Aesthetix Audio Atlas Owners Manual

							
 
 
 
 
 
 
ATLAS 
 
Hybrid Power Amplifier 
 
Owner’s Manual 
For both Stereo and Mono Amplifiers 
 
PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE 
USING THE ATLAS. 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Aesthetix Audio Corporation 
5220 Gabbert Rd., Suite A  ♦ Moorpark, CA. 93021 
Phone: (805) 529-9901
  
						

							
  
 
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangl\
e, 
is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous 
voltage” within the product’s enclosu re that may be of significant 
magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. 
 
 
 
 
The exclamation point within an equilate ral triangle is intended to alert 
the user to the presence of  important operating and maintenance 
(servicing) instructions in the  literature accompanying the product.
 
 
 
 
 
WARNING 
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, 
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS PRODUCT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE 
 
 
 
CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NO T USE THE AC (POLARIZED) PLUG WITH AN 
EXTENSION CORD, RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY INSERTED 
TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE. 
 
 
Extension cords are not recommended for use with this product. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  2 
						

							
 
  3
PREFACE 
INTRODUCTION 
Thank you for purchasing the Atlas power amplif
ier.  It has been engineered to deliver the highest 
attainable sound quality from your music sources.  This  is its sole purpose.  Only the highest grade electronic 
components are used in the Atlas, including:  non-inductive Roederstein metal film resi stors in the signal path; 
polystyrene, polypropylene, and electrolytic power s upply, bypass, and signal capacitors; low noise matched 
vacuum tubes; glass epoxy dual mono circuit boards;  16 gauge aluminum chassis; custom wound low flux 
power transformers. 
PLACEMENT 
The Atlas main unit should be located away from possible sources of hum such as power cords, power 
transformers and the like.  It should not be located near any  other heat source such as another power amplifier 
or power supply.  It must be kept well ventilated any time  it is on.  If it is positioned within an enclosed space 
then fans may be warranted.  All air  vents must remain unobstructed.   
 
BURN IN TIME 
This unit has a break in period of about 1 month during which continuous improvement in sound quality will 
be observed. 
IMPORTANT 
Save all packaging in a dry place away from fire hazards .  Your Atlas is a precision electronic instrument and 
should be properly packaged any time shipment is made.   In the unlikely event that you have to return your 
Atlas to the factory for service, or if  you send it to us for updating, the or iginal packaging will best protect the unit 
from shipping damage. 
 
In order to achieve the fullest flexibility and enjoyment  from your Atlas, we at Aesthetix recommend that you 
read this manual in full before connecting the unit to your audio system\
. 
 
Note : It is imperative that the Atlas be operated in a we ll ventilated environment and the immediate external 
temperature be maintained as specified.  External cooling fans may be required in some cases. Do not 
stack any equipment directly above or below the Atlas to protect  it from overheating, as well as the 
continued functionality of any equipment near and around it.  
Warning:  Each channel is a balanced bridge amplifie r, thus the negative speaker terminal is NOT a ground, 
and cannot be connected to a system ground or a  loudspeaker system with a common ground.   
Consult your speaker manufacturer to ensure that any speaker in your system that will be 
connected to the Atlas does  NOT have internal circuitry with a common ground.  
 
WARNING 
United States law prohibits disposition of these comm odities to Libya, Laos, North Korea, Cambodia or Cuba 
unless otherwise authorized  by the United States. 
 
AFTER MARKET and THIRD PARTY MODIFICATIONS  
Please note that any after market and/or third party modifications will void the warranty.  In the case of changing 
the feet on a unit, in order to prevent any damage (which  will also not be covered under warranty), please verify 
that the screws being used to secure non-Aesthetix f eet do not screw any deeper into the chassis than the 
original ones.  The original screw is 10-32 by  3/8” and extends into the chassis 1/8 inch. 
 
Manual Conventions  
All information contained in this document applies for  both the Stereo and Mono Atlas models, unless otherwise 
specified. 
 
