Soundstream Technologies 404s User Manual

SERIES AND PARALLEL WIRING  
REFERENCE  
404s  
4/3/2 Channel  
Power Amplifier  
2-4 ohm drivers in parallel  
= 2 ohms  
OWNERS MANUAL  
AND  
INSTALLATION GUIDE  
4-4 ohm drivers in parallel  
=1 ohm  
2-4 ohm drivers in series  
= 8 ohms  
SOUNDSTREAM TECHNOLOGIES  
120 Blue Ravine Road Folsom California 95630 USA  
ph 916.351.1288 fax 916.351.0414  
rev A - 4.25.96  
TABLE OF CONTENTS  
PROTECTION CIRCUITRY  
Your REFERENCE404s amplifier is protected against both overheating and  
short circuits by means of the following circuits:  
Design Features................................................................. 4 - 5  
REFERENCE404s Diagram............................................... 6 - 7  
Auto High Current™ Power Supply......................................... 8  
Selecting Input Modes............................................................. 9  
Wiring (with Diagram)..................................................... 10 - 11  
Installation and Mounting ...................................................... 12  
Level Setting ......................................................................... 13  
System Installation Diagrams.......................................... 14 -17  
Protection Circuitry................................................................ 18  
Troubleshooting .................................................................... 18  
Service.................................................................................. 19  
Specifications........................................................................ 19  
· Auto High Current™ power supply  
· Main power supply fuses  
· Circuit breaker on each channel  
· Smart Power Supply Thermal Rollback activating at 85°C  
· A fail-safe thermal protection circuit activating at 95°C.  
Your amplifier also incorporates an innovative Fault Diagnosis system that  
identifies a blown power supply fuse.  
NOTE: If you experience blown main power supply fuses, DO NOT increase  
values beyond the original fuse value! Doing so will void your warranty and  
TROUBLESHOOTING  
PROBLEM  
CAUSE  
No sound and LEDs  
are not lit  
· no power or ground at amp  
· no remote turn-on signal  
· blown fuse near battery  
Fault LED is lit  
· amp power supply fuse is blown or missing  
Repeatedly blown  
amp fuse, frequent  
activation of Smart  
Power Supply Circuit  
· speaker or leads may be shorted  
· verify adequate amplifier ventilation  
Channels 1,2,3 or 4  
experiencing inter-  
mittent output  
· activation of the internal circuit breakers.  
· check to make sure channels 1-4 are driving a  
1/2 ohm per channel load or greater  
· speaker or leads may be shorted  
No output from  
channels 3 & 4 with  
1 pair of RCA inputs  
· Select "Internal from ch's 1 & 2" on Ch 3 & 4  
input on the bottom of the amplifier. (see  
pages 14 - 17)  
18  
3
SAMPLE SYSTEM #4  
2 channels of high pass input with 2 channels of stereo output  
2 channels of stereo low pass input with 1 bridged channel of output  
DESIGN FEATURES  
· Uncompromising Design and Construction including mil-spec  
glass epoxy circuit boards and high current custom gold-plated solid  
brass connections that will accept up to 4 gauge power/ground wire.  
· Auto High Current™ - Soundstream’s newest exclusive circuit which  
automatically customizes your amplifier to its particular application—  
High Current, low impedance loads (multiple subwoofers, less than 2  
ohms mono) or High Power, higher impedance loads (2 ohms mono  
and up).  
· Coherent StereoTM/Mixed Mono selection for either “pure” stereo  
operation or mixed mono for simultaneous stereo and mono.  
· ChassisinkTM Darlington Power Array  
-
Soundstream’s  
“overbuilding” of the output section incorporates multiple output  
transistors instead of a few for faster, stronger power delivery. The  
transistors are sandwiched between the circuit board and the heatsink  
in a design called ChassisinkTM to ensure cool, efficient amplifier  
operation.  
· PowerGrid Power Supply Design - All power supply components  
are located near one another, connected by thick, wide PCB traces,  
which ensures rapid, high current delivery. The entire power supply is  
isolated on one side of the circuit board while the audio stage is  
located opposite it, guaranteeing minimal noise.  
· Ultra-Low ESR Capacitance Bank - Multiple small input power  
capacitors are used to provide a lower ESR (Equivalent Series  
Resistance), which means more power in and out faster.  
· Smart Thermal Rollback - Most amplifiers shut off when they get too  
hot. In the unlikely event the REFERENCE404s amplifier reaches  
85° C, it will gradually roll back its average power (without affecting  
the dynamics). Once the amplifier has cooled off, it returns to full  
power output. If overheating should continue, a second thermal  
sensing protection circuit will shut off the amplifier if the heatsink  
reaches 95° C.  
· Unregulated Power Supply - 4 ohm power ratings are measured at  
12 volts, meaning substantially greater output in the real world when  
the vehicle is running, where voltages range from 13.2 to 14.4 volts.  
