Soundstream Technologies RUBICON 5.2 102 User Manual

SERVICE

Your

Soundstream

Please read the enclosed warranty card for details.

4 iI

POWER (8 R Bridged) (4 R Bridged)

Class A

5.2 (1/2W x 1)

Class A

10.2

Stereo

(12.6 Vdc) (14.4 Vdc)

ll4W

25Wx2

(5OW

RUBICON

2RStereo

x 2 1oow x2

x 1)

(2OOW

1oow x2 250W x 2

(2OOW

amplifier is protected

x 1)

x 1)

1 R Stereo

(2 Q Bridged)

(14.4 Vdc)

250W x 2

(SOOW

(SOOW

x 1)

x 1)

112 R Stereo

(1 Q Bridged)

(14.4

(SOOW

(1OOOW

Vdc)

25Qw x2

xl)

500W x2

x 1)

by a limited

l/4 R

Stereo

(l/2 n

Bridged)

(14.4 Vdc)

250W x 2

(SOOW

x 1)

5OOWx2

(1OOOW

x 1)

warranty.

Maximum

Rated

output

500

Watts

1000 Watts

SOUNDSTREPJVl

THD

Signal to Noise
Frequency Response
Stereo Separation
Damping
Input Sensitivity
Input Impedance

co.1
>I00 dB

20 Hz to 20

>90
>200

300

1 Ok

Hawkins Bass Control

Sub Sonic Filter: No
Hawkins Bass Control: 0

variable from

30

to

70

boost,

Hz.

High Pass filter from

to

+9

dB Boost; Boost and Sub Sonic filter,

Dimensions (W x D x H)

RUBICON
RUBICON

Class A 5.2:
Class A 10.2:

13.0” X 9.8” X 2.25”

15.0” X 9.8” X

%

dB

mV

to 5.0 Volts

Ohms

2.25”

kHz *

0.5

13

to

dB

30

RUBICON

Hz.

Class A

5.2

102

Power Amplifiers

SOUNDSTREAM

T

E

C

H

120 Blue Ravine Road . Folsom . California 95630 USA

N

SOUNDSTREAM TECHNOLOGIES

ph 916.351.1288 l fax [phone]

0

revA-4B3@8

L

0

G

I

E

S

’

Owner’s Manual

and

Installation Guide

Conaratulations!

Table of Contents

You now own a Soundstream
an uncompromising design and engineering philosophy. Your Soundstream

RUBICON

To Maximize the performance of your system, we recommend that you thor­oughly acquaint yourself with its
manual and your sales receipt for future reference.

Soundstream amplifiers are the result of American innovation and the high­est quality control standards. When properly installed, they will provide you
with many years of listening pleasure. Should your amplifier ever need ser­vice or replacement due to theft, please record the following information which
will help protect your investment.

Model and Serial #

Dealer’s Name

Date of Purchase

Installation Shop
Installation Date

CLASS A amplifier will outperform any other amplifier in the world.

RUBICON

capabilites

CLASS A amplifier, the product of

and features. Please retain this

Design Features

Rubicon

iawkins Bass

nstallation: Speaker Output Modes

Installation:

Installation: Wiring and Diagram

Installation: Mounting

Installation: Level Setting and Front Spoiler.

Protection Circuitry and Troubleshooting

Service

Class A Amplifier Diagram

...........................................................................

.............................................................

..............................

ControlTM

Balanced / Unbalanced Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p 11

Theory and Use

....................................

.....................................................

......................

...............................

.......................

..................

p4-5

~6-7

p 8 - 9

PlO

PI2

PI8

p 14

Pl5

Pl6

Specifications

.................................................................

Pl6

4

Ultra Low-Impedance Output Capablility: The RUBICONI 0.2 and

5.2 are designed for optimal performance into loads as low as

l/4

ohm stereo (1 or

I/2

ohm mono).

l/2

or

Fully Balanced 6-pin DIN Input for professional-quality performance
and noise cancellation. The 6-pin DIN plug carries (*) signal informa­tion for Left and
the Soundstream BLT /

Rlight

channels, audio ground, and * 15 Vdc to operate

BLT4

Balanced Line Transmitters and Bal-

anced X.0 crossovers.

