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First, please carefully read the “IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS” on the reverse side.

Thank you for your purchase of the Yamaha PA2120 power amplifie . Please read through this manual 
carefully before beginning use, so that you will be able to take full advantage of the device’s various 
functions. After you have read the manual, keep it in a safe place.
• The illustrations as shown in this manual are for instructional purposes only.
• The company names and product names in this manual are the trademarks or registered trademarks of

their respective companies.

Features

• Complies with the ENERGY STAR international standard for energy efficient p oducts.
• Supports both high-impedance and low-impedance speaker connections.
• Source and volume zoning capability for two zones in mono connection.
• Equipped with an auto-wake function that turns the power on after detecting an input signal when in

standby mode.

• Able to be remotely controlled by connecting a DCP series control panel.
• Built-in “Speaker EQ” that allows for tuning the sound quality to be perfect for use with Yamaha speakers.

Accessories (Please confirm that all items are included)

• Power cord
• Euroblock plugs (6-pin x 1, 3-pin x 1, both with a 3.5mm pitch)
• Technical Specifications (English only): includes block diagrams, dimensions, and input/output

specifications

• Owner’s Manual (this sheet)

ENERGY STAR Certification

This device complies with the ENERGY STAR international standard for energy efficient
products.
It automatically enters into standby mode when no input signal is detected for 25 
minutes in order to save power while not in use.
In addition, a highly efficient amplifier c cuitry design has been adopted to reduce 
energy consumption while the device is in use.

Auto-Standby and Auto-Wake Functions

To reduce energy consumption, this device enters into standby mode when no input signal is detected for 
25 minutes.
It is also equipped with an auto-wake function that automatically turns the power on when an input signal 
is detected while in standby mode. Even when the device has been put into standby mode by the auto-
standby function, any microphone or BGM audio input will restore the power.
The auto-wake function is turned on by default. The auto-wake function can be turned on or off by changing 
the rear panel [SETUP] DIP switch setting. (Refer to “Controls and Functions.”)

Setup Example

When multiple speakers are connected to the two zones:
(MODE: MONO)

BMG source

DCP  

(for zone A)

DCP  

(for zone B)

Zone B: 7.5W x 10 = 75W

Zone A: 15W x 6 = 90W

When two-channel stereo is used:
(MODE: STEREO)

BMG source

DCP

120W x 2 (two-channel stereo)

Attaching Euroblock Plugs

Example (connection to the [REMOTE] connector)

1

2

3

4

Loosen

Tighten

Slotted 

screwdriver

Approx. 5 mm

(approx. 0.2”)

Terminal 

screw

Euroblock plug

NOTE

  •  You must use the supplied Euroblock plugs. If the plugs have been lost, please contact your Yamaha dealer.

• To prepare the cable for attachment to a Euroblock connector, strip the wire as shown in the illustration using 

stranded wire to make connections. With a Euroblock connection, stranded wires may be prone to breakage 
because of metal fatigue due to the weight of the cable or due to vibration. When rack mounting your device, 
use a lacing bar when possible to bundle and fasten the cables.

•  Do not tin (solder) the exposed end.

Loosen terminal screws.

Insert cables.

Securely tighten terminal screws.

Insert the Euroblock plug into a terminal of this device. 

Connecting Speaker Cables

The [SPEAKERS] output connectors on the rear panel are barrier strip type connectors. The connections 
are described below for two methods: using a spade lug and using a bare conductor.

 Caution

•  Ensure that load is not applied to the speaker cable.
• This device uses a BTL (Balanced Transformer-Less) connection method for the amplifier output. As the amplifier output 

is sent to the positive and negative connectors, any contact with other terminals or the device chassis may lead to 
malfunction.

NOTE

  Connect the cables so that the amplifier s “+” and “-” symbols match those of the speaker. If they are reversed, the 

phase will be reversed and the sound will not be output correctly.

When using a spade lug

Loosen the screw, insert the spade lug all 
the way from below, and tighten the screw.

≤5.8mm

(≤0.23”)

≥3.2mm

(≥ 0.13”)

When using a bare conductor

Loosen the screw, wrap the conductor wire around the 
barrier strip terminal, and tighten the screw. Be sure that 
the bare wire does not touch the chassis.

* Actual size

15mm*

(0.6”)

Speaker cable

Wire 

should not 

touch the 

chassis.

Connecting External Devices

Connect a BGM (background music) tuner, a CD player, a portable audio player, etc. to the stereo input 
jacks of this device. After finishing all connections, connect the power co d to an AC outlet.

 Warning

When connecting the power cord to an AC outlet, an input signal will turn on the power of this device by the auto-wake 
function. To avoid unexpected loud sounds, be sure to connect microphones and external devices with the power off 
status.

PA2120 rear panel

RCA

Euroblock

NOTE

  Refer to “Attaching Euroblock Plugs” for Euroblock plug installation.

