Digital Design M1c User manual

Owner’s Manual
High Performance Digital Amplifier
Mlc
M2b
SSlb
SS2a
SS4a

Thanks you for purchasing Digital Designs amplifiers for your car audio systems and competitions.
The M-Class amplifiers are digital monoblock and SS-Class amplifiers are full range digital
multi-channels which are engineered for low frequency applications and full range car audio systems
in compact dimensions.
The M-Class amps are made to be the soul of your audio system, bass pumping machines, so powerful
that your face could be ripped from your head in a momentary lapse of reason.
SS-Class amps are high power full range But can be installed in small space in any locations, small
but very powerful to driver full range and mid bass speaker system. Well, maybe that's a bit of
a stretch, but these amps offer strong power, logical controls and efficient design.
The M and SS-Class amps are single purpose designs with the sole goal of being the best tool for
the job. No cutbacks and No wimps
The M & SS-Class amplifiers feature three distinct approaches
The M &. SS-Class are designed for the highest possible efficiency and highest total output.
THE M & SS-Class are very compact size which can be easily install in small space.
The M &. SS-Class make good amounts of power from the stock electrical systems
it is designed to make the most sound quality bass and full range amplifier
The high efficiency comes from paying close attention to every stage through the amplifiers' circuit.
High speed controller chipsets, efficient power devices, precise thermal management and best
engineerings are the key to the M & SS-Class.
1. FEATURES
M1c M2b SS1b SS2a
Frequency Response 15~270Hz 15~270Hz 15~270Hz 20~20KHz
Signal to Noise Ratio 100dB l00dB 100dB 105dB
Low Pass Filter 20~200Hz 20~200Hz 20~200Hz 50~5KHz
Subsonic Filter 10~50Hz 10~50Hz 10'50Hz na
High Pass Filter na na na 20~5KHz
X-over na na na ON - OFF
Input Sensitivity 8V~0.2V 8V~0.2V 8V~0.2V 8V~0.2V
Output Master / Input Slave Yes Yes Yes na
Remote Control Yes Yes Yes Yes
Damping Factor 150 < 150 < 150 < 200 <
Dimensions (Inches)
(6.889W x 2.067H )
13.779 19.685 11.023 11.023
All features are subject to change in the continuing effort to improve the products without notice
Digital Monoblock Output Power
Power @ lohm Fuse Rating
SSlb 940W x 1 100A ( Linked : 200A)
Mlc 1650W x 1 150A ( Linked : 300A )
M2b 2300W x 1 200A ( Linked : 400A )
Full Range Digital Multi-Channels Output Power
Power @ 2 ohm Fuse Rating
SS2a 500W x 2ch 80A
SS4a 230W x 4ch 70 A

1) The M-Class amplifiers are working fully stable down to 4/2/1 ohm as single unit.
Daisy Chain connection makes it fully stable down to 2 ohm.
2) The M-Class has the possible highest efficiency and sufficient amount of the parts to maximize
the performance at especially 12V application.
3) The M-Class has 4 ways of accurate protection circuit, as speaker short,DC offset, voltage, thermal
protection which are the most safe-guard.
4) The M-Class are designed in double sided board and use high current mosfet switching devices.
5) The M-Class has 24dB/Oct slope of crossover, Low Pass Filter and Subsonic Filter as fully adjustable.
6) The M-Class has dash mount remote level control which allows convenient level control from
the driver's seat
SS-Class Design Deatures
1) The SSlb is working fully stable down to 4/2/1 ohm as single unit.
Daisy Chain connection makes it fully stable down to 2 ohm.
SS2a & SS4a are working fully 2ohm stereo or 4ohm mono stable.
2) The SS-Class has the possible highest efficiency and sufficient amount of the parts to maximize
the performance at especially 12V application.
3) The SS-Class has 4 ways of accurate protection circuit, as speaker short,DC offset, voltage, thermal
protection which are the most safe-guard.
4) The SS-Class are designed in double sided board and use high current mosfet switching devices.
5) The SS-Class, SS2a and SS4a are full range digital circuitry.
6) The SS-Class is very compact size which can be mounted for small space car.
6) The SS-Class has dash mount remote level control which allows convenient level control from
the driver's seat
3. CONTROL & CONNECTION
3-1. CONTROL & CONNECTION FOR MONOBLOCK
INPUT
Connect preamp signal cables from headunit
to The M-Class amplifier to RCA Input.
POWER &. PROTECTION INDICATOR
Power LED, Green-lit shows correct operation of The M-Class Amplifiers.
Protect LED, RED-lits shows general malfunction, faulty connection and
thermal protection
GAIN
Matching the output voltage of the headunit's RCA line-outs to The M-Class
amplifiers' input section. Its range is 8V to 0.2V.
SUBSONIC CROSSOVER FREQUENCY
Control the high Pass point for the speaker outputs
to eliminate extreme low frequencies.
Its range is 10 ~ 50 Hz @ 24dB/Oct slope
2. DESIGN FEATURES
M-Class Design Deatures

