Carvin BX500 Owner's Manual

Carvin Amplifier Owner's Manual - BX500.
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CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (EUROPEAN)

The conductors in the 

AC power cord are colored in accordance with the following code.

GREEN & 

YELLOW—Earth        BLUE—Neutral         BROWN—Live

U.K. MAIN PLUG W

ARNING:  

A

molded main plug that has been cut of

f from the cord is

unsafe.  NEVER UNDER 

ANY

CIRCUMST

ANCES SHOULD 

YOU INSER

T

A

DAMAGED

OR CUT

MAIN PLUG INT

A

POWER SOCKET

.

IMPOR

TANT!  FOR YOUR PROTECTION, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

W

A

TER AND MOISTURE:  Appliance should not be used near water (near a bathtub, washbowl,

kitchen sink, laundr

y 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 POLARIZA

TION:  Precautions should be taken so that the grounding or polar-

ization 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, The appliance inlet is the disconnect device. Keep it readily accesable.

SERVICING:  The user should not attempt to ser

vice the appliance beyond that described in the

operating instructions.  All other ser

vicing should be referred to qualified ser

vice 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.

REFER SER

VICING T

O

 QUALIFIED SER

VICE

PERSONNEL! THIS UNIT CONT

AINS HIGH

VOL

T

AGE INSIDE!

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

This symbol is intended to

alert the user to the presence

of uninsulated “dangerous

voltage” within the prod-

uct’
s enclosure that may be of sufficient

magnitude to constitute a risk of electric

shock to persons.

This symbol is

intended to alert the

user to the presence of

important operating

and maintenance (ser

vicing) instruc-

tions in the literature accompanying

the appliance.

CARVIN ENGINEERING DA

T

A

OPERA

TING MANUAL

76-45501A

0109

LIMITED W

ARRANTY

Y

our Car

vin product is guaranteed against failure for 1 YEAR unless other

wise stated.

Car
vin will ser

vice and supply all parts at no charge to the customer providing the unit

is under warranty

.  Shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer

.  CARVIN DOES

NOT P

A

Y FOR P

A

R

TS OR SERVICING OTHER THAN OUR OWN.   A COPY OF THE ORIG-

INAL INVOICE IS REQUIRED TO VERIFY YOUR W

ARRANTY

.  Car

vin assumes no respon-

sibility for horn drivers or speakers damaged by this unit. This warranty does not cover

,

and no liability is assumed, for damage due to: natural disasters, accidents, abuse, loss

of parts, lack of reasonable care, incorrect use, or failure to follow instructions.  This

warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied. No representative or

person is authorized to represent or assume for Car

vin any liability in connection with

the sale or ser

vicing of Car

vin products. 

CARVIN SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENT

AL

OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. 

MAINT

AINING YOUR EQUIPMENT

A

void spilling liquids or allowing any other foreign matter inside the unit.  The panel of

your unit can be wiped with a dr

y 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 environ-

ments (salt air).  When used in such an environment, be sure the amplifier is adequately

protected.

SERVICE

In  the USA go to www

.car

vinser

vice.com.

Outside the USA, contact your dealer or go to http://www

.car

vinworld.com

for your

nearest ser

vice center

. Include a written description of the problem with serial number

and date of pur

chase.

The 

B

X

Series Bass Amplifier Heads 

offer classic natural bass tone with unprecedented tonal

control and extended headroom. The 

B

X

5

0

0

delivers 300w at 8 ohms and 500w at 4ohms or

2ohms, yet weighs in at only 5 pounds.

Four discrete Class A input stages produce the harmonic basis for the preamp right from the

input jack. It  begins with a boutique flat response, then we add extensive tone control allow-

ing you to car

ve out your signature sound. Harmonic content increases as you turn up the

DRIVE control producing rich harmonics at maximum settings. The BX500 also features 12AX7

preamp tube (bypassable) to add further warmth to your sound. The CLASS-D output and light-

weight switch-mode power supply use far less energy from the wall while producing less heat.

Light weight, solid design, bullet-proof construction and a list of indispensable features assure

the 

BX500

will be the heart of your rig for years to come. 

• Discrete CLASS A input stages

• Preamp DRIVE and MASTER volume controls 

• 2 mid sweep semi-parametric EQ, BASS and TREBLE

• Switchable 9-band Graphic EQ with front panel switch or by the optional FS22 footswitch

• Single knob COMPRESSOR

• Effect Loop

• W
arm 12AX7 preamp tube with bypass switch

• Switchable MUTE front panel switch or by the optional FS22 footswitch

• DIRECT OUT balanced XLR with front panel LEVEL control - works with MUTE switch

• Switchable Ground Lift for DC isolation   

• TUNER output jack independent of MUTE switch

• High current SPEAKON

®

combo connectors also accept 1/4” jacks.

• CLASS-D amplifier runs cool while consuming less power   

• V
ariable speed fan, silent running at low speed.  

• Solid metal shaft controls with threaded metal bushings mounted to front panel

• Cir

cuit boards are MIL SPEC, double sided, FR-4 glass epoxy  

• Energy efficient worldwide power supply accepts 90-250V

AC, 50-60Hz  

• Compact and light weight under 6lbs. 

• Designed and manufactured by Car

vin in the USA  

G

E

T

T

IN

G

 S

T

A

R

T

E

D

1. With POWER off, connect a speaker cabinet to one of the rear SPEAKER

OUTPUT

s.

