Knoll Stereo Amplifier MA250 User Manual

Trigger does not 1. Measure trigger voltage with a voltmeter. It  
work  
needs to be 11-16 volts DC to work (current is  
about 35mA total per amp). See page 5 for details.  
MA250  
Stereo Amplifier  
Installation Instructions v1.0  
Speaker pops  
when MA250 is  
turned on or off  
1. Speaker may need resistor placed across terminal.  
Suggest 2000 ohm 1/4 watt. This discharges the  
speaker internal capacitor if it has one.  
Warning: To be installed and/or used in accordance with appropriate  
electrical codes and regulations.  
Warranty  
Knoll Systems warrants MA250 amplifiers sold in the USA and Canada by authorized Knoll  
dealers to be free of defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty extends for three  
full years from the date of purchase by the original consumer. Any products returned to  
Knoll Systems and found to be defective by Knoll Systems within the warranty period will be  
repaired or replaced at Knoll Systems decision, at no charge. Knoll Systems will not be  
responsible for the actual cost of installation or removal of the product, nor for any  
incidental or consequential damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of  
incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation may not apply to you. This  
warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have additional legal rights that vary from  
state to state.  
Description: Designed primarily for custom installations, the MA250 is  
used to power stereo speakers, usually in a single room. Each channel  
has a gain control. The MA250 can be turned on and off using the front  
panel power switch, composite video detection, when music is sensed  
or the 12 VDC trigger. A special feature of the MA250 is that whole  
house music from another amplifier can be heard on the speakers  
connected to the MA250. When the local source needs amplifier power  
the MA250 senses this, disconnects the other amplifier and amplifies  
the local source. The MA250 amplifier is designed to meet the amplifier  
needs of custom installed systems where high-quality sound is a  
specific requirement.  
Specifications:  
Line level inputs /outputs Gold RCA jacks  
Input impedance  
Speaker inputs /outputs  
Output power  
Peak output power  
Ideal impedance  
Frequency response  
S/N ratio  
50k ohms  
detachable plug  
Key Features:  
50 watts RMS per channel (8 ohms)  
100 watts per channel (8 ohms)  
4 - 8 ohms  
Manual and Automatic Power On and Off. The MA250 stereo  
power amplifier is designed to be turned on when a video signal  
is detected, music inputs are sensed, a 12-volt trigger is  
activated or the front panel power switch is pushed on. Power  
off is automatic in all modes except the front panel power  
button.  
10 Hz - 40 kHz +/- 1dB (1w)  
over 95 dB A weighted (50 watts)  
less than 0.1% 20 Hz to 20 kHz  
less than 0.01% 60 Hz 7 kHz 4:1 (SMPTE)  
12 VDC 35mA on 3.5mm mono jack  
8.5" x 3.5" x 11.75" (216 x 89 x 298mm)  
0.5 v p-p minimum  
THD distortion  
IMD distortion  
Trigger control  
Dimensions  
Whole house music override. In homes, yachts, businesses  
and motor home applications (typically with plasma or large  
screen TV's) the MA250 features amplifier inputs so that whole  
house music system can be heard on the local speakers (without  
the MA250 turned on). When the local source (TV, dish, etc.)  
needs amp power, the whole house music switches off  
automatically and the MA250 amplifier plays the local source.  
Automatic protection circuitry. Each MA250 channel is  
individually and fully protected against low impedance,  
overheating, overloading, overvoltage and undervoltage. The  
protection circuitry automatically restores the amplifier channel  
as soon as its parameter returns to the safe operating area.  
Individual input gain adjustment. Each channel features an  
input gain adjustment pot to adjust each channel for gain and  
speaker sensitivity variations. The gain adjustments are on the  
rear of the MA250 so installers normally set the gain.  
Video trigger  
Power  
175 watts at 117 VAC or 230 VAC  
8 lbs (3.6 kg)  
Weight  
Note: Specifications subject to change without notice.  
