Diamond D3 User manual

Product Owners Manual
AMPLIFIERS
Serial Number
Date Of Purchase.

SPECIAL THANKS
Thank you for choosing a Diamond Audio D3 amplifier. The feam here at Diamond insists
that you listen to music as the artist intended, and that's what drives us to develop and
engineer cutting edge audio solutions that are true to any audiophiles guidelines. Each
of Diamonds products are concepted, designed, engineered, tested and sold by pure
audio fanatics. Each one of us on the Diamond team realizes how important audio
performance is to you, because it is equally important to us. So rest assured that you
have purchased an amplifier with no compromise.
Thanks Again,
The Diamond Team
CAUTION
Prolonged exposure to sound pressure levels In excess of 100 dB can cause permanent
hearing loss. Diamond Audio D3 amplifiers produce enough power to make most speaker
systems exceed that level. Please exercise restraint and protection during their operation
in order to preserve your ability to enjoy their fidelity for years to come.
I 1
©2005 Diamond Audio Technology. All Rights Reserved

SPECIFICATIONS
Model
Frequency Signal-to-
TND
Channel Input DC Fuse
Response Noise Ratio Separation Range Range Rating
75 dR 250 mV-25V
D3 400.2
20- 20l(Hz 100 dB
0.05% (min.) (HL 0.5 - 5 V)
10.8-15.6 V 40 A
75 dB 250 mV-2.5 V
D3 400.4
20- 20k Hz 100 dB
0.05% (min.) (HL 0.5 - 5 V)
10.8-15.6 V 40 A
n/a 250 mV-3V
D3 600.1
20 -250 Hz
90 dB
0.1%
11.5-14.4 V 70 A
RMS POWER
Model
4 Ohm
Stereo
2 Ohm
Stereo
4 Ohm
Mono
2 Ohm
Mono
1 Ohm
Mono
D3 400.2
100x2 200x2 400x1
n/a n/a
D3 400.4
50x4 100x4 200 x2
n/a n/a
D3 600.1
n/a n/a
300x1
450x1 600x1
PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS
Model Length Width
ncr
Height Weight
D3 400.2
13.5" 8.5" 2.25" 9 lbs
D3 400.4 14.5" 8.5" 2.25" 10 lbs
D3 600.1 1/" 8.5" 2.25" 13 lbs
I 2 I
©2005 Diamond Audio Technology. All Rights Reserved

APPEARANCE/FEATURES
■ Low Profile and Compact Custom Aluminum Heatsinks
■ Gold Plated Terminals
■ Pulse-width Modulated (PWM) MOSFET Power Supply
■ Oversized Power Supply Devices for Enhanced Thermal Efficiency
■ Selectable Crossovers
■ Short Circuit and Reverse Polarity Protection
■ "Soft Start" Muting on Remote Turn-on to Eliminate Turn on "Thump"
PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION
To achieve maximum performance and life time warranty coverage (see warranty
statement), Diamond Audio strongly recommends that a factory authorized Diamond
retailer professionally installs your new amplifier. The D3 amplifier is an awesome
component with category leading technology, proper attention must be taken during
installation to ensure optimum performance. The authorized Diamond retailer you
purchased your amplifier from has the training, expertise, and tools for proper
installation. If you decide to install your amplifier yourself, please read this manual
through to become familiar with the amplifiers install and set up procedures.
MOUNTING
D3 amplifiers do not utilize any fan driven cooling system. Care must be taken to provide
a sufficient flow of air around the amplifier for the thermal management system to
operate at peak efficiency. Air should be able the flow over the top and sides of the amp
freely. Adding a fan to your system can be beneficial in keeping your amp cool. A
minimum 2 inches of space around the amplifier is recommended to ensure proper air
flow. Never mount any amplifier where it can get wet. Water damage is not covered
under warranty.
Mounting your amplifier inside an enclosure is not a good idea unless that enclosure Is
equipped with ventilation fans to circulate fresh air through the enclosure.
I 3 I
©2005 Diamond Audio Technology. All Rights Reserved

REM
GND +12V
40
AMP MAX
DC CONNECTIONS
o
D3 amplifiers need proper power and ground connections to deliver maximum
performance and efficiency. Your new amplifier has a regulated power supply. It is
designed to make full power even if the voltage changes. It will draw more current at
lower voltages to make that power. Try to ground your system to a single point in the
vehicle. The gauge of the power and ground cables must be capable of handling the
current needed by the entire system. Power and ground cables must be of the same
gauge. If the alternator is not capable of supplying enough power for both the vehicle
AND the audio system, a high output alternator should be installed for best performance.
Power & Ground (12VDC)
D3 amplifiers are designed to accept up to 4 gauge power and ground spade terminals,
in some systems this may be overkill, but bigger is always better when it comes to power
and ground connections.
Strip approximately 1/4 inch of insulation from the end of the power/ground cable going
to the amplifier. Crimp the proper spade terminal onto the power/ground cable, insert the
terminal into the power block on the end of the amplifier and tighten the screw. Repeat
for each amplifier installed.
Turn-on (REM)
Locate the terminal labeled “REM” on the end of the amplifier. Your source unit should
have a wire in its harness labeled “REMOTE” or “AMP TURN-ON.” Run this wire from your
source unit to the amplifiers REM connection. Strip approximately 1/2 inch of insulation
from the wire, crimp a 12 gauge spade terminal onto the wire, insert the terminal into the
power block on the end of the amplifier and tighten the screw.
I 4 I
©2005 Diamond Audio Technology. All Rights Reserved

