Knoll Stereo Amplifier GRS44 User Manual

GRS44  
8 Channel Eco-System™  
Controller-Amplifier  
Installation Instructions v1.1  
 
3
FCC Warning  
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 try to correct the  
interference by one or more of the following measures:  
Reorient 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.  
Canada  
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.  
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.  
Caution: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not remove the cover (or back).  
No user serviceable parts inside. Refer to qualified service personnel.  
Warning: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this appliance to  
rain or moisture.  
The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateral triangle, is  
intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous  
voltage” within the products that may be of sufficient magnitude to  
constitute a risk of electrical shock to persons.  
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert  
the user to the presence of important operation maintenance (servicing)  
instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.  
 
4
Introduction: Thank you for your purchase of a Knoll GRS44 8 channel  
controller amplifier and congratulations on your choice. The GRS44 features  
four deluxe digital volume controlled stereo amplifiers with individual four  
source selection. This is Knoll's fourth generation of multi-channel, high-  
quality power amplifiers. The GRS44 is designed to meet the amplifier needs  
of custom installed multi-zone systems where high quality sound is a specific  
requirement.  
Each of the four zones or rooms can select any of the four inputs, with  
individual volume control, bass and treble. Only the power button is located  
on the front panel.  
The GRS44 is controlled by RS232 commands.  
Four input source selection. Each of the four stereo amplifiers is provided  
with four input source selection. Selection, volume level, bass and treble is  
made using RS232 commands. Rooms can have different source selections,  
volumes, etc.  
Four internal 80 position stereo volume controls.  
GRS44 consists of a total of 8 power  
amplifiers in one 3-1/2" high enclosure (two rack spaces). Each power  
amplifier channel can deliver 30 watts RMS with peaks of 60 watts. Because  
of its unique design the GRS44 delivers exceptional value.  
GRS44 amplifier channel is  
individually and fully protected against low impedance, overheating,  
overloading, over voltage and under voltage. The protection circuitry  
automatically restores the amplifier channel as soon as its parameter returns  
to the safe operating area.  
and treble adjustment. Each channel features adjustments  
so installers can preset the room for speaker differences and listener  
preferences.  
1 has line level outputs so more powerful power amplifiers can be  
connected to this output. The line level output is controlled as to volume,  
bass, treble and source selection.  
 
5
Unpacking: The carton and packing materials used in shipping your new amplifier  
were specially designed to protect it from the shock and vibration of shipping. We  
suggest that you save the carton and packing materials to use if you move, or if the  
unit ever needs to be shipped back to us for any reason. Should you discover that  
your amplifier has been damaged during shipping, please contact your dealer or  
Knoll immediately and request the name of the carrier so a written claim can be  
made.  
The right to a claim against a public carrier can be forfeited if the  
carrier is not notified immediately in writing and if the shipping  
carton and packing materials are not available for inspection by the  
carrier. Save all packing materials until the claim is settled.  
GRS44 placement  
During normal home operation the amplifier will become warm. However, there are  
instances during high-level playback into low impedance speakers when the amplifier  
will become much warmer than normal. To ensure the amplifier’s trouble-free  
operation, it is necessary to provide adequate ventilation. Your amplifier should be  
kept away from external sources of heat such as radiators and hot-air ducts. The  
amplifier should never be placed with other heat-producing components in a cabinet  
or enclosure lacking free airflow. Do not stack other components on top of your  
amplifier.  
Connecting your amplifier  
When making connections between any source components and the amplifier, or  
when making connections to any speaker, be certain that both the input devices and  
the amplifier are turned off. Unplug all equipment before making any connections so  
that there will be no unwanted signal transients that can damage equipment or  
speakers.  
Input connections  
Connecting the GRS44 to your source equipment is straightforward. Using the high-  
quality RCA audio interconnect cables, match the output channel designations on the  
rear of your source equipment to the input jacks on the rear panel of your amplifier  
that have the same channel name.  
When making connections with RCA type plugs on interconnect cables, make certain  
to gently, but firmly, insert the plug into the jack. Loose connections can cause  
intermittent sound and may damage your speakers. Some quality RCA plugs may be  
very tight, and it is important to secure a proper connection between the  
interconnection cable and the input jack.  
We suggest starting with the input gains on the rear of the GRS44 set to mid  
position. After it is installed and being tested these gains are use to set the different  
source input levels so they are roughly the same. Some sources such as DVD players  
have a very high output and may cause the GRS44 to send clipped signals to the  
speakers even at low volume levels, so we suggest lowering the input gains of that  
input in this case to stop the clipping  
 
