zapco SymbiLink SLN-4 Owner's manual

Brand: zapco

Model: SymbiLink SLN-4

Type: Owner's manual

Zapco SymbiLink SLN-4 is a four-channel outboard noise gate for the SymbiLink balanced signal system used in car audio systems. It can be used to enhance audio quality by muting low-level signals that would otherwise be perceived as noise. The SLN-4 is equipped with an onboard power supply, allowing it to operate independently or be powered by other SymbiLink products. It can also be triggered by an external source to mute audio when a succession of zero bit audio data is detected.

The SLN-4 offers adjustable threshold and decay settings, allowing the user to customize the noise-gating behavior to suit their specific system and listening preferences. It features an ultra-high signal-to-noise ratio and ultra-low distortion, ensuring that the audio signal remains clean and free from unwanted noise or artifacts.

Mission Statement

Committed to excellence

ZAPCO is dedicated to the pursuit of audio

fidelity. Our prime objectives are to design

and manufacture audio products of

unsurpassed quality, to provide

unparalleled support and service for these

products and to conduct business in a

manner that will enhance the quality of life

for all involved.

Experience:

Knowledge from doing

There is absolutely no substitute for

experience; that is a simple fact of life.

Another simple fact is that ZAPCO has, for

over twenty years, been the leader in

defining quality standards for the car audio

industry. These years of experience have

led to a thorough understanding of the

challenges that are unique to the world of

car audio. ZAPCO's relentless quest for

sonic purity consistently yields imaginative

designs that utilize the most innovative

technologies. The resulting products set

the criteria by which all others in the

industry are judged.

Contents

Mission Statement......................................................................1

What is the SLN-4?.....................................................................3

What Makes the SLN-4 Better?..................................................4

Construction ...............................................................................4

Key Features...............................................................................5

Setup Procedure.........................................................................6

Switch and Control Settings......................................................7

System Example #1 ...................................................................8

System Example #2 ...................................................................9

Specifications...........................................................................10

Manufacturing...........................................................................11

Troubleshooting .......................................................................12

Technical Assistance ...............................................................13

What is the SLN-4?

Thank you for purchasing a Zapco product! This product is

Hand-Crafted in the USA with the attention to detail and quality

that has made Zapco a legend in the car audio industry. You can

be sure that you have purchased one of the highest quality car

stereo components available anywhere in the world today.

SLN-4

The SLN-4 is a four channel outboard noise gate for the

SymbiLink Balanced Signal System. Car audio systems

sometimes use poor quality signal processors, such as third

octave equalizers, that generate noticeable amounts of noise.

The SLN-4 can mute or low-pass the audio signal when the signal

level drops below a specified level. The SLN-4 can mute up to

four channels in tandem.

The SLN-4 features an onboard power supply, allowing it to

operate in a stand-alone application or powered by other

SymbiLink products, through the balanced cables. An optional

trigger line is available from the DAII-SL D/A converter that mutes

the audio when it detects a succession of zero bit audio data.

The SLN-4 introduces virtually no noise or distortion into the

system. SNR measures an astonishing 146dB muted and 138dB

un-muted with less than .0005% THD+N!

What Makes the SLN-4 Better?

Noise gates have, in the past, been obtrusive to the audio system

due to noticeable muting noises. This problem makes the typical

noise gate unacceptable to many listeners. In addition, prior

noise gates would have a difficult time detecting music buried in

noise. The engineers at ARPA have solved this problem with

additional features in the SLN-4. First, a special band shaping

filter allows the detection circuitry to focus on the music, ignoring

the noise. Second, the SLN-4 has a band limiting switch so that

the SLN-4 only mutes high frequencies when enabled. If this

switch is enabled the gate functions as follows: as the music

level drops to the selected threshold, the gate will only mute

frequencies above 5 kHz. Frequencies below 5kHz are never

muted. In this way the SLN-4 threshold and decay adjustments

become less critical and the gate operation becomes

undetectable. In addition, the SLN-4 muting circuitry is

completely removed from the audio path when the signal is above

the signal threshold.

Construction

The SLN-4 is constructed of the highest quality components. The

finest components and careful layout assure the best possible

sound quality. Housed in an attractive "half din" rack mount

enclosure, the SLN-4 compliments the finest audio system.

Key Features

• SymbiLinkTM balanced input and output

• Adjustable Threshold and Decay

• Ultra high signal to noise ratio, greater than 115 dB

• Ultra low distortion and noise, less than .0005% T.H.D.+N

• Band-shaping music detect filters

• Selectable full range or lowpass muting.

• Built-in power regulated power supply.