4
17  
SAMPLE SYSTEM #3  
2 channels of input with 2 channels of bridged high pass output  
External input to channels 3 & 4 with an external crossover  
· Fault Monitor LED on the top panel notifies you of blown power  
supply fuses.  
· 1/2 ohm Drive Ability - The REFERENCE404s amplifier is designed  
to drive virtually any load—all the way down to 1/2 ohm stereo (per  
channel) or 1 ohm mono.  
· Four Independent Dual Discrete Class A Drive Stages - Over six  
times the drive current of most amps, which maintains performance  
into low impedance loads.  
· Drive DelayTM Muted Turn-on/off Circuit - A unique circuit which  
completely eliminates any amplifier-related turn-on/off noises.  
· Flexible Input Sensitivity accepts voltages from 200 mV to 5.0 V,  
permitting maximum output from the amplifier with virtually any  
source unit.  
16  
5
Reference404s  
SAMPLE SYSTEM #2  
2 channels of input with 4 stereo channels of high pass output  
Internal input to channels 3 & 4 with an external crossover  
6
15  
SAMPLE SYSTEM #1  
4 channels of input  
4 channels of full range output  
Key to Callouts  
1. Fault LED - Indicates a blown fuse.  
2. High Power LED - Indicates amplifier power on in "High Power"  
mode.  
3. Auto High Current™ LED - Indicates amplifier power on in "High  
Current" mode.  
4. +12V - Connected to a fuse or circuit breaker, then to the battery's  
positive post.  
5. GND - Main ground connection. Bolt to a clean chassis ground in  
the vehicle.  
6. REM - Remote turn-on input from the head unit. Accepts +12V.  
7. Speaker Output Connections - Channels 1 & 2.  
8. Input Level - Channels 1 & 2 independent input level controls.  
9. Inputs - Channels 1 & 2 RCA inputs.  
10. Speaker Output Connections - Channels 3 & 4.  
11. Input Level - Channels 3 & 4 independent input level controls.  
12. Inputs - Channels 3 & 4 RCA inputs.  
13. Main Fuse - Main power supply fuse. Replace only with the same  
value fuse.  
14. Coherent Stereo™/Bridge Mono / Mixed Mono Switch -  
Channels 1 & 2; Select "Bridge" for bridged mono operation (use  
right channel input). Select "Stereo" for coherent stereo operation.  
Select "Mixed Mono" for simultaneous stereo / bridged mono  
operation.  
15. Channels 3 & 4 Input Select - Selectable inputs from internal  
(from channels 1 & 2) or external (from channels 3 & 4 local RCA  
inputs).  
16. Coherent Stereo™/Bridge Mono / Mixed Mono Switch -  
Channels 3 & 4; Select "Bridge" for bridged mono operation (use  
right channel input). Select "Stereo" for coherent stereo operation.  
Select "Mixed Mono" for simultaneous stereo / bridged mono  
operation.  
14  
7
INSTALLATION STEP 4  
AUTO HIGH CURRENT™ POWER SUPPLY  
LEVEL SETTING  
The REFERENCE404s amplifier employs an extremely efficient Auto High  
Current™ power supply (patent pending). This new power supply circuitry  
automatically customizes your amplifier for optimum efficiency and power  
output into virtually any impedance load. When other brand amplifiers are  
driven at low impedances (i.e., 1 ohm or less), they shut down, squash  
dynamics and power output (called current limiting), or waste huge amounts of  
power (i.e., low efficiency). All of which reduce the "realworld" power the  
amplifier can produce in the car. Soundstream's Auto High Current™ power  
supply allows the REFERENCE404s amplifier to be one of two types of amps:  
either producing maximum power at higher impedances (perfect for satellites)  
or at lower impedances (usually with multiple subwoofers). This is done by  
letting the amplifier's power supply continuously monitor the impedance of the  
load the amplifier is driving. If the impedance drops too low, the power supply  
will automatically switch into High Current mode. It will stay in this mode until  
the amplifier is turned off. The next time it is powered up, it will be in the High  
Power mode.  
The input levels are adjusted by means of the 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 Signal to Noise ratios 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. The reason is because an amplifier will  
only make what comes into it bigger. So, if you send it a distorted signal from  
the head unit, the amplifier is going to amplify distorted information. The  
same thing 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 REFERENCE404s amplifier, follow the below  
procedure for the quickest, easiest means of setting the levels.  
1. Turn the amp’s input levels to minimum position (fully counter-  
clockwise).  
Unlike other amplifiers, Soundstream’s REFERENCE amplifiers can be  
configured to drive virtually any impedance and make maximum power! The  
major advantages of this power supply are:  
2. Set source unit volume to approximately 3/4 of full volume.  
3. While playing dynamic source material, slowly increase the amplifier’s  
input level until a near maximum undistorted level is heard in the  
system.  
