECTRIQUES NE PAS UTILISER CETTE FICHE POLARISEE AVEC UN PROLONGATEUR, UNE PRISE CE COURANT OU UNE AUTRE SORTIE CE COURANT, SAUF SI LES LAMES PEUVENT ETRE INSEREES A FOND SANS EN LAISSER AUCUNE PARTIE A DECOUVERT.
CAUTION
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT USE THIS POLARIZED PLUG WITH AN EXTENSION CORD, RECEPTACLE, OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE.
CAUTION POWER LINES
Any outdoor antenna must be located away from all power lines.
OUTDOOR ANTENNA GROUNDING
If an outside antenna is connected to your tuner or tuner/preamplifier, be sure the antenna system is grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage surges and built-up static charges. Section 810 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA No. 701984, provides information with respect to proper grounding of the mast and supporting structure, grounding of the lead- in wire to an antenna discharge unit, size of grounding conductors, location of antenna discharge unit, connection to grounding electrodes, and requirements for the grounding electrode.
a. Use No.10 AWG (5.3 mm2) copper, No.8 AWG (8.4 mm2) aluminum, No.17 AWG (1.0 mm2) copper clad steel or bronze wire, or larger, as a ground wire.
b. Secure antenna lead-in and ground wires to house with stand-off insulators spaced from 46 feet (1.221.83 m) apart.
c. Mount the antenna discharge unit as close as possible to where lead-in enters the house.
d. Use jumper wire not smaller than No.6 AWG (13.3 mm2) copper, or the equivalent, when a separate antenna grounding electrode is used. See NEC Section 810-21 (j).
EXAMPLE OF ANTENNA GROUNDING AS PER NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN ARTICLE 810. RADIO AND TELEVISION EQUIPMENT

NOTE TO CATV SYSTEM INSTALLER
This reminder is provided to call the CAN system installer’s attention to Article 82022 of the National Electrical Code that provides guidelines for proper grounding and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground shall be connected to the grounding system of the building, as close to the point of cable entry as practical.

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of this precision audio product and thank you for selecting Parasound. We are proud to offer you this versatile amplifier, knowing that it will bring you many years of enjoyment and dependable operation. Please take a few moments to read the following instructions so you can enjoy all the benefits of your new ZoneMaster 12’s advanced performance capabilities.
You can find details of the ZoneMaster 12’s specifications and advanced technology at www.parasound.com.
Enjoy.
The Parasound Staff
www.parasound.com

• Keep your Purchase Receipt/Dealer Invoice for future reference
• Keep the carton in the event it is needed in the future

Record the 5-digit serial number located on the bottom side of your ZoneMaster 12 in the space below. Also, note your Parasound dealer’s name and telephone number. Your purchase receipt-dealer invoice is required to determine if your ZoneMaster 12 is eligible for Parasound warranty service. We recommend that you make an extra copy of your original purchase receipt-dealer invoice and store it inside the ZoneMaster 12’s carton. If the ZoneMaster 12 should require warranty repair you will need its original carton and foam packing inserts to ship it.
Please do not throw away the carton or foam packing inserts.
Parasound ZoneMaster 12 Serial # __
Parasound Dealer: ____
Parasound Dealer Phone Number:
Date of Purchase: ____
Important Warranty information
There is no Parasound warranty for this unit if it was not purchased from an Authorized Parasound Dealer. Investigate warranty coverage statements made by unauthorized dealers very carefully, as Parasound will not provide service under our warranty and you will need to depend entirely upon the unauthorized dealer for warranty service. A list of Authorized Parasound Dealers and detailed warranty information is available at www.parasound.com or you can call Parasound at 415-397-7100 between 8:30 am and 4 pm Pacific time.
A missing or altered serial number could indicate that this unit was re-sold by an unauthorized dealer or stolen merchandise. If this unit is missing its serial number or the serial number has been altered, you should return it to your dealer immediately for a full refund.

Unpacking your ZoneMaster 12 & Placement Guidelines

Unpacking Your ZoneMaster 12
Carefully remove your ZoneMaster 12 from its shipping carton and locate its AC power cord and these included accessories:

• Two 12-volt trigger wires with mono 3.5mm to 3.5mm mini plugs at both ends.
• Left and right 2U rack mount side brackets and 8 bracket screws.
• Two different size screwdrivers, the larger one is for the speaker output connectors and the smaller one is for the speaker level input connector.

