SF-16B 16-Channel Digital Amplifier

Warnings

WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.

CAUTION: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

ATTENTION RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE

English Instructions:

• Read these instructions.
• Keep these instructions.
• Heed all warnings.
• Follow all instructions.
• This product must be installed by qualified personnel.
• Do not open the cover—there are no user-serviceable parts inside.
• Do not use this apparatus near water.
• Clean only with dry cloth.
• Make sure there is enough space around the unit for cooling. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer'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 grounding-type plug. If the provided plug does not fit into an outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
• Before plugging the unit into a power socket, please make sure you have selected the correct voltage.
• Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where it exits from the apparatus.
• Use only attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
• Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
• Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

French Instructions:

• Lire toutes les directives avant de mettre l'appareil en opération.
• Conserver les directives de sécurité et d'utilisation pour future consultation.
• Tenir compte des avertissements.
• Suivre les directives.
• Ce produit doit être installé par un personnel qualifié.
• Afin d'éviter tout risque d'électrocution, ne pas retirer le capot ou la couvercle. Aucune des pièces intérieures n'est réparable par l'utilisateur. Pour toute réparation, s'adresser à un technician d'entretien qualifié.
• Ne pas utiliser cet appareil près de l'eau.
• Nettoyer seulement avec un chiffon sec.
• Assurez-vous que la circulation d'air autour de l'ampli est suffisante. Les ouvertures et fentes dans le chassis sont prévues pour la ventilations de l'appareil. Ces ouvertures ne doivent pas être bloquées. Installer conformément aux directives du manufacturier.
• L'appareil doit être situé loin de sources de chaleur telles que des radiateurs, des registres de chaleur, des fourneaux, ou d'autres appareils produisant de la chaleur.
• Ne pas modifier le dispositif de securité de la fiche ayant une broche de mise à la terre. S'il est impossible d'insérer la fiche dans la prise de courant, contacter un électricien pour remplacer la prise de courant.
• Avant de relier votre SF-16B à la tension secteur, assurez-vous qu'il est réglé sur la tension adéquate.
• Les cordons d'alimentation devraient être disposés de façon à ce qu'on ne puisse pas marcher dessus ou qu'ils soient susceptibles d'être coincés par des articles placés sur ou contre eux. Une attention particulière doit être portée aux fiches, prises de courant, et aux points où ils sortent de l'appareil.
• Utiliser seulement les attachements et accessoires recommandés par le manufacturier.
• Débrancher l'appareil de la prise d'alimentation pendant un orage électrique ou une absence d'utilisation prolongée.
• Confier tout entretien à un personnel de service qualifié.
• Un service d'entretien est nécessaire quand l'appareil ne fonctionne pas normalement en suivant les consignes d'utilisation, quand le cordon d'alimentation ou sa fiche sont endommagés, quand des objets sont tombés dans l'appareil, quand du liquide y a été renversé, ou quand l'appareil a été exposé à la pluie ou à l'eau.

Introduction

The SonaFlex SF-16B combines an innovative digital amplifier design with a rock solid linear power supply to yield musicality and power like no other amp in its class. It is the basic version of the SF-16M, a matrix amplifier with many other advanced features, but the basic version has all the musicality and headroom that makes the SonaFlex series popular with audiophiles. Built and designed in the U.S. with sound and video integrators in mind, the SF-16B offers simple path to high fidelity amplification for commercial and residential distributed audio applications with or without a matrix preamplifier.

Key Features

• 16 analog RCA inputs that can operate 1:1 (usually with a matrix preamp) or in bus mode (all outputs on inputs 1,2).
• Class-D amplification provides a conservatively rated 45 watts per channel (all channels driven) or 60 watts (8 channels driven) at 8 Ohms - stable to 4 Ohms.
• Linear power supply delivers the warmth and musicality of an analog amplifier, combined with the responsiveness and headroom required for dynamic music content.
• Power saving features include automute and a system trigger input so that power management devices can put the SF-16B in standby when not in use.

Carton Contents

• SF-16B 16-Channel Amplifier
• Power Cord
• DB-25 cable (see page 8)
• Rack ears (see page 22)
• User manual

Other Materials You May Need

• Speakers and cabling
• Audio sources
• RCA patch cables

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

• Confirm that nothing is missing from your shipping carton. Refer to Carton Contents above.
• Record the serial number (see rear panel) in the space provided inside the cover of this manual for easy reference.
• Activate your warranty and receive firmware update notifications by registering at www.audioauthority.com/register.
• Read this instruction manual to become familiar with the configurations and functions of this product.

BASIC SETUP TASKS

1. Thoroughly plan your system layout including wire runs, audio inputs and speaker locations.
2. Mount the SF-16B in an equipment rack; pull and label all audio and control cabling.
3. Connect audio sources to SF-16B input(s) and speakers to amplified outputs of the SF-16B.
4. Set Turn On Mode and Bus Mode and connect Trigger if desired.
5. Test all audio inputs at all speaker locations.

BACK PANEL DESCRIPTIONS

Figure 1: Diagram of the back panel of the SF-16B amplifier with labeled ports and features.

• A (DB25 AUDIO INPUT / AUDIO LOOP OUTPUT): Quick connect audio inputs and loop outputs via DB-25 connector. Ideal for connecting multiple SF-16B units to share inputs or for use with ADX and HLX matrix preamps.
• B (RCA Inputs): RCA audio inputs with gain adjustment per stereo pair. Input A functions as the Bus Input when Bus Input mode is selected.
• C (SPEAKER OUTPUTS): Stereo speaker-level Outputs.
• D (System Trigger In & Out): System Trigger In & Out (5V - 24V AC / DC). Trigger output can connect to additional SF-16B units or other equipment.
• E (Feature Switches): Feature switches 1 and 2. Switch 1 sets Trigger Mode or Always On mode. Switch 2 sets Bus Input for use with one source, or 1:1 Inputs for individual inputs per output (for matrix preamp use).
• F (DB-9 RS-232): DB-9 RS-232 port (details on page 8).
• G (Power Switch): Power switch.
• H (Fuse Compartment): Fuse compartment (details on page 10).
• I (Power Cord Input): Power cord input.

