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REFERENCE Class A
PICASSO PICASSO
4/3/2 Channel
Power Amplifier
OWNERS MANUAL AND
INSTALLATION GUIDE
1
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CONGRATULATIONS! the REFERENCE Class A PICASSO PICASSO Amplifier, the most musical amplifier ever created for the 12 volt environment. Your Soundstream REFERENCE Class A PICASSO amplifier will outperform any other amplifier in the world. To maximize the performance of your system, we recommend that you thoroughly acquaint yourself with its capabilities and feature s. Please retain this manual and your sales and installation receipts for future reference. Soundstream amplifiers ar
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Design Features ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 4 - 5 PICASSO Diagram ................................ ................................ ..... 6 - 7 Selecting Input Modes ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 8 Balanced / Unbalanced Input ................................ ................................ .......................
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DESIGN FEATURES •Audiophile Circuit Topology - The REFERENCE Class A PICASSO is designed with the shortest signal path possible, resulting in the most sonically tr ansparent amplifier Soundstream has ever built! •2 ohm Satellite Drive Ability - The REFERENCE Class A PICASSO amplifier is designed to drive satellite speaker loads down to 2 ohm stereo (4 ohm mono). •Esoteric Quality Components including polypropelene capacitors in the signal path, and high performance monolithic dual ultr
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range from 13.2 to 14.4 volts. • Fault Monitor LED on the top panel notifies you of blown power supply fuses. • Dual Discrete Class A Drive Stages - Over six times th e drive current of most amps, which maintains performance into low impedance loads. TM • Drive Delay Muted Turn-on/off Circuit - A unique circuit which completely eliminates any amplifier - related turn - on/off noises. •Flexible Dual Input Level Sensitivity accepts 2 voltage ranges; from 200 mV to 2.0 V and from 500 mV to 5
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PICASSO PICASSO 6
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Key to Callouts 1. Fault LED - Indicates a blown fuse. 2. Power LED - Indicates amplifier power on. 3. Input Overload Indicators - Indicates the signal input level or input gain level is too high - channels 1 & 2. 4. Input Level Selector Switch - Selectable input sensitivity range from 0.2 - 2 Volts RMS, or - 5 Volts RMS - channels 1 & 2. 5. Left Channel Balanced / Unbalanced Input Selector Switch - Select "Balanced" to use the 6 pin Balanced signal Input. Select "Unbalanced" to use t
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INSTALLATION STEP 1 COHERENT STEREO™ / MIXED-MONO / BRIDGED MONO The REFERENCE Class A PICASSO amplifier has the ability to operate in any one of the following modes: Coherent Stereo™ with identical left and right stereo channels for maximum fidelity. Best choice for satellite speakers. Use this mode unless - Mono is necessary. Mixed-Mono in order to drive stereo and mono simultaneously; works well for center channels. It can be used anytime you need a summed mon o channel. Howe
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INSTALLATION STEP 2 BALANCED / UNBALANCED INPUT The REFERENCE Class A PICASSO amplifier has the ability to accept either standard Unbalanced RCA signal inputs, or Balanced "Pro Audio" inputs with the use o f the Soundstream BLT Balanced Line Transmitter or some other balanced line audio source. Before installing your system, you should decide upon whic h signal type you wish to run. UNBALANCED INPUT BALANCED INPUT ADVANTAGES 1. Most preamplifier / 1. Improved Signal to Noise Ratio.
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INSTALLATION STEP 3 WIRING POWER AND GROUND To ensure maximum output from your REFERENCE Class A PICASSO amplifier, use high quality, low - loss power PICASSO amplifier will accept up to 4 gauge power and ground cables. Determine from the wire for your application. up to 10’ up to 20’ PICASSO PICASSO CIRCUIT BREAKERS/FUSES INTERNAL The PICASSO amplifier is fused with a 30 Amp automotive - type fuse. Never replace the fuses with a higher value than what is supplied. This
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INSTALLATION STEP 4 INSTALLATION AND MOUNTING 1. AMPLIFIER LOCATION TM PICASSO amplifier employs highly efficient ci design to maintain lower operating temperatures. Additional cooling may be required if the amplifier is located in a tightly c onfined area or when driving especially low impedance loads at extremely high levels. When mounting the amplifier, it should be securely mounted to either a panel in the vehicle or an amp board or rack that is secu rely mounted to the vehicle.
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INSTALLATION STEP 5 LEVEL SETTING The input levels are adjusted by means of the individual channel input level controls located on the front of the amplifier. Th is is a unique dual - stage circuit that adjusts both level and gain. This topology maintains better In the ideal situation, all components in the audio system reach maximum undistorted output at the same time. The reason is bec ause an amplifier will only make what comes into it bigger. So, if you send it a distorted sig
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SAMPLE SYSTEM #1 4 channels of input 4 channels of full range output External input to channels 3 & 4 13
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SAMPLE SYSTEM #2 4 channels of high pass input to the PICASSO 4 channels of high pass output to satellite speakers External input to channels 3 & 4 from an external crossover - - - - - - - - - 2 channels of low pass input to the Class A 10.0 or other amplifier 1 Bridged Mono channel of low pass output to subwoofers 14
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SAMPLE SYSTEM #3 2 channels of high pass input to the PICASSO 4 channels of high pass output to satellite speakers Internal input to channels 3 & 4 from an external crossover - - - - - - - - - 2 channels of low pass input to the Class A 10.0 or other amplifier 1 Bridged Mono channel of low pass output to subwoofers 15
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SAMPLE SYSTEM #4 2 channels of high pass input to the PICASSO 2 channels of bridged high pass output to satellite speakers External input to channel 4 from an external crossover - - - - - - - - - 2 channels of low pass input to the Class A 10.0 or other amplifier 1 Bridged Mono channel of low pass output to subwoofers 16
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SAMPLE SYSTEM #5 2 channels of high pass input to the PICASSO, with 2 stereo channels driving tweeters 2 channels of band pass input to the PICASSO, with 2 stereo channels driving mid-range speakers External input to channels 3 & 4 from an external crossover - - - - - - - - - 2 channels of low pass input to the Class A 10.0 or other amplifier 1 Bridged Mono channel of low pass output to subwoofers 17
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PROTECTION CIRCUITRY Your REFERENCE Class A PICASSO is protected against both overheating and short circuits by means of the following circuits: • Main power supply fuses • Smart Power Supply Thermal Rollback activating at 85°C. • A fail - safe thermal protection circuit activating at 95°C. Your amplifier also incorporates an innova tive Fault Diagnosis system that identifies a blown power supply fuse. NOTE: If you experience blown main power supply fuse, DO NOT increase value b
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SERVICE The REFERENCE Class A PICASSO is protected by a limited warranty. Please read the enclosed warranty card. SPECIFICATIONS REFERENCE Class A PICASSO PICASSO POWER 4 Ω Ω Stereo 2 Ω Ω Stereo (8 Ω Ω Bridged) (4 Ω Ω Bridged) Watts 25 x 4 50 x 4 THD Signal to Noise >100 dB Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz ± 0.5 dB Stereo Separation >90 dB >200 Input Sensitivity - 2.0 V, or 500 mV - 5.0 V Input Impedance 12 k Ω Dimensions W x D x H: 16.0” x 9.8” x 2.25” 19 200 mV
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SOUNDSTREAM TECHNOLOGIES 120 Blue Ravine Road Folsom California 95630 20 USA
