ENGLISH
DEUTSCH
BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG
MANUAL
VX Power Amps
VX POWER AMPS MANUAL
800 VA
VX 800
OUTPUTS
A
INPUTS
A
LIMITER
ON
OFF
GROUND
ON
LIFT
MONO + BRIDGE MODE: ALL INPUTS ARE PARALLEL
230 V~ / 50 – 60 Hz
CAUTION!
ST. WENDEL/GERMANY
MADE IN CANADA
TO PREVENT THE RISK OF FIRE AND SHOCK HAZARD DON´T EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO MOISTURE OR RAIN.
DO NOT OPEN CASE; NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
SPEAKON PIN CONFIGURATION:
1+ = + / 1 =
CIRCUIT
BREAKER
B
ABA + B
MODE
MONO
STEREO
BRIDGE
B
2 x 400 W / 4
POWER
AMPLIFIER
A + B STEREO:
A = +1 / -1
B = +2 / -2
A + B BRIDGED:
+ = +1 / - = +2
4.14.7 4.5 4.2 4.4
4.6 4.3
4.5 4.1 4.4
4.7 4.24.34.6
4.1 4.4
4.6 4.5 4.24.3
VX 800
VX 1200
VX 2400/2402
5
VX POWER AMPS MANUAL
ENGLISH
1 CONTENT
1 Content 5
2 VX Series Power Amps 5
2.1 Welcome into the HK Audio family! 5
2.2 Protective Functions 5
2.2.1 Short Circuit 5
2.2.2 Overheating 5
2.2.3 Direct Current 5
2.3 Rack Mounting 5
3 Front Panel 6
3.1 Master Switch 6
3.2 Ventilation 6
3.3 Input Level 6
3.4 Protect LED 6
3.5 Clip LED's 6
3.6 Active LED's 6
4 Rear Panel 7
4.1 Inputs 7
4.2 Ground-lift Switch 7
4.3 Mode Switch 7
4.4 Limiter Button 7
4.5 Outputs 7
4.6 Mains Socket 7
4.7 Impedance Switch (models VX 800 and VX 1200 only) 7
5 Technical Specifications 8
2 VX SERIES POWER AMPS
2.1 Welcome into the HK Audio family!
The new HK Audio VX Series of professional power amplifiers combine modern
design features with utmost durability and reliability to guarantee dependable,
totally trouble-free service for many years to come. Its low weight, compact dual-
rack space design and a solid chassis designed to withstand the rigors of gigs and
touring contribute to both handling ease and a long life on the road.
While we were developing the VX power amps, we were particularly intent in not
only providing you with plenty of output power, but also made sure your amp has
greater headroom reserves for as distortion-free signal as possible. These features
enable the kind of transparent, accurate response required in the age of digital
signal sources.
To assure maximum reliability, all VX power amps undergo extensive quality control
checks by both man and machine. Our engineers inspect every amp when it comes
off the assembly line and run computer tests on it. Finally, the power amps are
subjected to a thorough endurance test under the harshest of conditions. This is our
way of ensuring that we catch even the most minor divergence from our exacting
quality control specifications and rectify it before an amp leaves our facility. You
get a tried and true product that—like all HK Audio products—meets the most
exacting standards so that you can focus on your performance instead of worrying
about your equipment.
2.2 Protective Functions
2.2.1 Short Circuit
The input and output jacks of the VX-Series power amps are protected against
all conceivable faults, including defective cords and speaker systems (e.g. with
damaged circuit boards in the crossover). These amps could even be operated with
short-circuited outputs without being damaged. Since, however, this protective
function places a heavy load on the output stages, you should ensure you unplug
defective speakers or cords immediately. Under no circumstance should you
short-circuit the outputs intentionally or for testing purposes.
2.2.2 Overheating
If a VX power amp overheats, the output signal cancels out at irregular intervals
and the Protect LED lights up. But since the VX power amps were developed for
problem-free performance under the worst conditions and have undergone testing
in extreme environments, it is unlikely that this will occur under normal
circumstances. If your amp does overheat, be sure to check if the power amp
is getting proper ventilation and whether the internal ventilation system
of the power amp is still functioning correctly (see 2.2).
2.2.3 Direct Current
If an internal defect causes direct current to be routed to the output of the
VX power amp, it is diverted from the outputs via a thyristor circuit.
This prevents a dangerous DC signal from reaching the connected speaker system.