Connecting a Control Panel

Connecting Yamaha Digital Control Panel (DCP1V4S, DCP4

S

, DCP4V4

S

) to PA2120 enables you to control 

the volume remotely. You can connect up to two control panels. The total length of the cables from the 
PA2120 to the last control panel must not exceed 800 meters in the case of 24AWG.

NOTE

  When connecting control panels via DCH8, the total length of the cables to the final cont

 

ol panel must be less than 

200m (according to DCH8 specifications). If you need a longer connection, we  ecommend not using the DCH8, 
but connecting the devices in a daisy-chain configuration

Precautions when connecting two control panels:

• Connect them in a daisy-chain configuration
• Set the panel IDs separately. (0 or 1)
• Set the second control panel DIP switch 4 to ON. (termination setting)

This setting is only for the second device when connecting two devices.

• Ensure that the total Ethernet cable length does not exceed 800 meters in the case of 24AWG.

1

ON

2 3 4

1

ON

2 3 4

1 2 3

1

1 2 3

0

1 2 3

2

1 2 3

3

1 2 3

4

1 2 3

5

1 2 3

6

1 2 3

7

1

ON

2 3 4

RJ-45

Rear panel

Rear panel

PA2120 rear panel

Ethernet straight cable  

(CAT5e or more; 800m or 

less (24AWG)) 

Yamaha Digital Control Panel 

Set the DIP switch 4 to 

ON (termination setting).

(The second control 

panel only if connecting 

two devices.)

Sets the panel ID

Sets the panel ID

Panel ID setting for control panel

Functions Operated Via the Control Panel

DCP1V4S

Encoder

Switch 3

Switch 4

Volume control

Encoder operation target: SPEAKER A

Encoder operation target: SPEAKER B

DCP4S

Switch 1

Switch 2

Switch 3

Switch 4

Volume up: SPEAKER A

Volume down: SPEAKER A

Volume up: SPEAKER B

Volume down: SPEAKER B

DCP4V4S

Encoder 3

Encoder 4

Volume control: SPEAKER A

Volume control: SPEAKER B

NOTE

  •  Controls not listed here will not work.

• Settings by using control panels will be retained even if the control panels have been disconnected.

Using the [REMOTE] Connector (Euroblock 3-pin)

You can connect switches to the rear panel [REMOTE] connector, and use them to remotely mute/unmute all 
channels, or switch the power standby/on status.
From the left, the [REMOTE] connector consists of M (mute all), S (standby), and G (ground) pins.
The [REMOTE] connector uses a Euroblock plug. For details on how to connect Euroblock plugs, refer to 
“Attaching Euroblock Plugs.”

Muting/unmuting all channels

Switching the power standby/on status

Turning mute on

Turning mute off

Switching the power to standby

Turning the power on

NOTE

  •  When the device is put into standby mode via the [REMOTE] connector, it is not possible to turn the power back 

on by pressing the [

z

] button on the front panel, or by the auto-wake function with input signal detection. The 

power can only be turned on via the [REMOTE] connector.

• When the device is put into mute mode via the [REMOTE] connector, the [

z

] button will flash in green.

Connections

Appendix

High-Impedance and Low-Impedance Connections

For a high-impedance connection, a speaker transformer that raises the impedance to several hundred or 
thousand ohms is added to the speaker system. This allows the speaker system to be effectively driven with 
much lower current than is required for a low-impedance connection. Therefore, a large number of speaker 
systems can be connected. Even over long distances, there is very little transmission loss due to the cable 
resistance being negligible in relation to the impedance of the speaker system. High-impedance speaker 
connections usually operate at a specific maximum power amplifier voltage of 100 or 70 volt
The more orthodox low-impedance connection does not use a speaker transformer. The speaker systems 
are directly connected to the power amplifier with a rated impedance generally a ound 4 - 16 ohms. For 
short distances over which cable resistance is insignificant, low-impedance connections deliver a sound
quality that is superior to high-impedance connections.
The differences between connection methods are explained as follows.

Multiple Speaker System Drive Capability

High-Impedance Connections

As long as the total nominal power input rating for all speakers is within the power output capability 
of the amplifie , any number of speaker systems can be connected in parallel. The power input rating 
is determined by the speaker systems and speaker transformers used. It is also possible to connect 
speaker systems that have different input power ratings. In the case of speaker systems that are capable 
of changing their input power rating (Yamaha VXC and VXS series, etc.), this can be utilized to vary the 
volume of each speaker.

10W

10W

10W

10W

10W

Speaker transformer

70V/100V

Low-Impedance Connections

When connecting multiple low-impedance speaker systems to a single channel, the following methods are 
possible.

Parallel Connection

When multiple speaker systems having the same impedance are connected in parallel, the total impedance 
becomes the individual speaker system impedance divided by the number of systems connected.

