2.1 Multichannel Amplifier Owner's Manual Owner's Manual Signature 2.1 Multichannel Amplifier Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 Unpacking and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Front and Rear Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Installation and Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Service Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Troubleshooting Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance. WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT. ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES CHOCS ELECTRIQUES, INRODUIRE LA LAME LA PLUS LARGE DE LA FICHE DANS LA BORNE CORRESPONDANTE DE LA PRISE ET POUSSER JUSQU'AU FOND. 80 Crossways Park West Woodbury, NY 11797 www.harmankardon.com ©1997 Harman Kardon, Incorporated Signature 2.1 Congratulations! As the owner of a Harman Kardon Signature Series 2.1 Power Amplifier, you have at your command a unique product. The 2.1 has been carefully designed to deliver the best possible sonic performance, along with outstanding industrial design that matches other Harman Kardon Signature Series products and complements any interior design. In order to fully enjoy the performance of your amplifier, please take a few minutes to read this owner's manual. It contains important information that will help you to make certain that the amplifier is properly connected to the rest of the equipment in your system. If you have any questions about this product or its installation and operation, please contact your retailer or custom installer. They are your best sources of product information. You may also contact Harman Kardon via the World Wide Web at www.harmankardon.com Welcome to the Harman Kardon family. We wish you many years of listening pleasure! Description and Features The Signature Series 2.1 is a flexible, state-of-the-art audio power amplifier designed to deliver high performance for use in home theater or music reproduction applications. The following are among its many features: Introduction s Designed and made in the United States s High-current output capability s Ultrawide bandwidth design s Low negative feedback s Low harmonic and intermodulation distortion s Massive heat sinks for quiet convection cooling s High-current power supply s Remote turn-on/turn-off circuitry with select Signature Series and Harman Kardon products or through optional accessories 2.1 On/Off 1 Signature 2.1 Important Safety Information Verify Line Voltage Before Use Your new Signature Series 2.1 amplifier has been factoryconfigured for use with 120-volt AC line current. Connecting the amplifier to a line voltage other than that for which it is intended can create a safety and fire hazard, and may damage the amplifier. If you have any questions about the voltage requirements for your specific model, or about the line voltage in your area, contact your selling dealer before plugging the unit into a wall outlet. Do Not Open the Cabinet There are no user-serviceable components inside this product. Opening the cabinet may present a shock hazard, and any modification to the product will void your guarantee. If water enters the unit, or any metal object such as a paper clip, wire or staple accidentally falls inside the cabinet, disconnect the unit from the AC power source immediately and consult an authorized warranty station. Safety Information Installation Location s To ensure proper operation and to avoid the potential for safety hazards, place the unit on a firm and level surface. When placing the unit on a shelf, be certain that the shelf and any mounting hardware can support the amplifier's weight. s Make certain that proper space is provided both above and below the unit for ventilation. If the amplifier will be installed in a cabinet or other enclosed area, make certain that there is sufficient air movement within the cabinet. Consult with your dealer or installer for more information. s Do not place the unit directly on a carpeted surface. s Avoid installation in extremely hot or cold locations, in an area that is exposed to direct sunlight or near heating equipment. s Avoid moist or humid locations. s Do not obstruct the ventilation slots on the top of the unit or place objects directly over them. Remember, power amplifiers generate heat, and the heat sink fins and ventilation slots that form part of the cabinet are specially designed to remove this heat. Placing other electronic equipment near these heat-dissipation systems may possibly affect the long-term reliability of both your amplifier and the objects placed above it. Verify AC Circuit Capacity Before Use High-power output of your amplifier may require heavy current draw under full-load conditions. To ensure proper performance and avoid potential safety hazards, we recommend that it be connected to a circuit with 20-amp capacity. Connecting multiple amplifiers to the same circuit, or connecting the amplifier to a circuit used by other heavy-power devices, such as high-wattage lights, may cause circuit breakers to trip. It is always a good idea to avoid using any audio equipment on the same AC circuit as equipment with motors, such as air conditioners or refrigerators. This will lessen the possibility of power variation and electrical start-up noise affecting your sound system. Do Not Use Extension Cords To avoid safety hazards, use only the power cord supplied with your unit. If a replacement cord is used, make certain that it is of a similar gauge. We do not recommend using extension cords with this product. As with all electrical devices, do not run power cords under rugs or carpets or place heavy objects on power cords. Damaged power cords should be replaced immediately with cords meeting factory specifications. Handle the AC Power Cord Gently When disconnecting the power cord from an AC outlet, always pull the plug, never pull the cord. If you do not intend to use the amplifier for a considerable length of time, disconnect the plug from the AC outlet. 