Audio Valve Eklipse User manual

Owners Manual
With the
EKLIPSE
Pre-amplifier
We congratulate you with the purchase of this superb AUDIO VALVE HiFi component.
This handcrafted product has been manufactured with only your most demanding requirements in mind. It was
made to allow you many years of musical joy.
AUDIO VALVE guarantees that this amplifier has been produced under the strictest of guidelines and with
respect for procedures acquired through decades of tube amplifier design. Your Eklipse Pre-amplifier has been
thoroughly tried and tested in all detail.
I personally guarantee the quality of this product
H. Becker
Manager Production & Development

Table of contents
1. Introduction and general information
2. Manufacturers information
3. Safety precautions
4. Intended use / Application / Factory assembly & getting started
5. Operating instructions & technological data
6. Warrant
_____________________________________
1.Introduction
Dear client, we congratulate you on your purchase of this superb AUDIO VALVE HiFi component.
To safeguard maximum functionality and to avoid operating problems, it is important that you carefully study this
owners manual and that you follow all instructions therein precisely!
General information
Important instructions, reagrding safety, securety and operational reliability while using the Eklipse Pre-Amplifier are
highlighted throughout this manual.
2. Herstellernachweis
Factory address:
AUDIO VALVE, H. Becker,
Auf dem Streken 7
D-32689 KALLETAL
GERMANY,
Tel.: 0049 - (0) 5264 77 99
Fax: 0049 - (0) 5264 65 44 77
VAT.-ID. 125 673 965
Email AUDIO [e-mail]
website www.AUDIO VALVE.de

3. Safety precautions
Important: Study the owners manual before assembly and operation of the amplifier
Anyone, unable to comprehend the instructions stated in the owners manual should not operate the device.
Children and minors are not to use the device and should be kept at a safe distance from the device while it is running.
The user is responsible for operating the device in an appropriate fashion and it takes full responsibility towards third parties.
Before the amplifier can be used the first time, suitability of taken precautions regarding electrical safety must be approved
through professional assessment
Check that the mains voltage printed on the rear panel of the amplifier corresponds with the line voltage in the territory where
you intend to use the amplifier.
Always check powercords and plugs for damage before use.
Disconnect the powercord before work is being done on the amplifier.
In the unlikely case of a failure of the device repairs may be performed by AUDIO VALVE authorized technicians only.
Use ORIGINAL spare parts only!
Please take note of the fact that we waive product liability for damages caused bij our devices, parts and components as a
result of
a) Unprofessional and/or faulty and/or correct repairs that have been performed in other than the by AUDIO VALVE
approved repair facilities,
b) Usage of other than ORIGINAL and approved spare parts.
The Eklipse Pre-Amplifier is subject to and complies with German security class 1 for devices with metal housing. The
device is grounded, and may not –by manipulation or otherwise- be ungrounded for any reason! To prevent humm as a result
of interconnecting your devices with the Eklipse Pre -Amplifier, the internal electrical circuitry has been designed to have no
grounded mass

4. Intended use / Application
AUDIO VALVE Hi-Fi Amplifiers are intended for use under the following circumstances only:
-To play and transfer music of any make and fashion when this occurs in private dwellings
or studios.
-All devices must be operated under moderate climatological circumstances, comparable to
those underwhich 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 will be 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.
-Unusually high humidity of the air increases the risk of shortcircuits in the device because
of the increased conductivity. This reduces the internal insulation values dramatically and
will eventually result in a malfunction of the amplifier. This increased conductivity also
might endanger the user of the device. In general terms the amplifier should not be used
for other than its intended purpose.
Factory assembly & getting started
Once the amplifier has arived at its desired destination, make sure the amplifier has ample time to ajust 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 commes fully assembled, ready to go. The powercord should not be used as yet, please connect all other input
and output connectors first (cinchcables, speakercables, etc).
The decive MUST be switched off while connecting it to other components, it might be damaged if t his is done with the
amplifier under power. The person operating the amplifier might be hurt as well in this case, since powerspikes, operating
currents and voltage charges may occur
Check whether the ON/OFF switch is in the OFF position. If so, you can now plug in the powercord.
Use high quality cables only! Usage of DIY cables, low spec cables or cables intended for other use voids all warranty and
cancels any product liability. Make sure all plugs are connected tightly to the amplifier. When in doubt, replace the cable.
Allways use the device in a ’complete configuration’ , damages may occur when devices are not connected to the amplifier
when it is being run.
Never lift the device by its glass cover, not even when there are gripps attached to the cover . The gripps and the cover are
there for ornamental purposes only. They make the amplifier look nice.
The amplifier should be positioned at a level surface, in time the construction of the glass housing may fail as a result of
tensile forces.
Please disconnect and move the amplifier when you replace tubes. Replace them at a place where you can work easily. You
might damage the ’motherboard’ if you replace the tube in an awkward position. After that please check all connectors. If all
connectors are undamaged, make sure the switch is in the OFF position, reconnect the powercord and swith the amplifier on.
You can make sure the amplifier is properly connected by checking the tubes. Only the inside of the tube should glow. If the
steel coverjacket glows as well, the device is faulty and must be serviced immediately.
As a rule of thumb the device should work now. Don’t push the volume up to its maximum just yet, allow the device to burn
in smoothly and avoid powerspikes.
The Eklipse Pre-Amplifier needs at least a 10 Ampere circuit breaker between its powercord and the mains. Make sure your
wallsocket is equiped in such a fashion.

