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INSTALLATION & OPERATION GUIDE
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Systems Integration Amplifier
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B LENDING H IGH F IDELITY AND A RCHITECTURE
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CONGRATULATIONS! Thank you for purchasing the award winning Niles SI-1230, one of the most versatile and powerful multi-channel amplifiers ever offered. Like all Niles products, the SI-1230 is built to the highest standards of quality and reliability. With proper installation and operation, you'll enjoy years of trouble-free use. Niles manufactures the industry's most complete line of custom installation compo- nents and accessories for audio/video systems. For a free full-line catalog write: Ni
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INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION We call the SI-1230 a Systems Integration Amplifier because, for the first time, a power amplifier has been specifically designed to solve the problems of interfacing with dif- ferent brands and models of equipment, different acoustic environments in different rooms, and different kinds of applications: home theater, stereo, and background music. As you read this manual and become more familiar with the capabilities of the SI-1230 you’ll understand why its predeccesor,
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FEATURES AND BENEFITS FEATURES AND BENEFITS Real World Power The SI-1230 is a 12-channel amplifier that delivers a solid 30 watts per channel RMS into 8 ohms and 37 watts per channel RMS into 4 ohms. The massive Multi- Tap Toroid power transformer features six independent secondary transformers for each of the six amplifier modules. As a result, the SI-1230 delivers twenty percent more power than its predecessor, the SI-1200. This extraordinary power supply design provides the energy necessary t
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FEATURES AND BENEFITS Independent Level Controls Each channel has its own independent level control enabling you to adjust the volume settings for twelve different speaker locations. Each speaker can be adjusted for its location and who uses it! Turn-On Modes The SI-1230 features three turn-on modes: 1. Manual turn-on via the front panel switch, 2. Audio Sense and 3. External Voltage trigger. Audio Sense and External Voltage trigger modes enable allow you to configure the SI-1230 to interface w
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APPLICATIONS AND SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS APPLICATIONS AND SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 5 System Design Basics—Assigning Rooms 8 Adding More Than Two Surround to Zones. Sound Speakers 6 Advantages of using the SI-1230 in a Single 9 Creating a Low-Cost Second Zone Using Zone System a Dedicated Source 7 Using Level Controls as Limiters 10 Adding Preamps to Create More Listening Zones 7 Bridging Channels for Areas That Require More Volume and Power 11 Surround Sound in Two Rooms
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APPLICATIONS AND SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS A Single-Zone System allows only one source to be heard throughout the house at a given time. However, if the system is configured to be a Multi zone system it would offer the household more flexibility. In a two-zone system, the children could watch TV in surround sound while Mom and Dad read the paper and listen to music in the living room. CD PLAYER TAPE PLAYER VCR TV A Single-Zone System allows only one source to be heard throughout the RECEIVER
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APPLICATIONS AND SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS Using Level Controls as Limiters If your system is remote controlled, or if you think that some of the users like to play the stereo too loudly, you can choose to calibrate the system so that it is lim- ited to a volume level you assign. The SI-1230 allows you to set different volume levels for different rooms. Calibrate your system volume levels with the steps outlined below: 1. Lower all of the SI-1230 level controls to the minimum volume position
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APPLICATIONS AND SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS Using Mono For Smoother Coverage In a large or irregularly shaped room you will often discover that in a particular chair, all you can hear is one speaker. If the room’s speakers are connected to a stereo amplifier you hear only half the music. The solution would be to connect that room’s speakers to a monophonic amplifier. However, if you make one room mono with conventional systems, all of the other rooms in the system are mono as well. For the fi
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APPLICATIONS AND SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS Creating a Low-Cost Second Zone Using A Dedicated Source The biggest problem in a single zone system is that when the TV is in use in one room, you cannot listen to music in another room. For a listener who only listens to CD’s it is possible to create a low-cost second zone, allowing simultaneous CD listening while the rest of the system plays the TV (or any source). This is possible with the advent of CD players which have two audio outputs; one v