Diamond Audio recommends using speaker wire of at least 16 gauge. Lay out the wire in
the vehicle from fhe individual speaker locations to the amplifier(s). Observe safe wiring
precautions.
D3 amplifiers will accept speaker wire spade terminals up to 12 gauge. Locate the
speaker terminal block on the end of the amplifier. Sfrip approximately 1/4 inch of
insulation from the wire, crimp a 12 gauge spade terminal onto the wire, insert the
terminal into the speaker block on the end of the amplifier and tighten the screw. Repeat
for all speaker wires. Please observe recommended minimum speaker impedances to
prevent possible damage.
SETTING THE GAIN
This control matches the output voltage of the source unit or processor to the amplifier
inputs. Rotating this control to the “MIN" mark (counterclockwise) configures the D3
amplifier to accept input voltages as high as 5V RMS. This control should be set as low
as possible. The basic procedure for setfing inpuf gains is as follows:
1. Adjust all amplifier gain controls to just above the minimum setting (fully
counterclockwise).
2. Using the highest quality source (usually CD) play some music and slowly turn up the
source unit until you can hear distortion. Now turn down the volume until the distortion
stops. This is your maximum source unit level.
3. Turn up the amplifier gain until audible distortion starts. Turn down the gain to the
point lUST BELOW the start of the distortion.
4. Repeat step 3 for all amplifiers in your system.
I 5 I
©2005 Diamond Audio Technology. All Rights Reserved

D3 400.2
Bridging
The channels on the D3 400.2 amp are capable of being bridged to a 4 Ohm mono output.
Creation of the mono channel is accomplished by using the left channel positive (+)
output connection of the amplifier for the speaker positive and the right channel negative
(-) output connection of the amplifier for the speaker negative.
Note: It is important that a 4 Ohm minimum total speaker impedance load is observed
when bridging the amp! If an impedance load of less than 4 Ohms is used, you will
eventually damage your amplifier and void your warranty.
RCA
INPUT
The RCA cables from your source unit should be inserted here.
OUTPUT
These RCA outputs are used to provide unfiltered signal to an processor or another
amplifier.
Crossovers
The Diamond D3 400.2 amplifier features a second-order 12dB/octave electronic
crossover that is selectable for highpass or lowpass modes. These filters are then
adjustable between 55 and 550 Hz.
I 6 I
©2005 Diamond Audio Technology. All Rights Reserved

Bass Boost
Acts like an equalizer with an adjustable gain fixed at 45 Hz. Adjust from left to right
clockwise to give as much as 18 dB of boost at that frequency. If there is a noticeable
lack of low end extension in the system, use this to boost the bass.
Caution: If any unusual noise like popping or crackling, or unwanted distortion occurs
when adjusting the bass boost, immediately turn the boost down to avoid damaging your
speakers.
Crossover Mode
Switches electronic crossover between off, lowpass, or highpass modes. When in HP or
LP mode, the 12 dB/oct crossover is implemented at the frequency set on the frequency
knob.
Crossover Frequency
Adjustable left to right clockwise from 55 Hz up to 550 Hz.
D3 400.4
Bridging
Both sets of channels on the D3 400.4 amp are capable of being bridged to a 4 Ohm
mono output. Creation of the mono channel is accomplished by using the left channel
positive (+) output connection of a set of channels (front or rear) on the amplifier for the
speaker positive and the right channel negative (-) output connection of the same set of
channels on the amplifier for the speaker negative.
I 7
©2005 Diamond Audio Technology. All Rights Reserved

Note: It is important that a 4 Ohm minimum total speaker impedance load is observed
when bridging the amp! If an impedance load of less than 4 Ohms is used, you will
eventually damage your amplifier and void your warranty.
RCA
FRONT/REAR INPUTS
The RCA cables from your source unit should be inserted here.
Crossovers
The Diamond D3 400.4 amplifier features second-order 12dB/octave electronic
crossovers that are selectable for highpass or lowpass modes. These filters are then
adjustable between 55 and 550 Hz.
Bass Boost
Acts like an equalizer with an adjustable gain fixed at 45 Hz. Adjust from left to right
clockwise to give as much as 18 dB of boost at that frequency. If there is a noticeable
lack of low end extension in the system, use this to boost the bass.
Caution: If any unusual noise like popping or crackling, or unwanted distortion occurs
when adjusting the bass boost, immediately turn the boost down to avoid damaging your
speakers.
Crossover Mode
Switches electronic crossover between off, lowpass, or highpass modes. When in HP or
LP mode, the 12 dB/oct crossover is implemented at the frequency set on the frequency
knob.
Crossover Frequency
Adjustable left to right clockwise from 55 Hz up to 550 Hz.
I 8 I
©2005 Diamond Audio Technology. All Rights Reserved

Input Mode
Switches between input modes.
2 CH BASS - Input from only one set of RCA's in mono mode. Rear channels use front
inputs for a mono signal. Only for use when the amplifier is used for subwoofers.
2 CH - Input from only one set of RCA's in stereo mode, no fade. Rear channels use front
inputs for a stereo signal.
4 CH - Input from two sets on RCA's for true 4 channel stereo mode. Rear channels use
rear inputs for a stereo signal.
D3 600.1
Remote Gain
The D3 mono block amplifier comes with a remote gain output. The remote gain module
(included) plugs into this output to allow for gain control away from the amplifier. When
you plug this module in, it replaces the gain from where it is set on the amplifier. Max
(all the way clockwise) on the module is set to whatever the gain on the amp is set to.
Note: Diamond D5 & D6 remote gains do not work with the D3 600.1.
INPUT
The RCA cables from your source unit should be inserted here.
I 9 I
©2005 Diamond Audio Technology. All Rights Reserved