Ampeg SVP1600 User Manual

User's Guide for the

User's Guide for the

®

Ampeg

Ampeg® is Proudly Made in America

is Proudly Made in America

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Important Safeguards and Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

The Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

The Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Operation: Mono Bridged Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Dual Mono Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Stereo Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

System Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .back cover

SVP1600 Stereo Bass Power Amplifier

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

• READ, FOLLOW, HEED, AND KEEPALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS.

• DO NOT OPERATE NEAR ANY HEAT SOURCE AND DO NOT BLOCK ANY VENTILATION OPENINGS ON THIS APPARATUS. FOR PROPER OPERATION, THIS UNIT REQUIRES 3”

(75CM) OF WELL VENTILATED SPACE AROUND HEATSINKS AND OTHER AIR FLOW PROVISIONS IN THE CABINET.

• DO NOT USE THIS APPARATUS NEAR SPLASHING, FALLING, SPRAYING, OR STANDING LIQUIDS.

• CLEAN ONLY WITH LINT-FREE DAMP CLOTH AND DO NOT USE CLEANING AGENTS.

• ONLY CONNECT POWER CORD TO A POLARIZED, SAFETY GROUNDED OUTLET WIRED TO CURRENT ELECTRICAL CODES AND COMPATIBLE WITH VOLTAGE, POWER, AND

FREQUENCY REQUIREMENTS STATED ON THE REAR PANEL OF THE APPARATUS.

• PROTECT THE POWER CORD FROM DAMAGE DUE TO BEING WALKED ON, PINCHED, OR STRAINED.

• UNPLUG THE APPARATUS DURING LIGHTNING STORMS OR WHEN UNUSED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

• ONLY USE ATTACHMENTS, ACCESSORIES, STANDS, OR BRACKETS SPECIFIED BYTHE MANUFACTURER FOR SAFE OPERATION AND TO AVOID INJURY.

• WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK OR FIRE, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

• SERVICE MUST BE PERFORMED BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

• OUR AMPLIFIERS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMA-

NENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS ADVISED AND EAR PROTECTION IS RECOMMENDED IF UNIT IS OPERATED AT HIGH VOLUME.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE
THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

PRECAUCION

RIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO

NO ABRA

PRECAUCION: PARA REDUCIR EL RIESGO DE INCENDIOS O DESCARGAS ELECTRICAS, NO PER­MITA QUE ESTE APARATO QUEDE EXPUESTO A LA LLUVIA O LA HUMEDAD. PARA DISMINUOIR EL
RIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO. NO ABRA LA CUBIERTA. NO HAY PIEZAS ADENTRO QUE EL USARIO
PUEDO REPARAR DEJE TODO MANTENIMIENTO A LOS TECHNICOS CALIFICADOS.

ATTENTION

RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION

NE PAS OUVRIR

ATTENTION: PROTÉGEZ CET APPAREIL DE LA PLUIE ET DE L'HUMIDITÉ AFIN D'ÉVITER TOUT
RISQUE D'INCENDIE OU D'ÉLECTROCUTION. POUR REDUIRE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PAS ENLEVER
LE COUVERCLE. AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE N'EST REPRABLE PAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTE
REPARATION, S'ADRESSER A UN TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE.

"IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE USER TO REFER TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL"
“ES NECESARIO QUE EL USUARIO SE REFIERA AL MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES.”
"REFERREZ-VOUS AU MANUAL D'UTILISATION"

EXPLANATION OF GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:
EXPLICACION DE SIMBOLOS GRAFICOS:
EXPLICATION DES SYMBÔLESGRAPHIQUES:

"DANGEROUS VOLTAGE"
“VOLTAJE PELIGROSO”
"DANGER HAUTE TENSION"

=

=

Important Safeguards and Precautions:

All Ampeg products are designed for continuous safe operation, as long as common sense is used and steps are taken to help avoid certain

problems. Abiding by the following rules can help prevent damage to your equipment, yourself, and others.

• The unit is equipped with a three-pronged AC power cord. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, NEVER remove or otherwise
attempt to defeat the ground pin of the power cord.

• Connect the unit ONLY to a properly grounded AC outlet of the proper voltage for your unit.

• Avoid sudden temperature extremes, rain and moisture. Also, avoid sudden and intense impact. (If the unit has been subjected to

any of the preceding abuses, have it looked at by an authorized service center.)

• NEVER set the unit on a support that might give out under its weight.

• Always keep the total speaker impedance at or above the rated load.

• Unplug the unit before cleaning it. NEVER spray liquid cleaners onto the unit. Wipe it with a slightly dampened, lint-free cloth to

remove dirt and film.

• Do not use the unit if it has sustained damage to the chassis, controls, or power cord. Refer the unit to an authorized service cen­ter for inspection.

