LINEAR POWER 952 audio amplifier Installation guide

™
F O R
T H E
L O V E
O F
M U S I C
MODEL 952©
(1987-MSRP $300.00)
OWNER'S MANUAL AND
INSTALLATION GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your decision to purchase a LINEAR POWER™ audio
product. Our commitment to grow with the times and meet the demands of the
ever-changing auto-sound market has brought a new change to our existing line.
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
POWER SUPPLY: Self oscillating for reliability and efficiency. The transformer is
epoxy dipped for extreme vibration resistance.
OUTPUT STAGES: Transformer less, direct coupled and fully complimentary.
Output transistors are high current and low distortion TO-218 Darlington
Devices, operating at a fraction of their limitations. Total power dissipation
potential of the output transistors is 500 watts.
PROTECTION: Our stable amplifier design is made virtually indestructible by two
separate forms of protection. First is an all-new Thermal Protection Circuit, which
is designed to prevent damage from high frequency oscillations or excessive
ambient temperature. The second form of protection protects the amplifier from
short circuits in the installation. (The 952© retains the standard non-interactive
over-current protection found in the bigger amps).
CONSTRUCTION FEATURES: The infinitely variable input sensitivity control
permits optimal signal matching for lowest noise and lowest distortion with
virtually any source. All components used are rated for at least 150% of their
intended use, and are mounted on double-sided fiberglass epoxy circuit boards.
QUALITY CONTROL: In-house construction of critical components like
transformers and chassis pieces, as well as total assembly, allows LINEAR
POWER™ to maintain uniform quality. 100% of the finished units are tested, then
© 2008 Linear Power, Inc. - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LINEAR POWER™ is a trademark of Linear Power, Inc.
1
burned in for four hours, and tested again. Amplifiers, which pass these rigorous
controls, have truly earned the LINEAR POWER™ Logo.
INSTRUCTIONS
Read the following instructions through completely. If they appear too
complicated, we recommend that you have an authorized LINEAR POWER™
Dealer perform the installation.
MOUNTING
1. The amplifier will work best if it is kept as cool as possible. Mount in a position
that allows air to flow freely through the fins. Be sure there is ample space above
the amplifier to avoid trapping heated air rising from the amplifier. The amplifier
should not be mounted upside down. Avoid mounting any amplifier in the dash or
on the firewall to avoid noises being radiated directly into the case.
2. Mount your amplifier in a position that allows ample room for gain adjustments,
and the installation, removal and attachment of leads.
3. The case of your amplifier is designed to act as a noise shield. To maintain
this protection, be sure the metal case of the amp does not touch the metal of the
car. Do not remove or damage the rubber grommets, which provide electrical
insulation and vibration isolation.
WIRING
1. Disconnect the negative ground cable from your vehicle's battery before
making any power connections to your amplifier.
2. Connect the negative power wire from the amp to a solid frame member via
bolt or self-tapping screw. This connection must be a clean, unpainted surface.
Always attach the ground wire first when installing the amplifier, and disconnect
the ground last when removing the amp from the system.
3. A fuse of proper size must be installed in line with the main power in order to
prevent damage to your wiring. It should be connected to the battery's positive
terminal, or as close to the battery as possible. Use the fuse holder and fuse
provided, and replace only with the same size fuse. The Model 952© uses AGC
15-amp fuse. Do not install power fuse until amplifier installation is complete!
WARNING: USE OF OVERSIZE FUSE WILL DAMAGE YOUR AMPLIFIER
© 2008 Linear Power, Inc. - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LINEAR POWER™ is a trademark of Linear Power, Inc.
2
4. The other end of the fuse holder should be connected to the positive power
wire from the amplifier. To extend the length of the power lead, use 12 gauge
wire or larger to reduce power loss.
5. The red and white wire acts as an electrical switch to turn the amplifier on and
off. It should be connected to the power antenna lead from the radio. Where no
power antenna lead exists, a source of 12 volts, connected through a toggle
switch, will do. Do not connect the red and white wire directly to a source that will
leave the amplifier permanently on as this will drain the battery.
6. The RCA (Phono) jacks will accommodate either high or low level signals,
ranging from 150 mV to 5 Volts. For low-level signals, always use shielded cable
and avoid routing signal cables in the vicinity of any power wires. The center pin
of the RCA plug is always the positive input connection. With the connector end
of the amplifier facing you, top side up, the connections are LEFT and RIGHT.
OPERATION/ADJUSTMENT
The output of most any car audio equipment will follow a common distortion
curve. This curve will show that the distortion is at its lowest level right before the
amp reaches full rated output. After that point, the distortion increases rapidly to
unusable levels. For any system to operate at minimum distortion with minimum
noise and still reach full power output, the equipment should be aligned to
operate at the same point on the curve at the same time.
