User manual HARMAN KARDON TC300

[. . . ] This manual describes the features and capabilities of your new amplifier. In addition, it describes the proper methods for connecting your amplifier to your system. Please read this owner's manual and carefully follow the instructions for connection. Table of Contents Harman Kardon design philosophy . . . . . . . . 2 TC600, TC300, and TC300 features . . . . . . . 3 introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Installation precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ] Be sure to solder any splices in your wire, and seal the splice with heat-shrink tubing or electrical tape. The connectors on TC Series amplifiers are large enough to accept up to 10-gauge wire. If you want to use a heavier gauge of wire than will fit into the connector, remove one strand at a time until the end of the wire can fit. Even though strands are removed at the connector end, you still receive the benefits of the heaviergauge wire, since the significant loss in a long run of wire occurs along its length, and not at its relatively short termination point. The screw-type connector used on TC Series amplifiers works most effectively when the stranded wire is not tinned with solder. When the tiny wire strands are loose, the connector can compact them uniformly, achieving maximum surface area contact between the wire and the connector. Use a good screwdriver and tighten the connector securely enough to ensure that the wire will not pull out. Wire-routing tips: Plan your wire routing carefully before you begin your installation. Always route signal cables separately from power cables to avoid noise in the system. For example, run your power cables along one side of the car chassis and the signal cables down the opposite side. Keep each ground wire as short as possible to avoid power loss and the possibility of introducing noise into your system. Use grommets or other protective devices when running wires through metal parts. If you have mounted several amplifiers and accessory devices (e. g. . electronic crossovers, equalizers, etc. ) together in the same area, connect all the ground leads from these devices to the same ground point on the metal chassis of the car. Alternatively, you can use the accessory position on the ignition switch to switch + 12V to the Remote terminal. Audio input connections There are two types of input signals that your TC Series amplifier may receive: lowlevel (preamp-level) output or high-level (speaker-level) output. Low-level (preamp-level) connections Connect the left and right preamp output cables from your head unit, electronic crossover, low-level equalizer (commonly referred to as a passive equalizer), or preamplifier to the left and right INPUT RCA connectors on your TC Series amplifier. (See the "Controls and operations" section for information about adjusting input level. ) You may want to use high-quality preamp cables (although noise at this point should not be a factor because the differential INPUT connectors on the TC Series amplifiers are capable of rejecting radiated noise induced in cables). If you decide to use higher-quality preamp cables. use the type with a shielded, twisted pair of signal wires, if possible. The separate shield should not be grounded at the amplifier end. I High-level (speaker-level) connections If your head unit has low-]evel (preamp1) connectors available. connect as :ribedin the previous section. If only ker wires are available, connect as :ribed here. Solder each pair of speaker leads from the head unit to a male RCA connector. Connect the positive lead to the center pin of the RCA connector, and the negative lead to the outside shield of the connector. Then attach each RCA connector to the INPUT connectors on the TC Series amplifier. (See the "Controls and operations" section for information about adjusting input level. ) Speaker output connections The size and quality of the wire you use to connect your speakers to your TC Series amplifier can affect the sound quality of your system. Since the lengths of speaker leads in a car are relatively short, any speaker wire of 18-gauge or larger should perform satisfactorily. [. . . ] Power and Protect LEDs are on. Speaker or speaker wire shorted. Fan openings restricted or in "dead air. " Combined minimum speaker impedance is too low. 31 Problem Amp plays clearly but not loud enough at high head unit volume control settings. Amp plays clearly at low to moderate head unit volume control settings, but sound distorts at high volumes. Cause Input control adjusted too low. Speakers are not rated for higher power and cannot handle the amplifier's output. [. . . ]