RAM Audio Professional Power Amplifiers

Front Panel

The front panel provides access to the amplifier's primary controls and indicators. Key elements include:

• 1. Main Power Switch: A illuminated switch. Position 'I' connects the amplifier's current feed, while position 'O' disconnects the power.
• 2. Display: An extra-large 4.3" IPS display with a capacitive touch panel for monitoring and configuration.
• 3. Encoder: A rotary encoder used to navigate and control the display menus and parameters.
• 4. USB Connector: A USB port for firmware updates and direct DSP control.

Diagram Description (Figure 1): The front panel shows the main power switch (labeled 'POWER', with 'ON' and 'OFF' positions), a large display screen, an encoder knob labeled 'SEL/', and a USB connector labeled 'USB'. Various input/output indicators like 'ICL LIM', 'SIGNAL', 'MUTE OUT T' are also visible for channels 1 through 4.

Rear Panel

The rear panel houses all input, output, and power connections:

• 1. Signal Input: Female Neutrik® XLR connectors are provided for the amplifier's balanced or unbalanced signal input.
• 2. Speaker Connectors: Neutrik® Speakon connectors are used to connect the loudspeakers.
• 3. Ethernet Ports: Two Ethernet ports are available for daisy-chain connection of multiple units.
• 4. Dante Inputs: (Available only in Pi+Dante versions) These are digital inputs for Dante™ Networking, compatible with AES67 and DDM standards.
• Mains Power Cord: The connection for the amplifier to the mains power network. The color code for the mains connection is: Blue for Neutral, Brown for Live (single phase), and Yellow-green for Protective Earth.

Diagram Description (Figure 2): The rear panel features four Neutrik Speakon connectors labeled 'OUT CH-1/2' and 'OUT CH-3/4', indicating stereo or bridged outputs. It also shows multiple Neutrik XLR connectors labeled 'BAL INPUT' and 'UNBAL INPUT' for signal inputs, grouped as 'DSP INPUTS (Analog/AES3)' and 'Dante™'. Two Ethernet ports are labeled 'ETHERNET CONTROL 2' with 'LINK' indicators. The mains power input is also present.

Connections

Before connecting the amplifier to a mains socket (170-265V AC), ensure the Power switch is in the "Off" position. The mains power cord should be connected to a properly earthed socket. The color coding for the mains connection is: Blue (Neutral), Brown (Live, single phase), and Yellow-green (Protective Earth).

The amplifier accepts both balanced and unbalanced input signals. The wiring for an XLR connector is as follows:

• Balanced Signal: Pin 1 to Ground, Pin 2 to Signal + (hot), and Pin 3 to Signal - (cold).
• Unbalanced Signal: Pin 1 to Ground, Pin 2 to Signal, and Pin 3 to Ground.

Diagram Description (Balanced Wiring): Shows an XLR connector with Pin 1 connected to Ground, Pin 2 to Signal +, and Pin 3 to Signal -.

Diagram Description (Unbalanced Wiring): Shows an XLR connector with Pin 1 connected to Ground, Pin 2 to Signal, and Pin 3 connected to Ground.

Important Note: If an unbalanced signal is used and Pin 3 of the XLR connector is not connected to ground, a 6 dB signal loss will occur, resulting in only a quarter of the amplifier's rated power output.

Channel Modes

The amplifier can operate in two primary configurations: DUAL (Stereo) or BRIDGE mode. The connection methods differ for each mode.

DUAL Channel Mode

Diagram Description (Figure 3 - Dual Channel 2 Ch models): Illustrates a stereo configuration where two separate speaker lines are connected from the amplifier's Speakon outputs (likely CH1/2 and CH3/4) to two separate speakers. Signal inputs would be connected to the respective XLR inputs for each channel.

To configure for DUAL mode:

• Set the Amplifier Mode to "DUAL" via the display.
• Connect signal lines to the female XLR connectors for each channel.
• Connect speaker lines to the corresponding Speakon connectors, ensuring correct polarity.
• Use the level control knob on the front panel to adjust each channel's output level independently.

BRIDGE Channel Mode

Diagram Description (Figure 4 - Bridge Mode 2 Ch models): Shows a bridged configuration where a single speaker is connected to a combined output (e.g., OUT CH-1/2) using specific wiring (+1 and -2 pins on Speakon). A single signal input is connected to Channel A's XLR.

To configure for BRIDGE mode:

• Set the configuration mode to "BRIDGE" via the display.
• Connect the signal line to the female XLR connector of Channel "A" (or Channel "C" in 4-channel models).
• Connect the speaker line to the Channel A Speakon connector (or Channel "C" in 4-channel models), wired to pins +1 and -2. Pin +1 is positive.
• Use the Channel-A (or Channel "C") control knob to adjust the amplifier's output level.

WARNING: The '-' pins on the Speakon connector in BRIDGE mode do not have to be connected to Ground.

Diagram Description (Figure 3 - Dual Channel 4 Channel models): Shows a stereo configuration for a 4-channel amplifier, with two speakers connected to CH1/2 and two to CH3/4.

Diagram Description (Figure 4 - Bridge Mode 4 Channel models): Depicts a bridged configuration for a 4-channel amplifier, where two channels are bridged to drive two speakers. For example, CH1 and CH2 are bridged for one speaker, and CH3 and CH4 are bridged for another.

Diagram Description (Bridge + Dual Mode 3 Channels Mode): Illustrates a mixed configuration, possibly bridging two channels for one speaker and using the remaining two channels for separate speakers. The note specifies wiring to +1 and -2 for bridge mode.

Configuration

The amplifier's display allows users to configure various amplifier and DSP parameters, as well as monitor their status. The interface features six distinct screens:

1. Default Screen: Displays device name (user-assigned via RAM_OCS), lock status, input signal presence, system preset/mode/way names, channel output levels, mute/signal status, and current snapshot name.
2. Home Screen: Shows output signal status, mute buttons, channel output levels, ICL indicator (clip limiter status), LIM indicator (limiter compression level), temperature (T), system preset/mode/way/user ID names, and snapshot name. Includes an icon to return to the Default screen.
3. DSP Edit Screen: Allows selection of source input (analog/digital), system input, user-assigned input labels, user EQ settings, group values, and joining outputs. Includes selectors for System Preset, Mode EQ (M), and Output Way.
4. User Input Setting Screen: Displays user-assigned input labels, input level VU meters, and provides controls for input gain, delay, mute, and polarity.
5. User EQ Screen: Enables selection and configuration of EQ memory, including EQ ON/OFF, filter type, frequency, gain, and Q factor for up to 6 filters.
6. Amp Info & Screen Config: Shows operational time, serial number/model, hardware/firmware versions, backlight dimmer, auto-off timer, and auto-lock settings.
7. Snapshot Tab: Manages snapshots, allowing recall from library, saving current setup to library, and deleting snapshots.