Knoll Systems  
145 Tyee Drive Point Roberts, WA 98281  
12140 Horseshoe Way, Richmond, BC V7A 4V4  
Tel: (604) 272 4555, fax (604) 272 5595  
Made in Canada  
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Hum and noise  
Installation  
In most cases, one of the following suggestions should help you  
solve a hum noise in your system. Please try these steps in the  
order shown, proceeding from one step to the next if the prior  
suggestion does not eliminate the problem.  
Installing the MA250 should be relatively easy. With a bit of  
planning, the MA250 will give trouble-free service for years.  
1. The most important consideration when installing the  
MA250 is cooling. The MA250 has a lot of power packed into a  
small chassis size. When installing it in an equipment stack, it  
should be the top component. It needs at least 3"-5" of space  
above the amplifier to allow for adequate convection cooling.  
Suggestion #1  
To determine if a cable TV connection is responsible for the hum, first  
turn off all the components. Disconnect the cable TV feed to your  
system at the first place where it connects to your components.  
Alternatively, disconnect the cable TV wire where it is connected at the  
wall outlet. Turn your system back on, and listen if the hum has  
disappeared. If removing the cable TV feed has eliminated the hum,  
you will need to insert a Ground Loop Isolator (Knoll model GB634)  
before reconnecting the cable TV feed, or contact your cable TV  
operator to see if they can better isolate your cable feed.  
2. When installing the MA250 in a rack, we suggest adding a  
3-1/2" blank above and below the MA250. In multiple MA250  
installations, plan for a 3-1/2" blank (double) between each  
MA250 and a 3-1/2" blank on the top and bottom. Amplifiers  
should always be the top components in a rack system.  
Suggestion #2  
3. If MA250 channels frequently shutdown due to overheating,  
Turn off all components in your system and then disconnect the input  
cables at the amplifier. Turn the amplifier back on to see if the hum is  
still present. If the hum disappears, the fault may be in the input cables  
used. Try replacing them with cables that have better shielding, and  
make certain that the input cables are not running on top of any AC  
power cords. Change the cables one at a time to determine if one or all  
cables are responsive. If the hum disappears when the input cables are  
disconnected but returns after the cables are changed and the system  
reconnected, your source device may be causing the problem.  
install a fan directed up from the MA250 bottom center.  
4. Never operate the MA250 on its side, as the cooling potential  
drops significantly when operated on the side.  
5. Connect the MA250 inputs to the source component outputs  
with good quality, short as possible RCA jack cables. Connect  
each channel individually.  
Suggestion #3  
6. Connect the MA250 speaker outputs to speakers using good  
quality speaker wire. Minimum 16 gauge copper wire is  
recommended with 14 gauge minimum for runs over 30' (10m).  
Poor grounding of the electrical system in your home may also cause  
ground loop problems, particularly when there are multiple components  
with three prong, grounded, power cords. Unplug these components  
one at a time, and see if one or all of them is causing the problem. The  
ultimate solution to this type of problem is to rewire your house with an  
isolated, star type-grounding configuration. Knoll understands that this  
may be impractical and expensive. In some instances, the use of an  
approved AC Power Isolation Transformer (Knoll model PLB200) of  
sufficient capacity may solve this problem.  
Note: Ideally the MA250 likes 6-8 ohm loads. Connecting  
to 4 ohm loads won't hurt the MA250 but it may occasionally  
shutdown. Never connect a MA250 to less than 4 ohms.  
Do not attempt to mono bridge the MA250.  
7. Make sure the speakers in each room are connected in phase  
with the amplifier + going to the speaker + . Out of phase  
speakers give unstable imaging and poor bass response.  
Warning: If you suspect that the grounding system in your  
home’s electrical wiring is causing the hum problem, it is  
important that you do not make any changes to the wiring. Only  
a licensed electrician should make any changes to household  
wiring and they must be made in full compliance with all local  
building, safety and electrical codes.  
8. If connecting the MA250 to a whole house sound  
system or another amplifier make sure that the other  
amplifier is a common ground amplifier and that you use  
good quality speaker wire, minimum 16 gauge.  
