Rockville RVA600.1 4 Ohm Monoblock Amplifier

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Rockville RVA600.1 amplifier. Rockville is committed to using its expertise in developing the latest technologies to bring you the best sounding amplifiers on the market at a reasonable price. You will be amazed at the quality and power these new amps offer.

We have spared no expense in designing these amplifiers, creating the most rugged, reliable, powerful, and best-performing amplifiers. Every RVA600.1 amplifier is backed by a one-year warranty.

Please read this installation guide carefully for proper use of your RVA600.1 amplifier. 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. Your ability to hear necessary traffic sounds will be impaired. While driving, always keep your sound volume at reasonable levels. Rockville wants 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.

Features

Power and Protection Circuitry

The RVA600.1 features unique IC controlled protection circuitry that constantly monitors the heat sink's internal temperature and various voltages, adjusting the amp automatically and protecting it from dangerous conditions. Two LEDs on the side of the amplifier indicate its status. The Power LED lights up when the amplifier is receiving proper power, ground, and remote voltages, and the IC monitoring sequence indicates the amp is functional. If the amplifier encounters a diagnostic condition, the second LED will light up, indicating a diagnostic condition. When a diagnostic condition is sensed, the amplifier enters a self-preservation mode and will eventually shut down if the cause is not corrected. Certain critical diagnostic conditions will turn the amplifier off immediately.

• Speaker short circuit.
• Input Overload.
• Thermal overload.
• Reverse Polarity.

This amplifier features Auto Thermal Control Circuitry – the amplifier will restart with no user intervention necessary upon cooling down.

Mute Circuit

The RVA600.1 amplifier features 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 Equalization Circuitry

A narrow "Q" shelving equalization circuit is included. The equalization system is preset at 45Hz. The boost control allows you to add up to +12dB of Bass EQ effect. Utilize the Bass EQ to tailor your bass response to your system's needs. Please keep in mind that adding Bass EQ adds stress to your speakers. Ensure your speakers can handle the extra power output!

High Level Input

If your head unit does not have RCA outputs, use the speaker outputs for the audio source.

RCA Input/Output

This amplifier features RCA line inputs as well as full-range RCA line outputs. RCA line inputs are the recommended way to introduce the audio signal to your amplifier. The RCA line output allows you to send a full-range signal to another amplifier.

Subsonic Adjustable Filter

This control allows you to filter out low-frequency noise and rumble. This is especially useful for vented enclosures where the port tuning frequency falls below the subwoofer.

Features (Continued)

Logic-Start Turn On Circuitry

The amplifier will turn on automatically as soon as it senses a signal from your head unit.

Bass Knob

Included with this amplifier is a dashboard bass remote control.

Protection Circuitry

Rockville amplifiers incorporate outstanding protection circuits to help protect the amplifier from damage during operating conditions.

• Thermal Protection: When the amplifier reaches an unsafe operating temperature of 80 degrees Celsius, it will turn off. If you live in a hot climate, installing additional cooling fans in your trunk to exhaust hot air can help keep ambient temperatures lower, allowing your amps to work flawlessly and without musical interruption.
• Speaker Short Circuit Protection: Should your speakers short circuit due to voice coil burnout, or if the amplifier senses an impedance too low to handle, the Protection LED will light, indicating a diagnostic condition. Turn off your system, disconnect one speaker at a time, and try to determine which speaker might be faulty. Correct the condition and restart the amplifier by turning it OFF and then ON again via the Remote power connection after correcting a diagnostic condition. (Turn your radio off and then on again.) Clipping or total shutdown may also result from a bad or loose ground connection. If your speakers and speaker wires are not shorted, please check your ground connection.
• Input Overload Protection: This circuit will either shut down the amplifier completely or cause it to spurt on and off, indicating a diagnostic condition. Turn the system off and reduce the amplifier's gain or your head unit's volume. This should correct the condition.
• DC Offset Protection: Should any DC voltage try to enter the amplifier via the speaker terminals, it will cause the amplifier to shut down and not operate until this condition is remedied. This circuit also protects your speakers from damaging high DC voltages should your amplifier ever malfunction.

Installation Basics

Remote Turn On Connection

The remote turn-on connection is located on the barrier strip next to the power and ground connections. This connection is responsible for turning the amplifier on and off with the rest of the system. A smaller gauge wire can be used to make this connection to your radio's power antenna lead. If your system does not have any turn-on leads, you can wire the remote terminal to an accessory lead that turns on with your car's ignition. When using the head unit's remote turn-on, the amplifier's Logic circuit must be switched to the Radio Remote position.

Installation Basics

Before beginning installation, disconnect the NEGATIVE (-) terminal from your car's battery. This safety precaution will avoid possible short circuits while wiring your amplifier. Rockville amplifiers operate on 12-volt negative ground systems only.

It is recommended that you lay out your sound system design on paper first. This will help you during installation, providing a wiring flow chart and preventing mis-wiring of components.

Mount the amplifier in the trunk or hatch area of your vehicle. Never install an amplifier in the engine compartment or on the firewall. Ensure there is adequate airflow around the amplifier's heat sink for efficient heat dissipation. When mounting the amplifier on the trunk floor, be careful of your gas tank, gas lines, and electrical lines. Do not drill or mount screws where they might penetrate the gas tank of your car.

Setting the Controls

Audio Preamp Input

The RVA600.1 features RCA preamp inputs. Run RCA cables from your sound source to the amplifier's inputs. Use high-quality shielded RCA patch cords to help reduce and eliminate unwanted electrical noise. Run the RCA cables on the opposite side of the vehicle from the power and ground leads of the amplifier.

Subsonic Filtering

This unit has a built-in subsonic filter ranging from 10Hz to 50Hz. For subwoofer installations with a passive LP crossover, set the amplifier's CROSSOVER MODE selector to Full Range and the SUBSONIC KNOB to 30Hz to filter all signals below 30Hz.

