Cloud Electronics Z4MK3 - Manual (Page 10)

Z4-8 MK3 Installation and User Guide 10
INSTALLATION
Hardware Considerations
The Z4 MK3 and Z8 MK3 Zone Mixers are built in 3U-high 19”
rack mount enclosures. It is recommended that the Zone
Mixer is installed in a 19” rack wherever possible. The units
are approx. 160 mm deep, but 250 mm of rack depth should
be available to allow for rear connectors and cabling.
The Z4
MK3 and Z8 MK3 have low power consumption and
there are no thermal considerations other than ensuring that
the ventilation grilles are not obstructed once the mixer is
installed. The ventilation grilles are at the rear (immediately
above the AC input connector); in the bottom panel (behind
the AC mains switch), and in the left-hand side panel. Other
equipment may be installed above or below the Z4
MK3 /Z8 MK3
within this constraint.
The choice of location will be dictated by the specifics of
the system and building layout. It is recommended that
wherever possible, the Z4
MK3 /Z8 MK3 should be mounted in
an equipment rack along with as many of the music sources
(CD players, music servers, TV receiver boxes, etc.) and audio
power amplifiers (driving the zone loudspeakers) as practical.
When deciding the Zone Mixer’s location, bear in mind that
access to it will probably be required even if a full complement
of remote controls is being fitted as part of the system, as
some adjustments can only be made on the mixer itself.
Power Supply
The European versions of the Z4 MK3 and Z8 MK3 operate on
standard 230 V AC mains; alternative versions are available
which operate on 115 V AC. An IEC mains cable with a plug
appropriate for each country is supplied with the European
unit. The unit’s power consumption is 20 VA (Z4
MK3 ) or
28 VA (Z8 MK3 )
Fuses and ratings
The only user-accessible fuse is an AC mains fuse in the IEC
connector housing.
Only replace a fuse with one of
exactly the same type. The table below gives the correct
fuse types.
MODEL VERSION RATING FUSE TYPE
Z4 MK3
230 V 100 mA 20 mm x 5 mm slo-blo T100mA
115 V 200 mA 20 mm x 5 mm slo-blo T200mA
Z8 MK3
230V 125 mA 20 mm x 5 mm slo-blo T125mA
115V 250 mA 20 mm x 5 mm slo-blo T250mA
The fuseholder may be accessed by prising the slide below the
connector open, using a small screwdriver. The holder has an
extra cavity for storing a spare fuse; note that the “active” fuse
is that in the inner cavity.
System Connections
Music Sources
Connect the system’s various music sources to LINE 1 to
LINE 6. All line inputs offer unbalanced connection for stereo
sources on a pair of standard RCA jacks (phono sockets).
The sensitivity range available should allow most standard
items of audio equipment such as computers/tablets, music
servers and media receivers, etc., to operate at a satisfactory
level. Most equipment of this type will have stereo unbalanced
outputs, and as long as the source equipment is adjacent to
the Zone Mixer, normal phono-phono (or 3.5 mm jack-to-
phono) leads can be used. Always avoid using pre-made leads
of an unnecessary length.
Mono and stereo sources:
The Z4
MK3 and Z8 MK3 are mono mixers; the stereo line
inputs are summed internally to mono. Stereo sources should
be connected in a normal stereo configuration, using both L
and R inputs. If connecting a mono source with only a single
output, it may be connected to either the left or the right
input.
Balanced sources:
If it is necessary to connect an item of source equipment with
a balanced output to the Zone Mixer, a balancing transformer
should ideally be connected between the source and the
unbalanced input. Suitable audio transformers, which should
have a ratio of 1:1, are readily available from major audio
component suppliers. The transformer(s) should be mounted
as close to the Zone Mixer as practical, and housed in a
screened enclosure if they are not individually screened. The
preferred connection method is shown below.
LEFT
+
-
SCN
Unbalanced
inputs SCN
LEFT
+
-
SCN
Audio balancing transformers
RIGHT
+
-
SCN
Unbalanced
inputs SCN
RIGHT
+
-
SCN
pin 1 ground
pin 2 hot
pin 3 cold
Balanced outputs (XLRs):
1 2
3
1 2
3
If transformers are not available, a balanced source may feed
an unbalanced input directly as long as care is taken over how
the connections are made. A variety of design techniques are
in use to implement balanced outputs in audio equipment,
and some designs require different wiring protocols to others.
Installers are advised to check the manuals with each item
for guidance on how the outputs should be connected to an
unbalanced input.
However, the following wiring methods will work in a large
number of cases. If hum or other distortion is found to result,
try disconnecting the ‘cold’ leg of the balanced output (pin 3
on XLRs).