CARVIN HT400 400w Stereo Power Amplifier Instruction Manual

June 13, 2024
CARVIN

CARVIN ENGINEERING DATA
Hra00, Hr750 & Hr1000 POWER AMPS
OPERATING MANUAL

CARVIN HT400 400w Stereo Power Amplifier -

HT400, HT750, HT1000

The HT Series professional amps are designed utilizing Carvin’s 33 years  of experience in power amp technology. They meet and exceed everystandard for professional amplification. Their thick brushed anodized aluminum face plates, large recessed knobs and heavy-duly steel chassis reflect the manufacturing quality within. The HT “High Energy Transfer” amps are available in three different models. All models carry the CE approval for world-wide use.

PURE–TRANSPARENT SOUND

Garvin considers the sound of an amp equally important as its reliability. To insure pure, uncolored sound, we designed one of the fastest responding power amps on the market today. High slew rates greater than 45v/ps deliver superb transient response. High frequencies are transparent and open—even at extreme levels. linear feedback circuits reduce distortion to near the theoretical zero limit, preventing any type of harshness which would lead to ear fatigue. The HT Series amps deliver flat, transparent, unaltered sound—especially important to the studio user, And you can drive any type of reactive loads. including 70V transformer distribution systems. These amps are designed to deliver non-stop, continuous power and are completely protected from heat and short circuits.

ULTRA RUGGED FOR TOURING

Every chassis is made from heavy-duty 16 gauge steel that is galvanized before being painted to prevent rust. All internal cabling is neatly tied and harnessed. Every circuit card is MIL SPEC, double-sided, through-hole plated, fire retar-dant FR-4 glass epoxy. This insures that the solder flows on the top, bottom and through each hole of every component, preventing components from shak-ing loose—even through constant tour use. NeutriktM XLR connectors, heavy-duty power switches, recessed knobs, machined aluminum front panels and extruded handles all give the HT amps a “tank-like” ability to handle rough, touring transport.

TOTALLY MODULAR

With the FIT Series, Carvin brings you totally modular construction. If you ever need an I/O (input/output) connector card because a connector wore-out, just unplug it and re-install the replacement card in minutes. You don’t have to de-solder anything. This applies to every aspect of the HT Series amps includ-ing the power supply, power cards, heat sinks and fans. Everything is con-nected by heavy-duty AMPTM and MOLEXTM type connectors for easy replacement—even the Toroid transformer is a total plug-in. HEAVY-DUTY COOLING
Carvin offers up to 30% more cooling than comparable amps rated at the same wattage. This means that the HT Series are thermally “over-engineered” to be sure heat will never be a concern. Even outdoor concerts in direct sunlight will not cause thermal shut down. Garvin uses precision 6063 T-5 aluminum high ratio heat sinks that are extruded for massive amounts of cooling. High effi- ciency. multi-speed fans cool your amp quietly even when moving air at up to 115 CFM!
LOSE THE WEIGHT…NOT THE PERFORMANCE
For some companies weight reduction means cost reduction. Garvin however, uses expensive TOROID transformers to reduce weight. Toroids deliver mas-sive amounts of “on demand” current for continuous 2 ohm operation. This gives the power supply a solid foundation, yielding more headroom for the largest subwoofer application. Not only do toroids deliver high current, but they are known for reducing stray magnetic fields eliminating hum & noise. This is espe-cially important for the recording industry.

For your records. you may wish to record the following information.
Serial Mo,
Invoice Date
76-10000 497

RECEIVING INSPECTION—read before getting started

INSPECT YOUR UNIT FOR ANY DAMAGE which may have occurred during shipping. If any damage is found, please notify the shipping company and GARVIN immediately. 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 possible protec-tion during shipment. GARVIN 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.

DISTORTION-FREE LIMITERS

While most amps do not offer built-in limiters, this is an important feature to look for. 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 iso-lators”. Unlike amps that use FET controlled limiters which can inject small amounts of distortion, the HT Series limiters keep your sound pure and uncolored!

FRONT PANELS & CONNECTING UP 

The HT Series feature front panel signal, peak and protect LEDs which let you monitor the status of the amp easily. Also, both channels use precision 41 detent level controls allowing you to see your settings at a glance. Balanced 1/4 phone & XLR input jacks are used to eliminate hum & noise. Speaker outputs feature 1/4” jacks & heavy-duty binding posts that accept up to 50 amp #7 speaker wires. The rear professional accessory group offers a GROUND switch to remove the chassis ground from the XLR input, a Parallel input switch connects the inputs of both channels together eliminating Y connectors and allowing amp patching in multiple amp systems. The accessory group also features a bridge mode switch for delivering full power into a 70V distribution system and a limiter ON/OFF switch that gives you the choice of using the internal limiter circuitry.