Installation Basics (Continued)

Adjusting the System

Once the system is operational, set all crossover points to approximate settings. For a basic subwoofer system, set the Low Pass filter crossover at approximately 100 Hz. Set the Bass Equalizer controls to 0 dB (Flat Switch Position). Adjust the amplifier's input sensitivity. The knob marked GAIN adjusts the input sensitivity from 6 Volts to 0.2 Volts. Turn the control fully counter-clockwise to the minimum position using a small flat head screwdriver. Do not apply excessive pressure while turning, as this may break the control unit. Set your radio volume level to maximum. Turn the amplifier's level control clockwise towards the Maximum marking until audible distortion occurs. When you hear distortion, back down one notch; your amp is now set. Having a second person to help set the gain is recommended.

If your unit was professionally installed, do not change the gain settings set by the installer.

Mounting and Wiring

Mounting the Amplifiers

Choose a convenient mounting location with unobstructed airflow. The RVA600.1 features four mounting tabs located at the amplifier's corners. Using the supplied screws and grommets, gently mount the amplifier into position. Do not overtighten the screws.

Diagram: An illustration shows the Rockville RVA600.1 amplifier with four mounting tabs at the corners, and screws being inserted into these tabs.

Mounting and Wiring

The RVA600.1 amplifier is supplied with a built-in fuse. Never replace the fuse with one of a larger value. It is recommended to construct a power wire harness with two additional fuses. One fuse should be located near the car battery to protect against short circuits to the car chassis. A second fuse closer to the amplifier offers additional safety. The fused red power wire should be attached to the amplifier's 12V+ power terminal.

The wire harness should be made of 8-gauge primary red cable. The harness should terminate in a large ring terminal for direct connection to the positive terminal of the car battery. Use a spade plug to attach the wire that connects to the amplifier's 12V+ terminal.

A second black wire of equal gauge should be used as a ground connection to a welded chassis member. Ensure there is no paint or other insulator blocking a good ground connection. When installing multiple amplifiers, mount them in close proximity so they can share the same ground point. Attach the black ground wire to the amplifier's ground screw terminal.

Over the years, service departments have received amplifiers with melted power/ground terminals, often caused by a bad ground connection. When there is a lack of good ground, heat builds up at the weakest point, typically the contact screw of the amplifier terminal, eventually melting the terminal. It is good practice to feel the power and ground wires near their amplifier connection after playing the amp for a while. If the wires feel hot to the touch, you likely have a bad or loose connection. If your connections are secure and the wires still feel hot, upgrade the wire gauge to the next heaviest gauge.

Diagram: A wiring diagram shows the connections for the Rockville RVA600.1 amplifier, including Ground (GND), Remote Turn On (REM), +12V (Battery), Fuse, and Speaker outputs. It illustrates connecting the battery, remote turn-on wire, and speaker wires to the respective terminals.

Woofer Configuration

The RVA600.1 is a 4-ohm mono block Class A/B amplifier. The final impedance load should not fall below 4 ohms. Multiple woofers can be wired to this amplifier as long as the final impedance is no lower than 4 ohms.

Diagram: A diagram illustrates connecting a subwoofer to the amplifier's speaker output terminals, indicating a minimum impedance of 4 ohms.

High Level Input / Smart Turn On

High Level Input

Many factory radios do not have preamp RCA outputs. The RVA600.1 features High Level inputs, also referred to as speaker level inputs, allowing connection to factory speaker wires. These inputs convert the high voltage from factory speaker wires to a level the amplifier can handle, providing clean, well-defined sound for optimal musical enjoyment.

Diagram: An illustration shows the amplifier's input terminals, highlighting the High Level Inputs (Left and Right Channels) and Ground.

Logic-Smart Turn On Circuitry

The Logic-Smart Turn On feature allows the amplifier to automatically start when it senses current or sound signal. Use the DC Sense setting when using High Level input; this powers up the amplifier when high current signal is sensed, intended for high-powered aftermarket/stock head units. Use the Radio Remote Line In setting when using RCA inputs.

Diagram: An illustration shows the amplifier's control panel, highlighting the Logic Turn-On selector (DC Sense or Radio Remote) and the various control knobs and inputs.

Specifications

• 4-Ohm Mono-Block Class A/B
• High Speed MosFET Power Supply with 50V Rail
• BiPolar Audio Transistor Output Section
• RCA Line Input
• RCA Line Output - Full Range
• High Level Speaker Line Input
• OEM Integration Logic-Start Turn On Circuitry
• Fully Adjustable Low Pass Crossover: 50Hz - 250Hz
• Fully Adjustable Subsonic Filter: 10Hz - 50Hz
• Fully Adjustable +/- 12dB Narrow Q Bass Equalizer @ 45Hz
• Subwoofer ON / Full Range Control Switch
• Damping Factor > 200 @ 100Hz
• Input Gain Control: 6V - 0.2 Volt
• Power and Diagnostic LED Indicators
• Computerized IC Control, Thermal, Speaker Short, Overload and DC Protection Circuitry
• Mute & Delay Turn On Circuit
• Auto Thermal Control Circuitry - At cool down amplifier restarts with no user intervention necessary
• Dashboard Bass Remote Control with Cable
• Power Output: 200 Watts RMS Monoblock at 4 Ohms and 1% THD+N
• Signal to Noise Ratio: 97 dB
• Dynamic Power: 400 Watts @ 2 Ohms
• Real Power: 1200 Watts
• Dimensions: 10.8 x 9 x 1.8 Inches (L x W x H)
• Frequency Response: 15Hz - 20KHz
• Sensitivity: 103dB @ 1w / 1m
• CEA-2006 Compliant