Carvin DCM1000 User Manual
CARVIN ENGINEERING DATA OPERATING MANUAL
The DCM Series professional amps are designed utilizing Carvin’s 35
years of experience in power amp technology. They meet or exceed every
standard for professional amplification. Their thick brushed anodized
aluminum face plates, large recessed knobs and heavy-duty steel chassis reflect the manufacturing quality within. All models carry the CE
approval for world-wide use.
PURE—TRANSPARENT SOUND
Carvin considers the sound of an amp equally important as its reliability. To
insure pure, uncolored sound, we designed one of the fastest responding power
amps on the market today. High slew rates of 45v/µs deliver superb transient
response. High frequencies are transparent and open—even at extreme levels.
Linear feedback circuits reduce distortion to near the theoretical zero limit, preventing any type of harshness which would lead to ear fatigue. The DCM Series
amps deliver flat, transparent, unaltered sound—especially important to the studio
user. And you can drive any type of reactive loads, including 70V transformer
distribution systems. These amps are designed to deliver non-stop, continuous
power and are completely protected from heat and short circuits.
ULTRA RUGGED FOR TOURING
Every chassis is made from heavy-duty 16 gauge steel that is plated before
being painted to prevent rust. All internal cabling is neatly tied and harnessed.
Every circuit card is FR-4 MILITAR Y SPEC, double-sided, through-hole plated,
fire retardant glass epoxy. This insures that the solder flows on the top, bottom
and through each hole of every component, preventing components from shaking loose—even through constant tour use. Neutrik™ XLR connectors,
heavy-duty power switches, recessed knobs, all give the DCM amps a “tanklike” ability to handle rough touring transport.
TOTALLY MODULAR
With the DCM Series, Carvin brings you totally modular construction. If you
ever need an I/O (input/output) connector card because a connector wore-out,
just unplug it and re-install the replacement card in minutes. You don’t have
to de-solder anything. This applies to every aspect of the DCM Series amps
including the power supply, power cards, heat sinks and fans. Everything is
connected by heavy-duty AMP™ and MOLEX™ type connectors for easy replacement—even the Toroid transformer is a total plug-in.
HEAVY-DUTY COOLING
Carvin offers up to 30% more cooling than comparable amps rated at the same
wattage. This means that the DCM Series are thermally “over-engineered” to be
sure heat will never be a concern. Even outdoor concerts in direct sunligdcm
will not cause thermal shut down. Carvin uses precision 6063 T-5 aluminum high
ratio heat sinks that are extruded for massive amounts of cooling. High efficiency ,
multi-speed fans cool your amp quietly even when moving air at up to 115 CFM!
LIGHTER WEIGHT
For some companies weight reduction means cost reduction. Carvin however,
uses expensive TOROID transformers to reduce weight. Toroids deliver massive amounts of “on demand” current for continuous 2 ohm operation. This
gives the power supply a solid foundation, yielding more headroom for the largest
subwoofer application. Not only do toroids deliver high current, but they are
known for reducing stray magnetic fields eliminating hum & noise. This is especially important for the recording industry.
DISTORTION-FREE LIMITERS
The purpose of a limiter is to hold down peaks so the amp won’t distort even
HT POWER AMP SPECIFICATIONS:
MODEL DCM600 DCM1000
Bridged RMS Continuous
4Ω, (20-20k Hz, <1.0%) 600w 1000w
8Ω, (20-20k Hz, <1.0%) 450w 700w
Both Channels RMS Continuous
2Ω (20-20k Hz, <1.0%) 300/300w 500/500w
4Ω (20-20k Hz, <1.0%) 250/250w 350/350w
8Ω (20-20k Hz, <1.0%) 125/125w 225/225w
THD (Typical—1/2 power): 0.03% 0.03%
Damping Factor: >350 >400
Slew Rate: bridged mode >45v/µs >45v/µs
Sensitivity: (4Ω, Vms) 1.0 V 1.0 V
Signal to Noise Ratio: Above 100dB
Frequency Response: ±0.5 dB, 20 Hz to 20kHz
(±1.5 dB, 10 Hz & 40 kHz)
Input Impedance: >20K Ω, balanced
Protection Circuits: Short Circuit • No Load Protection • SpeakerGuard™ • Thermal Shut-Off • Mute On/Off
Control and Indicators:
Front: Power switch • Recessed 41 detent attenuators • Signal LED • Clip LED • Protect LED • Power Indicator
Rear: Ground Lift (each channel) • Parallel Input Switch • Speaker Output Bridge Switch • Limiters
IN/OUT Switch • Input Connectors: Two each; Balanced XLR & 1/4” • Speaker Output Connectors:
Dual heavy-duty binding posts & two 1/4”
Dimensions: 3 1/2" High x 19" Wide x 10" Depth (2-space)
Net Weight: DCM600: 23 lbs. DCM1000: 26 lbs.
