200313 ES TMS Amplifier Operating Instructions ENV12
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Remove the black plastic sleeves on the control shafts and put them safely aside.
With a No. T20 Torx® screwdriver, unscrew the four 4mm screws securing the cabinet.
These are located on the lower left and right hand sides at the front and back.
Slide off the cabinet in a forwards direction.
Pre-amp: 2 x ECC88 or E88CC. Driver; 2 x ECC99.
Output: 4 x EL34 / 4 x 6550 / 4 x KT88 / 4 x KT120, depending on the original order.
Pre-amp: 2 x ECC88 or E88CC. Driver; 2 x ECC99.
Output: 4 x KT88.
Replacement valves can be purchased by mail order on the internet from the original
manufacturer JJ Electronics, Slovakia, or from electronic components suppliers, e.g.
TubeTown GmbH, Germany, or Distrelec Export, The Netherlands. If you experience
difficulties, please contact TMS. When ordering output valves, we recommend purchase in
matching sets of four.
Looking from the top front, the valves located nearest the front are the preamp and driver
valves, ECC88 and ECC99, or short and tall miniature 9-pin valves, respectively.
The larger output valves are located towards the back and are numbered 1 to 4, from left to
right.
Valves are best replaced in pairs at the same time, e.g. both pre-amp valves or both driver
valves, in order to have two valves of the same age, for optimal sound reproduction.
Remove valves by gently rocking them backwards and forwards while at the same time
exerting an upwards pull on them.
Note the location of each valve with a sketch on paper and by writing its position on the
glass envelope with a marker pen.
Replace valves by matching the pin pattern on the valve to the holes on the base (9-pin
valves) or rotate the valve until the key engages (8-pin valves) and push the valves
completely down into the socket.
Put discarded valves in the recycling for electrical and electronic items.
TMS uses manual biasing for output valves in its equipment rather than semi-automatic or
automatic biasing because of reliability and sound quality concerns with the latter systems.
Biasing is unnecessary for the valves in a new amplifier where the values are bench set.
Biasing becomes necessary when valves are changed or replaced and it may be advisable
once every two years to maintain optimal output stage performance.
TMS 6060P Valves
TMS 6060B Valves
Biasing of Output Valves