2. Set the DRIVE and MASTER volume to “0” and set the ACTIVE INPUT switch for your type

of bass.

3. Set the four tone controls to their center “0” position and the CONTOUR to FLA

T. This is the

“FLA

T” setting for the amp. For now

, turn off the graphic EQ.

4. Now

, turn the amp ON. T

urn up the volume on your bass guitar

. Gradually increase the MASTER

control to the desired level. If no sound is heard turn down the MASTER, check the MUTE switch,

speaker connections, and PROTECT

LED.

5. Increasing the DRIVE

control will add harmonic richness to your sound. T

urning up the DRIVE

also increases volume. Re-adjust the MASTER volume after adjusting the DRIVE. 

6. Adjust the tone controls to your liking. Keep in mind that turning up a tone control isn’t always

the answer

. Sometimes turning down one of the MID controls will get you the sound you want.  

7. Need more volume? There is a limit to the amount of volume a speaker can produce and

driving a speaker beyond it’

s limit can damage it. Even though these are power

ful amplifiers,

adding more speakers is the only way for substantially more output. Ever

y time you double

your speakers, you increase your acoustic output by a factor of four

.      

Hopefully

, this will help you get started. Have fun exploring the features and sounds of the

BX500

.  T
ake the time with your new amp to realize it’

s full potential.

BX500 / BR510N / BR515N / BASS AMPLIFIERS

RECEIVING INSPECTION—read before getting star

ted

INSPECT YOUR UNIT FOR DAMAGE which may have occurred during shipping. If damage

is found, please notify the shipping company and CARVIN immediately

.

SA
VE THE CAR

TON & 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 pro-

tection during shipment. CARVIN and the shipping company are not liable for any damage

caused by improper packing.  

SA
VE YOUR INVOICE. It will be required for warranty ser

vice if needed in the future. 

SHIPMENT SHOR

TAGE. 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.

USA customers register online at: 

www

.car

vin.com/registration

All other countries register online at: 

www

.car

vinworld.com/registration

SPECIFICA

TIONS:

Output Power

8ohms,     THD <1.0%

300w

4ohms,     THD <1.0%

500w

2ohms,     THD <1.0%            500w  (2 ohm switch engaged)

BR510N & BR515N:

Enclosure impedance 8 Ohms

Input  Impedance:

>200K

Tone Controls:

TREBLE 10K, BASS 50Hz

, 2 semi-parametric 

MIDs, CONTOUR, and 9-band Graphic EQ

Drive Control

:

V

aries input gain and harmonic content

AC Requirements:

90 to 250V

AC 50/60 Hz

Power Requirements

:

500V

A

Dimensions

BX500:

3.25”H (with feet) x14.0”Wx8.25”D

BR510N & BR515N:

23.8”Hx20.7”Wx18.5”D

W

eight :

BX500

: under 6 lbs. net (2.72 kgs)

BR510N

: 50 lbs. (22.7 kgs) 

BR515N

: 52 lbs net (23.6 kgs)

W

arranty

:

One year parts and labor

Optional Accessories

:

FS22

footswitch

BX500RP

rackmount faceplate kit w/handles

CV615

vinyl cover for BR510N or BR515N

HELPFUL HINTS

1)
NO SOUND

:  

The MUTE function has been inadvertently engaged.

Speakers have been improperly connected. 

Effect Loop has been improperly connected.

2)
NO HIGH FREQUENCIES

: (BR510N,  BR515N and external cabinets)

The HIGH

FREQUENCY A

TTENUA

TION control is set low or OFF

.

The HF driver may have been damaged from too much power or distortion.

3)
AMP

SEEMS VER

Y SENSITIVE ON INPUT SIGNALS

:

The drive control is turned all the way up.

The active switch may need to be turned on.

4)
DIR XLR HUM

:

Tr

y switching the rear GND LIFT switch IN or OUT

.

Check for noise from external effects or bad cabling.

5) 
POOR

BASS

FROM

MUL

TIPLE

ENCLOSURES

:

Make sure the internal speaker wiring of each cabinet is correct for phase ( +/- ).

6)

 FOR MAXIMUM OUTPUT

:

To

 get more output, use multiple speakers or enclosures. Ever

y time you double your speakers, your acoustic output goes up by a

 factor of four

.

Load the amplifier down to its lowest minimum impedance for maximum RMS power

.

* If you are using less than 4 ohms, be sure to set the 

2 OHM SWITCH

on the back of the BX500.  If you go below the minimum load, your amp will shut off and go into the “protect”

mode.  T

o

 reset, turn your amp off and connect the recommended load or set the 2 OHM SWITCH.

SPEAKON

®

cables are recommended for your 

BX500

because of their high current capacity

. While standard 

1/4” speaker cables will 

work, 12 

GA 

SPEAKON

®

cables will allow higher

currents to pass through the cable to extract ever

y watt from your amp.

The 

BX500

is a power

ful amplifier

. As with any amplifier

, make sure your speakers are suitable for the available wattage. Driving speaker

s with too much wattage will cause them to dis-

tort and eventually fail. If  distorted sound is coming from the speakers, reduce the volume until the distortion stops.

BX500

BR510N

BR515N

MADE IN

U

S

A

car
vin.com 800-854-2235

0.558353s