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7. TUBES 

 
 

7.3. The bias measurement system 
  

The BIAS measurement facility makes it easy for you to check and adjust the idle current of the 
output  tubes.  Getting  the  BIAS  setting  right  for  all  four  tubes  is  critical  for  both  the  sound  of  the 
power  amplifier  section  and  for  the  service  life  of  the  tubes.  This  feature  guarantees  consistent 
sound quality over the entire lifetime of the output tubes.  
That is why we have built this BIAS measurement facility into the V 110 SE – to allow you, the user, 
to carry out the adjustment yourself without the need for test equipment. The use of precision op 
amps makes it possible for you to set the BIAS to 

accuracy

 within 0.3%, making it superior to any 

other  method.  Using  selected  output  tubes  only  makes  sense  if  the  idle  current  is  adjusted 
accurately, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1 Technical Data. 
 

 

 
How to set the BIAS 

Turn the Input selector knob [2] clockwise to the BIAS position to activate the measurement circuit 
(pos. 6); Signal/input selection is disabled.  
 

 

 
The  3  LEDs  above  each  screw  in  the  display  panel  show  whether  the  BIAS  setting  is  too  low, 
correct, or too high. Use the small screwdriver supplied to adjust the BIAS. 
To increase the BIAS current to each output tube, turn the screwdriver clockwise.  
The  adjusting  screws  are  fully  insulated.  There  is  no  risk  of  electric  shock  and  the  adjustment 
procedure is completely safe.  

 

The LED display 

Red LED only

 

Setting is too high

 

Green + red LED

 

Setting is OK for KT 120,KT 88, 6550, etc. = high BIAS 

Green LED only

 

Setting is OK 

 green LED 

Setting is OK for EL 34, 6CA7, KT 77, etc. = low BIAS 

Yellow LED 

Setting is too low 

 

Summary of Contents for V 110 SE

Page 1: ...V 110 SE Owner s Manual English...

Page 2: ...insights into the interaction of amplifier and loudspeaker With tube amplifiers in particular a general reluctance to depart from the classic circuit designs has not done the technology any favors Alt...

Page 3: ...4...

Page 4: ...ector alternative output tubes 18 6 2 Changing the damping factor 19 6 2 Protection 20 6 3 Soft Start 20 6 4 Ecomode 22 6 5 Front Channel 22 6 6 Pre Out regulated 22 6 6 1 Using with an active subwoof...

Page 5: ...6...

Page 6: ...ciple The much misunderstood negative feedback does its job extremely well without having any influence on the acoustic side The new amplifier generation impresses with extreme linearity significantly...

Page 7: ...engineer to replace blown fuses with ones of the same type and rating If your amplifier requires servicing please ship or take your equipment directly to OCTAVE or to one of our authorized service ce...

Page 8: ...le materials gases or vapors Avoid areas where there may be heavy accumulations of dust or where the unit may be subject to mechanical vibration Place your OCTAVE amplifier on a stable level surface 2...

Page 9: ...control 2 screwdrivers 1 x 2 mm flat bladed screwdriver for adjusting the bias 1 x 2 5 mm Allen key for removing the cover Owner s manual with warranty card Cloth and gloves 3 2 Removing the grille Pr...

Page 10: ...nent as well as tube life considerably by protecting against stress caused by typical high inrush currents during switch on Procedure Check that the Ecomode switch on the rear panel is in the Eco off...

Page 11: ...ter an additional 5 to 10 minutes the BIAS control LEDs will change from yellow to green This indicates the correct bias and the unit is ready If you notice any irregularity in the display please refe...

Page 12: ...13 3 GETTING STARTED 3 7 Connection options overview...

Page 13: ...level input for tuner etc Pos 3 Aux 1 RCA line level input for video etc Pos 4 Aux 2 RCA line level input for video etc Pos 5 CD 2 XLR line level input for CD SACD or similar Pos 6 The electronic BIA...

Page 14: ...witched on Protection Red LED lights up when the electronic protection system has switched off the amplifier in response to an amplifier fault see chapter 6 3 Soft start Lights up during the soft star...

Page 15: ...with Phono option AUX 1 RCA line level input for Video etc Tape Rec Record output for tape or DAT GND Ground connector for Turntable Front Channel Input for the front channel of a multichannel receive...

Page 16: ...pacitance upgrade for the power amplifier section see chapter 10 You should switch off the V 110 SE using the power switch before connecting and disconnecting the Black Box AC supply socket IEC socket...

