Carver Professional PX-1450, PX-850 Owners manual

p x 8 5 0 / 1 4 5 0

Professional Stereo Power Amplifier

Safety Information

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL

Table Of Contents

The lightning flash with arrowhead
symbol within an equilateral triangle
is intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated"dangerous
voltage" within the product's
enclosure, that may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an
equilateral triangle is intended to alert
the user of the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.

Introduction ............................................................2

Unpacking and Paperwork.....................................2

Features and Specifications

PX850..............................................................3-4

PX1450............................................................5-6

Controls and Features .........................................7-8

Installation and Operations

Location and General Precautions .....................9

Mechanical Considerations ................................9

Rear Support.......................................................9

Thermal Considerations .....................................9

AC Power Considerations..................................9

Magnetic Leakage Considerations.....................9

Input Wiring .......................................................9

Installation (continued)

Input Sensitivity ...............................................10

Output Wiring...................................................11

Polarity .............................................................11

Bridged Mono...................................................11

Parallel Mono ...................................................11

70V Distribution Systems...........................11-12

Signal Smart Standby Circuit...........................12

Operating Tips......................................................13

Care and Service Assistance ................................13

Configurable Gain Controls.................................14

In Case of Difficulty.............................................15

Warranty Information...........................................16

Accessories......................................................17-18

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of a new Carver Professional Power Amplifier. The PX850 and
PX1450 are designed for any pro audio application. The PX Series is the first line designed and
produced by Carver Professional, a division of Phoenix Gold International, Inc. It combines the Pro
Audio experience and sonic heritage of Carver Professional with the performance, manufacturing
quality and attention to detail that has defined Phoenix Gold International. Thank you for placing
your confidence in Carver Professional and Phoenix Gold. We know your amplifier will provide many years
of dependable service and reliable sound reproduction.

Please read all of this manual, especially the Safety Warnings, before operating your amplifier.

Unpacking and

Paperwork

Carefully unpack the amplifier and keep the original carton and packing materials for future moving, shipment
or long-term storage. After opening the box, please check for any visible signs of damage that were not appar­ent from the outside of the box. If you do encounter what appears to be concealed damage, please consult your
Carver Professional Dealer before installing the unit.

Important Paperwork

Make sure to save your sales receipt. Your receipt is extremely important to establish the duration of your
Limited Warranty and for insurance purposes. Next, make a note of the serial number which is located on the
back of the amplifier. Record it in the space provided below for convenient reference.

Model: _____PX850_____PX850BR _____PX850SP

____PX1450____PX1450BR ____PX1450SP
Serial Number:
Purchased at:
Date:

F i n a l l y, take a moment to fill out and return the Warranty Registration Card packed with the amplifier and return
it to Carver Professional. This will allow us to keep you informed about new products as they become available.

_____________________________________

_____________________________

_______________________________

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250W per channel into 8 ohms

•

425W per channel into 4 ohms
525W per channel into 2 ohms
Three connector versions available:

•

Standard - Neutrik™ combi inputs with

Binding Post outputs
BR Version - Barrier Strip inputs and outputs
SP Version - Neutrik™ combi inputs with

Neutrik™ Speakons™ and

Binding Post outputs

Independent 41 detent Level Controls for CH1 & CH2

•

Externally configurable for Parallel Mono mode to

•

operate both channels with a mono signal
Externally configurable for Bridged Mono mode to

•

combine the power of both channels into a higher
powered mono channel

PX850 BR

Externally configurable input sensitivity @ 0.775V,

•

1.5V or fixed +28dB gain
Protection circuitry includes DC Fault, T h e r m a l ,

•

and Short Circuit
Power Ready, Signal Present, Clip, Protect,

•

Thermal and Standby indicators for each channel
Variable Speed Fan

•

Front or Rear Gain Controls (field configurable)

•

Signal Smart Standby Circuitry. Power saving

•

feature which automatically turns off or on the
amplifier based on the presence of a signal and the
position of the threshold adjustment
RAMP optional computer monitoring port

•

3

Continuous Average Output Power, both

BACK

channels driven: (20Hz
to 20kHz, with no more
than 0.1% THD) 250 watts
per channel into 8 ohms,
425 watts per channel into
4 ohms, 525 watts per
channel into 2 ohms,

Bridged-mono operation:

850 watts into 8 ohms at
1kHz, with no more than

0.1% THD

Parallel-mono operation:

260 watts into 8 ohms
from 20Hz to 20kHz, with
no more than 0.1% THD

Dynamic Headroom:

>2.0dB

F requency Response:

20Hz to 20kHz (±0.1dB)

Channel Separation:

>65dB @ 1kHz

Damping Factor: <600 @ 10-400Hz ref. to

8 ohms

Input Impedance: 20K balanced
Sensitivity: .775V, 1.5V for rated

power 4 ohms, or fixed
gain of +28dB

Gain: 34.5dB, 28.8dB, or 28dB

fixed dependent on
sensitivity

Input Overload: +18dBu
THD: <0.1%
IM Distortion: <0.1%

Signal-to-Noise Ratio:

>106dB, A-weighted, re f .
to rated power into 8 ohms

Slew Rate: 70V/ µS
CMRR: >80dB @ 1kHz
Current Consumption:

84w @ idle, 525w with
musical program, 840w @
full power into 8 ohms
(continuous), 1540w @ full
power into 4 ohms
(continuous)

Display: 6 LED indicators per

channel; red CLIP, yellow
SIGNAL READY, green
ON, red PROTECT, red
THERMAL, yellow
STANDBY

Size (H x W x D): 5.75” (3u) x 19” x 15.38”

133.4mm x 483mm x

390.6mm

Net Weight: 46.0lbs. (20.9kg)
Shipping Weight: 52lbs. (23.64kg)

Due to ongoing research and development, all
specifications and features are subject to
change without notice.

Barrier strip version available. Order PX850B R
Neutrik Speakon™ version available. Order

PX850SP

Handle Kit available. Order PX4HK
The PX850 Series is available in 100V, 120V

and 230V 50/60Hz.

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375W per channel into 8 ohms

•

725W per channel into 4 ohms
1000W per channel into 2 ohms
1450W mono into 8 ohms
2000W mono into 4 ohms
Three connector versions available:

•

Standard - Neutrik™ combi inputs with

Binding Post outputs
BR Version - Barrier Strip inputs and outputs
SP Version - Neutrik™ combi inputs with

Neutrik™ Speakons™ and

Binding Post outputs

Independent 41 detent Level Controls for CH1 & CH2

•

Externally configurable for Parallel Mono mode to

•

operate both channels with a mono signal

Externally configurable for Bridged Mono mode, to

•

combine the power of both channels into a higher

PX1450 BR

powered mono channel.
Externally configurable input sensitivity @ 0.775V,

•

1.5V or fixed +28dB gain
Protection circuitry includes DC Fault, Thermal and

•

Short Circuit
Power Ready, Signal Present, Clip, Protect, Thermal

•

and Standby indicators for each channel
Variable Speed Fan

•

Front or Rear Gain Controls (field configurable)

•

Signal Smart Standby Circuitry. Power saving

•

feature which automatically turns off or on the
amplifier based on the presence of a signal and the
position of the threshold adjustment
RAMP optional computer monitoring port

•

5