5
Setting Up and Using Your S1500 / S2000
Setting up your S1500 / S2000 is a simple procedure which takes only a few minutes:
1. Remove all packing materials (save them in case of need for future service) and
decide where the amplifier is to be physically placed—it can be used free-standing or
mounted in a standard 19" rack, requiring only three rack spaces. When installed, make
sure that both the front and rear panels are unobstructed and that there is good
ventilation around the entire unit (we recommend the use of spacer panels, especially if
multiple amplifiers are used in a rack. If required, the supplied alternate PowerCon™
power receptacle should be installed in place of the IEC receptacle at this time.
2. Set the rear panel Bridged / Stereo / Parallel switch as desired (see the “Bridged and
Parallel Modes” section on page 7 in this manual for more information). If desired, use
the XLR Link connectors to “daisy-chain” the output of the S1500 / S2000 to external
amplifiers (see #8 on page 4 in this manual for more information).
3. Make the speaker connections, using the banana or Speakon™ output connectors on
the rear panel. It is never a good idea to power up any amplifier that is not connected to
loudspeakers. When operating in Stereo or Parallel mode, any loudspeakers with a
minimum impedance load of 4 ohms (that is, 4 ohms or greater) can be used; however,
in Bridged mode, 8 ohm speakers
must be used. Be sure to connect the loudspeaker
correctly. In Stereo or Parallel mode, make sure the red (+) terminal is connected to the
positive input of the speaker and the black (ground) terminal is connected to the negative
input of the speaker. See page 7 in this manual for more information about Bridged mode
and pages 8 - 9 in this manual for full speaker interconnection instructions.
4. Next, make the signal input connections, using the Combination input connectors on
the rear panel (if operating the S1500 / S2000 in Bridged or Parallel mode, use the
Channel 1 input only—see page 7 in this manual for more information). If your mixer or
crossover network has balanced outputs, we recommend the use of three-conductor
cabling and connectors (unbalanced two-conductor plugs can also be inserted into the
Combo inputs, but you’ll get better signal quality and less outside noise and hum if you
use balanced lines).
5. On the front panel of the S1500 / S2000, turn both Channel input controls fully
counterclockwise (to their “-80” setting). Then connect the supplied heavy-gauge 3-pin
“IEC” cable (or, if the alternate power receptacle is installed, a PowerCon™ cable) to the
rear panel power receptacle and to any grounded AC socket. Because of the relay pro-
tection circuitry built into the S1500 / S2000, you can even plug it into the same power
strip that other audio devices (such as a mixing console) are connected to. You can then
turn on all devices at once with the single power strip on-off switch, with no danger of
damaging connected speakers by generating “thumps.”
6. Press the front panel Power switch in order to turn on the S1500 / S2000. The Power
LED will light and the Protection LED will go on. After approximately five seconds, the
Protection LED will go off (you’ll hear a click when this occurs).
7. Apply an input signal to the S1500 / S2000 at or about 0 dBu (if sending signal from a
mixer, drive the output meters at approximately 0 vu). While the input signal is present,
slowly raise the Channel Input controls until the desired sound level is achieved.
The three-segment LED meters next to each Channel input control will show you the
continuous power output of the S1500 / S2000 as signal is being passed. For the best
signal-to-noise ratio, the S1500 / S2000 should normally be run with the Channel Input
controls at or near maximum (fully clockwise, at the “0 dB” position) and the right (CLIP)
segment should light occasionally (but not frequently) during peak levels. If you are
using a mixer that has a master output level control (sometimes called “control room
level”), use it to attenuate the signal as necessary to achieve the desired speaker level.
If you encounter difficulty with any aspect of setting up or using your S1500 or S2000,
contact your local Samson dealer. If purchased in the United States, you can call
Samson Technical Support (1-800-372-6766) between 9 AM and 5 PM EST.
Bridged / Stereo / Parallel switch
Output connectors
Input connectors
Protection LED
Channel Input control
Three-segment LED meter