RUBITM(_Rapid-&e Banched _/mpulse)

4

This new proprietary power sup­ply topology eliminates “power sags” during low frequency reproduction
by rapidly increasing the duty cycle, stabilizing the power supply and
allowing it to deliver the power required when reproducing low frequen­cies. Also, greater reserve gate power is stored for low voltage condi­tions that occur during extreme conditions.

4

STACTTM (STabilized

Apex

orrent _Topology)

Reduces power supply
stress by 50%. Typical designs degrade the stereo image due to phase
reversal of even-order harmonic distortion that occurs between the in-

verted channels. In the STACT design, inversion is done at the power
amplifier drive stage. Since the fully symmetrical

power

amplifier pro-

duces no even-harmonic distortion itself and all preamplifier circuitry is

run completely in-phase, no even harmonic distortion phase reversal

occurs.

TridentTM

4

1.

Output protection against short circuits or improper loads.

Protection Topology

provides three types of protection:

2. Ground fault detection: Shuts down the amplifier when a significant
voltage (> Welts) fluctuation occurs between electrical (turn-on lead)
and battery ground.

3. Thermal Protection: Puts the amplifier into thermal rollback or shuts
the amplifier down in extreme thermal conditions.

+

Hawkins Bass Control - Fully adjustable subwoofer equalizaton circuit

providing frequency and boost

(‘KY’)

adjustment for optimum subwoofer
performance. A frequency tracking subsonic filter protects woofers from
potentially

harmfull

low frequency information and maximizes output in

a usable range.

Output Clipping Indicators indicate clipping on the output stage of
the amplifier.

Monitoring the clipping indicators allows the user to achieve

maximum Sound Pressure Level without clipping the amplifier.

Dynamically Optimized Power Grid

TM.Power grid is evenly distrib-

uted between primary and secondary power supplies, providing greater
dynamics and improved RF filtering.

Auto High

CurrentTM

automatically matches the amplifier to the load

being driven allowing greater system flexibility, greater output, higher

reliability, and high efficiency 1 ohm (stereo) operation.

ChassisinkTM All transistors are ideally located and sandwiched be-

tween the circuit board and the heatsink to provide cool efficient ampli­fier operation.

Differentially Balanced RCA Input eliminates ground loop related

noise in the audio.

Flexible Dual Input Level Control allows 300 mV to 5 V input sen-
sitivity. Separate Left and Right level controls allow user to optimize
system level control.

Symmetrical Discrete Balanced Class A Drive Boards Auto-adjust

for linear performance while driving low impedance loads.

Removable Front Spoiler allows for stealth installation of RCA,

Bal-

anced Line, Speaker and Power wiring.

Harmonic Bass Alignment

4

TM

The 2nd and 3rd order harmonic peaks
are critically aligned to fundamental peaks at low frequencies. This
produces tighter, more accurate bass reproduction.

4

Drive Delay

llTM

Amplifier section powers up 2 to 3 seconds after the
power supply eliminating turn-oncand off pops. The turn off process is
reversed: Amplifier section turns off first, followed by the power supply.

4

SLEEPING BEAUTY

The Class A 5.2 aka SLEEPING BEAUTY is an amplifier like no
other.

It will produce

deliver 500 watts into a 2, 1 or

l/4

of a watf x 2 at 4 ohms stereo but will

l/2

ohm mono load.

We do not
recommend running high impedance loads (3-4 ohm stereo) since
the output will be minimal.

5

Hawkins Bass Control -

Theorv

and Use

Hawkins Bass Control (parametric) is a unique

subwoofer control circuit included with the

Soundstream

HAWKINS

FREQ

BOOST

Q

plifiers. It is capable of removing subsonic energy
in program material while boosting subwoofer fre­quencies. The circuit consists of two controls. One
adjusts the frequency of operation and the other
adjusts the range of boost. With both controls ad-

HAWKINS30-70 Hz

SUBSONIC 13-30 Hz

FIG. 1 BASS CONTROL

The frequency control (Hz) adjusts

justed fully counter-clockwise, no boost is applied

and the amplifier is flat in response down to 20 Hz.