• Audio equipment capable of producing high volume levels are also capable of inflicting permanent hearing loss or damage, if the
exposure to such levels is prolonged. Such damage is progressive and irreversible! Consider using quality hearing protection devices.

3

An Introduction to your Ampeg SVP1600 Stereo Bass Power Amplifier:

The harmonically rich sound and legendary performance of the AMPEG SVT4 PRO are the heart of the
SVP1600 Stereo Bass Power Amplifier. This versatile and powerful bass amplifier delivers up to 1600 watts
of unsurpassed power for any musical application.

All of the features and controls of your SVP1600 are covered in detail within the pages of this user’s
guide. We recommend going over them before you use the amplifier.

Features:

In the world of high performance bass amps, Ampeg’s SVT amplifiers stand alone. In true Ampeg tradi­tion, the SVP1600 offers you more power, performance and flexibility than any other stereo bass power­amplifier in its class. Listed below are some of the outstanding features of your new amplifier - features
which set it apart from the competition!

• DUAL SEPARATE POWER AMPLIFIERS: Operate in true stereo, dual mono, or
mono bridge mode for even greater output power (page 6,7)

• SEPARATE SENSITIVITY CONTROLS: Each channel has its own independent
input Sensitivity control for optimum signal matching (page 4)

• SEPARATE LED METERS: Each channel features a four stage LED meter to mon­itor the output signal level (page 4)

• SPEAKON®JACKS: For more reliable connections at higher outputs and for mono
bridge connections (in addition to 1/4” speaker out jacks) (page 5)

• INTERNAL LIMITER: Built in protection against overdrive distortion at full power -
can be switched out if desired (page 4)

• PARALLEL OUTPUT JACKS: Drive two SVP1600 amplifiers from one input signal
for the most incredible stage rig immaginable (page 5)

• CIRCUIT BREAKER PROTECTION: A heavy duty resettable circuit breaker pro-
vides protection against fault conditions (page 5)

Speakon®is a registered trademark of Neutrik AG.

SVP1600 Stereo Bass Power Amplifier

4

The Front Panel:

SVP1600 Stereo Bass Power Amplifier

1. SENSITIVITY CHANNEL A: Use this control to adjust the input
sensitivity for Channel A.

2. CHANNEL A LED METER: Use this LED meter to monitor the
output signal level for Channel A.

3. CHANNEL A LIMIT LED: This LED illuminates when the output
signal level for Channel A triggers the internal Limit circuits. If this
LED illuminates constantly , reduce the input signal level going to the
Power Amp A Input (#18) and/or turn down the Sensitivity Channel
A control (#1).

4. LIMIT DEFEAT: The SVP1600 employs internal limit circuits to
help keep the power amplifier’s output clean at extreme volume lev­els. (All amplifiers may begin to clip their output signals as they
approach maximum output levels, resulting in potentially speaker­damaging distortion.) These circuits may be disabled by depressing
the Limit Defeat switch, which may result in an increase in output
power but with the possibility of distortion. Use discretion whenever
playing with the Limit circuits off.

5. CHANNEL B LIMIT LED: This LED illuminates when the output
signal level for Channel B triggers the internal Limit circuit. If this
LED illuminates constantly , reduce the input signal level going to the
Power Amp B Input (#15) and/or turn down the Sensitivity Channel
B control (#7).

6. CHANNEL B LED METER: Use this LED meter to monitor the
output signal level for Channel B.

7. SENSITIVITY CHANNEL B: Use this control to adjust the input
sensitivity for Channel B.

8. POWER INDICA TOR: This lamp illuminates when the amplifier is
powered up.

9. POWER SWITCH: Use this switch to turn the amplifier on (top of
the switch depressed) and off (bottom of the switch depressed).

IMPORTANT: This unit employs forced air cooling by means of

an internal fan. The rear and side ventillation slots must

remain unobstructed when operating this amplifier. When
mounting the unit in a rack make sure there is ample room for
proper air circulation. The rack must be constructed and posi-

tioned in such a manner to allow proper air flow and the

exhausting of hot air away from the rack at all times.

1 7 8 92 3 54 6

5

The Rear Panel:

SVP1600 Stereo Bass Power Amplifier

10. CIRCUIT BREAKER: The SVP1600 employs an AC line circuit
breaker to help protect against damages due to excessive current
demands. If the amplifier stops working, check the circuit breaker. If
it has opened, the button will be protruding and showing a contrast­ing color. You can reset the circuit breaker by pushing it in until it
latches. The breaker must cool down for a short time before the but­ton will latch. If the circuit breaker opens repeatedly with no signal
input, have the amplifier checked by a qualified service person.

11. AC LINE IN: Firmly plug the female end of the supplied AC
power cord into this socket, pushing it completely until it is firmly
seated. Plug the male end of the cord into a grounded AC outlet. DO

NOT DEFEAT THE GROUND PRONG OF THE AC PLUG!

