Niles A4.6Ci - Manuals

Solo™ Master Keypad Module 11 PARTS GUIDE SOLD SEPARATELY Master Keys Function Keys Zone OFF Key Mute Key Zone Volume Key Master Keys Zone OFF Key Mute Key Zone Volume Key Function Keys Transport™ Master Keypad Module Numeric™ Master Keypad Module Select™ Master Keypad Module IntelliPad Ci Keypad Mo...

12 Source Buttons A quick tap of any of these buttons turns on the zone andselects a source component. Pressing and holding thesebuttons for longer than three seconds turns on causes allenabled zones. Also, all zones are selected to the samesource component. Zone OFF Button A quick tap of this butto...

This is the simplest of the A4.6Ci configurations (see Figure 7). It depicts one Niles A4.6Ci MultiZonePreamplifier installed to provide sound to six listening zones. Each zone consists of one room with one pair of speakers. One Solo ™ Master Keypad Module or one Select ™ Master Keypad Module is inc...

CONFIGURATION 2 – ADDING ZONES USING MULTIPLE A4.6Ci’s More than one A4.6Ci MultiZone Preamplifier can be used if the system requires more than six zones. A max-imum of four A4.6Ci’s (providing up to 24 zones) can be combined to create a larger multi-zone/multi-source system. One A4.6Ci is designate...

16 SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS Figure 9 CONFIGURATION 3 – INTEGRATING AN IR-CONTROLLED HOME THEATER An IR-controlled Home Theater receiver/processor can be integrated to share source components in a systemwith a Master A4.6Ci. Distributing Audio Signals Audio signals for the shared source components are c...

17 SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS CONFIGURATION 4 – INTEGRATING A HOME THEATER USING AN INTELLICONTROL A Home Theater system controlled by a Niles IntelliControl ® can be integrated to share source compo- nents in a system with the A4.6Ci. Distributing Audio Signals Audio signals for the shared source compon...

18 CONFIGURATION 5 – MULTIPLE MASTER KEYPAD MODULES IN A ZONE The single zone of a Niles A4.6Ci MultiZone Preamplifier can be expanded to contain multiple Solo ™ and Select ™ Master Keypad Modules, providing control from many locations within the zone. A Niles IntelliPad ® Ci Expander ™ is required ...

CONFIGURATION 6 – MULTIPLE LISTENING AREAS IN A ZONE A single zone of the A4.6Ci MultiZone Preamplifier can be set up to contain more than one listening area (i.e., an adja-cent living room and dining room). This configuration is chosen when the speakers in the zone are not required to play atsepara...

20 CONFIGURATION 7 – MORE THAN ONE ROOM IN A ZONE A zone can be divided up into as many as five individual rooms with separate On/Off and Volume controls.A Niles Silencer Volume Control located along with the Master Keypad in each room is required in additionto Niles Expanders. In Figure 13, Zone #6...

CONFIGURATION 8 – SYSTEM PAGING WITH AN EXTERNAL TELEPHONE SYSTEM A Paging Input connection is provided on the rear panel of the A4.6Ci. It provides a connection for the pagingoutput signal of popular telephone systems for voice paging through the speakers located in the listening zones(see Figure 1...

22 CONFIGURATION 9 – IR REPEATING FOR CONTROL OF LOCAL COMPONENTS An IR Repeating System can be integrated into a room connected to the Niles A4.6Ci (see Figure 16). This enablesa single IR Sensor (installed in that room) to control local components with a hand-held IR remote control. In Figure 16, ...

INFRARED COMMAND COMPATIBILITY IR control testing was conducted on many equipment brands to determine their compatibility with the A4.6Ci.Typical A/V source components (i.e., CD, DVD, DSS, Cable Boxes, etc.) from each brand were chosen for thetest. All brands listed below passed the test. Important ...

24 WHAT IS SOURCE-POWER SYNCHRONIZATION? The A4.6Ci has been designed to keep track of the ON/OFF condition of the three source components connected tothe system. This allows you to automate source components that utilize the same IR command for ON and OFF. For this feature to function as designed, ...

CHOOSING A SYNCHRONIZATION METHOD Once you establish that all source components in the system have compatible IR commands, the next step isto choose the appropriate sync method for each component. There are two ways to detect when a component is ON or OFF: Video or Voltage Sync. Video Sync Video syn...

26 Voltage Sync Voltage sync is also a reliable method of synchronization if chosen and implemented correctly. The sync inputscan detect the control out voltage from a Niles signal-sensing product interfaced to the source component. Obtaining Voltage Sync Current SensingCurrent Sensing synchronizes ...

Light SensingUsing a light sensor (LS-1) to synchronize your components is usually your last choice, simply because the otherchoices are more reliable. The Niles LS-1 Light Sensor can synchronize a component by sensing changes in light.The 12V output of the LS-1 is then connected to the A4.6Ci’s syn...

28 MASTER KEYS/SOURCE BUTTONS The Master Keys available on the Solo ™ and Select ™ Master Keypad Module and the Source Buttons on the hand-held R-4 Remote accessory (Figure 21) provide "one-touch activation" of the A4.6Ci and its connectedsource components. The Master Keys on the Solo and Se...

MASTER KEY/SOURCE BUTTON EVENTS When you press a Master Key on a Solo ™ or Select ™ Master Keypad Module, or a Source Button on the hand- held R-4 Remote accessory, up to six events may occur. Event 1 This event turns the appropriate Zone ON when a Master Key is pressed. Additionally, the 12V Contro...

30 MASTER KEY/SOURCE BUTTON OPERATION The Master Key/Source Buttons have two methods for operating the system. Single-Zone Operation The first method, a quick tap of a Master Key/Source Button in a zone (holding the key/button for less than threeseconds), causes only that zone to turn ON. The quickl...

OFF KEY EVENTS When you press the OFF Key/Button, up to four events may occur. The first event is the Zone OFF sequenceprogrammed by the installer for the zone that is turning OFF. The second event is factory programmed and turns the zone or all zones OFF every time the OFF Key/Buttonis pressed. The...

32 OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW Multiple Rooms in a Zone Using an Expander and Silencers Individual-Room Operation - Multiple rooms within a zone using silencers require two short taps of the OFF Key to turn OFF that zone individually. A press of the OFF Key for less than three seconds in a room that is cur...

MUTE KEY/MUTE BUTTON The Mute Key/Button provides a method of turning the sound ON\OFF for a brief moment in an individualzone without turning the zone OFF. (This also prevents the source components from being turned OFF.) MUTE KEY/MUTE BUTTON OPERATION In a single-room zone, the Mute Key mutes and ...

FUNCTION KEYS/BUTTONS The Solo ™ Master Keypad Module, the Transport ™ Accessory Keypad Module and the R-4 Remote include var- ious function keys for control of the connected source components. Figure 23 illustrates the available functionkeys for all of the control devices. FUNCTION KEY/BUTTON OPERA...

Important Note: Operation of identical source components is not possible using the source components’ actual IR commands in a zone installed with an IR sensor. (i.e., using the source component’s original remote control ora learning remote control programmed with these IR commands). Identical source...

When the Home Theater turns ON, it provides a 12V status signal that is connected to the Home Theatersync input on the rear panel of the A4.6Ci. This 12V status signal provides the ON/OFF status of theHome Theater to the A4.6Ci. The moment a valid Home Theater sync signal is present at the A4.6Ci, t...

PLACEMENT Place the A4.6Ci on a flat, level surface such as a table or shelf, with its weight equally distributed on each of itsfour feet. Like any high-fidelity component, the A4.6Ci will last much longer if it receives adequate ventilation forproper cooling (see Figure 28). 38 OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW...

TERMINATING FOUR-PAIR TWISTED CABLE The Solo ™ and Select ™ Master Keypad Modules, the expander, and the A4.6Ci’s system-expansion connections require a four-pair twisted cable with a one-to-one wiring configuration. To maintain consistency throughoutall Intellipad ® Ci installations, we recommend t...

40 CONNECTIONS CONNECTING IR SENSORS An IR sensor can be connected to a Solo ™ and Select ™ Master Keypad Module in one of two ways, directly with a four-pair twisted cable(see Figure 34 and 35), or with a three-wire toRJ-45 adapter available from Niles for IR sen-sors installed with two-conductor s...

41 CONNECTIONS SOURCE-COMPONENT AUDIO SIGNALS 1. Audio Output of Source Components to the A4.6Ci Male-to-male RCA audio cables connect the four exter-nal audio sources. 2. Buffered-Cascade Audio Output of Source Components to Slave A4.6Ci’s or a Home Theater Male-to-male RCA audio cables connect Sla...

43 CONNECTIONS CONNECTING AN IR SENSOR FOR LOCAL SYSTEM CONTROL IR Sensors installed in zones for hand-held IR remote control of the A4.6Ci and its connected source compo-nents can also be used to control local components (i.e., a TV, DSS, DVD, and a surround-sound system locat-ed in the master bedr...

