Audio Note I Zero Instruction Manual

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I Zero
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INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
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OWNER’S INFORMATION
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1) IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
2) CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
DISPOSAL
POWER REQUIREMENTS
3) INTRODUCTION
4) OVERVIEW
5) UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION
6) CONNECTION
7) OPERATION
8) TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
9) WARRANTY INFORMATION
10) CONTACT INFORMATION
CONTENTS
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OTHER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: -
Never touch the power cord with wet hands.
Always remove the power cord by grasping the plug, not the cable.
Never expose the unit to excessive heat or magnetism.
Never let an inexperienced person repair or reassemble the unit.
Never put anything, especially metal objects, inside the unit.
Never place excessive weight on the unit.
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Do not store or operate this unit in areas of high humidity or in close
proximity to water / moisture.
Do not expose or immerse the unit in liquid of any kind.
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This product generates high levels of heat. Adequate ventilation must
be provided. Do not restrict airflow through any ventilation slots or
place the unit on any surface that may restrict airflow.
Valve equipment operates at extremely high temperatures;
KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN AND ANIMALS.!
RISK OF SHOCK OR ELECTROCUTION! INTERNAL OPERATING
VOLTAGES ARE LETHAL!
Do not remove top cover, unless specifically instructed to do so in the user
manual.
This unit contains fuses and other safety components in accordance with
BS60065 requirements.
In the event of failure, replacement fuse or safety component must be of
the same part type and value.
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This product must be earthed –ensure that the mains supply cable earth /
ground is correctly connected.
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SUCH REPLACEMENT MUST ONLY BE CARRIED OUT BY A
QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN.
Do not attempt to replace any fuses without first disconnecting the unit
from the mains electricity supply.
! IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION !

POWER REQUIREMENTS
Power requirements for electrical equipment vary depending on your geographical
location. Please ensure that your unit meets the power requirements in your area.
The power requirement for your unit is marked on the serial number plate, located on
the rear panel.
If you are in doubt, please contact your dealer before plugging the unit into the mains
supply.
CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
DISPOSAL
This product must not be disposed of as normal household waste. To
prevent possible harm to the environment please separate the product
from other waste to ensure that it can be recycled in an environmentally
safe manner. Please contact your retailer or the appropriate local
government office for collection facilities.
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We declare under our sole responsibility that this product is in conformity
with the following standards or standardized documents:
BS EN 60065 in accordance with the regulations 73/23/EEC, 89/336/EEC
(from 1 January 1997)
CE 94
Peter Qvortrup,
Director
Audio Note (UK) Limited
Viscount House
Star Road, Star Trading Estate
Partridge Green
West Sussex
RH13 8RA
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
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Thank you for purchasing this Audio Note (UK) product. With the correct care it
should give you many years of pleasure and enjoyment.
Please take the time to read all of the information in this manual before connecting
your new component to an electrical supply or your system, to ensure both your
safety and satisfaction.
Please note that due to our desire to continually improve products, specifications are
subject to change without notice. Therefore it is important to refer to the manual that
is supplied with your product for the most accurate information; manuals downloaded
from our website or obtained from other sources may no longer fully apply to your
product.
If you have any questions regarding the information contained within this document
or your new component, please feel free to contact us: -
Audio Note (UK) Limited
Viscount House
Star Road, Star Trading Estate
Partridge Green
West Sussex
RH13 8RA
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the Audio Note (UK) I Zero Integrated Amplifier.
Please read this manual carefully in order to obtain the best possible performance
and longevity from your new amplifier.
The I Zero is a stereo push / pull line level integrated amplifier with an output power
rated at around 8 watts. It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance
rather than technical specification, and fulfills all Audio Note (UK) Level Zero criteria:
Valve output stage
Class A weighted operation (switching to class AB at high output)
Materials and component quality
It is well known that the accurate reproduction of music, not just sound, requires the
purity of the incoming signal to be preserved. It is therefore not difficult to conclude
that, in order to achieve this goal and to retain the musicality of the original
performance,the complexity of the circuitry itself must be kept to a minimum.
In contrast to the majority of the audio industry, we design our circuits with the aim of
minimising non-harmonic and time base anomalies, rather than producing
vanishingly small harmonic or low intermodulation distortion measurements. These
non-harmonic amplitude and time base distortions have a highly perceptible and
adverse affect on the signal waveform, and it is far more important to address these
factors than participate in the increasingly irrelevant numbers game that chases
‘perfect measured response’.
As a result, the I Zero has been designed for maximum linearity and minimum
transient distortion, within the capabilities of its cost effective and compact design.
We chose to use a pair of the now rarely seen triode / pentode ECL82 valves for the
output stage in push / pull configuration. This marvellous small envelope design was
widely used in radios and early televisions as an output valve, and is run in Class A
until 80% of its rated power. After this, when the amplifier is operating at high power /
close to its maximum possible output, the I Zero switches to class AB which provides
low-heat, reliable and long life.
Audio Note (UK) copper wiring, high quality film resistors and metalized Mylar film
signal capacitors are used in key areas of the circuit, along with in-house designed
and manufactured, custom Audio Note (UK) output transformers with copper
primaries and secondaries. Our own high quality connectors, switch gear / volume
control and trimmings are also included.
I ZERO INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

