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Operation
The DPA-1 works like most other power amplifiers, but it does offer a couple of unusual features than can enhance its operation and con-
venience, and optimize the amplifier for the best performance in your system.
Powering Up the Amplifier
Once all connections are made, switch your preamp on and allow it to warm up for 30 seconds. Now press the Power button on the front of
the amplifier. The amp will enter a 15-second warm-up mode, in which the output will be muted and the front power LED will flash at random.
When the LED glows steadily, the DPA-1 is ready to use.
Selecting an Input
Press the XLR button to select XLR balanced input or the RCA button to select RCA unbalanced input. The LED next to the currently select-
ed input button will glow.
Adjusting Gain
To increase the amplifier's gain by +6 dB, press the Gain button. The LED next to the button will light up. This feature may be useful if your
preamp's gain is low, or if you're driving the amplifier directly from a computer.
Mute
Press to mute the amplifier's output. The LED next to the button will glow when mute is on. Press again to restore the sound.
Clip Indicators
The LEDs at the far sides of the front panel warn that the amplifier is running close to clipping (i.e., exceeding its maximum rated output).
The LEDs illuminate at -3 dB below maximum output. The DPA-1 has separate clip LEDs for left and right channels. On the DPA-1M, the
LEDs operate in tandem. It's normal for these LEDs to light occasionally, but if they're lighting often during the course of a tune, we recom-
mend turning the volume down or switching to more efficient speakers.
Troubleshooting
Power Won't Turn On
If pushing the Power button on the front panel or remote doesn't turn the DPA-1's power on, check these things in order:
1. Make sure the AC cord is also plugged into the wall (or power strip or line conditioner) and into the back of the amplifier, and that the
cord is not damaged and that the power strip or line conditioner is turned on.
2. Check your home's electrical box. If the circuit breaker has been tripped, flip it back on.
3. If these steps do not fix the problem, please contact your dealer.
Power Is On But There's No Sound
If the front power LED is illuminated but the system produces no sound, check the following things in order:
1. Make sure the desired input (XLR or RCA) is selected on the amplifier's front panel.
2. Make sure the amplifier is not in mute mode. If the LED next to the Mute button is glowing, press the Mute button.
3. Make sure your preamp's volume is turned up.
4. Check to see if the proper input is selected on the preamp.
5. Check the source components (computer, CD player, turntable) to make sure they are powered up and running. Make sure the com-
puter is playing a file, or the turntable's tonearm is lowered, etc.
6. Check the cables going from the amp(s) to the speakers. If one or both cables is disconnected or damaged, switch the amp off, recon-
nect or replace the cable, then turn the amp back on.
7. Check the connections between your components to make sure all cables are properly connected. If you suspect any cables are dam-
aged, swap them out with another set of cables. If the sound comes back, replace the damaged cables.
8. If these steps do not fix the problem, please contact your dealer.
Sound Comes From Only One Channel
If only one channel is working, check the following things in order:
1. Check the connections between the amplifier and the preamp, the amp and the speakers, and the preamp and the source component.
If any cables are disconnected, reconnect them. If they appear damaged, replace them.
2. If you are using two DPA-1Ms, make sure both amplifiers are turned on.
3. Try swapping the left and right cables between the amp(s) and the preamp, then between the amp(s) and the speakers. If you're using
an analog source, try swapping the left and right cables leading from it to the preamp. If any of these actions restores the sound in the
dead channel and cuts the sound in the other channel, the cable must be replaced.
4. Swap the connections for the left and right speakers, without changing the speaker cable connection at the amplifier(s). If the sound in
the dead channel is not restored, that speaker is likely malfunctioning.
5. Check to see if your source devices, preamp and speakers are working correctly. If possible, swap them out with similar devices. If
swapping the component restores the sound in the dead channel, the original component is probably defective.
6. If none of these steps restores the sound, consult your dealer.
Sound Is Weak, Distorted or Unnatural
If the sound is on in both channels but seems weak, distorted or unnatural, check the following things in order:
1. If the LED next to the Gain button on the front of the amp is not lit, press the button. This will increase volume by +6 dB.
2. If you are using an analog source device (CD player, tape deck, TV, etc.) that has a variable-level audio output, make sure the level on
the source device is turned all the way up.
3. Try a different set of interconnects between the amp(s) and the preamp, and between any analog source devices and the preamp. If a
different set of interconnects fixes the problem, replace the original set.
4. If possible, try a different set of speakers. If the new speakers sound fine, the original speakers may need service.
5. If these steps do not improve the sound, please contact your dealer.
For more information about the DPA-1 and other Audio Alchemy
products, please visit www.audioalchemy.com.
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