Controls and operation on the front side
The frontside of the Eklipse has a number of controls, whose function should be elaborated upon. We start from the left
The left selectorswitch balances the outputs and allows you to MUTE the amplifier or put it on STAND BY. The five LEDs
under the knob indicate the chosen setting, each possible setting has its own LED.
When the outermost left LED is lit permanently, the device is in STAND BY mode, e.g. the tubes are heated up but no
anodecurrent is passed through them. Simultaniously the outputs of the amplifier are muted, which is represented by the
lighting of the orange LED for MUTE, next to the red LED for STAND BY. The STAND BY position is remote controllable.
When you turn the left selectorswitch ONE POSITION to the right, you mute the amplifier. This is represented by the second
LED from the left. The LED is orange and it bli nks to underline the MUTE position the amplifier is in. When muted, the
outputs are shorted to prevent signal leaving the amplifier. The MUTE position is remote controllable as well.
When switched on, the amplifier is allways in MUTE during the first minute. This prevents powerspikes that may be caused
by the large magnetic coils to reach the outputs. When the safe MUTE period is over the amplifier is ready for use.
When you select the centre position with the selectorswitch, output 1 is selected as the f unctioning amplifier output, this is
represented by the green centre LED of the five. The slection of functioning outputs is available through the selectorswitch
only, the remote control doesn’t allow you to select this option. The balanced XLR output is always switched on, regardless
of the slected cinch output.
Position four of the selectorswitch selects output 2 as the functioning output, a second green LED shows you you’ve selected
this option.
The fifth (and last) setting of the selectorswitch allows outputs 1 and 2 to function simultaneously.
Just as a reminder: The outputs can only be selected through the selectorswitch.
On the righthand side of the outermost left selectorswitch, another selectorswitch allows you to select seven different inp ut
devices, each represented by seven green LEDs.
The first LED from the LED corresponds with the most left input, which is CD1. The next LED is for the next input, etc.
maximum of seven devices can be used as input devices with the Eklipse Pre -Amplifier.
If you turn the knob into the eighth position (no LED lighting up), you activate the remote controled selection of input
devices.
There is a nineth position you can select with the second selectorswitch. This activates a generator which mechanically cleans
all relais in the Eklipse Pre-Amplifier. When selecting ths option, turn down the volume completely first and disconnect your
power amplifier before switching to the nineth position. The mechanical usage of the connectors through the generator
prevents the buildup of oxidation on the contacts. We advise you perform this cleansing of the contacts approximately 10
minutes per week.
The cleansing option is available through the selectorswitch only.
Both remaining switches on the righthand side serve volume control and ballance adjustments.
Volume can be changed through both the controlswitch and the remote control. Underneath the volume control a red LED
aknowledges the receipt of signal from the remote conrol. Secondairy to this function, the LED is a control mechanism for
the proper functioning of the remote control.
The balance is meant as fine-tuning between both stereo channels only, the maximum adjustment lies around +/- 3 dB. It is
not meant to serve as a means to switch one of the channels off completely. The fine-tuning of channels can not be performed
with the remote control.

