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Congratulations on purchasing the Samson Servo 120 Power Amplifier!  Although designed for easy
operation, we suggest you first take some time to go through these pages so you can fully understand
how we’ve implemented a number of unique features.

The Servo 120 is a single rack-space stereo power amplifier which is optimized for use in both
professional and project recording studio environments as well as for live performance.  It delivers
60 watts of power per channel into 4 ohms (or, in Bridge mode, 120 watts into 8-ohms) over the full
frequency spectrum, from 3 Hz to 65 kHz.  Both balanced 1/4" TRS and unbalanced RCA-type input
connectors are provided, along with push-spring terminal outputs.  Front-panel controls and displays
include a power switch, independent left- and right-channel input level controls, five-segment LED
meters, a Protection LED, and a convenient headphone jack and speaker on/off switch for private cue
monitoring.  Suggested applications for the Servo120 include:

• Amplification for nearfield monitors or cue headphones in both professional and project studios -

Its superb audio specs and whisper-quiet performance (its convection cooling design means there is
no fan), along with its unique front-panel speaker on-off switch and dedicated headphone jack, make
the Servo 120 the perfect complement to any recording studio.

• Home Theatre applications - The power and flexibility offered by the Servo 120 (it can be used either

as a 60 watt stereo amplifier, or, in bridge mode, as a 120 watt monophonic amp) makes it the
perfect addition to any home theatre, in conjunction with any DVD player or other surround sound
system.  For example, use it in stereo mode to drive your main front left/right speakers, using your
home stereo to drive the satellite rear speakers—or use the Servo 120 in Bridge mode to drive your
center channel or subwoofer with power galore.

• As an extension to a home hi-fi system - The Servo 120 boasts professional specs which far exceed

that of most consumer products.  For a real “studio” experience in your own home, try connecting
your home hi-fi amplifier’s auxiliary outputs to the Servo 120’s inputs (thus using your hi-fi amp as a
preamplifier) and then connect your existing speakers to the Servo 120’s outputs.  If you fall in love
with the sound (as we’re sure you will), you might want to substitute a professional pre-amplifier for
your existing hi-fi amp—and, from there, you may well end up graduating to higher-level speakers.
High quality sound is addicting—don’t say we didn’t warn you!

• Powering public address systems in permanent installations - The Servo 120 can be used to

effectively drive PA speakers in installations such as classrooms and corporate conference rooms.

• Onstage monitoring - In small and medium-sized onstage areas (such as in clubs, lounges, etc.), the

Servo 120 can be used to drive stage monitors, allowing the performers to hear themselves without
having to rely on onstage equipment amplification.

• MIDI rack monitoring - Taking only a single rack space, MIDI musicians can easily incorporate the

Servo 120 into their existing rack of gear.  Combined with a pair of high quality stage or studio
speakers, this makes for an excellent monitoring system that can accurately reproduce the broad
range of frequencies typically output by devices such as synthesizers, samplers, and digital audio
workstations.

In these pages, you’ll find a detailed description of the many features of the Servo 120 Power Amplifier,
as well as a guided tour through its front and rear panels, step-by-step instructions for its setup and use,
reference appendices, and full specifications.  You’ll also find a warranty card enclosed—please don’t
forget to fill it out and mail it in so that you can receive online technical support and so we can send you
updated information about these and other Samson products in the future.

SPECIAL NOTE: Should your unit ever require servicing, a Return Authorization number (RA) is
necessary.  Without this number, the unit will not be accepted.  Please call Samson at 1-800-372-6766
for a Return Authorization number prior to shipping your unit.  Please retain the original packing materials
and, if possible, return the unit in its original carton and packing materials.

Introduction

Summary of Contents for Power Amplifier Servo 120

Page 1: ... OWNERS MANUAL S T U D I O AMPLIFIER S E R V O 1 2 0 ...

Page 2: ...4 Guided Tour 5 Front Panel 5 Rear Panel 6 Setting Up and Using the Servo 120 Amplifier 7 The Servo 120 Protection Circuitry 8 Bridge Mode 9 Appendix A Linearity vs Frequency Sweep 10 Appendix B Power Output vs THD 11 Specifications 12 ...

