MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier Owner's 1 Manual Introduction W elcome to the Jeff Rowland Design Group "family" and congratulations on your purchase of what is unquestionably one of the world's finest audio power amplifiers. W ith its combination of features such as variable multi-channel configuration, numerous function controls, interconnect possibilities, precision electronic circuitry, and accurately machined chassis components throughout, your MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier will offer you many years of musically satisfying enjoyment. P lease take a few minutes to read the remainder of this Owner's Manual before proceeding with the installation of the amplifier. A J eff Rowland Design Group, Inc. 2911 North Prospect Street Colorado Springs, CO 80907 T elephone: 719-473-1181 F ax: 719-633-4158 E -mail: jrdg@jeffrowland.com W eb: www.jeffrowland.com thorough understanding of the operational features will allow you to gain the maximum performance and ease of use for which this amplifier was designed. P lease note that your MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier serial number begins with the letters "MC6." This number is recorded below and is also located on the rear panel of the chassis. Please include this number with any correspondence regarding your MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier. I t has been my joy to create an audio component of enduring value that reflects a higher ideal of musical and artistic expression. It is my hope that these qualities will enrich your experience of ownership. Enjoy the music! Jeff Rowland President Jeff Rowland Design Group 2 Product Features · XLR input connectors for balanced (Differential ModeTM) system configuration. · · RCA input Connectors for unbalanced system configurations. User selectable switching between balanced and unbalanced connections. · Automatic temperature stabilizing circuitry maintains constant operating temperature. · DIN plug for remote turn-on and Standby operation on rear panel. · Multi-Channel configuration for mono, stereo, three-, four-, five-, or six-channel operation. · Stereo vertical bi- and tri-amplification capability within a single chassis. · Linkable inputs for channel selection and input configuration. · · · · · · Automatic bias adjustment maintains optimal bias setting regardless of source signal or loudspeaker load. Standby power mode reduces warm-up time. Fail-safe operation provided by user-resetable magnetic and thermal circuit breakers located on rear panel. Quiet, transient-free operation during power and function mode switching. Automatic input muting under anomalous input or output operating conditions. Fully balanced Differential ModeTM circuit topology implemented from input to output. Low resonance, structurally integrated chassis constructed of precision-machined 6061 aircraft grade aluminum. · 3 Contents MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier MC- Multi- AC Power Cable Spiked Coupling Supports Compliant Isolation Pads Speaker Terminal Hand Wrench Warranty Card 4 Initial Inspection, Unpacking, and Contents Initial Inspection If the shipping container, packing material, amplifier, or accessories are damaged or missing, notify your dealer and the shipper (if a claim is to be made) immediately. Note: Many shippers require notification and inspection within twenty-four hours of delivery to determine the nature of damages incurred. Your MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier has undergone extensive performance evaluations, listening tests, quality control inspections, and a minimum seventy-two hour burn-in period prior to shipment and should therefore be in perfect operating condition upon receipt. If the amplifier does not operate correctly, please notify your dealer immediately. We strongly suggest that you save all packing materials. If the amplifier is returned to your dealer or Jeff Rowland Design Group, the original packing materials must be used for shipment to avoid damage. Neither Jeff Rowland Design Group nor the shipper can be held responsible for damages incurred during transit if the original factory packing is not used. All factory returns require that Jeff Rowland Design Group issue a Return Authorization (RA) number prior to shipment. I nspect the shipping container for damage. To unpack the amplifier, stand the shipping case upright and unlock the top cover. Remove the top cover and open the gray liner bag to reveal the handles of the amplifier. Using the handles, the amplifier should be lifted straight out of the case and rested on its rear handles, standing upright. From this position, the MC-6 can be carefully and slowly lowered and set to rest on its feet and moved into its final resting place or installation point. Contents E nsure that all of the auxiliary components listed below are enclosed within the accessory box. Refer to the diagrams illustrated above and verify the components included. 1 2 3 One (1) AC Power Cable One set of four (4) Spiked Coupling Supports One set of four (4) Compliant Isolation Pads One (1) Speaker Terminal Hand Wrench (7/16 inch) One (1) Warranty Card (In some countries, warranties are provided by the respective importer.) Unpacking the Amplifier T he MC-6 is a large and heavy amplifier. Due caution should be taken when unpacking and installing the amplifier to avoid injury. The amplifier should be unpacked by at least two people, and there should be a portion of carpet or soft, padded cloth to stand the amplifier on when unpacking it from the shipping case. 4 5 5 Amplifier Maintenance and Cleaning Maintenance and Cleaning A ll Jeff Rowland Design Group products are designed to provide a lifetime of enjoyment and listening pleasure. The chassis is sealed to prevent dust from entering and the interior of the chassis should not need cleaning during the lifetime of the product. All internal circuitry is self-adjusting such that no adjustments or maintenance of any kind are necessary over the lifetime of the product. If the amplifier is ever in need of service, updating, or upgrading, it should only be returned to an authorized repair facility or technician for servicing. The MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier is finely constructed from pieces of solid aluminum. The front panel of the unit is cut in a unique process that uses a diamond tipped blade. This process was refined over many years to produce an artistic and attractive finish. Because the surface is not finished in the typical fashion of most audio and video equipment, there are a few rules that must be kept in mind when cleaning the equipment. · Please allow the front panel to cure for 6 months before attempting to clean it. This will prevent small scratches from marring the surface before the surface coating has had a chance to harden completely. The top cover, sides, and bottom cover can all be cleaned with a soft cotton cloth (such as an optical lens cleaning cloth or fine furniture polishing rag) dampened with plain water. Water should be applied directly to the cloth and not the chassis. If a mark has been left on the chassis, do not use any type of abrasive or chemical cleaner to remove the mark. A very mild plastic or glass cleaner that does not contain ammonia should be tried only as a last resort. 