• Zero bit detect input for triggering from D/A converters.

• Compact design

• Quality Zapco construction

• Designed and built in the USA

Setup Procedure

1. Disable the SLN-4 by pushing the “ENABLE” button in.

2. Adjust the music level such that it is barely audible above the

background noise.

3. Put the SLN-4 in the 5kHz mode by putting the range switch

in the out position. (Recommended)

4. Adjust the decay to .1 seconds. This is a temporary setting

so that you get a quick response to the threshold adjustment.

5. Enable the SLN-4 by putting the “ENABLE” button in the out

position.

6. Adjust the Threshold so that the “GATE ON” LED flickers on

and off.

7. Adjust the decay to about 2 seconds.

Preliminary adjustments are now complete. Due to its smart

band limiting circuitry, these should be the only adjustments that

you need to make. If you have system noise that is in the lower

frequency range (you shouldn’t), you may have to put the range

switch in the full range position.

Note: Use the front channels of the SLN-4 if you are using only

two. While the SLN-4 gates all four channels, it only senses

music on the front channels.

Switch and Control Settings

System Example #1

System Example #2

Specifications

Maximum balanced output level 16 Volts, R.M.S.

Indicators Two, mute and power

Outputs Balanced SymbiLink

Minimum output impedance 600 Ohms

Decay adjustment .1 to 3 seconds

Frequency response, DC – 20kHz ±.1dB

S/N ratio “A” weighted > 145dB / 138dB

Separation @ 1KHz, “A” weighted > 100 dB

Current requirements 300 mA

Harmonic distortion + Noise < .0005%

Dimensions 5.375”D x 3.5”W x 1.18”H

Manufacturing

This Zapco product was completely designed and manufactured

in the USA. The following operations are ENTIRELY performed*

in our own Modesto, California factory.

PC Board insertion

The components are inserted into American made printed circuit

boards. All insertion work is performed in our Modesto, CA

factory.

PC soldering

The printed circuit board assembly is wave soldered.

Pre Testing

The finished assembly product is 100% tested to design specs.

Extrusion machining

American made aluminum extrusion is cut and machined to

precise tolerances.

Assembly

The various sub-assemblies of the product are hand assembled

into a completed unit.

Final test

Every product is tested with the highest quality audio test

equipment to meet or exceed the published specifications.

Inspection and final packaging.

* Many companies claim that their products are built in the USA,

but only a few of the above steps, if any, are actually performed in

America. Many of these companies only do the final assembly,

with steps 1 - 4 being performed outside the USA

Troubleshooting

Symptom Possible cause / cure

The muting effect is

audible. 1. Set the range switch to lowpass.

2. Reduce the threshold level.

3. Lengthen the decay time.

The power LED does

not come on. 1. Connect the mute to the source

unit’s remote turn-on lead.

2. Check the power and grouind

connections.

The unit never seems

to gate, the gate LED is

always off.

Check the ENABLE switch setting.

The unit never seems

to un-gate, the gate

LED is always on.

Make sure that you are using the front

channel inputs in a two channel

system.

If are experiencing a problem that is not listed here or you have a

situation that requires special attention, please see the technical

assistance section of this manual.

Technical Assistance

Should you experience a problem with your SLN-4, please

contact the dealer that sold you this product. If your dealer is

unable to solve your problem, you may contact the factory

service department directly.

Phone:(209) 577-4268 Monday - Friday, 8AM - 5PM

Pacific time

FAX: (209) 577-8548

Also, check our web page, www.zapco.com, for tips. You can

also e-mail technical help directly from our web page or

[email protected].

If you need to return this product for repair, please call the factory

for a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number. We will ask

you for information that will include your name, return shipping

address, daytime phone number, model and serial number, and a

detailed description of your problem. A photocopy of your

original purchase receipt is necessary to determine warranty

status and should also be included. Once we issue you an RMA,

please write it in a highly visible area on the package. Zapco will

not accept any packages that do not have a valid RMA number

clearly marked on the outside of the package.

Once you have a valid RMA number, send all repairs to:

A.R.P.A. of America Corp.

Attn.: Service Department

413 S. Riverside Drive

Suite D

Modesto, California, 95354

A.R.P.A. of America Corp.

413 S. Riverside Drive, Suite D

Modesto, CA 95354

(209) 577-4268

FAX (209) 577-8548

www.zapco.com

SLN-4

Rev. A

3/97 RZ

zapco SymbiLink SLN-4 Owner's manual

zapco SymbiLink SLN-4 Owner's manual

zapco SymbiLink SLN-4 Owner's manual

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