Page 3: ...dio experience in your own home try connecting your home hi fi amplifier s auxiliary outputs to the Servo 120 s inputs thus using your hi fi amp as a preamplifier and then connect your existing speakers to the Servo 120 s outputs If you fall in love with the sound as we re sure you will you might want to substitute a professional pre amplifier for your existing hi fi amp and from there you may wel...

Page 4: ...h push spring terminal output connectors Convection cooling no fan makes for whisper quiet operation even in critical listening environments such as recording studios Unique bipolar circuit design that continuously keeps DC output during idling at or near 0 volts thus keeping idle speakers at their 0 point This serves to minimize heat overload problems by effectively preventing the Servo 120 from ...

Page 5: ...n on page 7 in this manual for more information 5 Protection LED This goes on for approximately five seconds whenever the Servo120 is powered on and fades slowly when the amp is powered off When lit 0 volts DC are provided to all connected speakers thus muting them and preventing any thump from occurring For a complete description of the conditions under which this light goes on see the section en...

Page 6: ... connected to both the left and right input jacks when operating the Servo 120 in Bridge mode use the left input jack only see page 7 in this manual for more information The Servo 120 accepts input levels of any strength but needs at least 4 dBu to achieve maximum power 5 Unbalanced Inputs Connect incoming signal to these unbalanced RCA type jacks Stereo signals should be connected to both the lef...

Page 7: ... 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 Speaker on off switch so that it is in in its down position and then press the front panel Power switch in order to turn on the Servo 120...

Page 8: ...o guard against this problem make sure the Servo 120 receives adequate ventilation on all sides see page 5 for more information in extreme environmental conditions you may also want to consider the use of cooling fans Severe overcurrent conditions This occurs whenever the signal being input to the Servo 120 rises to a level above 20 THD Total Harmonic Distortion Shorted speaker cables This will oc...

Page 9: ...d is thus doubled so that the power output is doubled When using the Servo 120 in Bridge mode be sure to connect each loudspeaker as shown in the illustration below and as silkscreened on the rear panel with the red terminal of the left channel connected to the positive input of the speaker and the red terminal of the right channel connected to the negative input of the speaker Do not use the blac...

Page 10: ...ty vs Frequency Sweep 10 Linearity 0 dB Ref vs frequency sweep 10 Hz 50 kHz 5 0000 4 0000 3 0000 2 0000 1 0000 0 0 1 000 2 000 3 000 4 000 5 000 10 100 1k 10k 50k Ap AUDIO PRECISION Servo 120 LEVEL dBr vs FREQ Hz 0dB ref ...

Page 11: ...60 W vs Total Harmonic Distortion 80 000 73 000 61 000 56 000 48 000 40 000 32 000 21 000 15 000 8 000 200 0u 0 000 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 1 000 20 100 1k 10k 50k Ap AUDIO PRECISION Servo 120 THD N LEVEL W vs FREQ Hz THD Watts ...

Page 12: ...z 7 kHz rated output power 03 3 Signal To Noise Ratio 22 Hz 22 kHz bandwidth dB below rated output power 105 dB 4 Frequency Response 10 Hz 20 kHz 0 0 5 dB 3 Hz 65 kHz 0 3 0 dB 5 Input Sensitivity 4 dBu to achieve rated power Level control set to maximum 6 Crosstalk adjacent channels 75 dB 1 kHz 7 Output DC Offset Voltage 50 mV DC Servo Controlled 8 Headphone Output Level 15 mW into 8 Ω 1 THD N 9 D...

Page 13: ...avelength for Samson Technologies Corp Copyright 1997 Samson Technologies Corp Printed June 1997 Samson Technologies Corp 575 Underhill Blvd P O Box 9031 Syosset NY 11791 9031 Phone 1 800 3 SAMSON 1 800 372 6766 Fax 516 364 3888 ...

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