Audio Control MODELP2260 Architect P Series 12 Channel User Manual

ARCHITECT

™

SERIES

12 and 16 CHANNEL MULTI-ZONE POWER AMPLIFIERS

with and without EQ

Models P2260, P2280 EQ, 2660, P2660, P2680 EQ

Installation Manual

Model P2680 EQ

Model P2260

Model P2660

Model 2660

Important Safety

Instructions

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with a dry cloth.

7. Do not block any ventilation openings. In-

stall in accordance with the manufacturer’s

instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such

as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or

other apparatus (including ampliers) that

produce heat.

9. Protect the power cord from being walked

on or pinched particularly at plugs, conve-

nience receptacles, and the point where

they exit from the apparatus.

10. Only use attachments/accessories speci-

ed by the manufacturer.

11. Unplug this apparatus during lightning

storms or when unused for long periods of

time.

12. Refer all servicing to qualied 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 appara-

tus has been exposed to rain or moisture,

does not operate normally, or has been

dropped.

13. This apparatus shall not be exposed to

dripping or splashing, and no object lled

with liquids, such as vases or glasses, shall

be placed on the apparatus.

The lightning ash with arrowhead

symbol within an equilateral triangle

is intended to alert the user to the

presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage”

within the product’s enclosure, that may be

of sucient magnitude to constitute a risk of

electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an

equilateral triangle is intended to alert

the user of the presence of import-

ant operating and maintenance (servicing)

instructions in the literature accompanying the

appliance.

Caution: to reduce the risk of electric shock,

do not remove the top cover. There are no

user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to

qualied personnel.

This equipment has been tested and found

to comply with the limits for a Class B digital

device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.

These limits are designed to provide reasonable

protection against harmful interference in a

residential installation.

This equipment generates, uses, and can radi-

ate radio frequency energy and, if not installed

and used in accordance with the instructions,

may cause harmful interference to radio com-

munications. However, there is no guarantee

that interference will not occur in a particular

installation.

If this equipment does cause harmful interfer-

ence to radio or television reception, which can

be determined by turning the equipment o

and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct

the interference by one or more of the follow-

ing measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equip-

ment and the receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on

a circuit dierent from that to which the

receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/

TV technician for help.

CAUTION: Changes or modications to this

device not expressly approved by AudioControl

Inc. could void the user’s authority to operate

the equipment under FCC rules.

Recycling notice: If the time comes

and this apparatus has fullled its

destiny, do not throw it out into the

trash. It has to be carefully recycled

for the good of mankind, by a facility specially

equipped for the safe recycling of electronic

apparatii. Please contact your local or state

recycling leaders for assistance in locating a

suitable nearby recycling facility. Or, contact us

and we might be able to repair it for you.

Important Safety Instructions

Installation Manual

Models P2260, P2280 EQ

2660, P2660, P2680 EQ

ARCHITECT

™

Table of Contents

Important Safety Instructions .......2

Introduction .......................4

Congratulations! ..................4

Features .........................5

Complimentary bullet points ........6

Quick View .......................7

Getting Started ....................8

An Important note about Triggering ..8

Home Installation .................9

Commercial Installation ............9

Front Panel Features ...............10

LED Function Table ................12

Ventilation .......................13

Rear Panel Features ................14

AC section ......................14

Bus A and B Sections ...............16

DIP Switch Function Table ..........17

Speaker Connections ...............19

Speaker and Wiring Impedance ......20

Troubleshooting ...................21

Block Diagrams ....................23

Specications ......................25

Service ............................30

The Warranty ......................31

Installation Notes .................33

Basic Cha Cha ......................36

Winner of the prestigious “Golden Zucchini” award at the Pacic Northwest

Ferret Wrestling Association’s annual gala and dinner-dance.

Flowery Marketing Introduction

When a whole-house audio system de-

mands high levels of audio performance,

but the physical installation space is

limited, the AudioControl Architect mod-

els are an ideal solution. Requiring only

two rack spaces, these 12 or 16 channel

power ampliers produce plenty of clean

high-quality power for your system. Ex-

tensive protection features prevent dam-

age to your loudspeakers.

Congratulations!

You are now installing a component which

will dramatically improve the performance

of any distributed audio system, especial-

ly those utilizing in-wall, in-ceiling, and

invisible speakers.

The Architect model 12 or 16 channel

power ampliers provide high levels of

power, pristine sound quality, exible

input switching, plus a number of installa-

tion-friendly features that makes them the

perfect product for performance oriented

audio systems. The EQ models provide a

versatile 5-band stereo EQ for each zone.

Introduction

These ampliers are American-designed

and built, “set and forget” components

which will provide a lifetime of trou-

ble-free service for your multi-room audio

system.

The Architect models are designed and

manufactured by AudioControl, the only

electronics company in the world that

specializes in ampliers, equalizers, signal

processors and audio analyzers. Our pas-

sion for high quality, meticulous attention

to detail, and pro sound heritage shows

itself in the dozens of awards we have won

for our designs, products, and service.