HT POWER AMP SPECIFICATIONS:

| HT400 HT750 IMOD°
---|---
MODEL
BridOERMS Continuos| 400w                               750w 1000w

300w                      500w                           700w

du, (20-20k Hz. <0 4%)
flu. (20-20k Hz. <0.4%)
Both Chat, Rfrqs cOnlinuous|
2U (20-20k   z, <02%)

4s2 (20-20k ilz. <0.2%)
Ru (20-20k iii, <0 2%)

| 200,2110w                      375/375w             500/500w

150/150w                        2501250*             350/350w

109/109w                        175/175w              225/225w

THD (Typical):

Damping Factor:

Slew Rate: bridged mode Sensitivity: (411. Vms)

| 0.03%                   0.03%                   0.03%

350                                              >350 400

45v/us                         >45v/ps                    >45v/us

0.75 V                    0.75 V                    0 75 V

Signal to Noise Ratio:| 1W dB                   103 dB                  106 dB
Frequency Response:| 10.5 dB, 20 Hz to 20kHz It 1.5 dB. 10 Hz & 40 kilt)
Input Impedance: Protection Circuits:|

20K IL balanced
·  Shod Circuit • No Load Protection
·   SpeakerGuardw
• thermal Shut-011 • Mute On/OFF

Control and Indicators: Front:

Rear:

| ·            Power switch • Recessed 41 detent attenuators
·            Signal LED • Clip LED • Protect LED
·            Power Indicator Ground Lilt (each channel) • Parallel Input Switch
·            Speaker Output Bridge Switch • Limiters IN/OUT Sw
·            Input Connectors Two each. Balanced XLR & 1/C
·            Speaker Oulput Connectors. Dual heavy-duty binding posts and two 1/4″ phone jacks

Dimensions: 3 1/2″ High x 19″ Wide x 10° Depth (2-space)
Net Weight: WI00 16.91bs. HT750:2025 1bs. HT1000 22.75 s

FRONT & REAR PANEL CONTROLS

CARVIN HT400 400w Stereo Power Amplifier - fig1

FRONT PANEL

  1. MOUNTING
    Sturdy one piece aleingm handles make for easy transporting along wilh facilitating rack installation.
    The tack mounting holes are designed on ISO standard spacing. Tour 10-32% 57 phillip maging screws are norially used to secure the amp. Rear support brackets are not required.

  2. POWER SWITCH
    Cheek (he paver amp connections and verify the AC tine power soutce helore engaging the POWER saneh The yells: LED unmistakably indicates that all circuits are properly powered up Yellow yas Fiosen so the operator could see the other mdicalors trom a destence.

  3. CHANNEL LEVEL CONTROL
    A precision 41 step sant LEVEL attenuate 1s used to adjust the volume levels Io delivar the arnps full power vathout reducing the headroom of the signal source, the level cuntrols should canned up approxanately 1/3 (15 an the dial).

  4. CHANNEL SIGNAL INDICATOR
    The green SIGHAL LED indicators wall stact to flash when there is a signal passing to your Speakers (-30UBM).
    This lets you kngvy when the amp is passing a signal to your far speaker connertors.

  5. CHANNEL CLIP INDICATOR
    The red CLIP LED indicatnrs will start te flash when each channel has reached ts maxim output. Occasional flashing caused by lower hass frequencies is OK However, consistent flashing caused from higher frequencies may damage high frequency drivers (excessive distortion). This does not cause daniage to the amp.

  6. FRONT COOLING VENTS/FAN
    Upon tack installation the rear of the amp must be fully exposed to roons temperalure ae The surrounding air should nat he warmer than 120° or the thermal protection could active the PROTECT LED.
    The frant cooling vents are nat to be restricted from exhausting the warn air

  7. PROTECT LED INDICATOR
    The red FROTECT LED provides the operator with infomation about the status of the amplifier The PROTECT LED can come on under 3 different conditions (when this happens both channels are mutedhy disconnecting the output speaker relays).

