THREE HUNDRED
MULTIPLE-CHANNEL
AMPLIFIER
Owner’s Manual
MC
Amplifier Owner’s Manual
ever require service or replacement, recording the
below for your own records will help protect your
Investment:
own one of the finest power amplifiers available, a precision
component capable of
performance.
Model Number
Serial
To get the most out of your MC-300. we suggest you
Please
retain this manual for future reference.
Soundstream products are the result of American crafts-
and the highest quality control standards; your
MC-300 should deliver many years of pleasure. Should it
Dealer’s Name
Date of Purchase
CONTENTS
..................................
Wiring Diagram
Features
Design
..........................................
Installation
Mode.. ................
Selecting Operating
...
.
Optimizing For Speaker Impedance.
..............................
...........................
............................
Input Connections
Output Connections
Power Connections
Remote Power-on Connection
Up the System ....................
Powering
Level Adjustment..
Linear Subwoofer Extension
..............................
.....................
..............
Protection Circuits
...............................................
Service
...
..................... ...... ....
Specifications
Figure
1
Z-Channel Operation
Figure 2 3 Channel Operation
Figure 3
Operation
DESIGN FEATURES
INSTALLATION
The MC-300 isconservatively rated at 300 watts
This power can be divided into four channels (4x75 watts),
Proper installation and adjustment will reward you with
reliable operation and optimum performance. Automotive_
sound system installations can be tricky. especially for
timers. For this reason, you may want to consider using a
professional installer who has the tools and, more impor-
tantly, the experience, to do the right job. If you decide to
install your equipment yourself, we hope that this manual will
serve as a helpful
three channels (2x75 watts.
two channels (2x150
watts). The design topology utilizes multiple Darlington out-
put devices with a total capability of 1200 watts. With such re-
serves and no current limiting,
MC-300 operates without
strain even at maximum output. Power, ground, and speaker
are rated to handle up to 60 amps and up to 8
gauge
LOCATION AND MOUNTING
To provide lull circuit protection necessary for an amplifier
thispowerful,
The first step in
is thorough planning. Choose the
location for your amplifier carefully. The amplifier should be
located in either the passenger compartment or the trunk,
never in the engine compartment or in any outside location
exposed to din and moisture. Adequate ventilation is impor-
tant. allow enough space so that air can circulate around the
heat sinks.
power supply that works silently and effectively to prevent
without the need for a fan. Should the
begin to overheat, the power supply slightly reduces output
power, which allows the unit to run
cooler. Once the
amplifier returns to normal operating temperature. full output
capacity is then restored. The entire process is automatic
and inaudible. In the case of an amplifier malfunction,
Make sure that the installed amplifier will not interfere
normal operation of the car. It is best not to locate the
near your vehicle antenna, since the
secondary thermostats
conventional To prevent potentially damaging
on or turn-off thumps. a pair of relays at the outputs allow the
shut down the
in a
powersupplycan interfere with AM reception. Your amplifier
amplifier to fully stabilize before sending
the loudspeakers.
audio signal to
should be mounted
to your car’s sheet
with the
four provided. USC your amplifier as a template for
making pencil marks where you intend to drill. (Make sure
thatthelocationyouareplanning todrillthroughisfreeofany
obstacles such as wiring or gas tanks.)
An especially useful feature of the MC-300 IS
woofer Extension (LSE). which compensates
natural
of most speakers and extends bass as much as one
full octave. LSE provides a linear boost of 6
starting at a point which is continuously variable over the
It’s a good
thecomponents. If you have a
connect and test all components outside the car. Or, you can
connecttheminsidethevehiclepriortofinal Either
to bench test your system before mounting*
you can
range
Hz. A subsonic filter attenuates the signal
below 20 Hz.
way, connect the components exactly as you intend to in the
final installation; make all power connections last; test the
system; then disconnect all power until the final installation
is complete.
parts are used the
such as metal
film resistors, gold-plated input connectors, and immersible
sealed potentiometers. The case is equipped with generous
heat sinks. Input sensitivity is adjustable to match any tuner!
deck, the MC-300 can even be interfaced with OEM speaker
level signals.
WIRING
Determine how your vehicle’s wiring is laid out. Keep all
wiring inside the car. Good standard audio practice suggests
keeping signal wires short and away from wires carrying
power. Wires can be run under carpet. If you drill a new
passage hole through metal, make sure that all burrs have
been filed away to prevent scraping; use grommets where
needed. All wires should be hidden: an exposed wire can
inadvertently be pulled, causing disconnection or shorting.
Wires should never be under tension or subject to moisture.
Use cable ties to bundle excess wire.
POWER CONNECTIONS
your amplifier can
be
from a
If one LED indicator is out, check the internal fuses located
the bottom cover of the check the interior
If any of those are blown replace with
power supply
before
mahesureofthe type
Of electrical system you have before making any
the same value fuse.
