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Summary of Contents for Wisdom SA-3
- Page 1 Owner’s Manual System Amplifier SA-3...
- Page 2 WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
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Page 3: Important Safety Instructions
Important Safety Instructions Please read all instructions and precautions carefully and completely before op- erating your Wisdom Audio equipment. Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this equipment near water. Clean only with a dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manu- facturer’s instructions. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade of the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your socket, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet. 10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the ap- paratus. 11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer. 12. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long peri- ods of time. 13. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Servicing is required when the ap- paratus has been damaged in any way, such as a power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the appara- tus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped. 14. ALWAYS disconnect your entire system from the AC mains before connect- ing or disconnecting any cables, or when cleaning any component. 15. -
Page 4: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Important Safety Instructions .................3 Unpacking the SA-3 ..................5 Warm up/break-in period ..................5 Placement Considerations ................6 Ventilation ......................6 Operating Voltage ...................7 Special Design Features ..................8 Dedicated Power ....................8 High Efficiency ......................9 Small-Box Compensation ..................9 Front Panel ....................10 Rear Panel .....................12 Remote turn-on tip polarity ................14 Care &... -
Page 5: Unpacking The Sa-3
Unpacking the SA-3 Your new Wisdom Audio SA-3 is a substantial piece of equipment. Please exer- cise caution when unpacking your SA-3 to ensure that you do not strain yourself from its (perhaps unexpected) weight. Caution! Do not attempt to lift your SA-3 while bending or twisting from the waist. Use your legs for lifting, not your back. Always stand as straight as possible and keep the SA-3 close to your body. After unpacking your SA-3, keep all packing materials for future transport. In the event that you need to ship your SA-3, only the original, purpose-designed shipping carton is acceptable. Any other method of shipping this product runs a significant risk of damage to the SA-3—damage that would not be covered by the warranty. Carefully inspect your SA-3 for possible damage due to shipping. If you discover any, contact your Wisdom Audio dealer immediately. Although your Wisdom Audio SA-3 delivers outstanding performance straight Warm up/break-in period out of the box, you should expect to hear it continue to improve as it reaches its normal operating temperatures and its various components “break in.” It has been our experience that the greatest changes occur within the first 25-50 hours, but that the SA-3 will continue to improve in sound quality for about 300 hours, after which time it remains quite constant. -
Page 6: Placement Considerations
Placement Considerations For your protection, review “Important Safety Instructions” and PRECAUTION “Operating Voltage” before you install your SA-3. Note that adequate clearance for the AC cord and connecting signal cables must be left behind your SA-3. We suggest leaving at least six inches (15 cm) of free space behind your SA-3 so all cables have sufficient room to bend without crimping or undue strain. If possible, the SA-3 should also be placed in such a way that the power switch on the rear panel is easily accessible. This switch disconnects power from the unit completely, resulting in effective disconnection of the SA-3 from the AC mains. You might think of this as a “vacation switch,” should you wish to turn off your system completely when you will be away from home for a prolonged period of time. Just remember to turn it back on again when you return. Your Wisdom Audio SA-3 has relatively modest ventilation requirements, thanks Ventilation to its remarkably efficient design. Typically, it becomes only modestly warm during normal operation. Still, please be certain to keep the vents on the sides of the amplifier clear of any obstruction. (The rack mount attachments have cor- responding vents.) Mechanical drawings are included in this manual to facilitate special installa- tions where necessary (see “Dimensions” at the end of this manual). -
Page 7: Operating Voltage
