Bandwidth Audio 22A3 User manual

22A3 Monaural Amplifier
Owner’s Manual
www.bandwidthaudio.com
[email protected]

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WARNING
Never power on the amplifier without connecting a proper load
Failure to do so will result in permanent damage to the output transformer and potentially
other components in the output stage.
This amplifier contains lethal voltages
High voltage can be stored in the power supply even if it is unplugged and not in use. Do
not remove back cover unless you are a qualified service technician. For service, contact
Bandwidth Audio.
High Vacuum Tube Temperatures
Vacuum tubes get extremely hot with bulb temperatures capable of reaching 200 degrees
Celsius. Do not touch or attempt to remove the tubes while hot.
Amplifier Bias
With the volume turned all the way down, the bias should be set between: 50 - 60mA.
This current can be read directly off of the 2 analog meters on the back of the amplifier
after power on and warm up. See Section 3.3 –Biasing.

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1.0 Amplifier Setup
Pre-Operation Checklist
•Connect speakers to proper load impedance output.
•Insert tubes into proper sockets. See Section 3.1 –Installing Tubes.
•Connect Mains to 120V wall outlet. Ensure a proper outlet ground connection
with a ground tester.
•Turn the volume all the way down.
•After warming up, check power tube bias without attempting to input an audio
signal. Ensure the speaker load is connected before powering on!
See Section 3.3 –Biasing.
1.1 Amplifier Placement
For the best operation and longest life of components, the amplifier should be set up and used in
a well-ventilated area with good air circulation. Do not use the amplifier in enclosed furniture as
this may result in a fire.
Overheating can damage the amplifier and diminish tube life.
1.2 Setting The Load Impedance
Never turn on your amplifier without speakers connected to the proper output load
impedance. Operation of the amplifier without a speaker load or open circuited loudspeaker voice
coil can permanently damage the output transformers as well as other major components.

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To be safe, always ensure your speakers are connected before plugging amplifiers into an outlet.
Likewise, always unplug the amplifier from the outlet before removing the speaker load.
This amplifier comes equipped with 4, 8, and 16-ohm output impedances for maximum flexibility. If
you are unsure of your speaker’s impedance, contact the manufacturer.
Connect speakers between 4, 8, or 16-ohm binding post on the back of the amplifier, based on
nominal speaker impedance, and the Comm. Binding posts.
1.3 Powering ON & OFF
The analog backlit VU meter on the front face of the amplifier illuminates when powered on.
Tube warm up time is typically 30 seconds. It will take at least this long for music to play from
speakers. Best performance is achieved after amplifier has been running for a period of time and
up to a steady temperature, typically 30 minutes.
When powering off, music may still play for a few seconds. This is normal. While the tubes are hot,
make sure not to move or knock into the amplifier since hot tubes are more susceptible to internal
damage.
1.4 Input Setup
This amplifier is designed to drive a speaker load to its full rated output power based on typical
line level input signals via the RCA connector on the back.
Depending on the input source components, an additional preamp may be needed to achieve full
output power.
See Section 3.4 –Typical Specifications.

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2.0 Controls and Layout
2.1 Front Features
1. Volume The volume knob controls the overall output of the amplifier by attenuating
the input signal. Rather than a normal rotational potentiometer, a stepped
attenuator is used. A stepped attenuator eliminates noise during rotation and
also maintains volume balance between a pair of amplifiers driving separate
speakers. Due to its construction, the volume knob will click into each slot,
giving precise volume control.
1. Volume 2. VU Meter 3. Power

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2. VU Meter The VU meter, or Volume Unit meter, gives the user an indication of the
relative output power to the speakers. The backlight also indicates when the
amplifier is on.
The VU meter is calibrated to indicate the amplifier’s maximum clean RMS
output power (rated at approximately 5 Watts of output power) when it is
indicating +0dB.
Driving the output beyond this region will cause amplifier distortion. Although
this is not harmful to the amp, there is a significant increase in the average
output power as distortion increases. This can damage speakers rated close to
the amplifier’s maximum RMS output power.
3. Power Switch The power switch is used to turn the amplifier on and off. On is in the up
position, and Off is in the down position.