Now, as when we began, our greatest

satisfaction is our reputation for sonic

excellence and reliability among people

just like you throughout the world.

This manual is designed to help you get

the best out of this amplier. So, even

though you’re dying to see it in action,

please take a few minutes to slog through

our not-so-weighty prose and learn how

to get the most from your Architect power

amplier.

Installation Manual

Models P2260, P2280 EQ

2660, P2660, P2680 EQ

ARCHITECT

™

Features

Here are some of the features that make

the Architect models very unique prod-

ucts, unlike any other ampliers:

• Superior Sound Quality

Pristine sonics happens rst in all

AudioControl designs and is not

compromised by any other feature.

(You often get the feeling that sound

quality is an afterthought with prod-

ucts from other companies.)

• High Power Levels

There are 12 or 16 channels of 100

Watts each into 8 Ohms, or 200 Watts

into 4 Ohms. Each channel pair can

also be run in bridged mono at 400

Watts into 8 Ohms.

The Architect Model 2660 provides

16 channels of 65 Watts each into

8 Ohms, or 100 Watts into 4 Ohms.

Each channel pair can also be run

in bridged mono at 175 Watts into 8

Ohms.

Each high-eciency amplier is

discretely made from discrete com-

ponents.

• Bussable Digital and Analog Inputs

Each zone can select either Bus

A, Bus B, or a local input. The Bus

A S/PDIF digital input uses a high

resolution DAC that converts up

to 192 kHz. The digital source is

available to play in any zone. The Bus

B analog input uses a pair of RCA

connectors. The analog source is

available to play in any zone. A pair

of RCA connectors is also available as

a loop output, for example: to share

the source with another Architect

Model amplier. Each zone has its

own local pair of analog input con-

nectors.

• Unparalleled Energy Eciency

Whether from the point of view of

saving electricity, or from the view-

point of less heat in the rack, the Ar-

chitect model amplier has no equal.

It is VERY energy ecient during

operation, and equally impressive

during standby.

• LightDrive Anti-clipping

With durability in mind, AudioCon-

trol’s LightDrive anti-clipping pro-

tection defends the system against

clipping, distortion, damage, and

even teenage parties. The Architect

models feature the latest evolution of

LightDrive which adds a power-sup-

ply-tracking instantaneous dynamic

control to the smooth sound of the

traditional AudioControl LightDrive.

• Self Resetting Protection Features

Protection features are extensive and

include thermal, short circuit, clip-

ping, ultrasonic and DC oset among

others. If the fault is removed, the

Architect model resets.

• Pacic Northwest Heritage

Hard to believe, but we make this

product in the USA. We are very

proud of that fact. What is more im-

portant is the care we craft in at every

step, and the extensive knowledge

we have in all aspects of the product.

Plus, we back this up with a condi-

tional ve year warranty.

Complimentary bullet points

Features continued

• 12 or 16 channels of AudioControl am

plication

• EQ models are tted with a ve band

EQ for each zone

• EQ models are also supplied with a

magnetic face plate to hide the EQ con-

trols from the meddling ngers of evil

rodeo clowns who have wronged you

• Ecient power ampliers and power

supplies

• Power consumption is less than 0.5

Watts in standby

• Rack mountable 2U form factor

• Removable rack ears

• Light weight

• Stackable with other AudioControl

Architect and Director Matrix models

(maximum of four per stack)

• Signal sense independent for each zone

• Bus assignment independent for each

zone

• 40 Hz infrasonic lter independent for

each zone

• 12V Trigger independent for each zone,

usable with contact closure or 12V

external source

• 12V Master trigger

• BUS A S/PDIF input with premium

Wolfson digital to analog converter

• BUS B analog input pair with loop-

through outputs

Installation Manual

Models P2260, P2280 EQ

2660, P2660, P2680 EQ

ARCHITECT

™

Quick View

Front Panel

4. Zone Status LED

5. Zone Level LED Ladder**

6. Rack Mount Ears

Rear Panel

10. DIP Switches

1 Mono/Stereo

2 PFM 40 Hz

3 Local/Bus

4 Bus A/B

5 Signal Sense

11. 12V Local Trigger

12. Local Analog Inputs

13. Speaker Outputs

6 13121 4

72 3 5 8 910 11

1. AC Input

2. AC Fuse

3. AC Power Switch

4. Ground Isolation Switch

5. Disable Front Panel LED

Ladders**

6. Master Trigger

7. BUS A Digital Input

8. BUS B Analog Input and Loop

Output

9. Zone Level Control

1. 5-band Stereo EQ per Zone*

2. Power LED

3. Protection LED

* EQ models only

** Non-EQ models only

2 3 4 651

Model P2680 EQ

Getting Started

1. Turn o power to all com-

ponents before making any

connections.

2. When making connections, des-

ignate red RCA plugs as right, and

designate white, black, or grey plugs

as left. This is a good idea for all sig-

nal connections made in your audio

system. The key is consistency. Stick

with the same color coding and you’ll

reduce possible problems.

