Cadence MONO CLASS D User Manual

MONO CLASS D AMPLIFIERS

2

Thank you for purchasing a Cadence Type RS amplifier. Over the past years, the technology used to create audio amplifiers has grown
by leaps and bounds. We have thousands of satisfied customers still using our first generation Ultra Drive amplifiers which are almost
10 years old. Our competition is satisfied with just continuing to build the same units year after year without thought for improvement,
but not us. We consider it our mission to use our expertise in developing the latest technologies and to bring you the absolute best
sounding, most powerful amplifiers on the market and of course at a reasonable price. We are very proud to introduce this seventh
generation of Type RS amplifiers featuring C-FORCE technology, "ARVA" and "ADR" circuitry. You will be amazed at the quality and
power that these new amps offer. You will "Boom-Harder!" with Type RS amplifiers.

We have spared no expense in designing these amplifiers, creating the most rugged, reliable, powerful and best performing amplifiers.
In fact we are so sure of the quality we backup every Type RS amplifier with our exclusive two-year warranty which exemplifies our
commitment to excellence in car audio musical reproduction. (See enclosed warranty card for details.)

Please read this installation guide carefully for proper use of your Cadence power amplifier. Should you need technical assistance
during or after your installation please call our technical-line between 9:30 am and 5:00 PM EST at 732/370-5400. Read this entire
guide fully before attempting your installation.

WARNING: BE AWARE! Use of this amplifier at extreme high volumes for extended periods of time may cause hearing loss and or
hearing damage. During periods of prolonged high volume levels it is recommended that you use ear safety devices. Playing Cadence
amplifiers at high volume levels while driving will impair your ability to hear necessary traffic sounds. While driving always keep your
sound volume at reasonable levels. We at Cadence want you listening for many years to come.

When installing the amplifier, secure it tightly. An unmounted amplifier in your car can cause serious injury to passengers and damage
to your vehicle if it is set in motion by an abrupt driving maneuver or short stop.

INTRODUCTION

Boom

Harder

!

GOLD PLATED TERMINALS: BASS DRIVE EQUALIZATION CIRCUITRY:

All the terminals on the amplifier are solid brass and satin nickel plated for high conductivity
and minimum impedance loss. The power and ground terminals are extra large and capable
of accepting 2 gauge wire. The speaker terminals can accept 8 gauge wire. When wiring the
amplifier, be sure to strip just enough wire that fits into the terminal so that bare wires do not
touch each other, or the amplifier chassis and cause a short circuit.

POWER AND PROTECTION CIRCUITRY:

Type RS amplifiers feature our unique IC controlled protection circuitry. This sophisticated
circuit constantly monitors the heatsink internal temperature and various voltages, adjusting
the amp automatically and protecting it from dangerous conditions. The 2 LEDs located on
the input side of the amplifier provide indication of the amplifier status, and the Power LED will
light Green when the amplifier is receiving proper power, ground and remote voltages and the
IC monitoring sequence indicates the amp is functional. In case the amplifier encounters a
diagnostic condition as listed below, the second LED will turn RED indicating a Diagnostic
condition. When a diagnostic condition is sensed the amplifier will then turn into a self
preservation mode and if the cause of the diagnostic condition is not corrected will eventually
shut off. There are certain critical diagnostic conditions which will turn the amplifier off

immediately.

1. Speaker short circuit.

2. Input Overload.

3. Thermal overload.

4. Reverse Polarity.

To reset the amplifier, you must first diagnose what caused the problem, correct the fault and
restart the system. See the Trouble Shooting page for further details.

STIFFENING CAPACITOR DIRECT CONECTION:

A unique feature of the Cadence Type RS amplifiers, is their direct capacitor connection to the
amplifier's internal power supply. As you know, the speed in which the reserve capacity of any
stiffening capacitors reaching the amplifier's power supply is critical. You want this reserve
voltage to be immediately available upon your amps hitting a bass note. Our terminal
connection puts the negative of the capacitor in direct line with the negative terminals of the
power supply MosFET's and the positive of the capacitor with the center tap of the power
supply transformer coil. In essence, it's like your amplifier having its own personal battery.

MUTE CIRCUIT:

The RS amplifiers feature an anti-thump, mute and delay circuit. This eliminates irritating and
speaker damaging turn-on and turn-off transients normally experienced with less expensive
amplifiers.

FEATURES 3

A narrow "Q" shelving equalization circuit is included in the amplifiers. The equalization
system allows you to choose the center frequency which you want to boost and also a
separate adjustable boost control. This boost control allows you to add up to 15dB of Bass
Drive effect. Utilize the Bass Drive to tailor your bass response to your systems needs.
Please keep in mind that adding Bass Drive you are adding stress on your speakers. Make
sure your speakers can handle the extra power output! It would be foolish to add 15dB of gain
to low excursion 8" and 10" subwoofers.

