Page 3
IMPORTANT YOU MUST READ THIS FIRST!
2 QUICK SET UP GUIDE
1 Unpack unit carefully
and check that it is in
good condition. Transit damage must be reported
to your supplier immediately. 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 the rear 4 pin 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
, using any line level
source (appox 300mV to 3V) e.g. CD, Tuner,
Tape, Phono pre amp (if used) etc via appropriate
phono sockets. This also includes TV, Streamer,
Bluetooth etc observing L (left) and R (right).
The “Tape” switch should be set to “Source”.
Switch “Sensitivity” to “H” initially.
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 to more than 30 Ohms, so the
“nominal” figure quoted by manufacturers has little
practical meaning, therefore you may wish to try
both, the type of speaker and room acoustics can
also have a big effect, 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 Ensure that the side power switch is “OFF”
at “0”
Then 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 dangerous 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 When first switching on the “standby”
switch should be in the “down” position.
Then switch “On” the meter should light up. The
meter will light up and the amplifier should start
working within about 30 seconds. 300Bs glow
very dimly. 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
your re-seller or 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
.
Select a suitable “source” and adjust volume.
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 necessary
loosen the rear screws. If the batteries are good
(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”. At
switch on the volume control re-sets to “9 o’clock”.
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, Nearby appliances such as boilers/fridge/wifi
etc occasionally may be a source of interference.
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 occasionally (say monthly). Full
details will be found in section 7.
