Cadence UNITED series Manual - page 2
INTRODUCTION
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FEATURES
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Thank you for purchasing this Cadence United Series amplifier. Over the years, the technology used to create audio
amplifiers has grown by leaps and bounds. We have tens of thousands of satisfied customers still using our first generation
Ultra Drive amplifiers which are more than 16 years old. Our competition is satisfied with just continuing to build the same
units year after year without thought for improvement, but not Cadence. We consider it our mission to use our expertise in
developing the latest technologies and to bring you the absolute best sounding, most powerful amplifiers on the market and
of course at a reasonable price. We are very proud to introduce this fifth generation of amplifiers, the United Series featuring
C-FORCE technology, “ARVA” and “ADR” circuitry. You will be amazed at the quality and power that these new amps offer.
You will “Boom-Harder!” with United Series amplifiers.
We have spared no expense in designing these amplifiers, creating the most rugged, reliable, powerful and best performing
amplifiers. In fact we are so sure of the quality we backup every United Series amplifier with our exclusive two-year warranty
which exemplifies our commitment to excellence in car audio musical reproduction. (See enclosed warranty card for details.)
Please read this installation guide carefully for proper use of your Cadence power amplifier. Should you need technical assistance
during or after your installation please call our technical-line between 9:30 am and 5:00 PM EST at (732) 370-5400. Read this
entire guide fully before attempting your installation.
WARNING:
BE AWARE! Use of this amplifier at extreme high volumes for extended periods of time may cause hearing loss and
or hearing damage. During periods of prolonged high volume levels it is recommended that you use ear safety devices. Playing
Cadence amplifiers at high volume levels while driving will impair your ability to hear necessary traffic sounds. While driving
always keep your sound volume at reasonable levels. We at Cadence want you listening for many years to come.
When installing the amplifier, secure it tightly. An unmounted amplifier in your car can cause serious injury to passengers and
damage to your vehicle if it is set in motion by an abrupt driving maneuver or short stop.
GOLD PLATED TERMINALS:
All the terminals on the amplifier are solid brass and gold plated for high conductivity and
minimum impedance loss. The power and ground terminals are extra large and capable of
accepting 4-8 gauge wire. The speaker terminals can accept 14-16 gauge wire. When wiring
the amplifier, be sure to strip just enough wire that fits into the terminal so that bare wires
do not touch each other, or the amplifier chassis and cause a short circuit. We recommend
using Cadence brand lug and spade connectors for optimum signal transfer.
POWER AND PROTECTION CIRCUITRY:
United Series amplifiers feature our unique IC controlled protection circuitry. This
sophisticated circuit constantly monitors the heat sink internal temperature and various
voltages, adjusting the amp automatically and protecting it from dangerous conditions.
The 2 LED’s located on the side of the amplifier provide indication of the amplifier status,
the Power LED will light when the amplifier is receiving proper power, ground and remote
voltages and the IC monitoring sequence indicates the amp is functional. In case the
amplifier encounters a diagnostic condition as listed below, the second LED will light
indicating a Diagnostic condition. When a diagnostic condition is sensed the amplifier will
then turn into a self preservation mode and if the cause of the diagnostic condition is not
corrected will eventually shut down. There are certain critical diagnostic conditions which
will turn the amplifier off immediately.
1. Speaker short circuit.
2. Input Overload.
3. Thermal overload.
4. Reverse Polarity.
To reset the amplifier, you must first diagnose what caused the problem, correct the fault and restart
the system. See the Trouble Shooting page for further details.
MUTE CIRCUIT:
The United Series amplifiers feature an anti-thump, mute and delay circuit. This eliminates
irritating speaker damaging turn-on and turn-off transients normally experienced with less
expensive amplifiers.
BASS DRIVE EQUALIZATION CIRCUITRY:
A narrow “Q” shelving equalization circuit is included in the amplifiers. The equalization
system is preset at 45Hz. The boost control allows you to add up to 18dB of Bass Drive
effect. Utilize the Bass Drive to tailor your bass response to your systems needs. Please keep
in mind that by adding Bass Drive you are adding stress on your speakers. Make sure your
speakers can handle the extra power output! It would be foolish to add 18dB of gain to low
excursion 8” and 10” Sub woofers or mid ranges and tweeters. It’s a sure way to blow your
speakers. The Bass Drive was designed for High Power sub woofers.
“ADR”: - ACTIVE DYNAMIC REGULATION
Cadence United Series amplifiers feature our proprietary ADR, Active Dynamic Regulated
power supplies. 100% HexFET devices are utilized in the power supply for high speed
(100KHz) switching frequencies. The power supplies are capable of supplying the main
amplifier with a considerable amount of reserve voltage for peak “high demand” situations.
The ADR circuit provides full bandwidth power for authoritative bass response, high current
output into low impedance loads and increased headroom. The ADR is supplied with power
via a high speed, high temperature capacitance bank and 100% pure copper rails on the
PCB enabling fast transient response to musical demands.
SUPER CLASS AB AUDIO STAGE PERFORMANCE
The audio output section of the United Series amplifiers feature Japanese studio grade,
high current Bi-Polar audio transistors. Unlike other manufacturers who use a host of
different type of transistors, not originally designed for audio output, i.e.: power supply
transistors, motor control transistors to produce the audio signal, (You can only imagine
what they sound like.) Cadence uses only true audio transistors in the audio section of
these amplifiers. These transistors were designed and engineered to produce music. That’s
why Cadence amplifiers clearly sound better. They are cleaner with lower distortion, higher
current capable and more reliable. We challenge you to test listen a Cadence amplifier and
hear the difference yourself.
Introduction
Features