Operating Voltage For compatibility with existing household outlets, a standard three prong, 20 ampere plug is provided on the removable, IEC-standard AC mains cable. The Wisdom Audio SA-3 may be set for 100V, 120V, or 230V/240V AC mains operation. Outside the United States, and depending on local electrical codes and regulations, the AC mains cord may need to be replaced with one that con- forms to local plug/outlet standards. Note that the AC receptacle employs a 20-amp IEC-standard socket (not the more common 15-amp IEC socket). The operating voltage of the SA-3 may not be changed by the user. Your ampli- fier has been preset at the factory for the voltage of the country for which it was built. If you move to a country with a different AC mains voltage, please contact your local Wisdom Audio distributor or Wisdom Audio for assistance. Caution! Always make certain the SA-3 is set to the correct voltage before connecting it to AC mains power! Failure to do so can severely damage the unit and void the warranty. This power amplifier has an extremely large power supply, and consequently includes a special protection circuit that protects your AC mains circuit from ex- cessive in-rush currents when power is applied to the unit. Caution! Please allow thirty seconds between turning the unit On and Off, or toggling between Operate and Standby, to ensure that the in-rush protection circuit has an opportunity to reset itself properly. Failure to observe this procedure may result in nuisance tripping of the AC mains supply’s circuit breaker. If this should happen, disconnect the amplifier, reset the AC mains supply’s circuit breaker, and wait for two minutes before re- connecting the amplifier to the AC mains. -
Page 8: Special Design Features
You might think that you have done so in the past. After all, you connected your receiver or amplifier directly to the loudspeaker cabinet, using high quality wire. But in almost all cases, that connection led to a passive crossover network within the speaker cabinet, made up of resistors, capacitors and coils of wire called inductors. The passive crossover had the job of splitting up the signal to the woofer, midrange, and tweeter inside the cabinet. By design, it created a complex, reactive circuit between the amplifier and the drivers that actually make the music. The Wisdom Audio approach does not suffer from this compromise. The SC-1 is an active (not passive) crossover that divides the music signal while still at a pre- amplifier level. It can do so with far greater accuracy and consistency than pas- sive components in a speaker box, with their inevitable production tolerances. These separate signals are then routed to dedicated amplifiers which need work with only a portion of the audible range. In the case of the SA-3 amplifier chan- nels, they need handle only the bass; the midrange and treble are routed to a separate amplifier of your choosing that drives the planar magnetic panels. This approach is called “bi-amplification” since each speaker is actually using two channels of amplification. It provides several important benefits: • Greater excitement due to improved dynamics. Obviously, having two amplifiers allows you to use more power on a per- speaker basis, but this is about more than simply playing loudly. The moment-to-moment dynamic contrasts are vastly improved, thanks to the fact that the inefficient buffer that would have been the passive crossover is missing. The amplifiers are connected directly to their respective drivers, so every nuance in the signal is preserved. • Improved detail and intelligibility thanks to lower distortion. -
Page 9: High Efficiency
In fact, many Wisdom Audio systems take this multiple-amp-per-speaker idea even further. When you add one or more dedicated subwoofers that handle only the deepest bass, the system is “tri-amplified.” That is, you enjoy the bene- fits of having separate, dedicated amplifiers and drivers handling only the deep- est bass, then the rest of the bass, and then the midrange and high frequencies (on the planar magnetic drivers). The benefits of enormous power reserves are fairly obvious: freedom from any High Efficiency audible strain, greater dynamic impact, and the ability to hear music and movie soundtracks at their intended volume without worrying about whether the system can handle it. However, the traditional methods for achieving this required level of perfor- mance involve bulky, heavy designs that generate a great deal of heat. When you multiply the number of channels required for a modern home theater ap- plication times two (for bi-amplification), and add in one or more dedicated sub- woofers, suddenly you have need for smaller, more efficient amplifier designs. The system amplifiers used to drive the woofer sections of your Sage series loudspeakers from Wisdom Audio fit the bill nicely. While many contemporary amplifiers waste 50% or more of the power they pull from the wall as heat, your SA-3 amplifier runs at approximately 90% efficiency. As a result, more power is available for the loudspeaker, and less is wasted as heat in your room. The high efficiency of the SA-series