UNiKa PA-500 PA-Series Professional Power Amplifiers Instructions
- June 6, 2024
- UNiKA
Table of Contents
UNiKa PA-500 PA-Series Professional Power Amplifiers
WARNING
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute This symbol is intended to alert the user of! the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product. risk of electric shock to persons. CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not remove the cover. No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. WARNING: To prevent electrical shock or fire hazards, do not expose this amplifier to rain or moisture.
IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS
- To reduce the risk of electrical shock or fire, do not expose this unit rain or moisture.
- Do not spill water or other liquids into or on to your unit.
- Do not attempt to operate this unit if the power cord has been frayed or broken.
- Do not attempt to remove or break off the ground prong from the electrical cord. This prong is used to reduce the risk of electrical shock and f re in case of an internal short.
- Disconnect main power before making any type of connection.
- Do not remove the cover under any conditions. There are no user serviceable parts inside.
- Never plug this unit in to a dimmer pack.
- Always be sure to mount this unit in an area that will allow proper ventilation. Allow about 6” (15cm) between this device and a wall.
- Do not attempt to operate this unit, if it becomes damaged.
- This unit is intended for indoor use only, use of this product outdoors voids all warranties.
- During long periods of non-use, disconnect the unit’s main power.
- Always mount this unit in a safe and stable manner.
- Power cords should be routed so they are not likely to be walked on, pinched by items placed upon or against them.
- Cleaning -The outside of the unit should be wipe down with a soft cloth and mild cleaner when needed.
- Heat -The amplifier should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliances (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
- The fixture should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:
- The power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged.
- Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the unit.
- The appliance has been exposed to rain or water.
- The fixture does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance.
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing PA-500 amplifier. This amplifier is representation of UNiKA’s continuing commitment to produce the best and highest quality audio products at an affordable price. This amplifier is designed to provide a big impact in sound reproduction. Please read and understand this manual completely before attempting to operate your new amplifier. This booklet contains important information concerning the proper and safe operation of your new amplifier.
UNPACKING
Every PA-500 amplifier has been thoroughly tested and has been shipped in perfect operating condition. Carefully check the shipping carton for damage that may have occurred during shipping. If the carton appears to be damaged, carefully inspect your unit for any damage and be sure all accessories necessary to operate the system have arrived intact. In the event damage has been found or parts are missing, please contact your dealer for further instructions.
INSTALLATION
This amplifier is designed to mount into a standard 19”rack. The front panel provides four holes used to screw the unit into a rack. The unit also provides a way to rear mount the unit into a rack for added security. Rear mounting the unit is especially recommended if the unit is to mounted into a mobile rack.
PA-500 FRONT PANEL
- Rack Mounting Ears – Two front panel mounting holes are provided on each mounting ear.
- Rack Handle – PA Series amplifiers are designed with rack handle at two each side. It’s not only to make the entire design elegant but more practical and convenient for users.
- Cooling Vents – These vents are used for proper cooling. Never block these vents when installing the amplifier or other associated equipment and keep them clean at all times. Air must flow unimpeded through these ports.
- Active Indicator – When turning on the AC power switch, both two sides of LED’s turn on red for about several seconds while checking various protection circuits of each channel first. Then, when entering the normal operating mode, once both channels of the LED’s in blue indicating that the entire power amplifier is ready for use. This active indicator will light in red when the protection circuit detects output short circuit or DC leakage. If it turns on red and does not change to blue, please contact the service center.
- Clip Indicator – The red clip LED will begin to flash when the channel begins to overload. At this point the channel will begin to distort. Under heavy clipping activity, lower the channel’s gain control to reduce the risk of damage to your speakers and amplifier. This LED may glow when the unit has been turned off, this is normal.
- Signal Indicator – This green LED will glow when there is an input of the audio signal into the channel.
- Gain Control – This rotary knob is used to control the output signal of the channel. Tuning the knob in clockwise direction will increase signal output.