2 Signature 2.1 Cleaning When the unit gets dirty, wipe it with a clean, soft and dry cloth. If necessary, first wipe the surface with a soft cloth slightly dampened with mild soapy water, followed by a fresh cloth with clean water. Wipe immediately with a dry cloth. Never use benzene, thinner, alcohol or any other volatile cleaning agent. Do not use abrasive cleaners, as they may damage the finish of metal parts. Avoid spraying insecticide near the unit. When positioning the amplifier in its final location, make certain that it has adequate ventilation on all sides, as well as on the top and bottom. Do not place CDs, record jackets, owner's manuals or other paper on top of, or beneath the unit, or in between multiple amplifiers in a stack. This will block the air flow, causing degraded performance and a possible fire hazard. If the unit is to be enclosed in a cabinet or rack, make certain that there is adequate air circulation, with means provided for hot air to exit and for cool air to be brought in. Unpacking and Installation Moving the Unit Before moving the unit, be certain to disconnect any interconnection cords with other components, and make certain that you disconnect the unit from the AC outlet. Typographic Conventions In order to help you use this manual with the front panel controls and rear panel connections, certain conventions have been used. EXAMPLE ­ (bold type) indicates a specific front panel control or rear panel connection 1 ­ (number in a square) indicates a specific front panel control ¡ ­ (number in a circle) indicates a rear panel connection Unpacking and Installation The carton and shipping materials used in protecting your new amplifier were specially designed to cushion it from the shocks and vibration of shipping. We suggest that you save the carton and packing materials for use in shipping if you move or if the unit ever needs repair. To minimize the size of the carton in storage, you may wish to flatten it. Carefully remove any staples used to close carton seams; carefully slit the tape on the bottom and collapse the carton. Other cardboard inserts may be stored in the same manner. Packing materials that cannot be collapsed should be saved along with the carton in a plastic bag. 3 Signature 2.1 Front Panel Controls Front and Rear Panels On/Off 1 2 3 3 LED Indicator: The color of this indicator varies with the status of the 2.1. It is red when the unit is off and in manual operation, amber in the standby mode, and flashing green during warm-up. If the indicator flashes and alternates between red and amber, the 2.1 is in the protect mode, indicating a problem in the unit or connections to the speakers. 1 Power Switch: Press this switch to turn the 2.1 on for manual operation, or to place it in the Standby mode for automatic/remote turn-on when the 2.1 is connected to a device with a compatible trigger circuit. 2 Power On Indicator: When the word SIGNATURE is illuminated in blue, the 2.1 is in a normal operating condition. Rear Panel Connections CHANNEL ONE (FRONT RIGHT) SPEAKER 1 IN CHANNEL TWO (SURROUND RIGHT) SPEAKER 2 CHANNEL THREE (FRONT CENTER) SPEAKER 3 IN CHANNEL FOUR (SURROUND LEFT) SPEAKER 4 IN CHANNEL FIVE (FRONT LEFT) SPEAKER 5 IN POWER AMP IN 4 MIN. 4 MIN. 4 MIN. 4 MIN. 4 MIN. TRIGGER IN AC INPUT AC 12OV/60Hz 950W ¡ ¡ Speaker Outputs: Connections from these terminals should be made to the appropriate speakers in your system. TM Audio Inputs: Connect the outputs of the Signature 2.0, or other surround processor, preamplifier or decoder to these jacks. TM £ ¢ £ AC Power Cord: Connect this plug to a wallmounted AC outlet. Due to the current draw of the Signature 2.1, it is NOT recommended that the accessory outlets on the back of the audio/video components be used to power this product. ¢ Power Amp Trigger In: Connect this jack to the matching trigger output on a Signature 2.0 or other compatible device to have the 2.1 automatically turn on when the device is activated. See page 5 for additional details. 4 Signature 2.1 Note: When making any connections between source components, processors or preamplifiers and the 2.1, or when making any connections to speakers, be certain that both the input device and the 2.1 are turned off. To ensure that there will be no unwanted signal transients that can damage equipment or speakers, it is always best to unplug all equipment from AC power outlets before making any connections. Modern electronic products often have a "standby" mode that may be activated even though the product may appear to be turned off. Plug the AC adapter into a switched outlet that will be activated when you wish to have the amplifier turn on. This may be the switched outlet at the rear of an AV receiver or other audio equipment, an AC outlet that is part of a current sensing control unit activated by a preamp or surround processor or a switched AC wall outlet. Connect the 3.5 mm miniplug from the power converter to the Power Amp Trigger In jack ¢ on the rear of the 2.1. Installation and Connections Audio System Connections As a general rule, avoid running any input signal or speaker wire connections next to or parallel with AC power cords. This may cause undesired hum or other interference that will greatly degrade signal performance. When making connections with RCA-type plugs on interconnect cables, make certain to gently but firmly insert the plugs into the jacks on the rear of the 2.1. Loose connections can cause intermittent sound and may damage your speakers. Connect the outputs of the 2.0 or your surround processor to the Audio Inputs TM of the 2.1. To simplify installat ...