3. Whenever possible, keep power

cords away from signal cables to pre-

vent induced hum. This is especially

important if you bundle the cables to

keep the installation neat looking.

4. Use quality interconnect cables. We

know from experience that really

cheap cables can cause a multitude

of problems. They tend to break

inside or corrode, causing a loss of

signal or hum. They also have poor

shielding.

5. If you need to run the RCA audio

cables more than 20 feet, consider

using an active balanced line driver

for the signals. This will provide

better noise rejection against nasty

things like hum, spikes, local talk

radio, and metaphysical paranormal

phenomena, etc. The AudioControl

balanced line driver components

(BLD-10, BLR-10 and BLX-10) are an

excellent way to send audio over long

distances with standard Cat-5 wiring.

Check them out at audiocontrol.com.

6. If you are using the Bus A digital

input, and running higher resolution

sample rates (96 kHz - 192 kHz), use

high-quality interconnect cables.

Getting Started

Installation Examples

The next page shows two typical installa-

tions (Architect Model P2660 shown).

The rst example is a home installation

with four separate zones, each playing a

dierent local analog source. Two other

zones are playing the Bus B analog source,

and one is playing the Bus A digital source.

The second example is a bar or restaurant

installation where multiple speakers in the

main seating area are playing the Bus A

digital source, and separate room zones

are playing individual local analog sources.

The versatile DIP switches of each zone

allow the selection of the local inputs, BUS

A input, and BUS B input to play in that

zone.

An Important Note about Triggering

The Architect’s rear panel master trigger

connectors (two TS 1/8” and a 3-pin block)

are used to turn on the unit or place it into

standby mode.

If no trigger voltage is present at

any of these trigger inputs, then

the unit will be in standby, with all

zones muted. If you are not using master

triggering, then you must install a short

wire link from the 12V output pin to the

trigger input pin of the 3-pin connector.

To put the unit into

standby, remove the

link.

Wire Link

Installation Manual

Models P2260, P2280 EQ

2660, P2660, P2680 EQ

ARCHITECT

™

Installation Examples

Home Installation

Commercial Installation

Garage

Zone

Art Studio

Zone

Pool

Zone

Patio

Zone

Source

Inputs

Analog Source

Outputs

Digital Source

Output

Living

Room

Dining

Room

BUS A BUS B BUS B local local local local

Family

Room

Using Bus Inputs Using Local Inputs

Whole House

Audio System

Controller

Source Inputs

Background Music Source

(CD, DVD, MP3, or TV)

Source Units for Room Zones

CD Player Satellite

Music

Server

Analog Source Outputs

BUS A local local local local

Room Zones

Multiple Sources

Background Speakers

One Source Only

Whole House

Audio System

Controller

BUS A BUS A BUS A

Front Panel

Front Panel Features (non-EQ models)

1. Power LED – This dual color LED indi-

cates when the unit is in standby, on,

or o (see LED table on page 12).

Red: The unit is in standby mode

and is ready to be turned on

via 12V triggering

Blue: The unit is on

Green: Coee brewed

OFF: The unit is powered o

2. Protection LED – This red LED will

illuminate briey during turn on/o

phases, and if a fault is detected in any

amplier or the power supply (such

as overheating, over-current, or DC

oset). If a fault is detected, then the

unit will go into its protection mode to

prevent any damage to loudspeakers,

and to allow cooling.

3. Zone Status LED – This dual-color

LED indicates when the zone is in fault

mode, active, or in standby.

Red: The zone has detected a fault,

such as a DC oset or a load

short circuit.

Blue: The zone is active

OFF: The zone is in standby

4. Zone Level LEDs – These three LEDs

(on the non-EQ models) light from the

bottom to the top depending on the

zone’s output level (-33, -20, -10 dBFS).

These LEDs can be defeated by en-

gaging the rear panel switch “Disable

Front LED Ladders.”

5. Rack Mount Ears – The unit comes

supplied with removable rack mount

ears. These allow the unit to be rack

mounted in a standard 19” wide rack,

with a 2U height. Use standard rack

mount screws and washers to secure

the unit in a rack. The unit does not

have to be supported at the rear if the

rack is located in a xed location.

To remove the rack ears (making the

unit 17” wide), rst unplug the power

cord, and then locate and undo the

four screws securing each ear to the

side of the chassis, and remove the

ears. Replace the screws securely back

into the chassis. Do not remove any of

the other screws from the chassis or

top cover. There are hazardous voltag-

es inside the unit. Keep the rack ears in

a safe place.

1 2 3 54

Installation Manual

Models P2260, P2280 EQ

2660, P2660, P2680 EQ

ARCHITECT

™

Front Panel

Front Panel Features (EQ models)

6. EQ Controls – Each zone has a 5-Band

stereo EQ, with controls at 75 Hz,

250 Hz, 700 Hz, 2.5 kHz and 12 kHz.

Rotate the controls with a small at

screwdriver to boost (clockwise) or cut

(counter-clockwise) the output level

at these frequencies. At the center

detent position, there is no boost and

cut. Use the EQ controls wisely for the

good of mankind. Better yet, use one

of our audio measurement systems

such as the SA-4100i measurement

microphone to measure the audio

properties of each room and optimize

the system performance.