44 CONNECTIONS CONNECTING AN A/B AMPLIFIER SWITCH FOR LOCAL SYSTEM SELECTION A Niles SPK-1 Voltage-Activated Speaker Level A/B Switcher connects to both the A4.6Ci and a local systemto provide sound from each system to the same speakers located in a single zone. The local system only con-nects to th...

PROGRAMMING PANEL IR commands needed for control of connected external source components are programmed into the A4.6Ci’sprogram memory using the hidden programming controls on the front panel (see Figure 42). Programming is accomplished by using the hidden panel’s push buttons and LED prompts, and ...

INSTALLATION AND PROGRAMMING DOCUMENTATION Why Document? There are three important reasons why you should keep thorough documentation of the installation and theprogramming procedure: • It enables you to program the system properly. When using multiple preamplifiers or programming sequences, knowing...

Each A4.6Ci has six zones to document. Fill out one Master Preamplifier Schematic for the Master A4.6Ci, andone Slave Preamplifier Schematic for each Slave A4.6Ci in the system. Doing so determines how many zoneswill be installed, the name of the room in a zone, and what keypads each room contains. ...

Worksheets keep a detailed record of where individual IR commands are programmed, which of these IR com-mands are used in sequences (along with their page and key address), and all pertinent information regardingthe Master Keys, and the OFF Key. 48 PROGRAMMING OVERVIEW 1 2 3 4 5 PAGES KEYS ▼ ▼ PAGES...

SYSTEM-INSTALLATION SCHEMATICS The first information to document is the makeup of your system. Establish how many zones are involved, andthe number of preamplifiers in your system. Next, determine how many zones have more than one room, requir-ing the use of an expander. From this information, you w...

50 PROGRAMMING OVERVIEW 9 MASTER A4.6Ci 1 3 4 2 ZONE ALL ON / PAGE 5 6 ❏❏❏❏❏❏ SOURCE 10 CASCADE OUTPUT ❏ YES ❏ NO 1 3 4 2 SOURCE DESTINATION SOURCE 11 ZONE OUTPUT ❏ RCA ❏ DB-25 1 3 4 2 ZONE AMPLIFIER 5 6 SETTING FIXED / VARIABLE ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ / / / / // DIP switches on the front paneldeter...

Expander Installation Schematic If your system has zones that require more than one keypad, install expanders in those zones. The ExpanderSchematic sheet (Figure 44) enables you to document each of those additional keypads. Multi-Area Zone 51 PROGRAMMING OVERVIEW 1 JOB TITLE 2 SYSTEM DESIGNER Docume...

Slave Preamplifier Installation Schematic After filling out the Master Preamp Schematic and any necessary Expander Schematics for the Master, you areready for the Slave Preamp Schematic sheet (Figure 43) if the system has more than six zones. Fill out one sheetper Slave A4.6Ci. 53 PROGRAMMING OVERVI...

SYSTEM PROGRAMMING WORKSHEETS After documenting what is being installed (every keypad, every expander, every zone, every preamp), you cannow document all IR programming used in the system. Following are detailed descriptions of the sixProgramming Worksheets. Worksheet #1, Source Power IR and Master ...

Worksheets #2 and #3, Function-Keys Programming Worksheets Worksheets #2 and #3 document the IR commands stored in each of the available function keys for all 10 Pages(i.e., eight Master Key Pages, the Library page, and the Default Page). Note that the worksheet lists all availableMaster Keys for th...

Worksheet #4, Master-Key Sequence Programming Worksheet #4 documents the Master Key Sequences that will be performed whenever a Master Key is pressed.Indicate each step of the sequences, identifying where the IR commands were programmed by using their pageand key address. The only Master Key Ending ...

Worksheet #6, Function-Key Sequence Programming Worksheet #6 documents the steps of the sequences that have been programmed into any of the availableFunction Keys for the Master A4.6Ci only. Identify where the IR commands were programmed by using their page and key address. Copy the worksheet asneed...

PROGRAMMING A LEARNING REMOTE FOR ZONE OPERATION USING THE NILES R-4 REMOTE Learning remote controls can be taught the IR commands of the hand-held Niles R-4 Remote to provide indi-vidual zone operation. These IR commands operate the A4.6Ci and its associated source components from anyzone equipped ...

Method #1– Controlling Shared Source Componentswith IR Repeating and 12V Home Theater Status When using IR repeating, IR programming for thesource components can be accomplished by program-ming the actual IR commands from the source compo-nent’s included remote control into the Home Theaterlearning ...