the starting point of the subsonic fil­ter. On the

RUBICON

Class A 10.2
and 5.2, the high pass filter has two dB
frequency ranges. When the bass

control switch is set to “SUB SONIC”,

the high pass filter frequency can be

adjusted from 13 Hz up to a maxi­mum of 30 Hz. In this setting, no
boost “Q” control is available. This
control is useful for setting the low­est frequency that your subwoofer will
see (see figure 1). When the bass
control switch is set to “HAWKINS

BASS CONTROL”, the high pass fil-

ter frequency can be adjusted from

30 Hz to a maximum of 70 Hz. In
this setting, there is an available
boost control of 0 to +9

dB

-20

-25'

-3010

Frequency (Hz)

FIG. 4 VARIABLE BOOST

dB.

I

L

50 100

!

200

tentially harmful low frequencies can

RUBICON

Class A 10.2 and 5.2 am-

, o

5

0

+
1::
_20

-241

I

‘3010

dB

The Boost control adjusts the amount

I I I

I

illll

50

100

100

Frequency {Hz)

FIG. 2 VARIABLE “Q”

Frequency (Hz)

FIG. 3 VARIABLE HIGH PASS

50

2

of level applied at the set frequency. This
is adjustable from flat

(OdB)

to +9

dB.

(See figure 2)
When the Boost is set to 0, Hawkins

acts as a sub-sonic filter only. (See
figure 3) The simple act of removing

po-

improve system output by as much as
3

dB.

(see figure 4)

Application

Subwoofer drivers in qeneral have ex-

I I IIII

I

cellent power handling characteristics
over their operational bandwidth. This
bandwidth is determined by many

-5

fat- dB-lob

tors, including driver design, and en­closure type. It is possible to overdrive
any subwoofer driver by sending pow­erful signals outside of its operational

Frequency(Hz)

FIG. 5 LIMITED EXCURSION

50

100

bandwidth. These potentially damag­ing signals can be removed by adding a subsonic filter. Figure 5 shows the
effectiveness of the Hawkins Bass Control on woofer excursion in a vented
enclosure. The woofer travels 7.5 mm at 10 Hz. With Hawkins Bass Control
properly adjusted, this excursion can be reduced to less than 1 mm. This is
of great benefit to lowering woofer distortion and increasing output.

Adjustment

An easy method of optimizing your existing subwoofer enclosure with

Hawkin’s

1.

2.

3.

“Hz” control is as follows.

Adjust frequency and boost control to full CCW position.
Set the bass control switch to “HAWKINS BASS CONTROL”.
While listening to music with strong bass content at a moderate level,

slowly adjust frequency control clockwise. Listen for a reduction of bass

response. Now, rotate frequency control slightly backwards. This serves

the purpose of removing the “subsonic” bass energy.

With Soundstream’s Hawkins Bass
Control, the boost and frequency con­trol can provide virtually any

combina-

tion of boost and cut to suit your de-,,
signs. So, Hawkins Bass Control can
provide the “tailoring” needed for any
type of “assisted” design and any woofer
in any type of installation.

‘,”

o

-5

I

/

I/

-lo
1::

-25

-30 Lc_.__.__-

I___~L___1IL1_1Il_____________I

Frequency (Hz)

10

FIG. 6 VARIOUS SElTlNGS

/I/I

I III II

50

100

I

200

8

9

~INSTALLATI~N

STEP

I

SELECTING THE SPEAKER OUTPUT MODE

The

RUBICON

any one of the following modes:
Stereo

and right channels) or for Mixed Mono operation (stereo left and right channels
plus bridged mono for a subwoofer).

Summed Mono: Use this mode to get a bridged mono output while using both

the left and right inputs and gain controls.

Bridged Mono: Use this mode to get a bridged mono output while using only

the right channel input and gain control (for use with a singular mono input).

Please follow the wiring schemes below for the correct operation:

Class A 10.2 and 5.2 amplifiers have the ability to operate in

(STACT/Mjx&

‘+dONO

BRIDGED

-

L+

Mono): Use this mode for either stereo operation (left

__ - --_

/

\

- R+

\

\

//’

iiON

-

R+

,J’

SUMMED MONO

-

L+

)

(

The RUBICON
a standard Unbalanced RCA signal input, or a Balanced “Pro Audio” style input
signals 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. There are advantages to both:

The
300
S/N Ratio, we recommend that the input level controls be set as far down as
possible (rotated counter-clockwise), while maintaining an acceptable level of
output.

