Rockford Fosgate 40ix - Manual (Page 8)

– 4 –
◆ DSM
(Discrete Surface Mount) Technology
The DSM (Discrete Surface Mount) manufacturing process com-
bines the advantages of both discrete components and integrated
circuitry. Rockford Fosgate is the only American amplifier manu-
facturer to have invested millions into this process. DSM compo-
nents differ from conventional discrete components in three
different ways. They are more compact, more rugged, and they
take much better advantage of the PC board to allow them to get
rid of any heat they generate. Using them wherever appropriate
allows the advantages associated with discrete circuitry to be
retained while also providing room for both highly advanced
processing features and generous PC board copper paths where
needed. Their short lead-out structures allow maximum audio
performance and highest signal-to-noise ratios to be obtained in
amplifiers of desirable package size without resorting to “ampli-
fier-on-a-chip” shortcuts. These advantages are shown below in
Figure 1.
Figure 1
Thru-Hole Surface Mount
Component
Solder
THE RESULT: Fewer connections, improved reliability, shorter
signal paths, superior signal-to-noise ratio and awesome sonic
performance.
Solder