1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. CH Manuals
  4. Amplifier
  5. A1
  6. User manual

CH A1 User Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
A1 Power Amplifier
User Manual

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the A1 and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for CH A1

Summary of Contents for CH A1

  • Page 1 A1 Power Amplifier User Manual...
  • Page 3 We are honored that you have chosen the CH A1 Power Amplifier. Our team has put all his efforts into designing and manufacturing this top quality versatile and future-proof product and is proud to present it to you. We hope your A1 will bring you uncountable hours of emotion from your musical collection.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    3.4.4 Passive bi-amplification mode..........................21 3.4.5 Active bi-amplification mode..........................21 3.4.6 Chained mode..............................22 4 Operation..................................23 4.1 Front panel controls..............................23 4.1.1 Front panel..............................23 4.1.2 Front face push-buttons............................. 23 4.2 Operating modes............................... 24 4.2.1 Normal mode..............................24 Rev 2.0 A1 User Manual...
  • Page 6 4.2.2 Shortcuts................................26 4.2.3 Menu mode..............................28 4.3 Configuration................................31 4.3.1 A1 configuration menu items..........................32 4.3.1.1 AUDIO SETTINGS............................32 4.3.1.2 DISPLAY SETTINGS............................ 33 4.3.1.3 SHORTCUTS.............................. 34 4.3.1.4 FACTORY SETTINGS........................... 35 4.3.1.5 INSTALLED OPTIONS..........................36 4.3.1.6 NETWORK..............................37 5 Firmware update................................38 5.1 Preparing the USB stick.............................

  • Page 7: Technical Highlights

    Ethernet control capabilities. As all CH Precision products, the A1 is highly versatile: a single A1 can be used as a stereo power amplifier (with two mono input boards), or a pair of A1 can be used as mono power amplifiers. Even in...

  • Page 8: Unmatched Flexibility

    Operating modes can be selected by the user from the A1's front panel. In addition, multiple A1s can be daisy-chained for ultimate performance in multi-amplification systems.

  • Page 9: Feedback Control

    1.1.3 Gain control The A1 provides an integrated gain control with a 24 dB range and 0.5 dB steps. This gain control allows for optimal matching of speaker sensitivity, room size, and preamplifier output level. In multi-amplification systems it can be used to match the sensitivity of the individual speaker sections.

  • Page 10: Temperature Monitoring

    The area where the air flows to cool down the amplifier is isolated from the rest of the A1, ensuring all electronics are preserved from dust accumulation.

  • Page 11: Monaural Analog Inputs: Analog_In Board

    There are three slots in the A1. Two of them can be populated with a left ANALOG_IN and/or a right ANALOG_IN board. The last slot is dedicated to the CONTROL board. Note that optional boards MUST be installed by a qualified technician. Failure to do so will void any warranty.

  • Page 12: Before Use

    Please store the packaging for future use. Check your A1 for any apparent damage. In case of a damage, immediately contact your authorized dealer. If your A1 is cold due to transport, please let it warm up to room temperature before powering it up.

  • Page 13: User Manual

    Do not install in a confined space and make sure sufficient air can flow around the unit, including under the unit. • Never install your A1 power amplifier directly on a carpet or any soft material, as fresh air flow from openings under the •...

  • Page 14: Cleaning

    2.7 Maintenance and service The A1 power amplifier contains no user serviceable parts. Do not try to open, modify or repair your A1 by yourself. This will void any warranty. Your A1 power amplifier must be checked by a qualified technician in any of the following cases: The unit is not functioning properly •...

  • Page 15: Installation

    3.1 Unpacking Unpack the A1 power amplifier and store the packaging for future transportation. Be careful when lifting the A1 as the unit is heavy (over 40kg). Get someone to help you if necessary. When unpacking and installing the A1, take care not to damage the high quality surface treatments.
  • Page 16 If no CH Precision unit is to be stacked on top of the A1, screw the four top covers back. Otherwise, screw the four polymer stacking caps instead, and gently lay down the unit to be stacked on top of it. Be very careful that both units are perfectly aligned in order not to scratch the A1's top plate with the other unit's feet.