When using the Unbalanced RCA input, the RIGHT channel input signal switch
this input configuration, we suggest that the left channel input signal switch be in

the “UNBAL” position as well.

channel

system noise due to the installation.

INSTALLATION STEP 2

Class A

ADVAMAGES

RUBICON

mVrms

MUST be in the “UNBAL” position. Also, when first installing the amplifier using

lation noise with both switches in the

amplifiers’ signal inputs accept a wide range of input level: from

to 5.0 Vrms for both Balanced and Unbalanced inputs. For the best

inout

signal switch to the “BAL”

10.2 and 5.2

1. Most preamplifier
source units have
Unbalanced RCA outputsI2.
(Industry Standard). characteristics.

I

2. No Interface module is

necessary.

I

Using the “Unbalanced” RCA Input

If vou

amplifiers have the ability to accept either

/

exDerience

I.

Improved Signal to Noise Ratio

(S/N Ratio).

Excellent noise cancellation

3. Immune to noise radiated in
the car audio environment.

alternator wine or other instal-

“UNBAL”

position,

Dosition.

This should remove any

try

movina the LEFT

)

I
I
I

-

L+

,-

/

STEREO

- R+

Using the “Balanced” RCA Input

When using the Balanced

“BAL” position. Also, we recommend that when using this input configuration, the
input level controls be set to the “minimum” position (rotated counter-clockwise).

‘.

The system gain should then be
other other balanced line audio
gram below:

6-pin

DIN audio input, both switches MUST be in the

.

adjusted on the BLT Balanced Line Transmitter,
source. For the pin configuration, see the dia-

t

BALANCED

I

+ 75 Volts

-

Right Signal
+ Right Signal

Shield

-75

van

- Left Signal

+

Leff Signal

11

INSTALLATION STEP

3

WIRING

POWER AND GROUND

To ensure maximum output from your
loss power and ground cables and connections. The
accept up to 4 gauge power and ground cables.
the minimum gauge power and ground wire for your application.

I

RUB/CON ClassA 5.2

RUB/CON

EXTERNAL

Like all audio components, the RUBICON amplifiers must be fused near the
battery. A fuse or circuit breaker must be located within 18” of the battery. This will
prevent a fire in the event of a shorted cable.
correct fuse value.

INTERNAL

The

RUBICON

event of a blown power supply fuse(s), replace with the correct value fuse found in

the chart below.

plied.

Class A

This may result in amplifier damage and

10.2 4

CIRCUIT

amplifiers are fused with an automotive-type or Maxi-fuse. In the

Never

BREAKERS AND FUSES

replace the

RUBICON

up

to

4

or 8 gauge

gauge only

fuse

with a higher value than what is sup-

amplifier, use high quality,

RUBICON

Determine from the chart below

10’

See the chart below to determine the

will

void the warranty!

amplifiers will

up

to

20’

4

gauge only

4

gauge

only

low-

RUB/CON Amplifier Fuse Values

Battery Fuse / Circuit

Breaker

80

1
I

amp

100 amp

wss

RUB/CON

Class

A 5.2

A 10.2

Amplifier

1

60

amp

[

80

amp Maxi-fuse

Fuse

Maxi-fuse

SAMPLE WIRING DIAGRAM

)

INSTALLATION STEP 4

)

AMPLIFIER LOCATION

The

RUBICON

heat sink, and a unique Chassisink construction to maintain lower operating
temperatures.

tightly confined area or when driving especially low impedance loads at extremely
high levels.

I

When mounting the amplifier, it should be securely mounted to either a panel in
the vehicle or an amp board or rack that is securely mounted to the vehicle. The
mounting location should be either in the passenger compartment or in the trunk

of the vehicle, away from moisture, stray or moving objects, and major electrical

components. To provide adequate ventilation, mount the amplifier so that there
are at least two inches of freely circulating air above and to the sides of it.

amplifiers employ highly efficient circuitry, a custom-engineered

Additional cooling may be required if the amplifier is located in a

MOUNTING THE AMPLIFIER

a.

