Audio valve Eartube- mark ii User manual

EARTUBE – Mark II HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER__

Congratulations

Congratulations on your decision to become the proud owner of the

on your decision to become the proud owner of the EARTUBE

EARTUBE

- MAR II ( or EARTUBE MAR II - USB )

- MAR II ( or EARTUBE MAR II - USB ) tube amplifier.

tube amplifier.

This

This owner manual has been prepared to help you to understand the operation of

owner manual has been prepared to help you to understand the operation of

your amplifier and to provide some information about its design and the variety of

ways it may be used.

We

We have designed and manufactured this amplifier to faithfully and accurately

have designed and manufactured this amplifier to faithfully and accurately

reproduce music. This hand build instrument should give a lifetime of pleasure

Congratulations

Congratulations on your decision to become the proud owner of the

on your decision to become the proud owner of the EARTUBE

EARTUBE

tube amplifier.

and with a little care and a full understanding of the operation recommendation in

this manual the

this manual the EARTUBE

EARTUBE should provide trouble free performance.and with a

should provide trouble free performance.and with a

little care and a full understanding of the operation recommendation in this

manual the

manual the EARTUBE

EARTUBE should provide trouble free performance.

should provide trouble free performance.

- Please take time to read this manual thoroughly before using your amplifier. -

EARTUBE – Mark II

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

- safety precautions

- usage

- connections

- Activation of the device

- Volume control

- Directional listening

- Listening by headphones

- The natural crossfeed filter

- Activation of crossfeed

- eplacing tubes

- integrated Digital

Audio Player

Audio Player ( an

( an accessoires in

accessoires in EARTUBE - MAR II - USB

EARTUBE - MAR II - USB )

)

- Technical data

- CE – Confirmity

- Warranty

–

–Warranty registration

Warranty registration

–

EARTUBE – Mark II

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

Safety precautions

Children and minors are not to use the device and should be kept at a safe distance from

the device while it is running.

Do not run the device without the top cover in place. Voltages inside the amp can be

lethal and temperatures are high.

Please check that the mains voltage printed on the bottom panel of the amplifier

corresponds with the mains voltage in the country where you intend to use the amplifier.

Disconnect the powercord before any service to the amplifier.

In the unlikely event of a failure of the device repairs may be performed by authorized

technicians only.

Use O IGINAL spare parts only!

Please take note of the fact that we decline product liability for damages caused by our

devices, parts and components as a result of:

Unprofessional and/or faulty and/or incorrect repairs that have been performed in

other than the approved repair facilities.

Usage of other than O IGINAL and approved spare parts.

All devices must be operated under moderate climatological circumstances, comparable

to those under which human beings usually live. When the surrounding temperature is

too high, the device will heat up beyond its optimal parameters. This can damage the

amplifier.

Proper ventilation is needed, and the amplifier should not be covered in. Allow

approximately 3 cm of air sidewise and approximately 4 cm above the amplifier to cool

the amplifier.

Once the amplifier has arrived at its desired destination, make sure the amplifier has

ample time to adjust to the climate at its new location. It is likely that the changes in

temperature and humidity between the last location and the new one, has caused

condensation to build up somewhere in the amplifier. This can damage the device. Please

allow the amplifier at least two hours to acclimatise.

The amplifier comes fully assembled, ready to go.

The decive MUST be switched OFF while connecting it to other components.

A softstart prevents high initial currents through the cold, low impedance, heating

element. This prevents the element to break at its most narrow spot.

For many interested earphone-enthusiasts, who spend a lot of money on their

hobby, only a melodious tube amplifier is possible as a driver. The answer to the

question: „ Which do I take? “ can only say: the EARTUBE of AudioValve!

EARTUBE – Mark II

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

The Eartube was developed especially for the highest-quality reproduction with

earphonesand serves very well impedances of 8 to 200 ohms. He unfolds his big strength

with roughly 3,5 watts per canal in 100 ohms. For that reason he is very well suitable

e.g. for the K1000 by AKG.

The Eartube is a pure tube amplifier and owns no semiconductor in the signal way.

Merely the stabilization for the tube heatings and anode tensions occurs highly exactly

with semiconductors.

The amplifier owns two switchable entrances with different delicacy. Thus can be

connected, e.g., CD player and TUNE at the same time.

The input circuit of the amplifier owns three tubes of the Type 6N3P and prepares the

signal for the output stage tubes. In this area of the circuit also the volume

potentiometer with the shiftable or detachable Crossfeed filter is located, to distribute

potential signal bass charge on merely one ear to both ears.