Cannot be connected

Total impedance = 4Ω

Serial Connection

When connected in series, the total impedance is simply the sum of the impedances of the speaker 
systems connected. However, if one speaker system happens to fail, the electrical signal will not be passed 
on and subsequent speaker systems will be affected.

Interruption

Failure

No sound

Total impedance = 8Ω

Precautions for Rack Mounting

This unit is rated for operation at ambient temperatures ranging from 0 to 40 degrees Celsius. When 
mounting the unit with other PA2120 unit(s) or other device(s) in an EIA standard equipment rack, internal 
temperatures can exceed the specified upper limit,  esulting in impaired performance or failure. When rack 
mounting the unit, always observe the following requirements to avoid heat buildup:
• When mounting the unit in a rack with devices such as power amplifiers that generate a significan

amount of heat, leave more than 1U of space between the PA2120 and other equipment. Also either
leave the open spaces uncovered or install appropriate ventilating panels to minimize the possibility of
heat buildup.

• To ensure sufficient ai flo , leave the rear of the rack open and position it at least 10 centimeters from

walls or other surfaces. If the rear of the rack can’t be left open, install a commercially available fan or
similar ventilating option to secure sufficient ai flo . If you’ve installed a fan kit, there may be cases in
which closing the rear of the rack will produce a greater cooling effect. Refer to the rack and/or fan unit
manual for details.

1

Specifications

Output Power

(20msec Burst, 

THD+N=1%)

AMP MODE = 3Ω

100W x 2ch

AMP MODE = 4Ω

120W x 2ch

AMP MODE = 8Ω

100W x 2ch

AMP MODE = 70V/120W

120W x 2ch

AMP MODE = 100V/120W

120W x 2ch

AMP MODE = 70V/200W

200W x 1ch

AMP MODE = 100V/200W

200W x 1ch

Amplifier type (Output circuitry)

Class D

THD+N

LINE IN to SPEAKER OUT, 

Half power@1kHz 

AMP MODE = 3Ω, 4Ω, 8Ω

≤ 0.2%

LINE IN to SPEAKER OUT, 

Half power@1kHz 

AMP MODE = 70V, 100V/120W

≤ 0.2%

LINE IN to SPEAKER OUT, 

Half power@1kHz 

AMP MODE = 70V, 100V/200W

≤ 0.2%

Frequency Response

LINE IN to SPEAKER OUT, 

50Hz to 20kHz@1W 

AMP MODE = 3Ω, 4Ω, 8Ω

0dB, -3.0dB, +1.0dB

LINE IN to SPEAKER OUT, 

90Hz to 20kHz@1W 

AMP MODE = 70V, 100V/120W

0dB, -3.0dB, +1.0dB

LINE IN to SPEAKER OUT, 

90Hz to 20kHz@1W 

AMP MODE = 70V, 100V/200W

0dB, -3.0dB, +1.0dB

LINE to THRU OUT, 

20Hz-20kHz

0dB, -2.5dB, +1.0dB

AC Power Requirement

100V, 120V, 230V-240V 50Hz/60Hz (*1)

*1 It has confi med that it is working with ± 10% of the voltage of the rated supply voltage.

Power Consumption

Standby, default setting 

AMP MODE = All

≤ 1W

Idle 

AMP MODE = 3Ω, 4Ω, 8Ω

15W

Idle 

AMP MODE = 70V, 100V

20W

1/8 Output, Pink noise 

AMP MODE = 4Ω

60W

1/8 Output, Pink noise 

AMP MODE = 70V/120W

60W

ENERGY STAR

•  It automatically enters into standby mode when no input 

signal is detected for 25 minutes in order to save power 

while not in use.

• Amplifier e ficiency: 44% and mo e.

• Less than 1W in standby.

Operating temperature

0°C to +40°C

Storage temperature

-20°C to +60°C

Dimensions (W x H x D, not including knob)

480 x 44 x 351mm (18.90 x 1.73 x 13.82 inch)

Net Weight

4.8kg

Included Accessories

AC power cord (2.0m) x1, 

3.5mm Euroblock plug (6pin) x1, 

3.5mm Euroblock plug (3pin) x1, 

Owner’s Manual x1, 

Technical Specifications x

Optional accessories

Digital Control Panel 

(DCP1V4S-US/EU, DCP4V4S-US/EU, DCP4S-US/EU)

* The contents of this manual apply to the latest specifications as of the printing date. Since  amaha makes continuous 

improvements to the product, this manual may not apply to the specifications of your pa ticular product. To obtain the 
latest manual, access the Yamaha website then download the manual file. Since specifications, equipment or separatel
sold accessories may not be the same in every locale, please check with your Yamaha dealer.

European models
Purchaser/User Information specified in EN55103-2:2009
Conforms to Environments: E1, E2, E3 and E4

POWER AMPLIFIER

Owner’s Manual

EN

ZT16380

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