In a basic system, using a single amplifier, set the amp gain to minimum, turn the
source up until it just starts to distort, then back down slightly. This is the point
where the output of the source is cleanest. Now, bring the gain of the amp up
until it just starts to distort and back down slightly. This will allow the source and
amp to reach maximum usable output at the same time.
TWO-OHM CAPABILITY
The Model 952© amplifier is two-ohm capable. In order to make the 952© twoohm ready, the main power fuse must be removed and the bottom cover slid
open. Inside on the circuit board you will find two jumper wires attached to lugs
marked 4 ohms. Remove the jumpers from the 4-ohm lugs and press them firmly
back onto the lugs marked 2 for 2-ohm loads ohms. Replace the bottom cover
and main power fuse. Your 952© is now ready to operate into a 2-ohm load per
channel.
© 2008 Linear Power, Inc. - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LINEAR POWER™ is a trademark of Linear Power, Inc.
3
SPEAKER TERMINAL
The layout of the speaker terminal, with the terminal facing you, fins up, from left
to right, is as follows: LEFT (-); LEFT (+); RIGHT (+); RIGHT (-).
(See the following diagrams on these next pages for stereo, 3-channel, and
bridged operation)
2-CHANNEL STEREO OPERATIONAL DIAGRAM
© 2008 Linear Power, Inc. - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LINEAR POWER™ is a trademark of Linear Power, Inc.
4
3 CHANNEL OPERATION:
STEREO PLUS SINGLE SUBWOOFER
To build a single amp system with two satellites and a subwoofer, configure the
amplifier outputs as follows: Using 4-ohm satellite speakers, hook them up for
normal stereo operation as described above. Then, using a 4-ohm subwoofer
speaker, hook it up using the two CENTER connections on the terminal strip.
Follow the polarity of the strip as described in the section above. A second set of
satellites may be added for 2-ohm operation. (See diagram on next page)
3-CHANNEL OPERATIONAL DIAGRAM
© 2008 Linear Power, Inc. - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LINEAR POWER™ is a trademark of Linear Power, Inc.
5
OPERATION IN BRIDGE MODE
The Model 952© amplifier must use an external pre-amp or crossover to be used
as bridgeable amplifiers. One channel of the inputs of this amplifier must receive
an inverted signal in order to have the needed inverted signal on one channel at
the output. Speaker connection can then be made from LEFT (+) and RIGHT (+).
(See diagram on next page)
BRIDGED MODE OPERATIONAL DIAGRAM
GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING
NO SOUND: Check all connections. Check main power fuse. Check accessory
fuse of your vehicle. Check to see that +12Vdc is present at the amplifier on the
power wire, and on the red/white remote turn-on wire. Check for a solid ground
connection. Check that the main music source is putting out signal.
BLOWS FUSES: Check all connections to be sure no wires are touching each
other or the chassis of the vehicle or any other equipment in your install. Check
that your speakers are in proper working order.
SHUTS OFF: These amplifiers are equipped with a Thermal Shutdown System.
If the amplifier becomes too hot during operation, it will shutdown until it cools to
proper operating temperature. This can be caused by lack of proper air
circulation to the amp, or too low of speaker impedance.
© 2008 Linear Power, Inc. - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LINEAR POWER™ is a trademark of Linear Power, Inc.
6
SERVICE OR REPAIR
To obtain modification, service or repair, please contact our ONLY Authorized
LINEAR POWER™ Product Service Center:
T.I.P.S. INC.
3455 Lanell lane, Pearl, MS 39208
(601) 932-8477
E-mail: [email protected]
™
3 4 5 5 L A N E L L L A N E, P E A R L, M S 3 9 2 0 8 (6 0 1) 9 3 2 – 8 4 7 7
© 2008 Linear Power, Inc. - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LINEAR POWER™ is a trademark of Linear Power, Inc.
7
Specifications
952©
Power output @ 4 ohms RMS @ 12.5 volts
47.5x2
THD @ full output 20-20KHz
.05%
Slew Rate volts/microsecond
8Vms
Damping factor @ 4 ohms stereo/2 ohms
>133/65
Channel separation
>70dB
Maximum current
4 ohms
12A
2 ohms
16A
Idle
.7A
Fuse rating
15A
Dimensions
2x7.7x7.5
™
3 4 5 5 L A N E L L L A N E, P E A R L, M S 3 9 2 0 8 (6 0 1) 9 3 2 – 8 4 7 7
© 2008 Linear Power, Inc. - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LINEAR POWER™ is a trademark of Linear Power, Inc.
8