For-x MAESTRO-1 User manual

MAESTRO-1
HIGH PERFORMANCE POWER AMPLIFIER

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Thank you for purchasing our car audio amplifier. These power amplifier has been
designed to provide high quality performance with a minimum of maintenance.
However, it's performance will only be as good as the care and quality of components
with which is installed. We therefore advise that you read these instructions very
carefully to familiarize yourself with the product and it's features.
Before installing the power amplifier please read this instruction manual carefully.
The instructions for mounting and connecting the set have to be followed precisely.
If necessary, a service center should be consulted.
All connection for DC power, signal input and speaker outputs can be carried out
easily and safely by way of RCA and screwed terminals.
INTRODUCTION
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
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Please choose a mounting place without any direct weather influences. Note that the
amplifier generates heat so that a well ventilated place is necessary.
According to your car's construction the set can be made very carefully in order to
ensure the amplifier's full performance and reliability.
Keep the wire connections as short as possible with sufficient length in order to
minimize power losses and provide a higher audio output of the system.
For safety reasons route all power and speaker wiring by using the exiting wire
channels.
To minimize damage to the cables, take care that they do not pass sharp edged metal.
Lay all cables as far away as possible from the ignition cables, modules in the boot and
under the key dashboard, as these create interference.
Add a fuse into the (+) power cable in a distance of not more than30cm from the
positive battery pole.
Keep the length of the power wires as short as possible. It is better to use power
cables which are short and then longer speaker cables.
In order to reduce interference, please pay attention to the wiring instructions.
SPECIFICATION
MODEL
Supply Voltage
Power into 4 Ohms
Power into 2 Ohms
Frequency Response
Input Impedance
Input Sensitivity
T.H.D.
Signal Noise Ratio
MAESTRO-1
11~15V DC
150W X 1
220W X 1
20Hz~20KHz(-3dB)
200mV-6V
<0.05%
22K Ohm
92dB

