DAYTON AUDIO A400 2×200 Watts Stereo Power Amplifier Installation Guide

DAYTON AUDIO A400 2×200 Watts Stereo Power Amplifier

Specifications

• Class: A/B
• Output Power: Stereo 200W RMS x 2, Bridged 400W RMS x 1
• Configuration: Stereo and Bridged
• Auto-ON and External 12V Trigger Modes

Product Usage Instructions

Unpacking and Inspection

1. Unpack the amplifier and inspect for any shipping damage.
2. Retain all packing materials for potential future transportation needs.

Installing the Amplifier

CAUTION: Disconnect the A400 from any power source before installation.

1. Install in a standard 19-inch rack enclosure or on a stable surface/shelf.
2. Maintain a minimum of 2 inches clearance on top and sides for proper cooling.

Controls and Functions

Front Panel

1. POWER SWITCH: Turns the device on and off.
2. POWER/STANDBY/PROTECTION INDICATOR: Blue for on, red for standby or clipping.
3. VOLUME CONTROL: Adjusts speaker output.

Rear Panel

1. LINE INPUT/OUTPUT SECTION: Connect audio sources.
2. STEREO/BRIDGE MODE SWITCH: Select stereo or bridge mode.
3. ON MODE SELECTION: Choose operating mode.
4. 2V TRIGGER CONNECTIONS: For trigger functions.
5. RONT LED ON/OFF SWITCH: Controls front panel lights.
6. SPEAKER OUTPUTS: Connect speakers with the correct polarity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I do if I notice shipping damage on my A400?

A: Promptly inform the shipping company and retain all packaging materials for inspection.

Q: Can I disable the front panel lights on the amplifier?

A: Yes, you can use the FRONT LED ON/OFF SWITCH to turn off all front panel lights when needed.

Welcome

Thank you for purchasing the Dayton Audio A400 Amplifier. This amplifier has been designed to provide nothing but pure Class A/B output power for use with your favorite speakers. Capable of stereo and bridged configuration the A400 can easily integrate into any setup with built-in Auto-ON and external 12V trigger modes. We hope you enjoy listening to your new A400 as much as we have enjoyed designing it.

Features

• 160 watts per channel into 8Ω, 20-20kHz at 0.05% THD with 2 channels driven
• 300 watts per channel into 4Ω, 20-20kHz at 0.05% THD with 2 channels driven
• High-current Class A/B amplifier design
• Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) inputs for each channel with dedicated thru outputs
• Full range frequency response 20-20kHz
• Large front volume knob for easy level control
• Auto-ON and 12V remote trigger modes or complete control and integration
• The front panel indicator can be turned off for use in low-light environments
• The rackmount installation kit included
• Rear-panel dual voltage switch (115 and 230 volts)

What’s in the Box

• A400 Amplifier
• Rack Mounting Kit
• Power Cable
• This Manual

Installing the Amplifier

Unpacking

• Please unpack your amplifier and carefully examine it for any potential damage that may have happened during shipping. In case you do discover any damage, it is important to promptly inform the shipping company.
• While Dayton Audio is available and willing to assist as necessary, only the recipient can initiate a claim for any shipping-related damage,
• If the product shows visible signs of damage upon arrival, be sure to retain the shipping carton for the shipper’s inspection.
• We strongly advise you to keep all the packing materials, as they may be useful in the event you need to transport the unit in the future.
• Never attempt to ship the unit without the original factory carton and the accompanying packing materials.

Additional Materials

• For installation, the following materials might be required and are not supplied in the package
• Input cables
• Output cables
• Phillips screwdriver
• Rack or stable surface for mounting the amplifier

Installing the Amplifier

• CAUTION: Disconnect the A400 from any power source before beginning installation.
• The A400 can be installed in any standard 19″ rack enclosure or on a stable surface or shelf. For rack installation please use the included rack mounting kit.

Proper Cooling

• Anytime the A400 is in use, there should be a minimum of 2″ of clearance on the top and sides of the amplifier.
• When installed in an equipment rack leave 2 open rackspaces above the amplifier to increase airflow in and around the amplifier.
• (Do not close the open rackspace with panels as this will reduce airflow.)