While you are unpacking your ZoneMaster 12, inspect it thoroughly for evidence of possible shipping damage and tell your Parasound dealer immediately if you find any. If possible, save and store both the inner and outer cartons and–most especially–the foam packing inserts, to protect the ZoneMaster 12 if you have to move it or ship it. This would be a good time to make a copy of your sales receipt for storage with ZoneMaster 12’s original packing. Again: Do not throw away the carton or foam packing inserts.
Placement Guidelines
Install your ZoneMaster 12 away from heat sources such as heating ducts, radiators, or other heat-producing components. Always position ZoneMaster 12 horizontally. Observe the following ventilation guidelines when installing the ZoneMaster 12 in an equipment rack or any other enclosed space:
You should never install the ZoneMaster 12 in an unventilated equipment cabinet or compartment because hot air will not exhaust adequately to prevent overheating. Even a cabinet or enclosure whose front and back sides are open doesn’t guarantee that air will circulate adequately pockets of intense heat can still develop around any heat-producing equipment. Allow a few inches of empty space on each side and above the unit and try to avoid crowding or stacking the ZoneMaster 12 tightly between other components.
Safety Caution
The ZoneMaster 12, as with any other high-powered amplifier, could overheat if it is installed in a confined space without adequate ventilation. Continuous overheating can damage an amplifier and could ultimately pose a risk of fire.
If you are installing the ZoneMaster 12 yourself, use input and output cables that are long enough to leave at least two feet of slack; that will enable you to pull the ZoneMaster 12 out of a cabinet to check or change connections without inadvertently disconnecting cables.
Rack Mounting Your Parasound ZoneMaster 12
Two brackets and 8 screws for mounting in a standard 19” equipment rack are included in the box with the ZoneMaster 12. The rack bracket “ears” are attached to each side of the amplifier using the 8 screws that are packed in the bag with the brackets. First, remove and discard the 8 screws that come preinstalled on the side of the amp. These are just installed for cosmetic reasons and will not be needed if the amp will be rack mounted. To improve airflow around the amp we recommend leaving at least 1 empty rack space above and below the amplifier. If you intend to run the ZoneMaster 12 into speaker loads less than 4 ohms additional ventilation should be provided. If more than two amps will be racked mounted on top of each other (“flat stacked”) a properly designed forced-air ventilation system should be used.

Rear Panel Audio Connections

Channel pairs (left and right) are grouped into 6 zones. Typically each room or area is considered a zone but this will be determined by the system integrator.
Always disconnect the AC cord to your ZoneMaster 12 before plugging in or unplugging any connections. Inserting or removing an interconnect cable’s plug from any power amp’s input jacks while this power amp is turned on can result in a burst of sound that can damage your loudspeakers. Make sure there is no strain or tension on any input cables, speaker wires DC trigger wires, or the AC cord that could cause them to pull loose.

Audio Input Connections
Bus 1 and Bus 2 Input Jacks
These are standard RCA line-level audio Inputs that any zone can select as its source. To select Bus 1 as the input for one or more zones set each zone’s Input switch to its Bus 1 position. To select Bus 2 as the input for one or more zones set each zone’s Input switch to its Bus 2 position.
Bus 2 Speaker Level Input Connector
This is an additional type of audio input that any zone can select as its source. The speaker level input enables the ZoneMaster 12 to connect to any audio receiver or stereo system even if it lacks preamp output jacks. This is a high impedance input and the ZoneMaster 12’s speaker level input can connect to the speaker terminals on any receiver or amplifier. This will not reduce its output power or degrade the sound quality of the speakers that are already connected directly to the “host” receiver or amplifier. Audio connected to the Bus 2 Speaker Level input connector can be routed to any zone by setting each zone’s Input switch to Bus 2. Speaker level audio is also converted to line level and routed to the Bus 2 Loop Out jacks which provide a line level output to drive additional amplifiers.
Note: You should connect only the Bus 2 RCA Input jacks or the Speaker Level input connector, but not both.
Note: You can detach the speaker input connector block from the ZoneMaster 12 to make it easier to attach and secure the 4 speaker wires. It accepts bare wires up to AWG 16.
Each wire should be twisted tightly and/or tinned with solder to prevent stray strands that could short-circuit the amplifier. Since the Speaker Level input consumes a small fraction of a watt of your receiver’s power output using a large gauge speaker wire provides absolutely no performance advantage.
Line Input Jacks for Channels 1 through 12
These are standard line-level audio Inputs for each channel. Connect these jacks to the Left and Right output jacks on your preamp, whole-house audio controller, or the zone outputs of your AV receiver.
Ensure that the Input switch is set to Line In for each zone that is connected this way.

