Focusrite RedNet AM2 Dante Stereo Headphone Amplifier User Guide

Focusrite RedNet AM2 Dante Stereo Headphone Amplifier

About this User Guide
This user guide applies to the RedNet AM2 Dante headphone and line output interface. It provides information about installing and using the unit, and how it can be connected into your system.
A RedNet System User Guide is also available from the RedNet product pages of the Focusrite website. The guide provides a detailed explanation of the RedNet system concept, that will help you achieve a thorough understanding of its capabilities. We recommend that all users, including those already experienced in digital audio networking, take the time to read through the System User Guide so that they are fully aware of all the possibilities that RedNet and its software have to offer.
Should either user guide not provide the information you need, be sure to consult: www.focusrite.com/rednet, which contains a comprehensive collection of common technical support queries.

Box Contents

• RedNet AM2 unit
• DC power supply
• Safety information cut sheet
• RedNet Getting Started Guide
• Product Registration Card – please follow the instructions on the card as it provides links to:
  • RedNet Control
  • RedNet PCIe drivers (included with RedNet Control download)
  • Audinate Dante Controller (installed with RedNet Control

Dante™ and Audinate™ are registered trademarks of Audinate Pty Ltd.

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the Focusrite RedNet AM2.

• RedNet AM2 provides two channels of premium D-A conversion in the form of a stereo monitoring unit, combining headphone and line outputs for monitoring of signals from the Dante Audio-over-IP network.
• RedNet AM2 includes two line-output XLRs plus a stereo TRS 1/4” jack socket. It provides high-quality digital to-analog conversion for accurate monitoring on loudspeakers or headphones and is designed to drive high or low-impedance headphones at high
• levels with significant audio output power. Two large volume control knobs are provided for Headphone and Line output levels, the latter featuring a mute button with an associated LED.
• The compact unit, mounted in an enclosure based around a sturdy road-worthy aluminum extrusion, is fitted with non-slip feet and can either sit securely on a flat surface or be mounted on top of a mic stand using the 3/8” BSW threaded bush incorporated in the base.
• Dual locking etherCON connectors are included on the rear panel to connect to the network and to daisy-chain to additional network devices.
• The unit is powered via Power over Ethernet (PoE) or via the rear-panel barrel connector and includes DC power supply. Each PSU’s status can be monitored remotely over the network and on the top panel.
• Tailored for all environments, each unit features two network ports, PoE and DC power options, rugged construction with latching connectors and remote monitoring – RedNet AM2 is the perfect portable break-out solution for analog monitoring from a
• Dante network.

INSTALLATION GUIDE

RedNet AM2 Connections and Features
Top Panel

1. Headphone Level Pot
   Controls the volume level sent to the stereo headphone jack.

2. Line Out Level Pot
   Controls the volume level sent to the Line Output XLRs.

3. Power Indicator
   Bi-colour LED indicates the power source being used:

4. Green: Power over Ethernet (PoE)

5. Red: External DC supply

6. RedNet Network Status Indicator
   Tri-colour LED indicates the network status:

7.  Red (flashing) – The device is attempting to identify a network

8. Red/Green (flashing) – The device is trying to lock to an identified network

9. Green – The device is locked to the network and is capable of passing audio
   Top Panel

10. Signal Level Indicator
    Tri-colour LED indicates the highest signal level of the network receivers:

11. Green: Signal present (illuminates at -42 dBFS)

12. Orange: -6 dBFS

13. Red: 0 dBFS
    ID Indication – When the RedNet Control or Dante Controller applications send an ID command to the RedNet AM2 unit, the Network (4) and Signal (5) LEDs will cycle through green–orange–red states for 10 seconds.

14. Line Out Mute / Reverse ID Switch

15. Press to mute the line output XLRs – the LED illuminates red when mute is active.

16. Press and hold the Mute button for 3 seconds to ‘push’ Reverse ID to the RedNet Control application.

17. Headphone Input
    Standard 1/4” stereo Jack for headphones

Rear Panel

1. Network Port 1 / Primary Power Input
   RJ45 [etherCON] connector for the Dante network. Use standard Cat 5e or Cat 6 network cables to connect RedNet AM2 to an Ethernet network switch. Power over Ethernet (PoE) can be used to power the RedNet AM2. Connect an appropriately powered Ethernet cable to network port 1.
   2. Network Port 2
   Second RJ45 [etherCON] network port which can be used to daisy-chain additional devices. This port does not accept PoE input and does not pass power out. This port cannot be used as the secondary connection on redundant networks – network ports 1 and 2 always function as a 2-port switch.
   3. Secondary Power Input
   DC input for use where Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) is not available. Can be used in conjunction with PoE. When both power supplies are available, PoE will be the default supply.
   4. Line Out XLRs
   Two balanced output channels can, for example, be used for monitoring loudspeakers. (Passive speakers will require external amplification.)

For health and safety reasons, do not power up RedNet AM2 while monitoring through headphones. Refer to the Appendix on page 12 for connector pinouts.

