Carvin DCM-2500, DCM-2570 Owners manual
CARVIN ENGINEERING DA T A OPERATING MANUAL
Pristine sound, brute power and no-fault reliability make the DCM amps the power
amp of choice for pro audio. Massive Toroid power supplies with huge capacitors deliver the bass that kick drums demand. Designed for continuous operation, overheating is not a problem especially down at minimum impedances where
other amps simply turn off.
Each DCM is hand built at our San Diego factory featuring all steel construction,
recessed controls and heavy-duty power components. The rock-solid, efficient
design with its superb testimonial-proven sound makes the USA built DCM an
amp you'll own for years.
PURE—TRANSPARENT SOUND
Carvin considers the sound of an amp equally important as to its reliability. To
insure pure, uncolored sound, we build one of the fastest power stages on the
market today. High slew rates of 50v/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 harshness
which would lead to ear fatigue. The DCM deliver transparent, unaltered sound—
especially important to the studio user. Drive any type of reactive loads, including 70V transformer distribution systems.
ULTRA RUGGED FOR TOURING
Every chassis is made from heavy-duty 16 gauge steel that is plated before painted
to prevent rust. All internal cabling is neatly tied and harnessed. Every circuit
card is FR-4 MILITARY SPEC, double-sided, fire retardant glass epoxy. Plated
through-holes insure that the solder flows on the top, bottom and through each
hole of every component preventing components from shaking loose. Speakon™
connectors, heavy-duty power switches, recessed knobs, all give the DCM amps
a “tank-like” ruggedness.
TOROID POWER SUPPLY
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 large subwoofer applications. Not only do toroids deliver high current,
but they are known for reducing stray magnetic fields eliminating hum & noise.
This is especially important to the recording industry.
MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
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 and re-install the replacement card. 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 plug-in.
DISTORTION-FREE LIMITERS
The purpose of a limiter is to hold down peaks so the amp won’t distort with
extra hot input signals (helps protect speakers). In addition, a well designed limiter can increase your amp’s average output as much as 3 dB allowing levels to
be turned up without peak distortion. Part of Carvin’s design uses the more expensive, distortion-free linear “opto isolators”. Unlike amps that use FET controlled
limiters, which inject small amounts of distortion, the DCM Series limiters keep
your sound pure and uncolored!
FRONT PANELS & CONNECTING UP
DCM POWER AMP SPECIFICATIONS:
MODEL DCM2000 DCM2500 DCM2570
Bridged RMS Continuous
4Ω, (20-20k Hz, <1.0%) 2000w 2500w
8Ω, (20-20k Hz, <1.0%) 1400w 1700w 2400
Both Channels RMS Continuous
2Ω (20-20k Hz, <1.0%) 1000/1000w 1250/1250w
4Ω (20-20k Hz, <1.0%) 700/700w 850/850w 1200/1200
8Ω (20-20k Hz, <1.0%) 425/425w 500/500w 700/700
THD (20-20k Hz 50% power) 0.03% 0.03% 0.03%
THD (20-20k Hz 90% power) 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%
Damping Factor: >500 >500 >500
Slew Rate: bridged mode >50v/µs >50v/µs >50v/µs
Sensitivity: (4Ω, Vms) 1.0 V 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 detente 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, three Speakon™ & four 1/4”
Internal Fuse SLOW BLOW- DCM2000, DCM2500,DCM2700: 25A, 240V/15A
Dimensions: 5 1/4" High x 19" Wide x 10" Depth (3-space); 13.3 x 48.3 x 25.3 cm
Net Weight: DCM2000: 34 lbs. (16.4Kgs), DCM2500: 39 lbs. (16.6Kgs), DCM2570: 39 lbs. (16.7Kgs)
76-02000E 011404
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 MA TERIALS. 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.
USA customers register online at: www.carvin.com/registration
All other countries register online at: www.carvinworld.com/registration
The DCM Series feature front panel signal, peak and protect LEDs which let you
monitor the status of the amp. Both channels use detente level controls allowing you to see your settings at a glance. Balanced TRS & XLR input connectors
are used to eliminate hum & noise. Speaker outputs feature heavy-duty binding
posts, Speakon™ connectors and 1/4” jacks.
The rear professional accessory group offers a GROUND switch to remove the
chassis ground from the XLR input. A PARALLELinput switch connects the inputs
together eliminating Y cables for patching multiple amp systems. The accessory
group also features a BRIDGE MODEswitch to deliver twice the power into a “mono”
load or full power into a 70V distribution system, and a LIMITER ON/OFF switch
gives the choice of using the internal limiter circuitry.
12340 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
800.854.2235 www.carvin.com
DCM2000, DCM2500 & DCM2570 POWER AMPS
DCM2000, DCM2500, DCM2570
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FRONT PANEL
1. MOUNTING
Sturdy one piece 12 gauge steel face plate accomodates standard 19” 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 is used
so the operator can see the red indicators (clipping or protect) from a distance.
