Soundstream Technologies Picasso User's Manual
Contents
1. Y3IAOSSOYD 1Nd1NO SS d MOT ANM E J0A0SSOJO jeuieixe ue 9 WO Pre sjeuueyo oi indui Jeux sjeyeeds ebuer pju Bujaup S N 081915 Z UM z 1Nd1NO Y3L3IML SSVd H IH 5 ee JU ea 3 TEIN Sova W3AOSSOMO UN peaH SYILIIML g SH3Xv3ds 3LITIILVS JONVY CIN g Andino SSYd HOIH 5 d 5 SUIMVIdS 31rTiaivs SUIMV3IdS ILITIILVS o NER 2 AF CY Aer 3 E E 3 p np J oo Maan e F Ne SJ EM t n BOAR AA x m n y t TINNVHJI T i ENNYHO OSS OId HUNG 19 8108 Sv eoo co il COMME xm iHi t an OU nmn siejoomgns og ndino ssed mor jo jeuueyo ouoy pewwng veut v ae 40 Z0 L v SsBIO eu oj indu Send nol p seu z JEAOSSQID jewape ue ae PRE sieuueuo oj Indu ye pulep sueyeeds BjWjeres oj INdjno ssed yBiy jo sjeuuBya p PROTECTION CIRCUITRY SERVICE Your Soundstream RUBICON Class A amplifier is protected by a limited Your Rubicon amplifier is protected against both overheating and short circuits warranty Please read the enclosed warranty card for details by means of the following circuits abd SPECIFICATIONS 9 Smart Power Supply Thermal Rollback activating at 85 C 4 Q Stereo 2 Q Stereo Maximum A failsafe thermal protection circu2. LL BRIDGE 66009 12V GND REMOTE FUSE 9 10 1 I 42 FRONT VIEW gt pg STEREO I MONO C BOTTOM VIEW KEY TO CALLOUTS Power LED Indicates amplifier power Clip Indicators Channels 1 amp 2 Indicates the signal output level is too high and the output stage of the amplifier is clipping Left Channel Balanced Unbalanced Input Selector Channel 1 Select BAL ANCED to use the 6 pin Balanced signal input Select UNBALANCED to use the RCA signal inputs Right Channel Balanced Unbalanced Input Selector Channel 2 Select BAL ANCED to use the 6 pin Balanced signal input Select UNBALANCED to use the RCA signal inputs RCA Inputs Channels 1 amp 2 Right and Left channel RCA Unbalanced inputs Balanced Signal Input Connector Channels 1 amp 2 6 Pin Balanced input con nector for use with the Soundstream BLT BLT4 Balanced Line Transmitter Input Levels Channels 1 amp 2 Independent Left and Right input level controls Speaker Connection Terminal Speaker connections for Channels 1 amp 2 REMOTE Remote turn on input from the head unit Accepts 12V GND Main ground connection Bolt to a clean chassis point in the vehicle 12V Connected to a fuse or circuit breaker then to the battery s positive termi nal FUSE Main power supply fuse Warning Replace only with the same value fuse Stereo Bridged Mono Switch Channels
3. NOTE The pin configu ration shown in the BALANCED 15 Volts 15 Volts diagram is the view Left Signal Right Signal looking into the Balanced Left Signal Right Signal Shield input jack on the amplifier 11 INSTALLATION STEP 3 WIRING POWER AND GROUND To ensure maximum output from your RUBICON Class A amplifier use high quality low loss power and ground cables and connections The RUBICON Class A amplifiers will accept up to 4 gauge power and ground cables Deter mine from the chart below the minimum gauge power and ground wire for your application pow pow 4 or 8 gauge 4 or 8 gauge CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND FUSES EXTERNAL Like all audio components the RUBICON Class A amplifiers must be fused near the battery A fuse or circuit breaker must be located within 18 of the batterv This will prevent a fire in the even of a shorted cable See the chart below to determine the correct fuse value INTERNAL The RUBICON Class A amplifiers are fused with an automotive type fuse In the even of a blown power supply fuse replace with the correct value fuse found in the chart below Never replace the fuse with a higher value than what is supplied This may result in amplifier damage and will void the warranty RUB CON Amplifier Fuse Values perso RENOR 25 amp automotive 30 amp REMOTE TURN ON Connect the Remote line to the turn on lead from
4. anything you ve ever heard exercise caution to prevent hearing damage Table of Contents Design Features aa rene aat p4 5 P KSO Amplifier Diagram sese desit tt te Feci 6 7 RwolR Amplifier Diagram 22 2 22e thats p8 9 Installation Speaker Output Modes PIO Ynstallation Balanced Unbalanced Inputs P 11 Installation Wiring and Diagram p12 13 Installation MOUNTING sees p14 Installation Level Setting and Front Spoiler p 15 Picasso System Diagrams sausen seede p 16 17 Protection Circuitry and Troubleshooting p18 SEM i oda ndo aep t tica n SPA MABA p 19 SDSOIUGABIOLIS see p 19 ATTENTION The Soundstream RUBICON Class A PICASSO and RNOR amplifiers are designed to maximize the performance of 4 or 2 ohm component loud speakers Do not waste its musicality trying to drive subwoofers For high current low impedance subwoofer applications our RUBICON l Class A 10 2 and 5 2 are the finest available DESIGN FEATURES RUBI Aapid Use Branched Impulse This new proprietary power Dynamically Optimized Power Grid Power grid is evenly supply topology eliminates power sags during low frequency distributed between primary and secondary power supplies provid reproduction by rapidly increasing the duty cycle stabilizing the ing greater dynamics and improved RF filtering power supply and allowing it to