65 SETTING ALL ON/PAGE MODE There are six All ON/PAGE switches located on the hidden program-ming panel of the A4.6Ci. Each of the A4.6Ci's zones has a corre-sponding numbered switch (see Figure 40). The switches enable (up) or disable (down) the individual zones fromresponding to ALL ON commands an...

66 INSTALLATION SETTINGS ALL ON Volume Level When a system-wide ON command is issued, zones that are turned OFF turn ON to the ALL ON volume levelset by the factory in the A4.6Ci. (Volume levels in zones that are already turned ON do not change during asystem wide ON command.) The factory level for ...

69 Step 1 - Press and hold the PROGRAM button to enter the program mode. The POWER/MASTER KEY SEQ. LED turns on RED, and the PAGE LED blinks RED. PROGRAMMING STEPS Important Note: Before you start programming the A4.6Ci: • Assign components with a single, toggle command for ON and OFF to Inputs 1 an...

72 PROGRAMMING STEPS Select ™ The PAGE LED turns off and one of the INPUT LEDs turns on RED. (It will be the LED corresponding to the source the Master Key is currently programmed for.) Step 2 - Press the INPUT button to change the input for that Master Key. Step 3 - When the desired INPUT LED is tu...

75 PROGRAMMING STEPS Step 7 - Press the PROGRAM button to select a different Master Key Page. The KEY LED turns OFF, and the PAGE LED blinks RED. Step 8 - Repeat steps 1 through 7 until all the necessary IR commands have been stored, and all Function Keys have been programmed for all the Master Key ...

77 PROGRAMMING STEPS Step 4 - To insert delays, press the DELAY button instead of a Function Key, while the PAGE LED is blinking RED. The PAGE LED turns OFF, the KEY LED blinks RED, and the first four keys on the Master Key module illuminate. Step 5 - Choose the Master Key for the desired delay time...

78 Step 7 - Repeat steps 2 through 6 to continue identifying the Master Key Pages where the IR commands are stored for all the steps in the Master Key Sequence you are programming. PROGRAMMING STEPS Step 8 - Press the PROGRAM key to program the Master Key Sequence for a different Master Key. The TRI...

80 Step 3 - Press the Master Key that identifies the Master Key page where the IR command is stored for the first step in the Zone On/Off or System On/Off sequence you are programming. PROGRAMMING STEPS The PAGE LED turns OFF, and the KEY LED blinks RED. Select ™ Transport ™ Numeric ™ or Tap the OFF...

81 PROGRAMMING STEPS Step 5 - Select the page where the next IR command is stored to continue the Zone On/Off or System On/Off sequence you are programming. (You can press a Master Key, tap the Off Key for the Default page, or press and hold the Off Keyfor the Library page). The PAGE LED turns OFF, ...

82 After you choose a delay, all Master Keys turn off. PROGRAMMING STEPS The KEY LED turns OFF, and the PAGE LED blinks RED. Step 8 - To add another delay, press the DELAY button again, and repeat the previous step. (For example, you can have two consecutive one-second delays.) Step 9 - Repeat steps...

83 PROGRAMMING STEPS Step 11 - Repeat steps 2 through 10 until all Zone On/Off or System On/Off sequences have been programmed. Note: If you missed IR commands in a sequence, re-do the programming for the whole sequence. Whatever was previously programmed is automatically replaced. Step 12 - Press N...

84 Step 2 - Press the actual Function Key that triggers the sequence. PROGRAMMING STEPS The TRIGGER LED turns OFF, the PAGE LED blinks RED, and the KEY LED turns OFF. Select ™ Transport ™ Numeric ™ Step 3 - Press the Master Key that identifies the Master Key Page (or tap the OFF Key for the Default ...

87 PROGRAMMING STEPS Step 10 - Repeat steps 2 through 9 until you have programmed all the Function-Key Sequences within the selected Master Key Page. Step 11 - Press the PROGRAM button twice to program sequences within other Master Key Pages. The TRIGGER LED turns on RED, the PAGE LED blinks RED. St...

88 PROGRAM-EDITING STEPS EDIT SOURCE-COMPONENT POWER Steps to edit the IR commands to power IR activated source components. Step 1 - Press and hold the PROGRAM button. The POWER/(MASTER KEY SEQ) LED turns on RED, and the PAGE LED blinks, RED. Step 2 - Press a Master Key where you will edit source co...

89 PROGRAM-EDITING STEPS Step 5 - Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all inputs have been edited. Step 6 - Press NEXT to edit Function Key IR. The FUNCTION KEY IR/(FUNCT. KEY SEQ.) LED turns on RED, and the PAGE LED blinks RED.or Step 7 - Press PROGRAM again to save and exit programming. EDIT FUNCTION KEY I...