6 Please contact the factory before trying any type of cleanser on the chassis other than water to clean the unit. · The front panel of the unit should never be cleaned with anything other than a very soft cotton cloth and plain water or fine oilbased furniture polish. Because of the fine finish of the front panel, small scratches from the use of any other agent to clean the front panel will become very visible. If you have any questions about the care or cleaning of your MC-6 amplifier, please contact your dealer or the Jeff Rowland Design Group factory before attempting to clean the chassis. The use of a cleanser or abrasive to clean the chassis that has not been approved by the factory will almost certainly damage the finish and will not be covered under warranty. DC Protection System T he MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier is equipped with both magnetic and thermal circuit breakers for protection against excessive voltage input and DC signal current. However, since no protection circuitry or system can completely protect a product from every electrical hazard, certain precautions should be observed. In the event of severe voltage hazards such as lightning, or when the amplifier will not be used for extended periods of time such as when going on holiday, the amplifier should be unplugged from the AC mains to avoid potential damage to the internal circuitry. As lightning can also be carried through other components and interconnect cables, associated electronics should also be disconnected from the AC mains, antennae, or television cable if possible. · Amplifier Front Panel Function Control Amplifier Front Panel Front Panel Standby/Power Button 7 Amplifier Front Panel Function Control B efore attempting any system interconnection, please familiarize yourself with the front panel control of the MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier. The description below refers to the illustration above. FRONT PANEL STANDBY/POWER BUTTON: Press this button to operate the amplifier. Press again to place the amplifier in Standby mode. This button will illuminate when the amplifier is operational. When the button is not illuminated, all amplifier inputs are muted and internal circuitry reverts to power-saving (Standby) mode. Anomalous operating conditions will place the amplifier in Standby mode and will prevent the amplifier from being switched back on again until such a condition is eliminated. To avoid spurious noises and possible damage to the amplifier's internal circuitry, the amplifier should be switched to Standby mode when connecting or disconnecting any rear panel connections. Note: All ON/OFF power switching should be initiated ONLY with this button. The amplifier should not be disconnected from AC power without first placing the amplifier in Standby mode. 8 Amplifier Rear Panel Function Controls Amplifier Rear Panel 2 3 1 9 Amplifier Rear Panel Function Controls B efore attempting any system interconnection, please familiarize yourself with the rear panel controls of the MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier. The descriptions below refer to the illustrations above. 1 INPUT LINK SWITCHES FOR CHANNELS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, AND 6: These switches allow the individual channels of the MC-6 to be linked in parallel to create single channels of great power and current capability. THE CORRECT SWITCHES MUST BE SWITCHED ON WHEN THE APPROPRIATE JUMPERS ARE PLACED ACROSS THE CORRESPONDING OUTPUT TERMINALS. 2 INPUT SELECT SWITCH FOR CHANNELS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, AND 6: This switch selects either the unbalanced RCA inputs or the balanced XLR inputs. This switch can be switched while the amplifier is operational and playing music. Note: When the RCA position is selected, pin 2 of the XLR is shorted to pin 1 (signal ground). 3 REMOTE: A remote connector (5-Pin DIN) is provided on the rear IF ANY OUTPUT TERMINALS ARE JUMPERED TOGETHER, THE CORRESPONDING INPUTS MUST BE LINKED VIA THE INPUT LINK SWITCHES! FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS PROCEDURE WHEN OPERATING THE AMPLIFIER WILL DAMAGE THE INTERNAL CIRCUITRY AND WILL VOID THE WARRANTY! BE SURE TO STRICTLY FOLLOW THE APPLICABLE CHANNEL CONFIGURATIONS AS SHOWN IN THE "SIGNAL CONNECTIONS CONTENTS DIRECTORY" ON PAGE 14 OF THIS MANUAL. + WARNING: panel for remotely switching the amplifier between operational and standby modes. The pin connections on this connector parallel the electrical contacts of the FRONT PANEL STANDBY/POWER button and lamp. Contact your dealer or the Jeff Rowland Design Group factory for further information about this feature. 10 Rear Panel Power Connections Amplifier Rear Panel 4 1 3 2 11 Installation L ocate the amplifier as close as possible to its final installation point. Allow access to the rear panel for making connections. The MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier is convection cooled, eliminating the need for fan or forced-air cooling. When operating, the chassis should have at least two (2) inches of air space around the heatsink areas. Multiple chassis can be stacked vertically, facilitating an upward flow of warm air currents throughout the vertical heatsink areas. This upward flow must not be blocked or recirculated around the chassis if proper cooling is to be maintained. Typical installations allow the amplifier to be rigidly coupled to a support structure or floor via the included spiked coupling supports. In carpeted installations, these supports provide excellent anchoring from the amplifier chassis to the rigid floor or sub-floor below. If there is concern about damage to the structure or floor's finish, a coin can be placed beneath each spiked coupling support. In installations where the resonant properties of the supporting structure are poor, the amplifier chassis ...