Directed Electronics Tube Driver System TD275/2150 User manual

CONGRATULATIONS ENDPANEL LAYOUT
FEATURES / SPECIFICATIONS ENDPANEL LAYOUT (cont.)
INSTALLATION TROUBLESHOOTING
WIRING TROUBLESHOOTING (cont.)
POWER / GROUND TROUBLESHOOTING (cont.)
CONNECTIONS TROUBLESHOOTING (cont.)
CONNECTIONS (cont.) SYSTEM DIAGRAM 1 / 2
INPUTS / CONNECTIONS BLOCK DIAGRAM
INPUTS WARRANTY
CONTENTS
(click on a topic to view)
Owners Manual TD 275 / 2150

The extended use of a high powered audio system may
result in hearing loss or damage. While TUBE DRIVER
systems are capable of
"Concert Level" volumes with
incredible accuracy, they are also designed for you to
enjoy at more reasonable levels all of the sonic subtleties
created by musicians. Please observe all local sound
ordinances.
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
feelthemusicthewaytheartistintended.Thesehandcraftedamplifiersfeaturefulldifferential
“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-wide bandwidth together with a high degree of
linearity.The tubes used in theseamplifiersprovide both voltage gain and current gainwhere
they are connected in Cascode and Cathode Follower configurations. D.C. servos are used
to control any D.C. offset.These servos are critically positioned in the circuit so that not only
is D.C. offset eliminated but also any subtle differences between tubes are internally
compensated. These tube stages are then connected to a high current BiPolar output stage
that uses the same audiophile quality Sanken output devices featured in the PrecisionPower
2500F1.The output stages receive their power from a highly regulated D.C. power supply
which enhances their performance significantly. Very little negative feedback is used. Low
feedback designs have greatly improved sound quality having an extremely warm and open
soundwithenhancedmusicalityconsistentwithonlythehighestqualityhometube amplifiers.
Service
Model
Serial Number
Purchase Date
Do not attempt to service TUBE DRIVER products yourself.
Performing exploratory surgery on your audio equipment yourself
will void the warranty. Many parts of your TUBE DRIVER gear
are custom built to our specifications. Our factory parts are not
made available to anyone else nor are they for sale. Our goal
is to make sure that your TUBE DRIVER product will always
sound as good as the day it was purchased. Contact your
authorized TUBE DRIVER dealer about obtaining any warranty
service through TUBE DRIVER.(See Warranty insde back cover)
Caution!
FOR YOUR RECORDS
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1
TD275
75 WRMS x 2 @ 4 Ohms per channel
150 WRMS x 2 @ 2 Ohms per channel
300 WRMS x 1 @ 4 Ohms bridged
TD 2150
150 WRMS x 2 @ 4 Ohms per channel
300 WRMS x 2 @ 2 Ohms per channel
600 WRMS x 1 @ 4 Ohms bridged
Dimensions
Length = 15.5 Length = 16.75”
Height = 3.2” Height = 3.2”
Width = 9.25” Width = 9.25”
Continuous Output Power
TD275 TD2150
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: 10K Ohms
Output Impedance: 2 - 16 Ohms, bridged 4 - 32 Ohms
Specifications
Fully regulated adaptive MosFET power supply
Balanced Mini-Din Input
High Voltage Input Capability with InputAttenuation Switch
Gold Plated RCA Input connectors
Mixed Mono/Stereo Operation
Three Year Warranty when installed by an Authorized
TD dealer
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2
Fuse Requirements
Recommended Fuse Rating forTD275 is 60 Amps
Recommended Fuse Rating for TD2150 is 100 Amps
You will need to install an in-line fuse or circuit breaker in the power wire
within 18” of the battery. This fuse or circuit breaker protects your vehicle
from fire in case the power wire shorts to the vehicle body.Ifyou are only using
one amplifier, use the recommended fuse rating. If you are using more than one
amplifier, add up the fuse ratings for all amplifiers, and use this sum for your main
fuse or circuit breaker. Use a power distribution block or fuse near your amplifiers
with the appropriate fuse for each individual power wire.
The information below is a basic formula you can use to determine approximate
current draw.A50% amplifier efficiency rating is used as an average. This formula
isonly a guideline. Using wire of a largergaugecanonlyimprovethecurrenttransfer
of your system. Do not use smaller gauge wire.
Total 4-Ohm rated RMS output x 2 =Total InputWattage
Total InputWattage/SupplyVoltage = Current Draw (in Amps)
Example: Your TD275 has 2 channels at 75 watts per channel RMS into 4-Ohms
(75 x24 =150). You would use the formula below:
150W x 2 = 300W/12.5V = 24 AmpsTotal Current Draw
Tools/Parts Needed for Installation (not supplied)
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 with the power wire you plan to use in your installa-
tion)
Tube of silicone sealant
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3
Warning!
Amplifiers Generate Heat!
You can mount the TUBE DRIVER in any position, even upside-down. However,
you must maintain proper airflow. Do not install your TUBE DRIVER under
carpets or enclose it behind airtight panels. In trunk-mounted applications, be sure
to provide venting for air circulation. Let the amplifier breathe. Without adequate
air circulation, your Tube Driver will reduce its power output to protect itself.
Power Wire Calculator
Mounting
YouneedtomountyourTUBEDRIVER securelyinyourvehicletopreventdamage.
You may mount the system right-side up, on its side, or upside-down, provided
there is adequate ventilation.