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Speaker connections  
The GRS44 has four stereo 30 watts per channel amplified outputs. Channel 1 also  
has line level outputs to connect to larger powered amplifiers.  
To ensure that the high quality signals produced by your amplifier are carried to your  
speakers without loss of clarity or resolution, Knoll advises that you use high-quality  
speaker wire. Many brands of wire are available the choice may be influenced by  
the distance between your speakers and the amplifier, the type of speakers you use,  
personal preferences, along with other factors.  
Regardless of the brand or type of speaker wire chosen, we suggest that you use a  
wire constructed of fine, multi-strand copper with a gauge of 16 or less (the lower  
the number, the thicker the cable). Wire with a gauge of 16 may be used for short  
runs of less than 12 feet. We do not recommend that you use any wires with an AWG  
equivalent of 18 or higher due to the power loss and degradation in performance.  
To connect the amplifiers to your speakers, a removable plug with screws is provided  
for each stereo channel output. Strip approximately 1/4 inch of insulation from the  
end of each wire and carefully twist the strands of each conductor together. Be sure  
not to cut the individual strands or twist them off. All strands must be used for  
optimal performance. Insert the wire into the plug and screw the screws very tight.  
Inspect that no wire “hairs” that can short circuit are not in the plug.  
Correct polarity connections are important to maintain proper speaker phasing.  
When speaker phasing is correct, all speakers move in and out at the same time  
preserving the imaging of the program material. Out-of-phase connections mean  
that some turn off, check your speakers to verify that they are operating properly. If  
all other potential sources of trouble check out properly, contact Knoll for further  
assistance.  
Run the cables to speaker locations. Do not coil any excess cable, as this may  
become an inductor that creates frequency response variations in your system.  
Lastly, connect the wires to the speakers, again being aware of proper polarity.  
Remember to connect the negative, or black wire, to the matching terminal on the  
speaker. The positive, or red wire should be connected to the matching terminal on  
the speaker.  
Note: While most speaker manufacturers follow industry convention of using red  
terminals for positive connections and black terminals for negative, some  
manufacturers may vary from this configuration. To ensure proper phase  
connections, and optimal performance, consult the identification plate on our speaker  
terminals, or the speaker’s manual to verify polarity. Contact the speaker’s  
manufacturer if you do not know the polarity of your speakers.  
 
7
RS232 Connection  
The RS232 connection is used to control the GRS44 by an external controller or  
computer and can work with our without keypads. The GRS44 connects to the RS232  
controller with a 9-pin db9 connector. The programming reference follows.  
1.0 Terminal Settings  
To control the GRS44 amplifier via other control systems, connect a RS-232 cable to the serial  
control connector on the rear of the GRS44 and set your computer’s or control unit port settings  
to match the following configuration:  
SETTING  
VALUE  
Bits per second  
Data bits  
19,200  
8
Parity  
Stop bits  
None  
1
Flow control  
Emulation  
None  
Auto detect  
1.1 Command Summary  
All commands are enclosed in parentheses. The request can be in some cases a read request  
(followed by a “?”), or a write request (followed by 0-2 ASCII digits). A read command will return  
the current setting, and write command will change the setting.  
Read request format: (nAA?) where:  
(
starts the command  
n
AA  
?
denotes amplifier channel (if required)  
denotes the command (may be 1 or 2 letters)  
denotes the read request  
)
ends the command  
Read Request Example 1.1:  
Function  
Command  
Response  
Volume  
(1vl?)  
returns the volume on channel 1 (0-87)  
Write request format (nAA$$) where:  
(
starts the command  
n
denotes the amplifier channel (if required)  
AA  
$$  
)
denotes the command (may be 1, 2 or 3 letters !!)  
denotes the value to be written if required (leading zero’s ARE necessary)  
ends the command  
Write Request Examples 1.2:  
Function  
Command  
Response  
Turn Channel On  
Select Input  
Set Volume  
(1on)  
(1sl4)  
(1vl50)  
turns on amplifier channel 1 on  
turn amplifier channel 1 to input 4  
turn amplifier channel 1 to volume 50  
(of 87)  
 
