TCA-500C Combo Amplifier

The TCA-500C Combo Amplifier is part of a series of products developed by Telonics for the guitar and steel guitar. This amplifier brings together carefully researched and highly developed guitar amplification circuitry with specialized cabinet and speaker technology in a single product.

The Combo can be specified for Domestic use 120VAC 60Hz, or Export use 230VAC 50Hz. The standard grill type is protective metal, a cloth grill version can be special ordered.

Overview

• Based on ultra low noise, exceptionally high headroom, Telonics high end studio equipment.
• Weighs just under 39.7lbs (18kg) with effects processor and cabling fitted.
• High output level available on demand. 500 Watt power amplifier section.
• Highly abrasion-resistant outer surface. Baltic Birch ply construction throughout.
• Telonics TSNEO speaker developed specifically for steel guitar; 12 or 15 inch options available.
• Pure analog signal chain. No digitization of the dry signal or thru sound via A/D or D/A converters.
• Tone control section with Bass, Sweepable Mid-band and Treble EQ; plus Blend control.
• Flexible effects loop; Dry/Wet Fader allows effects to be used in a parallel or series chain.
• Built-in ambience Reverb and T'Bro' simulator; front panel switchable or by remote (extra).
• 1U 19" rack slot for effects processor. Switched AC supply outlet for Effects Processor power.
• Quiet Power-On/Off muting and Mute Switch with LED indication.
• Power amp On/Off to minimize "pops" and mute speaker; useful when using with headphones.
• 24VDC Power Socket; can be used to power an FP-100 volume pedal (lead supplied).
• Buffered Tuner output. Headphones output with Gain control.
• Auxiliary Input (stereo), with Level control; for CD/MP3 player or Guitar Effects Processor input.
• Balanced XLR Direct Out, with Level Control; modeled for connection to a live or studio desk.
• Front panel illumination to assist setup on a dark stage.

Details

Based on ultra low noise, exceptionally high headroom, Telonics high end studio equipment

Those who are familiar with Telonics preamplifiers such as the LeMay Mk1, PRE-200 and the latest PRE-1000 may recognise many of the controls. Behind the front panel, this amplifier uses the same high quality components and similar circuitry as used in high end preamplifiers.

High output level available on demand

The TSNEO speaker is capable of being driven at a constant 300 Watts. At a lower average power, it is also capable of being driven up to 500 Watts for short periods. An excellent average power rating with additional headroom is the best combination to achieve a clean, clear sound. The power amplifier section of the TCA-500C is perfectly matched to extract the most out of the TSNEO speakers. Telonics haven't just considered the high power end of the amplifier, they've also considered what happens at low volume. Careful consideration has been given to the noise and distortion introduced by each section of the amplifier. It's this that helps maintain the string separation over a wide range of volume levels.

Highly abrasion-resistant outer surface, light weight Baltic Birch ply construction throughout

The Combo's case is constructed from light weight Baltic Birch ply with, dove-tailed corner joints and mitered side joints. An abrasion-resistant urethane coating is added, with excellent audio damping characteristics. The speaker panel can be easily changed to mount either the 12" or 15" speaker baffles.

Telonics TSNEO speaker developed specifically for steel guitar

The TSNEO speakers are designed to maintain their sound over many years. Every TSNEO speaker is tested and "run-in" at Telonics before being fitted in a Combo. 12 or 15 inch options are available.

Pure analog signal chain, no digitization of the dry signal or thru sound via A/D or D/A converters

Pure analog thru signal processing has no latency (delay). Digitally processed thru signals have a delay, typically around 2 milliseconds. By using the Dry/Wet Fader in a mid position, the TCA-500C thru signal path can be maintained purely in the analog domain.

Tone control section plus Blend control

The TCA-500C has a comprehensive set of tone shaping controls; these include Bass, Sweepable Mid and Treble. The Blend control allows the player to make global tone changes; turn it up and it increase the highs and reduces the lows, turn it down and it decreases the highs and increases the lows.

Flexible effects loop

The Dry/Wet Fader is a powerful control that allows the Post EQ effects loop to be configured to integrate either Parallel or Series Effects Processor chains.