76-10000 0998
12340 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
(619) 487-1600 (800) 854-2235
www.carvin.com
DCM600, DCM1000
For your records, you may wish to record the following information.
Serial No._____________________ Invoice Date_______________
RECEIVING INSPECTION—read before getting started
INSPECT YOUR UNIT FOR ANY DAMAGE which may have occurred during shipping. If any
damage is found, please notify the shipping company and CARVIN immediately.
SAVE THE CARTON & ALL P ACKING MATERIALS. In the event you have to re-ship your unit,
always use the original carton and packing material. This will provide the best possible protection during shipment. CARVIN and the shipping company are not liable for any damage caused
by improper packing.
SAVE YOUR INVOICE. It will be required for warranty service if needed in the future.
SHIPMENT SHORTAGE. If you find items missing, they may have been shipped separately.
Please allow several days for the rest of your order to arrive before inquiring.
RECORD THE SERIAL NUMBER on the enclosed warranty card or below on this manual
for your records. Keep your portion of the card and return the portion with your name and
comments to us.
DCM600, DCM1000 POWER AMPS
with extra hot input signals (this protects your expensive speakers). In addition,
a well designed limiter can increase your amp’s average output as much as 3 db.
Part of Carvin’s design uses the more expensive, distortion-free linear “opto isolators”. Unlike amps that use FET controlled limiters which can inject small amounts
of distortion, the DCM Series limiters keep your sound pure and uncolored!
FRONT PANELS & CONNECTING UP
The DCM Series feature front panel signal, peak and protect LEDs which let you
monitor the status of the amp. Both channels use precision 41 detent level controls
allowing you to see your settings at a glance. Balanced 1/4 phone & XLR input jacks
are used to eliminate hum & noise. Speaker outputs feature 1/4” jacks & heavyduty binding posts that accept up to 50 amp #7 speaker wires.
The rear professional accessory group offers a GROUND switch to remove the
chassis ground from the XLR input, a Parallel input switch connects the inputs of
both channels together eliminating Y connectors and allowing amp patching in multiple amp systems. The accessory group also features a bridge mode switch for
delivering full power into a 70V distribution system and a limiter ON/OFF switch
that gives you the choice of using the internal limiter circuitry.
FRONT PANEL
1. MOUNTING
Sturdy one piece 12 guage steel face plate accomodates easy transporting along with facilitating rack
installation. The rack mounting holes are designed on ISO standard spacing. Four 10-32 x .5” phillip
machine screws are normally used to secure the amp. Rear support brackets are not required.
2. POWER SWITCH
Check the power amp connections and verify the AC line power source before engaging the POWER
switch. The yellow LED unmistakably indicates that all circuits are properly powered up. Yellow was
chosen so the operator could see the red indicators (clipping or protect) from a distance.
3. CHANNEL LEVEL CONTROL
A precision 41 step input LEVEL attenuate is used to adjust the volume levels. To deliver the amps maximum power without reducing the headroom of the signal source, the level controls should be tur ned full on.
4. CHANNEL SIGNAL INDICATOR
The green SIGNAL LED indicators will start to flash when there is a signal passing to your speakers (-30dBM).
This lets you know when the amp is passing a signal to your rear speaker connectors.
5. CHANNEL CLIP INDICATOR
The red CLIP LED indicators will start to flash when each channel has reached its maximum output. Occasional
flashing caused by lower bass frequencies is OK. However, consistent flashing caused from higher frequencies
may damage high frequency drivers (excessive distortion). This does not cause damage to the amp.
6. FRONT COOLING VENTS/FAN
Upon rack installation, the rear of the amp must be fully exposed to room temperature air. The surrounding air should not be warmer than 120° or the thermal protection could active the PROTECT LED.
The front cooling vents are not to be restricted from exhausting the warm air.
7. PROTECT LED INDICATOR
The red PROTECT LED provides the operator with information about the status of the amplifier. The
PROTECT LED can come on under 3 different conditions (when this happens both channels are muted
by disconnecting the output speaker relays protecting your speakers);
1) During power-up, the amplifier stays in a muted state for approx. 3 sec until it determines that
everything is functioning normally (no output shorts or over temp conditions).
2) When the output load draws excessive current or a direct short is detected caused by a shorted
speaker cable or speaker system. Reset this condition by tur
ning the amp off for two seconds and
then on again. Check for shorted cables and the total speaker system impedance connected to
each channel (2 ohms minimum per ch or 4 ohms BRIDGED).
