Tapco J1400 User Manual

The following steps will help you set up your amplifier, and get the 

levels just right.

1.  Be sure the amplifier’s POWER switch is off.
.  Turn down both Level controls.
3.  On the rear panel, set the SUBSONIC FILTER 

switch OFF and the CLIP LIMIT switch ON.

4.  Determine which AMP MODE is best for your 

application:

  STEREO mode is the typical setup for amplifying 

stereo signals. INPUT 1 is routed to CHANNEL 
1 output, and INPUT 2 is routed to CHANNEL 2 
output.

  MONO mode is used for sending a mono signal 

to both outputs, with separately adjustable level 
controls. INPUT 1 is used in MONO mode (leave 
INPUT 2 disconnected).

  BRIDGE mode uses both outputs to double 

the power to one speaker (or set of speakers). 
INPUT 1 is used in BRIDGE mode (leave INPUT 2 
disconnected and the B Level control turned down).

 

NOTE: 4 ohms is the minimum speaker impedance 

you should connect to the amplifier in BRIDGE 
mode. See “Do the Math” in Appendix B for 
information on calculating speaker impedances.

5.  Set the AMP MODE switch according to your 

application.

1.   Using balanced cables, make connections from 

your mixer (or other signal source) MAIN OUT to 
your amplifier’s INPUTs.

.   In STEREO mode, connect the cables from your 

signal source to the amplifier’s INPUT jacks, 
either XLR or 1/4” TRS.

  • The XLR and TRS inputs for each channel are 

wired in parallel.

  • The balanced XLR inputs are wired as follows:
  Pin 1 = shield (ground) 

Pin 2 = hot (+) 
Pin 3 = cold (–)

  • The 1/4” TRS inputs are wired as follows:
  Tip = hot (+) 

Ring = cold (–) 
Sleeve = shield (ground)

3.   In MONO mode and BRIDGE mode, connect 

one cable from the input source to INPUT 1, and 
connect nothing to INPUT 2.

4.  In STEREO and MONO modes, connect speaker 

cables to the SPEAKER OUTPUTS, either the 
binding posts or the Speakon® connectors.

  • The binding post connectors are wired as 

follows: 
red = hot (+ speaker terminal) 
black = cold (– speaker terminal) 
• The Speakon connectors are wired as follows: 
1+ = hot (+ speaker terminal)  
1– = cold (– speaker terminal).

5.  In BRIDGE mode, if using the binding post 

outputs: 
• CHANNEL 1 SPEAKER OUTPUT red post = hot  
(+ speaker terminal) 
• CHANNEL 2 SPEAKER OUTPUT red post = 
cold (– speaker terminal) 
Do not use the black terminals.

  If using a Speakon connector, connect the 

Speakon to the center BRIDGED connector. 

  • The BRIDGED Speakon connector is wired as 

follows: 
1+ = hot (+ speaker terminal)  
2+ = cold (– speaker terminal).

6.   Plug all the sound system components into 

suitable AC outlets, properly grounded and 
capable of delivering adequate current.

7.   Make sure your signal source is powered up and 

delivering signal to the amp.

8.  Turn the power amplifier’s switch on. Verify that 

the POWER LED lights.

9.  Slowly turn up both Level controls on the 

amplifier. You should hear music and see the 
SIG LEDs flashing. If the OL (Overload) LEDs 
are flashing, turn down either the Level controls 
on the amp or the source signal’s output level 
controls (i.e., master faders), until the OL LEDs 
either blink occasionally or not at all.

10. For quieter listening, it is preferable to adjust 

the amp’s Level controls rather than the source 
signal’s output level (unless you have the source’s 
control all the way up!).

• Never plug amplifier outputs 

into anything except speakers 
(unless you have an outboard box 
specifically designed to handle 
speaker-level signals).