REFERENCE Class A PICASSO 4/3/2 Channel Power Amplifier OWNERS MANUAL AND INSTALLATION GUIDE 1
CONGRATULATIONS! You now own the REFERENCE Class A 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 features. Please retain this manual and your sales and installation receipts for future reference.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Design Features........................................................................................................4 - 5 REFERENCE Class A PICASSO Diagram .....................................................................6 - 7 Selecting Input Modes ...................................................................................................8 Balanced / Unbalanced Input .........................................................................................
DESIGN FEATURES • Audiophile Circuit Topology - The REFERENCE Class A PICASSO is designed with the shortest signal path possible, resulting in the most sonically transparent 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).
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 the 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.
PICASSO 6
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 from 0.5-5 Volts RMS - channels 1 & 2. 5. Left Channel Balanced / Unbalanced Input Selector Switch - Select "Balanced" to use the 6 pin Balanced signal Input.
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 Mixed-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 mono channel.
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 of the Soundstream BLT Balanced Line Transmitter or some other balanced line audio source. Before installing your system, you should decide upon which signal type you wish to run. UNBALANCED INPUT ADVANTAGES 1. Most preamplifier / source units have "UNBAL" RCA outputs. (Industry standard) 2.
INSTALLATION STEP 3 WIRING POWER AND GROUND To ensure maximum output from your REFERENCE Class A PICASSO amplifier, use high quality, low-loss power and ground cables. The PICASSO amplifier will accept up to 4 gauge power and ground cables. Determine from the chart below the minimum gauge power and ground wire for your application. PICASSO up to 10’ up to 20’ Soundstream Power40 or Power80 (4 or 8 ga.) Soundstream Power40 (4 ga.
INSTALLATION STEP 4 INSTALLATION AND MOUNTING 1. AMPLIFIER LOCATION The REFERENCE Class A PICASSO amplifier employs highly efficient circuitry and a unique ChassisinkTM design to maintain lower operating temperatures. Additional cooling may be required if the amplifier is located in a tightly confined area or when driving especially low impedance loads at extremely high levels.
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. This is a unique dual-stage circuit that adjusts both level and gain. This topology maintains better Signal to Noise ratios even when using sources with minimal output. In the ideal situation, all components in the audio system reach maximum undistorted output at the same time.
SAMPLE SYSTEM #1 4 channels of input 4 channels of full range output External input to channels 3 & 4 13
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 innovative Fault Diagnosis system that identifies a blown power supply fuse.
SERVICE The REFERENCE Class A PICASSO is protected by a limited warranty. Please read the enclosed warranty card. SPECIFICATIONS REFERENCE Class A PICASSO POWER 4 Ω Stereo (8 Ω Bridged) 2 Ω Stereo (4 Ω Bridged) Watts 25 x 4 50 x 4 THD <0.1% Signal to Noise >100 dB Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz ± 0.5 dB Stereo Separation >90 dB Damping >200 Input Sensitivity 200 mV - 2.0 V, or 500 mV - 5.0 V Input Impedance 12 kΩ Dimensions W x D x H: 16.0” x 9.8” x 2.
SOUNDSTREAM TECHNOLOGIES 120 Blue Ravine Road Folsom USA 20 California 95630