8
Supported Commands  
Command Summary  
# = numerical zone or amplifier channel value  
$$ = second numerical value (may be one or two digits)  
Function  
Command  
Range  
Read/Write  
Remarks  
Version  
Reset  
Channel On  
Channel Off  
Mute  
Un-mute  
Mute All  
Un-mute All  
Volume Request  
Volume Set  
Volume All  
Input Request  
Input Set  
Input Select All  
All Channels On  
All Channels Off  
All Channels Vol up  
All Channels Vol dn  
Channel Vol up  
Channel Vol down  
Bass adjustment  
Treble adjustment  
Display treble  
Display bass  
(vr?)  
(rx)  
(#on)  
(#of)  
none  
none  
1-4  
1-4  
1-4  
read only  
write only  
write only  
write only  
write only  
write only  
write only  
write only  
read only  
write only  
write only  
read only  
write only  
write only  
write only  
write only  
write only  
write only  
write only  
write only  
write only  
write only  
read only  
read only  
1 second  
(#mu)  
(#um)  
(amu)  
(aum)  
(#vl?)  
(#vl$$)  
(avl$$)  
(#sl?)  
(#sl$)  
(asl$)  
(aon)  
(aof)  
(avlu)  
(avld)  
(#vlu)  
(#vld)  
(#b$)  
(#t$)  
1-4  
Note 3  
Note 3  
none  
none  
1-4  
1-4 / 0-87  
0-87  
1-4  
1-4 / 1-4  
1-4  
none  
none  
none  
none  
1-4  
Note 3  
Note 1  
Note 1  
Note 1  
Note 1  
Note 2  
Note 2  
1-4  
1-4 / 0-F  
1-4 / 0-F  
1-4  
(#b?)  
(#t?)  
1-4  
Note1: Volume up or down requests increase or decrease volume level by 5  
Note 2: Treble and bass commands use hexadecimal values 0-F, default (flat) is 8.  
Note3: After ALL Channels Offcommand an Un-mutemust be sent to each channel to  
restore a channel volume.  
Also, it is best to leave about a ½ second between commands, as some integrators may miss  
commands if they are entered too quickly.  
All commands also send a message back to the terminal after they have been completed, so that  
it is easy to keep track of the previous commands that were sent.  
Note: Some commands are read or write only and some are both for example:  
Mute All is a write only command and Version is a read only command.  
Supported Command Messages  
Function  
Command  
Message  
Version  
Reset  
(vr?)  
(rx)  
Version Number  
“Resetting...”  
Channel On  
Channel Off  
Mute  
Un-mute  
Mute All  
(#on)  
(#of)  
(#mu)  
(#um)  
(amu)  
“Zone # on”  
“Zone # off“  
“Zone # muted”  
“Zone # unmuted”  
"All channels muted"  
 
9
Un-mute All  
Volume Request  
Volume Set  
Volume All  
Input Set  
Input Request  
Input Select All  
All Channels Off  
All Channels On  
All Channels Vol up  
All Channels Vol dn  
Channel Vol up  
Channel Vol down  
Bass adjustment  
Treble adjustment  
(aum)  
(#vl?)  
(#vl$$)  
(avl$$)  
(#sl$)  
(#sl?)  
(asl$)  
(aof)  
(aon)  
(avlu)  
(avld)  
(#vlu)  
(#vld)  
(#b$)  
(#t$)  
"All channels un-muted"  
"Zone # volume level = $$"  
"Zone # volume level set"  
"All volume levels successfully changed"  
"Zone # input set"  
"Zone # is currently using input channel $”  
"All zones set to source $"  
"All zones turned off"  
“All zones turned on”  
“All zones volume levels increased”  
“All zones volume levels decreased”  
“Zone # volume increased”  
“Zone # volume decreased”  
“Bass successfully set to $”  
“Treble successfully set to $”  
Example 1.3: We will use the example commands from before, and show you an example of  
what the responses may look like  
Function  
Command  
Response Window  
On/Off  
(1on)  
(1sl3)  
(1vl50)  
(1baf)  
(2ta)  
Zone 1 on  
Zone 1 input 3 set  
Zone 1 volume level = 50  
Zone 1 Bass successfully set to 15  
Zone 2 Treble successfully set to 10  
Zone 2 volume increased  
Select Input  
Set Volume  
Set Bass  
Set Treble  
Increase Volume  
(2vlu)  
Knoll Systems service information  
The GRS44 amplifier does not contain any user serviceable parts inside. If you suspect a  
problem that may require servicing, contact us at www.knollsystems.com/contact.html, or by  
phone at 800 566-5579. It is extremely important that only an authorized service dealer make  
any repairs. This will ensure proper service and preserve the protection of your warranty.  
Keep your receipt in a safe place so that it will be available to verify the purchase date, should  
you experience a problem covered by Knoll System’s warranty.  
 
