Linn Twin Klimax Stereo Amplifier User Manual
Contents
1. Installation The compactness of the Klimax Twin makes it very easy to install and makes possible high power multi amplifier systems which would be impractical with conventionally designed amplifiers of similar power because of their size and weight The unique wall mount system can be used to minimise the intrusion of the audio system into the living space while providing good ventilation concealing the cabling and showing off the subtle beauty of the Klimax Heat The Klimax Twin is a very powerful amplifier Unfortunately despite the efficiency of the design it must still dissipate considerable power It has two methods of cooling natural convection and forced air convection Both require an ample supply of air for ventilation Natural air convection cooling operates for all normal listening conditions by the heated air rising vertically through the central heat exchanger Restricting the air flow by stacking the amplifiers or putting them in an enclosure may increase the operating temperature until the internal fan is switched on This should only operate when the amplifier is being worked enthusiastically or has restricted ventilation If the ventilation is very restricted the amplifier will shut down until its touchable surface has dropped to a Safe value This is to meet international safety regulations not to protect the circuitry which can operate reliably with the case very uncomfortably hot to touch 13 When operating2. the fan draws cool air in through the back of the amplifier and blows it along the heat exchanger until it exits through the front top and bottom The amplifier is fully protected against over heating but this is only for protection and should never operate in normal use whatever your normal use is If you only ever listen at moderate level you may never notice the temperature rise above idling The high thermal mass of the case absorbs short periods of high power input with a slow and low temperature rise and the natural convection through the heat exchanger transfers this to the air However the last thing you want is for your audio system to shut down if you are having a party So always ensure the installation provides plenty of ventilation 14 The Klimax Twin has an automatic internal mains voltage switch This allows it to operate from 90 Vac to 260 Vac With a mains supply below 140 Vac two seconds after switching on the amplifier the power supply switches to low range with a just audible click and remains there as long as power is applied For all normal music or AV system operation the actual average output power of the Klimax Twin is much less than its maximum rated power For example a reasonable listening level needs an average output of about 1 Watt A very enthusiastic listening level would average about 40 Watts output per channel With most loudspeakers this would give an SPL of between 100dBA and 110dBA which is qu
3. Some assorted facts Inside the Klimax The audio circuitry Output current and protection 4 Installation Heat Mains supply Signal sensing Inputs and Outputs 5 Operation 6 Specifications 7 Guarantee and service 8 Index vo N OU A 13 13 15 17 18 19 20 22 24 1 Introduction Thank you for buying the Klimax Twin the second member of the Klimax amplifier family and the best amplifiers we make Like the Klimax Solo the Klimax Twin uses the latest technology and exemplifies our constant endeavour to make ever better sounding products We are confident that the compact elegant design and the exceptional accurate performance of the Klimax Twin will give you many years of pleasure If you wish to know more about this special product read on If you just want to use it now go to the operation section The Klimax Twin is atwo channel power amplifier designed for use in multi amplifier and multi channel audio and audio video systems The case is precision machined from two solid sections of aluminium alloy The machining is done on a computer controlled multi axis machining centre with the final cut on the top face made by a Swiss SIP vertical jig borer the stability and accuracy of which is unequalled This compact but massive case protects and stabilises the internal electronics and forms the heat exchanger to dissipate the power from the amplifier circuitry Inside the case are two circuit boar
4. cannot draw any more The sea Current draw is the result of the voltage applied an amplifier protects itself by current limiting it will drop its output voltage if too much current is emanded This is a bad thing for an audio amplifier but not uncommon If the current limiting never perates under real conditions it is both a harmless and a good way to protect an audio amplifier The roblem can then be to know if the protection ever triggers or not This nagging doubt though often ill ounded has resulted in some concern and boasts about amplifier output current 11 The Klimax Twin like all Linn amplifiers is specified into a4 Ohm load We don t do this to claim a bigger output power but to show that our amplifiers are intended and fully specified for operation into 4 Ohm loudspeakers Most Linn loudspeakers have nominally 4 Ohms input impedance The Klimax Twin has a simple decision making protection circuit Either the output current is safe or it s not in which case the amplifier is shut down instantly for a few seconds An unsafe output current is defined as a level of current above a threshold for a length of time or an instantaneous current above an absolute threshold If neither of these conditions are violated the amplifier is delivering all the current requested by the load It s very easy to tell when our protection circuitry triggers the amplifier stops SECTION X X m MOMEMDER CUTE LESAGE 12 eurem 4