2.3 Rack Mounting
When mounting VX power amps to 19" transport racks, be sure to not only fasten
the power amps to the case via the front brackets, but also attach the rear suppor-
ting brackets. Fastening the front brackets alone may hold the amp in place tem-
porarily, but not permanently. The front rack brackets cannot bear the weight and
stresses alone; you need the additional stabilization at the back. If you don't,
knocks or vibrations sustained during transport may lead to power amp chassis
damage.
page 17
6
VX POWER AMPS MANUAL
3 FRONT PANEL
3.1 Master Switch
This switch features an integrated automatic circuit breaker that shuts the power
amp off should it be overloaded. After normal operating conditions are restored,
you don't have to replace any secondary fuses in the device, simply reactivate the
main power switch. When the amp is powered up, its operational status is indicated
by the green ON LED.
Note: When you are setting up a sound system, the power amps should be the last
devices that you power up. In other words, don't switch them on until all
other devices are on. When you shut a system down, always switch off the
power amps first and then all the other devices in the signal chain.
3.2 Ventilation
The internal fan sucks fresh air from the front and expels the heated air through
the vents at the rear of the amp. If the air intake and/or outlet vents of the power
amp are for some reason obstructed, we highly recommend that you provide
additional ventilation. If the flow of air remains unobstructed, external cooling
of the power amp is not necessary.
The intake ventilation duct of the VX power amp is equipped with a filter that
collects dust. We recommend that you clean this filter regularly since a constant
operating temperature significantly increases the service life of the power amp's
electronic components. To this end, remove the two screws on the front grille of
the VX power amp and then the grille itself. Next remove the dust filter and rinse it
with warm water. Replacement dust filters are available from HK Audio. If you
intend to use your power amp under relatively extreme conditions, it can be an
advantage to remove the filter to maximize the cooling effect for the power amp.
However, if you remove the filter, the ventilation ducts in the interior of the power
amp must be cleaned regularly by a qualified service technician.
3.3 Input Level
These control features are used to determine the amp's input sensitivity. Turning a
knob clockwise increases input sensitivity; i.e. the output signal of the power amp
becomes louder. The dB increments on the knob indicate by how many decibels the
maximum output of the power amp is reduced.
3.4 Protect LED
This LED can indicate different defects in the operation of the power amp,
depending on how it illuminates. If the Protect LED goes on and stays on, the
power amp is overheated. Check the connections and ventilation or provide
external ventilation. Once the power amp has cooled back down to normal
operating temperature, the power amp will automatically switch itself back on.
If, after cooling back down, the power amp does not switch back on to normal
operating status, this indicates that there is some type of internal defect.
In this case, a qualified service engineer should check the power amp.
If the Protect LED flashes at three-second intervals, there is some kind of fault in
the connected load, i.e. either the impedance of the connected loudspeaker system
is too low for the power amp or an output is short-circuited. Also check the
connected speaker system and the speaker cords for faults. Here too, you don't
have to power the amp up again. After you've eliminated the source
of the problem, it will resume operation automatically.
3.5 Clip LED's
These LED's illuminate to indicate that the amp has run out of headroom and has
exceeded its performance threshold. Occasionally, this LED may flash briefly.
This is not a problem because the design of the power amp makes it possible for
peak pulses such as a snare drum or similar signals to briefly exceed the normal
threshold. If however this LED lights up with just a few interruptions or if it
illuminates continuously, you should definitely lower the level of the input signal.
If you run the power amp when it is clipping heavily, the distorted output signals
can destroy the connected speakers even if these are equipped with
protection circuits.
Caution: HK Audio is not liable for damage to speaker systems due to overload
caused by improper operation of the power amp.
3.6 Active LEDs
This green LED indicates whether this amp channel is active, that is, whether an
input signal is present. (It is possible, however, for a very soft signal to make it
through the entire amp without even triggering the LED to glow.)
7
VX POWER AMPS MANUAL
ENGLISH
4 REAR PANEL
4.1 Inputs
The power amp is equipped with two input sockets for each power amp channel:
one XLR female (pin 1 = ground; Pin 2 = +; Pin 3 = --) and one 1/4" stereo jack
(tip = +; ring = --; sleeve = ground). Both jacks are balanced and connected
internally in parallel, therefore making it possible to use these inputs to patch
the incoming signal out to more power amps. We recommend that you use only
balanced cabling for the input signals in order to avoid noise induced by
electro-magnetic fields and radio frequency interference. If the signal source
which you are connecting to the VX power amp input is itself unbalanced, we
still recommend that you use a standard balanced cable to connect between the
two, but with one of the ends modified. Modify the plug which is connected to the
output of the unbalanced signal source as follows: if the unbalanced source has
an XLR output jack, bridge pin 1 and pin 3 of the XLR plug; if the unbalanced
source has a 1/4” output jack, bridge the ring and the sleeve of the 1/4" plug.