design also means that the amplifiers can be placed in close proximity to each other, as in an equipment rack, without undue overheating. Of course, care must be taken to account for the heat generated by other components in the rack; but your Wisdom Audio amplifiers will not greatly contribute to the thermal management challenges of your system. People today want the best of everything. When it comes to their home en- Small-Box Compensation tertainment systems, they want high performance while having relatively low impact on the décor. This desire becomes even more important in a home the- ater situation, in which there might be six to ten speakers in the room. Having that many large, imposing loudspeakers in a room is simply not on most peo- ple’s wish list. The Sage system has been designed with this reality in mind. The enclosures are quite compact, which would normally limit the bass performance rather signifi- cantly. But thanks to the remarkably robust design of the woofers developed for the Sage system, we can compensate for the unusually small enclosures with the addition of extra power. -
Page 10: Front Panel
Front Panel Power Switch and Indicator The SA-3 features a sculpted front panel that conceals a switch under the flexible left end of the middle section. Gently pressing the left end of the center section will engage a microswitch under the face of the SA-3, which will in turn toggle the unit between operate and standby. The international symbol for power is inscribed in this location to designate its purpose. There are three normal states for the lit indicators • Lit amber LED on left side indicates the unit is receiving power and is in standby • Lit blue channel status indicators indicate the unit is receiving power and is fully on • If both the amber and blue LEDs are off, no power is being supplied to the amplifier Channel Status Indicators These three LEDs provide visual confirmation of the operational status of the three channels in your SA-3. Any fault condition that causes an individ- ual amplifier channel to shut down (for example, a short-circuited speaker wire) will result in the LED indicator for that channel blinking to notify you of a problem. If one or more indicators are blinking, turn off the amplifier and complete- ly disconnect the speaker wires for the offending channel. (The LEDs are arranged on the front as the channels are arranged on the back, as seen from the front.) Turn the amplifier back on and check the status indica- tor. If it is still blinking, there is likely an internal problem within the SA-3. - Page 11 If yours is a custom installation with wires that are run in the walls, you should probably call your Wisdom Audio dealer for assistance trouble- shooting the installation.
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Page 12: Rear Panel
CAUTION--RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK--DO NOT OPEN SA-3 System Amplifier INPUT INPUT INPUT ® Voltage set at factory for destination country ON/OFF O 100V, 50-60 Hz, @ < 20A O 120V, 50-60 Hz, @ < 20A Ch 3 Ch 2 Ch 1 O 200V, 50-60 Hz, @ <... - Page 13 Caution! NEVER connect a power amplifier’s output terminals to any device other than a loudspeaker. NEVER short-circuit the amplifier’s output terminals. NEVER connect the output terminals of one amplifier to the output terminals of another amplifier. Each channel of the SA-3 system amplifier has a single, patented Cardas speaker terminal for making the speaker wire connections. This system uses a single large knob to tighten down on both positive + and negative – connections at once, without any need for tools. The unique design of these binding posts allows the use of a strong, hard material for the threads that provide the pressure on the connection, while at the same time using optimal electrical connections (which require a softer metal). By separating the mechanical and the electrical systems within the connector, both can be properly optimized. There are two recommended methods for connecting speaker cables to your amplifier. Either a high-quality spade lug or hook lug, soldered to the cable (or crimped with extremely high pressure), is best. Connect the + (positive) output post of the amplifier to the + (positive) input terminal of the appropriate loudspeaker. Connect a – (negative or black) output post of the amplifier to the – (negative or black) input ter- minal of the appropriate loudspeaker. Take care to maintain this proper polarity throughout the system. Caution! DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN the binding posts on your amplifier! The unique design of these posts gives far more leverage than traditional posts. You will achieve tight, high contact pressure connections with only modest finger-tightening, and without having to resort to special tools. DC Trigger In and Out These 12v trigger jacks provide compatibility with a wide range of prod- ucts to facilitate remote turn-on and turn-off in systems. These ⁄ ” (3.5...
