Electro-Voice Precision P3000 User manual

P3000
Precision SeriesTM
Power Amplifier
• 850 watts per channel
at 8 ohms, 1,400 watts per
channel at 4 ohms, 1,800
watts per channel at 2 ohms
• Neutrik Speakon
®
output
connectors allow use of
heavy-gauge speaker wire for
low-loss connections
• Extremely low (<0.01%)
dynamic distortion ensures
excellent sound quality
• Three-year parts-and-labor
warranty
SPECIFICATIONS
Conditions:
1. 0 dBu = 0.775 V rms.
2. Dual-mode ratings are for each channel,
both operating, unless noted.
3. 120-volt ac line voltage maintained
throughout testing.
Continuous Rated Output Power (20-
20,000 Hz at less than 0.1% THD, both
channels driven per EIA RS-490),
Dual Mode, 2 Ohms:
1,500 watts
Bridged Mode, 4 Ohms:
3,000 watts
Dual Mode, 4 Ohms:
1,200 watts
Bridged Mode, 8 Ohms:
2,400 watts
Dual Mode, 8 Ohms:
750 watts
Continuous Rated Output Power (1 kHz,
1% THD, both channels driven per EIA
RS-490),
Dual Mode, 2 Ohms:
1,800 watts
Bridged Mode, 4 Ohms:
3,600 watts
Dual Mode, 4 Ohms:
1,400 watts
Bridged Mode, 8 Ohms:
2,800 watts
Dual Mode, 8 Ohms:
850 watts
Power Bandwidth (+0/–1 dB, reference
1 kHz), Any Mode, 4 Ohms:
10-30,000 Hz
Frequency Response
(+0, –3 dB, reference 1 kHz/1 watt):
<10-30,000 Hz
Voltage Gain, 1 kHz, Any Mode, Constant-
Gain Option:1
26 dB
Input Sensitivity, 1 kHz, Dual Mode for
800 Watts into 4 Ohms:
0 dBu (775 mV)
Maximum Input Level (reference 1 kHz):
+20 dBu (7.75 V)
Input Impedance (per channel,
20-20,000 Hz), Balanced:
20 kilohms
Phase Response (at rated power, any
mode, 10-30,000 Hz):
±22.5 degrees
THD Plus Noise at 1 kHz (at rated power,
measurement bandwidth 80 kHz):
<0.01%
IMD (SMPTE) (60 Hz/7 kHz, typical, at
rated power; see Figure 2):
<0.01%
DIM 30 (composite square-sine wave
band-limited to 30,000 Hz):
<0.01%
DIM 100 (composite square-sine wave
band-limited to 100,000 Hz):
<0.01%
Rise Time (10% to 90% at rated power,
any mode):
<2.5 microseconds
Slew Rate, Any Mode:
>40 V/microsecond
Damping Factor, Any Mode:
>300
Amplifier Protection:
Excessive output voltage; shorted loads;
excessive phase shift; rf interference;
overtemperature; excessive back EMF;
In-rush current limiter
Load Protection:
Start-up/shutdown transients; dc fault;
infrasonic signals; low ac line voltage;
nonlinear signal limiter
Output Topology:
True complementary symmetry with
ungrounded collectors (no mica insulators
means better heat transfer)
Output Devices,
Total Number: 48 devices
Pd(max) Rating: 250 watts
Ic(collector current): 16 amps dc
Tj(max): 200 °C (392 °F)
Controls and Switches,
Rear:
Hi-Lo-Cut Filter(On/Off); Bridged Mode
switch (Bridged/Normal); Limiter mode
(Fast/Slow); Circuit ⊥To Chassis
Switch (Grounded/Ungrounded); Input
Routing (Parallel Mono or Dual Stereo)
Front:
Two calibrated input level controls;
power switch
Front-Panel Indicators:
Five LED’s per channel (10 total) for power
on, input signal; output signal; limiter
on and protect on
Connections,
Input:
3-pin female XLR-type connectors for
each channel in parallel with a 3-pin
male XLR-type output connector for
easy signal routing; the XLR connec-
tors are wired according to the IEC 268
standard: pin 1 shield, pin 2 positive,
pin 3 negative
Output:
Neutrik Speakon®NL4MP for channels
A, B and for bridged mode
Power:
12-gauge, 3-wire, permanently attached
power cable; no ac plug supplied
__________________
1. Configured for constant-gain option, all Precision SeriesTM
amplifiers, regardless of power rating, have a maximum
voltage gain of 26 dB.

