Bridged And Parallel Modes - Samson S500 Owner's Manual

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The S500 provides a rear-panel switch that allows it to be used in either a

Bridged or Parallel mode. When this switch is placed in the "STEREO"

(center) position, the S500 functions as a true stereo amplifier, where both of

the two independent amplifier channels (Channel 1 and Channel 2) can

receive different input signals and produce independent output signals.

However, when the switch is placed in the "BRIDGED" (left) position, the

Channel 1 inputs signal is routed to both power amplifiers bridged together,

producing a single output signal with a true 500 watt output into a single 8

ohm channel .

WARNING: Bridged mode is to be used only when the S500 is connect-

ed to an 8 ohm speaker load. Use of Bridged mode with speaker loads

of 4 ohms or less can result in severe damage to the unit due to

excessive heat and current limiting and will void your warranty!

The illustration on the right shows how this works. In Bridged mode, the

polarity (phase) of the Channel 2 output signal is reversed relative to that of

the Channel 1 output signal. Both channels then process the same input

signal, with the speaker load connected so that power is derived from both

channels. The effective voltage swing seen by the load is thus doubled, so

that the power output is doubled.

When using the S500 in Bridged mode, be sure to connect your loudspeaker

as shown in the illustrations on page 9 (and as silkscreened on the rear

panel), with the red (+) terminal of the Channel 1 output connected to the

negative input of the speaker and the red (+) terminal of the Channel 2 output

connected to the positive input of the speaker. Do not use the black

ground (-) output terminal of either channel (the speaker load must

"float" away from the amplifier chassis).

When the rear panel switch is placed in the right "PARALLEL" position, the

S500 operates in a unique Parallel mode. In this mode, only the signal pre-

sent at the Channel 1 input is used (and only the Channel 1 input control is

functional). This signal is then routed to both the Channel 1 and Channel 2

power amplifiers, thus producing a dual mono output, with 250 watts per

channel into 4 ohms.

See pages 8 - 9 in this manual for interconnection diagrams when using the

S500 in Bridged or Parallel modes