5. the source unit When 12 Volts is received the amplifier will turn on SIGNAL CABLE Use a high quality cable that will be easy to install and has minimal signal loss to guarantee optimum performance SPEAKER CABLE The RUBICON Class A amplifiers will accept up to 8 gauge speaker cable Use a high quality flexible multi strand cable for best performance and longevity SAMPLE WIRING DIAGRAM E N T c RGE BAANCED EF IGA sva 42 eo ao Tum On To Chassis Ground Fuse at the Battery Head Unit Satellite Speakers Only na 3 To 12V Battery Terminal 13 INSTALLATION STEP 4 INSTALLATION AND MOUNTING AMPLIFIER LOCATION The RUBICON Class A amplifiers employ highly efficient circuitry a custom 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
6. 1 amp 2 Select Bridge for bridged mono operation use right channel input Select Stereo for two channel op eration INSTALLATION STEP 1 INSTALLATION STEP 2 SELECTING THE SPEAKER OUTPUT MODE The RUBICON Class A PICASSO and RENOIR amplifiers have the ability to operate in any one of the following modes Stereo STACT Mixed Mono Use this mode for either stereo operation left and right channels or for Mixed Mono operation stereo left and right channels plus bridged mono Bridged Mono Use this mode to get a bridged mono output while using only the right channel input and gain control for use with a singular mono input Please follow the wiring schemes below for the correct operation ya Da E GT Mono BRIDGED MONO STEREO bt R e ERE MIXED MONO tt Re 10 BALANCED UNBALANCED INPUT The RUBICON Class A PICASSO and RENOIR amplifiers have the ability to accept either a standard Unbalanced RCA signal input or a Balanced Pro Audio style input signals with the use of the Soundstream BLT Balanced Line Transmitter or some other balanced line audio source Before installing your system you should decide upon which signal type you wish to run There are advantages to both UNBALANCED INPUT BALANCED INPUT 1 Most preamplifier 1 Improved Signal to Noise Ratio source units have S N Ratio Unbalanced RCA outputs 2 Excellent noise cancellation Industry Standa
7. 12V GND REMOTE FUSE FRONT VET N N C STEREO I mono LJ BOTTOM VIEW KEY TO CALLOUTS Power LED Indicates amplifier power Clip indicators Channels 1 amp 2 Indicates the signal output level is too high and the output stage of the amplifier is clipping Left Channel Balanced Unbalanced input Selector Channel 1 Select BALANCED to use the 6 pin Balanced signal input Select UNBALANCED to use the RCA signal inputs Right Channel Balanced Unbalanced input Selector Channel 2 Select BALANCED to use the 6 pin Balanced signal input Select UNBALANCED to use the RCA signal inputs Clip Indicators Channels 3 amp 4 Indicates the signal output level is too high and the output stage of the amplifier is clipping Channels 3 amp 4 Input Select Selectable inputs from internal from channels 1 amp 2 or external from channels 3 amp 4 local balanced or RCA Inputs Left Channel Balanced Unbalanced input Selector Channel 3 Select BALANCED to use the 6 pin Balanced signal input Select UNBALANCED to use the RCA signal inputs Right Channel Balanced Unbalanced input Selector Channel 4 Select BALANCED to use the 6 pin Balanced signal input Select UNBALANCED to use the RCA signal inputs RCA Inputs Channels 3 amp 4 Right and Left channel RCA Unbalanced inputs Balanced Signal input Connector Channels 3 amp 4 6 Pin Balanced input connect
