Crown Audio I-Tech HD Series - Manual (Page 7)

I-Tech HD Series Power Amplifiers I-Tech HD Series Power Amplifiers
page 12 page 13 Operation Manual Operation Manual
Protecting Your Speakers
It’s wise to avoid clipping the amplifier signal. Not only does clipping sound bad, it can damage high-frequency
drivers. To prevent clipping, use System Architect software’s Level Max suite to enable or display the peak voltage
limiter and average power limiter in your amplifier’s built-in DSP. That way, no matter how strong a signal your
mixer produces, the amplifier output will not clip. Set the limiter threshold so that mixer signals above 0 dB or 0
VU on the mixer meters do not quite drive the amplifier into clipping.
Also, avoid sending strong subsonic signals to the amplifier. High-level, low-frequency signals from breath pops
or dropped micro phones can blow out drivers. To prevent subsonic signals, use one of these methods:
•
Insert a highpass filter between mixer output and amplifier input (or between mixer and limiter).
• Use the I-Tech’s onboard DSP to set up a highpass filters.
• Switch in highpass filters at your mixer. Set the filter to as high a fre quency as possible that does not affect
your program. For example, try 35 Hz for music and 75 Hz for speech. On each mixer input channel, set the
filter frequency just below the lowest fundamental frequency of that channel’s instrument.
Operation
Startup Procedure
When first turning on your amplifier, follow the procedures in the Quick-Start Guide on page 4 (stereo) or page 5
(bridge-mono).
If you ever need to make any wiring or installation changes, don’t for get to disconnect the power
cord.
For help with determining your system’s optimum gain structure (sig nal levels) please refer to the
Crown Amplifier Application Guide, available online at www.crownaudio.com.
Precautions
Your amplifier is protected from internal and external faults, but you should still take the following
precautions for optimum performance and safety:
1. Before use, your amplifier first must be configured for proper operation, including input and output wiring
hookup. Improper wiring can result in serious operating difficulties. For information on wiring and
configuration, please consult the Setup section of this manual or, for advanced setup techniques, consult
Crown’s Amplifier Application Guide available online at
www.crownaudio.com.
2. Use care when making connections, selecting signal sources and controlling the output level. The load you
save may be your own!
3. Do not short the ground lead of an output cable to the input signal ground. This may form a ground loop and
cause oscillations.
4. WARNING: Never connect the output to a power supply, battery or power main.
Electrical shock may result.
5. Tampering with the circuitry, or making unauthorized circuit changes may be hazardous and
invalidates all agency listings.
6. Do not operate the amplifier with the red Clip LEDs constantly flashing.
7. Do not overdrive the mixer, which will cause clipped signal to be sent to the amplifier. Such signals will be
reproduced with extreme accuracy, and loudspeaker damage may result.
8. Do not operate the amplifier with less than the rated load imped ance. Due to the amplifier’s output protection,
such a configura tion may result in premature clipping and speaker damage.
9. CAUTION – SHOCK HAZARD: Potentially lethal voltages exist at the output connectors when the
amplifier is turned on and is passing a signal.
Remember: Crown is not liable for damage that results from overdriv ing other system components.