3) Overheating is usually determined when the amp stops in the middle of a performance and the
PROTECT LED comes on. If this is the cause, leave the amp on for the fan to cool the amp down.
The amp will automatically reset within 1 to 3 minutes. The PROTECT LED will turn off when
ready. Check for the following conditions; a) The rear intake air is restricted, b) The intake air is
extremely warm, c) The front exhaust vents are restricted, or d) Excessive speaker load (try other
speakers or remove speakers if you have more than one connected to each channel). Again, the
minimum impedance is 2 ohms per ch or 4 ohms BRIDGED)
REAR PANEL
8. XLR CHANNEL INPUTS
For most professional applications, use the XLR balanced inputs. This will help to reduce hum and allow
of longer cable runs from your signal source (mixer, etc). Because this is a balanced input, the gain will
be 6 dB higher than using the 1/4” input jack with non balanced lines. XLR pin configuration: Pin 1: Grounded
through the GROUND LIFT switch, Pin 2: positive Bal. signal and Pin 3: negative Bal. signal.
9. CHANNEL 1/4” PHONE JACK INPUT
This stereo phone jack is designed to receive either balanced or unbalanced input signals. Balanced signals coming into this jack should be wired with the connector’s tip going to signal + and the connector’s
ring to signal -. The connector’s sleeve is then tied internally to ground through the GROUND LIFT switch.
10. PARALLEL OR “Y” INPUTS
The rear PARALLEL switch allows you to drive both channels from either input. All signals entering any
input will be available on both channels. This eliminates Y adapter cables. This feature is used to “daisy
chain” one piece of equipment to another. Just plug into the unused INPUT (1/4” or XLR) and it will
become an output for other equipment.
11. INPUT GROUND LIFT
Many times sound systems are connected in such a manner to cause a grounded loop with the inputs
that result in audible hum. The input GND LIFT (1/4” & XLR) switch on the rear panel will help eliminate
this problem. If not, another way to eliminate ground loops is to install a “line matching” transformer
between the amplifier input and the signal source and then cutting the ground wire to PIN 1.
12. LIMITERS
To activate the LIMITERS, engage the rear limiter switch. The built-in high quality limiters are recommended
to hold down peaks that could cause early distortion. Limiters will help to rise the average power so that
you can get more output from each channel. To check the effectiveness of the limiters when the channel
starts to distort (under the amps full output), engage the limiters and hear the reduction of the distortion.
If the distortion stops, you can turn the channel up for more power. The lower bass frequencies are most
affected. WARNING: Do not check in an environment where the sound level could damage your ears!
13. SPEAKER OUTPUTS
The standard 1/4” SPEAKER jacks are used for lower power applications. Turn the amp off before con-
necting your speakers.
14. SPEAKER BINDING POSTS
For high power speaker connections, use the rear BINDING POSTS to connect your speakers. Wire sizes up
to 7 gauge (50 amps) can be inserted into the binding post “side holes”. Larger cable can be used with “banana”
plugs which plug into the end of the binding posts (remove colored caps). Binding posts are spaced on ISO
standards. Use the two center RED binding posts for BRIDGE speaker connections (see 15 BRIDGE MODE).
15. BRIDGE MODE—
25V/70V DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
The “DCM” Series can be operated in bridge mode if you require a 25V / 70V distribution speaker system
or a high powered mono (single channel) amp. With your amp off, push in the rear (recessed) BRIDGE switch
after you have made your speaker connections to the rear center RED binding posts (ch 1 is + and ch 2 is ). No other speaker connectors or binding posts can to be used at the same time!”. The INPUT and LEVEL
is handled by channel 1. Channel 2 is non-operational. The minimum speaker impedance is 4 ohms or a 25V
distribution line. CAUTION: The power developed by bridging your amp can destroy most speaker systems!
16. AC POWER
Your amp is designed to run on either 120V 60 Hz or 230V 50Hz depending on the model purchased.
The voltage range for 120V model is 95V to 132V and for 230V model it is 195V to 253V . The rear heavyduty AC receptacle will accept a standard grounded AC cord that is designed your country. Be sure to
check your power source before plugging into a grounded (3 prong) outlet. Never defeat the grounded
connection or electrocution may result! Firmly push the AC cord all the way into its recepticle.
17. AC CIRCUIT BREAKER
We have provided a circuit breaker so that you will never have to replace the fuse. Occasionally the
circuit breaker on your amp may have to be reset if high AC voltage surges are present or if the amp is
used with excessive loads. See “Helpful Hints”.
221 3456
FRONT & REAR PANEL CONTROLS
7
6 1610 11 12 15 14 1798 13
WARNING
This product produces high
sound pressure levels that
could damage your hearing.
Use with caution.
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