Phil Jones Bass M-300 User Manual

M-300

BASS INSTRUMENT

AMPLIFIER

OWNER’S MANUAL

CONTENTS

Read First ------------------------------------------------------------------Page 2

General Overview & Introduction-------------------------------------Page 3

Protection Circuits--------------------------------------------------------Page 4

Front & Back Panel Overview-----------------------------------------Page 5

Front & Back Panel Description---------------------------------------Page 6

Getting Started------------------------------------------------------------Page 11

Power Graph---------------------------------------------------------------Page 15

Matching Speakers--------------------------------------------------------Page 16

Amplifier and Speaker Power------------------------------------------Page 17

Routine Care & Maintainance------------------------------------------Page 18

Service Information ------------------------------------------------------Page 18

Warranty information----------------------------------------------------Page 19

Specifications---------------------------------------------------------------Page 20

1

Thank you for purchasing the M-300. A great deal of dedication and passion
went into designing and building this no-compromise, high performance
amplifier. It was concieved to be a dedicated amplifier for the “conessieur”
bassist. Reading this manual will enable you to get the best performance
from it and it will give you many years of service.

READ THIS FIRST

• Before using the M-300 please read ALL the instructions.

• On reciept of product, check for any signs of physical damage arising from

shipping. If any damage is visible contact your dealer.

• Keep all original packing.

• Never use this product in the vicinity of water. If the M-300 were to get wet,

it could kill you by electrocution.

• The output power of this amplifier can generate enough sound pressure

levels from your speakers to cause PERMANENT hearing damage to you
and anyone else who is close to it. Take caution with how much volume is
used. If you suffer from ears ringing, this is an indication that you may be
damaging your hearing.

• Do not use this amplifier in a way that would compromise its ventilation

system. Never block the air intake or fan output.

• Do not locate this amplifier near any heat source.

• This amplifier must be connected only to a power source specified in this

manual.

• For safety do not leave the amplifier plugged into a power source for long

periods of time when not in use.

• Do not let any liquid or foreign objects fall into any openings on the amplifier.

• Never use this amplifier if it has:

1. suffered any physical damage.

2. been subjected to any liquids, rain or moisture.

3. damaged cables connected to it.

If any of the above occurs, the amplifier should be examined by qualified

service personel.

• Always operate this amplifier with the correctly rated fuse.

• Never use this amplifier without proper grounding.

WARNING!

If you are using PJB speakers on your M-300, take great care with the volume
control. Unlike conventional speakers PJB speakers are capable of generating great
output levels (over 140 dB at close proximity, more than 100 times the threshold of
pain). Never allow your instrument to feedback at high output levels
instant deafness and it could be permanent. Do not use PJB speakers for loud
playing lead-guitar. Their much higher acoustic output can destroy your hearing,
forever!

2

. This can cause

FEATURES

• Two Active / Passive inputs

• Two 5 Band Graphic EQ

• Optical Limiter

• Headphone Output

• Pre-amp Output

• Balanced Line Output with ground lift.

• Dual AC Voltage 120/240V Operation

• Sophisticated protection circuitry

• Special “Soft-Clipping” 500watt Amplifier

• Ultra low noise pre amplifier circuit.

The M-300 has six protection circuits to prevent it from being damaged.

1. Transformer Over-Heat Protection. A heat sensing circuit breaker will

disconnect the transformer from the power source, should the temperature reaches
105°C.

2. Soft-Start Speaker Protection. When the amplifier is switched on, the amplifier

will turn on after a 2-second delay. This ensures that no transient thump is sent to
the speakers at start up.

3. Current Limiting Protection. Should the current exceed 7 amperes in any of the

output transistors, the amplifier will shut down. Switch off the amplifier and
check your speakers are connected properly and that your cables are not faulty. If
every thing is OK, switch the amplifier back on.

4. Transistor Over-Heat Protection. If the amplifier reaches an internal

temperature 90°C, the amplifier will turn off to protect the output transistors.

5. Short-Circuit Protection. If you have a faulty speaker or faulty speaker

connections, the amplifier will shut down. Switch power off and press reset button
on back panel.

6. DC Output Protection. The M-300 is a DC coupled design that offers the best

performance. If a fault occurs internally in the amplifier it will shut down and
protect your speakers from any lethal DC current. Be aware that DC current can
destroy any loudspeaker. This circuit will also prevent any catastrophic damage to
the amplifier.

If the fuse blows, there is a spare fuse located in the back panel to replace it. Please
remember to keep a spare fuse always. You never know when you may need it.

Although we pride ourselves on the excellence of performance and build quality we put
safety first. We always use UL approved power transformers in our amplifiers and all
components have voltage and current ratings well beyond their operating range.

3

FRONT & BACK PANEL OVERVIEW

PASSIVE

+18dB

INPUT LEVEL

+12dB

OVER LOAD

ACTIVE ACTIVE

+6dB

0dB

+10dB-10dB

-6dB

-12dB

-18dB

AC OUTLET 500WATTS MAXIMUM

SPARE

THIS EQUIPMENT

MUST BE GROUNDED

DANGER OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

220-240V110-120V

AC INPUT 1000WATTS MAXIMUM

FUSE

115

DISCONNECT POWER SUPPLY

BEFORE REMOVING COVER

NO USER SERVICEABLE

PARTS INSIDE

12KHz160Hz 630Hz 2.5KHz50Hz

PASSIVE

+18dB

+12dB

+6dB

0dB

-6dB

-12dB

-18dB

INPUT LEVEL

OVER LOAD

50Hz 2.5KHz630Hz160Hz 12KHz

+18dB

+12dB

+6dB

0dB

+10dB-10dB

-6dB

-12dB

-18dB

OFF

+18dB

ON

+12dB

+6dB

0dB

LIMITER

-6dB

-12dB

-18dB

0MAX

MASTER VOLUME

HEADPHONE

OUTPUT

MAXMIN

FX SEND

FX RETURN

POWERTUNER

OFF

ON

M-300

BALANCED

WARNING HIGH VOLTAGE OUTPUTS

LOUDSPEAKER

OUTPUTS

MAXIMUM LOAD 4Ω -- REFER TO MANUAL

GROUND

LINE OUT

LIFT

SERIAL NO. MODEL

PRE-AMP OUT

1. PASSIVE BASS INSTRUMENT INPUT JACK CHANNEL ONE.

High sensitivity input (200mV). For bass instruments featuring non-active electronics.
Especially suited for older ‘vintage’ basses. This input jack is precisely matched to high
impedance pickups enabling them to faithfully reproduce the true frequency and dynamic
range of the instrument.

2. INPUT LEVEL SENSITIVTY CONTROL CHANNEL ONE.

Just as no two basses are alike, the same goes for players with different styles and
technique. This is a fine-tuning adjustment (+/- 10dB) to get the precise match between
your instrument and the M-300.

4