Summary of the content on the page No. 1
CONTENTS
(click on a topic to view)
Congratulations Endpanel Layout
Features & Specifications Endpanel Layout
Installation Troubleshooting
Wiring Troubleshooting
Power / Ground Troubleshooting
Connections Troubleshooting
Connections System Diagrams
Inputs & Connections Block diagram
Inputs Warranty
OWNERS MANUAL MA4100
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
Thank you for choosing TUBE DRIVER. Tube Drivers musicality and absolute sonic transparency allow accurate reproduction of recorded music enabling you to hear as well as feel the music the way the artist intended. These handcrafted amplifiers feature full differential “front ends” based upon a true instrumentation amplifier topology. Tube Drivers utilize only the highest quality Svetlana tubes in our unique configurations. All of the internal amplifier stages have been designed to have ultra- wi
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
Features Fully regulated adaptive MosFET power supply Balanced Mini-Din Inputs High Voltage Input Capability with Input Attenuation Switch Gold Plated RCA Input connectors Mixed Mono/Stereo Operation Three Year Warranty when installed by an Authorized TD dealer Completely Designed and Handcrafted in the USA Specifications Power Bandwidth: 5 Hz -50 KHz Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.2% or less (A-weighted) Input Topology: Balanced Differential Input Sensitivity: 500mV - 12 volts RMS Input Impedance
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
(not supplied) Tools/Parts Needed for Installation Small flat blade screwdriver Phillips screwdriver (#2 or medium sized) Wire cutters Wire strippers 4 – #6 round head screws, and 1 – #8 sheet metal screw (or nut, bolt, and star washer) 2 – Ring connectors (large enough to accommodate your method of grounding) In-line fuse or circuit breaker — see fuse requirements below Power and groundwire — see Power Wire Calculator on the next page Speaker wire — 16 gauge or larger Grommets (sized to work
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
Power Wire Calculator Recommended MINIMUM Gauge Total Current Draw Length of Wire to Run (in Feet) (in Amps) < 3 4 - 7 7 - 10 10 - 13 13-16 16-19 19-22 22- 28 0 - 20 14 12 12 10 10 8 8 8 20 - 35 12 10 8 8 6 6 8 4 35 - 50 10 8 8 6 6 4 4 4 50 - 65 8 8 6 4 4 4 4 2 65 - 85 6 6 4 4 2 2 2 0 85
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
Warning! To prevent a short to ground, disconnect the negative (-) terminal of the system’s battery before you begin. If the power cable shorts to ground, current will continue to flow until the short is opened, the main fuse blows, the battery explodes, or the wire melts. Reconnect the terminal only after you make all connections. Grounding Your MA4100 is designed to operate from a car’s positive 12 volt, negative ground electrical system. The ground wire should be the same gauge as the power w
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
Speaker Connections Follow these simple instructions and refer to the diagram below to make your speaker connections: • Using at least 16 gauge wire, run wire from the speakers to the amplifier(s) using the same precautions that you followed for running the power, ground, and remote wires • Cut off excess wire • Use wire strippers to strip 1/4 inch of insulation at the end of the wires • Attach the speaker wires to the amplifier’s POWERLOCK connectors and plug
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
Bridging All multi-channel TUBE DRIVERS are capable of being bridged into a 4-Ohm mono output without switches or bridging modules. You can achieve this mono channel by using the left positive (+) speaker connection and the right negative (-) speaker connection. You can bridge the front or rear channels in the same way. (Refer to the end panel drawing on page 10.) Note: Total bridged impedance of less than 4-ohms may trigger the protection circuitry causing reduced output and may eventually da
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
Input Jacks The MA4100 includes both RCA and Mini-Din (balanced) inputs. The supplied RCA connections allow you to use the MA4100 with other brands of audio gear. Our Differential RCA inputs provide a dramatic improvement in noise reduction over standard RCA input types. Our fully balanced Mini-DIN connection system features high signal voltage capability and the highest possible sound quality. A single cable for 2 channels also simplifies installation. Cables from the source unit, non-powered
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
