Professional Power Amplifiers

3.0 / 4.5 / 6.0 / 8.0

BUX II Series

SERVICE MANUAL

© 2007 by C.E. Studio-2 s.l. - Spain (EEC) P-8476-754

http://www.ramaudio.com QXPBUXDoc
e-mail: [email protected] 3/07
 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

WARNING:

The exclamation point inside an equilateral triangle indicates

the existence of internal components whose substitution may
affect safety.

The lightning and arrowhead symbol warns about the presen-

ce of uninsulated dangerous voltage.

CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN

To avoid fire or electrocution risk do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

To avoid electric shock, do not open the unit. No user serviciable parts inside.
In the case of disfunction, have the unit checked by qualified agents.

©2007 by C.E. Studio-2 s.l.

Pol.Ind. La Lloma
C/ Sierra Perenxisa nº28
46960 Aldaya - Valencia - SPAIN

Phone: +34 96 127 30 54

Fax: +34 96 127 30 56

http://www.ramaudio.com
e-mail: [email protected]

RAM Audio®, CSP™, CRO™ and ICL™ are registered trademarks of C.E. Studio-2 s.l.. All other names
are trademarks of their respective companies.
 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The BUXII series is a hi power amplifier built in 2 channels class H technology fed by a linear power supply. It
has twin male-female XLR back panel input connectors per channel with the possibility of working in stereo,
parallel or bridge modes. It also has a gain selection switch which permits working at 26, 32 or 38 dB. It has five
front panel indicators per channel to inform about the amplifier operative status and a potentiometer attenuator
per channel to adjust the output level.

At the back panel you can find the output audio connectors: double binding posts and speakon. It also has a
three wires power mains cord to connect the amplifier to a properly voltage and a current rated mains network
with earth connection.

Audio circuit description

The circuit input has a balanced (differential) amplifier to reject the common mode noise added to the audio
signal. Then the signal goes through the clip limiter gain control, which is inactive unless the amplifier is in a clip-
ping situation due to excessive input signal. The operating features of this circuit are widely explained in the
amplifier user manual.

Following this, the signal arrives to the properly named power amplifier. This circuit comprises an opamp
which provides the error signal to a class A voltage amplifier that feeds the emitter follower current amplifier. The
feedback signal from the output is then returned to the opamp to perform the necessary corrections to replicate
the amplified input signal at the output.

Between both, the voltage section and the current amplifier section, a bias control circuit is inserted. This cir-
cuit provides an operating point to the next emitter followers and compensates the thermal derating of silicon PN
junctions avoiding the thermal runaway problem.

Inside the current amplifier is implemented a current limiting circuit which avoids the excessive dissipation of
the power transistors in case of short-circuit or very low impedance loads. This limiting circuit acts informing to
the protection system, that answers opening the output relay. The full explanation of this protection is located in
the user manual too.

Following the power amplifier circuit there are a zoobel network and a coil in series that provide a correct
amplifier performance and an unconditional stability in case of excessive inductive or capacitive loads.

The power supply symmetrical rails pass through a pair of protection fuses to cut the current flow in case of
been completely out of order. These rails come from the class H commutation matrix which is composed by mos-
fet transistors and diodes and selects the most suitable voltage level to feed the amplifier depending on the out-
put signal level. This operating method leads to a very low power dissipation in the power transistors. The mos-
fets located in the commutation matrix are commanded by a voltage comparator, whose output depends on the
output signal and the supply rails voltage.

There is an on board fan control to regulate the fan speed depending on the temperature that is sensed via a
ntc thermistor which is in contact with the heat sink.

Regarding to the protection systems, there are several blocks all contained inside the SMD board which is
plugged in the top of the power audio module. The protections comprise:

- DC protection, via a low pass filter that detects DC or very low frequency signal at the output.
- Shortcircuit protection.
- High temperature protection, through the ntc thermistor and a comparator with a fixed absolute reference.
- Power on delay, via a timer that sets the time between power on and full operative status.
- Clip limiter, via a comparator that is adjusted to minimum distortion in case of clipping situation.
- Current less relay operation via the clip limiter circuitry to extend the relay contacts life.