P3000 SPECIFICATION GRAPHICS
FIGURE 1 — P3000 Dimensions
FIGURE 3 — P3000 Front and Rear Panel
FIGURE 2 — P3000 Intermodulation Distortion
(SMPTE 60 Hz/7 kHz) vs. Power

Operating Voltage:
120 V, 60 Hz ac
Power Consumption (both channels
operating in dual mode, 1/8power),
4 Ohms:
1,200 VA
Dimensions, (See Figure 1)
Height:
132.5 mm (5.25 in.)
Width:
483 mm (19.0 in.)
Depth:
426 mm (16.8 in.)
Color:
Gray
Net Weight:
28 kg (61.6 lb)
Shipping Weight:
32.7 kg (72 lb)
DESCRIPTION
The Electro-Voice P3000 Linear PrecisionTM
amplifier is a very-high-quality power amplifier
designed to elicit maximum performance from
any speaker system. Its ultralow distortion and
powerful amplifiers ensure that program mate-
rial will be amplified very accurately.
Each channel of the P3000 delivers more than
750 watts continuous average power into
8 ohms, 1,200 watts into 4 ohms and 1,500
watts into 2 ohms over the full audio frequency
range. In the bridge mode, the amplifier can
deliver more than 2,800 watts into 8 ohms and
3,600 watts into 4 ohms at less than 1% THD.
The power supply, with its large toroidal trans-
former, gives the amplifier impressive head-
room and current output.
The P3000 contains 48 high-power output de-
vices with 12,000 watts of dissipation capabil-
ity.Thesedevicesareprotectedfromoverheat-
ingbyfour,three-speed,temperature-sensitive
fans.Thefansarequietenoughtopermituseof
the P3000 in noise-sensitive applications such
as recording studios and houses of worship.
The output devices are mounted to a massive,
extruded-aluminumheatsinkthatisengineered
to minimize thermal gradients and allow the
amplifier to operate safely into low-impedance
loads. The output devices have a maximum
junctiontemperatureof200°C(392°F),sohigh
operationaltemperaturespresentnoproblems.
The output devices are mounted directly to the
heat sink without mica insulators to ensure
better dissipation of heat.
Many electronic circuit innovations exist in the
P3000. Among the most novel of these circuits
istheMirroredFrontendPowerSupplyBridgeTM.
This design ensures complete symmetry for
each bridged amplifier and both signal polari-
ties, and eliminates asymmetrical rise and fall
times.TheDualDifferentialDiscreteTopologyTM
is part of the front end of the amplifier and uses
discrete electrical components instead of inte-
grated circuits to help the P3000 achieve its
phenomenally low distortion.
The P3000 has sophisticated protection cir-
cuits that guard it and the load from problems.
Protection circuits guard against overload,
overtemperature, shorted outputs, radio-fre-
quency interference and dc faults. The output
devices are protected against damage from
reversefeedingofelectricalenergy(backEMF)
and are switched on via relays to avoid tran-
sients which could damage speakers.
TheP3000hasbuilt-inlimiterstoprotectspeak-
ers from the deleterious effects of amplifier
clipping. The limiter’s action is governed by
very sophisticated input/output comparators
which have acoustically optimized time con-
stants to preserve the integrity of the source.
Thelimiter’stimeconstantsareswitchablefast/
slow, so the limiter may be matched to the
application for which the amplifier is being
used.
The P3000 has built-in switchable high- and
low-cutfilters.Thesefiltersattenuateinfrasonic
and ultrahigh-frequency signals, preventing
them from being amplified; this allows more
effective use of the amplifier’s power and adds
a measure of load protection. These filters are
switchable on/off for use in applications utiliz-
ing front-end units (like crossovers or equaliz-
ers) which have these filters built-in.
Amultifunctiondisplaykeepstheuserinformed
of the operating status of the amplifier. Sepa-
rateLEDdisplaysforeachchannelshowpower
on, input signal, output signal, limiter on and
protection active.
The P3000 has electronically balanced XLR-
type input and output connectors that allow
easy,problem-freeconnectionsandsignalrout-
ing.TheP3000hasaninputroutingswitchthat
allows selection of either normal dual-channel
operation, or parallel mono operation, which
routes an input to both channels but still allows
for independent level control. The P3000 also
has a constant-gain option which allows the
voltage gain to be fixed. This permits different
amplifiers to be used in fixed installations with-
out rebalancing, and ensures headroom is not
wasted.
The P3000’s professional Neutrik Speakon®
output connectors provide a sturdy, reliable
connectionandallowuseofheavywireforloss-
free signal transmission. There are separate
outputconnectorsforchannelsAandB,andfor
thebridgemode.Thebridge-modeconnectoris
sealed with a plastic cover to prevent connec-
tion errors.
To prevent ground loops from occurring, the
P3000 is equipped with a ground-lift switch.
When the amplifier is operated in a rack with
units of different ground potential, the switch
may be adjusted to eliminate hum.
Calibrated,detentedpotentiometersonthefront
panelregulatethegainofthe P3000.Thepanel
nomenclatureshowstheamountofattenuation
accurately.
The P3000 also has a constant-gain option
which, with input level controls full clockwise,
providesa26-dBvoltagegainthatisidenticalto
thatofallElectro-VoicePrecisionSeriesTM am-
plifiers in the constant-gain option, regardless
of power rating. This makes it possible to ex-
change amplifiers of different power ratings
withoutupsettingdeliveredsoundpressurelev-
els or spectral balances.
The Electro-Voice P3000 is the choice for seri-
ous, professional amplification applications
which require optimum sound quality, speaker
protection,andthehighestlevelofconstruction
quality and long-term reliability.
Figure 3 shows P3000 front and rear panels.
The block diagram is shown in Figure 4.
ARCHITECTS’ AND ENGINEERS’
SPECIFICATIONS
The power amplifier shall be a dual-channel
model of solid-state design employing high-
poweroutputdevicesinatrue-complementary-
symmetry output circuit . It shall be capable of
operatingfroma120/200/220/240-V,50/60-Hz
ac line. The power amplifier shall contain a
modern limiter circuit with switchable time con-
stants to protect the load from damage by
amplifier clipping.
The amplifier shall contain sensing circuitry to
provide protection for the output transistors
against overtemperature, excessive output
voltage, radio-frequency interference, shorted
loads, excessive phase shift and back-EMF
current. The load shall be similarly protected
against infrasonic signals, start-up/shutdown
transients, low ac line voltage and dc.
Rear-mounted panel controls shall include an
input routing switch for selecting dual/stereo or
parallelmonooperation,aswitchforturningthe
infrasonic and ultrasonic filters on or off, a
switch for selecting dual/stereo or bridged op-
eration and a switch for selecting fast or slow
speedforthebuilt-inlimiters.Inputconnections
for each channel shall include a 3-pin female
XLR-type connector wired in parallel with a
male 3-pin XLR output connector for signal
routing. Output connectors shall be Neutrik
Speakon®NL4MP’s for channels A and B, and
for bridged operation.
Front-panel indicators shall include power on,
input present, output, limit and protect LED’s for
eachchannel.Front-panelcontrolsshallinclude
a power switch and level controls that shall be
calibrated, detented potentiometers and have
accurate markings. The amplifier shall have a
constant-gain option that, with input level con-
trols full clockwise, provides a 26-dB voltage
gain that is identical to that of all Electro-Voice
Precision SeriesTM power amplifiers.