REMOTE LEVEL CONTROL PORT
This port is for connecting turn-down remote level control.
Remote level control adjusts the level
LPF CROSSOVER FREQUENCY
Controls the low pass point for the speaker outputs.
The crossover range is 20~200Hz @ 24dB/Oct Slope
OUTPUT MASTER / INPUT SLAVE
OUTPUT MASTER / INPUT SLAVE connection makes same M-Class
models as daisy chain connection to 2 ohm.
Minimum working impedance in the use of daisy chain connect is 2 ohm.
REMOTE CONTROL
If you turn knob to dock-wise ( Min ), it reduces Level.
If you turn knob to counter clock-wise ( Max ), it is maximum level position.
Clipping LED shows the clipping point of The M-Class amplifiers.
When The M-Class amplifiers are close to clipping point, Clipping LED is
starting to clip.
When Clipping LED is clipping faster, it is better to turn level down.
If Clipping LED is lit on, Amplifier is protected.
The M-Class amplifiers will be on in few minutes later.
GND (GROUND CONNECTION )
It is connected to the Negative or ground cables of the Vehicle.
Recommended cable is 4 ga for SSlb, M lc and 0 ga for M2b
REM ( REMOTE)
It is connected to switched + 12V with a Trigger cable coming from
the head unit
+ 12V ( POWER CONNECTION )
This must be connected to the fuse positive terminal ( + 12V) of the battery.
Recommended wire is 4 ga for SSlb, M lc and 0 ga for M2b
SPEAKER OUTPUTS
it connects amplifier to speakers. Minimum speaker cable is 12 gauge.
Minimum impedance for single unit is 1 ohm.
Minimum impedance in linked use is 2 ohm.
3-2. CONTROL & CONNECTION FOR FULL RANGE DIGITAL MULTI-CHANNELS

INPUT
Connect preamp signal cables from the headunit to Rca Input of SS4.
OUTPUT
Connect Output Rea Jack to another amplifier's input.
GAIN ( 8V ~ 0.2V)
Matching the output voltage of the headunit's
RCA line-outs to SS4 input section.
HIGH PASS FILTER ( 20Hz ~ 5KHz )
Controls the high pass point for the speaker outputs.
HPF CROSSOVER SELECTOR
High Pass Filter selector determines whether SS2a/SS4a will operate in
High pass or full range mode.
in on position, it will play the frequency set on High Pass,
in off position, the High pass will have no effect
LOW PASS FILTER ( 50Hz ~ 5KHz )
Controls the low pass point for the speaker outputs.
LPF CROSSOVER SELECTOR
Low Pass Filter selector determines whether SS2a/SS4a will operate in
Low pass or full range mode.
in on position, it will play the frequency set on Low Pass,
in off position, the Low pass will have no effect
POWER & PROTECTION INDICATOR
Power LED, Green-lit shows correct operation of The SS-Class Amplifiers.
Protect LED, RED-lits shows general malfunction, faulty connection and
thermal protection
4. INSTALLATION
In case you install The M&S-Class amplifiers by yourself, please read owner's manual
and follow your installation steps very carefully.
Before you start your installation, please take all steps into consideration.
or, you can have Digital Designs authorized distributors to check installation and turn in
your car audio systems
4-1. MOUNTING PREPARATION
Disconnect the negative (—) battery cable before mounting The M&S-Class amplifiers or making any
connections. Check the battery and alternator ground (—) connections.
Make sure they are properly connected and Free of corrosion.
Before selecting a mounting location for The M&S-Class amplifiers, Pis take some concerns into
consideration with cooling efficiency and safety.
4-2. MOUNTING PREPARATION
The M&S-Class amplifiers use heavy-duty and good heat radiation heatsink design for avoiding
excessive heat from amplifiers' circuitry. But for better heat radiation performance, It is good to find
the mounting location, where you can install the M&S-Class amplifiers vertically with the heatsink
fins and better air flow around The M&S-Class amplifiers.
For the safety, you have to find dry and well ventilated location and make sure any cables and car
equipment are not interfaced with mounting location.
Be sure the mounting location and drilling of pilot cables for mounting will not present a hazard to
any cables, control cables, fuel lines, Fuel tanks, hydraulic lines or other vehicle systems or components
4-3. + 12V, GND, REM CONNECTION
+ 12V ( POWER CONNECTION )
Before mounting The M&S-Class amplifiers, disconnect the negative (—) wire from battery to
protect any accidental damage to amplifier and audio system.
The M&S-Class amplifiers are designed to use 0 gauge or 4 gauge power and ground connection.

