Connections and Controls
1. Left clipping LED
2. XLR input button and LED
3. RCA input button and LED
4. Power button and LED
5. Gain button and LED
6. Mute button and LED
7. Right clipping LED
1. Speaker outputs
2. 12-volt trigger input
3. XLR input(s)
4. RCA input(s)
5. IEC AC cord input
Front Panel
Rear Panel (DPA-1)
Rear Panel (DPA-1M)
3
1. Speaker outputs
2. 12-volt trigger input
3. XLR input(s)
4. RCA input(s)
5. IEC AC cord input
Connecting the DPA-1 to Your Audio System
First, make sure your system is powered down before making any connections. This is especially important with the preamplifier. Never
make speaker connections while the DPA-1 or DPA-1Ms are switched on or connected to AC power.
Interconnect Cables
Start by connecting the preamp to the DPA-1. In every case, grasp the cables by the plugs/connectors, not by the cable itself, otherwise
you could damage the cable or the jack panel of the DPA-1 or your preamp. If your preamp offers XLR output, we strongly recommend you
use XLR cables to connect the preamp to the DPA-1. This will minimize noise and interference while providing a more secure connection.
For XLR connections, align the pins inside the plug and push it in until it clicks. To remove, press the tab on the top of the plug then pull the
plug out. For RCA connections, simply grasp the plug and insert it into the appropriate jack on the DPA-1.
Speaker Cables
Do not connect the outputs of the amplifier to the speaker-level inputs of a powered subwoofer.
It could damage the amplifier be-
cause the grounds of these inputs are usually tied together, and the amplifier’s output terminals are not.
We recommend using high-quality speaker cables tipped with spade lugs or banana plugs. Bare wire can be used, but be careful. Stray
strands from the wire can touch strands from another wire and cause a short circuit, which could damage the amp or cause the wire
strands to burn. Connect the positive terminal (+ or red) of the amplifier to the positive terminal on the speaker, and the negative terminal (-
or black) to the negative terminal on the speaker. If using spade lugs or bare wires, tighten the amp’s binding posts firmly by hand. Do not
use pliers or a wrench to tighten the binding posts.
The DPA-1M provides two sets of speaker terminals for the same channel. You can use either set of terminals, and you can also use both
if you choose to biwire your speakers.
AC Cord
A high-quality AC cord is supplied with the DPA-1 and DPA-1M, but you may use an aftermarket power cord if you wish. Make sure the
cord is an IEC three-conductor type with the same type of connectors found on the original cord.
12-volt DC Trigger Input
Using this jack, you can set up the DPA-1 or DPA-1M to power up automatically when your preamp’s power is on. Many preamps (includ-
ing the Audio Alchemy DDP-1) have a 12-volt trigger output compatible with this jack. In most cases, you can use a 3.5mm to 3.5mm ste-
reo or mono cable (available at electronics stores and websites) to make this connection.