· awesome dynamic power capabilities  
· added continuous power with higher voltages  
· increased amplifier efficiency and reliability  
Because of the dynamic properties of most music, all audio components  
should be able to react accordingly. Thanks to their unique power supplies,  
the REFERENCE404s amplifier can comfortably exceed its rated power for  
NOTE: Even though the S/N ratio with low output sources is better with the  
REFERENCE404s amplifier than others, your best combination of output level  
and Signal to Noise ratio will be achieved when the input levels are set  
OTHER COMMENTS:  
If you blow fuses with the REFERENCE404s amplifier, it is likely that the  
amplifier is seeing a dead short, either in the speaker wire or in the speaker  
itself. Rectify the problem before blowing multiple fuses!  
8
13  
INSTALLATION STEP 1  
INSTALLATION STEP 3  
INSTALLATION AND MOUNTING  
COHERENT STEREO™ /  
MIXED-MONO / BRIDGED MONO  
1. AMPLIFIER LOCATION  
The REFERENCE404s amplifier employs highly efficient circuitry and a unique  
ChassisinkTM design 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.  
The REFERENCE404s amplifier has the ability to operate in any one of the  
following modes:  
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.  
Coherent Stereo™ with identical left and right stereo channels for  
maximum fidelity. Best choice for satellite speakers. Use this mode unless  
Mixed-Mono is necessary.  
Mixed-Mono in order to drive stereo and mono simultaneously; works well  
for center channels. It can be used anytime you need a summed mono  
channel. Somewhat sacrifices sonic accuracy as additional circuitry is  
introduced to one channel. In Mixed-Mono, the left channel is inverted, see  
diagram below or on the bottom of the amplifier.  
2. SWITCHES  
Set the Coherent StereoTM/ Bridged Mono / Mixed Mono and Channel 3 & 4  
input switches to the appropriate positions (see pages 14 - 17).  
Bridged Mono for dedicated single channel operation; ideal for driving  
subwoofers. It is also used when large amounts of power are necessary for  
single speakers. In bridged mono, only the right channel input is active.  
3. MOUNTING THE AMPLIFIER  
a. Using the amplifier as a template, mark the mounting surface.  
b. Remove the amplifier and drill the holes.  
c. Mount the amplifier to the surface using the provided hardware.  
4. 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 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.  
In bridged mono, only the right channel input is active.  
NOTE: There may be a small spark when connecting the power and ground lead  
to the amplifier for the first time. This is caused by current rushing into the  
amplifier to charge the power supply capacitors, and is completely normal.  
NOTE: If you intend to drive the REFERENCE404s amp in mono but have  
stereo outputs from your crossover or source unit, you can put the switch in  
Mixed-Mono but follow the normal wiring for Bridged Mono.  
e. Double check each and every connection!  
f. Re-connect the fuse or circuit breaker.  
5. POWER UP  
Power up the system and look at the red "High Power" LED. There may be a  
12  
9
INSTALLATION STEP 2  
WIRING (cont.)  
WIRING  
REMOTE TURN-ON  
POWER AND GROUND  
Connect the “Remote” to the turn-on lead from the source unit. When +12  
volts is received, the amplifier will turn on.  
To ensure maximum output from your REFERENCE404s amplifier, use high  
quality, low-loss power and ground cables. The REFERENCE404s amplifier  
will accept up to 4 gauge power and ground cables. Determine from the chart  
SIGNAL CABLE  
Use a high-quality cable that will be easy to install and has minimal signal loss  
to guarantee optimum performance. Soundstream’s DL 1 and SL 1 are  
ideal.  
up to 10’  
up to 20’  
Soundstream Power40 or  
Power80  
Soundstream Power40  
(4 ga.)  
REFERENCE404s  
SPEAKER CABLE  
The REFERENCE404s amplifier will accept up to 8 gauge speaker cable. Use  
a high quality, flexible, multi-strand cable for best performance and longevity.  
(4 or 8 ga.)  
CIRCUIT BREAKERS/FUSES  
EXTERNAL  
WIRING DIAGRAM  
Like all audio components, the REFERENCE404s amplifier must be fused  
near the battery. A fuse or circuit breaker must be located within 18” of the  
battery. This will prevent a fire in the event of a shorted cable. See the chart  
below to determine the correct fuse value.  
INTERNAL  
The REFERENCE404s amplifier is fused with automotive-type fuses. In the  
event of blown power supply fuses, the “Fault” indicator on the front panel will  
light. The fuses are accessible via a plastic plug on the bottom of the  
amplifier. See the chart below to determine the fuse value. Never replace  
the fuses with a higher value than what is supplied. This may result in  
amplifier damage and will void the warranty!  
REFERENCE404s Amplifier Fuse Values  
Amplifier  
Amplifier Fuse  
Battery Fuse  
(2) 25 amp automotive  
60 amp  
REFERENCE404s  
10  
11  

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