Operation Manual
I-Tech HD DriveCore Series Power Ampliers
page 8
2.3.2 Choose Input Wire and Connectors
Crown recommends using pre-built or professionally wired, 
bal anced line (two-conductor plus shield), 22-24 gauge cables 
and connectors. Use 3-pin male XLR connectors.
Unbalanced line may also be used but may result in noise over 
long cable runs. 
Figure 2.5 shows connector pin assignments for balanced analog 
wiring or AES3 digital wiring. The use of standard analog cable 
with AES3 will result in diminished performance. For best results, 
110 ohm shielded twisted-pair cable for AES3 signals is highly 
recommended. Figure 2.6 shows connector pin assignments for 
unbalanced analog wiring. 
If multiple connectors are needed for AES3 distribution from a 
single AES3 source, the following shows the number of AES 
connections in parallel based on AES3 switching frequency.
Frequency    # of Connections
96kHz    4 AES3 Pairs
48kHz    8 AES3 Pairs
44.1kHz    8 AES3 Pairs
***Please note with good quality 110 ohm shielded digital cable, 
it is possible to obtain a higher number of connections than stated 
here. It is up to the user to test this based on their use case. The 
connections stated here are based on worst case analysis. 
NOTE: Custom wiring should only be performed by qualified 
per sonnel.
2.3.3 Choose Output Wire and Connectors
Crown recommends using pre-built or professionally wired, high-
quality, two-, four-, or eight-conductor, heavy gauge speaker wire 
and connectors. Use Class 2 output wiring. You may use a 4-pole 
Speakon
® 
connector (Figure 2.7) or banana plugs, spade lugs, or 
bare wire  for your output connectors (Figure 2.8). To prevent the 
possibility of short circuits, wrap or otherwise insulate exposed 
loudspeaker cable connectors. 
CAUTION – SHOCK HAZARD: Potentially lethal voltages 
exist at the output connectors when the amplifier is 
turned on and is passing a signal.
Using the guidelines below, select the appropriate size of wire 
based on the distance from amplifier to speaker.
                          Distance         Wire Size 
                             up to 25 ft.           16 AWG 
                              26-40 ft.              14 AWG 
                              41-60 ft.              12 AWG 
                              61-100 ft.            10 AWG 
Figure 2.5 
Balanced Analog Input Connector Wiring or 
AES3 Digital Connector Wiring 
Figure 2.6 Unbalanced Analog Input Connector Wiring
2 Setup
Figure 2.8 
Binding Post Connections
Figure 2.7 
Left: Speakon
®
 
Output Connector on Back Panel 
Right: Speakon
®
 
Cable Connector