Input Gain Controls There are two Input Gain Controls located on the end panel under the RCA input jacks. These are not volume controls! These controls match the output signal voltage of the source unit to the amplifier inputs. By turning the controls clockwise (to the right), the inputs of the amplifier become more sensitive and will allow a weak signal of approximately 1/2 volt to drive the amplifier to full power. At the same time, while an amplifier with its level controls at maximum is able
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
Power Side 1. POWER A red light indicates that the amplifiier is turned on (After warm-up sequence). 2. WARM UP A red light indicated that the tubes are warming up. (Refer to Pg. 4; Remote Turn-on) 3. POWER / GROUND After you have securely connected your power and ground wires, plug in the connector here. HANDCRAFTED IN THE USA By Precision Power P O W E R C O N N E C T P O W E R WA R M U P 1 2 3 9 BACK TO CONTENTS
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
Input/Control Side 1. -12dB For use with high level inputs (4V up to 12V). Push this switch in to attenuate the input by 12dB 2. BALANCED / RCA This switch is used to select between the unbalanced RCA inputs or the balanced MINI-DIN front inputs. In=MiniDIN. Out=RCA 3. FRONT INPUTS Plug in the front RCA outputs from your head unit here. 4. BALANCED FRONT AND REAR INPUTS Plug in the front and rear mini-din outputs from the LDX-33 crossover, LD-3 Line Driver, or other b
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
No Sound Is the WARM UP LED illuminated? YES NO Do you have 12V at the amplifier’s The warm up cycle can take up to connections? 40 sec., Is there sound after that? NO YES YES NO Is there You’re done Does the amp Check all signal on the remote (REM) connections. RCA’s? have 12V? Repair as needed YES YES NO Contact your dealer Check main Trace back the amp system fuse. remote to your source Did that work? unit. Repair as needed YES NO You’re done Contact your dealer Amplifier Turning Down at Nor
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
No Sound in One Channel Check the pre-amp (RCA/Mini-Din) cables for open connections and make corrections. Did you find open connections? NO YES Reverse the left and right inputs. You’re done SOUND IS NOW IN... Opposite Channel Same Channel Problem is further up the signal path. Problem is in the speaker or speaker Reconnect RCA’s to amp as normal. wire of the silent channel. Check Reverse RCA inputs at crossover. speaker leads for pinched, shorted, or open connections. SOUND IS NOW IN... Opposi
Summary of the content on the page No. 15
Noises While the Engine is On Alternator whine: This noise changes in frequency with engine RPM. Check for: . Excessive input level setting on the amplifier . High resistance in cabling or corroded and/or loose connections . Polarity of the input cables If the problem persists, check the whines and pops checklist below. Ticks/buzz: This noise should go faster and slower with engine RPM, but not really change in frequency. This is due to the ignition or the fuel pump. . Try moving the input c
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
Noises While the Engine is On or Off System hiss: System hiss is a white noise that occurs even when the engine is off. It is usually due to excessively high gain settings. If the hiss is still audible when you disconnect the input cables from the amplifier, check the input level on the amplifier. If the hiss disappears when you remove the input cable, it may be a poor quality source unit, components between the amplifier and the source unit, or poor level settings. Distortion: Distortion is ga
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
Source Unit eject 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Trk 1 BASS TREBLE BALANCE TRACK PPI MAR KET ING DPT VOLUME LEFT RIGHT FOWARD REVERSE LDX-33 FRONT CHANNELS FRONT CHANNELS Passive Passive Tweeter Tweeter Crossover Crossover MidRange MidRange Sub (Bridged 4 ohms) REAR CHANNELS FRONT CHANNELS FRONT CHANNELS Passive Passive Source Unit Tweeter Tweeter Crossover Crossover eject 1 2 3 4 BASS TREBLE 5 6 7 8 Trk 1 BALANCE TRACK PPI MAR KET ING DPT VOLUME LEFT RIGHT FOWARD REVERSE MidRange MidRange Preamp/Equalizer Pas
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
INPUT ATTENUATION 16 BACK TO CONTENTS RCA Front Left Input Front gain Front DIF. RCA BALANCED/RCA Front Right AMP Switch Input Left MINI-DIN Front Input Right Left MINI-DIN Rear Input Right RCA BALANCED/RCA Rear Rear Left Switch gain Input Rear DIF. AMP RCA Rear Right Input
Summary of the content on the page No. 19
Three-Year Limited U.S.A. Warranty This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. TUBE DRIVER warrants its products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of three (3) years from the date of original purchase when the unit is installed by an Authorized Dealer. Non-Authorized Dealer installed products carry a one (1) year parts and ninety (90) days labor limited warranty. The