Series Effects Mode - With the Dry/Wet Fader in the fully Wet position, the Effects Processor is patched so it carries all the signal and no dry or thru is passed internally to the return section. This mode is useful where analog compression or modulation effects need to be added.

Parallel Effects Mode - With the the Dry/Wet Fader set to a mid way point, a proportion of the dry or thru signal is passed directly to the return section. Parallel mode avoids latency issues and the Effects Processor is typically set to generate effect only. This mode should be used to add reverb and delay effects. The Dry/Wet Fader controls the amount of effected added in this mode.

Built-in ambience Reverb and T'Bro' simulator; front panel switchable or by remote (extra)

A built-in Reverb is included for situations that do not require a high quality Effects Processor. In addition, a front panel switch allows this to be switched on/off. An optional footswitch can be supplied for switching this during a performance.

When the T'Bro' is switched on, the guitar's sound is modified to take on characteristics normally heard from a Dobro or National resonator type guitar. An optional footswitch can be supplied for switching this during a performance.

1U 19" rack slot for effects processor, switched AC supply outlet for Effects Processor power

A 1U, 19 inch wide, 8 inch deep rack space has been provided for the player to fit a preferred Effects Processor. A switched AC supply outlet is provided to power up the Effects Processor (max power 50 Watts), allowing the Combo to be powered by a single mains cord. A Telonics-recommended Effects Processor is available as an optional extra; the unit can be programmed with a selection of useful patches.

Quiet Power-On/Off muting and Mute Switch with LED indication

The Mute Switch mutes the Combo Power Amp and Direct Out outputs, but leaves the Headphones and Tuner outputs on. A yellow LED below the Mute Switch indicates that the amplifier is muted.

Power Amp On/Off to minimize "pops" and mute speaker

The PA ON Switch allows the Combo Power Amp to be switched off without affecting the Headphones, Tuner or Direct Out outputs. It also switches the Combo's cooling fans off to minimise noise.

24VDC Power Socket

The Combo can power the FP-100 Volume Pedal using the 24VDC Power Socket. A cable for this purpose is supplied with each Combo.

Buffered Tuner output on front panel

The buffered Tuner output is always on and not affected by the PA ON or Mute Switches. Being buffered means that the load of the guitar tuner will not affect the guitar signal and it will not allow any signal to be back-fed into the main signal path, preventing any distortion.

Headphones output with Gain control

The 1/4 inch stereo headphones output on the front panel is always on and not affected by the PA ON or Mute Switches. The Gain control on the front panel allows the headphone output level to be adjusted.

Auxiliary Input (stereo), with Level control

The 1/4 inch TRS stereo Auxiliary Input on the rear of the Combo allows a CD/MP3 player to be fed into the Combo for practicing. A stereo 3.5mm jack to 1/4" TRS jack cable is supplied with each Combo for this purpose. The Aux Level control on the front panel allows the CD/MP3 player volume to be balanced with the guitar volume. The output from the CD/MP3 player is maintained in stereo when fed to the headphones, but summed into mono when fed to the Direct Out or Combo speaker.

The ability of the Combo to both produce a stereo signal and a summed a mono signal has many uses. For example, the headphones output could be fed into a recording device, the Aux Input could be used to add a second Effects Processor return, or the Aux Input could be connected to a Guitar Effects Processor allowing the Combo to handle two instruments.

Balanced XLR Direct Out, with Level Control

The balanced line XLR Direct Out allows the Combo to be connected to a studio recording device, mixer board or PA mixing desk. The Level Control on the front panel allows the output to be adjusted for a range of balanced line inputs. A GND Lift switch on the rear panel allows the Combo earth to be disconnected where hum loops are an issue. The output from the Direct Out is analog modeled to deliver, to a flat response system, a very closely EQ'ed approximation to what is output from the Combo speaker.

Front panel illumination to assist setup on a dark stage.

The front panel can be lit by white LED lights. A switch on the rear panel allows the LEDs to be set Off / Dim / Bright.

For more information, download the user manual from the support section.