Using the amplifier as a template, mark the holes on the mounting surface.

b.

Remove the amplifier and drill the holes for the mounting screws.

C.

Secure the amplifier to the mounting surface using the supplied hardware.

WIRING

a.

Run and connect the audio signal and remote turn-on cables to the ampli-

fier from the source unit.

b.

Carefully run the positive cable from the amplifier to a fuse or circuit breaker

within 18” of the battery.

C.

Connect the fuse or circuit breaker lead to the battery. Leave the circuit

I

I

breaker off or the fuse out until everything is bolted down.

d.

Secure the ground cable to a solid chassis ground on the vehicle.
necessary to sand paint down to raw metal for a good connection.

e.

Double check each and every connection1

f.

Re-connect the fuse or circuit breaker.

It may be

-L+

R-t

POWER

Power up the system, there may be a 2-3 second delay from the time the source
unit is turned on to the time that the amplifier turns on, which is normal. Once the

amplifer LED is on and the source unit is playing, you should have sound coming

from the speakers.

UP

13

INSTALLATION STEP 5

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.

when using sources with minimal output.
In the ideal situation, all components in the audio system reach maximum

undistorted output at the same time. If you send a distorted signal to an amplifier,
it is simply going to amplify distorted information. The same holds true if an
outboard processor or crossover begins to distort before you have maximum
output from the amplifier. By setting all components to reach clipping at the same
time, you can maximize the output of your system. For the
follow these steps for setting the input levels:

1.

Turn the amplifiers’ input levels to minimum position (counter-clockwise)

2.

Set the source unit volume to approximately

3.

While playing dynamic source material, slowly increase the amplifiers’ input

level until a near maximum undistorted level is heard in the system.

The clipping indicators on the top of the amplifier let you know when the output of
the amplifier is reaching its maximum level, and has begun to clip.

Once the amplifier is installed and the proper levels set, place the front spoiler in

position, and secure it on using the supplied hardware.

This topology maintains better S/N Ratio even

3/4

of full volume.

RUBICON

amplifiers,

TRIDENT PROTECTION CIRCUITRY

Your

Rubicon

by means of main power fuses and the following circuits:

*

Auto

Speaker Output Protection

+
+ Ground Fault Differential
+

Smart Power Supply Thermal Rollback and a Thermal Protection Circuit

T

NOTE: If you experience blown main power supply fuses, it is

thaf

the speaker itself.
DO NOT increase values beyond the original fuse
void your

amplifier is protected against both overheating and short circuits

High Current power supply

the amplifier is seeing a dead short, either in the speaker wire or in

Rectijl

the problem before blowing multiple fuses!

value1

warrant and may damageyour amplifer.

TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM CAUSE

No

Sound and power LED is not

lit

No sound, power LED is lit.

Repeatedly blow amp fuse;

frequent activation of Smart
Power

Supply

Circuit

Not

enough input sensitivity while Be sure both Left and Right input signal

using the Balanced Input

Very little output, or output is Make sure that

muffled.
Left and Right “Clip” indicators

lighting

1. No power or ground at the amp.

2. No remote turn-on signal

3. Blown fuse near the battery

1. NO signal input

2. The AlRBASS/Accessory switch is in the
“IN” position. Remove
the switch to the

1. Speaker or leads may be shorted

2. Verify proper speaker load

3. Verify adequate amp ventilation

switches are set to the “BAL” position.

crossvers aren’t engaged

Output signal level is too high and the amplifier
output is clipping. Reduce the level either at
the source or at the input level controls.

the

cover and move

“0l.F

position.

both

the L.P and the

like9

Doing so

HP

will

14

Alternator whine while using
Unbalanced RCA inputs

The Class A 5.2 a.k.a.

SLEEPlNG

low.

BEAUTYoutput is ohm stereo) Rewire the amplifier to a

1. Make sure the Right Input Signal Switch is
in the “UNBAL” position.

2.

Try the Left Input Signal switch in the “BAL”

and

“UNBAL”

position: leave the switch in the
quietest setting. This will not effect the
performance of the amplifier.

Your load on the amplifier is too high (3-4
lower impedance load.

15