For clarity purposes, references  to buttons, LEDs and menu data will  be shown in bold capital letters.  
© 2007 Aesthetix Audio Corporation.   All rights reserved.  Written and Illustrated by Glenn Buckley  
No part of this publication may be  reproduced or transmitted in any form  or by any means, electronic or 
mechanical, for any purpose, without  the express written permission of Aesthetix Audio Corporation. 
  
						

							
 
  4
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 
 
Please carefully read each item of t
he operating instructions and safety pr ecautions before installing and using 
this product.  Use extra care to follow the warnings  written on the product itself and/or in the operating 
instructions.  Keep the operating  instructions and safety precautions for future reference. 
 
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE ANY OF THE COVER 
PANELS. 
 
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.  REFE R ALL SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE 
PERSONNEL ONLY. 
 
TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT A LLOW LIQUIDS TO SPILL OR OBJECTS TO FALL 
INTO ANY OPENINGS OF THE PRODUCT. 
 
THIS UNIT IS SUPPLIED WITH A 3 PIN GROUNDE D AC PLUG. ALWAYS INSERT THE AC PLUG INTO A 
GROUNDED OUTLET.  DO NOT REMOVE THE GR OUND PIN OR DISABLE THE GROUND FOR ANY 
PURPOSE. 
 
BEFORE MAKING ANY CONNECTIONS TO THE  ATLAS, FIRST TURN OFF THE POWER AND THEN 
DISCONNECT THE AC POWER CORD. 
 
WHEN INSTALLING THE ATLAS  IN YOUR SYSTEM, MAKE CERTAIN TO ALLOW A MINIMUM OF 4 
INCHES OF VENTILATION ON EACH SIDE OF THE  UNIT.  ALSO ALLOW AT LEAST 6 INCHES OF 
VENTILATION SPACE ABOVE THE UNIT.  IMPR OPER VENTILATION OF THE UNIT MAY CAUSE 
OVERHEATING, WHICH MAY DAMAGE THE UNIT AND  CAUSE A FIRE.  PLACE THE UNIT ON A SOLID 
SURFACE ONLY. I.E. NOT ON CARPET, ETC. 
 
DO NOT PLACE THE ATLAS NEAR HEAT SOURCES SUCH AS DIRECT SUNLIGHT, STOVES, HEAT 
REGISTERS, RADIATORS OR OTHER HEAT PRODUCING EQUIPMENT. 
 
TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE ANALOG OUTPUT CI RCUITRY, BE CERTAIN NOT TO SHORT THE 
OUTPUT SIGNAL TO GROUND.  ENSURE THAT YOUR AUDIO OUTPUT CABLES DO NOT HAVE ANY 
INTERNAL SHORTS BEFORE CONNE CTING THEM TO THE ATLAS. 
 
IF REPLACEMENT OF THE AC LINE FUSE AND/ OR ANY INTERNAL FUSE BECOMES NECESSARY, 
REPLACE ONLY WITH SAME VALUE AND T YPE OF FUSE.  NEVER BYPASS THE FUSE. 
 
IF THE AC CORD BECOMES DAMAGED, DO NOT USE IT.  IMMEDIATELY REPLACE IT W\
ITH A NEW 
ONE OF THE SAME OR BETTER RATING. 
 
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE ATLAS BE OPERAT ED IN A WELL VENTILATED ENVIRONMENT AND THE 
IMMEDIATE EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE BE MAINTAIN ED AS SPECIFIED.  EXTERNAL COOLING FANS 
MAY BE REQUIRED IN SOME CASES.  DO  NOT STACK ANY EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY ABOVE OR 
BELOW THE ATLAS AS TO PROTECT IT FROM  OVERHEATING, AS WELL AS THE CONTINUED 
FUNCTIONALITY OF ANY EQUIPMENT NEAR AND AROUND IT. 
 
