M2TECH LARSON Class-A Monoblock Power Amplifier User Manual
- October 30, 2023
- M2TECH
Table of Contents
M2TECH LARSON Class-A Monoblock Power Amplifier
INTRODUCTION
Warning!
Changes or modifications not authorized by the manufacturer can invalidate the compliance to CE regulations and cause the unit to be no more suitable to use. The manufacturer refuses every responsibility regarding damages to people or things due to the use of a unit which has been subject to unauthorized modifications or to misuse or to malfunction of a unit which has been subject to unauthorized modifications.
This unit is compliant with the following CE regulations: CEI EN 55022:2009 Class B (Radiated Emissions), CEI EN 55024:1999, CEI EN 55024:A2/2003, CEI EN 55024:IS1/2008 (Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 50Hz Magnetic Field Immunity Test and Electrostatic Discharges – ESD).
For a proper operation of this unit, all connections to other equipment in the system must be done when all equipment are off. Failing to comply with this advice may lead to damage to the LARSON.
The label above, printed on the product case, indicates that the product, when
no more usable, can’t be treated as generic garbage, but must be disposed of
at a collection point for recycling of electrical and electronic equipment, in
compliance with the WEEE regulation (Waste of Electrical and Electronic
Equipment).
By making sure that this unit is correctly recycled, you will help preventing
potential damages to environment and human health, which could be caused by a
wrong treatment of this product as generic garbage. Materials’ recycling helps
saving natural resources. For more in-depth information about recycling this
product, please contact M2Tech Srl.
WARNING: the information contained in this manual are considered to be reliable and accurate. M2Tech reserves the right to change or modify the information any time, without prior advice. It’s up to the customer to ensure that the manual being consulted is the latest version.
Dear customer,
Thank you for purchasing LARSON. You are the owner of a very high quality power amplifier with many unique features, designed to obtain the best performance in conjunction with every M2Tech product.
LARSON implements a specific set of technological and functional solutions, from the “quasisingle ended” class-A power
stage, to a wealth of inputs, to the trigger inputs.
LARSON is provided with a refined input transformer for its balanced input, to allow music to flow effortlessly from your preamplifier to your speakers.
We’re sure that your expectations will be fulfilled by purchasing LARSON: your hi-fi system will exhibit an incredible increase of its sonic performance, so you can now prepare for a whole new listening experience!
Marco Manunta, CEO
Please note here your LARSON serial number and purchase info for future
reference:
S/N: _ Date of Purchase: ___
Place of Purchase__
Note: Proof of retail purchase, such as your purchase receipt, will be
required in the unlikely event
that any warranty service will be required
Unpacking and Placing the Unit
Lay the box on a table and open it with a cutter or a knife, paying attention not to damage the internal box. Extract the top cardboard tray and the upper stratocell padding. The following items are included in the cardboard tray:
- one 48VDC power adaptor;
- one power cord.
Should one or more item be missing, please contact your retail dealer.
Remove the LARSON from the box and place it onto a stable base, far from heat
sources.
Avoid full sunlight on the unit. Allow for ample room around the unit for
venting, as the LARSON gets very hot during operation due to its class-A power
stage.
The LARSON is a class-A power amplifier dissipating about 170W while idle. Therefore, the unit can produce a relevant heat. An adequate air flow is recommended.
Avoid smoke, moisture, dirt and liquids from reaching the unit. Please note that any sign of abuse will void warranty coverage.
Do not place the unit on thick carpets or inside a box or piece of furniture, not even close to curtains. Do not detach the rubber feet which are specifically been chosen to allow for an adequate air flow through the LARSON’s heatsinks.
Front Panel
- Standby/on switch. Push this button to activate the LARSON or to put it in standby.
- Standby LED (blue). It’s on when the LARSON is in standby.
- Operation LED (white). It’s on when the amplifier is operating.
Back Panel
4) Balanced input. Connect a preamplifier provided with balanced outputs.
Female 3-pin xlr connectors. 1 is GND, 2 is send, 3 is return.
5) Input/mute selector switch. Three-way switch. Allows to choose between
single ended and balanced input. The central position mutes the amplifier,
allowing for hot plugging cables.
6) Single-ended input. Connect a preamplifier provided with single-ended
outputs. Female RCA.
