Niles SI-1260 Installation & Operation Manual

Niles SI-1260 Installation & Operation Manual

Systems integration amplifier
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Summary of Contents for Niles SI-1260

  • Page 1 I N S T A L L A T I O N & O P E R A T I O N G U I D E ® Systems Integration Amplifier ® ® L E N D I N G I G H I D E L I T Y A N D...
  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Thank you for purchasing the Niles SI-1260 Systems Integration Amplifier, one of the most versatile and powerful multi-channel amplifiers ever offered. Like all Niles products, the SI-1260 is built to the highest standards of quality and reliability. With proper installation and operation, you'll enjoy years of trouble-free use.
  • Page 3: Introduction

    (i.e. mono background music in some rooms and stereo in others). As you read this manual and become more familiar with the SI-1260's capabilities, you will understand why our multi-channel amplifier design has won many presti- gious industry awards.
  • Page 4: Features And Benefits

    Transparent Sound The audio circuitry of the SI-1260 is constructed with the finest parts available including the latest in discrete output transistor design, featuring 1% metal film resistors, high quality capacitors and oversized heat sinks. All this attention to technical detail results in a sound that is clear and uncolored.
  • Page 5 Twelve to Six Channel Configurable Power Each of the SI-1260's six adjacent output pairs are bridgeable. You can create up to six 120-watt channels by setting the bridging switch to the "BRIDGED" position. These switches are located at the top of the rear panel (see Page 21 Figure 16).
  • Page 6: System Design Basics

    SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS As shown in Figure 2, a distrib- uted audio/video system is defined by the number of lis- tening zones it has. Within a lis- tening zone you can listen to only one (1) source (e.g. CD, Radio, Tape, etc.) at any one time.
  • Page 7: System Design Considerations

    A channel pair that has been BRIDGED is capable of driving an impedance load of 4 ohms. Proper ventilation of the SI-1260 is critical when driving a 4 ohm load with bridged channels. If the SI-1260 is not properly ventilated, the protection cir-...
  • Page 8 If the speakers in the room are connected to a stereo amplifier you will only hear half the music. The SI-1260's BusMatrix create mono sound from one speaker without impacting the stereo quality in the rest of the system.
  • Page 9: Applications

    APPLICATIONS Advantages of Using The SI-1260 in a Single Zone System By connecting a Niles SI-1260 to a stereo receiver's preamplifier outputs, you dedicate a robust 60 watts to each speaker in your multi-room system. Each channel has its own level control, enabling you to compensate for architectural differences which may cause one speaker to seem louder than another.
  • Page 10 As shown in Figure 5, you connect the CD player's variable output to the SI-1260's dedicated channel inputs for the particular room where you will listen only to CDs. The fixed output is connected to the main preamp or receiver so you can also listen to CDs in the rest of the house.
  • Page 11 Using A Dual-Zone Receiver for Two Listening Zones Most of today's Dolby Digital surround sound receivers include a second zone pre- amplifier output used to create a second listening zone. Using this output with one of the SI-1260's BusMatrix inputs provides amplification for multiple rooms within ™...
  • Page 12 Adding Preamps To Create More Listening Zones In the ultimate multi-zone system, you would connect six stereo preamplifiers (or a single component multi-zone/multi-source preamplifier) to one SI-1260, creating six completely independent listening zones. Multi-zone systems enable listeners locat- ed in six separate zones to simultaneously listen to different source components as shown in Figure 7.
  • Page 13 Bus Input #2 is routed to amplifier channels seven through twelve same manner. SI-1260 placing three rooms in Zone #1 and three rooms in Zone #2. The remain- ing zone outputs on the A4.6Ci can be connected to another SI-1260 for more zones. Niles A4.6Ci...
  • Page 14: Configuring Your System

    Start by drawing a block diagram of your system and use the Configuration Worksheet on page 29 to document how you plan to connect your SI-1260. Figure 9, shown below, is an example of a Configuration Worksheet filled out according to the block diagram (figure 6) on page 10.
  • Page 15: Installation Considerations

    INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS Automating the turn-on of your SI-1260 is one of the easiest steps when installing it in a distributed system. However, do not plug the main power cord into the switched AC outlet of your preamplifier or receiver. The high power design of the SI-1260 requires large amounts of current from its AC power source.
  • Page 16 CAUTION! Placing the SI-1260’s weight on the rear or front panels will cause dam- age to the amplifier’s connectors or controls. Place the SI-1260 on a flat, level surface like a table or shelf. The SI-1260 must be placed with its weight equally distributed on the unit's four feet. This amplifier, like any high-fidelity component, will last much longer if it is given adequate ventilation for proper cooling.
  • Page 17: Installation

    This allows 15 SI-1260 power amplifiers to be fed from the same master preamplifier. If your pre- amplifier has a vacuum tube output stage, you must use a Niles AVDA-3 to drive more than one SI-1260.
  • Page 18: Front & Rear Panel Details

