Carvin BX500 Owner's Manual
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
O
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
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