Regarding the front panel indicators, all of them are commanded by the audio power module, providing visual
information for fault, ok status, high temperature, clipping and input signal existence.
 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

BUX II-3.0 BUX II-4.5 BUX II-6.0 BUX II-8.0

Output Power
Continuous Average Power
RMS, 1kHz, 1.0% THD+N
@ 2Ω 2x 1500 W 2x 2200 W 2x 3000 W 2x 3850 W
@ 4Ω 2x 1000 W 2x 1400 W 2x 1900 W 2x 2550 W
@ 8Ω 2x 600 W 2x 750 W 2x 1000 W 2x 1400 W
Bridge @ 4Ω 3000 W 4400 W 6000 W 7700 W
Bridge @ 8Ω 2000 W 2800 W 3800 W 5100 W
Pink Noise 12dB Crest Factor
@ 2Ω 2x 1900 W 2x 2750 W 2x 3500 W 2x 5100 W
@ 4Ω 2x 1200 W 2x 1700 W 2x 2200 W 2x 3070 W
Frequency Response
Power Bandwidth ±0.25dB 20Hz-20kHz 20Hz-20kHz 20Hz-20kHz 20Hz-20kHz
Phase Response
@ 1 watt 20Hz-20kHz ±15 deg ±15 deg ±15 deg ±15 deg
Total Harmonic Distortion
20Hz-20kHz <0.05% <0.05% <0.05% <0.05%
Intermodulation Distortion
SMPTE <0.05% <0.05% <0.05% <0.05%
Crosstalk
20Hz-20kHz >75 dB >75 dB >75 dB >75 dB
Voltage Gain 26/32/38 dB 26/32/38 dB 26/32/38 dB 26/32/38 dB
Sensitivity
Rated Power @8Ω 3.5/1.7/0.9 V 3.9/1.9/1 V 4.5/2.2/1.1 V 5.3/2.7/1.3 V
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
A weighted 115 dB 116.5 dB 118 dB 120 dB
Required AC Mains
230V - 50Hz (idle) 0.5A 0.5A 0.5A 0.5A
@ 4Ω (1/8 rated power) 5.0 A 7.5 A 8.5 A 13.7 A
Dimensions
W x H x D (mm) 483x89x442 483x89x442 483x133x480 483x133x480
W x H x D (inches) 19x3.5x17.4 19x3.5x17.4 19x5.25x18.9 19x5.25x18.9
Weight
Shipping 21-47 22-48 40-90 41-91
Net (Kg-Lbs) 20-45 21-46 38-84 39-85
Protections
Soft-start, Turn-on Turn-off transients, Muting at turn-on, Over-heating, DC, RF, Short-circuit (CSP),
Open or mismatched loads, Overloaded power supply, Input overload (ICL), CRO
 QUICK REPAIR PROCEDURE

MAINS CURRENT LIMITER:

To test the power amplifier is recommended to use a mains current limiter to avoid any short-circuit, in case
that the unit has damaged parts that have not been fixed. The most effective and easiest solution is to use a pair
of 100W light bulbs arranged in parallel, and placed in series with regard to the mains supply. If everything is OK,
when you switch on the power supply, then the bulbs will light on until the primary capacitors are fully charged,
and later they will shine softly enabling that enough current passes through to reach a normal start up of the
supply.

POWER SUPPLY:

It is not usual to have problems in the power supply. You may need to check the high power soft start resis-
tors (33ohms) and verify the whole soft start system works correctly. It is also possible to have a bridge rectifier
or toroidal transformer short-circuited, but this is a very strange failure.

Check if the DC voltages are the following ones:

BUXII 3.0: ±59V / ±118V

BUXII 4.5: ±70V / ±140V
BUXII 6.0: ±52V / ±104V / ±156V
BUXII 8.0: ±59V / ±118V / ±177V

Bear in mind it is possible that one of the audio power sections could be damaged. Check if there is no short-
circuit at the power transistors; also verify that there is not any ground track opened. When switching the ampli-
fier on, measure that the voltage at the power audio section emitter resistors corresponds with the first class H
level. Check with an oscilloscope, with the probe in contact with the emitter resistors, if when applying signal the
power supply would change in steps as expected. Test both polarities.

It is highly recommended to test the entire amplifier with the light bulbs in series with regard to the mains
supply to avoid further power supply breakings. If the amplifier starts up correctly, then you may bypass the light
bulbs and apply signal to obtain power from the amp.
 QUICK REPAIR PROCEDURE

POWER AUDIO MODULE:

When the audio module breaks, the most common consequence is that some final transistors and some dri-
ver transistors get short-circuited. It is also possible to get some class H commutation mosfet transistor or diode
short-circuited. To check it you will need to use a multimeter in diode mode or resistance measure. If the final
transistors are OK you can measure around 10ohms between the base and the emitter and a very high resistan-
ce between the collector and the emitter. In the driver transistor you have to measure around 160ohms between
the base and the emitter.