8. S UNDS KEAV RUBICON Class A PICASSO RENOIR Power Amplihers S UNDSTREAM ine m and TE C H N 0 L 0 G E S i SOUNDSTREAM TECHNOLOGIES Installation Guide 120 Blue Ravine Road Folsom California 95630 USA ph 916 351 1288 fax 916 351 0414 rev A 5 26 98 WWW SOUNDSTREAM COM naratulations You now own the Soundstream RUBICON Class A amplifier the most musi cal amplifiers ever created for the 12 volt environment Your Soundstream RUBICON IWKSO and ENOR Class A amplifiers are critically engineered to reproduce the most subtle details of high pass and full range applications and will outperform any other amplifier in the world To maximize the performance of your system we recommend that you thor oughly acquaint yourself with its capabilites and features Please retain this manual and your sales receipt for future reference Soundstream amplifiers are the result of American craftsmanship and thf highest quality control standards When properly installed they will providt you with many years of listening pleasure Should your amplifier ever need service or replacement due to theft please record the following information which will help protect your investment Model and Serial Dealers Name Date of Purchase Installation Shop Installation Date CA UTION Prolonged listening at high levels may result in hearing loss Even though your new Soundstream Rubicon amplifier sounds better than
9. deliver the power required when reproducing wide band frequencies Also greater reserve gate power Chassisink All transistors are ideally located and sandwiched is stored for low voltage conditions that occur during extreme condi between the circuit board and the heatsink to provide cool efficient tions amplifier operation STACT STabilized Apex Current Topology Reduces power e Differentially Balance RCA Input eliminates ground loop related supply stress by 50 Typical designs degrade the stereo image due to phase reversal of even order harmonic distortion that occurs between the inverted channels In the STACT design inversion is done at the power amplifier drive stage Since the fully symmetrical noise in the audio Flexible Dual Input Level Control allows 300 mV to 5 V input sensitivity Separate Left and Right level controls allow user to power amplifier produces no even harmonic distortion itself and all preamplifier circuitry is run completely in phase no even harmonic distortion phase reversal occurs Symmetrical Discrete Balanced Class A Drive Boards Auto adjust for linear performance while driving low impedance loads optimize system level control Trident Protection Topology provides three types of protection 1 Output protection against short circuits or improper loads 2 Ground fault detection Shuts down the amplifier when a signifi cant voltage gt 5Volts fluctuation occurs between electrical
10. ipping Reduce the Lee ana Rine C ND ng calors gg level either at the source or with the input level controls 1 Make sure the channel 2 Input Signal Switch is in the UNBAL position i 2 Try the Input Signal Switches for ou pis ang channels 1 3 amp 4 in the BAL position P leave the switches in the quitest position This will not effect the performance of the amp 19 18
11. is 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 ampli 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 RUBICON 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 3 4 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 FRONT SPOILER Once the amplifier is installed and the proper levels set place the front spoiler in position and bolt it on using the supplied hardware gt 15 91 LI 4 SUIJOOMANS vr og eg H 200 Z0 V SSEID 000 TOLV Seid
12. it activating at 95 C 8 Q Bridged 422 Bridged Rated 12 5 Vdc 12 5 Vdc output NOTE If you experience blown main power supply fuses it is likely PICASSO 25W x 4 50W x 4 that the amplifier is seeing a dead short either in the speaker wire or SOW x 2 100W x 2 in the speaker itself Rectify the problem before blowing multiple 50W oe 2 fuses DO NOT increase values beyond the original fuse value 1000 x 1 BOW 200 Watts Doing so will void your warrant and may damage your amplifer THD lt 0 1 TROUBLESHOOTING Signal to Noise gt 100 dB Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz x 0 5 dB PROBLEM CAUSE Stereo Separation gt 90 dB Damping 2200 1 No power or ground at the amp Tn No sound and the power LED is not lit 2 No remote turn on signal be m ne bd ee to 5 0 Volts 3 Blown fuse near battery nput oMpegante Okynms Repeatedly blown amp fuse frequent ae EE Dimensions WxDx H activation of the Smart Power Supply 3 Make sure vou aren t drivin PICASSO 16 0 X 9 8 X 225 406mmx288mmx57mm Circuit gd ae ving RENOIR 12 25 X 9 8 X 2 25 330mmx288mmx57mm subwoofers No output from channels 3 amp 4 with 1 Set the Ch 3 amp 4 input selector swith on pair of RCA inputs Picasso only the top of the amp to Ch 1 amp 2 Not enough input sensitivity while using Be sure both Left and Right input signal Balanced DIN Input switches are set to the BAL position Output signal level is too high and the WEE Ps amplifier output is cl