The output stages use the power Tetrode of the type: QQE 03/12 as the military version

by SIEMENS and work in circuit PP with a transformer which is tuned especially to the

interests of earphones.

The final tubes work constantly in Class A and are postregulated automatically optimally

in the Bias closed current, so that tolerance and aging of the tubes do not matter.

The care tensions are won from a strong, free of litter, Torodial-Transfomator. The

amplifier itself rests on one single two-page printed circuit board and was adapted signal-

technically optimally. For this reason also the potentiometer is in the rear part of the

printed circuit board to hold the signal way short. All parts on the PCB are of the best

quality and selected carefully to do justice to the requirements of the reproduction in

every regard. The case is from metal and prevents interferences from the outside. It is

available in the colours black and silver.

Like all products of AudioValve this amplifier also distinguishes itself especially by his

exceptional musicality which is based at last also on the fantastic technical values of the

circuit and their stability. As a user you will be able to enjoy this product in the highest

perfection for many years enthusiastically and come with it to the pleasure of

fantastically detached musical reproduction with your headphones

fantastically detached musical reproduction with your headphones.

.

EARTUBE – Mark II

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

Usage

Dear AudioValve fan,

we are delighted that you have for your audio - have bought a device from AudioValve

hobby. We know this much appreciated and will always strive to meet your expectations.

The Eartube Mark II is a logical development of our highly successful predecessor models

Eartube. This amplifier is designed for playing music through headphones in the first

place, and can act in different impedances. You can also use the amplifier but also for

playing background music about speakers. Playing music through speakers has minor

importance because the power of the amplifier is rated for headphones.

The

The AudioValve - EARTUBE Mark II

AudioValve - EARTUBE Mark II is a small-power amplifier, specially designed to drive

is a small-power amplifier, specially designed to drive

headphones. It offers a sound quality and driving capabilities far beyond that of an

ordinary headphone socket found on a CD-player or amplifier and thus allows you to

exploit the full sonic potential of your headphones.

Due to the close contact to your ears, headphones provide an extreme channel

separation whilst listening to stereo recordings. Unlike loudspeakers, none of the sonic

information in the left channel is acoustically transferred to the right ear and vice versa.

Although this adds to the extreme high level of detail that can be achieved with

headphones, it subconsciously also introduces mental stress. The natural correlation of

stereo sound interpreted by the brain is lost.

The

The AudioValve - EARTUBE Mark II

AudioValve - EARTUBE Mark II not only offers normal stereo reproduction of your

not only offers normal stereo reproduction of your

music, but it also has a facility to add some of the left channel information to that of the

right channel and vice versa. Thus mental stress is reduced and music can be enjoyed

with more ease.

By design only tubes are found inside the signal path of the amp. Solid state electronics

are only used to create a stable voltage supply.

For safety and in order to obtain the best possible results with your new headphone

preamplifier, we ask you to read these instructions carefully. The

preamplifier, we ask you to read these instructions carefully. The EARTUBE

EARTUBE was

was

developed by music-lovers for music-lovers and we hope that it will serve you well for a

long time.

EARTUBE – Mark II

EARTUBE – Mark II HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

Connections

At the rear side of the

At the rear side of the AudioValve - EARTUBE Mark II

AudioValve - EARTUBE Mark II two pairs of inputs ( 1 + 2 ) allow

two pairs of inputs ( 1 + 2 ) allow

you to connect two different audio sources that have typical output voltages (CD- player,

cassette-player, tuner, minidisc-player, ...). The source you want to listen to can be

selected by the rocker switch at the left front side of the amp.

The EA TUBE can also be used as a preamp. He has two gold-plated XL female

connectors for even the back wall, which also vary in level with the volume control. With

two sockets, for the left and right channel, only the pin 2 is occupied hot plus phase.

Your headphone should be connected to one of the headphone - sockets on the front side

of the

of the EARTUBE

EARTUBE. You can also use the sockets to connect two headphones

. You can also use the sockets to connect two headphones

simultaneously.

The sockets are intended for 6.35 mm stereo jacks. If your headphone only has a 3.5

mm jack, then use an adapter that can be obtained in most electronics or audio shops.

EARTUBE – Mark II

EARTUBE – Mark II HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

Activation of the device /

Activation of the device / front panel terminals

front panel terminals

Before connection of the

Before connection of the AudioValve - EARTUBE Mark II

AudioValve - EARTUBE Mark II to the mains, please check the

to the mains, please check the

voltage required. The proper value can be found on the bottom-side of your device.