  1. During power-up. the ampliher stays ma muted state for approx. 3 sec until it determines that everything is functioning normally (no outpul shorts or over temp conditions).
  2. When the output load draws excessive current ora direct short is detected caused by a shorted Speaker cable or speaker system, Reset this condition by turning the amp off for lwo seconds and {hen_on again, Check for shorted cables and the total speaker system: impedance connected to each channel (2 ohms minimum per ch or 4 ohms BRIDGED).
  3. Overheating is usually determined when the amp stops in the middle of a performarice and the PROTECT LED is on, If this is the cause, leave the amp on forthe fate cool te amp. down, The amo vall automatically reset within 1 to 3 minules. The  ROTECT LEO will tum off when ready Check for the taitowing conditions: a) The rear intake air is restricted, b) Intake ait is extremely warm. c) Front exhaust vents restricted, ot d) Excessive speaker load (try other speakers or remove speakers if you have more than one connected In each channel) Again, the minimum impedance is 2 ohms per chor 4 chins BRIDGED)

REAR PANEL

  1. XLR CHANNEL INPUTS
    For most professional anplications, use the XLR balanced miputs. Eis wilt helj tu reduce hum and atiow of longer cable runs from your signal source (miver etc) Recause this is a balanced mput the gain will be 6 dB ingher than rising the 14″ np jack sath nen balanced ities, XLR pin configuration: Pin 1 Grounded through the GROUND LIFT svitch, Pin 2) positive Bal. slgnal and Pin 3 negative Bat slgnal.

  2. CHANNEL 1/4″ PHONE JACK INPUT
    This stereo phone jack is designed to receive eilher balanced or unbalanced Input signals. Balanced signals corning into this jack should be wired with the conneclor’s ti going lo signal + and the connector’s ring to signal- The connector’s sleeve 38 then tied internally to ground through the GROUND LIFT switch.

  3. PARALLEL OR “Y” INPUTS
    The rear PARALLEL switch allows you to drive bolh channels from either input. All signals entering any INpUL will be available on both channels. This eliminales ¥ adapter cables. This feature is used lo “daisy cham” one piece of equipment to another. Just plug into the unused INPUT (1/4″ or XL} anect it will become an outoul for olher equipment.

  4. INPUF GROUND LiFT
    Many times sound systems are connected in such a manner lo cause a grounded loop with the mputs thal result inaudible hum. The mput (1/4″ & XLR) GROUND LIFT switch on the rear panel will help ellminate tes problow., I wot another way to  limunate ground loops is lo install a “line matching” trans- former between the ampaifer wipaut and the signal source.

  5. LIMITERS
    To achvale Ihe LIMITERS, engage the rear limiter switch. The belill-in high quahly limilers are recommended to hold down peaks that could cause early distortion. Limiters will halp ta rise Ihe average power so that you can get more output from each channel. To check the effectiveness of the limiters when ihe channel slarts to distort (under the amps (ull output), engage the limiters and hear the reduction of the distortion.
    lf the distortion stops. you can turn the channel up for more power. The lower bass frequencies are most affiecied WARNING: Do not check in an environment where the sound level could damage your ears!

  6. SPEAKER OUTPUTS
    The standard 1/4″ SPEAKER jacks are used for most applications. Turn the amp off before connecting your Speakers,

  7. SPEAKER BINDING POSTS
    For heavy-duty speaker connections, use Ihe rear BINDING POSTS to connect your speakers. Wire sizes up te 7 gage (50 arrips) can be inserted Into the binding post “side holes”. Larger cable can be used with banana” plugs which plug into the end of the binding posts (lemove colored caps). Binding posis are spaced on 150 Slandards. Use the two center REQ binding posts far BRIDGE speaker comections (see 15 BRIDGE MODE}.

  8. BRIDGE MODE—25V/70V DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
    The “RCM” Series can be operated In bridge mode if you require a 25¥ / 70V distribution speaker system era high powered none {single channel} amp. With your amp otf, push iii the rear (recessed) BRIDGE switch atler you have nade your speaker connections lo the rear center RED binding pasts (ch 7 ts + and ch 2 is – 1 Noolher speaker connectors of bindwg posts can to be used at the same time!”. The INPUT and LEVEL is hanced by channel? Channel 2 is non- operational, The minimum speaker impedance is 4 ohms or a 25V distribution line, CAUTION: The power developed by bridging your amp can destroy most speaker systems!

  9. AC POWER
    Your amp is designed to riinon either 120V 60 Hz or 230V 50H? depending on the model purchased. Tha voltage range for 120V model is 95V lo 132V and for 230V model Ilis 195V lo 253V The rear heavy- duly AC receplacte wil accept a standard grounded AC cord that is designed your country, Be sure to check your pover source before plugging into a grounded (3 prong) oullel. Never defeal the giqunded commection a elecirocution may result!

  10. AC FUSE VALUES (Slow BlowType)
    | HT400| HT750| HT1000
    ---|---|---|---
    120V MODELS:| 5AGC| 8 AGC| 10 AGC
    230V MODELS:| 3AGC| 4 AGC| 5 AGC

12340 World Trade Orive, San Diego, CA 92128
619-487-1600 800-854-2235
www.carvin.com

References

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