RPA16 Owner's Manual

10000 Watt Pro Rack Amplifier

Important Safety Instructions

To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not remove amplifier plate. No user serviceable parts inside. We recommend sending the unit to Rockville service center for any repairs.

• Do not expose this unit to any kind of moisture.

• Please ensure that the unit is situated in a properly ventilated area.

• Make sure cooling fan vents are free of obstructions.

• Replace fuse with one of the same type, size, and rating only.

• Do not attempt to operate this unit if the power cord has been frayed or broken.

• Do not attempt to break off or remove the ground prong. This prong is used to reduce the risk of electrical shock and fire in case of an internal short.

• Do not operate this unit if it is damaged.

• This unit is intended for indoor use only.

• During long periods of non-use, disconnect the unit from power source.

• Always mount this unit in a safe and stable manner.

• Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to the point of exit from the unit.

Features

1. Power On/Off Switch.
2. Channel A Signal Level Adjustment Knob: Controls the level of incoming signal. The actual voltage attenuation of the amplifier is shown in
decibels. Turn the knob counterclockwise if the Clip LED remains on for more than 5 seconds (indicating the input signal is too strong).
3. Channel A LEDs:
Clip - Indicates that the amplifier’s output is within 3dB of clipping. Occasional blinking is acceptable, but if it remains on for more than 5 seconds you should turn down the level controls or reduce the output level of the input source to avoid audible distortion.
Signal - Indicates that there is an input signal greater than 100mV.
Protect - Indicates that the output connection is shorted, the load impedance is too low, or there is an internal malfunction.
On - Indicates the power is turned on.
4. LCD screen displays signal level and temperature for each channel.
5. Channel B LEDs: See item 3 above.
6. Channel B Signal Level Adjustment Knob: See item 2 above.
7. Ventilation

1. Channel A /B XLR Link Out
2. Channel A /B XLR /¼˝ TRS/ TS combo inputs
3. Channel B Binding Post/Banana Plug outputs
4. Channel A /B Binding Post/Banana Plug bridged output
5. Channel A Binding Post/Banana Plug outputs
6. User serviceable fuse compartment (25A/250V)
7. Mode switch: stereo/parallel/bridged
8. Crossover switch: bypass/80Hz/160Hz
9. Built-in automatic variable-speed high-velocity cooling fan
10. Channel A /B Speakon outputs
11. AC 120V/50 – 60Hz power input

Setup

Rack Mounting

The RPA16 was designed for standard 19˝ rack mounting and requires 2U rack space. Use the included heavy-duty rack mount ears, 4 screws, and 4 washers for mounting to the front rack rail. Preferably, the side wall should be at least 2˝ from the sides of the amplifier and the back of the rack should be open. This will ensure a source of cool air to all sides. Be sure to support the rear of the amp, especially for mobile use where it will be subjected to strong vibrations. The RPA16 can also be “stack” mounted without a cabinet.

Configurations

Mode Switch

In STEREO mode the amplifier is fed a full-range signal and outputs a specific left and right signal. Each channel is fully independent and has a separate level control. Make sure the speakers’ impedance is no less than 4 ohms.

In PARALLEL mode the channels are connected internally. On the RPA16 Channel A is the dedicated input for use when in this mode. The signal input to Channel A will feed a mono signal to both channels. Each channel has a separate level control.

In BRIDGED mode, the amplfier operates as a one channel mono amp. The power from both channels is combined into one channel. As with parallel mode, the channels are connected internally and Channel A is the dedicated input. The signal input to Channel A will feed a mono signal to the positive binding post output terminals of each channel. The Channel B positive output is connected to the negative input of your speaker. The Channel A positive output is connected to the positive input of your speaker. This mode is primarily used when connecting subwoofers.

Crossover Switch

Set the switch to BYPASS when using full-range speakers.

Set the switch to SUB 80Hz or SUB 160Hz when using subwoofer(s). This will allow frequencies below 80Hz or 160Hz only.

Stereo

Signal from the passive mixer’s left main output to the Channel A (left) ¼˝ input and the signal from the mixer’s right main output to the Channel B (right) ¼˝ input.

Stereo signal from the Channel A (left) binding post outputs to the left passive speaker’s inputs and from the Channel B (right) binding post outputs to the right passive speaker’s inputs.

Warning: Total impedance of your speakers must not be less than 4 ohms.

Parallel (mono to speakers via speakon)

Signal from a passive mixer’s FX send output to the Channel A (left) ¼˝ input.

Warning: Total impedance of your speakers must not be less than 4 ohms.

Parallel (mono to speakers via binding posts)

Signal from a passive mixer’s FX send output to the Channel A (left) ¼˝ input.

Warning: Total impedance of your speakers must not be less than 4 ohms.

Parallel (mono to subwoofers)

Signal from a passive mixer’s FX send output to the Channel A (left) ¼˝ input.

Make sure the crossover switch is set to SUB 160Hz (allows for frequencies of 160Hz and below) or SUB 80Hz (allows for frequencies of 80Hz and below).

Warning: Total impedance of your speakers must not be less than 4 ohms.

Bridged (mono)

Signal from a passive mixer’s FX send output to the Channel A (left) ¼˝ input.

Make sure the crossover switch is set to SUB 160Hz (allows for frequencies of 160Hz and below) or SUB 80Hz (allows for frequencies of 80Hz and below).

Warning: Total impedance of your speakers must not be less than 4 ohms.

Link Out XLR

Diagram A

These setups allow you to use the amplifier’s XLR Link outputs to send the full-range signal from the main amp to a secondary amp (Diagram A) as shown below, directly to a powered sub (Diagram B), or to a pair of powered PA speakers (Diagram C).

Diagram B

Signal from the passive mixer’s left main output to the Channel A (left) ¼˝ input and the signal from the mixer’s right main output to the Channel B (right) ¼˝ input.

Stereo signal from the Channel A (left) binding post outputs to the left passive speaker’s inputs and from the Channel B (right) binding post outputs to the right passive speaker’s inputs.

Warning: Total impedance of your speakers must not be less than 4 ohms.

Diagram C

Signal from the passive mixer’s left main output to the Channel A (left) ¼˝ input and the signal from the mixer’s right main output to the Channel B (right) ¼˝ input.

Stereo signal from the Channel A (left) binding post outputs to the left passive speaker’s inputs and from the Channel B (right) binding post outputs to the right passive speaker’s inputs.

Signal from the Channel A (left) and Channel B (right) XLR Link outputs to two active speakers.

Warning: Total impedance of your speakers must not be less than 4 ohms.

Troubleshooting