Audio Output Connections
Bus 1 and 2 Loop Out Jacks
These jacks enable the audio source connected to the Bus 1 and 2 Input jacks to pass along or “daisy chain” to an additional amplifier. The volume level and signal voltage at the Bus 1 and 2 Loop Out jacks are the same as the volume level and signal voltage of the sources that are connected to their corresponding Bus 1 and 2 Input jacks. Audio from the Speaker Level Input connector is converted to line level and simultaneously routed to the Bus 2 RCA Loop Out jacks to drive additional amplifiers.
Connecting Speaker Wires
Detach the green speaker output connecting blocks by pulling them away from the ZoneMaster 12 rear panel. This makes attaching speaker wires far more convenient. Removing them might require a bit of effort because the connecting blocks are seated very securely. Connect the connecting block’s + and – terminals to the corresponding + and – speaker wires.
Note: The speaker connector blocks accept bare wires as large as AWG 12. The ends of the wires should be twisted tightly and/or lightly tinned with solder to prevent stray wire strands from short-circuiting the amplifier.
Speaker A and B Outputs
The ZoneMaster 12 is equipped with connections for two speakers on each channel (labeled A and B).
This unique feature gives system designers greater flexibility and can usually avoid the added expense, complexity, heat, and power consumption of additional amplifiers. The ability of the ZoneMaster to drive two pairs of speakers is credited to Parasound’s 2 ohms stable high current design.
Typical applications for using both Speaker A and B outputs might include a large living room with four ceiling speakers. Another use for the B speakers could be in a subzone like a bathroom or a hallway adjacent to the room where the A speakers are installed. This adjacent subzone might also use a passive in-wall volume control to adjust its listening level separately.
Speaker A and B Impedance: The minimum speaker load impedance is 2 ohms per channel. An example of a 2-ohm load is one 4-ohm speaker connected to a channel’s speaker output A while another 4-ohm speaker is connected to the same channel’s speaker output B. When driving 2-ohm loads ensure the amplifier has adequate ventilation and is not installed in a cabinet that is totally enclosed.
CONNECTION WARNING:
Never combine the Speaker L & R channel negative (−) outputs together.
Combining the negatives of any two channels could seriously damage the amplifier. Speakers cannot be wired where the L and R channel speakers share a single negative (−) wire. Some speaker selectors combine the negative connections and are not compatible with ZoneMaster 12.
High Power Zone 1 (channels 1 & 2)
Channels 1 and 2 (zone 1) are more powerful than the other channels. This unique feature allows zone 1 to be used with more demanding speakers. For example, zone 1 might power a pair of larger floor-standing speakers or multiple outdoor speakers where more power is necessary. Zone 1 is rated at 120 Watts at 8 Ohms and 150 Watts at 4 Ohms. Zones 2-6 are rated at 60 Watts at 8 Ohms and 100 Watts at 4 Ohms.

Rear Panel Controls for Each Zone

Input Switch
The Input switch selects which audio source will play in that zone. There are three options:
Line Input: The zone will play the audio source that is connected to the zone’s L and R Line Input jacks.
Bus 1 Input: The zone will play the audio source that is connected to the Bus 1 L and R Input jacks. The L and R level controls will still adjust the channel levels for the zone.
Bus 2 Input: The zone will play the audio source that is connected to either the Bus 2 L and R RCA jacks or the L and R Speaker Level input connector. The L and R level controls will still adjust the channel levels for the zone.

