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Introduction:
Congratulations. You have selected one of the finest pieces of sound reinforcement equipment available, the Crate
Pro Audio SPA-1400/1400C Rack Mounted Amplifier. Our many years of experience in high-performance audio equip-
ment, combined with our extensive research and development procedures, have enabled us to produce an amplifier
which provides the highest quality and reliability possible.
Like all Crate products, your SPA-1400/1400C amplifier was designed and manufactured using only the finest com-
ponents and materials. Each amplifier design must satisfy our team of highly-trained technicians and musicians before
it is approved, and each individual amplifier must pass a barrage of bench tests before it leaves the factory. We insist
upon this extreme level of quality control to insure us that each amplifier produced will provide its owner with years of
trouble-free, ear-pleasing performance.
Your new SPA-1400/1400C is a flexible part of any sound system – simple to connect and easy to operate – if you
first know how to incorporate it into your application. Several configurations are covered in this manual, along with
important information regarding impedance ratings and output power. In order to get the best performance and high-
est level of quality and reliability from your new amplifier, please read this owner’s manual before operating the unit.
Features:
The Crate SPA-1400/1400C is a ruggedly constructed high quality power amplifier designed to give you continuous
performance with professional results. The amplifier mounts into a standard 19” rack, requiring only two rack spaces (3-
1/2 inches, vertically). Two automatic variable-speed internal cooling fans use the sides, rear and the front of the ampli-
fier - not the top and bottom - for its air intake and exhaust, allowing you to stack multiple amplifiers closer together in
a rack mount situation. Additional rack support holes have been provided along the rear of the amplifier for the most
secure installation possible. (Use of these additional supports is strongly recommended – refer to page 23 for more infor-
mation.)
The SPA-1400/1400C produce up to 660 watts of power per channel @ 2 ohms, 425 watts per channel @ 4 ohms
stereo mode or 260 watts per channel @ 8 ohms (stereo mode); 1320 watts @ 4 ohms, 850 watts @ 8 ohms or 520 watts
at 16 ohms (bridged mono mode). Several “professional” features have been built into the amplifier, such as 1/4” phone
and XLR input jacks with electronically balanced Low or Medium impedance operation. Built-in automatic limiting cir-
cuitry with LED indicators constantly monitors the output of each channel and provides protection against clipping, thus
preventing the generation of speaker-damaging square waves. A built-in protection circuit guards the amplifier against
damages from overloads, short circuits, or overheating. In addition, each channel features a Signal LED to assist in
hookup and troubleshooting, and a Fault LED which indicates when the internal protection circuitry is activated. Output
connections can be made by either high current five way binding post sets or professional-quality Speakon
®
jacks.
The SPA-1400/1400C also features a Parallel Mono switch which internally parallels the inputs of both channels. A
signal fed into channel 1 can be split to both channels internally (no additional cables required), with each channel’s
Level controls operating independently. This is especially valuable when two different output levels are needed, such as
one for main and another for side fill, or for different paging zones. Using this feature also allows a large number of speak-
ers (up to eight 8 ohm cabinets) from one amplifer, with only one input signal and no cables for channel patching.
Unique to the SPA-1400C are dual tuneable 12dB/octave low-cut filters, an active two-way 24dB/octave electron-
ic crossover and switchable XLR Thru / Crossover Out jacks. The low-cut filters allow elimination of frequencies below
the range of the speakers, which in turn eliminates cone flutter, wasted power and thermal stress on both speaker and
amplifier. The electronic crossovers allow optimum tuning of the system to your low and high frequency speakers. The
switchable XLR Thru / Crossover Out jacks allow (A) direct connection to additional external amplifiers (XLR Thru mode
– XLR jacks in parallel with the XLR and 1/4” input jacks), or (B) sending the low and/or high frequency signals for biamp-
ing (Crossover Out mode). More information is contained in the Front Panel and Installation sections of this manual.
SPA-1400/1400C Rack Mount Power Amplifier
Speakon
®
is a registered trademark of Neutrik USA