If you have a final transistor short-circuited, you will appreciate a very low resistance between the collector
and the emitter of each final transistor, in the short-circuited transistor you will measure the lowest resistance
because it has a direct short-circuit, meanwhile in the other paralleled transistors you will measure around
0.66ohms (two series emitter resistor). To proceed, cut the leads of this short-circuited transistor and continue
testing if you have more transistors broken.

Also, you may have only the driver transistor short-circuited. In this case, you can measure this direct short-
circuit between the collector and the emitter of this transistor, and around 10ohms between the collector and the
emitter of any other final transistors. Moreover, it is possible to have the driver and some final transistors broken.
Given this case, cut the leads of any device broken and continue testing until you are sure you have not any
more devices short-circuited.

Furthermore, you also need to check the mosfet transistor and the diode from the class H switch. They are
located in the small heat sinks which are on the top of the PCB. Verify that there is no short-circuit between the
drain and the source of the mosfet and check that the diode works correctly.

For changing any device broken remove its screw and place the new one with thermal silicone. Change the
mica or clean the surface if needed. Tight the screw by using a screwdriver with a torque which has around
1.3N/m. Pay special attention to the screws which fix the transistors to the heat sink. If there is no good isolation,
it is possible that, when the temperature increases because the amplifier is operating, the heat sink (the one that
is grounded) and the transistor collector (that is tied to an active voltage source) short-circuit.

Also it is possible you may need to change some burn resistors. Check with special care the 0.33ohms emit-
ter resistor plus the 10ohms/1W driver emitter resistor, and if you have a dark resistor, measure it and change if
needed.

After changing all the broken devices, you may need to verify that there is no short-circuit between the out-
puts, rails and ground (heat sink). It is highly recommended to test the entire amplifier with the light bulbs in
series with regard to the mains supply to avoid further power module breakings. If the amplifier starts up
correctly, then you may bypass the light bulbs and apply signal to obtain power from the amp. Use 1kHz sinusoi-
dal signal and 4 ohms dummy load to test that all works perfectly. Specially check if the switch rail works
correctly, and if you have not any instability when clipping the output.

Bias adjusting: you will need to adjust the Bias point only if required. To do that, you can use two methods:
1- Use a voltmeter and measure the voltage in the 10ohms emitter driver resistor (R42). Preheat the module until
it gets a temperature of 40-50 degrees. Remove signal from inputs and put a voltmeter between ground and the
emitter of Q22. Turn the PT1 trimmer to get around 0.35 volts.
2- Connect the output to a 4ohms dummy load, place a 10kHz sinusoidal signal in the input, and set the oscillos-
cope at 1V/div scale. Finally adjust the level until arriving to 4Vp output. Remember to adjust the PT1 trimmer to
remove the cross distortion. Take into account that you have to make these adjustments in order to minimize the
current needed to remove the crossover distortion, because if you adjust it with excessive bias current, the
power amplifier will work in a really hot temperature condition or also could become hot without signal.

Clip limiter adjusting: both outputs must be 4ohms loaded and both inputs must be feed with signal. Then
apply signal and increase the amplitude up to 6 dB more than the required for clipping. For example, if the ampli-
fier needs 1.5 volts RMS at its input to start clipping, then increase the voltage to 3 volts (twice). With this input
signal (1kHz sine wave) adjust the trimmer located in the SMD board until you see a minimum distortion in the
oscilloscope screen. Do not worry if you see a little distortion even with the trimmer at maximum. Repeat the
same procedure for the other channel. It is important to advice that, in order to avoid excessive heating in the
amplifier, the adjusting time must be reduced to the minimum. When the two channels are already adjusted, it is
very important to test them together. So, apply signal to both channels and test if they stop at the same amplitu-
de. Change the adjusting if necessary. If you turn the amplitude potentiometer of the signal generator in a quick
way, you will see an instantaneous clip indication. This indicates the normal work of the clip limiter.
 Manufactured in the EEC by C.E. Studio-2 s.l.
Pol. Ind. La Lloma - C/Sierra Perenxisa nº20
46960 Aldaya - Valencia - SPAIN
Phone: +34 96 127 30 54 Fax: +34 96 127 30 56
http://www.ramaudio.com e-mail: [email protected]