7
Handling Vacuum Tubes
Many may not have had experience handling vacuum tubes. However, most people have handled
incandescent light bulbs which is very similar to dealing with vacuum tubes. As with light bulbs, you should
not touch a vacuum tube when it is on or you can burn yourself. Similarly, if a tube is dropped on a hard
surface the tube will break. When you replace a tube you should make certain the unit is disconnected from
the AC outlet and that the tube has cooled down. Never force a tube into a socket. You should treat the
tube gently when holding or replacing it. The precautions needed when handling a light bulb will give you a
good guide on how to handle a vacuum tube.
Packaging
Save all the packaging in a dry place. Your Black Ice Audio, Inc. amplifier is a precision electronic instrument
and should be properly packaged any time shipment is made. Because of its weight (55 pounds), it is highly
probable that the unit will be damaged during shipment if repackaged in a box and packing other than that
designed for the unit.
You may have occasion to return the unit to the factory for service or shipment of the unit may be required
for some other situation. Should shipment prove necessary, the original packaging may save your
investment from unnecessary damage, delay and expense.
Unpacking
The Fusion F35 is packed within a custom made impact absorbing foam wrap that holds the amplifier in the
carton. Because of the unit weight and because it is a precision electronic instrument, reasonable care
should be taken when unpacking the unit and preparing it for use.
It is best to unpack a unit in a large open work area with two people on hand. The carton should be set
upright in the center of the work area and a small knife used to carefully slit or lift the taped edges of the
outer carton's top flaps. Fold the flaps to the sides to lift out the inner foam that houses the amplifier. One
person should hold the box while another lifts the amplifier out and places the unit on a flat surface. Very
carefully remove the foam one side at a time while providing support for the amplifier. Now, while your
memory is fresh, reassemble the carton system for future use.
Accessories
1 AC Power Cord
1 Tuning Wand/Bias adjustment screwdriver
1 Gloves
1 Cloth cover
Preparation for Use
1. Place your amplifier on a flat surface.
2. Your Fusion F35 amplifier is shipped with the vacuum tubes in foam protected against vibration. The
tubes can be installed by matching the "V1" on the amplifier with the "V1" on the tube and so on. On the
larger power output tubes, there is a key on the middle plastic. Make sure the pins and key of the tube are
lined up with the holes in the socket and never use excessive force when putting the tube into the socket.If
you remove the tubes and do not put them back in their original sequence, the amplifier should be re-biased.
Note: Contact Enhancers are not recommended for use on vacuum tube contact pins. With continual
exposure to heat and air, these substances can form gummy, dust-collecting residues which actually reduce
contact and degrade sonic performance. Proper external use of contact enhancers -- on interconnect plugs,
speaker connections, etc. -- is subject to the discretion of the owner.