RAM Audio W Series Professional Power Amplifiers User Manual
- June 6, 2024
- RAM Audio
Table of Contents
Professional Power Amplifiers
6000-9000
9004-9044-12004-12044
W Series
OPERATION MANUAL
© 2011 by C.E. Studio-2 s.l. – Spain (EEC)
http://www.ramaudio.com
e-mail: [email protected]
P-6546-564
QXPDQXDoc
4/11
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING:
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN
To avoid fire or electrocution risk do not expose the unit to rain or
moisture.
To avoid electric shock, do not open the unit. No user-serviceable parts
inside. In the case of disfunction, have the unit checked by qualified agents?
Class I devise.
IMPORTANT:
Clean the front panel filters regularly.
Extract the filters removing the front panel grid unscrewing the thumbscrews
placed at the sides of the grid. Clean the filters using water and detergent.
Place the grid filter introducing first the internal side and screwing the
thumbscrew.
©2011 by C.E. Studio-2 s.l. Pol.Ind. La Figuera
C/Rosa de Luxemburgo nº34
46970 Alaquas – Valencia – SPAIN
Phone: +34 96 127 30 54 Fax: +34 96 127 30 56
http://www.ramaudio.com
e-mail: [email protected]
P-5435-634 QXPDQXDoc 4/11
RAM Audio®, PMS™, SSP™, ICL™, FCM™, and QuantaPulse™ are registered trademarks of C.E. Studio-2 s.l.. All other names are trademarks of their respective companies.
General Information
Introduction
The W Series devices feature two or four-channel models, ready for rough handling in the touring world. For this purpose, W Series amps implement an oversized high-efficiency regulated power supply with the PFC front end to deliver their full performances independently of the mains status. This together with an oversized high-efficiency audio power stage, forced front to back cooling through a component-free path with removable front panel dust filters, improved rugged mechanical design with even weight distribution, full digital control from the LCD display on the front panel… Resulting in: just power, reliability, and robustness for your touring gigs!
Main Characteristics
- PFC QuantaPulse™ Regulated Dual SMPS
- Digital Control with extra-large LCD display user interface
- Channel Temperature and Output Level Monitor in the LCD
- USB port for firmware update and DSP control
- 25 position Gain, Bridge mode, Input Links and ICL, front panel configurable
- Digital Potentiometers with Encoder control
- RAM Audio Power Management System
- Hi-Efficiency, Heavy Duty Audio Power section for extreme use
- Easily removable front panel dust filters
- Industry-standard Neutrik ® XLR and Speakon ® connectors
- Optional low latency 24bits 96kHz high-performance DSP with post-DSP signal links and Ethernet control. It features up to 70 meters of input delay.
- Optional EtheRAM II Ethernet monitor and control system
- Optional EtherSound™/CobraNet™ audio transport and AES/EBU digital input
Controls: Where and What?
Front Panel
-
Configuration and signal attenuation level control knobs: Permit independent control of each channel’s attenuation and change the amplifier configuration. See page 10.
-
SIGNAL: This LED indicates the presence of a signal at the inputs.
TEMP: This LED shows temperature protection is active.
PMS: LED indicating PMS in operation (see page 13)
ICL: LED indicating Intelligent Clip Limiter in operation (see page 13). -
Main Power Switch:
The position I: Connects the amplifier’s 3 current feeds. (Blue LED on).
Position O disconnects the Power.
Position II (optional): Stand-by Mode. The Amp’s Power is activated remotely via Ethernet. (Amber LED). -
Display: See page 10.
-
USB Connector for firmware upgrade and optional DSP control.
1. Front Panel
Rear Panel
See Figure 2
-
Signal Input: Female Neutrik ® 1 XLR Connectors for the amplifier’s signal input.
Signal Link: Male Neutrik ® XLR Connectors for the daisy-chaining input signal to other amplifiers (parallel connected to female input connectors). -
Speaker connectors: Neutrik ® 2 Speakon to connect the speakers.
-
Mains Power Cord: to connect the amplifier to the mains network. The color code is:
Blue: Neutral 3
Brown: Live, single-phase
Yellow-green: Protective Earth
2. Rear Panel
Installation and Operation
Connections
The Power switch must always be in the “Off” position before plugging the amp
into a properly earthed mains socket (170-265V AC). The color code is:
Blue: Neutral
Brown: Live, single-phase Yellow-green: Protective Earth
The input signal fed to the amplifier can be either balanced or unbalanced.
The drawing below describes both ways to wire an XLR connector for the
purpose.
Balanced Signal: Connect pin 1 to Ground, pin 2 to Signal + (hot), and
pin 3 to Signal – (cold).
Unbalanced Signal: Connect Pin 1 to Ground, pin 2 to Signal and pin 3 to
Ground.
Important!: If a connection is done with an unbalanced line and pin 3 on the
XLR is not connected to the ground, a 6 dB loss occurs in the line, and only a
quarter of the amplifier power is produced.