Mode Switch
The Mode switch determines if the zone will output audio in stereo or mono. The Mode switch has the same effect whether you have selected the Line inputs or one of the Bus inputs. There are two options:
Stereo: The Stereo setting routes the Left channel input to the Left channel speaker outputs and the right channel input to the Right channel speaker outputs.
Mono: The Mono setting combines the Left and Right channel inputs into a summed L + R mono signal and routes it to both the Left and Right channel speaker outputs. In the Mono mode, you can connect two mono speakers to the A output, one speaker connects to the L+ and L- and the other speaker connects to the R+ and R- terminals. An additional two mono speakers can be connected to the B output terminals. All speakers will play the same Mono signal. The Mono Mode is particularly useful for applications such as bathrooms and hallways where mono speakers and a single speaker wire are more practical than separate L and R wires and two speakers.

Channel Level Controls

Each of the twelve channels has its own level of control. Fully counter- clockwise is all the way off and no sound will be heard from that channel. Fully clockwise is maximum volume. We made the Level control shafts very short so they are less likely to be turned unintentionally. When installed in a rack you may find it easier to use a Phillips head screwdriver to adjust the Level controls.
Additional Uses for the Level Controls:
Passive In-Wall Volume Controls
The Level controls are particularly useful when an in-wall passive volume control is used to adjust the listening level in a room or zone. By reducing the ZoneMaster 12’s maximum output level you reduce the amount of power that is absorbed when the in-wall volume control level is turned down.
This prevents the volume control from overheating or even vibrating from the stress of absorbing extra amplifier power. It avoids wasting amplifier power and reduces distortion. For a room or zone with an in-wall volume control the correct way to optimize the settings for the Level controls and the in-wall volume control is this:

1. Music should be playing.
2. Turn the ZoneMaster 12’s Level knobs for that room or zone fully counterclockwise to their minimum settings.
3. Turn the in-wall volume control knob fully clockwise to its maximum setting.,
4. Slowly turn up the ZoneMaster 12’s Level controls until the volume level in the room or zone is as high as you or the homeowner might ever want it to be. This is the most appropriate setting for the Level controls because it will improve sound quality and prevent the homeowner from over-driving the speakers.

Improving the Audio Trigger Turn On for Listening at Very Low Volume
You might prefer to listen to music in some zones at an extremely low volume level. The audio signal voltage at very low volume levels could fall below the threshold for the Audio trigger On-Off circuit to function and the zone will not remain on or it might continue to turn on and off every few minutes because the amp “thinks” there is no source playing. To overcome this, simply turn down both the L and R Level controls for that zone by the same amount. This way the Audio On-Off function will keep that zone powered on even for very low listening levels. Setting the level controls to 12 o’clock is a good place to start.
Limit Maximum Volume for a Room
By adjusting the channel level controls you can limit the maximum volume in a zone regardless of how high someone turns up the volume on the preamp or whole-house controller.
(See Passive In-Wall Volume Controls above )
Reducing Background Hiss
If you hear a hiss or other background noise you can reduce its audibility by turning down the Level controls until you no longer hear the noise.
Balance Left and Right to Compensate for Room Placement
Adjust only the left or right channel Level knob until you hear your music equally from your preferred listening location.

Turn On Options

The setting of the rear panel Turn On Options Switch determines whether all six zones turn on and altogether or if each zone turns on and off individually. There are three positions for this switch:
Manual All
Pressing the Power button on the front panel will turn all six zones on and off together.
12V All
When a 12V trigger voltage is applied to the 12V Input jack marked “Trigger For All Zones” all six zones will turn on together. When the trigger voltage is removed all six zones will turn off together.
Note: Whenever the 12V All switch is set to 12V the ZoneMaster 12’s front panel Power button will be disabled to prevent the amplifier from being turned on or off manually or by mistake.
Audio/12V By Zone
Each zone can be turned on and off individually by either an audio signal or a 12-volt trigger. The setting of the Six Zone 12V / Audio switches determines whether an individual zone is turned on and off by 12 volts or turned on and off by audio. Whenever the switch is set to “Audio/12V By Zone” the front panel Power button will be disabled to prevent the amplifier from being turned on or off manually or by mistake.