Please take care when unpacking your I Zero Integrated Amplifier. Choose a clean,
clear location to unpack your unit. Be aware that the amplifier is heavier than its
diminutive size would suggest; before attempting to unpack or lift the unit, check the
weight and if necessary use more than one person so that it can be moved safely
and easily.
We recommend that you retain and carefully store all of the original packing
materials, in case transportation / shipping is required at a later date.
Select a suitable location for the unit. This should be a dry, dust free and level area,
preferably shielded from direct sunlight and free from vibration. Also ensure that the
location is stable and capable of carrying the weight of the unit.
A suitable mains power outlet must be close to the location; power cords must not be
pulled or stretched tightly in an attempt to reach a wall socket. If the power cord will
not easily reach the socket, choose a closer location!
Please ensure that adequate ventilation for the unit is provided, and that airflow
through any ventilation slots in the unit is not restricted. We recommend a distance of
at least 20cm free space is maintained above the unit. Please also remember that
valve equipment operates at extremely high temperatures, so a position that is
inaccessible to children or animals is essential.
UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION

Line inputs Four RCA / Single Ended line inputs are available for connection,
labeled ‘CD’ ‘Aux 1’, ‘Aux 2’ and ‘Tuner’; all four inputs have the same
specifications and any standard ‘line level’ source can be connected to
these inputs.
All sockets are colour coded; RED is for RIGHT channel connection,
WHITE is for LEFT channel connection.
Speakers Each channel is equipped with 2 colour coded binding posts for
connection to your speakers. Looking from the REAR of the amplifier,
the 2 binding posts to the left are for the RIGHT channel and the 2
binding posts to the right are for the LEFT channel (see illustration on
page 5).
Connect the amplifiers BLACK speaker output binding post marked as
“ –“ to the BLACK / negative terminal (also marked “ –“) on the
corresponding speaker.
Connect the amplifiers RED speaker output binding post to the RED /
positive terminal (also marked “ + “) on the corresponding speaker.
Mains The I Zero is equipped with an IEC 320 mains inlet socket. Use the
supplied mains cable to connect the unit to the local mains supply.
Special Note –Make sure that all connectionsare tight and clean. For
best results use good quality audio interconnects. Although it is
perfectly acceptable to use cables manufactured by other companies,
for best results and performance, we recommend our own Audio Note
(UK) range of interconnects and loudspeaker cables. For further
information, please consult your nearest Audio Note (UK) dealer, or
alternatively please feel free to contact us directly.
CONNECTION
RCA SOCKET,
CENTRE = POSITIVE /
SEND.
RCA SOCKET,
SHELL = NEGATIVE /
RETURN.