After connection the

After connection the EARTUBE

EARTUBE can be switched ON / OFF by the power switch on the

can be switched ON / OFF by the power switch on the

front panels right side, but turn down at first the VOLUME control. While switched ON the

stereo volume meters on the front side will be lit. It takes around 30 seconds before the

amp is fully activated.

We recommend to power the amplifier ON approximately 1 minutes before use. If the

device is not used for a longer period of time it should be switched OFF. Not only does

this reduce energy consumption but it also increases life-time of the tubes.

On the left side you can select your audio soure with an vertikal rocker switch. The

standard version Mark II has 2 - switch positions, the USB version 3 - switch positions.

So you can select with its switch the backside input CA jackets, soure 1 or soure 2.

The USB version has a middle switch position and activate the internal digital player.

1

1-

- LINE 1

LINE 1

middle

middle - digital player

- digital player

2

2-

- LINE 2

LINE 2

Near by its switch you will be find the C OSS FEED switch. The describtion its function

you find it in this manual on a other page. You can use 3 modes for its function.

X

X-

- CROSS

CROSS

FEED

FEED filter

filter

middle

middle -

- MIX

MIX off both

off both

II

II -

- STEREO

STEREO

Volume and balance control

The volume of the

The volume of the AudioValve - EARTUBE Mark II

AudioValve - EARTUBE Mark II is controlled by the large ALPS dial pot.

is controlled by the large ALPS dial pot.

on the middle of the front panel and is increased by clock - wise rotation.

The driving capabilities of the

The driving capabilities of the AudioValve - EARTUBE Mark II

AudioValve - EARTUBE Mark II by far exceed that of a

by far exceed that of a

regular CD-player. This not only guarantees less distortion, but also has the danger of

severe hearing damage.

While listening to headphones we lack several feedback mechanisms on volume level that

are present when we listen to loudspeakers. Much less distortion, no feeling of the lower

frequencies by our body and no psychological restraints not to annoy our fellow-men

easily seduces us to listen at volume levels that are detrimental to our hearing.

Hearing damage from regular exposure to high sound levels progresses slowly but is

irreversible and can result in permanent hearing loss. The little knob left side from the

VOLUME pot. handle your balance between the channels and allows a correction from +/-

2dB.

!! Please choose your volume-setting with caution !!

EARTUBE – Mark II

EARTUBE – Mark II HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

Directional listening

In normal daily life people use various mechanisms to locate sources of sound.

Firstly, the sound of a source to the right side of the listener (e.g. the right loudspeaker)

not only reaches the right ear but, attenuated and delayed, is also heard by the left ear.

The level of attenuation and the delay time of this crossfeed signal provide important

directional information.

Secondly, the soundwaves are partly absorbed and partly reflected by the tissues of the

head. eflections at the oracles (pinnae) interfere with the soundwaves that directly

enter the ear-channel and amplify or attenuate specific frequency components. Since

these reflections depend on the direction of the soundwave the “color” of the sound

changes with the direction of the source.

Thirdly, reflections of the soundwaves from the walls, ceiling and floor of our listening

room produce reverberation that conveys an extra feeling of space.

The information obtained by these mechanisms is further refined by movements of the

head. Changes in sound levels, delay times and sound color refine the sense of direction.

For a demonstration, blindfold a friend and ask him to locate a ticking clock that you

have hidden in the room. He will start turning his head although he can’t see anything.

With his head in a fixed position an exact localization is much more difficult.

EARTUBE – Mark II

EARTUBE – Mark II HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

Listening by headphones

All these mechanisms are missing when we listen to music by headphones. The sound at

the right ear will no longer reach the left ear and pinnae-reflections no longer interfere

with the original soundwave. Moreover, the headphones are directly attached to our

head, and so head movements no longer add information. everberation is also not

present.

As a result, the sound heard by headphones seems to stick to the inside of our head and

to our ears and an unnatural soundfield is created. The brain misses logical clues for

direction and this subconsciously results in mental stress. Some people cannot tolerate

this stress and are unable to use headphones.

The natural crossfeed filter

In principle, digital soundprocessors can simulate all the mechanisms for directional

listening but the results are, thus far, not very satisfactory. In particular, pinnae-

reflections are very complex and listener-specific and impossible to simulate accurately.