Controls and Functions

Front Panel

1. POWER SWITCH
   • Turns the device on and off.
2. POWER/STANDBY/PROTECTION INDICATOR
   • The ring surrounding the power switch will illuminate blue when the amplifier is on. It will also illuminate red when on standby or to indicate amplifier clipping.
3. VOLUME CONTROL
   • Turn this to control the output to your speakers. This volume knob does not control the thru outputs.

Rear Panel

1. LINE INPUT/ OUTPUT SECTION
   • Connect any audio sources here
2. STEREO/BRIDGE MODE SWITCH
3. ON MODE SELECTION
4. 12V TRIGGER CONNECTIONS
5. FRONT LED ON/OFF SWITCH
   • The power indicator light on the front can be turned off when the A400 is installed in low-light environments like near your TV. This switch will disable all lights on the front of the amplifier including standby and protection indicators
6. SPEAKER OUTPUTS
   • Using insulated two conductor wires to connect to speakers. The polarity, positive (+), and negative (-) for all speaker and amplifier connections must be consistent so both the left and right speakers are in phase.
7. AC VOLTAGE SELECTOR SWITCH
   • The unit is set at the factory for 110V operation. For 220V operation, move the voltage selector switch to the 220V position.
   • When operating at 220V, the internal fuse located in the IEC socket should also be changed. In most 220V applications, a separate power cord will be required and is not included.
8. AC POWER INPUT

Connections

Connecting to Mains Power

• Before connecting the main power cable, make sure that the voltage selector switch is set according to your local voltage.
• Incorrect setting of the voltage selector switch could cause damage to the amplifier and have a potential risk of fire.

Power Up Procedure

Follow these steps when powering on the amplifier for the first time.

1. Ensure all connections except for the power cord are disconnected.
2. Press the amplifier’s front power button. If the front LED ON/OFF switch is set to ON and proper mains power is provided the amplifier will turn on and the front power indicator will illuminate blue.
3. Turn off the amplifier, turn the volume knob down, and make all necessary connections as described in Connections Sources and Connecting Outputs
4. Once all connections have been made, turn on the amplifier.
5. Set all connected audio sources to their optimal level and begin playing audio to the amplifier.
6. Turn the amplifier’s volume control up until the desired loudness is achieved.

NOTE: Always turn the amplifier on last and off first to avoid accidental output to any connected speakers; potentially damaging the speakers.

Connecting Sources

1. Unbalanced RCA Input
2. Unbalanced RCA Output
3. Balanced XLR Input
4. Balanced XLR Output
5. Balanced/Unbalanced Selection Switch

• Each input section on the amplifier can accept balanced (XLR) or unbalanced (RCA) line-level signals. Using high-quality cables will ensure the best possible transmission from your connected devices.
• Selection between balanced and unbalanced inputs can be performed on a per-channel basis to allow for different connections to different channels.
• The balanced and unbalanced outputs will pass audio from their respective inputs. They are not affected by the input selection switch or the front volume control.

Connecting Outputs

Stereo Operation

• In stereo operation, the A400 can power speakers with a minimum impedance of 4Ω. Using high-quality two-conductor speaker wire connect your speakers to the binding posts on the rear of the unit.
• Connect the A400’s left speaker terminals marked “L-” and “L+” to the corresponding “-” and “+” terminals on your left speaker. Repeat the same process for the right channel.

Connecting Banana Plug Cables

1. Tighten the knob.
2. Insert the banana plug terminated cable into the end of the corresponding terminal.

Connecting Speaker Wires

1. Strip about 3/8″ of insulation from the end of each speaker wire and twist the bare wires of the cable together.
2. Unscrew the knob before inserting the bare wire into the hole in the side of each terminal before tightening the knob to secure the wire.

Bridged Operation

• In bridged mode, the A400 can power a speaker with a minimum impedance of 8Ω. Using high-quality two-conductor speaker wire, connect a speaker to the bridged output binding posts on the rear of the unit.
• Observe the proper polarity of the bridged outputs.
• The bridged output will only bass audio from the left channel input. The A400 is not designed to sum the two input channels to mono.

Rear Panel Controls

• The A400 has three different modes for turning the amplifier on and off. AUTO ON will automatically detect audio on the inputs and place the amplifier is standby when not in use, 12V TRIGGER will turn the amplifier on and off when an external device sends a dedicated control signal to the amplifier, and ON which is the normal operation.

