Audio power amplifiers are equipped with inputs designed for different amplitudes of the input signal. The types of connectors may also differ from each other.
Necessary
- - connectors;
- - adapters;
- - cords;
- - soldering iron;
- - signal sources;
- - amplifier.
Instructions
Step 1
Choose an input on the amplifier designed for the amplitude of the input signal close to that developed by the source. Otherwise, either the sound will be too quiet, even when the volume control is turned to maximum, or the amplifier will be overdriven and distortion will occur. In the second case, the device may even fail. If the signal source is producing a signal that is too high and the input amplifier has the correct swing, use an attenuator. If the signal swing at the output of the source, on the contrary, is too small, place a pre-amplifier between it and the power amplifier.
Step 2
Both signal sources and amplifiers can be equipped with XLR, Jack, RCA, DIN, etc. connectors. To connect devices equipped with different connectors, use adapters or connecting cords of the appropriate design. Please note that devices with DIN standard connectors, depending on the year of manufacture, may have connectors wired differently: channel inputs (outputs) can be located either to the left of the middle, which is common, or to the right of it. If necessary, solder the conductors in the plug accordingly.
Step 3
The pinout of Jack connectors is always the same. For a stereo "jack" the contact closest to the body corresponds to the common wire, the middle one - to the right channel, and the far one - to the left one. For a mono plug of this type, the contact closest to the body is also common, and the only remaining one is the input or output of a mono signal. Do not insert a monaural jack plug into a stereo jack - the right channel will be short-circuited. Connectors of this type are available in 6, 3 and 3.5 mm. Use an adapter to connect a plug of one diameter to the socket of another. Its type (monaural or stereo) depends on the type of plug and jack. You can also change the plug without the need for an adapter.
Step 4
The inputs and outputs of stereo sources and amplifiers with RCA connectors are separate - one jack per channel. Connect them correctly: the left channel corresponds to the letter L or L, or white, and the right channel corresponds to the letter P or R, or red.
Step 5
To connect a stereo amplifier to a mono source, connect the channel inputs of the amplifier. To connect a mono amplifier to a stereo source, use two identical resistors that are close to the input impedance of the amplifier. Connect one terminal of each of the resistors to the only input of the amplifier. Connect one of the source outputs to the remaining terminal of the first resistor, and the other output to the remaining terminal of the other. The sound in both cases will be monaural.
