Altair MF8 SERIES Bedienungsanleitung
PROFESSIONAL POWER AMPLIFIERS
MF SERIES
OWNERS MANUAL
MF8,12,16,24
EQUIPOS EUROPEOS ELECTRÓNICOS, S.A.L.
AVDA. DE LA INDUSTRIA, 50. 28760 TRES CANTOS (MADRID)
ALTAiR
www.altairaudio.com
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION 3
2. SWITCHES, INDICATORS, ATTENUATORS AND CONNECTORS. 5
MF8 AND MF12 FRONT PANEL 5
MF16 AND MF24 FRONT PANEL 5
MF8 AND MF12 REAR PANEL 6
MF16 AND MF24 REAR PANEL 6
3. WORKING PRECAUTIONS 7
4. INSTALLATION 7
UNPACKING 7
MOUNTING 7
CHANGING THE FUSE 8
CONNECTING TO THE MAINS 8
INPUT CONNECTION 9
UNBALANCEDINPUT 10
BALANCED INPUT 10
OUTPUT POWER CONNECTION. MODES OF OPERATION 11
STEREOMODEOPERATION 12
MONO MODE OPERATION 12
BRIDGE MODE OPERATION 13
EARTH LINK 14
5. OPERATION 14
POWER UP 14
INPUT ATTENUATORS 15
BRIDGE MODE INDICATOR 15
CLIP INDICATORS (INPUT SIGNAL OVERLOAD) 15
SIGNAL INDICATORS 15
ERROR INDICATORS 16
THERMALINDICATORS 16
ON/STBY INDICATORS 16
POWER SWITCH 17
FAN 17
LOADIMPEDANCES 17
MAINTENANCE 18
AMPLIFIER CONDITIONS 19
6. SPECIAL OPERATIONS 21
CHANGING XLR INPUT CONNECTORS POLARITY 22
INPUT ATTENUATOR CONFIGURATION IN MODE MONO (MF16 AND MF24 ONLY) 23
LIMITER ON/OFF 23
INPUT SENSIBILITY/GAIN ADJUST 24
7. DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS APPLICATION (PUBLIC ADDRESS) 25
8. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 26
9. GRAPHS 27
10. WARRANTY 28
2
ALTAiR PROFESSIONAL POWER AMPLIFIERS MF SERIES
ALTAiR PROFESSIONAL POWER AMPLIFIERS MF SERIES 3
1. INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the ALTAIR power amplifier MF series. Our dilated
experience in the design and manufacture of great power amplifiers culminate with the pre-
sentation of this new generation of amplifiers MF series.
There is a lot the characteristics that make of the ALTAIR power amplifiers MF series,
one of the most highlighted of the audio professional market, here enumerated some:
Flexibility in the input connections
They had a input system that is configured by means of a panel that integrates two XLR
connectors male-female per channel (a female XLR + Jack in the models MF8 MF12 over the
own chassis) and a switch of work mode. By means of this system, one could change the
polarity and the sensibility of the power amplifier in order to allow its integration in any sound
system. This segregation of the elements corresponding to the input signal opens the possibil-
ity of incorporating remote control circuits easily, crossovers, as well as simplify the mainte-
nance works .
Multiple protection
As global protection, incorporates turn on switches with thermal breaker (models MF16
MF24). These switches, located at the front panel substitute to the old fuses with the rising
advantages: its holds their own curve indefinitely, it that is unchanged with the temperature,
show the shooting by means of the lever state and avoids locating and substitute the typical
blended fuse.
Has improved the circuits of DC output protection with the incorporation of CROW-BAR
circuits or solid state relays. The conventional relays incorporate contacts associated with
electromechanical elements that with the time are subject to failures. This is no longer with the
solid state device. Guiding directly the power transistors output to the loudspeakers binding
post has improved several qualities of the signal quality, the damping factor and the global
reliability.
Equally, the conventional thermal switches (based on contacts) has been substituted of
the power modules by solid state sensors whose information completes the double condition
of speed fan control and discharge the thermal protection.
The power supply transformer is protected also in front of excessive heating, discon-
necting both inputs until their normal temperature of operation is reached.
All the protection situations are displayed in the power amplifier front panel.
Clipping circuit limiter
Since most of the damage caused to loudspeakers, and even in the power amplifiers,
is normally the result of the permanence of the power unit during long periods of time in
clipping, it is necessary to be able to have limiter mechanisms that assure their reliable opera-
tion.
For this purpose, all the MF series power amplifiers has a “soft-clipping” circuit that acts
on the output power by comparing the input and output signals. Once it detects a distortion or
other noticeable cut, it stabilizes the integrity of the output signal thereby avoiding overloading
and saturation levels that might damage the system.
