APOLLO VIEW CANCAN User manual

CAnCAn
MANUAL V1.0

& Curiouser
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CANCAN
LIMITED WARRANTY ..................................................................................................................................4
INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................................5
WHAT IS IT?..........................................................................................................................................................5
CANCAN TECHNICAL BACKGROUND............................................................................................................5
SENSITIVITY..........................................................................................................................................................5
IMPEDANCE.........................................................................................................................................................5
DAMPING FACTOR...............................................................................................................................................6
FREQUENCY RANGE.............................................................................................................................................6
ACTIVE VOLUME CONTROL..................................................................................................................................6
SUMMARY ...........................................................................................................................................................6
INSTALLATION CANCAN..............................................................................................................................7
POWER.................................................................................................................................................................7
CANCAN FUNCTIONALITY ...........................................................................................................................8
KEY.......................................................................................................................................................................8
INPUT...................................................................................................................................................................9
CONTROLS ...........................................................................................................................................................9
8-SEGMENT LED METERS.....................................................................................................................................9
OUTPUTS ...........................................................................................................................................................10

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CANCAN
Limited Warranty
Apollo View Modular Ltd warrants this product to be free from defects in materials or
construction for a period of one year from the date of purchase (proof of purchase/invoice
required).
This warranty does not cover any damage caused by misuse of the product, or any
unauthorised modification of the product.
Apollo View Modular Ltd reserves the right to determine what qualifies as misuse at their
discretion. Examples of misuse include, but are not limited to:
1. Exposure to extreme heat or moisture
2. Malfunction resulting from wrong power supply voltages, backwards or reversed
Eurorack bus board cable
3. Issues related to third party products
4. Any condition resulting from incorrect or inadequate maintenance or care.
5. Damage resulting from misuse, abuse, negligence, accidents or shipping damage.
6. Dissatisfaction due to buyer’s remorse
7. Normal wear and tear
8. Damage to the product caused by excessive physical force or abuse of the product,
removing knobs, changing faceplates
This warranty does not cover any other causes determined by Apollo View Modular Ltd to
be the fault of the user, and standard service rates will apply.
Apollo View Modular Ltd agrees, at its option during the warranty period, to repair any
defect in material or quality or to furnish a repaired or refurbished product of equal value in
exchange without charge (except for a fee for shipping, handling, packing, return postage,
and insurance which will be incurred by the customer). Such repair or replacement is subject
to verification of the defect or malfunction and proof of purchase as confirmed by showing
the model number on the original dated sales receipt.
Apollo View Modular Ltd implies and accepts no responsibility for harm to persons or
apparatus caused through the operation of this product.
Please contact [e-mail] with any questions, requests for a return to
the manufacturer, or any needs & comments.
https://www.apolloviewmodular.com/

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CANCAN
Introduction
WHAT IS IT?
CanCan is a dual-channel headphone amplifier engineered for Eurorack format. Its low
output impedance yields a high damping factor for consistent low-frequency response
throughout a wide impedance range from 16 to 600 ohms (Ω). Whether you're fine-tuning
sounds on stage with in-ear monitors, or exploring the sonic depths of your Eurorack in the
studio, CanCan captures and delivers every nuance with fidelity.
The amplifier's design is committed to high-fidelity performance, ensuring an pure studio-
quality audio experience. Twin independent channels provide the versatility needed for
both collaborative and solo endeavours. Dual 8-segment LED meters offer precise visual
feedback for gain staging, aiding in the prevention of clipping and ensuring a pristine audio
signal path. CanCan's low output impedance ensures broad compatibility across the full
spectrum of headphones (Cans), making it an essential component in any Eurorack setup.
CANCAN TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
To fully grasp the function of headphone amplifiers, it's essential to consider the technical
aspects that dictate their performance with various Cans. Sensitivity, impedance, damping
factor, frequency range, and volume control are all critical in how an amplifier drives
headphones and shapes the listening experience. CanCan is engineered with these factors at
the forefront, guaranteeing studio-quality sound for various headphone types.
SENSITIVITY
Sensitivity measures a headphone's ability to convert an electrical signal into sound,
expressed in dB SPL/mW. Headphones with high sensitivity output greater volume for less
input power, making them responsive even to subtle audio signals. This characteristic is
particularly evident with in-ear monitors, which can reveal any noise present in the
amplification process. CanCan's design focuses on minimal noise, ensuring that all
headphones, especially highly sensitive ones, reproduce audio without adding unwanted
sounds, thus preserving the fidelity of the original signal.
IMPEDANCE
Impedance, quantified in ohms (Ω), is the combined resistive and reactive resistance that
headphones offer to an electrical signal. Low-impedance Cans (16 to 32Ω) are typically
louder for a given input power due to their efficiency, but their performance can also be
influenced by sensitivity and source output. High-impedance Cans (250 to 600Ω), while
requiring more power, are favoured in studios for their detailed sound reproduction, though
this is also a result of their overall design quality.
CanCan is crafted to drive headphones across this broad impedance spectrum effectively. It
provides ample power for high-impedance headphones while ensuring low-impedance Cans
receive a clean, well-controlled signal. This ensures a high damping factor, essential for
maintaining accurate transient response and solid bass across all headphone types.