Fortunately, the main directional information is provided by the time delay and level of

attenuation of the sounds that reaches the opposite ear. The

attenuation of the sounds that reaches the opposite ear. The AudioValve - EARTUBE

AudioValve - EARTUBE

Mark II

Mark II can electronically simulate this process and, with appropriate attenuation and

can electronically simulate this process and, with appropriate attenuation and

delay, add some of the right audiosignal to the left channel and vice -versa. This

considerably reduces the adverse symptoms of headphone listening.

A unique feature of the crossfeed circuitry of the

A unique feature of the crossfeed circuitry of the EARTUBE-1

EARTUBE-1 is that it “recognizes” the

is that it “recognizes” the

virtual positions of the instruments and singers in a recording. The sound of an

instrument in the middle of the soundstage will be equally present in both audio-channels

and isn’t given any crossfeed. A crossfeed signal is only generated for instruments that

are not placed at the center. The more off-center the instrument is placed, the stronger

the crossfeed and the longer its delay. This feature is called “natural crossfeed”.

Activation of crossfeed

The crossfeed filter can be activated by the second left switch at the front of the amp.

Lower position STEREO.

In this position there is no crossfeed on the headphone outputs. We recommend this

position for recordings with a narrow soundstage.

Upper position LOW level crossfeed

This setting is especially recommended for recordings with a relatively high level of

reverberation (orchestra, choir) or extreme spatial positioning. Although the difference to

the stereo position may not be discernable to you at first, after longer periods of

listening you will find the crossfeed position much more relaxing.

While activating the crossfeed the listener may notice an apparent lack of bass. In stereo

mode, lower frequencies seem to be much more present. This is a psycho-acoustical

effect and does not represent a limitation of the crossfeed filter. Lower frequencies heard

by one ear only are much more unnatural to our brain than higher frequencies and

therefore in stereo mode are more noticeable. Crossfeed integrates the lower frequencies

in a more natural way into the soundstage which makes them less noticeable.

EARTUBE – Mark II

EARTUBE – Mark II HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

Replacing tubes

The

The EARTUBE

EARTUBE uses three tubes 6N3P and two tubes QQE 03-12 (or its equivalents GU17,

uses three tubes 6N3P and two tubes QQE 03-12 (or its equivalents GU17,

S1023, 6360)

If you want to exchange tubes, please disconnect the power cord before removal of the

top cover. Also make sure that all pins are properly mounted into the sockets. It is not

uncommon that a pin is bend and doesn't enter the socket.

Do not run the device without the top cover in place!

EARTUBE – Mark II

EARTUBE – Mark II HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

EARTUBE MAR II - USB

integrated Digital

Audio Player, FM reseiver and Equalizer

In its amplifier model variante, we

have installed a very populare

have installed a very populare accessoires

accessoires – a

– a

DIGITAL audio player for USB sticks or SD cards with FM radio and remote

control.

Its player can handle memory size up to 8 GB and supported MP3 and WAV

files from USB sticks or Memory cards. You can direct select your music titles by

push buttons on the front its modul, or with the remote control. Its nice to handle

and simple to use and satisfight everyone who like to hear memorized digit music

from sticks as back ground music – all in realy nice accessoires. Its player has an

„AUTO STA T“ function when the USB or memory stick plugged.

Feartures:

* Play music from any USB / sticks or SD - card up to max. 8 GB with P3 or WAV format files

* PLL - F radio with auto scan integrated

* Built in RTC clock cirucit with time /alarm function

* P3 / WAV decorder support 32–320kbps.

* 18-bit resolution with no missing codes, Dynamic range: 99 dB, sample rate: 48kHz

* Play/Pause, Next , Previous , Vol- ,Vol+, Stop, EQ, Repeat , ute

* FAT16 or FAT32 systems supported

* emory the song number and volume even power cut down

* Remote control

* nice lightning LCD display

EARTUBE – Mark II

EARTUBE – Mark II HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

Keys function on Pannel

Power : Long press for stanby ,and lon g press again will wake up .

Set : Setting for Time Alarm Sleep Language Finish

VOL- : Volume down and minus for setting Time , Alarm ,and Timing swith off.

VOL+: Volume down and Plus for setting Time , Alarm ,and Timing swith off.

Play/Pause : Short press for Paly or Pause for USB and SD state (also for

auto-search channels and save them in FM state)

Remote Control eys function

Power : ON/OFF (standby )

Mode : Switch order will be USB SD FM USB (if have USB memory and SD card) , Switch order will be

USB FM USB (if only have USB memory) Switch order will be SD FM SD (if only have SD card )

P EV :Same functions as Previous Button on pannel

NEXT: Same functions as Next Button on pannel

VOL+ : Same functions as VOL+ Button on pannel

VOL-: Same functions as VOL- Button on pannel

EP: For switching one song repeat or all song repeat in USB/SD state,

default is all song repeat .