5. of air though the ventilation openings Heat Site the appliance away from heat sources such as radiators heaters stoves or other appliances including amplifiers that produce heat Power sources Connect the appliances to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or marked on the appliance Grounding or polarisation Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarised or grounding type plug A polarised plug has two blades with one wider than the other A grounding type plugs has two blades and a third grounding prong The wide blade or the third prong is provided for your safety When the provided plug does not fit into your outlet consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet Power card protection Route power cords so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them paying particular attention to cords at plugs power sockets and at the point where they exit from the appliance Protective attachment plug As a safety feature the product is equipped with an attachment plug containing overload protection See the instruction manual about resetting or replacing the plug Should the plug need replacing ensure that a replacement is used which has the same overload protection as the original Cleaning The product should be cleaned only as recommended by the manufacturer Power lines An outdoor antenna should be located away from power lines Outdoor antenna groun
6. Input level for clipping Balanced Unalanced Single ended Signal sensing threshold Output connectors Standard Optional Output power Load tolerance Harmonic distortion Frequency response Peak output voltage 7K80hms 7K8ohms 2vrms 4v rms 1 67 Vrms gt 150uV Neutrik Binding posts 230W rms into 4ohms 100W rms into 8ohms Unconditionally stable into all loudspeaker loads gt 0 02 7Hz to 35KHZ 3dB 46V Options and accessories Wall mount system Active crossover system Binding post output terminals 21 7 Guarantee and service This product is guaranteed under the conditions which apply in the country of purchase and your statutory rights are not limited To help us please ask your retailer about the Linn warranty scheme in operation in your country In parts of Europe America and some other markets extended warranty may be offered to customers who register their purchase with Linn A Registration Card can be obtained from your retailer and should be stamped by him This will also enable you to receive the Linn News and details of music available from Linn Records Warning Refer all enquiries to authorised retailers only Unauthorised servicing or dismantling of the product invalidates the manufacturers warranty For full warranty details please refer to the card enclosed If you are in any doubt please contact your nearest Linn retailer For information on your nearest retailer conta
7. LINN Linn Twin Klimax Dual Speaker Power Amplifier Important safety information Explanation of symbols used in this manual and on the product This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of insulated dangerous voltages within the enclosure of sufficient magnitude to cause electric shock IN This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important maintenance and servicing information in the instruction and service manuals Caution To reduce the risk of electric shock do not remove the cover No user serviceable parts inside Refer servicing to qualified service personnel Warning Shock hazard do not open Avis Risque de choc electrique Ne pas ouvrir Caution Replace fuse with same type and rating Attention Utiliser un fusible de rechange de m me type Disconnect supply cord before changing fuse Attention Debrancher avant de remplacer le fusible Warning To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture Mainsplugs This appliance is supplied with a non rewireable mains plug for the intended country Replacement mains leads can be obtained from your Linn retailer Should you need to change the plug please dispose of it carefully A plug with bared conductors is dangerous if engaged in a live socket The Brown wire must be connected to the Live Line supply pin The Blue wire must be connected to the Neutral supply pin The Green