Physical Characteristics

RedNet AM2 dimensions are illustrated in the diagram above. RedNet AM2 weighs 0.81 kg and is equipped with rubber feet for desktop mounting. The baseplate includes a female 3/8” BSW thread so the unit can be mounted on a microphone stand. RedNet AM2 generates little significant heat and is cooled by natural convection. The ambient operating temperature of the device is 50 degrees Celcius

Power Requirements
RedNet AM2 can be powered from two separate sources: Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) or DC input via external mains supply. Standard PoE requirements are: 37.0–57.0 V @ 1–2 A (approx.) – as supplied by many suitably equipped switches and external PoE injectors. Note that PoE can only be accepted at Network Port 1 and that power is not transmitted as an output on Network Port 2.
PoE injectors used should be Gigabit capable.
To use the 12 V DC input, connect the external plugtop PSU supplied to an adjacent mains outlet.

Only use the DC PSU supplied with RedNet AM2. Use of other external supplies may affect performance or could damage the unit.

When both PoE and external DC supplies are connected, PoE becomes the default supply. The power consumption of the RedNet AM2 is: PoE 11.0W and DC Supply 9.8W Please note that there are no fuses in RedNet AM2, or other user- replaceable components of any type. Please refer all servicing issues to the Customer Support Team (see “Customer Support and Unit Servicing” on page 15).

REDNET AM2 OPERATION

First Use and Firmware Updates
Your RedNet AM2 may require a firmware update* when it is first installed and switched on. Firmware updates are initiated and handled automatically by the RedNet Control application.
It is important that the firmware update procedure is not interrupted – either by switching off power to the RedNet AM2 or the computer on which RedNet Control is running, or by disconnecting either from the network.
From time to time Focusrite will release RedNet firmware updates within new versions of RedNet Control. We recommend keeping all RedNet units up to date with the latest firmware version supplied with each new version of RedNet Control.

The RedNet Control application will automatically inform the user if there is a firmware update available.

Digital Clocking
Each RedNet AM2 will automatically lock to a valid Network Master via its Dante connection. Alternatively, if a Network Master is not already present, the unit can be chosen as the Network Master by the user.
Pull Up and Pull Down Operation
RedNet AM2 is able to operate at a specific pull-up or pull-down percentage as selected in the Dante Controller application.

OTHER REDNET SYSTEM COMPONENTS
The RedNet hardware range includes various types of I/O interface and PCIe/ PCIeR digital audio interface cards which are installed in the system’s host computer or in a chassis. All the I/O units can be considered as “Break-Out” (and/or “Break-In”) boxes to/from the network, and all are built-in mains- powered, 19” rackmount housings unless otherwise stated. There are also three software items, RedNet Control (see below), Dante Controller and Dante Virtual Soundcard.
USING REDNET CONTROL
RedNet Control will reflect the status of the RedNet units present in the system, presenting an image representing each hardware unit.

The illustration above shows a RedNet AM2 with the Line Out Mute inactive and shows signal present on both channels. It has PoE power available and has a locked network connection.

• PoE power input – Illuminates if DC power is being received via the Ethernet cable.
• DC supply power input – Illuminates if power is being received from the external DC supply.
• Locked – The unit is successfully locked to the network (changes to the red cross if not locked).
• Network Master – Illuminated indicating that this unit is the network master.

Reverse ID
A Reverse ID request from a RedNet AM2 unit will flash the black background in the device GUI.
Signal Metering
Both audio channels have a virtual signal level meter.

ID (Identification)
Clicking on the ID icon will identify the physical device being controlled by cycling its front panel “Network” and “Signal” LEDs through green–orange–red states for 10 seconds.

Tools Menu
Clicking on the Tools icon will gain access to the following system settings:

Line Level Setup – Sets the analogue line output level at 0 dBFS:

• +18 dBu
•  +24 dBu (factory default setting)

Mute (Line Out) – On/Off state.
Mute on Power-up – On/Off state (factory default is On).
Attenuation (Headphone ) – The headphone output volume can be attenuated for safety. Available\ settings are:

• 0 dB
• 6 dB
• 12 dB (factory default setting)
• Preferred Master – On/Off state.

APPENDIX

Connector Pinouts
Ethernet Connectors (Dante)

• Connector type: RJ-45 (EtherCON) receptacle
• Applies to: NETWORK 1 & 2

PoE information only applicable to Network port 1

XLR Connectors

• Connector type: XLR(M)-3 receptacle
• Applies to: LINE OUTPUT 1 & 2

1/4” Jack Connector

• Connector type: Stereo receptacle
• Applies to: Headphone output

Tip

Ring Sleeve

| Left

Right Ground

PERFORMANCE AND SPECIFICATIONS

Line Level Outputs

All measurements taken at +24dBu reference level, maximum gain, R L   = 100k W
0 dBFS Reference Level| +18 or +24 dBu (switchable)
Frequency Response| 20Hz – 20kHz ±0.5dB
THD + N| <-100dB (0.001%) unweighted, 20Hz – 20kHz; -1dBFS input
Dynamic Range| 120dB ‘A’-weighted (typical), 20Hz – 20kHz
Crosstalk

