Audio Control LC7 Owner's Manual

LC7™

Six Channel Line Output Converter With Auxiliary Input For interfacing with factory installed audio systems

Greetings from the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. We would like to congratulate you on your purchase of the LC7, a six-chan-

nel, high-performance, line-output converter with an auxiliary input. This nifty product will accept two, four, or six channels of speaker-level signal from a factory-installed amplifier or source unit and convert it to a highquality, low-noise pre-amp signal. This makes the LC7 an ideal OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) interface component as it will allow you to use your factory-installed source unit but give you the ability to add really good aftermarket amplifier(s) and processor(s). The LC7 also has an extra set of RCA inputs that allow you to interface your iPod, MP3 player, satellite radio tuner or other audio source. Turntables are not recommended. Whether this is your first product from the rainforest dwellers of AudioControl, or you are already a firm believer, you will definitely enjoy how great the LC7 can make your performance system sound.

Now before you start salivating just thinking about the benefits and all of the nifty applications for your LC7, take a few minutes to sit back, grab a beverage of your choice, and read through this manual. It contains lots of useful facts and information which will probably answer any questions you may have. If you are one of those folks who “does not like to read manuals”, then you will be happy to know that this manual is very peppy and has lots of pictures.

Key Features of The LC7

Here are some of the cool features that your LC7 offers:

•Six input and output channels

•Speaker-level inputs – can accept 400-watt signals!

•Auxiliary input for iPod’s, MP3 players, or Satellite radio tuners

•Input level controls for level matching of sources

•Internal channel summing

•GTO™ - signal-sensing inputs

•Output level controls

•12 volt trigger output

•Subwoofer level and source selection control

•Biodegradable cardboard box

®

TMmaking good sound betterTM

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Features and Highlights

Speaker-Level Inputs

If you are like many people who enjoy the look and features of your factory-installed source unit but feel your system overall is lacking power and bass, we have good news. The LC7 has high-impedance speaker-level inputs that allow it to accept amplified signals from all known factory-installed source units (even Bose) and output a high-qual- ity pre-amp signal via standard RCA connectors. This will allow you to add better-quality aftermarket amplifiers, processors and speakers while keeping the convenience features of your factory-installed source unit. Unlike inexpensive speaker-level and line-output converters, the LC7 offers the highest sound quality and can handle the full signal strength of a 400-watt amplifier.

Auxiliary Input

Since many car audio enthusiasts are multi-tasking listeners who want to use secondary sources like iPods, MP3 players, and satellite radios, the LC7 provides an auxiliary audio input for these devices. If you use this function, you will need to use a source that has its own volume control, just like your factory radio. This input is activated by tapping the optional dash level control. You will be happy to know that the LC7 has an LED indicator that will reflect which input your LC7 is using.

Source Selection & Remote Level Dash Control

Your LC7 comes with a remote mountable dash control that will allow you to select which source you want to listen to plus control the output of Channel 3. With the addition of secondary source units and high performance aftermarket amplifiers, the LC7 gives you maximum control over your system.

GTO™ Signal-Sensing Inputs

Most factory-installed source units lack the features that make it easy to upgrade with really good-sounding, performance aftermarket products. One of those key features is a 12-volt trigger that will “turn on” devices like the LC7 and your external amplifiers. Therefore, we have equipped your LC7 with our unique GTO™ (Great Turn On) signal-sensing inputs. Once the GTO input of your LC7 detects a speaker-level signal on the Main Inputs, it powers up. When the speaker-level signal goes away, your LC7 will automatically turn-off. Optionally, your LC7 is also equipped with a standard 12-volt trigger (Remote In) that will allow you to turn on your LC7 in the traditional manner, if necessary.

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12-Volt Output Trigger

Since you will be using an external amplifier(s) and processor in your system, you will need the ability to “trigger” or turn-on these devices (a romantic dinner won’t quite work here). Your LC7 has a high-current 12-volt output (labeled Remote Out) that will provide a trigger to these remote devices, when the LC7 is powered up. Please note that this output is not to be used as the main power for these devices.