8. Twin is also available with high quality binding post connections 18 5 Operation This is the easiest bit The blue light will be dim when power is first applied then remain dimmed with the Klimax Twin in standby mode When a signal is detected the light brightens up as the amplifier is enabled If the amplifier needs to protect itself it will shut down entirely for a few seconds and dim the light There is no half way current limiting the amplifier can either do what is required of it or it will shut down entirely The amplifier will revert to standby 10 minutes after the input signal is removed To operate the Klimax Twin select a source on your preamp wait a couple of seconds for the Klimax Twin to power up then sit back and enjoy it l 2 We wish you many happ years of listening pleasure 6 Specifications General Dimensions V350mm W x 355mm L x 60mm H 13 8 w x 13 9 L x 2 3 H Weight 9Kg 19 84 Ibs Protection Fuse rating Mains input range Maximum input power typical operating input power Standby power Amplifier specification T6 3A 90Vac 126VAc 200VAc 253VAc 50 60Hz 1000W 39W 18W Input connectors Unbalanced switch position in Balanced switch position out Pin connections Phono XLR Gain Single ended Balanced WBTphono socket XLR socket Inner Hot Outer Cold Pin 1 OV Pin 2 Hot Pin 3 Cold 28 6dB 22 6dB 20 Input impedance Single ended Balanced
9. Yellow wire must be connected to the Earth Ground supply pin Please contact your retailer or a competent electrician if you are in any doubt General safety instructions 1 2 3 4 5 6a 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Read instructions Read the safety and operating instructions before operating the appliance Retain instructions Retain the safety and operating instructions for future reference Heed warnings Observe all warnings on the appliance and in the operating instructions Follow instructions Follow all operating and use instructions Water and moisture Do not use the appliance near water for example near a bathtub washbowIl kitchen sink laundry tub in a wet basement or near a swimming pool and the like Carts and stands Use only with a cart or stand that is recommended by the manufacturer An appliance and cart combination should be used with care Quick stops excessive force and uneven surfaces may cause the appliance and cart combination to overturn Wall or ceiling mounting Mount to a wall or ceiling only as recommended by the manufacturer Ventilation Site the appliance so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper ventilation For example the appliance should not be situated on a bed sofa rug or similar surface that may block the ventilation openings or placed in a built in installation such as a bookcase or cabinet that may impede the flow
10. ards Standard number Date of issue Test type EN60065 1993 General requirements Marking lonizing Heating under normal conditions Shock hazards under normal operating conditions Insulation requirements Fault conditions Mechanical strength Parts connected to the mains supply Components Terminal devices External flexible cords Electrical connections and mechanical fixings The conformity of the designated product with the provisions of Directive number 89 336 EEC EMC is proved by full compliance with the following standards Standard number Date of issue Test type EN55013 1994 Conducted emissions EN55013 1994 Absorbed emissions EN60555 2 1987 Harmonics EN60555 3 1987 Voltage fluctuations EN55020 1987 Immunity FCC Notice Note 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 radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions may cause harmful interference to radio communications However there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on the user is encouraged to tr
11. ct Linn in Scotland your national distributor or visit the Linn Web Site Important 1 Please keep a copy of the sales receipt to establish the purchase date of the product 2 Please ensure that your equipment is insured by you during any transit or shipment for repair 22 Refer to the Linn Web Site for news product listings and prices system building guidelines and information on the type of outlets near you who can supply local warranty terms of trading price and sales tax information or call a Linn helpline for the information you need Our address is LINN Products Limited Floors Road Glasgow Scotland T 44 0 141 307 7777 F 44 0 141 644 4262 UK Helpline 0500 888909 E helpline linn co uk Internet http www linn co uk America LINN Incorporated 8787 Perimeter Park Boulevard Jacksonville Florida FL32216 USA T 904 645 5242 F 904 645 7275 Helpline 888 671 LINN E helpline linninc com Internet http wwwinninc com Germany LINN Deutschland GmbH Albert Einstein ring 19 22761 Hamburg Germany T 49 40 890 6600 F 49 40 890 66029 E info linn deutschland com Website www linn co uk 23 8 Index A Acknowledgements Assorted facts Audio circuitry C Copyright Current limiting D Dimensions F Fuse replacement G Gain General description General safety instructions Guarantee H Heat How the Klimax works l Input connectors Input impedance Input level for clipping Inputs Insid