7) Trigger inputs. A 12V trigger signal may be sent to one of this inputs
to switch LARSON on and off by the preamplifier or other trigger source. The
two inputs are in parallel, therefore the unused one may be used to forward
the trigger signal to another unit (e.g. to another LARSON).
8) Output binding posts. Accept bare wire, forks, spades, lugs and
bananas. Red is positive and black is negative.
9) Supply input socket. Connect the stock power adaptor to this socket.
Connecting and Powering the Unit
WARNING: All connections between the LARSON and other equipment must be made when all units are turned off and completely powered down or unplugged. Failing to do so may cause damage to the LARSON and/or other units. As an exception, the signal interconnect can be plugger in or out with the LARSON on, provided the input selector switch is in the “MUTE” position.
Please refer to chapter 3, “Back Panel”.
Connect the speakers cable to the LARSON output posts (Fig. 2, 8).
WARNING: never short the positive output binding posts (red) to the black one r to ground. While the LARSON is AC-coupled on the output, therefore being protected from short-circuits whne idle, the power stage can still be damaged if the amplifier is delivering a large amplitude signal to the load when its output is shorted.
Connect a preamplifier or other driving unit (as the YOUNG MKIV) to the LARSON single ended (Fig. 2, 6) or balanced (Fig. 2, 4) inputs. Set the input selector switch (Fig. 2, 5) accordingly.
If the trigger feature is to be used, connect a mono cable with 3.5mm jack to one of the LARSON trigger inputs (Fig. 2, 7). If the trigger signal must be forwarded to another unit, then the second input may be used as pass-through.
WARNING: do not drive both inputs at the same time with different trigger signals.
Connect the stock power adaptor to the LARSON power socket (Fig. 2, 9) and to a wall outlet.
Push the button on the front panel (Fig. 1, 1) to turn the LARSON on.
NOTE: the trigger input overrides the front panel button: as long as the trigger voltage is present on one of the LARSON trigger inputs, the amplifier will be operative. As soon as the voltage is disconnected, the amplifier enters standby and the front panel button will be relevant again.
Cleaning the Unit
+The LARSON should be cleaned with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Do not use alcohol or any other types of cleaning fluids as they could damage the unit.
Avoid fluids from dropping or leaking inside the unit. Fluids of any type poured into the unit will void your warranty.
Be careful not to scratch the Plexiglas front screen.
Using A Different Power Supply
The LaRson is provided with a 48VDC, 240VA power adaptor. The unit is protected against overloads, therefore also protecting the LARSON from overloads.
The user may, if desired or in order to increase the LARSON performance, use another power supply. In this case, a suitable unit must be chosen. The power supply must deliver 48VDC regulated and be provided with a current limiting circuit to 5A or with an output fuse, 5A slow blow.
WARNING: failing to comply to the above requirements will void warranty.
Trigger
The LARSON accepts trigger signals, 5VDC to 15VDC. A trigger signal can be used to automatically activate the LARSON by a preamplifier, so that all the system is powered on and off by the preamplifier’s remote control. Please note that, as long as the trigger voltage is applied, the front panel button will not operate.
Overload and Protection
In order to allow for the highest sound quality possible, the LARSON is not provided with any protection circuitry. Overload protection is provided by the stock power adaptor by means of current limiting. This solution proved to be effective even in case of power stage failure, protecting the amplifier from more severe faults than one power transistor.
A fault condition is usually shown by the LARSON continuously trying to power on and immediately turning off. When this occurs, user must immediately disconnect the power adaptor from the LARSON and/or from the wall outlet.
Specifications
Input sensitivity:…………………………….1Vrms (single-ended and balanced)
Output power:……………………………….22Wrms (8 Ohms) 40Wrms (4 Ohms) 30Wrms (3 Ohms)
Residual noise:……………………………..36uVrms (20Hz-20kHz, A weighted)
SNR:……………………………………………111dB (A-weighted)
THD+N:……………………………………….0.05% (1Wrms on 8 Ohms) 0.9% (22W on 8 Ohms)
Supply voltage:……………………………..48VDC
Mains voltage:………………………………90-260VAC, 50/60Hz
Power consumption:………………………185VA (idle)
Input:……………………………………………5.5/2.1mm barrel socket, positive on internal contact
Size:…………………………………………….220x210x220mm (w x h x d)
Weight…………………………………………10.5kg (device and ancillaries) 11kg (packed