7. EQ Controls Cover Plate – Each Archi-

tect EQ model comes with a separate

front panel that hides the EQ controls.

This reduces the chance of evil rodeo

clowns mentioned previously from

adjusting the EQ settings. It also pres-

ents a cleaner and athletically-pleas-

ing front panel look. Oer the cover

plate up close to the front panel, say

the magic words (Walla-Walla-Wash-

ington) and the cover will snap into

1 2 3 56

Model P2680 EQ

place. The magnets are quite strong,

so be careful not to pinch your ngers

or trap your favorite tie between the

cover plate and the unit. Be careful not

to leave the cover plate close to any

magnetic media or anything liable to

be aected/wiped/damaged by the

strong magnetic elds. Holes in the

cover plate allow the LEDs to be seen.

Front Panel

LED Function Table

LED Color Description

Red The unit is in standby mode

Blue The unit is on

O The unit is powered o, or all the lights are o in your town

Red The unit has detected a fault and is in protect mode*

O The unit is operating normally, or it is powered o

ZONE LEDs Color Description

Blue -10 dBFS zone output level

Blue -20 dBFS zone output level

Blue -33 dBFS zone output level

Red

The zone has detected a fault, or a smooth-jazz saxophone

solo, and is in protect mode

Blue The zone is active

O The zone is in standby

*The protection LED also comes on for a short time during

power up or down

Installation Manual

Models P2260, P2280 EQ

2660, P2660, P2680 EQ

ARCHITECT

™

Front Panel

Ventilation

This may be as good a time as any to

have “the talk” about ventilation. The

Architect models feature cool-running

ecient switch mode power supplies

and Class D ampliers, and they are

equipped with thermally controlled

fans. They are still 12 or 16 channel

ampliers, and therefore require plen-

ty of good ventilation to properly cool.

Please be advised that no more

than 4 Architect models may be

stacked together. Any more than

that, then a rack space above and

below is required for adequate

ventilation.

Review the heat load specica-

tions and ensure that your rack

room meets these requirements.

If the amplier should overheat, a

thermal sensor will put it into standby

mode, allowing the heatsink to cool

down. Once the amplier has cooled

to a safe operating temperature,

the amplier will reactivate. If this

occurs often, identify the cause of the

problem and take corrective action, for

example:

Provide additional ventilation

Do not install in a sealed location

with limited or no airow

Install a fan in the rack

Make sure that the ampliers are not

overloaded with speaker impedances

below the recommended minimum

Check that there are no short circuits

in the speaker cables or speakers.

Note: Each zone will shut o inde-

pendently when a short circuit is

detected.

Ideal Spacing 1U rack space or more

above and below each pair

Model P2680 EQ

No more than four units can be stacked

without a rack space between them.

Allow 1U rack space or more above and

below each stack of four.

Model P2680 EQ

Rear Panel

Rear Panel Features

AC section

When rack-mounting the unit, make

sure that the power cord and the AC

power switch remain readily acces-

sible.

1. AC Input – Connect the supplied AC

power cord securely to this input. Plug

the other end into an AC mains outlet

of the correct voltage rating for your

unit. They are either 100 -120 VAC (50

– 60 Hz) or 220 – 240 VAC (50 – 60 Hz);

look at the check box to see how your

unit has been congured. The voltage

setting is not user-settable. This unit

is a class 1 device, do not defeat the

safety ground connection or use a

power cord that does not have the

safety ground pin.

2. AC Fuse – The main power supply fuse

may be checked or replaced. Make

sure that the power cord is unplugged

from the AC mains rst. Then use a

at-headed screwdriver to undo the

fuse carrier from the fuse holder.

Inspect the fuse and replace with the

exact same type indicated on the unit.

The use of any other type of fuse may

lead to an unsafe condition. If the fuse

blows again immediately, then unplug

the power cord and contact our ne

folks in customer service. Do not open

the unit, as there are no user-ser-

viceable parts inside, and dangerous

voltages exist.

3. AC Power Switch – This switch shuts

o the main AC power. Normally the

only time you need to turn this o is

if the system is going to be shut down

for an extended period of time. Use

the master trigger inputs to switch the

unit between standby and on.

Also turn the power switch o during

lightning storms, wind storms with

frequent power outages, or closer to

the time when the sun reaches the end

of its red giant phase and you suspect

it is about to go Supernova.

6 13 121 4

72 3 5 8 9 10 11

Installation Manual

Models P2260, P2280 EQ

2660, P2660, P2680 EQ

ARCHITECT

™

Rear Panel

4. Ground Isolation Switch – This switch

selects the level of isolation between

the audio signal ground and the AC

earth ground. In normal operation this

switch should be in the GND Ground

position. If there is trouble with an AC

ground hum, try the other two settings

for the best operation. For safety, the

chassis is always connected to the

earth ground regardless of the switch.

