FRONT PANEL
1. MOUNTING
The rack mounting holes are designed on ISO standard spacing. Four
10-32 x .5” phillip machine screws are normally used to secure the amp.
Rear support brackets are not required.
2. POWER SWITCH
Check the power amp connections and verify the AC line power source
before engaging the POWER switch. The yellow LED unmistakably indi-
cates that all circuits are properly powered up. This color was chosen so
the operator could see the red protect indicator from a distance.
3. CHANNEL LEVEL CONTROL
A precision input LEVEL attenuator is used to adjust the volume levels.
To deliver the amps full power without reducing headroom of the signal
source, the level controls should be turned up full.
4. CHANNEL SIGNAL INDICATOR
The green SIGNAL LED indicators will start to flash when there is a signal
passing to your speakers (-30dBM). This lets you know when the amp is
passing a signal to your speakers.
5. CHANNEL CLIP INDICATOR
The red CLIP LED indicators will start to flash when each channel has reached
its maximum output. Occasional flashing caused by lower bass frequencies
is OK. However, consistent flashing caused from higher frequencies may
damage high frequency drivers (excessive distortion). This does not cause
damage to the amp.
6. EQ EXPAND SWITCH
When set to the ‘in’ position this circuit will cut the mids by -4dB at 1KHz.
This works well as a loudness contour when operating at low volume levels
or adds tone when using it in a bass or guitar rack. When set to the ‘out’
position it provides a flat, normal response. Try it both ways and set as
desired.
REAR PANEL
7. XLR CHANNEL INPUTS
For most professional applications, use the XLR balanced input. This
will help to reduce hum and allow of longer cable runs from your signal
source (mixer, etc). Because this is a balanced input, the gain will be 6
dB higher than using a non balanced 1/4” input. XLR pin configuration:
Pin 1: Grounded through the GROUND LIFT switch, Pin 2: positive Bal.
signal and Pin 3: negative Bal. signal.
8. CHANNEL 1/4” PHONE JACK INPUT
These 1/4” TRS phone jacks are designed to receive either balanced or
unbalanced input signals. Balanced signals coming into this jacks should
be wired with the connector’s tip going to and the connector’s ring
to signal –. The connector’s sleeve is then tied to ground through the GROUND
LIFT switch–.
9. SPEAKER OUTPUTS
The standard 1/4” SPEAKER jacks are used for most applications. Turn
the amp off before connecting your speakers.
10. SPEAKER BINDING POSTS
For heavy-duty speaker connections, use the rear BINDING POSTS to con-
nect your speakers. Wire sizes up to 7 gauge (50 amps) can be inserted
into the binding posts “side holes”. Larger cable can be used with “banana”
plugs which plug into the ends of the binding post (remove colored caps).
Binding posts are spaced on ISO standards. Use the two center RED bind-
ing posts for BRIDGE speaker connections (see 11 BRIDGE MODE).
11. BRIDGE MODE—
70V DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
The DCM150 can be operated in bridge mode if you require a 70V dis-
tribution speaker system or a high powered mono (single channel) amp.
With your amp off, push in the rear BRIDGE switch after you have made
your speaker connections to the rear center RED binding posts (ch 1 is
+ and ch 2 is -). No other speaker jack or binding post can to be used at
the same time!”. The INPUT and LEVEL is handled by channel 1. Channel
2 is non-operational. The minimum speaker impedance is 8 ohms. CAU-
TION: The power developed by bridging your amp can destroy speakers!
12. PARALLEL OR “Y” INPUTS
The rear PARALLEL switch allows you to drive both channels from either
input. All signals entering any input will be available on both channels.
This eliminates Y adapter cables. This feature is used to “daisy chain”
one piece of equipment to another. Just plug into the unused INPUT (1/4”
or XLR) and it will become an output for other equipment.
13. INPUT GROUND LIFT
Many times sound systems are connected in such a manner to cause a
grounded loop with the inputs that result in audible hum. The input GND
LIFT (1/4” & XLR) switch on the rear panel will help eliminate this prob-
lem. If not, another way to eliminate ground loops is to install a “line match-
ing” transformer between the amplifier input and the signal source and
cut the ground wire to PIN 1.
14. AC POWER
Your amp is designed to run on either 120V 60 Hz. The voltage range
for 120V is 95V to 132V. The rear heavy-duty AC cord is designed for your
country. Be sure to check your power source before plugging into a
grounded (3 prong) outlet. Never defeat the grounded connection or elec-
trocution may result!
PROFESSIONAL 150W AMPLIFIER
DCM150
CHANNEL ONE
∞
50
30
22
19
17
15
13
12
11 10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 dB
CLIP
SIGNAL
CLIP
SIGNAL
∞
50
30
22
19
17
15
13
12
11 10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 dB
CHANNEL TWO
POWER
PROTECT
EQ EXPAND
GND
LIFT
BRIDGE
PAR
INPUT 1
INPUT 2
4
Ω
MIN.
4
Ω
MIN.
BRIDGE
8 OHMS
MIN.
SPEAKERS
1
2
STEREO AMPLIFIER
DCM150
8 OHMS/CH 50 WATTS
4 OHMS/CH 75 WATTS
8
Ω
BRIDGED 150 WATTS
SERIAL NUMBER
120VAC~60Hz
125VA INTERNAL FUSE
800-854-2235
www.carvin.com
MADE IN THE
USA
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1
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FRONT & REAR PANEL CONTROLS
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14
9
10
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