Bridged Mono/Stereo Operation
You should not use a speaker with an impedance that is less than 8
Ω
for Bridged Mono
operation.
In mono, the Zamp v.3 “bridges” the R channel to amplify the positive half of the
audio signal and the L channel to amplify the negative half of the audio signal. In effect, each
channel “sees” only half of the speaker’s rated impedance, so that an 8
Ω
speaker in Bridged
Mono is only a 4
Ω
load and a 4
Ω
speaker in Bridged Mono is only a 2
Ω
load. The Zamp v.3 is
not designed to operation into loads that are less than 4
Ω
at any time.
Warning:
When used in Bridged Mono mode, the Zamp v.3 should not be used with a speaker
with an impedance of less than 8 Ohms. Running the Zamp bridged into a 4 Ohm speaker will
cause the Zamp v.3 to overheat and could result in serious damage.
Mono Input and Speaker Connections
1. Turn the unit off and remove the AC cord.
2. Connect the single cable from the preamp or controller to the R channel audio In jack.
3. Set the Bridged Mono/Stereo switch to the Bridged Mono position.
4. Connect the positive lead of the speaker wire to the red R + channel speaker terminal.
5. Connect the negative lead of the speaker wire to the red L + channel speaker terminal.
Note:
The R + and L + mono hookup terminals are spaced too far apart to accept a
dual-banana plug.
6. Do not connect anything to either channel’s “–“(negative) speaker terminal.
7. Reconnect the AC cord.
Turn On Options
Turn On Options Switch
For your convenience, there are three ways
the Zamp v.3 can be turned on and off.
•
Manually, by pressing the Power button
on the front panel.
•
Automatically, when a suitable trigger
voltage is applied to its 12V In (input) jack.
•
Automatically, when an audio signal is present at the L or R channel audio Input jacks. When
either automatic turn on mode is selected the Zamp v.3 front panel Power button is disabled
so that on/off is determined solely by the triggering preamp or system controller.
Audio Position
When the Turn On Options switch is set to the left in its Audio position, the Zamp v.3 will be
turned on whenever an audio signal of at least 1mV is present at its Left or Right Input jacks.
After audio signals cease, the Zamp v.3 will remain turned on for about ten minutes. This
prevents it from shutting down during pauses in the music. The Audio position of the Turn On
Options switch also disables the front panel Power button.
Note:
Previous Zamp v.3s included a sensitivity adjustment control for the audio auto turn on.
This version has an improved circuit that makes this adjustment unnecessary.
Note:
When the Turn On Options switch is set to Audio the Zamp v.3 will turn itself on immedi-
ately when you connect its AC cord, even without any audio signal present. This is normal.
Note:
If the Zamp v.3 is driving only the sub, surround, center, or rear channels you will achieve
more consistent automatic turn on by using the 12V DC trigger. At the beginning of most
films the sub, center and surround levels are lower than the minimum level required by
the Audio sensing circuit.
REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS AND CONTROLS continued
5
Summary of Contents for Zamp v.3
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