OPERATION
Once all the connections are completed and checked, ensure that the volume control
is at the minimum setting (rotated all the way left).
Ensure that all source components connected to the I Zero are switched ON.
Source components should always be the FIRST components to be switched on and
the LAST components to be switched off.
The I Zero should be the LAST component to be switched on and the FIRST
component to be switched off.
The above procedure minimizes the possibility of loud noises produced by
components at switch on being passed to the loudspeakers and possibly causing
damage.
Turn on the I Zero by using the rocker switch located on the rear panel, above the
mains inlet IEC socket. The I Zero requires approximately 45 seconds to initialize
before it is ready for operation.
Input Selector Turn the selector to the source you wish to listen to.
Volume Control This control adjusts the listening level, or loudness. Set as
desired!
Bedding in The new amplifier requires about 100 hours of initial use (called
“bedding in”) before the circuitry becomes stable and optimum
performance is realized.
As the amplifier “beds in” the sound will become increasingly
smoother, more detailed and open.
Once the amplifier has “bedded in” a warm up time of
approximately 30 minutes is required each time the unit is
switched on before optimum sonic performance is reached.
Cleaning No special maintenance is required for the preamplifier. Use a
soft, clean lint free cloth to remove any surface marks from the
casework. For finger marks / grease, use a soft, clean lint free
cloth, lightly moistened with a solution of warm water and mild
detergent. Do not use any alcohol or solvent based cleaning
products, as they may damage the finish of the amplifier.
ENSURE THAT THE PREAMPLIFIER IS SWITCHED OFF
AND DISCONNECTED FROM THE MAINS ELECTRICITY
SUPPLY BEFORE UNDERTAKING ANY CLEANING.
Valve Life The valves supplied with your I Zero should provide
approximately 6000 hours of operation, although this is
dependent on the type of usage. They are specially selected
by us, and should only be replaced with valves of the same
type and specification. Please consult your Audio Note (UK)
dealer should your valves need replacing. Alternatively, feel
free to contact us directly.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
INPUT IMPEDANCE
100 KOhms Line Level
INPUT SENSITIVITY
400mV for full Output
MAXIMUM OUTPUT
8 Watts RMS per channel into
4 or 8 ohm loads
CHANNEL BALANCE
+/-0.3dB
OUTPUT NOISE (RMS)
<0.08mV unweighted, Line Level
VALVE COMPLEMENT
4 x ECL82 Triode / Pentode valves
UNIT WEIGHT
7KG
UNIT DIMENSIONS
300mm (W) x 96mm (H) x 310mm (D)
MAINS INPUT
AC 100-120V/220-240V 50/60 Hz
MAINS FUSE
220/240V –800mA Anti Surge
100/120V –1.6A Anti Surge
MAX POWER CONSUMPTION
75W
NOTE
Due to Audio Note (UK)’s ongoing
research and development program,
specifications are subject to change
without notice.

Audio Note (UK) warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for two yearsfrom the original date of purchase from an appointed
Audio Note (UK) dealer, and agrees to cover the cost of parts and associated labour
required to correct such defects, subject to terms & conditions.
This Warranty is offered to the first purchaser only.
Any valves supplied with the unit are warranted for three months from the original
date of purchase.
If the product fails in normal domestic use and during the Warranty period due to the
above described faults or defects, Audio Note (UK) will,at its discretion, repair or
replace the item free of charge within a reasonable time once it has been returned to
Audio Note (UK) or an appointed Audio Note (UK) dealer or service engineer.
Audio Note (UK) is not liable for any shipping charges incurred whilst transporting the
product to or from Audio Note (UK) or an appointed Audio Note (UK) dealer or
service engineer, should the item require service or repair during or after the
Warranty period.
If the product must be shipped, please use the original packaging materials and
include a copy of the original sales receipt along with a note explaining, in as much
detail as possible, the problems you are experiencing with the unit.
Only use a reputable Courier Service or Shipping Agent, and ensure that your
product is insured during transit.
Any servicing, repairs or modificationsnot authorized by Audio Note (UK), or
carried out by persons other than appointed Audio Note (UK) service
engineers will invalidate any warranty.
This Warranty does NOT cover: -
Damage sustained whilst in the possession of a shipping agent, retailer or consumer
and not caused as a direct result of defects in materials or workmanship.
Damage caused by normal wear and tear.
Damage or defects caused by abnormal or unreasonable use.
Damage caused by accident, acts of nature, misuse or neglect.
Damage caused by a failure to follow the operating and installation instructions
supplied with the product.
Damage caused by improper or careless cleaning.
Audio Note (UK) reserves the right to refuse warranty for any component of which
the serial number has been removed, defaced or tampered with.
WARRANTY INFORMATION

Audio Note (UK) Limited
Viscount House
Star Road, Star Trading Estate
Partridge Green
West Sussex
RH13 8RA
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
CONTACT INFORMATION
If in the future your Audio Note (UK) product
requires servicing, or if you require technical support
or have any questions regarding this or any of our
other products, please contact your local Audio Note
(UK) dealer.
Alternatively, please feel free to contact us directly: -!