*SET : Setting for Time Alarm Sleep Language Finish

MUTE: First press mute , press again will release from mute.

EQ : NO MAL, JAZZ, OCK, POP, CLASSIC, COUNT Y

PLAY/PAUSE : For play and pause in USB/SD state , for auto-search

channel and save them in FM state.

Button 0-9 : select song in USB/SD state, if the song number over 9 , just input the numbers in series.

NOTE:

If you are using digital player not used, turn it off. To check the main switch operated on the front

panel of the player or the remote.

EARTUBE – Mark II

EARTUBE – Mark II HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

technicial specifications – all EARTUBE basic models:

Bass - crossfeed filter is implemented ( switchable )

power output: 2 * 3,5 watt

Tube: 3 x N3P and 2 x QQE 03/12 (Siemens long life military version).

2 high quality NEUTRIK headphone output jackets ,3mm on front

Gain factor: Input 1: (14,5 dB), Input 2: (21,5 dB)

2 pairs of Gold-plated RCA – input jacks

1 pair VOLUME controlled XLR pre – wireing outputs for separate POWER AMPLIFIERS.

S/N ration 100 dB

channel separation 70dB

power band wide 8 - 80.000 hz

Input impedance 47 kOhm

impedances headphones: 8 - up to 200

Silver or gold plated knobs – silver or black havy laser cuted steel case .

Alps log- - potentiometer for volume control.

100 and 245 VAC main voltage versions available.

Earthground / signalground floating connected

high precisition plate and heating voltage lines.

power consumption 100 VA

Weight: 10 kg.

Size: wide: 38cm x deeph: 2 cm x high: 12cm.

EARTUBE – Mark II

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

CE – Confirmity

Declaration Of Conformity

Manufacturer: AudioValve,

Germany, 34123 KASSEL, Umbachsweg 70,

[email protected]

Product Name: ASSISTENT 100

Product Type: Audio Amplifier

Complies with Standards:

LVD: 92/31/EEC, 93/68/EEC, & 73/23/EWG

Safety: EN60065

EMC: EN55013, EN55020, EN55022, EN55103,

EN61000-3-2, & EN61000-3-3

The official Declaration of Conformity for this product is kept on file at: AudioValve,

34123 Kassel,Umbachsweg 70, Tel. 05617013360

EARTUBE – Mark II

EARTUBE – Mark II HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

W A R R A N T Y

AUDIOVALVE warrants its components for a two - year period on all electronics and a 90-

day period on the tubes from the purchase date.

In the event of a failure of your amplifier , AUDIOVALVE will repair or readjust this unit

or , should the occasion arise , will replace it provided that all conditions stipulated in this

warranty are met.

In order to initiate service of any kind it is necessary to obtain distributor or

dealer authorization prior to shipping the unit for service.

Any of the following conditions shall void the warranty:

0·

0· Operation not in accordance with this manual.

Operation not in accordance with this manual.

0·

0· Abuse , accidental damage or unauthorized modifications , as determined

Abuse , accidental damage or unauthorized modifications , as determined

by AUDIOVALVE or its agents exclusively.

0·

0· emoval , defacing or falsifying of the serial numbers.

emoval , defacing or falsifying of the serial numbers.

0·

0· Shipping without the original complete factory crates.

Shipping without the original complete factory crates.

EARTUBE – Mark II

EARTUBE – Mark II HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

WARRANTY REGISTRATION

Please fill out and return this warranty form to the US distributor within 15 days of the purchase date or use our

ONLINE form on our webside.

•MODEL : _______________________________________________

•SERIAL NUMBER : _______________________________________

•PURCHASE DATE : ______________________________________

•AUTHORIZED AUDIO - VALVE DEALER:

•PURCHASER`S NAME : ___________________________________

•STREET ADDRESS : ______________________________________

•CITY : __________________________________________________

•ZIP / POSTAL CODE : _____________________________________

Send to :

Send to : AudioValve, Umbachsweg 70, 34123 ASSEL - Germany

AudioValve, Umbachsweg 70, 34123 ASSEL - Germany

EARTUBE – Mark II

EARTUBE – Mark II HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

- Accessories -

You can buy more accessories for your model:

for EARTUBE – MAR II

a) USB/PHONO – BOX

b) PHONOBOX only

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

for EARTUBE – MAR II - USB

a) USB/PHONO – BOX

Audio Valve EARTUBE- MARK II User manual

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