- AC Power Switch – PA-500 amplifier has a front-panel AC mains power switch.
- Cooling Vents – These vents are used for proper cooling. Never block these vents when installing the amplifier or other associated equipment and keep them clean at all times. Air must flow unimpeded through these ports.
- Channel 1-2 Balanced 1/4” TRS & XLR Input Connectors -These connectors accept input signals on balanced TRS and XLR input plugs. Connectors for each channel are in parallel, the unused connectors may be used for “loop through” connection to other amplifiers. TRS pin setting: Tip/signal positive, Ring/signal negative, Sleeve/ground. XLR pin setting: Pin-2/signal positive, Pin-3/signal negative, Pin-1/ground.
- . Amp. Mode Selection Switch – This switch allows the amplifier operating mode from either stereo or mono bridge selection. Amplifiers are factory-configured for Stereo Mode. See section on Mode Selection for more information.
- . Fuse Holder – This holder houses the external fuse. Always replace with the exact same type fuse, otherwise instructed to do so by an authorized audio service technician.
- AC Power Input – IEC AC power inlet connector, plug this cable into a standard 110V or 220V wall outlet. Be sure that supplied voltage matches that of the required voltage of your amplifier. Never plug your amplifier in to a wall outlet that does not match the required voltage of your amplifier, serious damage may occur to your unit.
- Channel 1-2 Output Jack / 5-way Binding Post – Connect to your speaker’s input jack. Red is a positive signal and Black is a negative signal.
SET UP INPUTS
The PA-500 amplifier allows you to use two types of input connectors per
channel, a XLR female jack for balanced connections and a 1/4” TRS female jack
that will accept balanced and unbalanced connectors. Use these connections to
connect the output signal from a mixer, cross-over or EQ to the PA-500
amplifier. A balanced connection is recommended for cable runs longer than
20ft. When constructing your own XLR cables follow the pin configuration
described below for proper connections. For cable runs shorter than 20ft., you
may choose the 1/4” TS unbalanced input option. The 1/4” TS unbalanced input
option may be more convenient for most users due to the abundant supply of
prefabricated cables available at your local audio dealer.
OUTPUTS
BINDING POST/BANANA PLUG: Connect your speakers to the binding post outputs on
the rear of the amplifier. The speaker wire may be connected by bare wire
(directly connected, usually for permanent connections), banana plug, or spade
connector. Connections are made to channel one and channel two outputs for
Stereo Mode or across the red terminals of channel one and channel two for
Mono Bridge Mode.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Although a speaker will operate with the positive and
negative leads plugged into either terminal on the amplifier binding post, be
sure to plug the negative lead into the black terminal and positive lead into
the red terminal. Ensuring proper polarity will avoid speakers being out of
phase that can cause a loss of bass response.
-
BANANA PLUG: (Figure 6)
When connecting your speakers to the amplifier using banana plugs, be sure that the red and black caps on the binding post are completely screwed in. Insert the banana plugs into the caps of the binding post, be sure that the banana plugs are inserted securely to avoid the risk of popping out. -
BARE WIRE CONNECTION: (Figure 7)
When connecting your speakers to the amplifier using bare wire, unscrew the red and black caps on the binding post, be sure not to completely remove or unscrew the red and black caps. Strip back the wire insulation 1/2” (13mm). Insert the bare wire into the hole that was revealed by unscrewing the binding post cap. After inserting the wire into the binding post hole, screw the binding post cap down on the wire. To reduce the risk of shock or damage to your amplifier, be sure that the wire connected to one binding post does not come in contact with that of another. -
SPADE CONNECTOR: (Figure 8)
When connecting your speakers to the amplifier using spade connector, unscrew the red and black caps on the binding post, be sure not to completely remove or unscrew the red and black caps. Insert the spade connector into the binding post and tighten the caps down on the spade connector. To reduce the risk of shock or damage to your amplifier, be sure that the wire connected to one binding post does not come in contact with that of another. -
MONO BRIDGE CONNECTIONS: (Figure 9)
Mono bridge operation connections will follow the above descriptions, however, when operating in mono bridge operation the speaker connections will run between the two positive (red) leads, Use channel two positive output terminal for the negative connection and the channel one positive output terminal for the positive connection.