The amplifiers provide, for each channel, a female XLR Connector (Signal
Input) paralleled to a male XLR to daisy chain several amplifiers with the
same signal line (LINK).
See Figure 3
– Set the Amplifier Mode to “DUAL”.
– Select the chosen Gain (Default setting 32dB).
– Connect the signal lines to the female XLR connectors on all channels.
– Connect the speakers’ lines to the corresponding Speakon on the amp
respecting the polarity.
– Use the level control knob on the front panel to adjust each channel
independently.
– Each signaling LED group will show its corresponding channel status.
LINK Channel Mode
See Figure 4
– Operate as Dual Channel Mode with the signal input linked to another
adjacent channel.
BRIDGE Channel Mode
See Figure 5
– Set the configuration mode to “BRIDGE” (see page 9).
– Select the chosen Gain (Default setting 32dB).
– Connect a signal line to input female XLR Channel “A” (or Ch-C in 4 channel
models).
– Connect the speaker line to the Channel A Speakon (or Ch-C in 4 channel
models) wired to +1 and -2. In this way pin +1 is positive.
– Use Channel-A (or Ch-C in 4 channel modes) control knob to adjust the amp’s
output.
– The signaling LED groups will show the single-channel status.
WARNING! The “-“ pins, do not have to be Ground!
3. Dual Channel
2 Ch models
4 Link Inputs
2 Ch models
5 Bridge Mode
2 Ch models
3 Dual Channel
4 Channel models
4 Link Inputs
4 Channel models
5 Bridge Mode
4 Channel models
Bridge + Dual Mode
3 Channels Mode
Configuration
Main Screen: shows the current preset name (“G32dBDual-UnLink” as default), and the channel attenuation. As an option, you can show the output VU meter. The “M” appears at the top right corner if the preset has been changed from the last load. You can change each channel amplifier level by turning the encoder knob for each channel.
Menu navigation: to access the Menu screen you have to press the CH-A encoder
knob from the Main Screen. Turning the CH-A encoder knob you access to the
different options. When you press the CH-A encoder knob you start the Edit
mode (only for some options), and an “E” blinking letter appears at the top
right corner. Using the four encoder knobs you can change the different
options. Pressing another time the CH-A encoder knob you finish the Edit mode
and return to the Menu screen. The last menu option is Exit to return to the
main screen or Exit + Dial Lock to protect the encoder knob from any unwanted
action.
If you use this option you can unlock the system by pressing the CH-A knob for
5 seconds. If you need to limit access to the configuration you can define a
password from the Password Manager in the Amplifier Setup section. The Menu
development is the next:
Amplifier Setup: You have access to the Setup Menu, where you can change
parameters such as Inputs Link, Gain, Bridge Mode… Also, you can change the
preset and limit the access using a Password. See the Amplifier Setup section
on the next page for more details.
Channel Temperature: Show the percent of maximum temperature for each
channel. When you are near 100% the PMS system limits the power output to
avoid reaching overheating protection.
Display Mode: Change between Channel Attenuation.or Vu meter mode in the
Main Screen.
Operating Time: shows the amplifier’s total time operation.
Firmware Version: shows the Amp Control firmware version. You can upgrade
it using the USB port.
Amplifier Setup: when you are in the Main Menu and access to the Amplifier Setup section, you can change different amplifier parameters, change the current preset and protect the access using a password. The Menu development for this section is the next:
Preset Manager: you can change quickly the amplifier preset
configuration. To access to any option you have to enter in Edit mode
(pressing CH-A knob) and turn the corresponding encoder: CH-A for Load, CH-B
for Save, CH-C for Delete, and CH-D for Restore default. Select a preset
number from 0 to 9.
Inputs Link: you can Link the input signal to the next channel. Enter in
Edit mode and turn the CH-B, CH-C or CH-D knob to link the input to the
previous channel.
WARNING! You have to remove the input connector of the linked channel!
Amplifier Gain: you can change independently the amplifier gain for each
channel from 26dB to 38dB (0.5dB steps). Enter in Edit mode and use the
corresponding channel knob to modify it.
Amplifier Mode: it configures the amplifier in Dual or Bridge mode. In
Edit mode use the CH-A or CH-C channel knob to change the option.
Attenuators Link: you can link all attenuators to modify the output level
for all channels simultaneously. When you change this option to Enabled, you
modify the attenuation for all channels using any channel knob.
ICL Clip Limiter: you can turn on or turn off the ICL Clip Limiter for
all channels. We recommend to you to work with this option enabled to avoid
any damage to the speakers.
Password Control: you can define a password to prevent any modification
of the amplifier configuration. When you turn on this option, you have to
introduce a password using the four knob encoders, and confirm it. After that,
you need to introduce this password each time you want to modify the amplifier
configuration. There is a generic password that you can use to disable the
Password Control, it is: 5 5 5 5
Troubleshooting
In the event of an incorrect connection or misfunctioning, the amp will activate one or more of its LEDs to warn about the problem.
Correct function: SGNL lights to indicate signal presence.
ICL: The Intelligent Clip Limiter is operating (see page 10).