12. ding If an outdoor antenna is connected to the tuner receiver ensure that the antenna system is grounded to provide some protection against voltage surges and static build up In the USA see article 810 of the National Electrical Code ANSI NFPA 70 concerning installation requirements Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time Objects and liquid entry Take care not to let objects or liquids fall into the product Damage requiring service The product should be serviced by qualified personnel if The power cord or plug has been damaged Objects or liquid have fallen into the product The product has been exposed to rain The product does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in operation e The product has been dropped or the enclosure damaged Servicing Don t attempt to service the product beyond that described in the operating instructions All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel a b c d UK Users please read this important safety information Fuse replacement This appliance is fitted with a non rewireable 13 Amp mains plug The plug contains a 5 Amp fuse If the fuse has blown it can be replaced as follows a Pull out the red fuse cover carrier b Remove and dispose of the blown fuse c Fit anew 5 Amp BS1362 approved fuse into the carrier and push the carrier back into the plug Always ensure the fuse cover is fitted If
13. ds one on each side of the central heat exchanger One circuit board constitutes the power supply the other the audio circuitry The compact form of the Klimax case reflects our intention to keep the audio signal path as short and simple as possible This applies as much to a turntable pickup arm as it does to a power amplifier Applying this rule rigorously results in high density circuitry which generates and receives the absolute minimum level of electrical noise All our previous power amplifiers have been as compact as the available technology permitted but in the Klimax Solo we took a significant step forward with the new power supply that makes 3 How does the Klimax work In most power amplifiers the power supply comprises a large transformer a rectifier and reservoir capacitors often as large as the transformer The highest performance amplifiers also have voltage regulators which maintain the power supplied to the amplifier circuitry constant regardless of the input voltage or the output load The bulk of these components dominates the size of the amplifier and the tightness of the audio path and if voltage regulators are present the power dissipation of the amplifier increases by up to 50 requiring a bigger heat exchanger This conventional type of power supply is simple reliable tolerant of overload and predictable On the down side it is very bulky heavy slow to respond inefficient causes high mains power distortio
14. e the Klimax Installation Introduction 20 20 ji 22 24 M Mains plug replacement Mains plugs Mains supply O Operation Options and accessories Output connectors Output current Output power Outputs P Part number Peak output voltage Protection S Safety information Signal sensing Specifications Switch mode Symbols T Technical support W Weight 11 20 23 20
15. eeded by the electronic circuitry and provides a safety isolation barrier from the mains supply The size of a transformer reduces as its operating frequency increases so a transformer opel ing at say 60 000 cycles per second is far smaller than one operating at waveform back to dc ready for the electronic circuitry to use By controlling the timing of e output voltage can be he tant or varied as required without the need for further he The first problem is that this is a lot more complicated than a mains transformer a few kilos of copper and iron a rectifier and some large capacitors A switch mode design optimised for minimum part count will still have many tens of parts most of which are quite delicate but still have to operate reliably in a very electrically hostile environment We have been designing and building switch mode supplies for our CD players tuners preamplifiers and multiroom components for several years and can now make them more reliable than the conventional transformers they replaced But this takes persistence thoroughness and a very consistent high quality manufacturing process The second problem which is what stops most manufacturers considering switch mode for audio is the potential high frequency electrical noise or more precisely preventing the high frequency signals becoming electrical noise The scale of the problem is quite daunting The high frequency signal applied to the N of
16. etween sensitivity to low level signals and immunity to noise However the residual hiss level from phono preamplifiers at moderate volume settings can be enough to trigger the signal sensor Mute the preamplifier or turn the volume down after use to prevent this happening If there is audible hum from the loudspeakers then you may have enough noise present to trigger the signal sensor Always try to eliminate the source of the hum as this is essential for a system to sound its best rt Br a3 om m C G gra FULLER i P oo i 2PLACES oa A PLACES 130 BOSS APLACH ee wees 25 6 10 6 OBROUND ROBUCED WEH RISO HUNDE CUTTER 14990 eee PE A a7 The Klimax Twin has both unbalanced and balanced inputs selected by a switch on the back panel Use the appropriate one to suit your choice of preamplifier and cabling The LED will indicate when the unbalanced inputs are selected Both signals are echoed out the unbalanced line out socket to enable daisy chaining of amplifiers This switch does not directly pass the audio signal but instead sends a control signal to distortionless solid state switches The standard output connectors are two Neutrik 4 contact speaker sockets They each have two hot and two cold connections making it easy to connect two speaker cables per connector The Neutrik part was chosen for its high quality and connection integrity compactness and international safety approvals The Klimax