Auto On

• For ultimate control in any installation, the A400 has an auto-sensing function that can turn off the amplifier when not in use and turn it back on when audio is detected.
• The A400’s standby mode is indicated by a red power indicator. To use auto-sensing, set the ON MODE switch to AUTO; for normal operation, set it to ON.
• The A400 will enter standby after fifteen minutes of silence and will turn back on when music is played again. Once the audio is sensed, the power indicator light will change back to blue to indicate that the amplifier is on.

Remote Trigger

• The 12V TRIGGER mode functions similarly to the AUTO ON mode except that on and standby are controlled by a 12V signal received on the 12V IN connection on the rear of the amplifier.
• When a 12V signal is present, the A400 will be active and enter standby when the signal is disabled.
• All connections should be made with 3.5mm unbalanced cables.
• The 12V OUT connection is not controlled by the A400. It only serves to duplicate the signal received on the 12V IN connection.

System Protection

• The A400 is equipped with triple failsafe protection to ensure self-protection as well as the protection of other connected devices.
• Self-locking power stage: if a short on the AC side of the power supply is detected, the DC side of the power supply will meet the bias voltage of the Collector/Emitter junction, disallowing signal amplification to occur.
• Temperature monitoring: Thermistor heat monitoring constantly measures the temperature of the heat sinks. When this protection is tripped, the thermistor will allow current to flow, opening the protection circuit.
• Short circuit protection: when zero resistance across the output terminals is detected, similar to the self-locking feature, the DC power supply will meet the bias voltage of the Collector/Emitter junction, disallowing signal amplification to occur.

Troubleshooting

Dimensions

Specifications

Output Power

• 8Ω / FTC 20 Hz- 20 kHz / 0.05% THD ……………………………………………. 158W
• 8Ω / EIA 1 kHz / 0.05%THD ………………………………………………………….. 165W
• 4Ω / FTC 20 Hz- 20 kHz / 0.05% THD ……………………………………………. 300W
• 4Ω / EIA 1 kHz / 0.05%THD ………………………………………………………….. 324W
• 8Ω / Bridged 20Hz-20kHz/ 0.01% THD . ………………………………………..500W
• Frequency Response. ………………………………………………………….. 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio. …………………………………………………..100 dB (A-Weighted)
• Total Gain ………………………………………………………………………………………….38 dB

Input Impedance/Sensitivity

• Unbalanced… …………………………………………………………………………..470 mV
• Balanced. ………………………………………………………………………………..475 mV
• Channel Separation. ………………………………………………………………………….-54 dB
• Minimum Speaker Impedance. ………………………………………………………………. 4Ω

Connectors (each channel)

• Input ……………………………………………………………………………………RCA, XLR
• Output …………………………………………………………. Threaded lug/banana jack

General Power Requirement

• USA.. ………………………………………………………………………………..110V, 60 Hz
• EC….. ……………………………………………………………………………….220V, 50 Hz
• Internal Fuse Rating… …………………………………….100-120vAC/60Hz, T10A 250V

220-240vAC/50Hz, T5AL 250V

• Power Consumption… ………………………………………………………………………..700W
• Idle Power Consumption…… ………………………………………………………………..27W
• Standby Power Consumption. …………………………………………………………….7.0W
• Amplification. ……………………………………………………………………………….Class A/B
• Auto On Voltage. …………………………………………………………………………………7 mV
• Dimensions (H X W x D). ……………………………………………….. 5.97″ x 17″ x 17.47″
• Weight…….. ……………………………………………………………………. 45.2 lbs. (20.52 kg)
• All specifications are accurate at the time of printing.
• Dayton Audio reserves the right to make improvements without notice.
• 5-Year Limited Warranty
• Seedaytonaudio.com for details
• daytonaudio.com
• tel + 937.743.8248
• info@daytonaudio.com
• 705 Pleasant Valley Dr.
• Springboro, OH 45066
• USA

Documents / Resources

| DAYTON AUDIO A400 2x200 Watts Stereo Power Amplifier [pdf] Installation Guide
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References

• Dayton Audio

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