10  
Troubleshooting  
Your Knoll amplifier is designed from trouble-free operation. If you follow the  
instructions in this manual, you should enjoy many years of high-quality listening  
enjoyment. However, as with any sophisticated device, there may be occasional  
problems upon initial installation, or during the life of the amp. The items on the list  
below are a brief guide to the minor problems that you may be able to correct  
yourself. If these solutions do not help, or if the problem persists, contact us for  
assistance at 1800 566 5579 in Canada or the USA or 604 940 1689. We are in the  
Pacific time zone.  
Problem  
Solutions  
Amplifier won’t turn on  
Master power switch turned off (No power light LED).  
Turn on Master Power Switch.  
Amplifier turns on, but no audio  
from one or more channels  
Input plugs not connected to proper jack or are loose.  
Check input connections.  
No audio from one or more  
Channels  
Speakers are not connected properly. Check speaker  
connections at amp and speaker.  
Audio levels differ from sources  
Improper settings or output levels from source device.  
Check the settings on your preamp, processor or  
controller. Also verify gain settings on the source  
inputs on the GRS44 rear panel.  
Audio plays and then cuts off  
Amplifier may be shorted. Check speaker connections  
for short-circuit at amp and speaker.  
Care, maintenance, and cleaning  
When the GRS44 amp becomes dirty, wipe it with a clean, dry, soft cloth. If necessary, first  
wipe the surface with a slightly dampened soft cloth with mild soapy water, then with a fresh  
cloth dampened with clean water. Wipe dry immediately with a dry cloth. NEVER use benzene,  
thinner, alcohol, or any other volatile cleaning agent. Do not use abrasive cleaners, as they  
will damage the finish of the metal parts. Avoid spraying insecticide, waxes, polishing agents,  
or any aerosol product near the GRS44.  
 
11  
Limited Warranty Knoll Systems, Inc. (“Knoll”) warrants that each GRS44 (“the Product”)  
sold hereunder will conform to and function in accordance with the written specifications of  
Knoll. Said limited warranty shall apply only to the first person or entity that purchases the  
Product for personal or business use and not for the purpose of distribution or resale. Said  
warranty shall continue for a period of three years from the date of such purchase. Knoll does  
not warrant that the Product will meet the specific requirements of the first person or entity  
that purchases the Product for personal or business use. Knoll’s liability for the breach of the  
foregoing limited warranty is limited to the repair or replacement of the Product or refund of  
the purchase price of the Product, at Knoll’s sole option. Replacement Product may be re-  
furbished in “like-new” condition, at Knoll’s sole discretion. To exercise the Purchaser’s rights  
under the foregoing warranty, the Product must be returned at the Purchaser’s sole cost and  
expense, to Knoll or to any authorized Knoll service center provided, and the Product must be  
accompanied by a written letter explaining the problem and which includes (i) proof of date of  
purchase; (ii) the dealer’s name; and (iii) the model and serial number of the Product. When  
sending your unit in for repair, please ship your unit in its original packing material or a Knoll  
approved ATA Shipping Case, or have a professional packaging company pack the unit. Please  
insure your shipment for its full value. A return authorization number, issued by the Knoll  
customer service department, must also be clearly displayed on the outside of the shipping  
carton containing the Product.  
Note: Remanufactured Products are exempt from the foregoing Limited Warranty. Please refer  
to the Remanufactured Product Warranty for applicable warranty information.  
WARRANTY LIMITATION AND EXCLUSION Knoll shall have no further obligation under the  
foregoing limited warranty if the Product has been damaged due to abuse, misuse, neglect,  
accident, unusual physical or electrical stress, unauthorized modifications, tampering,  
alterations, or service other than by Knoll or its authorized agents, causes other than from  
ordinary use or failure to properly use the Product in the application for which said Product is  
intended.  
DISCLAIMER OF UNSTATED WARRANTIES THE WARRANTY PRINTED ABOVE IS THE ONLY  
WARRANTY APPLICABLE TO THIS PURCHASE. ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR  
IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MER-  
CHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. THERE ARE NO  
WARRANTIES THAT EXTEND BEYOND THE FACE HEREOF AND THE FOREGOING WARRANTY  
SHALL NOT BE EXTENDED, ALTERED OR VARIED EXCEPT BY WRITTEN INSTRUMENT SIGNED  
BY KNOLL. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED  
WARRANTY MAY LAST, SO SUCH LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.  
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY IT IS UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED THAT KNOLL’S LIABILITY  
WHETHER IN CONTRACT, IN TORT, UNDER ANY WARRANTY, IN NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE  
SHALL NOT EXCEED THE RETURN OF THE AMOUNT OF THE PURCHASE PRICE PAID BY  
PURCHASER AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL KNOLL BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INDI-  
RECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS, LOST REVENUES OR  
LOST SAVINGS. THE PRICE STATED FOR THE PRODUCT IS A CONSIDERATION IN LIMITING  
KNOLL’S LIABILITY. NO ACTION, REGARDLESS OF FORM, ARISING OUT OF THE AGREEMENT  
TO PURCHASE THE PRODUCT MAY BE BROUGHT BY PURCHASER MORE THAN ONE YEAR  
AFTER THE CAUSE OF ACTION HAS ACCRUED. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION  
OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION  
OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC  
LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHT WHICH VARIES FROM STATE-TO-  
STATE.  
Copyright 2013 Knoll Systems. All Rights Reserved.  
Knoll Systems  
14-7163 Vantage Way, Delta BC V4G 1N1 Canada  
145 Tyee Drive, Point Roberts, WA 98281 USA  
Made in Canada  
 

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