EACH CHANNEL IS A BALANCED BRIDGE AMPLIFIER, THUS THE NEGATIVE SPEAKER TERMINAL IS 
NOT
 A GROUND, AND CANNOT BE CONNECTED TO  A SYSTEM GROUND OR LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM 
WITH A COMMON GROUND.  CONSULT YOUR SPE AKER MANUFACTURER TO ENSURE THAT ANY 
SPEAKER IN YOUR SYSTEM THAT WILL BE CONNECTED TO THE ATLAS DOES NOT HAVE INTERNAL 
CIRCUITRY WITH A COMMON GROUND.  
 
IF THE TOP COVER HAS TO BE REMOVED, FI RST TURN OFF THE REAR PANEL POWER SWITCH AND 
WAIT 15 MINUTES.  THEN REMOVE THE TWO 6- 32 PANHEAD SCREWS AT THE TOP OF THE REAR 
PANEL AND LIFT THE BACK OF THE TOP COVER UPWARDS. 
   
						

							
 
  5
 
Table Of Contents 
    
PREFACE........................................................................\
................................................
....3 
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................\
......................................3 
PLACEMENT........................................................................\
............................................3 
BURN IN TIME ........................................................................\
.........................................3 
IMPORTANT ........................................................................\
............................................ 3 
WARNING ........................................................................\
................................................ 3 
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS........................................................................\
...........................4 
Table Of Contents ........................................................................\
...................................... .5 
Front Panel Layout ........................................................................\
..................................... .6 
Rear Panel Layout ........................................................................\
...................................... .7 
CONNECTIONS ........................................................................\
.......................................9 
OPERATION ........................................................................\
.............................................. .9 
STANDBY........................................................................\
................................................ .9 
SELECTING INPUTS ........................................................................\
............................. 10 
CROSSOVER........................................................................\
.........................................10 
MUTE ........................................................................\
................................................... ..10 
REMOTE TRIGGER ........................................................................\
...............................10 
RS232...................................................................\
....................................................... ...11 
Appendix A  Troubleshooting Guide ........................................................................\
.........12 
Display Codes........................................................................\
........................................12  
Appendix B  Wiring Diagrams........................................................................\
...................13 
Appendix C  Block Diagram ........................................................................\
......................15 
Appendix D  RS232 Protocol........................................................................\
.....................16 
Appendix E  Specifications........................................................................\
......................17 
 
   
						

							
Front Panel Layout 
  
  
Figure 1 - Front Panel Layout – Stereo and Mono versions    
1. DISPLAY  button.  Press to extinguish or turn on the display, set display bright\
ness. 
 
2. Display  LED.  Not used. 
 
3. LED DISPLAY  
 
4. MUTE  button.  Toggle to mute or unmute the Altas. 
 
5. Mute  LED.  Illuminates when the Mute function is active. 
 
6.  Pressing the left side of the  DISPLAY will decrement the value when in a submenu. 
 
7. INPUT button.  Used to select the appropriate rear panel i nput connector.  Ensure that this is set correctly. 
 
8. INPUT LED.  Illuminates when the INPUT menu is active. 
 
9. STANDBY  button.  After the rear panel  MAIN POWER switch is turned on press the front panel STANDBY 
button to exit the standby mode.  Pressing this button again will put the Atlas into 
STANDBY  and illuminate the Standby  LED. 
 
10. Standby  LED.  Illuminates Red when the Atlas is in Standby,  Blue when the Atlas is active (out of standby). 
 
11. FREQUENCY  button.  Press to enter the crossover frequency selection menu. 
 
12. Frequency  LED.  Illuminates when the Frequency menu is active. 
 
13.  Pressing the right side of the  DISPLAY will increment the value when in a submenu. 
 
  
 
  6 
						

							
Rear Panel Layout 
 
  
Figure 2 - Rear Panel Layout – Stereo Version    
1.  6-32 screws to secure the top cover.  Before removing top cover, turn off rear panel MAIN POWER switch 
and wait 15 minutes.  Then remove the two 6-32 screws and pull up top co\
ver from the rear panel. 
 
2. Right channel  BINDING POST.  Connect plus and minus speaker  wires for the right speaker to 
appropriately marked terminals. 
 
