background image

Page 3 

IMPORTANT READ THESE NOTES THROUGH FIRST! 

 

2 QUICK SET UP GUIDE  

 

1  Unpack  unit  carefully

.  Make  sure  that  it  is  in 

good  condition.  If  not  report  to  Icon  Audio.  It  is 
important  that  you  keep  the  packaging  for 
warranty/service return.  

 

2 If Necessary fit the valves, or check that they 
are  firmly  in  place. 

SEE  NEXT  PAGE. 

The 

KT90s  should  be  fitted  first  to  the  two 

REAR

 

sockets 

(the 

two 

sockets 

nearest 

the 

transformers). To avoid damage to the valves hold 
the valves as close to the base as possible 

NOTE  THE  “LEFT”  and  “RIGHT”  KT90 
orientation  on  each  amplifier.  Also  keep  the 
left and right amplifier valves separate. 

Be  careful  to  note  the  correct  orientation  of 
the  central  “spigot”  between  the  pins 
otherwise damage could occur.  

The  small  valves  should  be  gently  pushed  into 
place.  The  6SL7  (6188)  is  fitted  to  the  right  hand 
base (the same side as the triode switch) and the 
6SN7 to the left hand base (the same side as the 
standby switch). 

NOTE:  The  KT90s  and  6SL7/6SN7  are  NOT 
interchangeable!  This  will  result  in  damage 
and could be dangerous. 

 

3  Connect  to  source  unit

,  e.g.  Phono  pre  amp, 

Passive  pre  amp  etc  via  appropriate  phono 
sockets.  

4  Connect  to  speakers

  Make  sure  to  make  the 

correct  polarity  of  speaker  cables.  (See  speaker 
connections  chapter).  If  ‘bi-wiring’  both  ‘common’ 
should go to the bla

ck terminal, and both ‘positive’ 

(or red) should go to the red terminals.  

 

5  Connect  to  mains

  supply  using  supplied  IEC 

mains  lead  to  240v  supply. 

If  for  some  reason 

the  welded  plug  must  be  removed,  please 
remove plug fuse and dispose of immediately.

 

(As  they  can  be  a  danger  to  children  if  plugged 
in).  The  replacement  plug  should  be  wired  in  the 
following  way  Brown  to  Live  terminal,  Blue  to 
Neutral  terminal  and  Green/Yellow  to  Earth 
terminal. 

 

6  Before  switching  on  make  sure  that  the 
“standby switch” is in the “up” position. 
SWITCH  ON!

  The  blue  mains  indicator  should 

light  up.  Leave  for  at  least  60  seconds  for  the 
valves  to  warm  up,  and  then 

push  the  “standby” 

switch  into  the  “down”  position.  The  amplifier 
should  now  be  working.  All  valves  should  have  a 
visible  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 gentle hum. 
If  there  are  any  unpleasant  sounds  coming  from 

the  speakers,  switch  off  and 

refer to the  ‘Trouble 

Shooting’ section or contact Icon Audio. 
 
If  your  unit  is  fitted  with  the  HT  delay  timer, 
operation will begin after the unit switches the HT 
on  (approx  1  to  2  mins).  You  may  hear  very  low 
distorted  sound  from  the  speakers  during  the 
warm up time. This is because there is virtually no 
HT  to  operate  the  amplifier.  We  suggest  you 
reduce the volume until the HT cuts in.  

6a Integrated/Power Amplifier Switch 

Located on the rear LH side this switch is normally 
“UP”  for  integrated  operation  (high  sensitivity).  If 
use  with  a  pre-amplifier  is  required,  the  switch 
should be “DOWN” in the low sensitivity position.  

 

7  Your  unit  should  now  be  functioning

.  If  not 

check  wiring  again.  Do  not  operate  at  a  high 
volume for the first five minutes to allow the valves 
to warm up properly. 

 

Please note all these things are normal for 

valve amplifiers: 

A, Valves can get very hot, BEWARE! 
B, The transformer cover will get quite warm 
C, The amplifier may smell for a few weeks. 
D, M

obile phone ‘breakthrough’ is normal. 

E,  Valves  may  make  a  ‘tinkling’  sound  when 
warming up and cooling down. 
F, One channel  may come on before the other at 
switch on. 
G, 

There may be a ‘click’ when switching off. 

 

8 Health and Safety

. The valves when  operating 

have  high  surface  temperatures.  Keep  out  of 
reach  of  children  and  pets.  The  use  of  the 
supplied  guard  is  recommended  in  these 
circumstances.  Always  unplug  when  making 
adjustments. 

Like  all  amplifiers  there  are 

potentially  lethal  high  voltages  inside  (over 
600v  DC),  which  when  switched  off  can  take 
twenty  minutes  to  discharge!

  Do  not  remove 

bottom  panel  unless  you  are  a  competent 
engineer.  There  are  no  user  serviceable  parts 
inside. 

Like 

other 

household 

electrical 

appliances  do  not  leave  unattended  whilst 
switched  on.

  Do  not  adjust  the  KT90  bias  pre 

sets  without  reference  to  the  manual.  Incorrect 
adjustment  could  cause  the  valves  to  overheat, 
with  resulting

  in  damage  to  valves  and 

amplifier.  

 

To  maintain  the  best  performance  of  the 
amplifier  you  should  check  the  bias  of  the 
output  valves  from  time  to  time  (say  twice  a 
year). Full details will be found in section 6. 

Summary of Contents for MB90

Page 1: ...sferred to a medium such as LP CD or FM before being played through your own source unit the amplifier and finally loudspeakers Your room acoustics will also affect the sound before it finally reaches...

Page 2: ...Run min 6 hour test Check 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...

Page 3: ...e amp volume control set to minimum there should be no sound coming from the speakers except a barely discernable gentle hum If there are any unpleasant sounds coming from the speakers switch off and...

Page 4: ...st together to avoid any spare strands touching anywhere else soldering the stands together helps Be warned this amplifier does not have an output protection device which would degrade the sound So a...

Page 5: ...than 24hrs We would always advise that any item of home electronics is switched off when unattended Burning in Although the amplifier should sound good within about 10 mins it can take up to an hour...

Page 6: ...e the valves the KT90s should be held by the base when removing to prevent damage numbering them with a marker from left to right as you do so in order that that may be replaced in the same position T...

Page 7: ...brand new you will need to check again after approximately 10 100 hours after that only occasionally or if you suspect a problem 7 To avoid damage to the amplifier and electric shock hazard you must u...

Page 8: ...pt This amplifier is designed for normal domestic hi fi use It is not guaranteed for commercial Public Address use or use in other situations The guarantee becomes void if the unit has been modified i...

Reviews: