CARVIN DCM2000L (01) PDF Document

First, inspect your unit for any damage that may have occurred during shipping. If any damage is found, please notify the shipping company and CARVIN immediately.

Save the carton and all packing 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.

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 for your records. Keep your portion of the card and return the portion with your name and comments to us.

WATER AND MOISTURE: The appliance should not be used near water (e.g., near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, etc.). Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.

POWER SOURCES: The product should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the appliance.

GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION: Precautions should be taken so that the grounding or polarization is not defeated.

POWER CORD PROTECTION: Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the appliance.

SERVICING: The user should not attempt to service the appliance beyond that described in the operating instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.

FUSING: If your unit is equipped with a fuse receptacle, replace only with the same type fuse. Refer to replacement text on the unit for correct fuse type.

Avoid spilling liquids or allowing any other foreign matter inside the unit. The panel of your unit can be wiped from time to time with a dry or slightly damp cloth in order to remove dust and bring back the new look. As with all pro gear, avoid prolonged use in caustic environments (salt air). When used in such an environment, be sure the amplifier is adequately protected by a rack, covers, etc.

First, strip the cable insulation back 3/4″ and tin the wires with solder for 1/4″. Slip the “Securing Hub” and then the “Cable Clamp” over the cable before attaching wires.

The connection configuration is as follows:

Black (1+) / positive

White (1-) / negative

Red (2+) / positive

Green (2-) / negative

You can solder the wires in the contacts or use the provided hex screws.

The minimum impedance for the CARVIN DCM2000L is 2 ohms per channel and 4 ohms when bridged.

The RED PROTECT LED provides information about the status of the amplifier. When it illuminates, both channels are muted and the speaker relays disconnect the speakers. The PROTECT LED can come on under 3 different conditions:

1. During power-up: The amplifier stays in a muted state for approximately 3 seconds until it determines that everything is functioning normally (no output shorts or over-temperature conditions).

2. Excessive Current Draw or Short Circuit: The LED will illuminate if the output load draws excessive current or a direct short is detected. To reset this condition, turn the amp off for two seconds and then on again. Check for shorted cables and ensure the total speaker impedance is not below 2 ohms per channel or 4 ohms bridged.

3. Overheating: If the amp stops during a performance and the RED PROTECT LED comes on, it is likely due to overheating. Leave the amp powered on to allow the fan to cool it down. The amp will automatically reset within 3 minutes, and the PROTECT LED will turn off when ready. Check for the following: the rear air intake is not restricted, the intake air is not extremely warm, the front exhaust vents are not restricted, or there is no excessive speaker load.

Note: Power supply protections are not indicated by the protection LED, but by the power turning off completely. If this occurs, the power supply will reset itself and go through the same turn-on cycle as when first powered on.

The precision input LEVEL attenuator adjusts volume levels. To deliver the amplifier’s maximum power without reducing the headroom of the signal source, the level controls should be turned full on. For multi-speaker systems, you can use the volume levels to match loudspeakers with different output sensitivity levels and room locations.

SIGNAL, 40% & 80% OUTPUT LEDs: You have a 3-meter segment per channel. The green SIGNAL LED indicator will flash with a low input signal (-30dBu). The 40% and 80% LEDs will light up solidly when the output power reaches 40% and 80% levels.

CHANNEL CLIP INDICATOR: The RED CLIP LED indicators flash when each channel has reached its maximum output. Occasional flashing from low-frequency peaks is difficult to prevent and won’t harm speakers capable of handling the amplifier’s output. However, consistent flashing (indicating excessive clipping) will damage speakers if not reduced. This does not cause damage to the amp itself.

When rack-mounted, the rear of the amplifier must be fully exposed to room temperature air. The surrounding air should not be warmer than 120°F with full loading and heavy usage, or the thermal protection could activate early. The front cooling vents must not be restricted. Air flows from the back to the front. If you use external fans, they must flow in the same direction, or the amplifier will be starved for air and may shut down due to heat.

XLR Inputs: These balanced inputs help reduce signal interference and allow for longer cable runs. Using a balanced input provides 6 dB more gain than an unbalanced 1/4″ input. The XLR pin configuration is Pin 1: Ground, Pin 2: positive, and Pin 3: negative. The THRU XLR connector passes the signal out for connection to another amplifier’s input.

1/4″ TRS Jacks: These jacks are balanced and are also designed to receive unbalanced input signals. For balanced signals, wire the connector’s tip to signal + and the ring to signal -. The sleeve is tied internally to ground through the GROUND LIFT switch.

The rear PARALLEL switch connects both channels together from either input, eliminating the need for Y adapter cables. This feature is useful for “daisy-chaining” one piece of equipment to another. Simply plug your next piece of equipment into the unused INPUT (TRS or XLR), and it will become the output for that equipment.

If your system is connected in a way that causes a “ground loop,” you may hear an audible hum. The input GND LIFT switch (for both TRS & XLR) on the rear panel can help eliminate this problem.

To activate the LIMITERS, engage the rear limiter switch. The built-in limiters are recommended to hold down peaks that could cause clipping. To check their effectiveness, run the amplifier to the point where clipping begins. Then, engage the limiters and listen or watch for the reduction of distortion and clipping. If the distortion stops, you can try to turn the channel up for more power until distortion is heard again. The lower bass frequencies are most affected. Limiters only affect the signal if the amplifier has entered clipping, so it is best to have them engaged at all times to protect speakers from excessive clipping.

1. With the amplifier turned off, push “in” the recessed BRIDGE switch on the rear panel.

2. Connect your speaker to either the center bridge Speakon™ output or the RED binding posts (Channel 1 is + and Channel 2 is -).

3. Use only the Channel 1 INPUT and LEVEL control. Channel 2 is not used, except for paralleling to another amplifier.

4. The minimum speaker impedance is 4 ohms.

WARNING: No other speaker connectors or binding posts may be used at the same time. The power developed by bridging your amp can destroy most speakers. Accidental pressing of the switch will cause damage or improper operation.

Always turn the amp off before connecting speakers.

Speakon™ / 1/4″ Combo Outputs: These connectors feature a combination of 1/4″ speaker jacks for low-power applications and Speakon™ connectors for high-power applications. To secure a Speakon™ connection, turn it to the right until it locks. The center Speakon™ on 2-channel amps is for the “Bridge” output only.

Speaker Binding Posts: For wire or banana connectors, use the rear BINDING POSTS. 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 insert into the end of the binding posts. For BRIDGE speaker connections, use the red posts as described in the BRIDGE MODE instructions.

Your amplifier is designed to auto-switch to either 120V 60 Hz or 240V 50Hz. The voltage range for 120V is 95V to 132V, and for 240V is 195V to 255V. The rear heavy-duty AC receptacle accepts a universal grounded AC cord. Always check your power source before plugging into a grounded (3-prong) outlet. Firmly push the AC cord all the way into the receptacle, or the amp will not function.

WARNING: Never defeat the grounded connection, as electrocution may result.

NOTE: Each amp will require a dedicated circuit breaker for the amp to achieve its full output.

1. Connect your left signal source to the Channel 1 input and your right signal source to the Channel 2 input.

2. Connect your left speaker to the Channel 1 output and your right speaker to the Channel 2 output.

3. Ensure the rear PARALLEL switch is in the OFF (OUT) position.

4. Ensure the rear BRIDGE switch is in the OFF (OUT) position.

You must use an electronic crossover or speaker management system to separate high and low frequencies before sending them to the amplifier.

1. Connect the low-frequency output from your crossover to the Channel 1 input of the amplifier.

2. Connect the high-frequency output from your crossover to the Channel 2 input of the amplifier.

3. Connect the low-frequency speaker (woofer) to the Channel 1 output.

4. Connect the high-frequency speaker (tweeter/driver) to the Channel 2 output.

5. Ensure both the PARALLEL and BRIDGE switches on the rear of the amplifier are in the OFF (OUT) position.

1. NO SOUND FROM CH 2: The rear (recessed) BRIDGE switch has been inadvertently pushed in. Switch it OFF (OUT).

2. STEREO CHANNELS SOUND THE SAME: The rear PARALLEL switch has been inadvertently pushed in. Switch it OFF (OUT).

3. NO HIGH FREQUENCIES: Tweeters or midrange drivers have been damaged or blown from feedback or too much power.

4. SYSTEM HUM: Switch the rear GND LIFT switch IN to reduce hum.

5. POOR SOUND (BASS): The speaker systems are wired out of phase with each other. To correct, check polarity and if necessary reverse the wires on one speaker connector only. Your sound, especially the bass, will improve.

6. DEDICATED CIRCUIT BREAKER: Each amp will require a dedicated circuit breaker for its full output. There will be a sustained loss of power if the AC voltage falls below the rated 120V or 230/240V input. Normally a 2000w amp or higher would require its own 20 amp circuit to deliver its full power at 2 ohms/channel or 4 ohms bridged.