IT-REFERENCE 20 OWNER'S MANUAL IT-REFERENCE 20 OWNER'S MANUAL The I T- R e f e r e n c e 2 0 F e a t u r es · Symmetrical balanced power cancels hum inducing noise from audio and video · Five discrete power banks eliminate inter-component inter ference and noise · Power Factor correction provides surplus current for power-starved amplifiers · Linear Filtering Technology for unequaled audio / video clarity · Vir tually maintenance -free AC surge suppression · Detachable surge suppression module for telco and cable / satellite connectors 1 IT-REFERENCE 20 OWNER'S MANUAL Introduction For over 30 years, Furman has pioneered the development of AC power products for the most demanding audio, video, and broadcast professionals. Though the need for pristine AC power is nothing new, the IT-Reference 20's technology and its unique implementation are revolutionary and without peer. The extreme AC demands encountered in the professional audio/video arena have required technological developments far in excess of typical home theater/audiophile power products. In studios, live sound, and broadcast facilities, breakdown is unacceptable. Equipment failure or poor performance is costly. The same is true of today's home theater. Our solution based technology, extensive engineering expertise, and robust build quality have answered the challenge of today's corrupted power lines, and led to the creation of our flagship power conditioner, the IT-Reference 20. Today's AC lines are plagued with ever increasing noise. When AC noise couples into your system's critical components, it masks low level signals and cripples performance. This low level content is critical because it relays the crucial harmonics and ambience in audio, and depth and clarity in video. With the IT-Reference 20's exclusive Discrete Symmetrical Power, video screens, projectors, CD-DVD players, pre-amplifiers, and scalers are fed linearly-filtered ultra-low-noise symmetrical power. This dramatically reduces AC noise, ensuring peak operation of your critical components. For the first time, you will see and hear your theater or audio system as it should be ­ uncompromised. Further, our Discrete Symmetrical Power features total isolation between four discrete AC outlet banks. This positively breaks noiseinducing ground loops, hum bars, and power supply backwash between interconnected equipment, all without compromising electrical safety. This enables a plasma screen to function without AC ground contamination from a compact disc player, or a preamplifierprocessor to function free of performancedegrading digital noise from a satellite receiver. The IT-Reference 20 also employs our unique Power Factor Correction Circuit. For the first time, low-level analog, digital, and video components are not modulated or distorted via the power amplifier's extreme AC current demands. Further, the power amplifier sees a highly filtered, extremely low-impedance supply of AC power. The IT-Reference 20, in fact, has in excess of 9 Amps of continuous current reserve (over 80 amps peak charge) for the most extreme peak power demands. This technology enables power amplifiers and powered subwoofers to work at peak efficiency and reach levels of performance previously unattainable. No longer will your amplifier's performance be at the mercy of your home's incoming AC power or inferior AC protection/filtering devices. The net effect is as if your power amplifier doubled in power and improved immeasurably in quality. When employing the IT-Reference 20 you will immediately notice far clearer, stunningly focused sound and visual images from your system. Video presentation will be crisp and colors true with greater gray and black scale definition, as well as noticeably improved depth and clarity. Sonic transients will be startlingly 2 IT-REFERENCE 20 OWNER'S MANUAL fast with bass fundamentals that shake foundations with their weight and visceral impact. Mid and high frequencies will bloom with sweet, non-glaring ease while imaging improves dramatically, all the while remaining true to your system's inherent virtues. · Keep away from moisture and avoid excessive humidity enter the unit · Do not allow liquids or foreign objects to · Household lighting equipment may not Installation: Unpacking Before unpacking your unit, inspect the carton for any obvious severe damage to the box and internal protective materials. If internal damage is likely, contact the carrier who delivered the unit before proceeding with unpacking. If, after unpacking, shipping damage is evident, contact the carrier. Save all shipping and packing materials. You may need them if you should ever have to return the unit to the factory for servicing. The box should contain the IT-REFERENCE 20 unit, detachable AC cord, rack mount kit, owner's manual, and warranty registration card. If anything is missing, please contact Furman Customer Service. Fill out and return your warranty registration card. Registration is recommended because it can be used to establish whether the unit is within the warranty period should your original ownership documents be lost, and it assists us in informing you about upgrades or other vital information. Safety Information - Warnings Please read and observe all of the safety and operating instructions before the IT-Reference 20 is operated. Retain these instructions for future reference. be connected to the IT-Reference 20 because their sockets are not designed for use with balanced symmetrical power and may present a shock hazard. We recommend that only audio, video and computer processing equipment be connected to the IT-Reference 20. The IT-Reference 20 should be serviced by qualified service personnel when: · The power supply cord or plug has been frayed or cut. the unit. · Objects have fallen or liquid has spilled into · The IT-Reference 20 has been exposed to rain or other moisture. · The IT-Reference 20 does not appear to operate normally, or exhibits a marked change in performance. the enclosure damaged. · The IT-Reference 20 has been dropped, or The IT-Reference 20 requires that a safety ground be present for proper operation. Any attempt to operate the IT-Reference 20 without a safety ground is considered improper operation and will invalidate the warranty. Power Source The power source to which the IT-Reference · Do not disassemble or modify in any way. No user-serviceable parts inside 3 IT-REFERENCE 20 OWNER'S MANUAL 20 is connected should be