5. Disable Front Panel LED Ladders

(non-EQ models only) – The front

panel LED ladders show the out-

put levels of each zone. If this is a

distraction, or your pets keep getting

hypnotized, press this switch in to turn

o the LED ladders. This switch does

not aect the Power, Protection, or

Zone Status LEDs.

6. Master Trigger – The TS 1/8” connec-

tors and the 3-pin block connector are

used to turn on the unit or place it into

standby mode. Any one of these three

connections can be used as a trigger

input.

If no trigger voltage is present at any

of these trigger inputs, then the unit

will be in standby, with all zones mut-

ed. See the next page for important

details if you are not using the master

trigger.

LED indicator – This LED is blue when

the master trigger input is active, and

o when it is inactive.

3-pin connector – To remotely turn on

the unit, use either a contact closure

between the Trigger Input and the

+12V output, or an external +12V

trigger between the Trigger In and

GND terminals. The +12V output is

not designed to power other pieces of

equipment or jump start your car.

Pinout:

GND Ground

+12V Output

+12V Trigger Input

1/8” TS mono jacks – These are wired

in parallel to each other, and work in

conjunction with the 3-pin connector.

Either input can receive a +12V trigger

which will turn on the unit. This will

then allow the unused jack to output

+12V that can be used to turn-on a

second unit. If the 3-pin connector is

used to trigger the unit, then both of

the 1/8” jacks can be used to provide

output triggers to other units.

Pinout:

Tip = +12V Trigger Input

Sleev

e = Ground

Power Up Process: When a +3 to +12V

signal is sensed at the trigger input of

either of the 1/8” TS connectors, or the

3-pin connector, the rear panel master

trigger indicator LED will change from

o to blue. All the zones will be held in

standby for about 2 seconds until the

power supplies have fully charged and

performed their self-tests. During this

short process, the front panel Power

and Protection LEDs will be red. Once

this is complete, the Power LED will

turn blue and the Protection LED will

turn o.

Power Down Process: As soon as a 0V

signal is sensed at the master trigger

inputs, all zones will be muted and

placed in standby, and the rear panel

master trigger LED will change from

blue to o. The front panel Power LED

will remain on, as the main power

supplies will be still energized.

If the master trigger Inputs remain at 0V

for 2 seconds, the main power supplies

will shut o; the front panel Power LED

will change from blue to red. The Protec-

tion LED will ash red once during the

power-down process.

Rear Panel continued

The trigger input is biased towards

ground. This keeps the unit in standby

when nothing is connected.

If you are not using master trigger-

ing, then you must install a short

wire link from the +12V output

to the trigger input. To put the unit into

standby, remove the link.

To trigger ON with a contact closure:

Connect the contact closure between

+12V and Trigger Input

To trigger OFF with a contact closure:

Connect a 1 kΩ resistor between +12V

and Trigger Input

Connect the contact closure between

Trigger Input and GND

To use an external 12V trigger:

Connect the external ground to the

Architect model GND

Connect the external +12V output

voltage to the Architect model Trigger

Input

Bus A and B Sections

7. BUS A Input – This S/PDIF digital input

uses a standard RCA coaxial connec-

tor.

The digital signals are converted into

two analog channels by the unit’s ne

internal digital to analog converters.

The two audio channels are then avail-

able to any zone that has its DIP switch

4 set to Bus A (left), and switch 3 set to

Bus (right).

The Signal Present LED lights when-

ever a signal is present at the Bus A

input.

8. BUS B Input – This pair of standard

RCA coaxial connectors accepts

line-level analog audio signals from

source equipment such as CD players,

DVD players, and MP3 players etc. The

two audio channels are then available

to any zone that has DIP switch 4 set

to Bus B (right), and switch 3 set to Bus

(right).

Wire Link

6 13 121 4

72 3 5 8 9 10 11

Installation Manual

Models P2260, P2280 EQ

2660, P2660, P2680 EQ

ARCHITECT

™

Rear Panel continued

The loop outputs allow a copy of the

Bus B analog inputs to be sent out and

shared with other units. The loop outs

are directly wired internally to the Bus

B analog inputs, and will pass signals to

other units, even if the host unit is pow-

ered o.

The Signal Present LED lights whenever

a signal is present at the Bus B input.

Zone Section

(all details are the same for each zone)

9. Zone Level Control – This control sets

the output level for the zone, inde-

pendent of the levels of all the other

zones. Turn the controls with your

ngers to make the adjustments. You

may have to readjust the level if you

change the source to that zone, from

Bus A, Bus B, or Local.