(Output to Output)

| <-100dB unweighted, 20Hz – 20kHz; -20dBFS input
Headphone Output

All measurements taken at +19dBm reference level, maximum gain, R L   = 600 W
0 dBFS Reference Level| +19dBm
Frequency Response| 20Hz – 20kHz ±0.5dB
THD + N| <-100dB (0.001%) unweighted, 20Hz – 20kHz; -1dBFS input
Dynamic Range| 118dB ‘A’-weighted (typical), 20Hz – 20kHz
Output Impedance| 5Ω
Headphone Impedance| 32Ω – 600Ω
Crosstalk

(Output to Output)

| <-90dB unweighted, 20Hz – 20kHz; -20dBFS input
Digital Performance

Supported sample rates| 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 kHz (-4% / -0.1% / +0.1% / +4.167%) at 24 bit
Clock Sources| Internal or from Dante Network Master
Connectivity

Front Panel
Headphone| 1/4” stereo Jack socket
Rear Panel
Line Output| 2 x XLR-3 male
PSU (PoE and DC)| 1 x PoE (Network Port 1) Input and 1 x DC 12V Barrel Input Connector.

Network

| 2 x etherCON NE8FBH, also compatible with standard RJ45 connectors

(Accommodates rugged etherCON NE8MC. Does not intermate with Cat 6 cable connector NE8MC6-MO and NKE65 cable)

Front Panel Indicators / Controls

Power

| LED illuminates Green when PoE is connected and Red when DC power is connected (PoE is the default power supply).

Network

| Green LED: Indicates device is network master or network slave, shows valid network lock. Green/Red (flashing): Indicates the device is locking to the network. Red (flashing): Indicates the device is attempting to identify a network.

Signal

| Signal indicator LED for both network input channels. Green LED (> -42dBFS), Orange LED (> -6dBFS) and Red LED (0dBFS).
Mute| Red LED. Indicates that the XLR Line Outputs are currently muted.

Control Functions

| 2 x Pots (Independent control of Headphone Output Level and Line Out Level). 1 x Mute Switch (Mutes Line Out).
Dimensions

Height (Chassis Only)| 48mm / 1.89”
Height (Inc. Pots and Feet)| 58mm / 2.28”
Width| 140mm / 5.51”
Depth (Chassis Only)| 106.5mm / 4.19”
Depth (Inc. Connectors)| 116mm / 4.57”
Weight

Weight| 0.81 kg
Power

Power over Ethernet (PoE)| Complies with IEEE 802.3af class 0 Power-over- Ethernet standard (PoE A or PoE B compatible)
DC Power Supply| 1 x 12V 1.2A DC power supply
Power Consumption| PoE: 11.0W – DC:9.8W (When using supplied DC PSU)

Warranty and Service

Focusrite RedNet Warranty and Service

• All Focusrite products are built to the highest standards and should provide reliable performance for many years, subject to reasonable care, use, transportation, and storage.
• Very many of the products returned under warranty are found not to exhibit any fault at all. To avoid unnecessary inconvenience to you in terms of returning the product please contact Focusrite support.
• In the event of a Manufacturing Defect becoming evident in a product within 12 months from the date of the original purchase, Focusrite will ensure that the product is repaired or replaced free of charge.
• A Manufacturing Defect is defined as a defect in the performance of the product as described and published by Focusrite. A Manufacturing Defect does not include damage caused by post-purchase transportation, storage or careless handling, nor damage caused by misuse.
• Whilst this warranty is provided by Focusrite the warranty obligations are fulfilled by the distributor responsible for the country in which you purchased the product.
• In the event that you need to contact the distributor regarding a warranty issue, or an out-of-warranty chargeable repair, please visit: www.focusrite.com/distributors
• The distributor will then advise you of the appropriate procedure for resolving the warranty issue. In every case, it will be necessary to provide a copy of the original invoice or store receipt to the distributor. If you are unable to provide proof of
• purchase directly then you should contact the reseller from whom you purchased the product and attempt to obtain proof of purchase from them.
• Please do note that if you purchase a Focusrite product outside your country of residence or business you will not be entitled to ask your local Focusrite distributor to honour this limited warranty, although you may request an out-of-warranty chargeable repair.
• This limited warranty is offered solely to products purchased from an Authorised Focusrite Reseller (defined as a reseller who has purchased the product directly from Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited in the UK, or one of its Authorised Distributors outside the UK). This Warranty is in addition to your statutory rights in the country of purchase.

Registering Your Product

For access to Dante Virtual Soundcard, please register your product at: www.focusrite.com/register
Customer Support and Unit Servicing
You can contact our dedicated RedNet Customer Support team free of charge:

CONTACT

• Email: rednetsupport@focusrite.com
• Phone (UK): +44 (0)1494 462246
• Phone (USA): +1 310-322-5500

Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing problems with your RedNet AM2, we recommend that in the first instance, you visit our Support Answerbase at: www.focusrite.com/answerbase

References

• Focusrite

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