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FEATURES
Gain Control
Thermal protection
Short circuit protection
Power on LED indicator
Protection condition LED indicator
Low level input
Mosfet power supply
1Channel power amplifier
Low Pass Frequency control
MAESTRO-1
INTERFERENCE
Use only a screenedio audio cable for the wiring between "low level in" of the
amplifier and RCA or DIN output of the radio .
Lay the signal, speaker and power cables separately with enough distance from
another and also from each other car cable. lf not possible, you can lay the circuit
and ground cable together with the serial cables. Audio and speaker cable should
be as far away from these as possible. The REM cable to the automatic antenna
output of the radio cam be laid together with the signal cables.
Avoid ground loops by laying the ground wiring of all components to a center
point in a star-like way. You can find the best central point in measuring the voltage
directly at the battery .Now compare this voltage value with the chosen ground point
and the (+) terminal of the amplifier. lf the measured voltage in only less different.
you've found the correct central. Otherwise you have to look for another point. You
should measure with the ignition being switched on and additionally switched on
consumers (rear window heating and light ).
If there are pickups from external electrical sources into the speaker cables,
divide the core leads and twist them together.
If there are noises from the car electrics. Add an interference suppression choke
into the power wiring .
If there are huming noises, uses, use thicker ground cables or add further ground
cables to the chassis.
To reduce contact resistance and bad and loose contacts, please tin the cable ends
or use multi core cable ends, spade terminals or others.
Should all these measures be without any success. the use of a ground loop isolator
may solve the problem.
All cables are sources of interference or gather them. The power cable and Cinch /
RCA audio cable are very prone to interference; the remote cables are less prone.
There is often interference caused by the generator (piping), ignition (cracking) or other
car electronic part. Most of these problems can be eliminated by correct and careful
cabling, In doing so, there are the following guidelines :
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PRECAUTIONS
If the fuse blows, check the power connection and replace the f use. If the fuse
blows again after replacement , there may be an internal malfunction . In this case,
consult your dealer.
WARNING:
Use the specified amperage fuse. Use of a higher amperage fuse may cause
serious damage.
PROTECTION CIRCUIT:
This amplifier is provided with a protection circuit which operates in the following
cases when:
the unit is overheated.
the speaker terminals are short circuited.
FUSE REPLACEMENT
This unit is designed for negative ground 12V DC operation only.
Use speakers with an impedance of 2 or 4 Ohms ( 2 to 4 Ohm when used as
bridging amplifier )
Avoid installing the unit where:
-It would be subject to high temperatures , such as from direct sunlight or hot air
from the heater.
-It would be exposed to rain or moisture.
-It would be subject to dust or dirt.
If your car is parked in direct sunlight and there is a considerable rise in
temperature inside the car, allow the unit to cool off before operation.
When installing the unit horizontally, be sure not to cover the heatsink fins with
the floor carpet.
If this unit is placed too close to the car radio , an interference may occur. In this
case, separate the amplifier from the car radio.
This power amplifier employs a protection circuit to protect the transistors and
speakers if the amplifier malfunctions. Do not attempt to test the protection
circuits by covering the heatsink or connecting improper loads.
Do not use the unit with a weak auto battery as its optimum performance
depends on a normal battery supply voltage.
For safety reasons, keep the volume of your car audio system moderate so that
you can still hear normal traffic sounds outside your car.
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After the amplifier has been installed and all connections have been made
carefully and securely, turn the radio on so that the amplifier is switched on
automatically. After a short power-on period, the amplifier reaches its full
performance.
Now turn up the volume slowly using the volume control of the radio. If there is no
sound or only a distorted replay, switch off the radio immediately-the amplifier will
also switch off automatically - and check if all connections have been made
correctly.
POWER=LED POWER INDICATOR
After the orderly connection of the three power terminals, the LED indicator
shines green and goes out with off.
PROTECT =LED PROTECTION INDICATOR
This set is equipped with an overload protection. immediately upon overloading
(due to short circuit or much increased temperature ) the overload protection is
activated, and the red LED indicator is shining .Through this the amplifier is
protected against damage. In case of the thermal protection a cartain short cooling
time must be allowed after which the amplifier automatically resumes operation.
LEVEL CONTROL
The input level control allows the system to work well within a wide range of
output level. Choose the adjustment in te way that you achieve a sound most
possibly without any distortion. As a guideline the following procedure is
recommended:
If you use several amplifier , the adjustment has to be made for each set
separately tune in the volume of your car radio to 2/3 of the maximum volume.
Now turn the gain control of the amplifier from " Min " to " Max " direction until you
can hear distortions. Then turn the level control a little back to " Min ". The gain
control adjustment is finished now.
Attention! If you use 2 Ohm speakers in stereo mode . Tri-mode or 4 Ohm
speakers in bridge mode and the overload protection is triggered out, turn the
gain control to " Min " direction, until the operation is free of trouble.
OPERATION