17. giesto achieve our goals There have been many fine amplifier designs over the history of audio Some use valves tubes some use bipolar transistors some MOSFETs Some manufacturers swear by Class A others by Class AB one or two by Class D and many others are somewhere in between Two designs can use the same components but achieve completely different results We believe and have evidence to support that what you do with the parts and technology is always much more important than the name of the technology To illustrate this our current power amplifier range contains MOSFET monolithic discrete and bipolar designs Our latest monolithic designs sound better than our previous discrete bipolar designs Our _ latest bipolar designs have more power and sound better than our earlier monolithic and bipolar designs l 2 So what did we choose for the Klimax Twin ircuit topology The power output stage of the chip uses des the complex linearisation circuitry required for low To achieve the performance and power output we use three chips per channel and like the Klimax Solo the Klimax Twin is direct coupled with no capacitors in the signal path Combined with a slightly modified Klimax Solo power supply we have achieved as we know you will hear true audiophile performance TIDE A commonly asked question about a power amplifier concerns its maximum output current There is some good reason behind this ques
18. ite loud Very few loudspeaker drive units or crossovers can stand the maximum continuous output of the Klimax for more than a few seconds A tweeter can take it for a fraction of a second then vapourises All this means that l even though the on the laboratory bench measurements could show an input power of almost 1000 Watts stant tone Anbu and full rated power in operation the input power is never anywhere near this igh f fid elity music paving amples not an industrial servo motor drive amplifier en lay in a 230 V mains supply just to provide power to your Klimax is for the quality of mains supply rather than only for maximum ae effort consider mann the new wing operate at 200 V Japan or Fitting in separate mains wiring spurs for the sources and power amplifiers is not to isolate them from the mains distortion present in the rest of the house it s to reduce how much of the mains distortion from the power amplifiers gets into the other audio components in the system Linn switch mode powered components can actually help to improve the sound of all the other components in the system 16 Inthe absence of a music input signal the Klimax Twin revertsto a low power standby mode after 10 minutes The signal detector is very sensitive and waits about one second before powering up the amplifier to be certain the signal is real not just noise The detection threshold has been found over many installationsto be agood compromise b
19. n can cause electrical and acoustic noise and requires a relatively long and exposed audio path In the Klimax amplifiers we use a technology we have been developing and using in our low power products for several years called switch mode This concept is not new it has been used in computers since the 1960 s however applying it to audio has always been considered at best inappropriate The potential benefits of switch mode power supply technology are compactness high efficiency fast response good mains input tolerance good load tolerance low acoustic noise and with its low material use environmental friendliness The potential downsides are electrical noise high complexity and potentially lower reliability complex certification requirements design difficulty and high engineering cost These have kept switch mode out of most audio equipment In a switch mode power supply the incoming mains is filtered then rectified to generate a very high voltage dc direct current supply This is usually about 300 to 350 Volts dc which is far too high to operate audio circuitry directly and is still connected directly to the incoming mains supply Such a high voltage is very dangerous and is one reason why the Klimax case should never be opened by a customer or a non Linn Products employee This high voltage is chopped up by very fast semiconductor switches and applied to a small transformer which both transforms the voltage to the value n
