ButtKicker BKA1000-N 1000W 120V Power Amplifier Owner’s Manual
- June 5, 2024
- ButtKicker
Table of Contents
ButtKicker BKA1000-N 1000W 120V Power Amplifier
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTION
- Read these instructions and keep them for future reference.
- Carefully follow instructions and take heed to all warnings.
- Do not use this apparatus near water.
- Clean amplifier housing only with a slightly damp cloth.
- Do not block any of the ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Do not install near any heat source such as radiators, heat regist’ers, stoves, or other electrical devices (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
- Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding type plug. A grounding type plug bas two blades and a third prong. The third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit easily into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet before attempting to power up the amplifier.
- Prevent the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at the plug or at the point where it exits from the amplifier.
- Use only attachments and accessories specified b)’ the manufacturer. When uncertain about specifications, please first consult the manufacturer’s website and see the FAQs; if still uncertain please call the phone numbers listed in this manual for tech support.
- When this apparatus is placed on a cart, stand or table, make sure that it is sufficiently stable and can accommodate the weight oftbis unit. When placed on a cart with wheels, use extra caution so that it does not tip over when the cart is rnoving.
- Unplug this unit during lightning storms or when it is unused for an extended 1>eriod of time. This de,•icc may be plugged into a surge protector or power strip, but should NOT be plugged into a UPS (uninterruptiblc power supply).
- DO NOT LEAVE THIS AMPLIFIER IN ‘STAND BY MODE’ WHEN NO ONE IS IN ATTENDANCE. For safety and to ensure long life, turn the amplifier power switch to the OFF position when unit is not being used.
- Refer all ser,•icing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way. This would include damage to the power supply cord or plug, whenever liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, when the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, when it docs not operate normally, or whenever it has been dropped.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
Front Panel Controls
Power Switch
The Power Switch connects the AC line to the amplifier circuits. Check the
amplifier connections and verify the AC line power source before engaging the
Power Switch.
Power Light
Red indicates presence of AC power, but no signal. Green indicates presence of
both AC power and signal; power is applied to all the amplifier circuits and
the amplifier is ready to operate. After 20 minutes of no input signal the
amplifier will revert to a low power Standby condition.
- Filters:
- Low Cutoff Switch
- Switches the Low Cutoff Filter in and out of the circuit. The fi lter’s slope is set at 12dB per octave.
- With the Low Cutoff in the ON position, frequencies lower than 25 Hz are filtered out. This is ideal for musicians who do not need nor want the ButtKicker to respond to any frequencies below 25
- Hz.
- When the Low Cutoff is in the OFF position frequencies below 25 Hz are passed on to the ButtKicker. This is ideal for home theater use and the low frequency response the ButtKicker has
- become known for.
High Cutoff Switch
Switches the High Cutoff Filter in and out of the circuit. The filter’s slope
is set at 12dB per octave. With the High Cutoff in the ON position,
frequencies above 40 Hz to 160 Hz are filtered out – only frequencies below 40
Hz to 160 Hz are passed to the ButtKicker based on the position of the High
Cutoff
Frequency control
This is ideal for home theater use when only low frequencies are wanted. Conversely, when used by musicians, leaving the high cutoff switch in the OFF position enables the ButtKicker to respond to all frequencies in its natural working range of 5 – 200 Hz.
High Cutoff Frequency Control
Controls the frequency at which the High Cutoff circuit begins its filter
action. The Variable High Cutoff Frequency control allows you to set the high
cutoff frequency from 40 Hz to 160 Hz.
Volume Control Controls the output level. Set this to balance the ButtKickers
with the sound system when using the amplifier to power ButtKickers.
Rear Panel Controls
Line level Input
RCA/ phono jack. This input should be used for the preamp output of a consumer
home theater surround
processor or stereo preamp with nominal signal levels of 160mVolt.
High Level Input
1/4 / phone jack. This balanced, TRS input should be used for professional
level oulputs; i.e. mixing consoles
and other equipment with nominal signal levels of 1.25Volt ( +2dBV).
Speaker Output Binding Posts
Power amplifier bridged output. Used for attaching speaker wire to the
ButtKicker or other speakers. Tum the amplifier off before connecting to the
Speaker Output. Wire sizes of 14 gauge and larger are recommended. Binding
posts will accept banana type connectors.
