The TASCAM MA-BT240 is a compact commercial mixing amplifier designed for background music, paging, presentations and announcements in small to medium-sized venues with 3 wired mixer input channels.

It combines a three-channel wired mixer, built-in Bluetooth audio receiver and efficient Class-D power amplification in a compact half-rack enclosure. The amplifier can power either conventional 4Ω or 8Ω loudspeakers in stereo or 70V/100V distributed speaker systems in mono.

The MA-BT240 is suitable for restaurants, retail stores, waiting rooms, schools, offices, hospitality venues, houses of worship and other commercial installations requiring a simple mixer and amplifier in one unit.

Key Features

• Commercial mixing amplifier with built-in Bluetooth
• Efficient Class-D amplifier
• 2 × 120W output for 4Ω or 8Ω loudspeakers
• 1 × 240W output for 70V or 100V speaker systems
• One switchable microphone/line input channel
• Two stereo RCA line-input channels
• Built-in Bluetooth 5.1 receiver
• Automatic ducking and paging function
• Bass and treble output equalisation
• Switchable output high-pass filter
• Stereo or mono output operation
• RCA line output for recording or additional amplifiers
• External master-volume controller connection
• Signal, peak and output-clip indicators
• Natural convection cooling without a fan
• Compact 1U half-rack enclosure
• Optional rackmount accessories available

Mixer Channel Configuration

The MA-BT240 has three wired mixer input channels:

• One microphone/line input channel
• Stereo Line Input 1
• Stereo Line Input 2

It also includes a built-in Bluetooth audio source. The Bluetooth volume is adjusted from the connected smartphone, tablet or computer rather than through a separate front-panel Bluetooth level control.

The front and rear microphone/line connectors are alternative connections for the same input channel and cannot be mixed as two separate microphone channels.

Amplifier Configuration

The MA-BT240 supports two different loudspeaker-system configurations.

Low-Impedance Operation

• Amplifier channels: Two
• Rated output: 2 × 120W
• Supported loudspeaker impedance: 4Ω or 8Ω
• Operating mode: Stereo or mono
• Connector: Four-pin Euroblock
• Impedance selection: 4Ω or 8Ω

This configuration is suitable for conventional passive installation, foreground or full-range loudspeakers.

High-Impedance Operation

• Amplifier channels: One
• Rated output: 1 × 240W
• Supported systems: 70V or 100V
• Connector: Two-pin Euroblock
• Minimum combined load at 100V: 42Ω
• Minimum combined load at 70V: 21Ω

This configuration is designed for distributed commercial speaker systems using multiple transformer-equipped ceiling, wall-mount or paging loudspeakers.

Important Speaker-Output Notice

The amplifier must be configured for the connected loudspeaker system:

• Select 4Ω or 8Ω when using conventional low-impedance speakers.
• Select 70V or 100V when using transformer-equipped distributed speakers.
• Do not connect low-impedance loudspeakers to the 70V/100V output.
• Do not use the low- and high-impedance speaker outputs simultaneously.
• The total speaker load must remain within the amplifier’s rated output capacity.

Speaker-system installation should be completed by a qualified audio installer, particularly when using 70V or 100V distributed systems.

Microphone/Line Input

The microphone/line channel can receive a microphone, wireless microphone receiver, mixer output or other balanced audio source.

Connections:

• Front: Balanced XLR/6.3 mm TRS combination socket
• Rear: Balanced four-pin Euroblock connector
• Front/rear input selection switch
• Microphone/line sensitivity selection

Microphone Mode

• Maximum input level: −30 dBu
• Minimum input level: −65 dBu
• Input impedance: 2 kΩ or higher

Line Mode

• Maximum input level: +20 dBu
• Nominal input level: +4 dBu
• Input impedance: 10 kΩ or higher

The front and rear connectors feed the same microphone/line channel. Phantom power is not provided, so condenser microphones requiring phantom power need an external phantom-power supply or microphone preamplifier.

Microphone Ducking and Paging

The microphone/line channel includes a switchable ducking function. When a microphone signal is detected, the amplifier automatically lowers or mutes the background music so that announcements can be heard clearly.

The rear microphone connector also supports paging operation, making the amplifier suitable for:

• Reception announcements
• Store paging
• School announcements
• Restaurant messages
• Waiting-room calls
• Priority microphone applications

Once the announcement ends, the background-music level returns automatically.

Stereo Line Inputs

The MA-BT240 has two stereo line-input channels for external audio equipment.

Connections:

• Line Input 1: Stereo RCA
• Line Input 2: Stereo RCA
• Input type: Unbalanced
• Nominal input level: −10 dBV
• Maximum input level: +6 dBV
• Input impedance: 10 kΩ or higher

Suitable sources include:

• Media players
• CD players
• Televisions
• Computers
• Streaming devices
• Satellite receivers
• Digital signage systems
• External Bluetooth or network players

Each line channel has an independent front-panel volume control with signal and peak indicators.