10. DIP Switches – These ve switches

allow each zone to be set up individually:

DIP Switch Function Table

Switch Label Left (OFF) Right (ON)

1 Mono The zone is Stereo The zone is Mono

2 PFM 40 Hz The 40 Hz high pass

lter is o

The 40 Hz high pass lter

is on

3 Local/BUS The zone is using the

Local input

The zone is using the BUS

input selected by switch 4

4 BUS A/B The zone is using the

BUS A input (S/PDIF), if

switch 3 is set to BUS

The zone is using the BUS

B input (Analog), if switch

3 is set to BUS

5 Signal

Sense

Signal sense is o Signal sense is on

Switch 1. MONO: Left is Stereo, Right is

Mono, and the inputs are summed.

Switch 2. PFM 40 Hz – This is a high-pass

lter to reduce signal levels below 40

Hz that are not reproduced well by

small speakers. Left is o, Right is on.

Switch 3. LOCAL/BUS – Left selects the

Local input as the zone’s input, Right

selects the BUS Input, either A or B,

depending on the position of switch 4.

Switch 4. BUS A/BUS B Selector – This

switch is only active when switch 3 is

set to BUS (right). Left selects BUS

A (S/PDIF) as the zone’s input, Right

selects BUS B (Analog).

Switch 5. Signal Sense – This switch

controls whether the zone is always

active when the master 12V trigger is

active, or if the zone stays in standby

until a signal is sensed. If signal sense

is on (switch right) the zone will stay in

standby until an audio signal greater

than 5 mV is detected. The zone will

remain active whenever a signal is

present. After two minutes with no

signal detected, the zone will return to

standby.

11. 12V Local Trigger – This TS 1/8” con-

nector allows each zone to be individu-

ally turned on or put into standby.

The local 12V trigger takes priority

over the signal sense circuit. Whenever

a plug is inserted into the 12V trigger

input jack, signal sense is disabled in

that zone.

Note: The local 12V trigger can-

not activate a zone unless the

master trigger is also activated

or jumpered on.

Pinout:

Tip = Input

Sleev

e = Ground

Using a contact closure:

An open connection will set the zone

to active.

Shorting the tip to the sleeve will set

the zone to standby.

Using a 12V trigger source:

Connect the source ground to the

sleeve.

Connect the source output to the tip.

A voltage of +3V to +12V will set the

zone to active; 0V will set the zone to

standby.

Almost Done With The Rear Panel

Zone Active LED – This LED will turn

blue whenever the zone is active. The

LED will be o whenever the zone is in

standby.

12. Local Inputs – These are line-level

analog RCA stereo inputs. These local

inputs may be selected to play in this

zone by setting DIP switch 3 to the left.

Local Inputs may not be bussed to

other zones. For Matrix bussing capa-

bility (and a plethora of other really

cool features) please see our Director

Matrix models.

6 13 121 4

72 3 5 8 9 10 11

Installation Manual

Models P2260, P2280 EQ

2660, P2660, P2680 EQ

ARCHITECT

™

Almost Done With The Rear Panel

13. Speaker Outputs – This 4-pin con-

nector allows easy connection of two

speakers for stereo operation, or one

speaker for bridged mono operation.

Stereo Speaker Connection:

Set the zone’s Dip switch 1 to the left

(stereo). Note the polarity markings.

The speaker impedance should

be 4 Ohms minimum in stereo

operation.

Bridged Mono Speaker Connection:

Set the zone’s Dip switch 1 to the right

(mono). Note the polarity markings. In

this mode, the input signals are com-

bined in mono, and the power from

both channels is combined to drive a

single speaker.

The speaker impedance should

be 8 Ohms minimum in bridged

mono operation.

To run two speakers in dual-mono,

connect them in the same way as

shown in the stereo speaker diagram

above.

Speaker Connections

Establish a standard connection color

code and stick with it. One conductor of

the speaker wire is normally marked by

a dierent color (silver versus copper) or

there is a ribbing on one side. Typically this

marked conductor is used for the positive

(+) speaker leads. Really good wire has

Positive and Negative printed right onto

the wire jacket.

Match the polarity markings on the

unit with the polarity markings on your

speakers.

See the next page for some handy

information about speaker and wiring

impedance.

Speaker and Wiring Impedance

Wire Gauge Run Length

25’ 50’ 100’ 250’ 500’

24 GA 1.3Ω 2.6Ω 5.1Ω 12.8Ω 25.7Ω

22 GA 0.8Ω 1.6Ω 3.24Ω 8.1Ω 16.0Ω

20 GA 0.5Ω 1.0Ω 2.0Ω 5.0Ω 10.1Ω

18 GA 0.3Ω 0.6Ω 1.28Ω 3.2Ω 6.4Ω

16 GA 0.2Ω 0.4Ω 0.8Ω 2.0Ω 4.0Ω

14 GA 0.1Ω 0.25Ω 0.5Ω 1.26Ω 2.5Ω

12 GA 0.08Ω 0.16Ω 0.32Ω 0.8Ω 1.6Ω

Speaker Wire Resistance:

Wire Gauge versus Run Length

have signicant dips from “nominal” val-

ues in portions of their frequency range,

and speakers that are rated at unusual

impedances, for example 3.5 Ohms. The

Architect model is tolerant of lower im-

pedance loads, however, all good designs

use some margin of error.

