CARVIN ENGINEERING DATA
OPERATING MANUAL
The
DCM4000
was designed for pro sound companies and individuals who require
huge amounts of clean RMS power to drive large, professional speaker systems
and arrays, as well as high powered monitor systems. This was the main idea and
motivation behind the concept of the
DCM4000
: Twice the power - same number
of rack spaces. Another advantage of the
DCM4000
was even more obvious -
1400 Watts x 2 at 8 ohms in bridge mode!
A TON OF POWER X 4
Each
DCM4000
incorporates four separate 1000 Watt RMS amps and is pow-
ered by redundant toroid power supplies that are totally independent of each other.
It’s like having two complete 2000 watt amps in one 3 space package. The only
thing they share is the AC cord so if one of the two primary fuses fails, the other
amps are not affected. These four amps can be used to power four separate speak-
ers from four different sources (this is ideal for monitor systems). Each side can
be bridged to become two 2000 Watt amps (great for high powered speakers and
subwoofers like the Carvin TCS series). Each side can even be paralleled and then
chained together to be fed by a single input source (perfect for arrays with a large
number speakers).
AWESOME SOUND!
What good is a ton of power if it doesn’t sound great? The Carvin
DCM4000
is an incredibly transparent amp sporting slew rates well over 50 VmS. With mas-
sive dual power supplies and huge reserve capacitors for on-demand power, the
DCM4000 delivers pure, uncolored sound at full output; with tight, punchy lows
and open, transparent highs – without a hint of distortion.
RUGGED TO THE EXTREME
These pro amplifiers are completely protected from any kind of abuse that might
pop up in a typical road rig – thermal, over-current, short-circuit, voltage spikes,
“hot-swapping” speakers – the
DCM4000
is designed to protect itself and be right
back up and running as soon as the problem is remedied. The all-steel, front &
rear rack-able chassis can take whatever abuse is thrown at it. These amplifiers
are just what the real pro wants - “rack’em and forget’em”. The
DCM4000
requires
a 30A industrial NEMA Twist-Lok AC socket and is “concert-ready” with a thick 10
GA, industrial AC cable capable of pulling in the kind of current necessary to pro-
duce 4000 Watts.
COOLEST COOLING
Carvin’s exclusive “Wind-Tunnel” heat-sink with dual “push/pull” 105 CFM fans,
ensures full, uninterrupted RMS power delivery without over-heating concerns. These
are continuous-duty amps meaning that if you drive them at full power, 24 hours
a day, they won’t shut down. And, be assured that you’ll get your full power in
RMS watts, not pulse or peak power.
DISTORTION-FREE LIMITERS
The purpose of a limiter is to hold down peaks so the amp won’t distort even with
extra hot input signals (this protects your expensive speakers). In addition, a well
designed limiter can increase your amp’s average output as much as 3 db. Part
of Carvin’s design uses the more expensive, distortion-free linear “opto isolators”.
Unlike amps that use FET controlled limiters which can inject small amounts of
distortion, the DCM Series limiters keep your sound pure and uncolored!
FRONT & REAR PANELS
Along with the normal Gain controls and Signal, Clip, and Power indicators, we’ve
included a very useful “Bridge Mode” indicator to avoid inconvenient or even costly
hook-up mistakes. On the back panel you get a male and female XLR input per
amp (perfect for daisy-chaining amps). The
DCM4000
features a speaker output
section with professional high current Twist-Lok and Banana/Binding Post con-
nectors to mate with any pro speaker rig. Each dual-amp side features switches
for Bridging, Parallel input, Ground Lift, Limiter, and Sub-sonic filter.
RECEIVING INSPECTION
INSPECT YOUR SPEAKER FOR ANY DAMAGE which may have occurred during shipping.
If any damage is found, please notify the shipping company & CARVIN.
SAVE THE CARTON & 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 possi-
ble 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.
SHIPMENT SHORTAGE. 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 or below on this manual
for your records. Keep your portion of the card and return the portion with your name and
comments to us. Or you may register online at www.carvin.com/registration
DCM POWER AMP SPECIFICATIONS:
MODEL DCM4000
Bridged RMS Continuous
4
Ω
, (1k Hz, <1.0%)
2000w x 2
8
Ω
, (1k Hz, <1.0%)
1400w x 2
All Channels RMS Continuous
2
Ω
(1k Hz, <1.0%)
1000w x 4
4
Ω
(1k Hz, <1.0%)
700w x 4
8
Ω
(1k Hz, <1.0%)
425w x 4
THD (Typical—1/2 power):
0.03%
Damping Factor:
>500
Slew Rate:
bridged mode
50v/µs
Sensitivity:
(4
Ω
, Vms) 1.0 V
Signal to Noise Ratio:
Above 100dB
Frequency Response:
±0.5 dB, 20 Hz to 20kHz (±1.5 dB, 10 Hz & 40 kHz)
Input Impedance:
20K
Ω
, balanced
Protection Circuits:
• Short Circuit • No Load Protection • SpeakerGuard™
• Thermal Shut-Off • Mute On/Off
Controls and Indicators
Front:
• Power switch • Recessed detent attenuators • Signal LED • Clip LED • Protect LED
• Power ON Indicator
Rear:
Ground Lift (each channel) • Parallel Input Switch • Speaker Output Bridge
Switch • Limiters IN/OUT Switch • Input Connectors: Two each; Balanced XLR &
1/4” • Speaker Output Connectors: Dual heavy-duty binding posts, six Twist-Lok
(two bridgeed).
Dimensions:
5 1/4" High x 19" Wide x 16" Depth (3-space)
Net Weight:
70 lbs.
Power :
120 VAC 30 amp circuit minimum. (50 amp recommended)
240 VAC 15 amp circuit minimum. (25 amp recommended).
(Note: You may use an adapter to convert the special 30 amp plug to a standard 120V plug using
a dedicated 20 amp circuit when using reduced loads. You may use 8
Ω
loads at moderate levels.
However, 2
Ω
, 4
Ω
or bridged loads at higher levels will cause a 20 amp circuit breaker to trip.)
76-04008A 0101
12340 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
800.854.2235 www.carvin.com
For your records, you may wish to record the following information.
Serial No._____________________ Invoice Date________________________
DCM4000 POWER AMP
DCM4000
