Schiit Kraken 5 Channel Power Amplifier

Introduction

Welcome to Kraken, the first multichannel amplifier designed to audiophile standards. Kraken is comfortable with bombastic movie soundtracks and equally at home with music. Featuring five fully discrete, Class AB, current feedback amplifiers, backed by a heavy-duty linear power supply and intelligent protection, Kraken is designed to deliver amazing performance for years to come.

The following is required by government agencies and regulations. Please read these instructions before proceeding, follow all instructions, and heed all warnings.

1. If you are unfamiliar with installing audio devices, seek assistance from a qualified professional.
2. Never use this device near water. Clean only with a dry cloth.
3. Ensure adequate ventilation; do not block any ventilation openings or place near heat sources.
4. Use only the supplied power cord or a suitable replacement. Route cords away from traffic areas and protect them from being pinched. Unplug the cord from the outlet if the apparatus is unused for a long period.
5. To prevent electric shock, do not use the plug with an extension cord, receptacle, or outlet unless blades can be fully inserted.
6. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Service is required when the device has been damaged (including cord or plug damage), liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the device, the device has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

⚠️ WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS DEVICE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

Connection

The rear panel of the Kraken amplifier features several connection points:

• Speaker Outputs: Five sets of speaker binding posts, labeled 1 through 5, for connecting up to five speakers.
• RCA Inputs: Five RCA input jacks, each positioned directly below its corresponding speaker output, for connecting audio sources.
• Power Input: A standard AC power receptacle for connecting the supplied power cord.
• Forkbeard Port: A dedicated port for plugging in an optional Forkbeard module, providing instant power output and system health information.
• 12V Trigger Input: An input for a 12V trigger signal. When 12V is applied, the Kraken enters an active state after a 60-second delay; otherwise, it remains in standby.

Connection Steps:

1. Connect Speakers: Connect up to 5 speakers to the corresponding speaker outputs.
2. Connect Sources: Connect your audio sources to the RCA inputs, aligning each input with its intended speaker output.
3. Power Up: Connect the provided AC power cord to the amplifier and a wall socket.
4. Turn On: The power switch is located on the rear panel. The right position is ON, and the left position is OFF.

Operation

The front panel of the Kraken amplifier features a power button and status LEDs.

Standby Mode:

Press the front panel button to toggle Standby mode. When in Standby, the amplifier consumes only a few watts, saving power. You can leave the amplifier powered on continuously and place it in Standby when not in use.

Normal Operation & Status Indicators:

• When all front panel LEDs are lit, the amplifier is in normal operation.
• During initial power-on, the LEDs will "scan" back and forth, similar to a progress bar.
• When exiting Standby mode, each LED will illuminate in series, indicating the amplifier is coming back online.
• LEDs also indicate faults: any LED flashing signifies an over-current condition, while two LEDs flashing indicate an over-temperature condition.

*Kraken performs self-checks for approximately 30 seconds when first turned on. When exiting Standby mode, this process takes about 60 seconds.

Troubleshooting & FAQ

Flashing Lights:

If the amplifier's front lights flash during operation (and the amplifier mutes), or if they flash continuously after power-on, there may be a fault. There are three common types of faults:

1. Over-temperature: Two LEDs flash to indicate the affected heatsink. This means the heatsink is too hot, and the amplifier has shut down to protect itself. Turn the unit off, allow it to cool down, and try turning it on again. In very hot ambient environments (over 80°F / 27°C), an external fan may be needed to aid air circulation and prevent over-temperature faults.
2. Over-current: One or more LEDs flash to indicate the affected channel(s). This can occur if the amplifier is connected to very low-impedance speakers (3 ohms or lower) or if playing music at very high volumes. Turn the amplifier off and on again to clear this fault. Over-current can also result from shorted speaker cables. To troubleshoot, turn off the amplifier, disconnect the speaker cables from the amplifier, and turn it back on. If it powers on normally, inspect your speaker cables and connections for stray wires or shorts. Once corrected, reconnect the speakers and resume operation.
3. Standby: In Standby mode, all 5 LEDs will "breathe" (pulse softly on and off) to indicate the amplifier is waiting for a command. This is normal operation. Press the Standby button to take the amplifier out of Standby mode.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

• How do I "mono" this amplifier? You cannot. This is a single-ended amplifier with no provision to combine channels. Enjoy all 5 channels independently.
• What if I only want to run 2 or 3 channels? This is perfectly fine and will not cause any issues.
• Can I leave this amplifier on all the time? Yes. To save power, you can place it in Standby mode using the front panel switch when not in use.
• I have flashing lights, but the amplifier makes no sound. This indicates a fault. Refer to the "Flashing Lights" section above for diagnosis.
• I hear hum. Ensure you are using good, well-shielded RCA cables, especially if they are over 2 meters long.
• I hear a lot of hum. This might be a ground loop. Try an EbTech HumX or another ground loop remediation device.
• The amplifier keeps going into over-temperature protection. Ensure Kraken has adequate ventilation. If your room is very warm, consider adding an external fan for better air circulation.
• The amplifier keeps going into over-current protection. Check your speaker specifications; some "8 ohm" speakers can drop to 3 ohms or lower. Also, verify that your speaker cables are not shorted, as this will trigger protection.
• How do I get the Forkbeard module? Visit schiit.com/forkbeard for current information.

Warranty

Schiit Audio warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for five (5) years from the date of purchase to the original purchaser. If a defect covered by this warranty occurs during this period, Schiit Audio will repair the defective product free of charge. The date of purchase is based on customer receipts; otherwise, the date of manufacturing will be used.

If you believe you need warranty service, please contact Schiit Audio first. Products sent back without a Return Authorization (RA) will be returned without repair. To obtain an RA, email info@schiit.com.

Warranty Limitations:

This warranty does not apply if the product:

• (a) is modified or tampered with;
• (b) is damaged by negligence, accident, unreasonable use, or other causes unrelated to defective materials or workmanship; or
• (c) has had its serial number altered or removed.

Any implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are limited in duration to the 5-year warranty period. Schiit Audio shall not be liable for consequential or incidental damages resulting from the breach of any implied or expressed warranties. Some states do not allow these limitations, so they may not apply to you. You may also have other rights that vary by state or province.

In the Box

• (1) Kraken Amplifier
• (1) Power Cord
• (1) Forkbeard Module (if ordered)
• (Various) Stickers and other items
• Appreciation from the Schiit crew in San Antonio and Corpus Christi, TX.
• Thanks from the chassis and PCB teams in California, Nevada, and Utah.

This product is in compliance with standards and regulations of the European Community.

Visit schiit.com for more information.

Contact: info@schiit.com