Monoblockchassis
The chassis is of construction of a single piece: the efforts of the different subsets of the
equipment fall on an only piece of laminate steel of great thickness and reinforced toward their
union with the wings. Avoids the breaks and the “loss of screws” because of the own vibrations
give them teams in continuous tour.
Under control
The conception of the new loudspeakers, especially the uses for low frequencies is
based on that the amplifiers that govern them behave as ideal tension amplifiers, is say with
zero output impedance. The MF series approaches to this value nearly zero presenting a
damping factor better than 700 what redounds in a perfect control of the position of the reels
along all their excursion.
Naturally, you want to use your power amplifier, but before beginning is important that
you read this manual. This manual will help you to install and use your new power amplifier. It
is very important that you read it carefully, mainly the paragraphs marked as NOTE,
PRECAUTION and DANGER, for your security.
Save the original packing, you could use if you need to transport the power amplifier.
NEVER SHIP THE POWER AMPLIFIER WITHOUT IT'S ORIGINAL PACKING.
ALTAiR PROFESSIONAL POWER AMPLIFIERS MF SERIES 4
2. SWITCHES, INDICATORS, ATTENUATORS AND CONNECTORS.
These are the switches, indicators, attenuators and connectors that you could find in
your power amplifier. The description and explanation of each one of them, you will find it in
the corresponding section.
MF8 AND MF12 FRONT PANEL
MF16 AND MF24 FRONT PANEL
INPUTATTENUATOR.
BRIDGE MODE INDICATOR.
INPUTSIGNALOVERLOADINDICATOR.
SIGNALINDICATOR.
ERROR INDICATOR (D.C. OR TURN ON).
THERMALPROTECTIONINDICATOR.
TURN ON / STAND BY INDICATOR.
POWER SWITCH.
ALTAiR PROFESSIONAL POWER AMPLIFIERS MF SERIES 5
COOLINGVENTS
COOLINGVENTS
MF8 AND MF12 REAR PANEL
MF16 AND MF24 REAR PANEL
OUTPUT POWER SPEAKON®CONNECTOR.
BINDINGPOST.
FAN (ONLY MF16 AND MF24).
FUSEHOLDER.
MAINSCORD.
EARTH LINK SWITCH.
INPUTSIGNALCONNECTORXLR-3-31.
ALTAiR PROFESSIONAL POWER AMPLIFIERS MF SERIES 6
COOLINGVENTS
JACK 1/ 4" INPUT SIGNAL LINK CONNECTOR.
(ONLY MF8 AND MF12).
XLR-3-32 INPUT SIGNAL LINK CONNECTOR.
(ONLY MF16 AND MF24).
MONO/STEREO/BRIDGESWITCH.
3. WORKING PRECAUTIONS
The manufacturer cannot be held responsible for any damage which is incurred by not
using the power amplifier in compliance with the warranty or working precautions.
DANGER: High voltage inside the amplifier. ! Do not open !. The power amplifier
doesn't contain parts that can be repaired by the user. The power amplifier could
have electric power stored in their interior even disconnected it from the mains.
CAUTION: Protect the power amplifier from the rain and moisture. Ensure that
no objects or liquids enter it. If liquid is spilled into the power amplifier, disconnect
the power amplifier from the mains and consult a qualified service technician.
Don't place the power amplifier close to sources of heat. Also make sure that the front
and the rear panel there are free of obstructions, since the fan could not work properly and
cause the thermal protection work.
DANGER: The power amplifier output connectors could have high voltage. Make sure of
turning off the power amplifier before handling on these output connectors.
4. INSTALLATION
UNPACKING
Before leaving from factory, each power amplifier was carefully inspected and tested.
Unpack and inspect the power amplifier for any damage that may have occurred during
shipment. If any damage is found, doesn't connect the power amplifier to the mains, notify
the salesperson immediately, because the unit must be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Save the original packing, you could use if you need to transport the power amplifier.
NEVER SHIP THE POWER AMPLIFIER WITHOUT IT'S ORIGINAL PACKING.
MOUNTING
It is always advisable mount the power amplifiers in rack, either for mobile or fixed
installations, for protection, safety, aesthetics, etc.
The MF series power amplifiers are designed for standard 19" rack mounting, and
occupy 2u (MF8 and MF12) or 3u (MF16 and MF24) high rack space .
ALTAiR PROFESSIONAL POWER AMPLIFIERS MF SERIES 7
Due to the weight of the unit, it should be securely fastened at the front and the back of
the cabinet. If the racks are carriage ones, it is advisable that have trays in order to allow the
power amplifier to rest on its base and in an elastic cradle, if possible. It is advisable, leave a
separation space between amplifiers and other units in order to facilitate its cooling, upon
mounting the amplifier in a rack.