Selecting Audio Trigger or 12V Trigger by Zone

When the Turn On Options switch is set to “Audio/12V By Zone” you can set the six small 12V/Audio switches to select Audio or 12V turn on/off for each zone. For a zone that you wish to turn on and off by 12 volts, set that zone’s switch to the up position labeled “Turn On Zone By 12V Trigger.” For a zone, you wish to turn on and off by audio, set that zone’s switch to the down position labeled “Turn On Zone By Audio.”
Turn On Zone by 12V Trigger
These jacks are labeled “12 Volt Trigger In By Zone 1-6.” A zone will turn on only when an external 9 – 12 volts is applied to that zone’s 12V Trigger Input jack. When the external trigger voltage ceases the zone will immediately turn off.
Turn On Zone by Audio
When an audio signal is present at the Left or Right input jacks of an individual zone only that zone will turn on. After the audio signal ceases the zone will remain on for about 6 minutes before shutting off. This prevents unintended turn-off during pauses in your music or movies.
Note: The audio sensing circuit functions the same way whether the zone is using the Line Input jacks, Bus 1, Bus 2 Input Jacks, or the Speaker Level Input.
Audio Trigger Sensitivity: The audio trigger in the ZoneMaster 12 is not adjustable. It is calibrated for turn on at a very low volume level (an audio signal as low as 2mV). If you need a Zone to turn on at an even lower volume level, simply turn down both Level control knobs for that zone. Start with the level controls at 12 o’clock and see if the volume level is low enough when the amp turns on.
Whenever either the 12 volts or the Audio Turn On option is selected the front panel Power button will be disabled so that turn on and off is determined solely by the 12V trigger voltage from the preamp, receiver, or by an active audio signal.

12 Volt Trigger Jacks by Zone

12V In Jacks
The ZoneMaster 12’s “12V All” jack and six individual zone jacks are 3.5mm mini jacks (mono). To use a 12V trigger, insert the trigger wire plug into the jack and the plug at the wire’s other end into the AV receiver or house controller’s 12V Output jack. We have included two trigger wires with a 3.5mm mini plug at both ends.
Note: If the controller’s or preamp’s 12V trigger output is a + and – terminal instead of a jack, you can cut the 3.5mm plug off one end of one of the included trigger wires and attach its bare wires to these terminals. The trigger plug tip is + (positive) and its sleeve – (negative).
Note: Each 12V input jack draws a negligible 5 mA. The total load on your preamp’s trigger output(s) is the sum of the trigger current drawn by each of the components you’ve
looped together. Check the maximum capacity of your AV receiver, processor, or home controller’s trigger outputs so you do not overload it by connecting too many power amplifier trigger inputs. 12V trigger outputs are typically rated for 50mA to 100mA.
12V Loop Out Jacks
The Trigger Out jacks let you loop or daisy-chain the incoming trigger voltage from one zone to another zone or from one zone to an additional amplifier. For example, if you wish to turn on zones 1, 4, and 6 by 12V you would connect the 12V trigger source to the Zone 1 12V input jack. Then connect a trigger wire from the Zone 1 Loop Out jack to the Zone 4 12V input jack. Connect the Zone 4 Loop Out jack to the Zone 6 12V input jack.
AC Line Power Cord
Connect your sources and preamplifier before you plug in the AC cord. The power cord supplied with your ZoneMaster 12 is an IEC-type AC cord. The AC ground potential can vary between your AC outlets and the result can be an audible 60Hz (or 50Hz) hum heard in your speakers. To help avoid this problem plug your ZoneMaster 12 into the same AC wall outlet, power strip, or line conditioner as all your other audio equipment.
Master AC Power Switch
The Master AC Power Switch is located just above the fuse holder in the AC power receptacle. Press the side marked 0 for off; press the side marked – for on. This switch will normally be left on but may be turned off if you will not be using the amplifier for an extended period of time.