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APPLICATIONS AND SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS Adding Preamps to Create More Listening Zones In the ultimate multi-zone system you would connect six stereo preamplifiers (or a single component multi-zone or matrix preamp) to one SI-1230 and create six completely independent stereo systems. A system like this allows six people to simultaneously listen to different sources. Since the SI-1230 and the wiring of your house is already capable of a system like this, you can easily upgrade the number of
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APPLICATIONS AND SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS Surround Sound in Two Rooms You can easily add a second room of surround sound speakers by connecting five of the SI-1230 channels to the pre-outs of your surround system. If there is a pre- out/main-in loop, use a "Y" connector as shown so that the internal power ampli- fier can still be used in the main surround sound room. When you configure a system for a second surround sound room, consider bridging the center channel amplifier to 80 watts if t
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CONFIGURING YOUR SYSTEM CONFIGURING YOUR SYSTEM Because the SI-1230 offers so many configuration possibilities it is important to plan carefully before you install it. Draw a block diagram of your system and use the Configuration Worksheet on page 29 to record how you plan to connect your SI-1230. Here is an example filled out according to the block diagram on page 11. Sample Configuration Worksheet BUS INS & OUTS CONNECTED TO Left Main Bus Stereo Receiver Left Pre-Output Right Main Bus Stereo R
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS Placement Place the SI-1230 on a flat, level surface like a table or shelf. It should be placed upright so that its weight rests on the unit’s four feet. PLACING THE WEIGHT OF THE AMPLIFIER ON THE REAR OR FRONT PANEL FOR EVEN AN INSTANT WILL RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE AMPLIFIER'S CONNECTORS AND CONTROLS. The SI-1230, like any hi-fi component, will last much longer if it is given adequate ventilation for proper cooling. When installing the SI
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS Turn-On Modes The SI-1230 draws more current than a preamplifier’s switched AC outlet can safely supply. Also, your preamplifier may "thump" at dangerous volumes if the amplifier is already on when the preamp turns on. It is usually best to turn the amplifier on only when it is needed. The Turn-On Mode selector switch gives you three options for turning "On" and "Off" the SI-1230. Constant – The auto turn-on circuit- ry is off. The front panel master power switch ope
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FRONT AND REAR PANEL DETAILS Red “Power” LED confirms the Red “Active” LED lights amplifier is connected to a live AC when the amplifier circuitry power outlet and that the front has been turned on by the panel master power switch is on. Turn-On circuits. Front panel “Master Power” switch turns off the entire amplifier, including the auto turn- on circuitry. Main Bus Inputs enable you Cascade outputs of the main Bridging switch to route a stereo line level bus input enable you to daisy inputs a
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FRONT AND REAR PANEL DETAILS Red “protect” LED indicates a Attractive extruded fault condition (D.C. output). aluminum front panel. hes, BusMatrix controls, dedicated Gold-plated el controls for each channel. RCA jacks Serial Number. Dual banana spaced binding Removable Two-prong posts for speaker connections. 16 gauge 6’ AC power cord. 16
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS Speaker Compatibility CAUTION! Do not use speakers with an impedance of less than 4 ohms with an unbridged channel. Do not use speakers with an impedance of less than 8 ohms with a bridged channel. An unbridged channel of the SI-1230 is designed to play into a speaker load of four ohms or more. When a four ohm speaker is connected, the continuous power rating of the amplifier increases to 37 watts RMS per channel, (all chan- nels driven). If the load is less than fo
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS Cable and Wire Because the SI-1230 has so many connections on the back panel it is very impor- tant that you label all the input cables and speaker wires. If you label the cables and wires for their destination or source, rather than which terminal of the SI-1230 they are connected to, it will be easier to reconfigure your system in the future. The SI-1230 connects to your sources via shielded line level audio cables with RCA phono plugs. Use high quality cables with
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INSTALLATION INSTALLATION 19 Bridging Two Channels into One 23 Line Level Audio Inputs TM 20 BusMatrix Input Switch Setting 23 Cascade Audio Outputs 21 Setting The Turn-On Mode Switch 24 AC Power Plug 21 The Control Output 24 Rail Fuse Holders 22 Speaker Wire Connections CAUTION! ALL CONNECTIONS AND REAR PANEL SWITCH SETTINGS SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE AMPLIFIER’S FRONT PANEL MASTER POWER SWITCH OFF. Bridging Two Channels into One The SI-1230's bridging switches allow you to crea