Page 17: ...he maximum output power is limited to 2 x 70 W to avoid overloading these tubes The rather rare tubes of type KT 90 and KT 100 can be used also in the LOW position The EL 34 can be used in the LOW Pos...

Page 18: ...speakers popular example are the models of the B W 800 series whose impedance increases by design in the midrange The HIGH version has ad vantages for electrostatic speaker such as Martin Logan which...

Page 19: ...he output tubes A fault in one of the preamp tubes which overloads the affected channel Once the protection system has cut in the only way you can turn the V 110 SE back on is to turn the on off switc...

Page 20: ...s off the amplifier is on Eco on The Ecomode electronic is activated Ecomode is signal actuated after a 9 minute silence Ecomode switches in automatically The soft start LED 6 indicates that the Ecomo...

Page 21: ...crossover in the subwoofer electronics will block unwanted DC and low frequency signals 6 7 2 Using the V 110 SE in bi amped systems Another option provided by the adjustable Pre Out is bi amping via...

Page 22: ...S current to two different values low and high in addition to the Power selector High and Low Output tubes can be divided into two broad classes classic pentode output tubes for medium power amplifier...

Page 23: ...d Using selected output tubes only makes sense if the idle current is adjusted accurately as is clearly shown in Fig 1 Technical Data How to set the BIAS Turn the Input selector knob 2 clockwise to th...

Page 24: ...00 6550 KT 90 See chapter 7 2 These tube types do not have to be operated at a high BIAS setting they will work perfectly well on the low setting However certain loudspeakers may benefit from the high...

Page 25: ...3 2 New untested output tubes should be allowed a longer warm up period You should adjust these tubes after about 20 minutes 7 5 Running in All OCTAVE equipment is subject to a 48 hour soak test at t...

Page 26: ...ctive RIAA equalization with an active 2nd order subsonic filter The phono preamplifier uses semiconductor technology throughout The subsonic filter suppresses undesirable low frequency signals in the...

Page 27: ...s dynamic range separation depth soundstage size and articulation rendering the musical reproduction clearer throughout the entire frequency range The amplifier remains unaffected by mains variations...

Page 28: ...discharges the unit s electrolytics The yellow LED indi cates that this procedure is taking place The discharge circuit also activates if the SBB connecting cable is accidentally removed This is to pr...

Page 29: ...rs you have two grounded components connected to the V 110 SE You must now unplug your components in reverse order to find out which of them is grounded Usually the hum will still appear even when the...

Page 30: ...fridges and 12V halogen lamps can produce strong radio interference when they turn on and off Depending on the wiring in your home this can result in clicks and pops in your loudspeakers To fix the pr...

Page 31: ...he BIAS screws to the extreme right and leave them there If you have not been able to adjust the BIAS satisfactorily turn the adjuster screw back to its extreme left position Driver tube heater fault...

Page 32: ...e protection system to trip Should this happen switch the V 110 SE off and replace the problem tube Faulty driver tube In very rare cases a problem with one of the driver tubes can cause the V 110 SE...

Page 33: ...3 minus Output stage Output Power into 4 ohms Power Selector High 2 x 110W RMS Power Selector Low 2 x 70W RMS Peak Power into 4 ohms Power Selector High 2 x 130W Peak Power Selector Low 2 x 90W Peak I...

Page 34: ...up time 50 sec Power consumption 500 W at full power 190 W idle 20 W in Ecomode Weight 22 70 kg Mains fuse For 230 240V 4A slow blow H 5 x 20 mm For 115 240V 6 3A slow blow H 5 x 20 mm For 100V 6 3 A...

Page 35: ...usted correctly Curve 2 BIAS 10 out Curve 3 BIAS 30 out Graph 2 Frequency response 5 W into 4 ohms The frequency response curve clearly shows the low frequency extension of the V 110 SE linear to 10 H...

Page 36: ...W into 4 ohm there is no mains interference to be seen 50 Hz 200 V 100 Hz 70 V The k2 k3 k4 and k5 noise spectrum is extremely low and falls quickly Audio Precision A A FFT SPECTRUM ANALYSIS V 70 SE...

Page 37: ...checked but these will generally last for well over 10 years 4 Does the V 110 SE have to have all of its tubes fitted In principle the V 110 SE will also operate without tubes It is sometimes useful...

Page 38: ...tave de We reserve the right to alter and improve the specifications in pursuit of better OCTAVE logo is a registered trade mark of Andreas Hofmann Copyright by Andreas Hofmann Reproduction in whole o...

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