12. AC OUTLET (Domestic units only): This unswitched outlet lets
you connect any AC powered device (such as a preamp or an
effects unit) up to a maximum of 300 watts. The jack is “hot” when­ever the amplifier is plugged into a live AC outlet, regardless of the
setting of the amplifier’s Power switch.

13. SPEAKER OUTPUTS: The Speakon®Jacks: Use of these
heavy-duty connectors is recommended when playing at full output
levels. Connect the amplifier to your speaker cabinet(s) using heavy
gauge speaker cables terminated with properly wired Speakon

®

con-

nectors. (See the text above these jacks for their pinout information.)
The 1/4” Jacks: These mono 1/4” jacks (two per channel, wired in

parallel) offer you a convenient method of connecting the amplifier
to your speaker(s) using cables terminated with 1/4” plugs.
(Whenever playing at full output levels, it is recommended that you
use the Speakon®jacks.)

14. STEREO/DUAL MONO / MONO BRIDGE: Use this switch to

set the operating mode of the amplifier. When the switch is out, the
amplifier is in the Stereo or Dual Mono Mode; when the switch is
depressed the amplifier is in the Mono Bridge Mode.

In the Stereo mode, use the Power Amp A input (#18) and the
Sensitivity Channel A control (#1) for the LEFT channel, and the
Power Amp B input (#15) and the Sensitivity Channel B control (#7)
for the RIGHT channel. This is recommended since the Sensitivity
Channel A control is positioned on the left of the amplifier and the
Sensitivity Channel B control is positioned on the right. (Left controls
left, right controls right...)

15. POWER AMP B POWER AMP INPUT: When operating the
SVP1600 in the Stereo mode, use this jack to connect the right
channel input signal to the amplifier.

16. POWER AMP B PARALLEL OUTPUT: Use this jack to send
the Power Amp B Input signal to the Power Amp B Power Amp Input
jack of a second SVP1600 amplifier. This jack is active when the
SVP1600 is operated in either the Stereo or Dual Mono mode.

17. POWER AMP A PARALLEL OUTPUT: Use this jack to send
the Power Amp AInput signal to the Power Amp A Power Amp Input
jack of a second SVP1600 amplifier. This jack is active when the
SVP1600 is operated in any mode.

18. POWER AMP A POWER AMP INPUT: When operating the
SVP1600 in the Stereo mode, use this jack to connect the left chan­nel input signal to the amplifier. When operating the SVP1600 in the
Dual Mono or Mono Bridge mode, use this jack to connect the mono
input signal to the amplifier.

11 13 14 16 1710 15 1812

7 43565 15531 9

(21) SERIAL# BMCDN20083

Line: 120V Freq: 60 Pwr: 1.4kVA

SVP1600

Operation: Mono Bridge Mode:

Set the Stereo/Dual Mono / Mono Bridge switch to the Mono Bridgel position (switch in/depressed).
Connect a shielded signal cable from the Output of your Preamp or Effect to the Power Amp A Power Amp Input jack.
Connect a speaker cable from the SVP1600’s Mono Bridge Speaker Output jack to the input jack(s) of the speaker(s).

NOTE: The Speakon®cable must be wired as follows: 1+ = hot, 2+ = return.

Operation:

Dual Mono Mode:

Set the Stereo/Dual Mono / Mono Bridge switch to the Stereo/Dual Mono position (switch out).
Connect a shielded signal cable from the Output of your Preamp or Effect to the Power Amp A Power Amp Input jack.
Connect a speaker cable from the SVP1600’s Power Amp A Speaker Output jack to the input jack(s) of one (set) of the speakers.
Connect a speaker cable from the SVP1600’s Power Amp B Speaker Output jack to the input jack(s) of the other speaker(s).

NOTE: The Speakon

®

cable must be wired as follows: 1+ = hot, 1- = ground.

6

SVP1600 Stereo Bass Power Amplifier

NOTE: THE SPEAKER CABINET(S)
MUST BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE
EXTREMELY HIGH POWER OUTPUT
OF THE MONO BRIDGED AMPLIFIER

7 43565 15531 9

SVP1600

(21) SERIAL# BMCDN20083

Line: 120V Freq: 60 Pwr: 1.4kVA

BRIDGE

SVP1600

IN

MONO

FROM PREAMP OR
EFFECT'S OUTPUT

HIGH POWER
CABINET(S)

4 OHMS
MINIMUM

7 43565 15531 9

SVP1600

(21) SERIAL# BMCDN20083

Line: 120V Freq: 60 Pwr: 1.4kVA

SVP1600

OUT

STEREO/

DUAL MONO

CABINET(S)
2 OHMS

MINIMUM

FROM PREAMP OR
EFFECT'S OUTPUT

CABINET(S)
2 OHMS

MINIMUM

7

System Block Diagram:

SVP1600 Stereo Bass Power Amplifier

E

Operation: Stereo Mode:

Set the Stereo/Dual Mono / Mono Bridge switch to the Stereo/Dual Mono position (switch out).
Connect a shielded signal cable from the Left Output of your Stereo Preamp or Stereo Effect to the Power Amp A Power Amp Input jack.
Connect a shielded signal cable from the Right Output of your Stereo Preamp or Stereo Effect to the Power Amp B Power Amp Input jack.
Connect a speaker cable from the SVP1600’s Power Amp A Speaker Output jack to the input jack(s) of the Left Channel speaker(s).
Connect a speaker cable from the SVP1600’s Power Amp B Speaker Output jack to the input jack(s) of the Right Channel speaker(s).

NOTE: The Speakon

®

cable must be wired as follows: 1+ = hot, 1- = ground.

7 43565 15531 9

SVP1600

SVP1600

(21) SERIAL# BMCDN20083

Line: 120V Freq: 60 Pwr: 1.4kVA

OUT

STEREO/

DUAL MONO

FROM STEREO PREAMP OR
STEREO EFFECT'S LEFT OUTPUT

FROM STEREO PREAMP OR
STEREO EFFECT'S RIGHT OUTPUT

RIGHT CHANNEL

CABINET(S)

2 OHMS

MINIMUM

LEFT CHANNEL
CABINET(S)

2 OHMS
MINIMUM

LIMIT

LIMIT

LED

A

LIMITER

DEFEAT

POWER

AMP A

SPEAKER
OUTPUT A

SPEAKER
OUTPUT A

1+
2+

SPEAKON

2-

SPEAKER
OUTPUT A

1-

POWER AMP A
INPUT / MONO

POWER AMP B
INPUT

POWER AMP A
PARALLEL
OUTPUT

POWER AMP B
PARALLEL
OUTPUT

SENSITIVITY
CHANNEL A

®

SENSITIVITY
CHANNEL B

MONO

BRIDGE

STEREO/

DUAL MONO

LIMIT

LED

B

LIMITER

POWER

AMP B

SPEAKER
OUTPUT B

SPEAKER
OUTPUT B

1+

1- 2-

2+

1+

1- 2-

2+

SPEAKON
SPEAKER
OUTPUT
MONO BRIDG

SPEAKON
SPEAKER
OUTPUT B

®

®

Ampeg reserves the right to change specifications without notice.

Ampeg is proudly Made in America. ©2003 SLM Electronics, 1400 Ferguson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63133 U.S.A.

P/N 47-617-51 • 091103

Technical Specifications

OUTPUT POWER RATING 1600 Watts Mono-Bridged @ 4 Ohms (1200 Watts Continuous)

1200 Watts Mono-Bridged @ 8 Ohms (900 Watts Continuous)

2 x 900 Watts @ 2 Ohms (600 Watts Continuous)
2 x 625 Watts @ 4 Ohms (490 Watts Continuous)
2 x 350 Watts @ 8 Ohms (300 Watts Continuous)

FREQUENCY RESPONSE -3dB @ 25Hz and 50kHz
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION 5% @ full power
SLEW RATE > 30V/µ s (stereo)
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO > 90dB typical
INPUT IMPEDANCE 220k ohm
INPUT SENSITIVITY 0.5V RMS
DAMPING FACTOR > 300
OUTPUT CONNECTIONS (2) 1/4” phone jacks, (1) Speakon®per channel; (1) Speakon®for Mono Bridge
PROTECTION CIRCUITRY Over-temp and Current Limited
COOLING Internal fan
POWER REQUIREMENTS 120VAC, 60Hz, 1.4kVA

100/115VAC 50/60Hz, 1.4kVA
240VAC, 50/60Hz, 1.4kVA

SIZE AND WEIGHT 19/17.4”W x 5.6”H (with feet) x 15.5”D; 39 lbs

SVP1600 Stereo Bass Power Amplifier

www.ampeg.com

Declaration Of Conformity

#32, Effective 01-01-2001

Manufacturer’s Name: SLM Electronics

Production Facility: 1901 Congressional Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146, USA
Production Facility: 700 Hwy 202 W, Yellville, AR 72687, USA
Shipping Facility: 1400 Ferguson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63133, USA
Office Facility: 1400 Ferguson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63133, USA

Product Type: Audio Amplifier
Complies with the following Standards:

Safety: EN60065, E60065, C22.2, UL6500 and/or UL813
EMC: Directive 89/336/EEC, EN55103, EN55013, EN61000,

and/or FCC 47CFR 15B clA

Supplementary information provided by:

SLM Electronics - R & D Engineering

1901 Congressional Drive, St Louis, MO 63146, USA

Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone]