QSC Audio user manual Professional Power Amplifiers, Features, PL325 and PL340, PL380

PowerLight 3 Series

Professional Power Amplifiers

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing PowerLight 3 for your amplification needs. You have joined a worldwide community of professionals who rely on QSC products to perform under all conditions. QSC's vision is to be the most trusted provider of high quality audio products and services to artists and professionals worldwide. We earn that trust through careful design, thorough testing, and obsessive attention to quality and detail, in all phases of manufacturing and service.

The PowerLight 3 Series is based on decades of research and experience in audio power amplification. This series combines the most requested analog input adjustments with easy-to-read LED indicators, making it easy to inspect settings at a glance and match to any system. Because there is no internal digital processing or signal delay, these amplifiers can be freely combined with all types of traditional amplifiers. The QSC DataPort provides access to QSC's full range of digital processors and remote control monitor systems.

The PL325 and PL340 continue the PowerLight legacy started in 1994, combining a powerful, lightweight and efficient switchmode supply with our most advanced Class-H linear output section. Their reference-quality audio performance, high thermal capacity, and touring-grade ruggedness continue to lead the industry.

The PL380 combines the PowerLight supply with a Class-D audio output section, doubling the output power while further reducing losses. The Class-D output section outperforms most competitive linear amplifiers, offering the best full-range audio performance available in this power range. All models have a neutral sonic signature, driving even difficult loads without any distracting behavior or change in tone quality.

In order to control thousands of watts of power smoothly and safely, QSC amplifiers employ many sophisticated protection circuits. These systems provide the highest possible dynamic range without letting the amplifier exceed its safe operating limits. To avoid unwanted triggering of these protection systems, and to protect your valuable speakers, please review these instructions to ensure that you get the full benefit of your amplifier's performance.

PowerLight 3 Power Amplifiers, Watts at Clipping

Model	8 ohms	4 ohms	2 ohms
PL325	500	850	1250
PL340	800	1250	2000
PL380	1500	2500	4000

EIA 1 kHz 1% THD

FEATURES

•PowerLight switchmode power supply for highest efficiency and improved audio performance

•Flow-through air path and solid aluminum heat sinks for maximum cooling

•DataPort supports remote computer control and/or external DSP-4 modules

•Detented gain controls with 1 dB steps for precise calibration

•Removable knobs with lock-out security plate to prevent unauthorized tampering

•Independant user-defeatable clip limiter and selectable low- frequency filter for each channel

•Three selectable input gains (26 dB, 32 dB, or 1.2V)

•Front and rear panel LEDs indicate status of switch settings at a glance

•Parallel XLR male, XLR female, 3-pin header, and DataPort connectors for simple loop-through connectivity

•Neutrik Speakon® and “touch proof” binding post outputs

•Neutrik PowerCon® power cable remains secure on the road (early PL380 units may have hard-wired power cables pend- ing UL approval of 30 ampere PowerCon)

•3 year warranty, plus optional 3 year extended service con- tract

PL325 and PL340

•Linear class-H output crcuit doubles the standard class-B efficiency, reducing cooling and AC current requirements

PL380

•Class-D output circuit re-doubles the output power with even lower losses and minimal increase in average AC power, dra- matically reducing AC power distribution demands compared to older, high-power amplifiers

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