“ADR”: - ACTIVE DYNAMIC REGULATION

Cadence RS amplifiers feature our proprietary ADR, Active Dynamic Regulated power
supplies. 100% HexFET devices are utilized in the power supply for high speed (100KHz)
switching frequencies. The power supplies are capable of supplying the main amplifier with a
considerable amount of reserve voltage for peak "high demand" situations. The ADR circuit
provides full bandwidth power for authoritative bass response, high current output into low
impedance loads and increased headroom. The ADR is supplied with power via a high speed,
high temperature capacitance bank and 100% pure copper rails on the PCB enabling fast
transient response to musical demands.

CLASS D AUDIO STAGE PERFORMANCE

The audio output section of the RS amplifiers feature high speed high voltage, low Rdson
MosFET transistors. This design contributes to ultra low distortion and extreme high power
capabilities. Our proprietary Class D modulation scheme, in conjunction with a very carefully
designed output filter, ensure clean, accurate sound reproduction with authority for deep
slamming true bass. YOU WILL HEAR THE DIFFERENCE.

Boom

Harder

!

FEATURES4

This switch enables you to slave multiple RS amplifiers off one master. Input signal will be
connected to the master in a system, and then a PM2 bridging cable can be used to connect
the master out to the slave in of a second amplifier, and in multiple amplifier systems, this
amplifier’s master output can be connected to a third amplifier’s slave input, thus allowing the
daisy chaining of an almost unlimited number of amplifiers from one signal source. In
addition, a single Competition Podium Remote control (CPR) can optionally be connected to
the master amplifier, in order to control all the slave amplifiers connected to it. Note that when
an amplifier is set in the SLAVE mode, its level control, phase shift, subsonic filter, bass EQ,
low pass filter, as well as remote control function will be totally bypassed, as these functions
will be controlled by the master amplifier to ensure perfect level and spectral matching
between all amplifiers.

“ARVA” - AUTOMATIC RAIL VOLTAGE ADJUSTMENT CIRCUITRY:

AMPLIFIER MODE SWITCH

Cadence RS amplifiers feature "ARVA" circuitry in their power supply. This circuit constantly
monitors the output stage and under high current demands will adjust the power supply rail
voltages so that enough power is available for peak situations. The "ARVA" also improves the
damping factor of the amplifier when playing low impedance mono loads. Cadence Type RS
amplifiers have tighter sounding bass reproduction thanks to this unique circuitry.

BATTERY VOLTAGE:

Cadence RS amplifiers are rated and regulated to 13.8 volts and below. Increasing voltage to

14.4 volts will increase the power output of the amplifier in the same proportion. Maximum
input voltage is 16 volts while the minimum voltage is 12 volts.

Boom

Harder

!

INDUCTION AND TUNNEL FAN COOLING:

Due to the extreme high power capabilities of these amplifiers, they feature a built-in
induction fan cooling system. The amplifiers draw in cool air through the nosepiece side
vents, for circulation across the circuitry. The main heatsink for the amplifier and power supply
sections is a CAD designed forced cooled tunnel that runs the length of the amplifiers. A fan at
each end, one pulling air in, and the other forcing air out, ensure that the power electronics
stay cool for continued, clean operation. It is important not to block either the input or exhaust
ports. Some of our competitors are more interested in making a quick buck and will purposely
leave the fan out of their amps and then charge you a hefty sum to buy and add the fan on
later. At Cadence, if we feel that our amplifiers will work better with a fan then we install it at the
factory and don't make it an expensive add on option.

PROTECTION CIRCUITRY:

Cadence amplifiers incorporate many outstanding protection circuits to help protect the
amplifier from being damaged during operating conditions.

Thermal Protection: When the amplifier reaches an unsafe operating temperature of 80
degrees Celsius the amplifier will turn off. Once the amplifier cools down, simply reset the
amplifier by its Remote connection, (turn the amplifier off and then on again once you have
given the amplifier a chance to cool down) and the amp will once again begin to play.

If you live in a hot climate we suggest installing additional cooling fans in your trunk to exhaust
the hot air which can build up in the trunk this will help keep the ambient temperature in the
trunk as low as possible so that your amps work flawlessly and without any musical
interruption.

Speaker Short Circuit Protection: Should your speakers short circuit due to voice coil burn
out, or should the amplifier sense an impedance too low to handle, the Protection LED will
light, indicating a diagnostic condition. Turn off your system, disconnect one speaker at a time
and try to determine which speaker might be faulty. Correct the condition and restart the
amplifier. You must reset the amplifier by turning off and then on by the Remote power for
proper operation after correcting a diagnostic condition.

Clipping or total shutdown may also be a result of a bad ground connection or loose ground. If
you find that your speakers and speaker wires are not shorted, please check your ground
connection.

Input Overload Protection: This circuit will either shutdown the amplifier completely or
make the amplifier spurt on and off indicating that it is in a diagnostic condition. Turn the
system off and reduce the gain on the amplifier or volume from your head unit, this should
result in a corrected condition.