Power Connector
Used to connect the supplied power cable to the amplifier. CAUTION – you must
use the supplied cable to avoid potential safety hazards. Also, for added
protection, the amplifier may be plugged into a surge protector rather than
directly into the 120v outlet. Use of a non-grounded power cable or defeating
the supplied grounded (3 prong) cable will void the warranty and may cause
electrocution. Fuse Holder (integrated into Power Connector) Fuse: input. A
spare fuse is also contained in fuse holder for your convenience and is
located immediately below the power cord outlet on the rear panel (see Photo).
Helpful Hints/ Troubleshooting :
The amplifier has no output The amplifier has both thermal and output
protection circuits. The amplifier is designed to disconnect power from its
output terminals when an unsafe condition exists to protect the amplifier and
whatever is connected to the amplifier’s output. To reset the amplifier; turn
the amplifier to the off position (power switch down; no red or green light
will be visible). unplug the power cable from the electrical outlet, verify
proper output wiring and adequate ventilation for the amplifier. re-plug the
power cable to the eleclrical outlet. then turn the amplifier to the on
position. There is a hum in the sound system when the amplifier is connected
This can be caused in certain circumstances when a sound system has two
separate contacts with earth ground. This is usually caused when a cable TV
feed is connected to the TV which is then connected to the sound system. This
condition can be verified by disconnecting the cable from the TV (eliminating
one of the grounds) and playing a DVD or CD to verify the proper operation of
the ButtKicker. If disconnecting the cable TV solves the problem, then using
an inllne ground isolator is recommended. Visit www.thebuttkicker.com for more
information or contact an electronics retailer. PLEASE NOTE tha t if you are
using the ButtKicker Wireless Link. a hum will never be the effect of a ground
loop. If you experience a hum while you are using the Link. disconnect the
Receive unit from the wall and the amplifier for 10 seconds; then reconnect.
This will reset the Link and may eliminate the hum. PLEASE allow two inches (5
cm.) of c learance around the amplifier on all sides for proper ventilation.
The BKA 1000-N will power two 4-ohm ButtKicker LFEs when wired in parallel.
However. there is more heat generated by the amplifier in this situation. so
please allow extra ventilation space for the amplifier. Three or four
ButtKicker LFEs may also be powered by using the BK-QCP or by following the
wiring instructions in the FAQ section of our website.
Specifications and Features
- 1000 Watts @ 4 ohms
- Can power one, two, three or four 4-ohm ButtKicker LFEs
- Class D switching technology
- Variable high cutoff, 40 Hz to 160 Hz
- Low cutoff, 25 Hz switchable
- RCA phono and / phone inputs with 160mVolt and 1.25 Volt sensitivities respectively.
- Convection cooling, i.e. no fan
- Either 120v or 240v units are available for use worldwide, but the unit is not switchable.
Wiring Diagram – Typical Installation
Note: Wire nuts are only recommended when powering two ButtKickers. Wire
ButtKickers in parallel when powering two with one amplifier. Refer to the FAQ
section of our website for instructions on how to wire three or four
ButtKicker LFEs.
- For technical support please contact:
- The Guitammer Company Inc.
- PO Box 82
- Westerville, Ohio USA 43086
- 614-898-9370
- 888-676-2828 (toll free)
- 815-346-9532 (fax)
- [email protected]
- Please visit our website for technical support and the latest product information:
- www.thebuttkicker.com
Limited Warranty
Your Buttkicker Amplifier is warranted against failure for 1 YEAR unless otherwise stated. Guitammer will service and supply all parts at no charge to the customer providing the unit is under warranty. Shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer. GUITAMMER DOES NOT PAY FOR PARTS OR SERVICING OTHER THAN OUR OWN. A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL INVOICE IS REQUIRED TO VERIFY YOUR WARRANTY. Guitammer assumes no responsibilities for Buttkicker Shakers or speakers damaged by this unit. This warranty does not cover, and no liability is assumed, for damage due to: natural disasters, accidents, abuse, loss of parts, lack of reasonable care, incorrect use, or failure to follow instructions. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied. No representative or person is authorized to represent or assume for Guitammer any liability in connection with the sale of servicing of Guitammer products. GUITAMMER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
When RETURNING merchandise to Guitammer, you may call or email for a return
authorization number. Describe in writing each problem. If you unit is out of
warranty, you will be charged the current FLAT RATE for parts and labor to
bring your unit up to factory specifications.
Maintenance and Care of the Equipment
Avoid spilling liquids or allowing any other foreign matter inside the unit.
Provide proper ventilation for the unit to avoid damage.