Connect the power cables to power terminal labeled as + 12V.
all M&S-Class amplifiers are equipped with fuses so you have to install the external fuses on
the power cable.
Connect one end of fuse holder to the power cable and the other end of fuse holder
to positive battery within 20 cm of the same cable.
This fuse location will protect the system and the vehicle against the possibility of a short circuit in
the power cable. Be sure to use fuses and fuse holder adequate for the application.
GND (GROUND CONNECTION )
Locate a secure grounding connection as close to amplifier as possible.
Make sure the location is clean and provides a direct electrical connection to the frame of the vehicle.
Connect one end of a short piece of the same size cable as the power cable to the grounding point.
Run the one end of the cable to the grounding point.
Run the other end of the cable to the mounting location
Connect the ground cable to the screw terminal labeled as GND.
REM ( REMOTE CONNECTION )
Run a remote turn on cable from the switched + I2V source .
you will be using to turn on the system components.
This may be a toggle switch, a relay, or your source unit's remote trigger cables, or power antenna
trigger cable. Connect the remote turn on cable to the power terminal labeled as REM.

4-4. SPEAKER CONNECTION
The M&S-Class amplifiers are recommended to use 12 gauge speaker connecting cables.
Run 12 gauge speaker connecting cables from your speakers to the M&S-Class amplifiers'
mounting location.
Keep speaker cables away from power cables and M&S-Class amplifier's input cables.
Use grommets anywhere the cables have to pass through the holes in the metal frame or sheet metal.
Connect to the speakers according to the type of the terminals on each speaker.
Strip 3/8" of insulation from the end of each cable and twist the cables strands together tightly.
Make sure there insulation from the end of each cable and twist the cables together tightly.
Make sure there are no stray strands that might touch other cables or terminals and cause
a short circuit.
Crimp spade lugs over the cable ends or tin the ends with solder to provide a secure termination
Connect the cable ends to The M&S-Class amplifiers as speaker system diagram
Mlc, M2b & SSlb SPEAKER CONNECTION DIAGRAM i
Mlc, M2b & SSlb SPEAKER CONNECTION DIAGRAM ii

SS4a SPEAKER CONNECTION DIAGRAM i
SS2a SPEAKER CONNECTION DIAGRAM ii
SS2a SPEAKER CONNECTION DIAGRAM i

SS4a SPEAKER CONNECTION DIAGRAM iii
SS4a SPEAKER CONNECTION DIAGRAM ii
4-5. DAISY CHAIN CONNECTION
Daisy chain connection makes 2pcs of same M lc, M2b and SSlb amplifiers linkable .
Please read the following connection and diagram carefully to make correct connection.
Connect the master amplifier to the head-unit and set its output master and input slave switch
to output master position.
Connect the master and slave amplifier as daisy chain Rca jack as diagram.
Set slave amplifier's output master &. input slave switch to slave input position.
Connect speaker cable ( + ) on master amplifier to subwoofer ( + ) terminal.
Connect speaker cable ( + ) on slave amplifier to subwoofer (—) terminal.
Connect speaker cable (—) on master amplifier to speaker cable (—) on slave amplifier

5. TROUBLE SHOOTING TIPS
NO SOUND ( NO OUTPUT)
@ Pls check all connections, cables' rounting, short, voltage at The M/SS-Class and headunit
@ Pls check fuses ,If they are blown or burnt, Pls replace with new one.
@ Pls check whether speakers work well, you can test speakers by connecting to another amplifier
PROTECTION
@ Pls check overload, overheat (thermal), short and voltage. DC offset
@ Mlc, M2b and SSlb minimum working impedance is 1 ohm for single and 2 ohm for linked
operation.
@ If The M&SS-Class amplifiers are shut down due to overheat, they will be on some minutes later.
Pls make better airflow and no obstruction around The M&SS-Class for thermal protection
@ The Mlc, M2b and SSlb have Low and high voltage protection. Working Voltage is 8.5V 15V.
so Voltage is lower than 8.5V or higher than 15V, they will be protected.
@ When over 4V DC comes into the M&SS-Class amplifiers, then, they will be DC protected.
Check whether The M&SS-Class amplifiers work after removing RCA-Input
If The M-Class amplifiers work, then check DC by checking RCA-input L and R.
When DC is over 4V at input, try by replacing headunit or source unit
DISTORTION
@ Readjust input level and check the speaker quality at another amplifier.
If there is still problem, Replace poor quality speakers with good quality ones
POOR BASS RESPONSE
@ Pls check speaker cables and reverse polarity of one channel
BUZZING SOUND
@ Check The M&SS-Class amplifiers and headunit ground contact.
@ Check Rca Jack and replace with new one or rerout Rca Jack.
WHINING NOISE
@ Engine noise is caused by poor grounding of The M&SS-Class amplifiers, headunit, other
components, battery or alternator, so Pls check all grounding connection.

www.ddaudio.com