No Signal: No Input Signal is reaching the amp.
Overheating: The amplifier has reached the maximum operational temperature. A most common cause is: the normal airflow is blocked, accumulated dirt, dust, or objects leaning against the grill. Check and clean periodically.
PMS: Several causes can trigger this LED, the most common are:
– The amplifier is in power-on sequence, where output is inhibited until the
amp circuits are ready to operate.
– The internal temperatures rise to near thermal shutdown point due to
unfavorable operating conditions.
– Excessive mains current consumption.
Protection Systems
PMS™ – Power Management System
This is a complete set of protections that monitors the main amp parameters (load status, signal input, temperature, current, etc.) in order to draw from the power supply only the precise amount of current required to maintain safe operation during hazardous or extreme working conditions.
This system controls the amount of power that the amp delivers under three basic circumstances:
- The power-on sequence, where output is inhibited until the amp circuits are ready to operate. This routine is repeated at every restart, not just when the power switch is activated.
- When internal temperatures rise to near thermal shutdown point due to unfavorable operating conditions. Here the system takes control, restricting current so as to maintain operational continuity at the precise power level which the amp is capable of withstanding at that particular moment.
- Excessive mains current consumption. This event only occurs either under laboratory conditions (long-term sinusoidal signal testing with dummy loads) or, for example, in field applications in conditions of prolonged acoustic howl-round. Here PMS takes control to avoid any damage to the speakers and to prevent the mains breaker from tripping or the fuses blowing.
ICL2™ – Intelligent Clip Limiter
The RAM Audio ICL2 is an antislip system to avoid speaker failure and provide a more acceptable sound quality even when clipping occurs. With the ICL2 system, you don’t lose the music “punch” but the speakers are kept under control.
SSP™ – SOA Sentry Protection
SOA Sentry protection effectively limits the power that the amp could deliver into an incorrect load or to a direct short-circuit. This avoids power transistor failure.
FCM™ – Faulty Channel Management
Faulty Channel Management system to avoid entire device shutdown.
Technical Specifications
Data
| W-6000| W-9000| W-12000| W-9004| W-9044| W-12004| W-12044
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
Output Power
1kHz, 1.0% THD+N
@ 2Ω| 2x 3025 W| 2x 4400 W| 2x 5900 W| 4x 2260 W| –| 4x 3025 W| –
@ 4Ω| 2x 1600 W| 2x 2300 W| 2x 3100 W| 4x 1150 W| 4x 2200 W| 4x 1600 W| 4x
2950 W
@ 8Ω| 2x 820 W| 2x 1200 W| 2x 1600 W| 4x 600 W| 4x 1150 W| 4x 820 W| 4x 1550 W
Bridge @ 4Ω| 6050 W| 8800 W| 11800 W| 2x 4520 W| –| 2x 6050 W| –
Bridge @ 8Ω| 3200 W| 4600 W| 6200 W| 2x 2300 W| 2x 4400 W| 2x 3200 W| 2x 5900
W
Frequency Response
Power Bandwidth ±0.25dB| 20Hz-20kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion
20Hz-20kHz| <0.05%
Intermodulation Distortion
SMPTE| <0.05%
Damping Factor
20-500Hz @8Ω| >500
Crosstalk
20Hz-20kHz (typical)| >70dB
Voltage Gain| 26dB to 38dB (0.5dB steps)
Sensitivity
Rated Power (26/32/38dB Gain)| 4/2/1 V| 4.9/2.5/1.2 V| 5.7/2.8/1.4 V|
3.5/1.7/0.9 V| 4.8/2.4/1.2 V| 4.1/2/1 V| 5.6/2.8/1.4 V
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
20Hz-20kHz
| 113dB| 115dB| 116dB| 112dB| 115dB| 113dB| 116dB
Required AC Mains
Operating Voltage (50Hz-60Hz)
Power On Idling (@230V)
1/8 Rated Power (@230V min. Z)| 0.5 A
7 A| 0.5 A
10 A| 170V-265V AC
0.5 A
13 A| 0.5 A
11 A| 0.5 A
10 A| 0.5 A
14 A| 0.5 A
13 A
Dimensions
W x H x D (mm)
W x H x D (inches)| 483x89x460
19×3.5×18.1
Weight
Net (Kg-Lbs)| 10-22.1| 12-26.5| 12-26.5| 12-26.5| 12-26.5| 12-26.5| 12-26.5
Protections
Soft-start, Turn-on Turn-off transients, Muting at turn-on, Over-heating, DC,
RF, Short-circuit, Open or mismatched loads, Overloaded power supply, Mains
Overvoltage, ICL™ , PMS™, SSP™ and FCM™
Manufactured in the EEC by C.E. Studio-2 s.l.
Pol. Ind. La Figuera – C/Rosa de Luxemburgo, nº 34
46970 Alaquas – Valencia – SPAIN
Phone: +34 96 127 30 54 Fax: +34 96 127 30 56
http://www.ramaudio.com e-mail:
[email protected]