90 EDIT MASTER KEY SEQUENCE PROGRAMMING Step 1 - Press and hold the PROGRAM button. Step 2 - Press the NEXT button three times. The (POWER)/MASTER KEY SEQ LED turns on GREEN, the TRIGGER LED turns on RED, and the PAGE LEDblinks RED Step 3 - Press the Master Key to edit. The TRIGGER LED turns off, an...

91 iii. Press the DELAY button again and repeat the previous step to add another delay. (For example, you canhave two consecutive one-second delays.) or Continue with your editing. Step 7 - Repeat steps 4 – 6 until you have re-entered all the steps for the Master Key Sequence you are editing. Step 8...

93 Step 9 - Repeat steps 3 through 8 until all Zone/System Sequences have been edited. Note: If you missed IR commands in a sequence, re-do the whole sequence. Step 10 - Press Next to edit Function-Key Sequences. The (FUNCTION KEY IR)/FUNCT. KEY SEQ LED turns on GREEN, the TRIGGER LED turns on RED, ...

94 ii. Choose the Master Key for the desired delay time. Refer to the table below: For example, if you press Master Key 2, a one-second delay is added to the sequence. After you choose a delay, all Master Keys turn off. The KEY LED turns OFF, and the PAGE LED blinks RED. iii. Press the DELAY button ...

97 STEPS TO ERASE FUNCTION-KEY SEQUENCES To erase sequences, follow the same steps as if you were going to store the commands, up to when you iden-tify the page and key address where the individual commands are stored. Instead, press the PROGRAM keyto erase the sequence and exit. Step 1 - Press the ...

98 Solo ™ Master Keypad Module STOCK # FG00807 • Backlit Master Keys enable monitoring and control of up to four audio sources or other remote controllabledevices (see Niles MultiZone Control System for details).All keypad buttons are programmable and capable ofautomating multiple commands with the ...

99 A4.6Ci SYSTEM ACCESSORIES IRC-2P MicroFlasher ™ STOCK # FG00726 • Transparent to infrared light. • IRC-2P required for each component you wish to control. • Includes IR blocking cover for IR routing/zoning applications. • Miniature size for discrete placement. • Adhesive-backing for quick and eas...

100 A4.6Ci SYSTEM ACCESSORIES AC-3 Voltage-Triggered AC Power Strip STOCK # FG00242 AC power strip with two voltage-triggered AC outlets andone unswitched AC Outlet. 12V DC/200mA Wall Adapter STOCK # FG00665 Provides a 12V DC sync signal to the IntelliControl ® when plugged into a component’s switch...

A4.6Ci SYSTEM ACCESSORIES 101 Convenience Outlets NET-2D Computer Network Convenience Outlets ColorStock#Almond FG00858 Bone FG00840 White FG00842 Two 8-wire (RJ-45) modular jacks for computer network orIntelliPad™ Ci Master Keypad connections. Decora ® -style faceplate. NET-2S Computer Network Conv...

102 Problem Troubleshooting The A4.4Ci has no lights on. Inspect the DC power adapter. Be sure it is inserted firmly into the power-cord socket of the A4.6Ci. Check the AC power outlet. Verify that the outlet is providing power (i.e., aswitched AC outlet).You want to make sure that the A4.6Ci is alw...

103 SPECIFICATIONS A4.6Ci MultiZone Audio Preamplifier Frequency Response: 12 Hz - 230 KHz, 3 dB, at 1Vrms outputPaging = -3dB > 200Hz - 4 KHz Distortion: <0.005% THD, 1 KHz Maximum Output: 6 Vrms before clipping Overall Voltage Gain: 27 db Maximum Input Level: 1 Vrms Signal-to-Noise Ratio: &g...

© 2002 Niles Audio Corporation. All Rights reserved. Niles and the Niles logo are registered trademarks of Niles Audio Corporation. Blending Technology and Architecture,Expander, FloodFlasher, MicroFlasher, Numeric, Solo, and Transport are trademarks of Niles Audio Corporation. All other trademarks ...

103 SPECIFICATIONS A4.6Ci MultiZone Audio Preamplifier Frequency Response: 12Hz - 150kHz, -3dB, at 1Vrms output Distortion: <0.005% THD, 1kHz Maximum Output: 6Vrms before clipping Overall Voltage Gain: 27dB Maximum Input Level: 1Vrms Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >90dB at 1Vrms output Crosstalk: >...