20. the fuse cover is missing do not use the plug Contact your Linn retailer to obtain a replacement fuse cover Fuses are for fire protection and do not protect against electric shock Mains plug replacement Should your mains plug need replacing and you are competent to do this proceed as follows If you are in doubt contact your Linn retailer or a competent electrician a Disconnect the plug from the mains supply b Cut off the plug and dispose of it safely A plug with bared conductors is dangerous if engaged in a live socket c Only fit a 13 Amp BS1363A approved plug with a 5 Amp fuse d The cable wire colours or a letter will be marked at the connection points of most quality plugs Attach the wires securely to their respective points The Brown wire must go to the Live pin the Blue wire must go to the Neutral pin and the Green Yellow wire must go the Earth pin Before replacing the plug top ensure that the cable restraint is holding the outer sheath of the cable firmly and that the wires are correctly connected lt e Warning This appliance must be earthed CE Declaration of Conformity Linn Products Ltd declares that this product is in conformance with the Low Voltage Directive 73 23 EEC and Electromagnetic Compatibility 89 336 EEC as amended by 92 31 EEC and 93 68 EEC The conformity of the designated product with the provisions of Directive numbers 73 23 EEC LVD is proved by full compliance with the following stand
21. tion There is always some trade off between output power specmanship protection and cost in a power amplifier Output power specification into 8 Ohms can be increased simply by increasing the amplifier power supply rails slightly But what then happens with a 4 Ohm load Can the amplifier now supply the extra current a 4 Ohm load needs or will the power supplies collapse or will the amplifier need to protect itself Short circuit protection can be achieved simply but at the cost of accidental operation when the loudspeaker load is reactive almost always rather than purely resistive almost never Output current and ruggedness can be increased with the cost of paralleled output transistors but can the driver circuitry cope Hence the interest in output current However the implication that more is better is true only up to a very lt modest and calculable limit An electrical load be it a resistor capacitor inductor heater a loudspeaker or a hairdryer takes an amount of current dependent on the voltage applied to its terminals and its operating condition Although it is not always entirely obvious how much current a load will take with a non __ sinusoidal signal like music its maximum possible value is easy to calculate and to monitor in real operation If an amplifier can provide this amount of current into the specified load while keeping safe and stable and not suddenly dropping its output voltage it is enough The load
22. transformer if connected to an external antenna would obliterate radio reception for miles around please i l don t try this at home This must be controlled and reduced so that it not only meets international legal A regulations but it must also not cause any audible or measurable interference with anyofthea ei ER RT EEE circuitry This does not happen by accident but takes experience thorougftpteasen enginseringrand diligent quality control Only when all of this is achieved can the potential audio benefits of switch mode start to be revealed and exploited The transformer in the Klimax is less than 40mm 1 5 inches cube At 50 60 Hz it could deliver about 5 Watts In the Klimax it can deliver 1000 Watts The reservoir capacitors in the Klimax are about the size of athimble but give better filtering than onesthe size of abeer can used in other very powerful amplifiers The semiconductor switches turn on and off in about 20nS 20 one thousandth millionths of a second The overload protection for the switches can detect a potentially destructive condition and protect the switches in less than half a microsecond half of one millionth of a second We have patent protection for one of the innovative noise control techniques that are used Se Ls wA At Linn because we strive for continuous improvement in everything we do we use appropriate technolo
23. y to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures Adjust or relocate the receiving antenna Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected Consult the dealer or an experienced radio TV technician for help iv Copyright and acknowledgements Copyright Linn Products Limited Linn Products Limited Floors Road Waterfoot Glasgow G76 OEP Scotland United Kingdom All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic mechanical photocopying recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher Printed in the United Kingdom Klimax is a registered trademark of Linn Products Limited British Registered Design Application Number 2080160 British Patent Application Number 9900032 5 British Patent Application Number 9812138 7 The information in this manual is furnished for informational use only is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a commitment by Linn Products Limited Linn Products Limited assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this manual Part no PACK 632 Contents 1 Introduction 2 What is it 3 How does the Klimax work What is switch mode So what s the problem
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