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GENERAL PRECAUTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS
AC POWER CONSIDERATIONS
Be sure the M•2600 is plugged into an outlet
that is able to supply the correct voltage speci-
fied for your model. If the voltage should drop
below 97% of the line voltage, the M•2600 will
no longer be able to supply rated power. (It will
continue to operate down to 63% of the rated
voltage, but won’t reach full power.)
Under typical conditions, reproducing music
where musical peaks are just below clipping, the
M•2600 draws the following average currents:
When heavily loaded, the
M•2600 can pull a consid-
erable amount of current
from the AC power line.
Because of the high cur-
rent demand, the power
cord of the USA model is terminated into a 20A
plug (NEMA 5-20P). A similar 20A rated re-
ceptacle is required to power the amplifier
(NEMA 5-20R).
The following table shows how many ampli-
fiers can be plugged into the same 20 or 30
amp service. This is for typical conditions,
reproducing rock music where musical
peaks are just below clipping.
(*May cause nuisance tripping of breakers
under very high output / heavy loading condi-
tions. This table refers to 120V AC line. Other
models are equipped with a power cord and
plug appropriate for the local voltage).
NEVER bypass the plug’s
ground pin. This is
dangerous !
RACK MOUNTING
The M•2600 amp requires three rack space
units (3 U = 5.2"). It also requires 16.7" depth
inside the rack, including the rear supports.
When designing your rack, put the heavier
items at the bottom and the lighter items toward
the top.
Secure the front panel of the amplifier to
the front of the rack using eight screws with
soft washers to prevent scratching the panel.
In addition, because of the weight of the ampli-
fier, you must secure the rear support brackets
of the amplifier to the back of the rack. You
could use a support rail or shelf across the
back of the rack, or angle brackets attached
between the rear support brackets and the rear
rails of the rack. This is recommended for all
components mounted in a rack that is going to
be moved frequently (or thrown in the back of
a pickup truck and transported down a bumpy
gravel road to that outdoor festival!).
THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS
The M•2600 amp is fan-cooled and brings
air in through the front and out through the
sides. Make sure that cool air is available at the
front of the amplifier, and that there is room
on each side for the warm air to exit from the
amplifier and dissipate. If rack-mounted, make
sure there is room for the warm air to circulate
around the side and out through the rear of the
rack. In a typical rack, there will be a space of
1 to 2 inches on either side of the amplifier.
This is adequate to allow the warm air to exit
from the amplifier.
In the unlikely event of the amplifier over-
heating, you might consider leaving 2 rack spaces
between amplifiers, or using extra cooling fans
in the rack.
The M•2600’s unique T-Design constant
gradient cooling tunnel provides substantially
better cooling for the output transistors than
conventional designs that simply blow air
through the chassis, getting dust, cat hair, and
other contaminants over all the internal
components. The cooling tunnel provides a
shorter, more direct path so the cool air concen-
trates on the heat produced by the output
devices. This results in increased reliability
and longevity for the amplifier.
Amplifier Loading
Average current
2
Ω
per side or 4
Ω
bridged
18A
4
Ω
per side or 8
Ω
bridged
12A
8
Ω
per side or 16
Ω
bridged
7A
(Above current based on use of amplifier on 120V AC line)
Amplifier Loading
Max. # amps
Max. # amps
(of 240 V model)
on 20A service
on 30A service
2
Ω
per side or 4
Ω
bridged
1*
1
4
Ω
per side or 8
Ω
bridged
1
2
8
Ω
per side or 16
Ω
bridged
2
3
G
NEMA 5-20P
(Plug supplied with
120 VAC models)
G
NEMA 5-20R
(120 VAC, 20Amp
Receptacle)