The power amplifier shall meet the following
performance specifications: maximum input
voltage, 7.75 V rms; rated output power from
20-20,000 Hz at less than 0.1% THD, each
channel, 750 watts into 8 ohms, 1,200 watts
into 4 ohms, 1,500 watts into 2 ohms, 2,400
watts bridged into 8 ohms and 3,000 watts
bridged into 4 ohms; hum and noise, at least
100dB(A-weighted)belowratedoutputpower;
frequency response, <10-30,000 Hz (+0, –3
dB) at any output power up to rated output
power; damping factor, >300 at any frequency
up to 1 kHz in any mode with an 8-ohm load;
THD (total harmonic distortion), <0.05% at
1kHzat rated power; transient intermodulation
distortion (DIN 30 or DIN 100), <0.01%;
crosstalk, <70 dB below rated output power.
Dimensions shall be 132.5 mm (5.25 in.) x 483
mm (19.0 in.) x 426 mm 16.8 in.) hwd. Net
weight shall be 32.7 kg (72 lb). Color: gray.

ELECTRO-VOICE a MARK IV company 600 Cecil Street, Buchanan, Michigan 49107
MANUFACTURING PLANTS AT BUCHANAN, MI NEWPORT, TN SEVIERVILLE, TN OKLAHOMA CITY, OK GANANOQUE, ONT.
© Electro-Voice, Inc. 1995 Litho in U.S.A. Part Number 532489 — 9530
other than as specified in the product data
sheet or owner’s manual; (d) malfunction re-
sulting from misuse or abuse of the product; or
(e) malfunction occurring at any time after re-
pairshavebeenmadetotheproductbyanyone
otherthanElectro-Voiceoranyofitsauthorized
service representatives. Obtaining Warranty
Service: To obtain warranty service, a cus-
tomer must deliver the product, prepaid, to
Electro-Voice or any of its authorized service
representativestogetherwithproofofpurchase
of the product in the form of a bill of sale or
receipted invoice. A list of authorized service
representativesisavailable from Electro-Voice
at 600 Cecil Street, Buchanan, MI 49107 (616/
695-6831 or 800/234-6831). Incidental and
Consequential Damages Excluded: Product
repair or replacement and return to the cus-
tomer are the only remedies provided to the
customer. Electro-Voice shall not be liable for
any incidental or consequential damages in-
cluding, without limitation, injury to persons or
property or loss of use. Some states do not
allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequentialdamagessotheabovelimitation
orexclusionmaynotapplytoyou.OtherRights:
This warranty gives you specific legal rights,
and you may also have other rights which vary
from state to state.
Electro-Voice Electronics are guaranteed
against malfunction due to defects in materials
or workmanship for a period of three (3) years
from the date of original purchase. Additional
details are included in the Uniform Limited
Warranty statement.
Service and repair address for this product:
Electro-Voice,Inc.,600CecilStreet,Buchanan,
Michigan 49107 (616/695-6831 or 800/234-
6831).
Specifications subject to change without notice.
The power amplifier shall be the Electro-Voice
P3000.
UNIFORM LIMITED WARRANTY
Electro-Voiceproductsareguaranteed against
malfunctionduetodefectsinmaterials orwork-
manship for a specified period, as noted in the
individualproduct-linestatement(s)below,orin
the individual product data sheet or owner’s
manual, beginning with the date of original
purchase.Ifsuchmalfunctionoccursduringthe
specifiedperiod, the product will be repaired or
replaced (at our option) without charge. The
product will be returned to the customer pre-
paid. Exclusions and Limitations: The Lim-
ited Warranty does not apply to: (a) exterior
finish or appearance; (b) certain specific items
described in the individual product-line
statement(s)below, or in the individual product
data sheet or owner’s manual; (c) malfunction
resulting from use or operation of the product
FIGURE 4 — P3000 Block Diagram