The MC.300 will draw up to 45 amperes if used to its fullest
Determine the alternator rating of your car and the
INPUT LEVEL ADJUSTMENT
Input levels are adjusted by means of four independent
controls that are accessible through the heat sink directly
above the input connectors. The controlscan be turned with
Current consumption
car’s other accessories. It may be
necessary to upgrade the alternator or to install a separate
battery and battery isolator.
a small.
screwdriver.
For power wiring. use Soundstream power cable or an
equivalent premium cable. The PLUS
in the
In four channel mode. the left and right halves of CHANNEL
A are set by controls (13) and (14) respectively; the left and
right halves of CHANNEL Bare set by controls (24) and (25).
wiring diagram] should be connected directly to the positive
terminal of your car battery. Install two (2) 20 amp fuses
parallel) in the line close to the battery terminal. If you
have more than one amplifier, each amplifier should be
separately fused.
In twochannel mode,
for CHANNEL A, and only (25) for CHANNEL B.
In three channel mode, use only the “right” control for
whichever of main CHANNEL A or CHANNEL B is operating
mono, and both controls for the other main channel.
The GROUND terminal (2) should be connected directly to
the automobile chassis with 8 gauge wire. Make this wire as
short as possible to prevent noise in the system A nearby
bolt can serve as a ground terminal. Make sure that the wire
contacts bare metal, not coated metal paint. It is important
that the ground connection you select have minimal noise
resistance to the battery ground post (a maximum of 0.1
Depending on how you are using your MC.300 (number of
channels, biamplification. associated equipment, etc.),
ferent factors may apply for optimum gain settings. In gen-
eral, begin by turning all level controls to minimum (full
counter-clockwise). Turn the system on, and set the volume
control on your tuner/deck at its mid-point. Advance
amplifier input level controls until you have reached a com-
fortable listening level and both channels are in balance.
REMOTE POWER-ON CONNECTION
with many
the
output level is
If your tuner/deck has a remote
control wire,
cant/y different than the tape output /eve/. Check both
sources. and set /eve/s using the lesser of the outputs
the tape).
connect it to the REMOTE terminal (1) on your amplifier. This
isacontrol line. notapowerline.
is acceptable.
If your tuner/deck has no remote power-on control labeled as
such, but has a power antenna control, it may be possible to
wire the power antenna control to the REMOTE terminal.
LINEAR SUBWOOFER EXTENSION (LSE)
The LSE circuit will compensate for the natural
loudspeakers, and can extend deep bass as much as one full
octave.
(9). and the frequency is adjusted by control (8). For
NEL B, LSE is engaged by pressing switch
frequency is adjusted by control (19). If either CHANNEL A
or CHANNEL B is operating in stereo, LSE will be applied to
both left and right.
of most
If your tuner/deck has neither
nor a usable power antenna control; it will be necessary
either to connect the REMOTE terminal to a volt source
which is switched by the ignition key. or to connect the
REMOTE terminal to a constant volt source through an
switch you install in series with the ignition switch in a
location accessible to the driver. Note:
used. make sure it is switched off when you leave the
vehicle or when the sound system is not in use.
a
remote power-on control wire
and the
The control allows for continuously variable adjustment,
over the range from 35 Hz to 280
which LSE beginsits boost. Below thechosenfrequency. the
boost is applied at 6 per octave. When properly adjusted,
LSE will “linearize” the low end of the woofer(s) and provide
remarkably smooth and deep bass. A word of caution: small
or inexpensively constructed woofers may be unable
handle the equalization which results from setting the LSE to
above 100 Hz.
of the frequency at
POWERING UP THE SYSTEM
Once the installation is complete, turn on the system. Both
LED indicators on the MC.300 should now be lit. If they did
not light up, turn thesystem off immediately. Proof wiring and
check for shorts or poor connections.
_
If wiring is okay, check the relay or fuse in the power line. If
blown, replace it with another identical fuse.
SPECIFICATIONS
PROTECTION CIRCUITS
Power output:
Your amplifier is protected against both overheating and
short circuits. Because of the “soft’ thermal protection (see
150 watts continuous per channel
the Design Features section on page
it is highly unlikely
2 into 4 or ohms, 20 Hz 20
that the amplifier will shut off because of thermal overload.
150 watts continuous mono
into 4 or ohms, 20 Hz 20
If your amplifier shuts down, turn off the system, wait for a
few moments, and turn the system on again.
75 watts continuous per channel
2 into 2 or 4 ohms, 20 Hz 20
continuous per channel
4 into 2 or 4 ohms, 20 Hz 20
SERVICE
Your Soundstream amplifier is protected by a limited war-
ranty. Please read the warranty enclosed with the product.
Total Harmonic Distortion
20 Hz 20
at full rated power
into 2, 4 or ohms
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
Damping Factor
IHF Dynamic Headroom 3
Maximum Current Draw 45 amps
Idle
Current
Draw
2.5
250
amps
Input
Sensitivity
2.5
V
continuously variable
L
S
E
infinitely variable
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...14-l/5” W
H
10” D
with bottom plate
W
H
D
heat sink
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