  • Page 17: Connections

    For details about how to integrate you A1(s) in a specific setup, please refer to the Amplifier modes section of this user manual. If you don't feel secure with the connections to be applied to your configuration, please contact your authorized dealer for assistance.

  • Page 18: Control Board

    3.3.1.1 USB port The USB port on the CONTROL board is dedicated to the firmware update of the A1 unit. Do not use it for any other purpose. For more information on unit firmware update, please refer to the corresponding section of this manual.

  • Page 19: Ethernet Port

    3.4.1 Stereo mode A single A1 equipped with two analog input boards can be used as a stereo power amplifier. This is the simplest configuration that already allows to enjoy the unique sound of the A1 amplifier. The picture below shows how it should be connected in this case.

  • Page 20: Bridge Mode

    This configuration should be used when low efficiency low impedance speakers are used in large rooms to achieve higher sound level than possible with a single stereo A1. The picture below shows how they should be connected in this case.

  • Page 21: Passive Bi-Amplification Mode

    A pair of A1s, each with a single analog input board installed, can be used in passive bi-amplification mode. In such a case, each output board of each A1 feeds the speaker's drivers of a given frequency range. The main advantage of this configuration is the possibility to set optimal global/local feedback ratio for the different frequency bands.

  • Page 22: Chained Mode

    3.4.6 Chained mode When more than one A1 is to be used to drive a single speaker, they can be chained. This allows for ultimate configuration taking both advantage of the increased power available in bridged mode, and the flexibility provided by multi-amplification (optimal feedback ratio setting for each frequency band).

  • Page 23: Operation

    Operation The A1 Power amplifier is operated either from the unit's front panel display and pushbuttons or from the CH Precision Android App available on tablets. The tablet reflects the state of the unit settings and allows the user to adjust the settings on the fly.

  • Page 24: Operating Modes

    The A1 power amplifier has two main operating modes: Normal mode and Menu mode. Normal mode is mainly used to display general status (such as power or temperature) of the A1 whereas Menu mode is used to configure the unit. The A1 also includes Shortcuts for quick access to selected Menu mode items.
  • Page 25 (8) Amplifier mode (stereo, mono, bi-amp or bridged) Displayed elements depend on the installed optional boards and user settings. In the example above, the A1 is set as a bi- amplifying mono power amplifier, using its balanced XLR input connectors, running in class-B with its output muted (by the way, in that case the power display should be 0 W).

  • Page 26: Shortcuts

    4.2.2 Shortcuts The A1 amplifier is configured by a set of menus as described in the next sections. To allow quick access to the most frequently used configuration menu items, the A1 offers the concept of Shortcuts. Shortcuts are fully programmable and the user may choose any configuration parameter as a Shortcut.
  • Page 27 SETUP Shortcut display elements (1) Shortcut title. It indicates that Detailed Setup (Menu mode) can be entered at this stage (2) Current value of the parameter. Default action is to exit (go back to Normal mode) Rev 2.0 A1 User Manual...

  • Page 28: Menu Mode

    4.2.3 Menu mode The Menu mode allows for Configuration and Setup of the A1 power amplifier through a set of menus. Menu mode is entered from the last Shortcut item (see above). From Normal mode, enter the Shortcut mode by pushing the OK [R] button. By successive OK [R] button pushes, step to the last Shortcut item (DETAILED SETUP) and push the TOP [N] button once to enter the Menu mode.
  • Page 29 As an example, the following drawing shows the display elements of the A1 SETUP >> AUDIO SETTINGS sub-menu. A1 SETUP >> AUDIO SETTINGS menu display elements (1) Menu title. A1 SETUP >> AUDIO SETTINGS shows that the parent menu is A1 SETUP. By pushing the CANCEL [Q] button, the unit returns to the parent menu.
  • Page 30 Parameters may or may not appear in the menu depending on installed options. For instance if only a single ANALOG_IN board is installed or an amplifier mode requiring two input boards is selected, CHANNEL selection menu items (to select the left or right input board) will be hidden. A1 User Manual Rev 2.0...

