Alpine MRA-F350

Features
Compatibility
Inputs and Outputs

Features

Overview: The MRA-F350 is a five channel Car Theater (as opposed to Home Theater) amplifier designed to power your front (left and right), center, and rear (left and right) speakers, while a preamp output feeds your subwoofer amp. This amp requires a compatible Alpine head unit for set up and control. By itself, the amp offers no stand alone capability. Surround sound processors are built-in and also controlled by the head unit. The following head units include controls for this amp: IVA-D100, IVA-D105, IVA-D106, IVA-D310, IVA-D901, IVA-W200, IVA-W205, IVA-W505, DVA-9860, DVA-9861, and DVA-9965.

Surround Processors: This amp has three surround sound processors built-in:

• Dolby Digital: Plays Dolby Digital soundtracks in as many as six discrete channels (5.1)
• DTS: Plays DTS soundtracks in as many as six discrete channels (5.1)
• Dolby Pro Logic II: Simulates 5.1 channel playback from a stereo source (CD, FM Radio, etc)

Crossovers: The MRA-F350 has four separate crossovers. All but the low-pass (subwoofer output) can be turned off for full range operation:

• Front left and right (channels 1&2): variable high-pass from 20-200 Hz in 1/3 octave steps, selectable slope of 6, 12, 18, or 24 dB/octave
• Rear left and right (channels 3&4): variable high-pass from 20-200 Hz in 1/3 octave steps, selectable slope of 6, 12, 18, or 24 dB/octave
• Center (channel 5): variable high-pass from 20-400 Hz in 1/3 octave steps, selectable slope of 6, 12, 18, or 24 dB/octave
• Subwoofer (pre-amp out): Variable low-pass from 20-200 Hz in 1/12 octave steps, selectable slope of 6, 12, 18, or 24 dB/octave

Subsonic Filter: In addition to the low-pass crossover, the subwoofer output also has a subsonic filter. The frequency is variable from 20-50 Hz in 1/6 octave steps with a selectable slope of 6, 12, 18, or 24 dB/octave.

Subwoofer Output: The subwoofer output is a line level signal (RCA) with a low-pass crossover and subsonic filter. The phase of the sub output can be reversed; 0° or 180°.

Time Alignment: The built-in surround processors offer time alignment for all six channels (5.1) to compensate for the less than perfect speaker positioning typical in a car. The delay range runs from 0-20 milliseconds in 0.1 ms increments.

Equalizer: The MRA-F350 has a parametric equalizer with a total of 17 bands; five for the front, five for the rear, five for the center, and two for the sub. The center frequencies are adjustable from 20-20 kHz in 1/6 octave steps. The width of the EQ band (Q) can be adjusted to 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. The adjustment level is +/-9 dB.

Optical Input: The amp has an optical digital (standard Toslink) input for use with digital sources, such as a DVD player, game system, etc.

STAR Topology: Alpine's unique STAR (Signal Transit for Accurate Response) Circuit PCB design provides a single common ground for all amp sub-blocks, preventing ground interference and minimizing internal noise.

Compatibility

Head Unit: The MRA-F350 requires a compatible head unit for setup and control, it cannot be used without one. The current list of compatible head units includes (but is not limited to): IVA-D100, IVA-D105, IVA-D106, IVA-D310, IVA-D901, IVA-W200, IVA-W205, IVA-W505, DVA-9860, DVA-9861, and DVA-9965.

Speakers: Although the original manual lists bridging instructions, per Alpine: The amp is not bridgeable, and it's designed to power 4 ohm speakers.

Inputs and Outputs

Left Side of Amplifier:

• Speaker Outputs: terminal strip outputs for all five speakers; each terminal is 0.338" wide
• Power and Ground: screw terminals for power and ground that will accept up to 8 gauge bare wire (8 gauge recommended); each terminal is 0.338" wide

Right Side of Amplifier:

• Guide Control: 2-pin jack for connecting an outboard controller
• Digital Input: Toslink optical digital input for digital sources (DVD, Game system, etc)
• Changer In: since the amp is connected to the head unit's AI-Net port, a changer is connected to the AI-Net changer input on the amp
• AI-Net: analog signals are input through an AI-Net cable; the amp has no standard RCA inputs
• Guide Input: single RCA input
• Subwoofer: single RCA output