Your choice of speaker wire gauge and the

length of the runs, also aects the speaker

impedance load presented to the ampli-

ers. As you can see in this table, even fairly

short speaker runs can have signicant

resistance if you use a smaller wire gauge.

This can be a benet if you are paralleling

lots of speakers. The wire itself acts as

an impedance limiter, since the amplier

cannot see a speaker load lower than the

resistance of the wire. The downside of

this wire resistance is that you waste some

part of the total power available to the

speakers.

Speaker impedance often is and should

be straight forward. Speakers, like other

resistors, if wired in parallel “show” lower

values than the individual components.

Here are two examples for calculating

speakers wired in parallel:

Calculating Impedance

For three 8 Ohm speakers wired in

parallel (pluses connected to pluses)

the impedance is 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8 = 3/8

Then take the inverse or 8/3 = 2.66 Ω

For two 8 Ohm speakers wired in

parallel (pluses connected to pluses)

the impedance is 1/8 + 1/8 = 2/8

Then take the inverse or 8/2 = 4 Ω

Often the real world is more complicated

than theory, and for speakers this is the

case. An eight Ohm speaker is not eight

Ohms at all frequencies. Plus passive

crossover networks add their own chang-

ing conditions. Be aware of speakers that

Installation Manual

Models P2260, P2280 EQ

2660, P2660, P2680 EQ

ARCHITECT

™

Troubleshooting

Many problems can be eliminated by

re-checking the wiring and settings of the

unit. If a problem cannot be solved using

the guide below, please call the AudioCon-

trol team for further assistance, or e-mail

us at [email protected]

1. No Sound

a. Verify the Power LED is Blue.

b. Verify Protection LED is O.

c. Verify Zone Status LED is Blue.

d. If you are not using master trigger-

ing, check that there is a wire link

between the +12V pin and the Trig-

ger Input pin of the Master Trigger

3-pin connector block.

e. Verify the source unit is operating.

f. Check the speaker connector plugs

on the rear panel.

g Unplug the power cord and check

the AC Power Fuse on the rear

panel.

2. Protection LED is o, but none of

the Zone Status LEDs are on:

a. Defeat the signal-sense circuits

using the zone DIP switches on the

rear panel. All of the zone status

LEDs should turn on. If they do not,

call AudioControl’s customer ser-

vice.

b. Verify the source unit is operating.

c. Increase the preamp volume if sig-

nal sense is engaged, or just going

steady.

d. Adjust the rear panel zone gain

controls clockwise.

3. Channel Status LED is Red:

a. Check speaker leads for a short.

Swap speaker connectors on rear to

see if the problem moves with the

wires.

b. If the unit is excessively hot, turn

down the volume and allow it to

cool o. The protection LED should

turn o after a short while. Verify

that any ventilation holes have not

become blocked.

c. The speaker impedance may be too

low. Use an ohmeter to measure

the impedance on the speaker

wires.

4. Speaker channels are cutting in and

out:

a. If using external volume controls,

check that they can handle the

power output.

b. Make sure the speaker impedance

is not less than 4 Ohms, or 8 Ohms

when used in bridged mono.

c. There may be a short in the wires.

Suspect a short if the problem hap-

pens only at the highest volumes.

5. Protection LED is Red:

a. Disconnect power from the unit

for 3 to 4 minutes and reconnect to

power.

b. Disconnect all speaker wires. If

it still turns red, and the unit has

cooled, something rather serious

has happened inside the unit. Call

AudioControl’s lonely folks in cus-

tomer service.

Wire Link

Troubleshooting continued

6. Speaker Buzzing or Crackling at high

volume:

a. Reduce any preamplier/equalizer

low-frequency boost.

b. Turn o your chainsaw and ba-

con-frying “Sounds of the Pacic

Northwest” CD.

7. There is no audio input signal, but

the Zone Status LEDs are still blue:

a. Check the signal-sense switches

on the rear panel. If they are not

engaged, the zone status LEDs will

stay on as long as the master trig-

ger is enabled.

b. The zone status LEDs stays on for

2 minutes (depending on music

volume) after the audio signal has

stopped. This delay helps prevent

prematurely muting during quiet

passages or song changes.

8. The unit is on but you cannot trigger

it o

• The unit will stay on if either the

12v master trigger is on, or jum-

pered on.

9. Is an in-wall volume control rated at

100 Watts (continuous) adequate?

• Just barely is the simple answer.

Go for one with a higher rating if

you want a reliable long-lasting

system. Though most Architect

models are rated at 100 Watts, it is

a conservative number, and they

can put out more power if only a

few channels are driven. In contrast

to the conservative rating of the

Architect models, the wall volume

control may be rated using favor-

able assumptions. Also make sure

the volume control power rating is

continuous not peak. The contin-

uous rating is about one-third of

peak.

10. The Architect model looks like this:

a. It has been installed upside down.

b. You are trying a new Yoga position.

