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Contractor Series Power Amplifiers
Reference Manual
1 Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of a
Contractor Se-
ries commercial power amplifier. The Contractor Series
is a complete family of amplifiers with a wide range of
power output capabilities and output configurations.
CH Series amplifiers can directly drive “constant volt-
age” lines, so you can avoid the expense of adding
step-up transformers for distributed loudspeaker sys-
tems. CL Series amplifiers offer low-impedance com-
patibility for applications where high-power,
low-impedance loads are the primary requirement.
All Contractor Series amplifiers feature Crown’s exclu-
sive
SST (System Solutions Topologies) expansion sys-
tem. The SST expansion system makes it easy to tailor
your amplifier to a specific application or to add future
technology as it develops (see Section 5.3 for descrip-
tions of available SSTs).
Your Contractor Series amplifier is also covered by
Crown’s advance-replacement, Profit Protection Plan,
an enhancement to Crown’s exceptional Three-Year, No-
Fault, Full Warranty. Crown’s Profit Protection Plan guar-
antees quick, no-questions-asked replacement of your
covered Contractor Series amplifier should it fail at any
time during the original 3-year warranty period follow-
ing the date of original purchase.
This manual will help you successfully install and use
your new Contractor Series amplifier. Please read all
instructions, warnings and cautions. Be sure to read
Section 3.2 if you plan to use the amplifier in Bridge
mode, or if you plan to drive “constant voltage” lines.
Also, for your protection, please send in your warranty
registration card today, and save your bill of sale as it is
your
official proof of purchase
.
1.2 Features
The Contractor Series amplifiers are designed specially
for fixed installation, and include the following features:
❏
CH Series provides for both low impedance and high
impedance loads, with the choice of 4/8 ohm or 70V
operation for each channel (CH1 and CH2 also offer
100V operation). The output mode of each channel can
be set independently, allowing unique or mismatched
loads to be driven by each channel.
❏
CH Series includes a 70-Hz high-pass filter for each
channel (when used in 70V or 100V mode) providing
necessary low-frequency roll-off to eliminate saturation of
constant voltage step-down transformers typically used
in 70V and 100V distributed systems.
❏
CL Series includes high power 2-ohm operation, for jobs
where low impedence is the only requirement.
❏
A green Signal LED for each channel flashes when a
signal is present at the input.
❏
A red Clip LED for each channel turns on when distortion
becomes audible in the amplifier output.
❏
A red five-way Fault LED for each channel blinks during
amplifier power-up, and upon the following fault
conditons: excessive heatsink temperature; transformer
thermal protection; short at amplifier output; output stage
non-operational.
❏
An RJ11 connector allows external circuits to monitor the
status of the Fault circuit.
❏
Precision detented level controls are located on the back
panel for security, and allow for accurate level settings.
❏
Barrier strip output connectors allow for quick easy con-
nection regardless of the load, and accept up to 10 AWG
crimp-on terminal forks.
❏
SST modules provide flexible input options, such as
onboard crossover configurations.
❏
Stereo/Bridge switch allows conversion from Stereo
mode to Bridge mode for higher-powered single-channel
operation.
❏
Advanced protection circuitry guards against: shorted
outputs, open circuits, DC, mismatched loads, general
overheating, high frequency overloads and internal
faults.
❏
Mounts in standard 19-inch (48.3-cm) equipment racks.
❏
Three year, “No-Fault,” Full warranty completely protects
your investment and guarantees its specifications.
❏
Crown’s advance-replacement Profit Protection Plan pro-
vides quick, no-questions-asked replacement of cov-
ered amps.
1.1 Unpacking
Please unpack and inspect your new amplifier for any
damage that may have occurred during transit. If dam-
age is found, notify the transportation company imme-
diately. Only you, the consignee, may initiate a claim for
shipping damage. Crown will be happy to cooperate
fully, as needed. Save the shipping carton as evidence
of damage for the shipper’s inspection.
Even if the unit arrived in perfect condition, (as most
do), save all packing materials, so you will have them if
you ever need to transport the unit.
NEVER SHIP THE
UNIT WITHOUT THE FACTORY PACK.