3.  AC POWER INPUT .  
4. MAIN POWER Switch.   Disconnects AC to all circuits.  It is  recommended that this be left ON at all times 
during regular use with the exception of whenever cables are connect ed/disconnected or when the unit is 
not going to be used for an extended period of time. 
 
5. DB9  RS232 connector.  Used for connecting a system control device to the Atlas to control and monitor its 
functions.
  
6. Remote  TRIGGER jack.  When the rear panel  TRIGGER jack receives a 5-12 VDC pulse the Atlas will 
change its mode from either standby to operate,  or operate to standby, depending on its current mode. 
 
7. Left channel BINDING POST.  Connect plus and minus speaker wires  for the left speaker to appropriately 
marked terminals. 
 
8.  Right channel Direct Input  SINGLE ENDED input jack. 
 
9.  Right channel Crossover Input  SINGLE-ENDED input jack. 
 
10.  Right channel Crossover Input  BALANCED input jack. 
 
11.  Right channel Direct Input  BALANCED input jack. 
 
12. Chassis  FUSE.  Replace with same type and rating only.  (Spare fuse inside). 
 
  7 
						

							
 
  
Figure 3 - Rear Panel Layout – Mono Version   
Note: Figure 3 shows a Right Channel Mono Atlas. A Le ft Channel Mono Atlas would be identical with the 
exception of the inputs and the output being on the opposite side. 
  
1.  6-32 screws to secure the top cover.  Before removing top cover, turn off rear panel  MAIN POWER switch 
and wait 15 minutes.  Then remove the two 6-32 screws and pull up top co\
ver from the rear panel. 
 
2. Output channel  BINDING POST.  Connect plus and minus speaker wire s for the appropriate speaker to the 
appropriately marked terminals. 
 
3.  AC POWER INPUT .  
4. MAIN POWER Switch.   Disconnects AC to all circuits.  It is  recommended that this be left ON at all times 
during regular use with the exception of whenever cables are connect ed/disconnected or when the unit is 
not going to be used for an extended period of time. 
 
5. DB9  RS232 connector.  Used for connecting a system control device to the Atlas to control and monitor its 
functions.
  
6. Remote  TRIGGER jack.  When the rear panel  TRIGGER jack receives a 5-12 VDC pulse the Atlas will 
change its mode from either standby to operate,  or operate to standby, depending on its current mode. 
 
7. Direct Input SINGLE ENDED  input jack. 
 
8. Crossover Input  SINGLE-ENDED input jack. 
 
9. Crossover Input  BALANCED input jack. 
 
10. Direct Input  BALANCED input jack. 
 
11. Chassis  FUSE.  Replace with same type and rating only.  (Spare fuse inside).    
 
  8 
						

							
 
  9
CONNECTIONS 
 
CAUTION: Make all input and output connections be
fore turning on the Altas Main Power Switch. 
 
Determine whether the internal crossover is to be used.  If it is, use either the single-ended or balanced 
CROSSOVER INPUT  jacks.  If the internal crossover will not be used, use either of the  DIRECT INPUT jacks. 
 
CAUTION! Note that when connecting the speaker cables  that the positive terminal is at the bottom of the left 
channel whereas the positive terminal is at the top of the right channel.  Follow the markings on the metal plate 
and the side of the Binding Posts.  There is a red circle above or below the binding post, which indicates the 
positive terminal. 
 
WARNING!   The Atlas rear panel Main Power switch should always be turned  OFF when making or changing 
speaker connections. 
 
Mute the Atlas when selecting  Inputs and when connecting/disconnecting  INPUT cables. 
 
Ensure that the INPUT setting is correct in th at it is set to the input jack being used.  
Only one preamp may be connected to the Atlas; t he input switch does not allow more than one. 
 
 
OPERATION 
 
Refer to the Rear Panel Layout diagrams (figure 2 and 3) before proceeding with operation. 
 
Once all connections have been made, turn on the  rear panel Main Power switch.  The Standby LED will be red.   
 
