Understanding all the connections on an A.1x

VSSL is the music system you’ve always wanted.

• Out of sight.
• No other apps.
• Just the music you love.
• Controlled by voice.

VSSL strives to deliver the best music listening experience based on your preferred music ecosystem. By incorporating Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Amazon Alexa Cast, and Spotify Connect, you have the ability to choose your favorite music app, device, and ecosystem. Because of its flexibility, there are multiple ways to incorporate the VSSL smart amp into your music ecosystem. Understanding the connections on the amp is essential to taking full advantage of your specific setup. 

In this blog, we’ll be diving into the different connections on the VSSL smart amplifiers, what they are used for, and how you can take full advantage of your amp.

 

1. Speaker Out

The speaker out connector is where your speakers will connect directly to the amp. You’ll notice that your A.1x comes with a convenient phoenix connector.  Once all speaker wires are terminated to the phoenix connector, the phoenix connector then gets inserted directly into the speaker out. The other ends of your speaker wires are then run to your speakers for power and signal. The A.1x is a single-zone amplifier that supports 2 channels at an 8Ω impedance and is stable down to 4Ω.  This means the A.1x can support up to 4 total 8Ω speakers, if desired.

 

2. Sub Out

The A.1x has a designated sub out port for a subwoofer. This dedicated subwoofer output allows you to connect a sub while saving the analog output connector for a possible external system. The output can be left at full range or adjusted for crossover between 50-200Hz within the VSSL app, passing only the low frequencies (LFE). 

For those who are new to subwoofers, the sub out port helps make quality sound easier by allowing the amp to isolate the low frequencies from a sound system and route them directly to a powered subwoofer, which is then used to amplify powerful tones like bass notes. The sub out port increases sound quality by separating high and low frequencies into two distinct channels; high frequencies go up while the low ones go straight down. This keeps sound quality consistent, as having too much power on one channel can distort sound clarity. Ultimately, a sub out port makes it easy for you to set up your VSSL quickly and effectively, ensuring that listeners get the highest quality sound possible from their amp.

 

3. IR Remote

You can control the volume of your speakers with an infrared remote of your choice regardless of whether you’re streaming music or playing a local input (i.e. TV, CD player, etc.)   Using the included IR receiver cable and VSSL app, IR commands can be learned for volume +, volume -, and mute. Having a remote nearby is a convenient and quick way to make volume adjustments to your music or TV audio. 

Setting up your A.1x for being controlled by an infrared remote is simple:

• Connect the included IR cable to the IR Remote port on the back panel.
• In the VSSL app zone settings with the remote in hand, follow the prompts on the screen to learn the IR codes for Volume+, Volume-, and Mute functions. The device status indicator will blink purple when it receives a learned command.

 

4. Analog In/Out

While the A.1x pushes a powerful 35 Watts at 8Ω and 50 Watts at 4Ω, you may still need more power for a larger system with more than 2 or 4 speakers.  Using the Analog Out connector, you can pair another amp with the A.1x and still take full advantage of its streaming and connection capabilities. 

The Analog In connector is a handy feature that allows you to connect any source of audio and play it through your now-powered speakers.  Because of its small size and flat profile, A.1x users prefer sneaking it behind the TV and using it to power in-ceiling speakers, bookshelf speakers, or  a passive soundbar for crisp TV-watching audio.  Others have also found the Analog Input as a great way to finally use their CD’s and records that have been collecting dust over the years. 

 

5. Coaxial In/Out

  While slightly outdated within the audio industry, your A.1x comes with digital coaxial connectors. We do our best to make sure the A.1x can fit into any audio job, no matter what connectors each audio system comes installed with.  These RCA-type connectors are different from the standard RCA cable in that they are designed to handle the wider frequency bandwidth of the digital audio bit stream.  Digital optical technology has since replaced digital coax, but again, the A.1x is built to handle any scenario.

 

6. Optical In/Out

Much like the Analog In connector, the Optical In connector is used primarily for TV applications.  Be default, most TV’s manufactured within recent years have moved to providing primarily HDMI and optical connectors when connecting external audio systems.  Those tiny built-in TV speakers just don’t do your TV audio justice!  Simply connect a TOSLINK optical cable from the optical output on the TV to the Optical In connector on the back of the A.1x.  You’ll need to make some adjustments within the settings of the VSSL app and your TV that we’ve detailed here.

 

7. Network In/Out

The VSSL A.1x is the only VSSL amplifier of the 3 that has built-in Wi-Fi. This means an ethernet cable is not required, but we’ve provided the ports for wired installation still in case the network signal is not strong enough where you’ve decided to set it up. Before powering up the unit, connect an ethernet cable to the Network In slot and connect the other end to the router or switch.  The Network Out connector can be used as a passthrough for other devices in the immediate area that require an ethernet connection as well.

 

8.Power Cable

The last connection on the A.1x is the power connector where you will connect the supplied standard AC power cord into the amp, then into the wall or the power supply of your system.