3. CHANNEL LEVEL CONTROL
A precision input LEVEL attenuator 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 turned full on.
4. CHANNEL SIGNAL INDICATOR
The green SIGNAL LED indicators will start to flash when there is a signal passing to your speakers (-30dBµ).
This lets you know when the amp is passing a signal to your 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. 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°F or the thermal protection could activate 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, the RED PROTECT LED will illuminate. Reset this condition by
turning the amp off for two seconds and then on again.
Check for shorted cables and the total
speaker system impedance connected to each channel.
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). The minimum impedance is 2 ohms per ch or 4 ohms BRIDGED. DCM2570 minimum load is 4 ohms per ch or 8 ohms
BRIDGED.
REAR PANEL
8. CHANNEL INPUTS AND THROUGH
Balanced or Unbalanced 1/4” TRS inputs can be used along with the balanced XLR’s. The male “THROUGH”
XLR connector carries the same signal as the female XLR to daisy chain channels or additional amps. XLR
pin configuration: Pin 1: Grounded through the GROUND LIFT switch, Pin 2: positive Bal. signal and Pin
3: negative Bal. signal.
9. PARALLEL OR “Y” INPUTS
The rear PARALLEL switch “IN” allows you to drive both channels from either input in which a signal
entering any input will be available on both channels eliminating Y adapters.
10. INPUT GROUND LIFT
Many times sound systems are connected in such a manner to cause a grounded loop with the inputs
which 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 Carvin’s MTF55 “Ground Lifter”
between the amplifier input and the signal source. This isolates the input ground from the AC power ground.
11. LO CUT
(DCM2500, DCM2570)
The LO CUT switch inserts a 40Hz, 3rd order, high pass filter. This will remove sub audio frequencies
from damaging speakers and wasting inaudible power. It is active when the switch is pushed “IN”.
12. LIMITERS
To activate the LIMITERS, engage the rear limiter switch to the “IN” position. The built-in “optio” limiters
are recommended to hold down peaks that could cause early distortion. This will help to raise 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 full output), engage the limiters and hear the reduction of the distortion.
If the distortion stops, you can try to 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 1/4” AND SPEAKON™ OUTPUTS
The standard 1/4” SPEAKER jacks are offered for low power applications. Speakon™ connectors are provided for high power application. Secure the Speakon™ connection by turning to the right. The center Speakon™
is for Bridge only. Turn the amp off before connecting your speakers. DCM 2570 minimum load 4 ohms
14. BINDING POST OUTPUTS
For other 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 from the top of the
binding post). Binding posts are spaced on ISO standards. Use the two center RED binding posts to BRIDGE
both power amps (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, which can double your power into a single load. With your
amp off, push “IN” the rear (recessed) BRIDGE switch after you have made your connections to either the
center bridge Speakon™ or the rear center RED binding posts (ch 1 is + and ch 2 is -). Select carefully or
damage may result to your speakers. This is why the switch has been recessed. 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. CAUTION: The power developed by
bridging your amp can destroy most speaker systems! DCM2570 minimum load is 8 ohms in BRIDGE
16. AC POWER
Your amp is designed to run on either 120V 60 Hz or 240V 50Hz depending on the model purchased.
The voltage range for 120V model is 95V to 132V and for 230V model it is 195V to 255V. The rear heavyduty AC receptacle will accept a standard grounded AC cord that is designed for 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 power cord all the way into its recepticle. In the
case of a blown fuse; unplug the amp, remove the lid and replace the fuse located in the back corner
above where the AC cord connects to the circuit board.
FUSE: The fuse is located within the main chassis above the AC connector mounted on the rear, inside
the PC card. Normaly if the fuse fails, the amp will require service. See spec. chart for fuse values.
NOTE: Each amp will require a dedicated circuit if you are driving the amp to its full output. There will
be a sustained loss of power if the AC voltage falls below the rated 120V or 230/240V. Use a heavy gauge
power cable and power source.
6
FRONT & REAR PANEL CONTROLS
WARNING
This product produces high
sound pressure levels that
could damage your hearing.
Use with caution.
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DCM2500
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2500 Watt Power Amp
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GND LIFT PARALLEL BRIDGE LIMITERS
XLR
PIN 1 GND
PIN 2 POS
PIN 3 NEG
+ ––BRIDGE–– +
PROFESSIONAL STEREO
POWER AMPLIFIER
SERIAL NUMBER
CH1
IN
––
SPEAKER
2
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
CAUTION - TO PREVENT ELECTRICAL SHOCK DO NOT DEFEAT THE SAFETY
GROUND ON THE POWER CORD - DO NOT REMOVE COVER .
WARNING - TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD DO NOT EXPOSE TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFED PERSONNEL.
CAUTION
DO NOT OPEN
120V~60Hz Slow Blow
FUSE 8AG 700VA
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