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CANCAN
DAMPING FACTOR
The damping factor, defined as the ratio of headphone impedance to amplifier output
impedance, is pivotal for audio clarity. With CanCan's exceptionally low output impedance
of 0.5Ω, it maintains a high damping factor even with low-impedance Cans, ensuring
comprehensive control over the headphone drivers. The high damping factor yields a tight
bass response and sharpens transient sounds, enabling headphones to respond swiftly and
accurately to the audio signal. Such precision ensures that CanCan facilitates the faithful
reproduction of every auditory detail, offering consistently high-quality audio for all
headphones.
FREQUENCY RANGE
CanCan's frequency response is optimised for the audible spectrum, ranging from 20Hz to
20,000Hz. This ensures that all frequencies within the range of human hearing are
accurately represented, providing a seamless audio experience. While sub-audio
frequencies and potential electromagnetic interference are minimised to prevent distortion
and intermodulation. CanCan's design also considers the importance of a clean phase
response and transient behaviour at the edges of the audible range. Consequently, listeners
enjoy a pure and uncoloured sound, free from distortions and artefacts, for an immersive
listening experience.
ACTIVE VOLUME CONTROL
CanCan features a Braxandall Active Volume Control circuit that goes beyond the limitations
of traditional passive volume designs commonly found in Eurorack modules. This active
method reduces the noise and variability typically associated with high-resistance
potentiometers used in standard voltage divider configurations. By actively controlling
volume, CanCan achieves a consistent frequency response and avoids the imbalance caused
by conventional potentiometers' electrical resistance variance (±20% tolerance). This results
in precise channel balance, with soundstage and imaging accurately preserved without
distortion, noise, or colouration.
SUMMARY
CanCan is engineered for high-fidelity, ensuring accurate sound reproduction across a
diverse range of headphones. Its design, featuring a low output impedance and
comprehensive control of audio parameters, provides consistent quality in a Eurorack
format. CanCan integrates seamlessly with both in-ear monitors and studio-grade cans,
upholding the integrity of your audio signal in every use case.

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Installation CANCAN
POWER
Before installing CanCan, ensure your Eurorack system is powered off. CanCan is supplied
with a 10-pin to 16-pin power cable. Carefully align the 10-pin end with the 2x5 pin header
on the module's rear. The red stripe on the cable indicates -12V and must align with the
!RED! marking on IOU for proper polarity.
Next, find a 4 HP slot in your Eurorack case for CanCan. Connect the other end of the power
cable to your Eurorack power supply, ensuring the red stripe aligns with the -12V rail. With
the power connection established, mount the module into your case using appropriate
screws and power on your Eurorack system.
The module has reverse protection diodes, which will divert the reverse current to ground in
case of incorrect installation.

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CANCAN Functionality
KEY
1. Active Volume Control for Can1
2. Active Volume Control for Can2
3. Level Meter Left Channel
4. Level Meter Right Channel
5. Mono Inputs Left & Right
6. Mono Outputs Left & Right
7. Stereo Headphone Outputs 1 & 2

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INPUT
In L & In R - These are AC-coupled and electromagnetically filtered inputs for the left and
right channels. The Left input is automatically routed to the Right if no Right input is
patched, providing a mono-to-stereo functionality. Connecting a cable to the Right input will
override this normalling feature.
CONTROLS
Can 1 & Can 2 Knobs –These knobs control the active volume for the left and right stereo
outputs. To prevent any potential damage to your hearing or headphones, always turn these
knobs fully anti-clockwise before connecting your headphones.
8-SEGMENT LED METERS
Configuration - The level meters can display either peak or average signal levels. This is
configurable via a set of jumper pins on the back of the module. Jumper 1 configures the left
channel, and jumper 2 configures the right channel. Place the jumper on the middle pin and
either P (Peak) or A (Average) according to your preference.

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Reading the Meters –In Peak mode, the 0dB indicator corresponds to a 10Vpp input signal
level. The +3dB indicator corresponds to approximately 14Vpp, a high level that could cause
clipping in subsequent stages. Aim for the 0dB LED to illuminate for optimal levels. Note that
the meter will show a lower level in Average mode since it doesn't respond to quick
transient peaks.
Meter Calibration –The meters are factory-calibrated. If recalibration is necessary, use the
trimmers on the back of the module. For the Left meter, use trimmer 1; for the Right, use
trimmer 2. With the meters set to Peak mode, input a 10Vpp 1kHz sine wave into the left
input and adjust the trimmer until the 0dB LED illuminates.
OUTPUTS
Out L & Out R - These outputs provide mono signals derived from the respective inputs.
They are AC-coupled and electromagnetically filtered, ideal for routing to other modules or
a dedicated output stage.
Can1 & Can2 Outputs - These stereo outputs are designed for connecting headphones,
providing high-quality sound for personal monitoring. They also offer the flexibility to drive
active monitors with a stereo-to-mono Y-splitter cable. To ensure safety and durability,
these outputs feature resettable fuses that protect against short circuits. This means if a
mono cable is mistakenly connected, the fuses will prevent any damage to the output stage,
preserving the longevity and reliability of your module.

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MANUAL V1.0
[e-mail]
https://apolloviewmodular.com