Installation Manual

Models P2260, P2280 EQ

2660, P2660, P2680 EQ

ARCHITECT

™

Block Diagram (non EQ models)

Block Diagrams

EVEN+

EVEN-

ODD-

Bus A

Inputs

(SPDIF)

Master

12V

Trigger

Local

12V

Trigger

Local

Inputs

Power

Supply

Mono/

Stereo

Zone Level

Loop

Outputs

Bus B

Inputs

(Analog)

DAC

LightDrive

Anti-Clipping

Signal

Sense

Level PFM

Subsonic

Zone Status

/Active

Signal Present

BUS A

BUS B

Signal Present

BUS A/B

Local

/BUS

Speaker

Outputs

Amplifiers

GND

+12V

ODD+

ProtectPower

Block Diagram EQ models

Simplied Block Diagram

Block Diagrams continued

In Out

Power

EVEN+

EVEN-

ODD-

Bus A

Inputs

(SPDIF)

Master

12V

Trigger

Local

12V

Trigger

Local

Inputs

Power

Supply

Mono/

Stereo

Zone Level

Loop

Outputs

Bus B

Inputs

(Analog)

DAC

LightDrive

Anti-Clipping

Signal

Sense

Level PFM

Subsonic

Zone Status

/Active

Signal Present

BUS A

BUS B

Signal Present

BUS A/B

Local

/BUS

Speaker

Outputs

Amplifiers

GND

+12V

ODD+

ProtectPower

Installation Manual

Models P2260, P2280 EQ

2660, P2660, P2680 EQ

ARCHITECT

™

Specications

Specications 2660

Output Power

Per Channel .............................................. 65 Watts @ 8 Ohm, 100 Watts @ 4 Ohm

Bridged Mono ........................................................................... 175 Watts @ 8 Ohm

Signal to Noise Ratio ........................................................... > 105 (A wtd, ref full output)

Crosstalk ............................................................................................... > 80 dB @ 1 kHz

Damping Factor ..................................................................................................... > 200

Gain ....................................................................................................................... 27 dB

Analog Input Sensitivity ....................................1 Vrms for full output, level at maximum

DAC Specications .......................................... 32 – 192 kHz sample rate, 16/24 bit depth

AC Power Requirements

Standby .................................................................................................... 0.4 Watts

Idle (main power on, all channels o) ......................................................... 27 Watts

All channels active ..................................................................................... 74 Watts

All channels 1/8th rated power .................................................................. 227 Watts

Full Power ............................................................................................... 1300 Watts

BTU/hr Output

Standby .................................................................................................. 1.4 BTU/hr

Idle (main power on, all channels o) ....................................................... 94 BTU/hr

All channels active ................................................................................. 252 BTU/hr

All channels 1/8th rated power ............................................................... 297 BTU/hr

Full Power (20A residential service limited) ............................................ 890 BTU/hr

Dimensions

Height ....................................................................................................... 3.5” (2U)

Width (ears on) ................................................................................................19.0”

Width (ears o) ................................................................................................ 17.0”

Depth .............................................................................................................. 15.5”

Weight ............................................................................................................ 16 lbs

Please note: Because of AudioControl’s bold and daring quest to push back the frontiers of

audio perfection, all specications are subject to change without notice, and at any time,

including (and not limited to) breaktime, lunchtime, and afternoon tea on the lawn.

Specications

Specications P2660

Output Power

Per Channel ............................................ 100 Watts @ 8 Ohm, 200 Watts @ 4 Ohm

Bridged Mono .......................................................................... 400 Watts @ 8 Ohm

Signal to Noise Ratio ........................................................... > 105 (A wtd, ref full output)

Crosstalk ............................................................................................... > 80 dB @ 1 kHz

Damping Factor ......................................................................................................> 300

Gain ....................................................................................................................... 30 dB

Analog Input Sensitivity ....................................1 Vrms for full output, level at maximum

DAC Specications .......................................... 32 – 192 kHz sample rate, 16/24 bit depth

AC Power Requirements

Standby .................................................................................................... 0.9 Watts

Idle (main power on, all channels o) ......................................................... 42 Watts

All channels active ..................................................................................... 90 Watts

All channels 1/8th rated power ..................................................................338 Watts

Full Power (20A residential service limited) ............................................ 2400 Watts

BTU/hr Output

Standby .................................................................................................. 3.1 BTU/hr

Idle (main power on, all channels o) ..................................................... 144 BTU/hr

All channels active ..................................................................................307 BTU/hr

All channels 1/8th rated power ............................................................... 415 BTU/hr

Full Power (20A residential service limited) .......................................... 2124 BTU/hr

Dimensions

Height ....................................................................................................... 3.5” (2U)

Width (ears on) ................................................................................................19.0”

Width (ears o) ................................................................................................ 17.0”

Depth .............................................................................................................. 15.5”

Weight ..........................................................................................................20.5lbs

Installation Manual

Models P2260, P2280 EQ

2660, P2660, P2680 EQ

ARCHITECT

™

Specications

Specications P2680 EQ