CAUTION! To avoid loud pops and possible speaker damage,  Turn on all other system components before 
taking the Atlas out of standby. 
  
STANDBY  
Press the STANDBY  button once.  The Standby LED  will blink for approximately 30 seconds, then it will turn 
blue, which indicates that the Atlas is active.  At this point the Mute \
 LED will be off. 
 
When the Atlas is fully acti ve (out of standby), the DISPLAY will be blank (no segments turned on). 
 
Pressing the STANDBY  button when the Standby LED  is currently blue will put the Atlas into Standby, at which 
time the Standby  LED will turn red. 
 
The STANDBY  button will not respond if the  FREQUENCY or INPUT menus are active. 
 
Note:  Put the Atlas into Standby before turni ng off the rear panel AC Power Switch. 
 
It is normal that a slight pop may be heard when going in to or coming out of Standby.  This is due to the 
amplifier switching from high bias to low bias. 
 
Important Note:  In order to extend the life of t he tubes, do not have a source playing  into the Atlas while it is in 
STANDBY.  Mute the Preamp first.  
						

							
 
  10
SELECTING INPUTS 
 
Make sure that the Atlas is muted and then 
select the desired input jacks by pressing the  INPUT button.  The 
currently selected jack will be shown in the display.  The possible options are  SE 1, BAL 1  (these are the 
DIRECT INPUT s, and SE 2 and BAL 2. The latter two (the ones with the number 2 after them) correspond to 
the  CROSSOVER INPUTs.  To change a setting, press either t he left (down) or right (up) edge of the DISPLAY 
lens. 
 
Warning: It is imperative that the input be set correctly.  An incorrect setting will result in 
compromised performance. 
 
Press the  INPUT button to exit the Input menu.  The Input  LED will extinguish.  Press the MUTE  button to un-
mute the Atlas. 
 
CROSSOVER 
 
The Atlas has a built in Hi Pass crossover with a slope of 6dB/octave.  
If the crossover is to be used, first connect eit her a single-ended or balanced cable to the rear panel 
CROSSOVER INPUT, press the  MUTE button and then press the  FREQUENCY button.  The Frequency  LED 
will illuminate and the current Frequency setting will show in the  DISPLAY.  The factory setting is  OFF.  The 
possible values, in Hertz (Hz) are:  40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110 , 125 , 135 , 145 , 155 , 170 , 180 , 190  and 200.   
Select the desired setting, which will affect both channels, by  pressing either the left (down) or right (up) edge of 
the  DISPLAY  lens. 
 
Press the  FREQUENCY  button to exit the Frequency menu.  The Frequency  LED will extinguish.  
If it is desired to not use the crossover, connect either  Single-Ended or Balanced cables to the Direct Input 
connectors. 
 
MUTE 
 
Toggle the Mute button to Mute or Un-mute the Atlas.  When it is muted, \
the Mute LED will be lit.  
Important Note:  In order to extend the life of the tubes, do not mu te the Atlas while music is playing.  Mute the 
Preamp first. 
 
REMOTE TRIGGER 
 
The remote trigger control allows an external component  to control the STANDBY state of the Atlas.  Connect 
the Trigger Out jack from a host component to the Remo te Trigger jack on the rear panel of the Atlas.   
 
The trigger voltage should be between +5 and +12 volts DC.   There are two signal types that may be used; level 
and pulse.  The Atlas automatically senses which type of  trigger signal it is receiving and responds accordingly. 
 
A positive pulse that is greater than 100mS is interpreted as a Level trigger whereas shorter pulses are treated 
as Pulse triggers.  The minimum detectable pulse is 50uS. 
 
When a Level type signal is received, the Atlas will be taken out of standby and when that signal drops to zero, 
the Atlas will go into standby. 
 
When a positive pulse signal is received the Atlas will toggle between STANDBY and OPERATE modes, 
duplicating the action of the front panel STANDBY button. 
 
Use a 1/8” (3.5mm) mono plug for this jack.   The tip is positive and the sleeve is ground.