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9. If a video signal is being used to trigger the MA250 on and  
off, connect good quality short as possible video wire with a RCA  
jack to the MA250 “Video Input”. Make sure the music sense  
button is OUT.  
11. Individually adjust the channel gains as required. Ideally,  
the gains are fully on (fully clockwise).  
12. If the 12 volt trigger is being connected, use a 12 VDC  
source (about 35mA) with a 3.5mm mono jack. Knoll PS1202  
with a new 3.5mm jack works well. 5 VDC triggers will not work.  
10. If the music sense or video input is being used to turn the  
MA205 on and off, set the “Music Sense” button to OUT. Adjust  
the Sens (sensitivity) so the MA250 turns on when quieter sound  
passages are playing. Adjust the “Delay” so the MA250 turns  
itself off 25-120 seconds after the sound has stopped.  
Caution: Never listen to sound that is distorted. If distorted  
sound is heard, turn the volume down immediately or speaker  
and/or amplifier damage could occur that is not covered by the  
warranty. If this problem persists, contact your dealer.  
Caution: DO NOT CONNECT BRIDGED  
MA250 REAR PANEL  
Connect the AMP INPUTS”  
speaker level inputs to the  
User  
AMPLIFERS or amps that do not have  
common grounds to the AMP INPUTS”  
as you may damage the other amplifier.  
Connect these  
unbuffered stereo  
line outputs to  
adjustments  
and service:  
There are no  
user  
adjustments on  
the MA250.  
Your installer  
may make  
certain gain  
level  
whole house audio system  
or other amplifier outputs.  
The AMP INPUTSpass  
directly to TO SPEAKERS”  
when the MA250 isnt turned  
on.  
Connect a composite  
video output from a  
VCR, plasma TV, etc.  
to the Video Inputif  
the MA250 is to be  
trigerred on when a  
video signal is present.  
Make sure the music  
sense button is  
other amplifier  
inputs as needed.  
Connect the TO SPEAKERS”  
to the 4-8 ohm speakers.  
12VDC  
TRIGGER  
INPUT  
MA250  
switched to the OUT  
position.  
Input  
Output  
Stereo Amplifier  
Connect this 3.5mm  
trigger jack if the  
MA250 is to be  
triggered on when a  
12 VDC signal is  
present. Polarity  
can be reversed.  
It needs about  
L
AMP  
TO  
INPUTS  
R
SLPEAKERS  
R
Knoll Systems  
adjustments on  
the rear panel.  
For video triggering  
without music sensing  
turn the Senspot  
Point Roberts WA USA  
L
Richmond, BC Canada R  
+
+ +  
+
- -  
- -  
Video  
Input  
fully counterclockwise.  
Caution: The  
MA250 contains  
no user  
Sens Delay  
L Gain R  
Music sense  
CAUTION  
Out = Active  
35 mA.  
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK  
Made in Canada  
Fabrique au Canada  
120 VAC / 1.5 A  
serviceable  
DO NOT OPEN  
POWER  
parts, so do not  
attempt to open  
or repair the  
MA250. Refer  
servicing to a  
qualified  
technician only  
or contact the  
factory for  
After MA250 is on,  
Delay is adjusted to  
turn off MA250 after  
the source music ends.  
Ideal delay adjustment  
is about 20-40 seconds.  
Delay is used with video  
on and music sense only.  
When using music sense only,  
adjust Sens so the MA250 turns  
on when the source music is at  
a medium low volume. Sens is  
not used for video on or trigger  
on. For video sensing without  
music sensing turn Sens fully  
counterclockwise.  
The music sense (auto turn on when  
Adjust the gain  
music is present) button should be  
OUT (active) when the MA250 power  
is to be triggered either from music  
sense or the composite video signal.  
when the system is  
on. Best signal to  
noise ratio is when  
MA250 gains are on  
full (clockwise).  
The music sense button should be IN  
when the amp is turned off and on from  
the front panel switch or the 12 VDC  
trigger.  
information.  
Ideal speaker impedance is 4-8 ohms.  
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