This "quasi" balanced arrangement will help eliminate possible interference
via the common mode rejection circuit of the input.
4.2 Ground-lift Switch
This button separates the signal ground from the chassis ground in order to
eliminate hum caused by ground loops. The chassis remains grounded so that
power amp safety is not compromised. The ground circuit is severed when
the button is pressed in.
Note: Hum is often a sign of a faulty power supply, especially when your equip-
ment is fed by multiphase power supply circuits. In this case, do not attempt
to solve the noise problem by lifting the ground with this switch; instead,
check the cables and ground circuits of your mains power supply.
4.3 Mode Switch
This sliding switch configures the power amp for three different operating modes:
• Stereo: This is the standard operating mode. Two independent signals are pat-
ched to the amp, amplified by the two power amp channels and sent to
two independent speaker systems.
• Mono: The two inputs are connected in parallel, i.e. a single input signal is rou-
ted to both power amp channels, and the output signals of both channels
are identical.
• Bridge: The two inputs are connected in parallel, however, antiphase signals are
routed to the power amp channels and therefore the outputs. If you
connect a speaker system to the positive terminals of the two outputs
(see 4.5), the total power output of the amp can be tapped for driving
this speaker system. For example, with the VX 2400, the total output
power is 2400 watts).
4.4 Limiter Button
The internal limiters of the VX power amp can be switched off via this button.
Pressing this button in deactivates the limiters of both channels. The internal
limiters make the most of the available power. They adapt the VX power amp to
the currently available dynamic headroom as precisely as possible without
exceeding the clipping threshold so that the amp is not operated in a permanent
state of overload. However, the limiters do allow peak impulses to briefly exceed
the clip threshold. Both the power amp and the connected speaker systems can
handle spikes well above the official power output rating for continuous signals.
Only when these signal peaks exceed the threshold for a longer period of time do
the internal limiters dampen the signals in order to prevent distortion in the output
signal of the power amp. This intelligent limiting circuitry significantly expands the
dynamic range of the power amps. The only thing you have to do is turn up the
input level to a point where the Clipping LEDs illuminate occasioally; the limiters
themselves automatically make the best possible use of available headroom.
What's more, you won't have to worry about your speaker system because the
limiters ensure they won't be overloaded.
4.5 Outputs
Both binding posts and three four-pin Speakon
®
sockets are available for
connecting speaker systems. Two of these Speakon
®
sockets are designed to serve
as normal channel outputs (Pin 1+ = +; Pin 1-- = --). In parallel with the Speakon
®
sockets, you also have the binding posts at your disposal. The third Speakon
®
socket is designed for bridge mode and biamping.
For biamping purposes (e.g. with active systems), the output signals of both power
amp channels are routed to the center Speakon
®
socket (Pin 1+ = Channel A+; Pin
1-- = Channel A--; Pin 2+ = Channel B+; Pin 2-- = Channel B --). In this mode, the
power amp is operated in two-channel mode as always. The high frequency and low
frequency signals are routed separately to one power amp channel each, but you
only have to connect one four-pin Speakon
®
cable to the speaker system.
In bridge mode, the speaker system is connected to the positive terminals of both
power amp outputs, i.e. Channel A+ is connected to the positive terminal of the
speaker system and Channel B+ of the power amp is connected the negative termi-
nal of the loudspeaker system.
Caution: If you want to connect a speaker system to the power amp's Speakon®
socket while the amp is in bridge mode, then you must make a special Speakon®
cable for this purpose. The pins for the two Speakon® plugs have to be connected
as follows: 1+ of the power amp to 1+ of the speaker system and 2+ of the power
amp to 1- of the speaker system. The other pins remain unassigned.
4.6 Mains Socket
Connect the VX power amp via a standard (non-heating equipment) power cable to
the AC power supply. However, before you plug the power amp into a wall outlet,
ensure that your local mains voltage is the same as that specified on the back of
the unit near the AC socket. If you attempt to run your VX power amp on the
wrong mains voltage, you can cause serious damage to the power amp!
