Page 3
IMPORTANT YOU MUST READ THIS FIRST!
2 QUICK SET UP GUIDE
Box contents:
Amplifier, remote control, mains lead, manual,
valve cover, screw driver.
1 Unpack unit carefully
and check that it is in
good condition. Transit damage must be reported
to Icon Audio within 3 days. It is important that you
keep packaging for warranty/service return.
2 If Necessary fit the valves, or check that they
are in the correct position, firmly in place.
The
valves are numbered on the base. The large 300B
valves need fitting in sockets V1-V4.
Before fitting
note the 300B larger pair of pins! These should be
aligned with the black dots on the valve socket.
Note Left and Right
pairs are in “Mirror Image”.
The smaller 6SN7/CV181 valves should be fitted
V5-V8 sockets.
YOU MUST OBSERVE THE
CENTRAL “SPIGOT” WHEN INSERTING THE
VALVES.
Inserting the valves incorrectly will
damage both valves and amplifier and will not be
covered by the warranty.
Do not push or pull the valves excessively by
the glass envelope
, this could cause the glass
envelope to become detached from the base,
damaging the valve. Take care to observe the
alignment of the centre spigot when inserting all
valves.
3 Connect to source units
, e.g. CD, Tuner,
Tape, Phono pre amp (if used) etc via appropriate
phono sockets. This also includes TV, Streamer,
Bluetooth etc
4 Connect to speakers
Usually “Black” to “0”
terminal and “Red” to either 4 or 8 Ohm terminals.
Modern speaker impedance can fall as low as 2
Ohms and rise as high as 20 Ohms, so the
“nominal” figure quoted by manufacturers has little
practical meaning, therefore you may wish to try
both, most people prefer the results at 8 Ohms,
but the type of speaker and room acoustics can
also have a big affect, so choose by personal
preference.
If ‘bi-wiring’ both ‘common’ should go to the black
terminal, and both ‘positive’ (or red) should go to
either 4 or 8 ohm terminals. (A second banana
plug may be fitted vertically in the hole of the
socket stem).
5 Connect to mains
supply using supplied IEC
mains lead to your wall supply.
If for some
reason the welded plug must be removed,
please
remove
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.
6 Ideally, before switching on make sure that
the “standby switch” is in the “up” position.
The
n switch “On” the meter 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.
300Bs do not “glow” (you can only see
this by looking down vertically inside the valve).
With the volume control set to minimum (fully anti-
clockwise) there should be no sound coming from
the speakers except a barely discernible hum. If
there are any unpleasant sounds coming from the
speakers, switch off and refer to the ‘Trouble
Shooting’ section or contact Icon Audio.
Check the BIAS of the 300Bs by switching the
Bias switch from 1-4, the pointer should be in or
close to the black section and all four should be
the same. “Standby” is a power saving mode
which will keep the valves hot ready for use.
7 Your amplifier should now be working
. If not
check
wiring
again
and/Use
selector/tape
monitor/volume to choose source program and
suitable listening volume. Do not operate at a high
volume for the first five minutes to allow the valves
to warm up properly.
8, Remote Control.
You may need to remove
plastic tape (if any) to activate. If the batteries are
OK (2x AAA) the LED should light when any of the
keys are pressed. A little skill is needed in pointing
and pressing, as the unit has a motorised “pot”
which may not be as responsive as your TV is.
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 slightly for a few weeks.
D, Mobile phone ‘breakthrough’ is normal. Moving
your phone further away normally stops this.
E, Valves may make a ‘tinkling’ sound when
warming up and cooling down.
F, The volume control may sometimes appear to
sound ‘Scratchy’, this is not a fault!
G, Valves occasionally “Pop” or “Crackle” when
new. If this is regular problem it could be your CH
boiler/cooker/fridge etc. (see trouble shooting).
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
500v 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 output valve grid
bias pre-sets without reference to the manual.
Incorrect adjustment could cause the valves to
overheat, with 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 7.