DC Offset Protection: Should any DC voltage try to enter the amplifier via the speaker
terminals it will cause the amplifier to shut down and not operate until this condition is
remedied. This circuit will also protect damaging high DC voltages from reaching your
speakers should your amplifier ever miss-function.

INSTALLATION BASICS 5

Before you begin with your installation disconnect the NEGATIVE (-) terminal from your car's
battery. This safety precaution will avoid possible short circuits while wiring your amplifier.
Cadence amplifiers operate on 12-volt negative ground systems only.

It is recommend that you layout your sound system design on paper first. This will help you
during the installation so that you will have a wiring flow chart and not miss-wire any of your
components.

Mount the amplifier in the trunk or hatch area of your vehicle. Never install an amplifier in the
engine compartment or on the firewall. Please be sure to leave breathing room around the
amplifier heatsink so that it can dissipate the heat it produces efficiently. The amplifier can be
installed either horizontally or vertically.

When mounting the amplifier on the trunk floor, be sure to watch for your gas tank, gas lines
and electrical lines. Do not drill or mount any screws where they might penetrate the gas tank
of your car.

The RS amplifiers are supplied with ANL fuse blocks, and we suggest you construct a Red
wiring harness with 1 additional fuse. One fuse should be located near the car battery. This
fuse near the battery offers protection against damage from short circuits to the car chassis
between the battery and the amplifier. A second fuse closer to the amplifier offers additional
safety to the amplifier itself. This fused red power wire should be attached to the amplifier
power terminal marked 12V+.

The wire harness should be made of red primary cable of at least 4 gauge. The harness
should terminate in a large ring terminal for connection directly to the positive terminal of the
car battery. Use a spade plug to attach the wire, which connects to the amplifier location
marked 12V+.

A second black color wire of equal gauge should be used as a ground connection to a welded
chassis member. When connecting the ground wire make sure that there is no paint or other
insulator blocking a good ground connection. When installing multiple amplifiers, mount them
in close proximity so that they can all share the same ground point. Attach the black ground
wire to the amplifier screw terminal marked Ground.

We at Cadence recommend that you use our ZIK-4 amplifier installation kit, which contains all
the cabling and accessories necessary for a good, reliable installation.

Over the years we have received many an amp back to our service department with melted
power/ground terminals. The cause of this is a bad ground connection. When there is a lack of
good ground heat builds up at the weakest point which is the contact screw of the terminal.
Over time the heat generated will begin to melt the terminal. It is a good practice to feel the
power and ground wires with your hands, near their amplifier connection after having played
the amp for a while. If the wires feel hot to the touch you probably have a bad or loose
connection. If you are sure of your connections and the wires still feel hot to the touch, you
should upgrade the gauge of the wire to next heaviest gauge.

INSTALLATION BASICS: REMOTE TURN ON CONECTION:

POWER/GROUND WIRING:

The remote turn on connection is located on the barrier strip next to the power and ground
connections. This connection is responsible for turning the amplifier on and off with the rest of
the system. A smaller gauge wire can be used to make this connection to your radio's power
antenna lead. Should your system not have any turn on leads, you can wire the remote
terminal to an accessory lead, which turns on, with your ignition.

STIFFENING CAPACITOR DIRECT CONNECTION:

The benefits of this feature have been described earlier in the Features section. Connect the
Positive terminal of the capacitor to the terminal marked (+) on the amp and the negative
terminal of the capacitor to the terminal marked (-). Use the heaviest gauge wire available for
this connection. We recommend using Cadence Extreme Series Power Capacitors due to
their industry leading low ESR rating. Multiple capacitors can be connected via BUS BAR
terminals for larger amplifier installations. Use a CAP-1DR per amplifier model ZRS-8, a
CAP2DR per amplifier model ZRS-9, and a CAP5DR for amplifier model ZRS-10.

USING THE RS AMPLIFIERS IN CONJUNCTION

WITH A MULTI- CHANNEL AMPLIFIER:

The RS amplifiers are of course meant for sub bass applications, and as such need to be
used in conjunction with a second amplifier for a complete full range system.

Refer to the wiring diagram on Page 6.

Connect the Line Out of the RS amplifier to the Line Input of a multi-channel amplifier.

Set the multi-channel amplifier’s internal crossover to High Pass, as it will drive the high
frequency speakers, such as separates, coaxials, or plate type speakers, typically mounted
in the doors or kick panels.

Mount a master fuse right at the battery + terminal as shown. Add up the current draw for all
amplifiers in the system to determine the rating for this fuse.

Use a power distribution block, such as the Cadence FH-1, FH-2 or FH-3 at the amplifier
location to supply +12 volt to each amplifier.

Connect the remote turn on signal from the source to all amplifier remote turn on terminals.

Boom

Harder

!