Soundstream Technologies Picasso - Manual (Page 8)

INSTALLATION STEP 4
AMPLIFIER LOCATION
The Class A amplifiers employ highly efficient circuitry, a
engineered heat sink, and a unique Chassisink construction to maintain lower
operating temperatures. Additional cooling may be required if the amplifier is
located in a tightly confined area or when driving especially low impedance
loads at extremely high levels.
When mounting the amplifier, it should be securely mounted to either a panel in
the vehicle or an amp board or rack that is securely mounted to the vehicle. The
mounting location should be either in the passenger compartment or in the trunk
of the vehicle, away from moisture, stray or moving objects, and major electrical
components. To provide adequate ventilation, mount the amplifier so that there
are at least two inches of freely circulating air above and to the sides of it.
THE AMPLIFIER
a. Using the amplifier as a template, mark the holes on the mounting surface.
b. Remove the amplifier and drill the holes for the mounting screws.
c. Secure the amplifier to the mounting surface using the supplied hardware.
WIRING
a. Run and connect the audio signal and remote turn-on cables to the
amplifier from the source unit.
b. Carefully run the positive cable from the amplifier to a fuse or circuit
breaker within
of the battery.
c. Connect the fuse or circuit breaker lead to the battery. Leave the circuit
breaker off or the fuse out until everything is bolted down.
d. Secure the ground cable to a solid chassis ground on the vehicle. It may
be necessary to sand paint down to raw metal for a good connection.
e. Double check each and every connection1
f. Re-connect the fuse or circuit breaker.
POWER UP
Power up the system and look at the Power LED; there may be a 2-3 second
delay from the time the source unit is turned on to the time that the LED on the
amp turns on, which is normal. Once the
LED is on and the source unit
is playing, you should have sound coming from the speakers.
INSTALLATION STEP 5
The input levels are adjusted by means of the individual channel input level
controls located
on the front of the amplifier. This is a unique dual-stage circuit
that adjusts both level and gain. This topology maintains better S/N Ratio even
when using sources with minimal output.
In the ideal situation, all components in the audio system reach maximum
undistorted output at the same time. If you send a distorted signal to an
fier, it is simply going to amplify distorted information. The same holds true if an
outboard processor or crossover begins to distort before you have maximum
output from the amplifier. By setting all components to reach clipping at the
same time, you can maximize the output of your system. For the
Class A amplifiers, follow these steps for setting the input levels:
1. Turn the amplifiers’ input levels to minimum position (counter-clockwise)
2. Set the source unit volume to approximately of full volume.
3. While playing dynamic source material, slowly increase the amplifiers’ input
level until a near maximum undistorted level is heard in the system.
The clipping indicators on the top of the amplifier let you know when the output
of the amplifier is reaching its maximum level, and has begun to clip.
Once the amplifier is installed and the proper levels set, place the front spoiler in
position, and bolt it on using the supplied hardware.
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