Panamax M5500 Owner's Manual - Introduction
2
INTRODUCTION
Your Audio/Video components are constantly
being bombarded by electromagnetic interfer-
ence (EMI) and radio frequency interference
(RFI) through their power cords. This contami-
nated power can affect analog and digital equip-
ment and will degrade the overall performance
of your entire system. Digital components can
also introduce noise on their AC power lines,
which can interfere with the performance of ana-
log components. Common symptoms of con-
taminated power include pops, hisses, hums,
visual artifacts, etc. Most power filtering
devices will remove some of this interference
but don’t provide a real solution to the problem
since their so-called "isolated filter banks"
merely place filter components between differ-
ent outlets.
The MAX
®
5500 ACRegenerator’s Tri-
Power Filtration System is the Complete
Solution!
Level 1 - for Digital Source Components:
True isolation is the first level. The heart of the
M A X
®
5500 is a 500VA, true Isolation
Transformer that provides power to four isolat-
ed outlets for your digital source components.
These outlets have no physical connection to
the incoming AC lines or to any of the other out-
lets on the MAX
®
5500. AC regeneration
through electromagnetic coupling between the
primary and secondary windings of the trans-
former allows only clean, pure AC power to
reach your equipment. None of the EMI/RFI
contamination gets past the isolation trans-
former! In addition, any noise generated by
your digital source components is isolated and
prevented from reaching the rest of your equip-
ment.
Level 2 – for Analog Components:
The second level in the Tri-Power Filtration
System features two banks of independently fil-
tered outlets (2 outlets per bank) for your ana-
log components. These outlet banks utilize
"Balanced Double L" filter circuits which are far
superior to any other design in filtering out all
forms of electromagnetic and radio frequency
interference in both common and normal
modes. Cross-contamination between your
components is also eliminated with this design.
Level 3 – for High-Current Components:
The third level of the system specifically
addresses the unique power requirements of
current-hungry components such as amplifiers
and powered subwoofers. These components
can rapidly draw large amounts of current to
replenish their power supply capacitors after
thunderous bass notes. Line conditioners that
utilize coils (inductors) in series with the AC
power line can "choke off” this large in-rush
current, thereby reducing the amplifier’s ability
to operate at peak performance levels, resulting
in a flat, dead sound. The MAX
®
5500’s high-
current outlets are fed by noise filtration circuit-
ry that does not use coils and provides full,
unimpeded power for your amplifiers and pow-
ered subwoofers.
In addition to filtration, the MAX
®
5500
Isolation Transformer will reduce or stop audio
hum from ground loops, and “hum bars” from
circulating ground currents, because the isolat -
ed AC outlets are completely separated from the
AC power ground.
Other Convenience Features Enhance
the Functionality:
Although the MAX
®
5500’s functionality revolves
around noise filtration and power protection,
many other exciting features enhance your over-
all entertainment experience, including:
As you read through the rest of this manual,
you’ll discover many more unique features. As
audiophiles, we care about the quality of your
listening and/or viewing experience.
Our goal is to:
• Provide clean pure power
• Protect your investment
• Enhance the pleasure you get from your
A/V system
Thank you for choosing Panamax for your
power quality needs. Please finish reading the
instructions, plug in, turn on and enjoy the full
potential of your entertainment system.
A backlit analog voltmeter indicates the AC
line voltage coming into your system.
An analog, backlit ammeter shows the
actual current draw of all your connected
components, giving a visual reference to
how your system is functioning under a
variety of conditions.
A combination ON/OFF Dimmer switch
controls the meter lighting.
A detachable convenience lamp simplifies
changing CD’s or DVD’s and making other
system adjustments in low-light situations.
For convenience, this lamp is also con-
trolled with an ON/OFF Dimmer switch.
An Always-On, convenience outlet on the
front panel for temporary AC connections.
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1690 Corporate Circle, Petaluma, CA 94954 • www.panamax.com