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At the uttermoist righthand side of the front pannel, you find the ON/OFF switch which allows power into the unit or shuts it
down. When you touch the white indicator on the switch, the device is switched on. A blue LED under the ON/OFF switch
indicates whether the device is switched on or not. A shining blue LED means the amplifier is witched on.
Also under the ON/OFF switch ou’ll find the receptor for the infrared remote control unit. Keep this receptor free to receive
signals at all times. There is virtually no limit to the angles underwhich the amplifier will be able to receive a signal from the
remote control. The amplifier can only be switched on and off through the switch on the front of the amplifier.
Zusammengefasst noch mal die Funktionen der manuellen und fernbedienbaren Möglichkeiten.
A short overvieuw of the options, both manually and with the remote control
-STAND BY – manually and remote control
-MUTE – manually and über RC
-Output 1) Cinch) – manuall
-OUTPUT 2 (Cinch) – manuall
-Beide Output – manuall
-XLR always functional
-Input devices manually and RC (manuall prevails)
-Relais cleaning mode – manuall
-Volume – manually und RC
-Balance – manuall
-ON/OFF manually (ON/OFF switch)
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Eklipse preamplifer
Desciption of the rear panel

The following description deals with the rear panel of the Eklipse Pre -Amplifier, seen from behind.
The black socket on the lower lefthand side is AC mains input, conforming to Euro mains input specifications. The overload
fuse is integrated into the same socket.
When the amplifier runs on 117 Volts, a 2 Ampere fuse must be used. When it runs on 235 Volts, a 1 Amper e fuse must be
used.
Never change a fuse when the amplifier is connected to the mains or when you are unsure about the proper functioning of the
device. Never replace a blown fuse with a other values than printed on the unit
Above the AC socket you find two balanced XLR amplifier outputs, that are always active. You can use these outputs when
you find them suiting your requiremens better than RCA/Cinch outputs.
The XLR outputs only relay the positive sourcesignal, the negative source (or negative contact) of these XLR outputs is
connected to the amplifiers mass. This type of XLR is also known as “FAGE“ output.
Netx to the XLR outputs you’ll find the Cinch/RCA outputs that provide the output signal of this Pre-Amplifier. The contents
of the signal being relayed ca be determined by the outermost righthand selector switch on the front panel of the Eklipse Pre-
Amplifier.
Next to both outputs you find the “REC OUTPUT“ connector, which relays the signal transmitted inside the amplifier,
without amplifying it. This signal is just the signal that entered one of the inputs and can be used for further processing in e.g.
a tape unit or a digital mastering device.
The remainder of cinch connectors has been assigned to the source devices, as indicated with the selector switch on the front
panel.
The technical specifications of the inputs are describted in detail in the technical data supplement.
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Whenever you perform any service or modification to the Eklipse Pre-Amplifier, make sure the device has been disconnected
from the mains and leave the work to a professional only!
The design of the circuit board allows you a view upon the most important element that might be subject to service or
modification.
The circuit board provides you with a blueprint of the amplifiers design and gives you full view of the components that ma
be most interesting to you, the user.
The four tubes are identical, and are part of the ECC 82 family. This renders the amplifier relatively overloadproof. The two
lefthand side tubes provide the input to one channel, the righthand tubes take care of the other channel. The amplifier
transmits phased amplified signals, which means you do not have to bother about your speakers’ polarity as long as you stick
to the colourcoding of your cables.
Paramount for the sound quality are both lefthand tubes (the entrytubes), since they amplify the signal being put into them.
Please don’t economise on these tubes. The righthand tubes (the exittubes) are much less demanding when it comes to
quality.
When you think the AC current entering your amplifier is out of phase with the amplifier, you might considder switching
both wires under the tripolar connector on the upper righthand side. Thus you reverse the AC flow, and therewith the
polarity. Never do this when the amplifier is still connected to the mains. Please considder having having this modification
done by a professional electrician.
Another worthwhile subject is the 4 fuses that are part of the double mono channels. The 0.5 Ampere fuse deals with the
anode current, the 3.15 Ampere fuse warrents against overheating of the respective channels. As a rule of thumb, these fuses
never blow since the current is automaticaly modulated to acceptable levels at startup.
Should a fuse blow regardless, never change it for a fuse with different specifications
Fuses blow for a reason. Eventhough AUDIO VALVE equipment is made to last untill the end of time, sometimes things do
break. Ask for our help when this happens.
When you decide to replace pin-compatible tubes, always switch the Eklipse amplifier off before doing so. And make sure all
pinns actually enter the sleeve of the receptor. Pins have a tendency to wander outside their assigned realms...