    Figure 13 Front panel “Master Power” switch turns off the entire amplifier, including the auto turn on circuitr Cascade outputs of the bus input enable you to daisy chain multiple amplifiers. Gold Plated Dual Bus Inputs, selectable by the BusMatrix , provide ™...
  • Page 19 Multi-color “Channel Pair” LED indicators Attractive extruded display channel pair on/off status, aluminum front panel. and protection modes. Bridging switch for each channel pair. DB-25 input connector for simplified dedicated audio and voltage trigger connection using Niles Multi-Zone Products. Gold-plated RCA jacks for the dedicated inputs.
  • Page 20: Speaker Wire Connections

    TO TOUCH THE AMPLIFIER CHASSIS OR ANOTHER CONNECTOR. Figure 14 - Binding Posts DESCRIPTION If all wires connecting to the SI-1260 are labeled with their destination rather than their specific connection to the SI-1260, it will be easier to reconfigure the system in the future.
  • Page 21 BusMatrix Input DIP Switch Settings ™ Each channel has a dedicated BusMatrix nel's source input signal (see Figure 15). To assign the BusMatrix nal for a particular channel, set only one of the seven switches to the right. 1L is for the assignment of the Left Bus Input #1 1R is for the assignment of Right Bus Input #1 1L+1R is for the assignment of a summed mono signal of the Left and Right Bus Input#1 2L is for the Left Bus Input #2...
  • Page 22 Bridging Two Channels into One The SI-1260's bridging switches allow you to create a more powerful amplifier chan- nel by combining or "bridging" two adjacent amplifier channels together into one. Figure 16 Channel Bridging Switch and DIP Switches STEP 1. Choose which of the six pairs you...
  • Page 23 Setting the Turn-On Mode Switch The SI-1260 has three (3) turn-on modes. Select the desired mode by sliding the mode switch to the proper position. See Installation Considerations on page 14 and Figure 10 for more information about each of the turn-on modes.
  • Page 24: Operation

    OPERATION Front Panel Power Switch The SI-1260's master power switch is located on the front panel. Pressing the switch toggles between the ON (switch in) and the OFF (switch out) position. It must be in the ON position to enable the amplifier to activate regardless of the turn-on mode selected (see page 14).
  • Page 25 Channel Pair LED Indicators The SI-1260 incorporates individual multi-colored LEDs for each channel-pair that indicate the following: CHANNEL PAIR LED STATUS The channel pair is OFF. Solid Green The channel pair is active and operating normally. Fast Red Blinking Indicates a possible short circuit or low impedance condition.
  • Page 26 Calibrate your system's volume levels using the steps outlined below: 1. Adjust all of the SI-1260's level controls to the minimum volume position. If there are any other amplifiers in the system, adjust their level controls to the minimum.
  • Page 27: Cleaning And Maintenance

    An output of 60 watts is adequate power to completely drown out conversation in a normal sized room. Even at those levels, the SI-1260 will sound clear and clean. Obviously, it requires more power to achieve a reasonable volume of sound in a large room than it does in a small room.
  • Page 28: Troubleshooting Guide

    TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE When a problem occurs, consult this guide first. If the problem persists, or you have additional questions, call your local Niles dealer or call Niles Technical Support at 1-800-289-4434. The most common problems are related to hook-up. Have your configuration worksheet handy when you call. SYMPTOM Very low or no sound on one channel.
  • Page 29 SYMPTOM Very low or no sound on some or all channels. Hum from all of the speakers. Sound is distorted on one or more channels at normal volume. No sound on any channels and power LED is slowly blinking. Bass is weak and stereo sound is "phasey".
  • Page 30: Configuration Worksheet

    CONFIGURATION WORKSHEET BUS INPUTS & OUTPUTS Left Bus Input # 1 Right Bus Input # 1 Left Bus Input # 2 Right Bus Input # 2 Cascade Output Bus # 1 Right Cascade Output Bus # 1 Left Cascade Output Bus # 2 Right Cascade Output Bus # 2 Left CH # BRIDGED...
  • Page 31: Specifications

    SPECIFICATIONS Design Principle Linear voltage/current amplification. Continuous Power Output (FTC Rated) (Unbridged, all channels driven) 60 watts per channel at 8 ohms, 80 watts per channel at 4 ohms. Bridged Power Output (Adjacent channels bridged, all channels driven) 120 watts per channel at 8 ohms.
  • Page 32 Fax: (305) 238-0185 www.nilesaudio.com © 2000 Niles Audio Corporation. All rights reserved. Niles, the Niles logo, Blending High Fidelity and Architecture, and Systems Integration Amplifier are registered trademarks of Niles Audio Corporation. BusMatrix is a trademark of Niles Audio Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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