SF-16B CONNECTIONS - Speaker Outputs

Connect speakers to removable speaker terminals using appropriate gauge speaker wire. The SF-16B automatically shuts down any output experiencing a dead short until the condition is cleared, after which the output resumes without manual reset.

Figure 2: Parallel Speaker Wiring: Diagram showing two speakers (SPEAKER A, SPEAKER B) connected in parallel to a single SF-16B speaker output terminal (+ and -).

Speakers and Impedance

Each amplifier output of the SF-16B can support a 4 Ohm speaker load. For single speaker connections, any speaker with a 4-8 Ohm impedance rating is acceptable. Two 8 Ohm speakers can be connected in parallel to a single SF-16B output without performance loss. Do not connect multiple 6 Ohm or 4 Ohm speakers to one output, nor connect multiple speakers in series.

SF-16B CONNECTIONS - Audio Inputs

RCA Line Inputs

The SF-16B features 16 RCA audio inputs in stereo pairs. An alternative quick connect input is available via a DB-25 cable. When used with a matrix preamp, inputs correspond to like-numbered outputs, and the 1:1 Input setting should be used. For single source or switcher use, select Bus Input setting and connect to Input A (channels 1 and 2) only.

Figure 3: Stereo Source Connection: Diagram showing a stereo source connected to the L and R RCA inputs, with options for BUS or 1:1 input selection.

Audio Connections

1. Input from a single source or switcher: For installations with a single source for all SF-16B outputs, set Switch 2 to Bus Input and connect the source to Inputs 1 and 2.
2. Input from an Audio Authority audio matrix: For installations where the SF-16B acts as an amplifier for Audio Authority matrix preamplifiers like the ADX-0808, ADX-1616 (Figure 4), or the HLX with a 2278 audio output card (Figure 5).

In these configurations, the SF-16B receives audio from the ADX or HLX and passes it to the amplified outputs. The ADX/HLX handles matrix switching, volume control, equalization, tone, and balance.

One ADX-1616 supports two SF-16B amplifiers. The HLX platform can support up to twelve SF-16B amplifiers, one per audio output card.

Figure 4: ADX-1616 Connection: Diagram showing an ADX-1616 matrix preamp connected to multiple SF-16B amplifiers via DB-25 cables.

Figure 5: HLX Connection: Diagram showing an HLX system connected to multiple SF-16B amplifiers via DB-25 cables.

SF-16B CONNECTIONS - System Trigger, Serial Connection, Rack Mounting, and Power Fuse

System Trigger (5V-24V AC/DC)

The System Trigger input allows AV receivers or power management devices to put the SF-16B into standby when not in use, conserving energy.

To enable the System Trigger:

1. Make system trigger connections as illustrated in the diagrams.
2. Power the SF-16B, then power the triggering device.
3. Set System Trigger DIP switch to the UP (TRIGGER MODE) position.

Figure 6: System Trigger Connection: Diagram showing a Power Management Device connected to the System Trigger In/Out ports of the SF-16B.

Serial Connection

Firmware updates are performed via the serial port using a Windows PC firmware update utility. Serial connection pins are shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7: Serial Connection Pins: Diagram showing the pinout for a serial connection (GND, RX, TX).

SF-16B Rack Mounting

The SF-16B is designed for shelf or standard 19-inch equipment rack installation. For rack mounting, remove the feet and cover screws near the front panel. Use the cover screws to attach the supplied rack adapters, placing a spacer under each adapter. Secure the SF-16B to rack rails using supplied screws and appropriate chassis supports.

Figure 8: Rack Mounting: Diagram showing the SF-16B being mounted in a rack with adapters.

Changing the Power Fuse

Before changing a fuse, identify and correct the cause of the failure (excessive impedance load or wiring short). The fuse compartment contains two spare fuses. Access them by sliding out a compartment behind each fuse, as shown in Figure 9.

Instructions:

• Remove the power cord.
• Carefully remove the fuse cover using a flat blade screwdriver.
• Inspect both fuses to determine which one is blown.
• Replace the blown fuse with a spare or a fuse of the same value.
• Orient the fuse cover so the arrow points towards the correct voltage for your region.

Figure 9: Fuse Compartment: Diagram showing the fuse compartment, spare fuses, active fuses, and fuse cover removal instructions. It also shows voltage selector diagrams for 100-120V and 200-240V.

SF-16B Specifications

Limited Warranty

If this product fails due to defects in materials or workmanship within two years from the date of the original sale to the end-user, Audio Authority guarantees that we will repair or replace the defective product at no cost. Freight charges for the replacement unit will be paid by Audio Authority (Ground service only). A copy of the invoice from an Authorized Re-seller showing the item number, serial number, and date of purchase (proof-of-purchase) must be submitted with the defective unit to constitute a valid in-warranty claim.

Units that fail after the warranty period has expired may be returned to the factory for repair at a nominal charge, if not damaged beyond the point of repair. All freight charges for out-of-warranty returns for repair are the responsibility of the customer. Units returned for repair must have a Customer Return Authorization Number assigned by the factory.

This is a limited warranty and is not applicable for products which, in our opinion, have been damaged, altered, abused, misused, or improperly installed. Audio Authority makes no other warranties either expressed or implied, including limitation warranties as to merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Additionally, there are no allowances or credits available for service work or installation performed in the field by the end user.