adequate for use at 20 Amps. Though the system may function with a 15 Amp panel circuit breaker, nuisance circuit breaker tripping could result at your service panel. If your system includes multichannel audio power amplifiers that require more than modest power demands, a circuit breaker with a rating of at least 20 Amps is essential for optimum performance. If other electrical loads are used on this same AC line, and the continuous load from your equipment is in excess of 10 Amps, we recommend a 30 Amp circuit breaker wired with #10 gauge wire. For installations which must comply with NEC codes, a dedicated 20 Amp circuit is the minimum requirement. If in doubt, consult your local electrician. In rare instances, two ITReference 20's may be required for the most ambitious 5.1 and 7.1 Home theater systems with continuous current draw in excess of 20 Amps (consult your sales professional, or Furman Sound technical assistance). Placement The IT-Reference 20 is manufactured with four rubber feet for placement on any table, cabinet, shelf, or floor capable of supporting its 83lbs weight. These rubber feet may be easily removed with a standard Philips screw driver when rack mounting adjacent to other components. Because of the IT-Reference 20's internal shielding, placement or proximity to other components is not critical, and the IT-Reference 20 does not produce any appreciable heat under standard use. The IT- Reference 20 may also be rack mounted in a standard 19" rack by attaching the ITReference 20 rack ears. These rack ears (contained within the plastic rack kit package) mount flush with the back portion of the ITReference 20's front panel. They are attached to the chassis by removing the (3) countersunk screws on each forward-side of the chassis top cover. Each rack ear is installed with pan-head Philips screws contained within the IT-Reference 20 rack mounting kit. Due to the weight of the IT-Reference 20 (83 lbs.), it is recommended that placement be at or near the bottom of your rack when choosing this mounting option. Connection: AC Cable Routing Once the IT-Reference 20 is placed, its AC cord's female end must be plugged into the male IEC connector located on the lower left hand side of the rear panel (when facing the rear panel). Next the male Edison plug must be connected to an appropriate socket (see current rating recommendation above). This AC cord will carry substantial unbalanced AC current, so it should be dressed away from critical signal-carrying cables, or at the very least, cross them at a 90 degree angle. The same is true of the power amplifier AC cords when plugged into the IT- Reference 20's "High Current - Amplifier Power" AC filtered outputs. All other components plugged into "Discrete Symmetrical Power" outlets (A) through (D) have symmetrical balanced AC current and will radiate virtually no field; as a result of this technology, their placement is not critical. Connecting Components to the Symmetrical Power Banks The IT-Reference 20's "Symmetrical Power Outlets" should be employed for all components other than receivers, power amplifiers, powered subwoofers, or powered loudspeakers. Each "Discrete" bank (A) through (D) contains two parallel outputs, that are symmetrically balanced, filtered, and totally isolated from adjacent output banks or the 4 IT-REFERENCE 20 OWNER'S MANUAL (4) "High Current - Amplifier Power" outlets. It should be noted that as each AC bank's outlets are in parallel, component power supply noise could potentially "back-wash" between these units. For this reason it is recommended that systems with minimal componentry (four units or less, excluding the power amplifiers) utilize one "Discrete" bank per component. This will maximize performance by eliminating intercomponent AC noise contamination entirely! For systems utilizing more componentry, high performance will still be achieved with careful routing of component AC cords to the IT-Reference 20's four "Discrete" power banks. We recommend separating digital processors, DVD's, and CD players from preamplifiers, tuners, and tape machines. Further, video monitors and scalers should ideally be separated from audio components. Connecting Components to the High Current Power Amplifier Banks Many Audiophile and premium Home Theater systems will have combined continuous current demands far below 20 Amps. It is rare, in fact, for large power amplifiers to draw more than 4 Amps continuously. For superior performance, it is vital that an AC filter possess extraordinarily low impedance, and have the capability to pass peak current demands far in excess of the RMS (continuous) current rating. The IT-Reference 20 was designed to more than meet this demand. Additionally, our Power Correction Circuitry effectively creates a current reserve in excess of 80 amps peak up-charge that is cleaner and faster than a dedicated line from your local power station. This feature eliminates any concern towards the current 5 compression that can result from typical power conditioners, and the peak power reservoir benefits any power amplifiers performance dramatically. Note about Power Factor Correction and Current Consumption When power correction technology is employed with even the most sophisticated circuit breakers, it effectively adds to the perceived current load. Though the ITReference 20 was designed for steady 20 Amp operation, and peak current demands many times that, the maximum total continuous current draw may be limited to a range between 1500 - 2100 Watts per IT-Reference 20 employed. The RMS current available before the circuit breaker trips varies due to what is referred to as a vector load. Simply put, the type of power supplies or electronic circuits connected to the IT-Reference 20 will have an effect on its circuit breakers perceived current load, and therefore, when it will trip. Though the benefits of power factor correction far outweigh the small reduction in continuous current draw, this must be accounted for when constructing a large system with high current demands. The total continuous current draw of most electronic components is typically listed in Watts by their AC input cord or AC connector. Watt ratings are simply added to determine the total system RMS current draw. It should also be noted that the IT- Reference 20's power correction circuitry has no actual effect on the power drawn from your utilities' power meter. The IT-Reference 20 draws a mere 8.5 Watts inde ...