Front Panel Power Button and Display

Power Button
Pushing the Power button turns on all channels/zones. When turned on the ring around the Power button and the 12 channel status indicators will illuminate green. Pushing the Power button again turns off all channels/zones. If the rear panel Turn On Options switch is not set to “Manual All” the front panel power button will not operate.
Channel Indicators (1 – 12)
The channel numbers on the front panel illuminate according to each channel’s operational status. Both channel number indicators for a zone will always illuminate the same color. When a zone is turned on, both of the channel number indicators for that zone will illuminate green. When the Turn On Options switch is set to “Audio/12V By Zone” only the channel numbers for zones that are triggered will illuminate green. For zones that are not turned on the corresponding channel, pair indicators will not illuminate.
Channel indicators are illuminated by channel pairs that correspond to six zones:

Green: Indicates normal operation.
Red: Indicates the protection circuit has suspended operation of that channel pair to protect them from an overload or because one or both of their speaker wires are short-circuited. The indicators might also alternate flashing green and red, depending on the musical content and volume levels. This also indicates a problem. Both channel number indicators for a zone will always illuminate the same color. Causes for the front panel indicators to illuminate red or flash are:

• The speaker outputs for one or both channels of that zone are short-circuited (negative to positive) either at the amplifier, at the speaker or somewhere along the speaker wire.
• The negative speaker terminals have been combined (negative to negative).
• Too many speakers are connected and the combined impedance is below 2 ohms.
• The unit has overheated.
• The amplifier has been damaged.

Checking for Short Circuits on the Speaker Outputs
If your ZoneMaster 12’s front panel indicators are illuminated red or alternate illumination between green and red this indicates a problem. Your first step is to immediately turn off the amp with its master AC power switch (above the AC cord inlet). The most likely cause will be a shorted circuited speaker connection. To check for this type of fault temporarily unplug both of the zone’s two green speaker connecting blocks (A and B). Now turn the amp back on and play music. If the front panel lights now illuminate green then you’ve eliminated the amp as the source of the problem. Please check your speaker wires and attached speakers for short circuits.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Unit will not turn on****

– Check the setting of the Turn On Options switch (The front panel Power button will be disabled if the switch is set to Audio or 12V).
– Check that the AC power is live.
– Check that the master AC power switch is in the “− “(on) position.

When using the audio trigger a zone is turned off during quiet listening****

– Turn down the Level controls for those channels (12 O’clock is a good place to start).
– See page 10 for more details.

When using the audio trigger a zone never turns off****

– The audio trigger circuit waits for up to 10 minutes before shutting the zone off. Try waiting at least 10 minutes after stopping the audio source.
– Ensure that the Turn On Options switch is set to the “Audio/12V By Zone” position.
– If the zone still will not turn off then you may have too much noise (hiss or hum) in the audio signal path.
You must eliminate the source or cause of this noise. If you are unable to do this you will have to resort to using the 12V triggers.

Front panel channel indicators are red or flashing green and red****

– Check speakers and speaker wires for short circuits.
– Ensure that you have not combined the negative (-) terminals of any of the speaker outputs.
– You may have attached a total speaker load that is below the 2 ohm minimum (per channel). The total speaker load for that channel is the combined parallel impedance of the A and B output of one channel. If two 8 ohm speakers are attached the channel “sees” 4 ohms. If two 4 ohm speakers are attached the channel “sees” 2 ohms.
– The zone may have overheated and will not resume operation until it cools down. Ensure that you have provided adequate ventilation, especially when driving low impedance loads.
– See page 14 for more details.

Why is there no sound from my speakers?****

– Are the channel lights illuminated green on the front panel indicating that the zone is turned on?
– Check that input and output cables are plugged in all the way at both ends.
– Are your preamplifiers and all power amplifiers turned on?
– Is the correct input selected on the preamplifier?
– Is there an audio source playing (CD player, Tuner, etc.)

I can hear a hum or buzzing noise from my speakers****

– Cable TV is the most common source of hum or buzzing noise in a system. If you have a cable TV box connected to your audio system temporarily remove the incoming cable from the Cable TV box. If the hum goes away the problem is with the cable TV ground. You will need a Cable TV Ground Loop Isolator which is an inexpensive device that attaches between your incoming cable and the Cable TV box.
– Light dimmers can cause noise in your audio. Try turning lights that are controlled by dimmers all the way off. If the hum goes away the problem is the electrical noise the dimmers introduce into your home’s AC power.
– Ground Loops are also a common cause of hum and buzzing noise. Finding a ground loop is a process of elimination. Unplug your source components one at a time. When the hum goes away you’ve identified the source of the ground loop. You might be able to stop the hum by attaching a wire from the chassis of the offending component to the chassis or ground screw of your preamplifier.

