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4

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing a MARTIN AUDIO power amplifier. This manual
contains important information on operating your amplifier correctly and
safely. Please take some time to read this manual and familiarize yourself
with the advanced features of this amplifier.

4.1

The front panel 

Figure 1. Front panel

1. Carry/protection handle
Both handles can be used to carry the amplifier; they also act as protection
for the front panel and controls. In fixed installations or where rack front
covers are too shallow, they may be removed by unscrewing the retaining
bolts behind the front panel. 

2. Input level attenuators
These controls are used to set the signal level entering the amplifier. They
are calibrated in dB to assist the set up of active loudspeaker systems.  
(See page 16).

3. Protect indicator LED
This indicator illuminates if the amplifier attempts to function above its
maximum operating temperature (90ºC). The indicator first comes on as a
warning to either turn down the input level or check the cooling
arrangements, after which point the amplifier will mute the input signal.
When the cooling fans have returned the output heat sinks to the normal
operating temperature, the input signal is un-muted.

The Protect LED also illuminates when constant signals above 12kHz at full
power are detected at the output terminals. When this occurs the input
signal is muted until the VHF signal is no longer present. (See page 18).

4.  Clip/limit indicator LED
This indicator signals when the amplifier output is clipping or limiting. It has
two different indication states:
•  When the clip limiter is engaged, it has a short time constant and 

illuminates briefly. (See pages 16-17).

•  When the clip limiter is not engaged, it has an increased time constant 

and illuminates for a longer period. 

Martin Audio – MA4.2 Power Amplifier

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NGLISH

4

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CONTENTS

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GUIDES

APPLICATIONS GUIDE

Summary of Contents for MA4.2

Page 1: ...ections 9 5 7 Connecting speakers 11 5 8 Impedance matching MLS switch 12 6 OPERATION MODES 13 6 1 Stereo operation 13 6 2 Tandem mono 13 6 3 Bridged mono 13 6 4 Stereo reverse 14 7 OPERATION 15 7 1 O...

Page 2: ...voltage source such as battery mains source or power supply regardless of whether the amplifier is turned on or off Do not run the output of any amplifier back into another channel s input Do not blo...

Page 3: ...es radio frequency energy and if not used or installed in accordance with these operating instructions may cause interference to other equipment Compliance with the EMC directive does not automaticall...

Page 4: ...es if the amplifier attempts to function above its maximum operating temperature 90 C The indicator first comes on as a warning to either turn down the input level or check the cooling arrangements af...

Page 5: ...on section See page 11 2 Minimum load selector MLS switch This switch is used to select the minimum nominal speaker impedance the amplifier is going to drive see page 12 3 Clip limiter switch Turns th...

Page 6: ...w see Design features on page 19 Should the heat sink get too hot its sensing circuit will mute the hot channel If the power supply overheats another sensing circuit will mute all output channels unti...

Page 7: ...a unit in the system is faulty its mains fuse will blow due to this automatic ground system If however you wish to tie the signal ground to chassis connect the XLR connector s shell lug to pin 1 In th...

Page 8: ...g example If we consider a headroom of at least 9dB and a 4 ohm load on an amplifier producing 2100 watts per channel The 1 8 power per channel is then 2100 8 263 watts total output 2 x 263 525 watts...

Page 9: ...gh 20kohms balanced to allow daisy chaining or multiple parallel input connections To daisy chain use the TRS jacks provided on each channel The input circuits also have high enough headroom to accept...

Page 10: ...to the shield at the source The hum and noise rejection for the cable is equivalent to that for a balanced line To minimize hum in the audio use balanced inputs whenever possible Figure 8 Balanced lin...

Page 11: ...output or input terminal see warning on page 2 For normal two channel operation connect each speaker load across the outputs positive and ground terminals Pay attention to speaker polarity loudspeaker...

Page 12: ...ation using table 3 for initial starting positions The amplifier is very well protected even down to 0 3 ohms but where speed is of essence stick to the fixed positions The MA4 2 amplifier is a power...

Page 13: ...ctors for mixing or other purposes Both level attenuators are active allowing you to set different levels for each channel Never connect either output terminal to ground or in parallel 6 3 Bridged mon...

Page 14: ...reo reverse This mode is similar to the Tandem mono mode Apart from depressing the Link switch you also depress the Phase reverse switch as in the Bridge mono Channel B is now phase reversed To compen...

Page 15: ...ly if there is a high level signal at the input 7 2 Powering up Soft start When you power up the amplifier it takes a couple of seconds to self check This is known as the soft start or slow start sequ...

Page 16: ...it LED indicates when the amplifier output is clipping or limiting It has two different indication states When the clip limiter is engaged it has a short time constant and illuminates briefly When the...

Page 17: ...the clip limiting is inaudible The limiter can be turned On or Off by depressing the relevant clip limit switch 2 Some manufacturers of loudspeaker processors do not recommend the use of clip limiter...

Page 18: ...t can do during sustained high power sine wave testing the AFS limiter will restrict the mains current to a safe level consequently reducing the amplifier output If the AFS limiter circuit is activate...

Page 19: ...ieved not only by the design of the power supply and heatsink but also by the use of an alloy chassis making rear rack supports unnecessary in most applications Switch mode power supply SMPS Switch mo...

Page 20: ...ss of speaker demands and AC line conditions Minimum Load Switches MLS Thanks to the regulated SMPS the maximum power available for the output stages can be adjusted without increased heat dissipation...

Page 21: ...sts up to 1kV conducted through the cables to the unit Electromagnetic fields up to 3V m radiated on the unit and the cables in the frequency range of 27 500 MHz We have extended the tests in two case...

Page 22: ...ation only For use on 115 Volts AC internal modifications to the power supply board must be made Warning This modification should only be carried out by an experienced service technician Please contac...

Page 23: ...remove possible high frequency oscillations from the relevant input Fault The amplifier goes into thermal protection when driven at low level Check that your loudspeaker has not got a short circuit in...

Page 24: ...ts act of God war civil insurrection misuse abuse operation with incorrect AC voltage operation with faulty associated equipment exposure to inclement weather conditions and normal wear and tear Units...

Page 25: ...kHz at 500W 4 ohms 0 04 POWER MATRIX MLS SWITCH SETTING LOAD CONFIGURATION 5dB 4dB 2dB 0dB 16 ohms Stereo 2 channel 220W 260W 410W 650W 8 ohms Stereo 2 channel 430W 520W 820W 1300W 4 ohms Stereo 2 cha...

Page 26: ...ire HP12 3SL England Telephone 44 0 1494 535312 Facsimile 44 0 1494 438669 Web www martin audio com E mail info martin audio com The Martin Experience MARTIN AUDIO L O N D O N Please Click here to ret...

Page 27: ...MARTIN AUDIO L O N D O N The Martin Experience ENGLISH MA4 2 Power Amplifier User s Guide CONTENTS PRINT GUIDES APPLICATIONS GUIDE...

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