4.7 Impedance Switch (models VX 800 and VX 1200 only)
While the largest model in the VX series of power amps is permanently set
to a minimum load (4 Ω in the case of the VX 2400, and 2 Ω with the
VX 2402), you can select the minimum impedance of the smaller models
with a switch. If the switch is set to 4 Ohms, ensure that your connected
load does not fall below this value.
Caution: Do not under any circumstances change this switch while the amp is in
operation. Make any and all changes only after turning the amp off.
8
VX POWER AMPS MANUAL
5 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
All level indications refer to 0 dBV (1 V RMS).
Inputs
A, B Input
Sockets:
XLR (1 = ground; 2 = +; 3 = --) and stereo 1/4" (tip = +; ring = --; sleeve = ground)
Type
Parallel electronically balanced 1/4" and XLR jacks
Input impedance
20 kOhms balanced, 10 kOhms unbalanced
(VX 800: 22 kOhms balanced, 12 kOhms unbalanced)
Outputs
Channel A, B
Speakon
®
NL4 jacks and binding posts
Pin assignments: binding posts red = +; black = --
Speakon
®
1+ = +; 1-- = -- ; 2+ and 2-- unconnected
Biamp/Bridge
Both power amp outputs routed to one Speakon
®
NL4 socket
Pin assignments: 1+ = Channel A+; 1-- = Channel A--;
2+ = Channel B+; 2-- = Channel B-
A special Speakon
®
cable must be used in bridge mode!
Pin assignments for the bridge cable:
1+ amp = 1+ speaker; 2+ amp= 1-speaker,
the other two contacts must remain open or unconnected!
General
Controls
Master Power Switch, Input Sensitivity Knob, Operating Mode Switch, Internal Limiters, Ground-Lift.
Displays
On, Protect, Signal And Clipping LEDs.
Protective Circuits
Full DC fault, thermal and short-circuit protection
Cooling
Aluminum cooling element in ventilation channel, servo-controlled ventilator (air flow from front to back)
Electrical Specifications
Frequency response 20 Hz to 20000 Hz (±1 dB)
Crosstalk -75 dB at peak level and 1 kHz (except VX 800: -80 dB)
-60 dB at peak level and 20–20000 Hz (except VX 800: -75 dB)
Signal to noise ratio -103 dB at peak level (except VX800: -101 dB)
Damping factor >600, 20–400 Hz with an 8-Ohm load
Rise time 25 V/ms, 50 V/ms in Bridge Mode (except VX800: 20 V/ms / 40 V/ms)
CMRR @60 Hz minimum of 48 dB, typically 56 dB (except VX 800: 54 dB/ 66 dB)
Power consumption VX 800/1200 1440 watts (IEC 60 065)
VX 2400/2402 1800 watts (IEC 60 065)
Mechanical Specifications
Weight VX 800 14,3 kg/ 31.5 lbs
VX 1200 15,9 kg/ 35 lbs
VX 2400 19,8 kg/ 43.5 lbs
VX 2402 18,4 kg/ 40.5 lbs
Dimensions Width: 48 cm (19”)
Height: 9 cm/ 2 rack spaces (3.5”)
Depth: 44 cm (17.5”)
Power Ratings All power ratings are given in watts per channel.
VX 800 (2/4 Ohms)* VX 1200 (2/4 Ohms)* VX 2402 VX 2400
Continuous average power into 8Ω 160 / 250 250 / 350 475 750
Continuous average power into 4Ω 260 / 400 400 / 600 750 1200
Continuous average power into 2Ω 400 / NA 600 / NA 1200 NA
Burst average power into 8Ω 200 / 320 400 / 525 625 1200
Burst average power into 4Ω 360 / 560 750 / 1000 1200 2175
Burst average power into 2Ω 600 / NA 1325 / NA 2175 NA
Sensitivity 1,0 / 1,4 V RMS 1,0 / 1,4 V RMS 1,4 V RMS 1,4 V RMS
Voltage gain 29 dB 31 dB 36 dB 39 dB
* Power amp configured for maximum power output at 2 and 4 Ohms respectively (see 4.7).
Power ratings, bridge mode, in watts
VX 800 VX 1200 VX 2402 VX 2400
Continuous average power into 4Ω 800 600 2400 NA
Continuous average power into 8Ω 800 600 NA 2400
Burst average power into 4Ω 1200 2600 4350 NA
Burst average power into 8Ω 1100 2000 NA 4350
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HK Audio VX 2400 User manual
- Category
- Musical Equipment
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- User manual
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