Recommended MINIMUM Gauge
20 - 35 12 10 8 8 6 6 8 4
0 - 20 14 12 12 10 10 8 8 8
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 - 105 6 6 4 2 2 2 2 0
105 - 125 4 4 4 2 2 0 0 0
125 - 150 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0
Total Current Draw Length ofWire to Run (in Feet)
(in Amps) < 3 4 - 7 7 - 10 10 - 13 13-16 16-19 19-22 22-28
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4
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 TUBEDRIVER 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
wire indicated in the chart.
The main power cable should run from the amplifier location, through or under the
vehicle,to the battery.You mustusea grommet wherever the cablepassesthrough
a steel panel to prevent an eventual short to ground.
The ground connection is the most important part of any installation. If the
connections are poor and/or the resistance is high, the resulting drops in voltage
will rob you of amplifier power and may allow noise to enter your system. Your new
Tube Driver features a fully regulated power supply. It will make full power even if
thevoltage changes. Itwill draw more currentat lower voltages tomake that power.
Lower voltage and high cable resistance means more total current draw. Using a
digitalmultimeter(DMM),trytoget cable resistance as low as possible. If resistance
is too high, use a larger gauge wire. Try to ground your system to a single point in
thevehicle. In largersystems,usedistribution blocks and runbothpowerand ground
cables directly to the system battery.
Remote Turn-on
IMPORTANT!Your newTube Driver is equipped with our unique tube warm-up
circuit. When your system is turned on, The LED labeled “WARM UP” will
illuminate and full power is applied to the tube heaters for approx.35 seconds.
The internal fan will then turn on and two seconds later the amp outputs will
be switched on.The system will then play as normal.
You must connect a wire to the remote (REM) terminal (located in the speaker
terminal plug) of your amplifier to power on your TUBEDRIVER. The source unit
normally provides a remote amp turn-on or power antenna lead that provides this
+12 volts when you turn on the unit.
• Run a wire from the chosen turn-on lead to the REM connection
of your TUBEDRIVER (See Endpanel Layout: Page 10)
• Tighten the connection
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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 connector and plug
it in
Speaker Connections
RightSpeakernegative
RightSpeakerpositive
Remoteturnon
LeftSpeakerpositive
LeftSpeakernegative
Speaker Power Lock Connector
Powerlock connector
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6
You can operate each pair of channels in both stereo and mono (3 channel
or tri-mode) at the same time by using highpass filters (bass blockers) on
the higher frequency stereo channels, and a lowpass filter (coil) on the
subwoofers. The frequencies of the chosen highpass and lowpass filters
must not overlap (allow the mids and highs to play the same music as the
subs) or the impedance the amplifier sees at those frequencies will be cut in
half possibly causing it to turn down.
Mixed Mono Output
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. (Refer to the end
panel drawing on the next page.)
Note: Total bridged impedance of less than 4-ohms may trigger the
protection circuitry causing reduced output and may eventually
damage your amplifier.
Bridging
Sub
Tweeter Tweeter
MidRange MidRange
Lowpass
filter
Highpass
Filter
Bandpass
Filter
Highpass
Filter
Bandpass
Filter
L-L+ R+R-
FRONT
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Input Jacks
The TUBE DRIVER includes both RCA and Mini-Din (balanced) inputs. The
supplied RCAconnections allow you to use TUBE DRIVERwith 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 equalizer, or crossover go here.
Standard Coaxial RCA Cables
Standard coaxial RCA cables utilize two connections: a center wire (signal
positive) attached to the center pin of the RCA connector along with a braided
outer conductor (signal negative) connected to the outer ring of the RCA
connector. This design almost always allows radiated noise to enter the system,
since the signal is not well protected.
Balanced Mini-DIN Cable
Balanced Mini-Din connections use six pins and one grounding ring. Pins 1 and
2 are open connections, normally they would carry your remote turn on voltage.
Pins3/4 and 5/6are apairof twistedconductorsforthe musicsignal.The twisting
of the inner wires rejects or eliminates radiated noise by more than 30 dB. The
inner pair of wires are then protected by an outer shield connected to Pin 1.This
means the music signals can be kept as far away as possible from the power
and chassis ground paths of other circuitry, allowing the transmission of pure
music between points while protecting it from noise generating equipment and
wiring present in the vehicle. The diagram below shows the pin configuration
for the Mini-Din connections.
Balanced Inputs
(+) Positive
(-) Negative
4
56
3
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Input Gain Control
There is an Input Gain Control located on the end panel under the RCA
input jacks. This is not a volume control! This control matches the output
signal voltage of the source unit to the amplifier inputs.
By turning the control 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 control at maximum is able to drive a weak signal, it also picks
up and amplifies any noises lurking in the background, such as a brake light
pop, alternator whine, or ignition tick.
Increasing the signal voltage to the amplifier by using a high output source
unit, or a TUBE DRIVER LD-3, will increase the signal to noise ratio. By
turning the level control counterclockwise (to the left), the amp inputs will be
less sensitive. The amp will reproduce music at full power while making any
noisefloorinsignificant.YourTUBEDRIVER accepts signal levels of up to
12 volts RMS.
Setting Input Gain
1. Set the Input Gain Control to just above the lowest setting.
2. Turn the master volume on the source unit or pre-amp to almost full
volume.
3. With music playing, slowly increase each Input Gain Control until you
hear distortion. Turn down the Gain Control until the distortion stops.
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