Marshall Amplification AVT, AVT100 Instructions Manual

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From Jim Marshall

I would like to thank you personally for selecting one of our

Valvestate 2000 AVT amplifiers.

Ever since its initial launch in the early 1990’s, the original
Marshall Valvestate technology received worldwide acclaim and set a
new standard in affordable quality amplification. However, my
dedicated team of designers are constantly looking for methods to
make our amplifiers sound even better. As they are all guitar players
themselves this process has become a passion within the design
department.

As the name Advanced Valvestate Technology (AVT) suggests,
your new amplifier benefits from their research and utilises their
latest circuit innovations, all of which are totally unique to Marshall.
By emulating the feel and response of an all-valve amplifier even
more closely, the new AVT range perform brilliantly and represent
yet another major step forward in guitar sound technology.

I suggest that you read this manual thoroughly before operating
your new amplifier and keep it in a safe place for future reference.
This will help you to derive maximum enjoyment from our Advanced

Valvestate Technology.

Wishing you every success.

Yours Sincerely,

ENGLISH

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WARNING! - Important safety instructions

WARNING: THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED!

A PLEASE read this instruction manual carefully before switching on.
B ALWAYS use the supplied mains lead, if a replacement is required please contact your

authorised Marshall Dealer.

C NEVER attempt to by-pass the fuses or fit ones of the incorrect value.

D DO NOT attempt to remove the amplifier chassis, there are no user serviceable parts.

E Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel including replacement of fuses and

valves. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as

when the power supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have
fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not
operate normally or has been dropped.

F NEVER use an amplifier in damp or wet conditions.
G ALWAYS unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
H Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience

receptacles and at the point where they exit from the apparatus.

I DO NOT switch the amplifier on without the loudspeaker connected.
J ENSURE that any extension cabinets used are of the correct impedance.

➲

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the requirements of the EMC

directive (Environments E1, E2 and E3) and Low Voltage directive in the E.U.
EUROPE ONLY - Note: The Peak Inrush current for the AVT100 is 22 amps.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,

pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a

residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:

◆

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

◆

Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.

◆

Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.

◆

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

!

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➲

Caution: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for

compliance may void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

➲

Note: It is recommended that all audio cables used to connect to the AVT100 Combo are of a

high quality screened type. These should not exceed 10 metres in length.

➲

WARNING: Do not obstruct ventilation grilles and always ensure free movement of air around

the amplifier!

USA ONLY - DO NOT defeat the purpose of the polarised or grounding type plug. A

polarised plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two
blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong is provided for your safety.
When the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the
obsolete outlet.

FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND HEED ALL WARNINGS

KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS !

WARNING! - Important safety instructions (cont.)

ENGLISH

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Introduction

What is AVT?

Advanced Valvestate Technology, or AVT for short, is a major step forward in hybrid amplifier
design which is exclusive to our new Valvestate 2000 (VS2000) Series of amplifiers. It has evolved
from the original, critically acclaimed Marshall Valvestate technology, but is improved so that it
emulates even more closely the feel and response of the classic Marshall all-valve power
stage...without using valves.

It is not only the power stage that has been significantly improved in the VS2000 Series. Much
careful attention to detail and many hours of development have also gone into the preamp section
too. As a result, each AVT channel offers the widest possible range of control and shape to your
sound, with an ECC83 (a.k.a.12AX7) preamp valve adding to the all-important tone and feel of
these latest Marshall creations.

Valve Drive Pre-amp

As just stated, each amp in the VS2000 range boasts a preamp stage equipped with an
ECC83 Dual Triode valve. Drawing on our vast experience in this field, we have gone to great
lengths to ensure that this precious device delivers maximum sonic benefit at all settings and
volume levels. As a result, the clean sounds ring with the ‘bell-like’harmonics that only a valve
preamp can deliver and, when pushed, the break-up is never harsh or unnatural sounding.
Whenever an AVT Overdrive channel is selected the ECC83’s dual triode is saturated to its limit,
providing the dynamics and feel worthy of a place in the Marshall hall of fame.

Power Amp Delivery

The same sort of toneful care and attention was also focused on the all-important power
stages of the AVT series. Our goal was to ensure that each one would create the warm, musical
feel and 3-dimensional sounds that have made our all-valve power amps world renowned. In
addition, these VS2000 products were designed to deliver the goods in the often hostile and
unpredictable environment of the live performance stage - which is why all the AVT power amps,
from the AVT50 upwards, are fan cooled for optimum reliability.

'Extended Bass Response' Loudspeakers

Knowing how important the relationship between the amplifier and speaker is, this is another
area where we spent a great deal of time and effort when developing the VS2000 Series. By
working extremely closely with our long-term colleagues at Celestion Loudspeakers, we have
successfully developed a range of speakers which, through radical design, re-define the state-of-the
art in rock guitar reproduction. In a nutshell, they allow the compact closed back cabinets used in
the AVT range to maintain the bottom end delivery normally only associated with a full 4 x12
cabinet set-up.