13. or for use with the Soundstream BLT BLT4 Balanced Line Transmitter Input Levels Channels 3 amp 4 Independent Left and Right input level controls Speaker Connection Terminal Speaker connections for Ch s 3 amp 4 RCA Inputs Channels 1 amp 2 Right and Left channel RCA Unbalanced inputs Balanced Signal input Connector Channels 1 amp 2 6 Pin Balanced input connector for use with the Soundstream BLT BLT4 Balanced Line Transmitter input Levels Channels 1 amp 2 Independent Left and Right input level controls Speaker Connection Terminal Speaker connections for Channels 1 amp 2 REMOTE Remote turn on input from the head unit Accepts 12V GND Main ground connection Bolt to a clean chassis point in the vehicle 12V Connected to a fuse or circuit breaker then to the battery s positive terminal FUSE Main power supply fuse Warning Replace only with the same value fuse Stereo Bridged Mono Switch Channels 1 amp 2 Select Bridge for bridged mono operation use right channel input Select Stereo for two channel operation Stereo Bridged Mono Switch Channels 3 amp 4 Select Bridge for bridged mono operation use right channel input Select Stereo for two channel operation RO LO ar OOOO ODO dm S UNDSTREAM EE TOP VIEW RIGHT AN RM input LEFT N fF eZ SN 4 a 10 LEFT RIGHT BALANCED 5 VOLT gt LEVEL VOLT Q 3 3 10
14. 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 MOUNTING 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 Ci 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 18 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 amplifer LED is on and the source unit is playing you should have sound coming from the speakers 14 INSTALLATION STEP 5 LEVEL SETTING The input levels are adjusted by means of the individual channel input level controls located on the front of the amplifier Th
15. rd characteristics 2 No Interface module is 3 Immune to noise radiated in necessary the car audio environment ADVANTAGES The RUBICON amplifiers signal inputs accept a wide range of input level from 300 mVrms to 5 0 Vrms for both Balanced and Unbalanced inputs For the best S N Ratio we recommend that the input level controls be set as far down as possible rotated counter clockwise while maintaining an acceptable level of output Using the Unbalanced RCA Input When using the Unbalanced RCA input the RIGHT channel channel 2 input signal switch MUST be in the UNBAL position Also when first installing the amplifier using this input configuration we suggest that the left channel input signal switch be in the UNBAL position as well If vou experience alternator whine or other installation noise with both switches in the UNBAL position trv moving the LEFT channel input sianal switch to the BAL position This should remove any system noise due to the installation Using the Balanced DIN Input When using the Balanced 6 pin DIN audio input both switches MUST be in the BAL position Also we recommend that when using this input configuration the input level controls be set to the minimum position rotated counter clockwise The system gain should then be adjusted on the BLT Balanced Line Transmitter other other balanced line audio source For the pin configura pion see the diagram below
16. turn on lead and battery ground 3 Thermal Protection Puts the amplifier into thermal rollback or shuts the amplifier down in extreme thermal conditions Removable Front Spoiler Allows for stealth installation of RCA Balanced Line Speaker and Power wiring Fully Balanced Inputs for professional quality performance and noise cancellation The 6 pin DIN plug carries signal information for Left and Right channels audio ground and 15 Vdc to operate the Soundstream BLT BLT4 Balanced Line Transmitters Harmonic Bass Alignment The 2nd and 3rd order harmonic peaks are Critically aligned to fundamental peaks at mid and low frequen cies This produces tighter more accurate bass reproduction Drive Delay II Amplifier section powers up 2 to 3 seconds after the power supply eliminating turn on pops Turn off process is reversed Amplifier section turns off first followed by the power supply Output Clipping Indicators indicate clipping on the output stage of the amplifier Monitoring the clipping indicators allows the user to achieve maximum Sound Pressure Level without clipping the amplifier 4 INPUT SIGNAL RO LO CLP 0000 CHANNELS 182 INPUT SIGNAL LO Cur OOOO Q Oo hun S UNDSTREAV TOP VIEW RIGHT LEFT INPUT vou LEFT RIGHT BALANCED 5 VOLT D Vo 2 LEVEL 503 5 03 10 R J JO JO JO LO
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