Internal Channel Summing

The LC7 has the unique ability to internally sum together multiple (4 or 6) input channels from the factory source unit into 2 channels. This is particularly handy when using the LC7 with a factory system that has multiple, actively crossed-over signals being sent from the OEM source unit or amplifier(s). For example, in some vehicles there is an actively crossed-over tweeter, midrange, and woofer all in the front of the vehicle. The LC7 lets you take all of those signals and sum them together to get a high-quality, full-range, pre-amp signal without the use of any additional cables or hardware.

AutoMode Inputs

Sometimes in life (and car audio) we need more outputs than inputs. Therefore we have equipped your LC7 with AutoMode inputs that take the Channel 2 signal and automatically feed it to the Channel 3 outputs, provided there is no signal present on the Channel 3 inputs. This means your LC7 will accept two input channels and give you four output channels. Or it can accept four input channels and give you six output channels.

Output Level Controls

Your LC7 has level controls for each pair of channels. These controls allow you to adjust the signal level from your factory-installed amplifier or source unit to match up with your aftermarket amplifier or processor.

Bulletproof Warranty

The most important feature of all. Every AudioControl product is selflessly designed and manufactured in our factory located

in the rainforests of the

Pacific Northwest. We make every effort

to ensure that you will have many years of enjoyment out of your LC7. To ensure optimal performance we highly recom-

mend that you allow your authorized AudioControl dealer

to perform the installation. Not only do they have all the right knowledge and tools, but also in the unlikely chance your LC7 should stop working, we will back it with a limited five years parts and labor

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warranty. Should you choose to install it yourself we will still give you one-year parts and labor warranty. To activate your warranty, you need to FILL OUTAND SEND IN YOUR WARRANTY CARD!

We also recommend that you save your invoice or sales slip as proof of installation and ownership. Not only is it necessary for warranty purposes, but should your LC7 “walk away” one day while your car is parked at your local latte’stand, you will find insurance companies very unforgiving without proof of purchase.

Quick Installation Information

For those of you short on time but high on ambition, we offer the following section to speed up your installation of the LC7:

1.Physically mount the LC7 in a location that keeps it away from soda spills, food crumbs, and curious fingers. You will want to select a location that allows you access to the level controls. In many cases you can find factory speaker leads in the rear of the vehicle that are easy to access.

2.The LC7 needs to be installed in the signal path between your OEM source unit or factory-installed amplifier(s) and an aftermarket external amplifier and/or processor(s). Locate the speaker wires that are coming from your factory source unit and/or amplifier and connect them to the speaker-level inputs on your LC7.

3.Connect the Output RCA connectors to cables that run to your aftermarket external signal processors and/or amplifiers. If this is not obvious to you, quickly pack up your LC7 and run to your nearest authorized AudioControl dealer to have them perform the installation. You will thank us later.

4.Connect +12 power, ground, and remote turn-on (if applicable).

5.Level match your LC7 to your source and amplifiers.

Note: You will want to turn the gains DOWN on your aftermarket amplifiers to maximize your systems performance and minimize any HISS.

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Figure 1: Basic LC7 System

If you need to know more, then read on. Heck, if you don’t need to know more, still read on. If you end up calling us for help, the first question we will inevitably ask you is, “Did you read the manual?” Needless to say, we have heard some clever answers like “What manual?” or “I don’t think it was in the box”. However rather than deny the inevitable, most of the answers to your questions are in this manual!

A Guided Tour of the LC7

1.Auxiliary Input: This RCA connection can accept any two-chan- nel audio signal that comes from secondary source devices like an iPod, MP3 player, or Satellite radio. We are told that products like this are getting popular. To activate this input, you need to tap the remote mounted dash control and the LC7 will switch between the main inputs and this auxiliary input. An LED indicator on the LC7 chassis will identify which source unit is being used.

2.Speaker-level Inputs: The LC7 has three sets of speaker-level inputs. These inputs get their signals from the speaker-level outputs of your

factory-installed source unit or amplifier. If your source unit has front, rear, and subwoofer speaker-level outputs, connect them to the three sets of inputs on your LC7. If the source unit only has front and rear inputs, the Auto Mode circuitry in your LC7 automatically routes the Channel 2 inputs to Channel 3.

3. Ground: Connect to a good, verified chassis ground (the battery comes to mind.) Warning: Factory ground wires typically already have multiple devices connected to them and are not recommended.

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