Maintaining Your ZoneMaster 12
Your ZoneMaster 12 requires no periodic maintenance and has no user- serviceable parts inside. To avoid the risk of electric shock do not remove the top cover. To keep it clean use only a soft cloth moistened with a few drops of clear water or window cleaner. Never use any solvents or abrasives.

Are You Having Difficulty?

Warranty Repair
Call your Parasound dealer first. If the dealer can’t help you with your problem we encourage you to call Parasound’s Technical Service Department at 415-397-7100, Monday – Friday, 8 am
– 4 pm Pacific time. We can suggest other diagnostic tests you can easily perform.
If we determine that your ZoneMaster 12 should be returned to Parasound or an Authorized Parasound Warranty Center for inspection and possible servicing, we will provide the location of a warranty center near you or shipping instructions for the unit’s return to Parasound.
Read your accompanying Parasound Limited Warranty carefully to understand the applicable rights and limitations. This section provides instructions for obtaining repairs, both for units covered under the Parasound Limited Warranty and for units or situations which are outside the Warranty.
Unit is not eligible for repair under the terms of the Parasound warranty if:

1. The unit was not purchased from a Parasound Authorized Dealer.
2. You do not have the original bill of sale or sales receipt from a Parasound Authorized Dealer.
3. You are not the original owner. The Parasound warranty is not transferable.
4. The unit’s serial number was removed, modified, or defaced.
5. Unit shows evidence of abuse and/or misuse.
6. The unit was modified in any way.
7. A prior repair was attempted by an unauthorized repair station.

Before You Return Any Unit to Parasound for Service
Before you send your unit to Parasound, you will need to obtain a specific Return Authorization (RA) number and shipping instructions from Parasound’s Technical Department. The RA number must be clearly marked on the outer carton. Use the original factory packing materials and arrange adequate insurance to cover its replacement value. You must include a copy of your purchase receipt since this document establishes the validity of this unit’s warranty. Warranty repairs are only performed by Parasound or Parasound Authorized warranty centers when your purchase receipt is from a Parasound Authorized Dealer or Parasound Authorized Reseller.
Do not ship to Parasound by USPS (US Postal Service) – we will not accept delivery. We will also refuse delivery of units whose cartons show evidence of damage caused by inadequate packing.

Specifications and Details

Power Output: Zone 1 (Channel 1–2)
120 watts x 2 @ 8Ω
150 watts x 2 @ 4Ω or 2Ω
Power Output: Zone 2-6 (Channels 3–12)
60 watts x 10 @ 8Ω
100 watts x 10 @ 4Ω or 2Ω
Note: Power ratings are RMS, All Channels Driven (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
Minimum Speaker Impedance:
A+B Outputs of a Single Channel: 2 Ω
Note: Continuous operation at this minimum impedance might require additional ventilation for the amplifier.
Frequency Response:
20 Hz – 20 kHz, +0/-0.25 dB
5 Hz – 50 kHz, +0/-3 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion:
< 0.05 % at typical listening levels
< 1.0% at full power
Interchannel Crosstalk: 70 dB at 20 kHz
Total Gain: 29 dB (Level controls set to Maximum)
S/N Ratio: >112 dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted
DC Trigger Requirements: +9 Vdc to +12 Vdc, 5 mA
Audio Trigger Requirements: 2 mV audio signal
AC Power Requirement:
1550 Watts maximum
150 Watts typical (audio playing on all zones)
55 Watts idle (all zones on)
15 Watts idle (one zone on)
0.5 Watts standby
100-250 VAC 50/60 Hz (automatic)
Dimensions:
Width: 17.25” (437 mm)
Depth: 14.5” (369 mm)
Depth, with cables: 16” (406 mm)
Height, with feet: 4.15” (105 mm)
Height, without feet: 3.5” (89 mm)
Weight:
Net: 21 lbs (9.5kg)
Shipping: 27 lbs (12.2kg)
Specifications and features are subject to change or improvement without notice.
Rev 1.0, Copyright 2020

Installation Notes

We invite you to visit www.parasound.com for the most up-to-date information on your unit and to find out about other Parasound products. Learn why Parasound has been a quality and value favorite of magazine reviewers, sound professionals, and listeners like you since we were founded in 1981.

Parasound Products, Inc. 2250 McKinnon Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124
Customer Service: 415-397-7100
www.parasound.com

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