  • Page 31: Configuration

    4.3 Configuration Configuration of your A1 amplifier is accomplished by settings parameters in the Menu mode (see previous section for how to access Menu mode and how to navigate menu items). Following diagram shows the complete menu structure (terminal items not shown).

  • Page 32: A1 Configuration Menu Items

    • 4.3.1 A1 configuration menu items 4.3.1.1 AUDIO SETTINGS The A1 SETUP >> AUDIO SETTINGS menu allows configuration of the audio related Parameters of the unit. Accessible Parameters are: - GLOBAL FEEDBACK: Sets the amount of global feedback for output channels...

  • Page 33: Display Settings

    Details of AUDIO SETTINGS menu Parameters 4.3.1.2 DISPLAY SETTINGS The A1 SETUP >> DISPLAY SETTINGS menu allows configuration of the display related Parameters of the unit. Accessible Parameters are: - DISPLAY MODE: Selects what is displayed in normal mode...

  • Page 34: Shortcuts

    +/-30% unit's display color, even at low brightness. Details of DISPLAY SETTINGS menu Parameters 4.3.1.3 SHORTCUTS The A1 SETUP >> SHORTCUTS menu allows configuration of the Shortcuts. A1 SETUP >> SHORTCUTS Accessible Parameters are: - SHORTCUT1: Defines action for Shortcut #1...

  • Page 35: Factory Settings

    Details of SHORTCUTS menu Parameters 4.3.1.4 FACTORY SETTINGS The A1 SETUP >> FACTORY SETTINGS menu allows to get information about current A1 firmware version, to update the A1 firmware and to reset the unit to default configuration (or subset of settings). Accessible Parameters are:...

  • Page 36: Installed Options

    Specifications section. Serial number Serial number indicates the serial number of the A1. Format is SERIAL NUMBER None yymm03nn. This parameter is read only. SHORTCUTS Default mapping None Selecting 'Default Mapping' returns the A1's Shortcuts to their factory settings.

  • Page 37: Network

    DHCP server feature. Manual Ethernet port WAKE-ON-LAN Connection to a If No is selected, the A1 can't be woken up by the app. Standby Only if PoE router via its RJ-45 mode will consume less than 0.5W. Ethernet port When Only if PoE is selected, the A1can only be waken by the app if connected to a Power-over-Ethernet switch.

  • Page 38: Firmware Update

    5.1 Preparing the USB stick The firmware of all the CH Precision units can be updated using the USB port located at the back of the unit. Before starting the firmware update, it is necessary to load a USB stick with files containing the new firmware. Use the FAT32 formatted USB 2.0 stick provided with you A1.

  • Page 39: Emergency Firmware Update Procedure

    5. If the emergency firmware update procedure fails, try the same procedure again using a different USB stick. If the failure persists, turn off your unit and contact your authorized dealer for assistance. Note: The emergency firmware update procedure lasts 5-10 minutes, do NOT interrupt it! Rev 2.0 A1 User Manual...

  • Page 40: Troubleshooting

    Check that the correct input is selected on your A1 amplifier Check that the correct amplifier mode is engaged No sound Your A1 is muted (display area 3 7 must be off). Unmute using first button (“7” is displayed) Lost in the settings?

  • Page 41: Specifications

    USB port for firmware update / Ethernet based system control Design and Specifications are subject to change without notice. Weight and dimensions are approximate Illustrations are informative only and may differ from the actual production model Enclosure designed by Mana Ishoni Rev 2.0 A1 User Manual...
  • Page 42 Should you dispose this component please do so in conformity with local and global legal and environmental regulations and according to best practices. We strongly encourage you to recycle any batteries used with this component. A1 User Manual Rev 2.0...

Table of Contents