Installation manual

DRACONIA and dreadnought
DRACONIA AND DREADNOUGHT are the first new 4 channel amplifiers. DRACONIA’S
output is a modest 100w x 4 at 4 ohm but by no means a wimp when bridged as a 2
channel amplifier into 4 ohms where the amplifier delivers 400w/ch and 200w/ch into 8
ohms.
DREADNOUGHT at 225w x 4 at 4 ohm is the powerhouse and when bridged into 4 ohms
delivers 800w/ch and into 8 ohms 400w/ch..
Versatility was one of the prime requirements in the design of these two amplifiers. They
share the same features but for the difference in power.
Some basic features:
Channels 1+2 may be run in flat mode ie. No signal processing.
Channels 1+2 may be run in high pass, low pass or bandpass modes.
Channels 1+2 can be switched to use the signal path from channels 3+4.**
The LEVEL control of channels 1+2 sets the level for these two channels.
Channels 3+4 can be switched to use the signal from channels 1+2 inputs(2 input source)
Channels 3+4 may be run in high pass, low pass or bandpass modes.
Channels 3+4 can be switched to SUB mode where a sub sonic filter and 40Hz equalizer
are switched into circuit. This SUB mode used the mono mix of all four inputs.
If only 2 inputs are used the gain is reduced by 12dB. This can be adjusted at the factory
for zero insertion loss.
Each channel has its own LED to indicate channel clipping. When an LED flashed this
indicates the onset of clipping. Typically one can accept about 1 to 1.5dB of clipping at low
frequencies however our ears are more sensitive to clipping and mid and high
frequencies.
The overbuilt power supplies are run at 75KHz and DRACONIA uses six 110 amp power
MOSFETs in the supply, DREADNOUGHT has twelve. Each amplifier employs a total of
13 regulated power supplies, so they are quite immune to changes in battery voltage.
A new generation of IC chips from National Semiconductor is used in the pre amplifier
sections of both amplifiers. They contribute almost zero THD and they are extremely low
noise.
The class D amplifiers in DRACONIA use ultra low gate charge MOSFETs rated at 18
amps each. DREADNOUGHT employs a similar low gate charge part but these are rated
at 50 amps each. The carrier frequencies used in the class D amplifiers varies between
400 and 500KHz which prevents inter channel frequency beating.
The ZED logo doubles as a power and a protection indicator, flashing in protect mode
and solid under normal operating conditions.
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