OPERATING MODES
STEREO OPERATION : Page 7/Figure 10 details an example of a typical
stereo set-up. Connect your inputs into channels one and two of the amplifier.
Connect your speakers to the outputs on the rear of the amplifier. Be sure
that your front gain controls are turned down to their lowest level (fully
counter-clockwise). Turn your amplifier on. Turn your input source level up.
Use your front gain controls to regulate the output volume. Be sure not to
raise the volume to the clip level, however, an intermittent clip signal is
acceptable.
MONO BRIDGE OPERATION: Page 7/Figure 11 details a mono bridge set-up. Be
sure your amplifier and all other audio equipment are powered down. Press the
Stereo/Mono Bridge switch to the Mono Bridge position. Connect an input signal
to channel one. Connect your speaker across the red output binding post on the
rear of your amplifier. Turn your equipment on (your amplifier should always
be the last item you turn on). Apply an input source signal to your amplifier.
Use channel one to gain control to regulate your amplifier output.
PROTECTION
SAFE POWER LEVELS AT DIFFERENT OUTPUT LOADS
8-Ohm Loads: The amplifier can operate at its rated power level without risk
of overheating. However, it may caused excessive temperature if it is pushed
hard enough to continually light the “CLIP” indicator, the amplifier’s average
output power can reach its maximum peak. 4-Ohm Loads: If the “CLIP” indicator
flashes occasionally, the amplifier is approaching its Maximum long-term power
capacity. If it is lit about half the time, the amplifier channel will
probably go into thermal protection within a few minutes. 2-Ohm Loads: Do not
recommend using PA-500 for 2ohm loads.
SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION
The PA-500 amplifier comes with built-in Output Short Circuit Protects. The
Output Short Circuit Protection protects the output devices of the amplifier
from short circuits and stressful loads. If your speakerlines shorted, the
amplifier automatically detects this problem and discontinued operation for
that channel. If one side of your amplifier becomes shorted and goes into
protect mode, the other side will continue to operate normally. During short
circuit protection, the “ACTIVE” LED will light indicating amplifier fault.
Channel output during the “Short Circuit Protection” will be interrupted (i.e.
no sound output). Short Circuit Protection can usually be traced back to the
signal output line (i.e. speaker line). Check the line from the output
terminal of the amplifier to the speaker. If this line is good, check the
internal speaker connections and components. A short circuit will usually be
traced to a bad cable or a bad speaker component and is rarely traced to the
amplifier itself.
INPUT/OUTPUT PROTECTION
The input circuits are isolated by resistors. An ultrasonic network uncouples
RF from the output and helps to keep the amplifier stable with reactive loads.
OPERATING VOLTAGE (AC MAINS)
On the rear panel will indicate the correct AC mains voltage. Connecting to
the wrong voltage is dangerous and may damage the amplifier. Always be sure
the source voltage for your areas matches the required voltage for your
amplifier.
GAIN CONTROLS
The gain controls are located on the front panel and are calibrated in 2dB of
attenuation from full gain. It is best to adjust the amplifier so no
“hissing” is heard from speakers with no music being played, this will ensure
the lowest possible distortion during normal operation.
AMPLIFIER FEATURES SWITCH-MODE POWER SUPPLY
The PA-500 is designed with SMPS power with CLASS D of Power Stage Topology
instead of the traditional toroidal transformer, therefore the total weight of
the amplifier is ultra-light, and also the complete performance is better.
LED INDICATORS
Each channel has three LEDs. One green LED indicates signal, one red LED
indicates signal clipping and one red/blue LED indicates protections mode for
shorts/overload.
SPECIFICATIONS
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