In the mounting, either fixed or in rack, the cooling vents placed in the front panel (MF8
and MF12 also in the rear panel) and the fan, placed in the rear panel (only for MF16 and
MF24) should be free, so that the air circulates freely, and the amplifier could have a better
heat dissipation. In the same way, make sure that there are no heat sources near the front
cooling vent, because the fan exhaust cool air through this vent.
Also, the mains transformer of the models MF16 and MF24, has a cooling vent in the left
side of the power amplifier. This cooling vent may correspond with another one in the rack.
CHANGING THE FUSE
The power amplifiers are designed to work with slow blow fuses of 6x32, whose values
in order to work with a mains voltage of 230V 50-60 Hz are specified in the following list:
MODELS FUSE (230V. 50-60 Hz)
MF8 T8A.
MF12 T12A.
MF16 T16A.
MF24 T20A.
Make sure that the power amplifier is disconnected from the mains.
At the power amplifier rear panel is placed the fuse holder. Unscrew the most external
part of the fuse holder.
Upon unscrewing the most external part of the fuse holder, the fuse will appear. Re-
move it and change for new one.
Screw the external part of the fuse holder.
CAUTION: Always make sure upon changing the fuse, that this is the adequate.
CONNECTING TO THE MAINS
The connection of the power amplifier to the mains takes place by means of a three-
wire cord provided by the factory. The European standard color code is: Brown-Live, Blue-
Neutral and Yellow/Green-Earth, keeps in mind this mains configuration, whenever handle
the power amplifier plug.
ALTAiR PROFESSIONAL POWER AMPLIFIERS MF SERIES 8
1
2
4
3
In the connection of several devices to the same AC distribution board and extension
cables, keeps in mind the maximum current of the power amplifier, and make sure that the
mains connector, as well as the AC distribution board, are of enough current capacity, since
could take place in the mains connector, and in the same AC distribution board a overheat-
ing, with the risk of fire and/or short circuit. The following list shows the maximum current
requirement of the different models of power amplifiers:
MODELS MAXIMUM CURRENT REQUIREMENT
MF8 6A.
MF12 10A.
MF16 14A.
MF24 18A.
Make sure that the power amplifier power switch, is at position 0 (turned off).
Insert the male connector of the three-wire cable into the mains plug.
Turn on the power amplifier power switch. Right now the power amplifier will turn on.
CAUTION: Make sure that the mains voltage is 230V. 50-60 Hz., as well as their fuse is the
adequate.
INPUT CONNECTION
Each power amplifier's channel incorporates one XLR-3-31 female connector. The
inputs are balanced, with a nominal impedance of 20 KΩ(10 KΩunbalanced). On the other
hand, the amplifier according to models has two JACK connectors 1/ 4" (MF8 and MF12) or
two XLR-3-32 males connectors (MF16 and MF24), one per channel (LINK) that allows us to
link the input signal from the power amplifier, to other units. The XLR male connectors and
those of LINK are internally wired in parallel.
The input connections depends on two factors, the first is the type of input signal bal-
anced or unbalanced, and the second the ground configuration of the sound source (floating
or ground-referenced). The next pictures shows some of the different possibilities of connec-
tion, relying on the type of input signal, balanced or unbalanced and according to the
ground configuration of the equipment (floating or ground-referenced).
ALTAiR PROFESSIONAL POWER AMPLIFIERS MF SERIES 9
1
2
3
ALTAiR PROFESSIONAL POWER AMPLIFIERS MF SERIES 10
SOUND
SOURCE +
-
+
-
+-
POWER
AMPLIFIER
SOUND
SOURCE +
POWER
AMPLIFIER +
+-
SOUND
SOURCE
-
+
+
POWER
AMPLIFIER +
-
ONLY MF8 AND MF12
Floating sound source ( / ) : Close.
Ground-referenced sound source ( / ) : Open.
Floating sound source ( / ) : Close.
Ground-referenced sound source ( / ) : Open.
ONLY MF8 AND MF12
Floating sound source ( / ) : Close.
Ground-referenced sound source ( / ) : Open.
UNBALANCED INPUT:This type of connection will be used when the sound source doesn't
provide balanced output. If it is possible, will be employed the connection type 1.
1) Using twin-lead shielded cable:
2) Using single conductor coax cable:
BALANCED INPUT:
NOTE: The previous pictures, has been carried out supposing that the power amplifier is
configured in the standard A.E.S.: pin 2 of the XLR connector as positive (later on will explain
how changing this power amplifier configuration). If the power amplifier is configured with
the pin 3 of the XLR connector as positive, change the pin 2 by the 3 in the previous pictures.
ONLY MF8 AND MF12
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