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Page 14: Remote Turn-On Tip Polarity
The remote trigger input will be operated by any positive-polarity DC signal between 3–20 volts (only a few milliamps are required), with tip po- larity as shown below: – Remote turn-on tip polarity Input Signal: 3-20 volts @ less than 10 mA Output Signal: 12 volts @ 100 mA The DC Trigger Input has priority over the front panel switch. Therefore, if a trigger voltage is present at this input connector, the unit will be forced on and the front panel switch will be ignored. When the voltage transi- tions from high to low (off), the unit will go into standby. When there is no voltage present at the trigger input (either because the controlling device is not sending, or because the plug is removed), the front panel switch will operate the SA-3 as you would expect. The 12v Trigger Output jack is driven to a “high” state of 12 volts a few seconds after the SA-3 is turned on, and can source as much as 100 mA of current at 12 volts. This signal may be used in turn to control other components, such as additional Wisdom Audio SA-series amplifiers. Each Wisdom Audio component has a short delay built into its DC trigger system to facilitate a staggered turn-on sequence. Your Wisdom Audio dealer can help you take advantage of these design features to maximize your system’s convenience and versatility. AC Mains Input & Switch A 20-ampere IEC standard power cord is used with the SA-3. A high qual- ity 20-ampere AC mains cord is included with the product, although the use of the standardized IEC receptacle means that you may easily substi- tute another high quality AC mains cord if you wish. Note due to the high current nature of the SA-3, it uses a 20-ampere IEC receptacle and cord, rather than the more common 15-ampere version, and it will not accept a 15-ampere cord. If you decide to use an after-market power cord, it must employ the compatible 20- ampere IEC connector. - Page 15 If you plan to be away for an extended period, or have any other reason to turn the SA-3 completely off, you may either unplug the SA-3 or you may use the AC mains switch Danger! Potentially dangerous voltages and current capabilities exist within your SA-3. Do not attempt to open any portion of the SA-3’s cabinet. There are no user-serviceable parts inside your SA-3. All service of this product must be referred to a qualified Wisdom Audio dealer or distributor. We recommend that care be taken to ensure that all AC plugs for the equipment in the system be wired so as to ensure proper AC polarity. Doing so will mini- mize noise in the system. In the U.S., a simply AC mains tester (found at any hardware store) can test to ensure that your electrical outlets are wired properly. Elsewhere in the world (for example, in European Union countries), the AC mains plugs themselves are not always polarized. Your dealer can test for the proper orientation of the plug in the outlet. In such a case, it is good practice to mark both plug and outlet to ensure that all products remain in the proper orientation should it become nec- essary to temporarily disconnect the system (as for example, during an electrical storm).
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Page 16: Care & Maintenance
Care & Maintenance To remove dust from the cabinet of your SA-3, use a feather duster or a lint-free soft cloth. To remove dirt and fingerprints, we recommend isopropyl alcohol and a soft cloth. Dampen the cloth with alcohol first and then lightly clean the surface of the SA-3 with the cloth. Do not use excessive amounts of alcohol that might drip off the cloth and into the SA-3. Caution! At no time should liquid cleaners be applied directly to the SA-3, as direct application of liquids may result in damage to electronic components within the unit. -
Page 17: North American Warranty
North American Warranty When purchased from and installed by an authorized Wisdom Audio dealer, Five Year Warranty Wisdom Audio electronic products are warranted to be free from defects in ® material and workmanship under normal use for a period of five years from the original date of purchase. During the warranty period, any Wisdom Audio component exhibiting defects in materials and/or workmanship will be repaired or replaced, at our option, without charge for either parts or labor, at our factory. The warranty will not apply to any Wisdom Audio component that has been misused, abused, altered, or installed and calibrated by anyone other than an authorized Wisdom Audio dealer. Any Wisdom Audio component not performing satisfactorily may be returned to the factory for evaluation. Return authorization must first be obtained by either calling or writing the factory prior to shipping the component. The factory will pay for return shipping charges only in the event that the component is found to be defective as mentioned above. There are other stipulations that may apply to shipping charges. There is no other express warranty on this component. Neither this warranty nor any other warranty, express or implied, including any implied warranties of mer- chantability or fitness, shall extend beyond the warranty period. No responsibil- ity is assumed for any incidental or consequential damages. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts and other states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. This warranty is applicable in North America only. Outside of North America, please contact your local, authorized Wisdom Audio distributor for warranty and service information. To register your warranty, please complete the form at the following address on the internet: http://www.wisdomaudio.com/registration/ Doing so will ensure that there will be no delays should you ever require war- ranty service. If accessing the internet is inconvenient, you can send a copy of... -
Page 18: Obtaining Service
Obtaining Service We take great pride in our dealers. Experience, dedication, and integrity make these professionals ideally suited to assist with our customers’ service needs. If your Wisdom Audio component must be serviced, please contact your dealer. Your dealer will then decide whether the problem can be remedied locally, or whether to contact Wisdom Audio for further service information or parts, or to obtain a Return Authorization. The Wisdom Audio Service Department works closely with your dealer to solve your service needs expediently. Important! Return authorization must be obtained from Wisdom Audio’s Service Department BEFORE a unit is shipped for service. It is extremely important that information about a problem be explicit and com- plete. A specific, comprehensive description of the problem helps your dealer and the Wisdom Audio Service Department locate and repair the problem as quickly as possible. A copy of the original bill of sale will serve to verify warranty status. Please in- clude it with the unit when it is brought in for warranty service. This step is not necessary if the warranty is registered at the time of purchase. (Another reason to register your purchase at http://www.wisdomaudio.com/registration/.) Warning! All returned units must be packaged in their original packaging, and the proper return authorization numbers must be marked on the outer carton for identification. Shipping the unit in improper packaging may void the warranty, as Wisdom Audio cannot be responsible for the resulting shipping damage. Your dealer can order a new set of shipping materials for you if you need to ship your component and no longer have the original materials. There will be a charge for this service. We strongly recommend saving all packing materials in case you need to ship your unit some day. If the packaging to protect the unit is, in our opinion or that of our dealer, inade- quate to protect the unit, we reserve the right to repackage it for return shipment at the owner’s expense. Neither Wisdom Audio nor your dealer can be respon- sible for shipping damage due to improper (that is, non-original) packaging. -
Page 19: Specifications
■ Thermal load: 7 BTU/minute or less ■ Mains voltage: 100V, 120V, or 230/240V determined by the needs of country for which the unit was manufactured; cannot be reset by dealer or user ■ Overall dimensions: See “Dimensions” ■ Shipping weight: 34 lbs. (15.4 kg) ■ Power consumption: 1870W (±5%) at full power, all channels driven 10W (±5%) at idle 2W (±5%) in standby For more information, see your Wisdom Audio dealer, or contact: Wisdom Audio 1572 College Parkway, Suite 164 Carson City, NV 89706 www.wisdomaudio.com information@wisdomaudio.com Ph: 775.887.8850 Fax: 775.887.8820... -
Page 20: Dimensions
Dimensions 17" (43.2 cm) ⁄ " ⁄ " (8.6 cm) (8.57 cm) ⁄ " (.95 cm) ⁄ " (39.4 cm) ⁄ " ⁄ " (3.2 cm) (3.2 cm) ⁄ " (42.9 cm) 13" ⁄ " (33 cm) (34.7 cm) ⁄ " (1.7 cm) 17" (43.2 cm) ⁄ " (34.7 cm) ⁄ " ⁄ " (8.6 cm) (8.57 cm) ⁄ "... -
Page 21: Notes
Notes... - Page 22 WISDOM and the stylized W are registered trademarks of Wisdom Audio. Wisdom Audio 1572 College Parkway, Suite 164 Carson City, Nevada 89706 USA Telephone: 775.887.8850 Fax: 775.887.8820 SA3OM-1.01 © 1/2009 Wisdom Audio, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
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