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Instruction Manual Covering: 

 

MB90 MK IIm  Mono Block 

Amplifiers 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                   Shown with KT150 output and upgraded driver valves 

Contents 

 

1 Introduction & Final Inspection 

 

2 Quick Set Up Guide 

 

3 Connecting Inputs & Outputs 

 

4 Getting The Best Performance 

 

5 Trouble Shooting 

 

6 Bias Adjustment 

 

7 Valve Replacement  

 

8 Specifications 

 

9 Guarantee 

 

10 Packing Instructions 

 

1 Introduction 

 

Thank  you  for  purchasing  the 

MB  90s

.  These 

pure  valve  mono  block  amplifiers  are  the  result  of 
years of careful design and listening tests with a huge 
range of speakers. The amplifiers are hand built using 
carefully 

selected 

audiophile 

components. 

The 

transformers are hand would using low oxygen copper 
and  special  Japanese  long  grain  iron.  Finally  each 
amplifier  is  valved,  carefully  commissioned  and 
tweaked for best performance in Leicester UK.

 

In  order  to  get  the  best  out  of  your  amplifier,  please 
read  the  enclosed  notes.  Even  if  you  are  experienced 
with  hi  fi 

please  read 

the  ‘quick  set  up  guide’. 

Should you be uncertain about anything please contact 
your dealer or us for advice. 
Valve  amplifiers  do  need  a  little  more  attention  than 
their solid-state counterparts, but the sonic results are 
more  than  worth  it.  In  this  manual  we  have  tried  to 
include  everything  that  you  need  to  know.  Please  let 
us  know  if  you  find  any  errors  or  feel  that  we  have 
missed anything out. 
Hi  fi  reproduction  is  a  long  chain  of  events  that 
includes  the  recording,  editing,  mixing  etc,  before 
being transferred to a medium such as LP, Digital, etc, 

before being played through your own source unit, the 
amplifier and finally loudspeakers.  
Your  room  acoustics  will  affect  the  sound  before  it 
finally  reaches  your  ear.  Whilst  the  amplifier  is 
arguably  the  most  important  part  of  a  system,  it  is 
important  to  remember  that  the  weakest  link  will 
always  affect  the  final  results.  And  not  all  recordings 
are  ‘equal’!  Therefore  a  good  amplifier  will  also 
reproduce  recording  imperfections.  Therefore  setting 
up  and  testing 

should  be  made  with  a  ‘clean’  well 

balanced recording. 
The 

MB  90

 

is  a  push-pull  Ultralinear  stereo 

power  amp,  capable  of  running  in  either  Ultralinear 
(half  pentode  and  half  triode)  or  pure  triode  mode, 
using the excellent KT150, KT120 valves. These are in 
fixed-bias  mode  which  gives  maximum  power,  cool 
running  and  even  indicates  valve  condition.  You  will 
occasionally  need  to  check  the  bias.  The  driver  and 
phase  splitting  is  all  triode  for  best  sound  quality  and 
low  noise.  They  are  sensitive  enough  to  be  used  with 
all modern source equipment. Their simplicity coupled 
with  point  to  point  hand  wiring  without  the  use  of 
printed  circuit  boards  results  in  an  open  euphoric 
sound  that  is  wonderfully  detailed  and  warm. 

          IMPORTANT! 
THIS MANUAL CONTAINS 
ESSENTIAL HEALTH & 
SAFETY INFORMATION FOR 
YOU AND YOUR AMPLIFIER. 
PLEASE READ & KEEP SAFE 
AND REFER TO IF NECESSARY 

Summary of Contents for MB90 MK IIm

Page 1: ...or feel that we have missed anything out Hi fi reproduction is a long chain of events that includes the recording editing mixing etc before being transferred to a medium such as LP Digital etc before...

Page 2: ...ck input Output Valve Bias level v Sound Quality Channel Balance Valve Microphony Valve Seating Hum level mv RF Test LED brightness Serial No sticker and recorded Mains voltage 110 230 240V IEC Mains...

Page 3: ...isible orange glow from the cathode heaters With the pre amp volume control set to minimum there should be no sound coming from the speakers except a barely discernable hum If there are any unpleasant...

Page 4: ...the speakers close together If correct you should hear plenty of bass if not reverse the terminals for one channel only either at the amp or speaker You will now hear more or less bass The higher bas...

Page 5: ...ments should be 3 Amp anti surge 5a USA The fuse in the wall plug should be a 3 or 5 amp fuse although unlikely to fail this should be checked if the amplifier fuse is OK No sound Have you selected th...

Page 6: ...break do not bend excessively to the side The MB90m MK II is specifically designed to use KT120 or KT150 valves Use of the lower rated KT88 6550 KT90 etc is not recommended as the lower ratingings ma...

Page 7: ...10w RMS KT150 120 Ultralinear 60w RMS KT150 120 Triode mode Signal to noise level 95db Freq response 20Hz 20kHz or 0 1db Power bandwidth 3db 10Hz 30kHz 0 1 THD typical 8w 0 015 1w 1khz Custom hand wou...

Page 8: ...ide the valve cover If the amplifier is stored in the box keep upright Do not store in damp conditions as this will corrode transformer windings etc If the amplifiers are shipped insurance is desirabl...

Page 9: ...attached to the base If the fuse blows again a VARIAC or variable transformer will be useful to operate the amplifier on reduced power in order the trace the fault or overload Make sure the bias for t...

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