Bluetooth Audio

The integrated Bluetooth receiver allows compatible smartphones, tablets and computers to stream background music wirelessly.

Bluetooth specifications:

• Bluetooth version: 5.1
• Output class: Class 2
• Approximate unobstructed range: 10 metres
• Supported profiles: A2DP and AVRCP
• Supported codecs: SBC and AAC
• Front-mounted Bluetooth antenna
• Dedicated pairing button and connection indicator

The actual wireless range can be affected by walls, people, nearby wireless equipment and radio-frequency interference.

Extendable Bluetooth Antenna

The Bluetooth antenna can be repositioned using a commercially available RP-SMA extension cable.

Maximum recommended antenna extension:

• Approximately 20 metres

This is useful when the amplifier is installed inside a rack, cupboard or equipment room where Bluetooth reception may otherwise be restricted. The antenna extension cable is sold separately.

Front-Panel Mixing Controls

The front panel provides:

• Microphone/line input-level control
• Line Input 1 level control
• Line Input 2 level control
• Master output-level control
• Bass adjustment
• Treble adjustment
• Bluetooth pairing control
• Input signal indicators
• Input peak indicators
• Master signal indicator
• Master clip/protection indicator

Bluetooth playback volume is adjusted from the paired Bluetooth source device.

Output Equalisation

The amplifier includes bass and treble controls for adjusting the overall loudspeaker output.

These controls can be used to:

• Reduce excessive low-frequency energy
• Improve speech clarity
• Control harsh high frequencies
• Compensate for room acoustics
• Adjust the system for ceiling or wall-mounted speakers

The EQ controls affect the speaker output rather than providing separate equalisation for each input channel.

High-Pass Filter

A switchable high-pass filter is provided on the amplifier output.

The filter can help:

• Reduce unnecessary bass frequencies
• Protect small installation loudspeakers
• Reduce transformer saturation in 70V/100V systems
• Improve speech intelligibility
• Reduce low-frequency distortion

The filter is particularly useful with ceiling speakers and distributed paging systems that are not designed to reproduce deep bass.

Stereo and Mono Operation

The speaker output can be switched between stereo and mono operation.

Stereo mode is suitable for:

• Pairs of conventional 4Ω or 8Ω loudspeakers
• Background-music systems requiring stereo reproduction

Mono mode is suitable for:

• Distributed speaker systems
• Paging applications
• Ceiling-speaker installations
• Venues where stereo separation is unnecessary

High-impedance 70V and 100V operation uses a single mono 240W output.

Line Output

A stereo RCA line output provides the mixed programme signal before or alongside the power-amplifier stage.

Specifications:

• Connector: Stereo RCA
• Output type: Unbalanced
• Nominal output level: −10 dBV
• Maximum output level: +6 dBV
• Output impedance: 200Ω

The line output can be used for:

• Connecting an external audio recorder
• Feeding another power amplifier
• Expanding the system to an additional area
• Connecting monitoring equipment
• Cascading multiple amplifiers

External Volume Control

A rear-panel Euroblock connector allows the amplifier’s master output level to be controlled from a compatible external wall-mounted volume controller.

Connection:

• Three-pin Euroblock
• Pin 1: 5V control voltage
• Pin 2: Control
• Pin 3: Ground

The remote controller is sold separately. Compatibility and wiring should be confirmed before installation.

Audio Performance

• Frequency response: 20 Hz–20 kHz
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 92 dB or higher
• Total harmonic distortion: 0.05% or lower
• Crosstalk: 70 dB or higher
• Amplifier type: Class-D
• Cooling system: Natural convection cooling

Protection and Status Indicators

The MA-BT240 includes indicators for monitoring the input and output signal condition.

Input-channel indicators:

• Green signal indicator
• Red peak indicator

Master-output indicators:

• Green signal indicator
• Red clip indicator
• Protection-status indication

An internal limiter activates when the amplifier reaches its maximum output level. If the clip indicator remains illuminated, the master output level should be reduced.

Power Requirements

European-market model:

• AC input: 220–240V
• Frequency: 50/60Hz
• Rated power consumption: 58W at one-eighth output
• Idle power consumption: 18W

Power requirements can differ between regional versions. The voltage rating printed on the specific unit should be checked before connection.

Rack Installation

The MA-BT240 has a compact 1U half-rack enclosure.

Installation options include:

• Desktop placement
• Shelf installation
• Single-unit rack installation using the optional AK-RM05
• Side-by-side rack installation using the optional AK-RS1 rack shelf

The rackmount hardware is sold separately. Adequate ventilation space should be maintained around the amplifier.

Product Dimensions and Weight

Dimensions excluding protrusions and Bluetooth antenna:

• 214 × 44 × 298 mm
• 21.4 × 4.4 × 29.8 cm

Rack height:

• 1U half-rack

Product weight:

• 2.5 kg

Operating temperature:

• 0–40°C

Operating humidity:

• 5–85%, non-condensing