The Remote Control
The remote control is easy to use, just press the button corresponding with desired functionality.
About once a year the two 1.5 Volts batteries must be changed. To change the batteries open the batery cover on the back of
the RC. Change the bateries and close the cover. Make sure the batteries are placed in the right polarity.
When you have questions regarding the change of batteries, please consult your vendor or give us a call.
The M2R and IR2R function identically, except for the absence of a remote control with the M2R.
The RC functions are taken care of by brass selectors on the M2R.

The Eklipse Concept
The Eklipse boasts a huge amount of inovative solutions that are hard to find in tube -amplifiers in this pricerange. Ofcourse,
the Eklipse is a pure-tube amplifier, the signal meets nothing but tubes on its way out.
To balance currents in the tubes and to make sure they operate at peak efficiency within their tollerances, semiconductors are
used. The Eklipse has been designed to be a pure double mono amplifier, which means both channels have their own power
supply. A design characterisric that is no standard option with even much more costly devices. The technicians among you
may be pleased to know that the amplifier section is as DIFFERENZ amplifier built, meaning that the output signal is phase-
opposed to the input signal. The balance potentiometer has been integrated into the input of the pre -amplifier. The volume
control is a technical beauty as well. Naturally, the volume is controlled through an ALPS potententiometer. Contrary to
common design, the volume control has not been integrated in the the amplifiers input bur in the final kathode -stage of the
amplification proces.
When you switch the volume off, the Eklipse is SILENT. Please note both the minimal background noise and the equaly low
input noise level the Eklipse Pre-Amplifier scored in tests
That is no mean feat. Like all AUDIO VALVE amplifiers, the Eklipse has been designed to be a timeless p iece, a high closs
powder coated 4mm thick lasercut steel with gilded connectors. That concludes the basic technical description of the
amplifier, continue reading for the really important stuff.
IIMPORTANT: In the 4th quarterly issue 2000 of the american HI-FI magazine “ULTIMATE AUDIO“ the EKLIPSE and
the CHALLENGER have been tested and reviewed exhaustingly. These tests will probably answer any questions regarding
musical performance and technical specs you might have.
Technical Data:
Specification EKLIPSE
Concept: high class double mono pre-amplifie
Output Level: 15 V max.
Power Bandwide: 4 - 45.000 Hz
Distortion: 0,2 % max. (1V)
Noise: 0,05 mV (volume noise limiter) (-110 dB)
Inputs: 7 Line In, & 1 Line Out
Outputs: fage XLR, two switch able RCA terminals, one REC. out – all in phase
Output Impedance: 200 Ohms
Power Consumption: 40 Watt
Line Voltage: 117 up to 260 VAC
Valve Line - Up: 4*6189 (or equivalent)
Spec.-Features: Stand By & Mute Function, remote – Control, relays cleaner
160 Watt power transformer, “switch one” current limite
Dimensions: (w-d-h) 420 * 320 * 130 mm
Weight Net: 20 kg

W A R R A N T Y
AUDIO VALVE warrants its components for a three-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, AUDIO VALVE 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:
•Operation not in accordance with this manual.
•Abuse , accidental damage or unauthorized modifications , as determined by AUDIO VALVE or its agents exclusively.
•Removal, defacing or falsifying of the serial numbers.
•Shipping without the original complete factory crat es.
WARRANTY REGISTRATION
Please fill out and return this warranty form to the US distributor within 15 days of the purchase date.
•MODEL : _______________________________________________
•SERIAL NUMBER : _______________________________________
•PURCH SE DATE : ______________________________________
•AUTHORIZED AUDIO - VALVE DEALER
•PURCHASER`S NAME : ___________________________________
•STREET ADDRESS : ______________________________________
•CITY : __________________________________________________
•ZIP / POSTAL CODE : _____________________________________
Send to :