POWER CONNECTION
The battery terminal (+12V) must be connected directly to the positive terminal of
the vehicle battery to provide an adequate voltage source and minimize noise.
Connecting the battery terminal lead to any other point (such as the fuse block ) will
reduce the power output and may cause noise and distortion. Use only #12 gauge
or thicker (smaller gauge # ) wire for this lead and connect it to the terminal of the
battery after all other wiring is completed.
GROUND CONNECTION
The ground terminal (GND) connection is also critical to the correct operation of the
amplifier. Use a wire of the same gauge as the power connection ( #12 or thicker)
and connect it between the ground terminal (GND ) of the amplifier and a metal part
of the vehicle close to the mounting location. This wire should be as short as
possible and any paint or rust at the grounding point should be scraped away to
provide a clean metal surface to which the end of the ground wire can be screwed
or bolted.
REMOTE TURN-ON CONNECTION
The amplifier is turned on by applying +12V to the remote turn-on terminal (REM).
The wire lead to this terminal should be connected to the "Auto-Antenna " lead from
the car stereo which will provide the +12V only when the car stereo is turned on. If
the car stereo does not provide an Auto-Antenna" lead, the remote turn-on lead
may be wired to an "Accessory " or "Radio "terminal in the car's fuse block. This will
turn the amplifier on and off with the ignition key, regardless of whether the car
stereo is on or off. The remote turn-on lead does not carry large currents. So #20
gauge wire may be used for this application.
SPEAKER CONNECTIONS
Depending on the type and number of speakers used with the amplifier wire them
to the speaker terminals as per the appropriate wiring diagram. For most
applications#18gauge wire should be used for the speaker leads but in no case
thinner than #20 gauge . For leads is excess of 10 feet # 16 gauge is recommended.
When wiring the speakers, pay careful attention to the polarity of the terminals on
the speakers and make certain they correspond to the polarity of the corresponding
terminals on the amplifier. Do not ground any speaker leads to the chassis of the
vehicle.
INPUT CONNECTIONS
This amplifier features both and low-level input capability. Use either the low-level
or high -level inputs, not both.
If the car stereo does not provide low-level outputs, the amplifier may be connected
via the speaker (high-level). Outputs from the stereo. Wire the speaker leads from
the car stereo the 5-pin adaptor harness as shown in the diagram (shielded cables
is not required for this application )and plug the connector into the mating high input
connector on the amplifier. Carefully splice and insulate all wire connection.
WIRING INSTRUCTIONS
Caution: Use either the low-level or the high-level inputs on the amplifier.
Do not use both input levels at the same time.
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OPERATION
GND(-)=GROUND CONNECTION
Connect the GND terminal to the chassis ground of your car and take care of best
electric and mechanic contact. In doing so, drill a hole in to the car chassis near the
amplifier then remove color, dirt or any other substance from the ground point.
After that fasten the cable end with added ring terminal by using a screw. Ensure
that the ground connection is as short as possible and that the cable diameter is
sufficient ( min 4 mm" ) . Route the ground cables from the radio and all other
equipment parts. like equalizer. active crossover network or other amplifiers, to the
same ground point.
+12V=POWER SUPPLY
Connect the +12V terminal to the positive pole of the battery with a lead cable and
add a fuse into the power cable in a distance of not more then 30 cm from the
battery. The lead cables's diameter should be at least 4 mm' for a length of 3m and6
mm" for a length of 6m.
REM(ON/OFF)REMOTE CONTROL
Connect the REM terminal to the automatic antenna connector of your car radio.
Now when turning on and off your car radio. the amplifier automatically switches
2
ON and OFF. A cable diameter of 0.5mm is sufficient.
FUSE
The amplifier is equipped with a plug-in auto fuse protecting the set against fault
conditions . Do not use a fuse with a higher value and never bridge the fuse over, as
this may lead to irreparability damage so that ant any claim for warranty is denied.
HOW TO PROCEED IN CASE OF FAULTS
No Function:
The connection cable is not connected correctly ( =terminal BATT/GND /REM).
Ensure that all connections and mechanic contact and that the jacket has been
removed. The fuse is defective-pay attention to the correct value of a new fuse!
No Sound:
Speaker cable or speaker plug are not connected correctly.
No Sound /Red LED Protection Shines:
The plus and minus wires of the speaker cable have contact, thus eliminate the
short circuit. If you use a 2 Ohm speaker in stereo mode, a 4 Ohm speaker in
bridge mode or tri-mode and the set is overloaded, then turn the gain control to
"min " until the operation is free of trouble.
Poor Sound Quality ( Distortions ):
The speakers are overloaded, therefore turn down the volume level and check
the volume control positions.
No Stereo Sound And A Weak Bass:
Speaker cables (+) and (-) are mixed up , unit wired out of phase.

STEREO MODE
MAESTRO-1
CAR STEREO
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Connect the +12V power input lead only after all other leads have been
connected .
Be sure to connect the ground wire of the unit securely to a metal part of the car.
A lose connection may cause a malfunction of the amplifier .
REM: The unit is turned on by applying +12 Volts to this terminal. This terminal
does not draw heavy current like the tow Power Terminals so a thinner
connecting wire is acceptable . Standard 18 GAUGE is fine and the standard
color is yellow .lf the radio is equipped with a Power Antenna control wire ,it can
drive this terminal . If the Power Antenna wire is already in use, you can still
splice into it . With this method, the unit will turn on automatically with the radio.
Use the power supply lead with a fuse attached whose value is the same as
original fuse .
Place the fuse in the power supply lead as close as possible to the car battery .
During a full power operation. Maximum current will run through the system
Therefore, make sure that the leads to be connected to the +12V and GND
terminals of the unit respectively must be larger than 10-Gauge( AWG.10).
POWER CONNECTION LEADS
NOTES ON THE POWER SUPPLY :
GND
REM
+12V
POWER
+
BATTERY
DC 12V
HEAD UNIT
( +12V)
SENS OUT
FUSE
to a metal part of car
SPEAKERS CONNECTIONS
Mono
SPEAKER
2~4Ohm
MAESTRO-1