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2.2 Back Features
4. Mains Input Socket to connect removable wall power cord to the amplifier. Use only the
voltage indicated on the serial number tag below mains input.
5. Mains Fuse Use only 2 Amp Slow Blow Fuse . Fuse in series with the mains current to
protect the user and amplifier from various short circuit failures.
6. Cathode Fuse Use only ¼ Amp Slow Blow Fuse. Fuse is in series with V3 and V4 output
tubes to protect the output transformers and other circuitry from a shorted or
bad tube. If blown, check performance of the output tubes before replacing
the fuse to prevent damage from a failed tube.
4. Mains 5. Mains 6. Cathode 7. Bias Current Meters 8. Bias 9. Hum 10. Speaker Outputs 11. Input
Input Fuse Fuse Balance

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7. Bias Current
Meters Measures the cathode current in milliamps of each power tube (V3 and V4,
respectively). At idle, with no input signal, their value represents the power
tube bias or idle current.
8. Bias Adjustment Screwdriver-adjustable potentiometer that is used to set the bias of the power
tubes. See Section 3.3 –Biasing.
9. Hum Balance Screwdriver-adjustable potentiometer that references the preamp tube
filaments above voltage ground to lower the AC filament noise. This is usually
set in the middle and requires no adjustment. However, if hum is discernable
through the speakers, try rotating the potentiometer clockwise and
counterclockwise from the center position to minimize it. If no change occurs,
the hum is being picked up by another source.
10. Speaker Outputs Used for connecting the speaker load to the amplifier. Makes sure the
selection matches the speaker’s impedance to avoid damage to the amplifier.
See Section 1.2 –Setting the Load Impedance.
11. Input RCA line level input jack designed to accept audio signals from common
audio components. See Section 1.4 –Input Setup.

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2.3Top Features
12. Negative
Feedback Feedback switch to select between “Open Loop” mode for feedback-free
operation, or “Closed Loop” Mode for operating the amplifier with feedback.
Closed Loop Mode is suggested for higher output power close to the
amplifier’s rated output. This will reduce distortion (THD + N) and help to
maintain linearity.
12. Negative Feedback 13. Hum Balance 14. Hum Balance

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Note that by closing the feedback loop, the gain of the amplifier will be
reduced by 2dB. This is a side effect of all negative feedback circuits. It is
recommended to bring the volume back to normal listening levels after the
change of the switch position. The increased linearity and reduction of
distortion is not caused by the change in volume, but instead by sampling the
output and correcting for error. Increasing the volume back after moving to
“Closed Loop” mode will still realize all of the benefits of a feedback topology.
13. 14. Hum Balance Screwdriver adjustable potentiometers that form the center taps for filaments
on output tubes V3 and V4. Since the 2A3 tube is a directly heated triode, the
center tap of the firmament forms the cathode connection for signal ground.
This is tuned from the factory with the output tubes provided for lowest
noise. If 60-cycle hum is auditable, adjust this with screwdriver. This stetting
will directly impact the SNR and background noise of the amplifier.

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3.0 Technical Information
3.1 Installing Tubes
Position of vacuum tubes is as indicated in this top view with the front face of the amplifier toward the bottom of the
page (V1-V5).
Tubes for positions V1 through V5 may be indicated on the boxes of the tubes that are shipped
with the amplifier. These are selected for maximum performance, and their positions should be
followed.
Tubes should always be installed and removed by handling the base of the tube, rather than the
glass. Match the keyway in the tube socket with the key in the tube and install with a slight and
gentle circular rocking motion until the tube is fully seated against the socket. Follow the same
procedure for removal.
3.2 Replacing Tubes
Vacuum tubes should be replaced when a lack of power becomes apparent. Dynamics and
transients may seem lazy and less crisp compared to how they sounded when new. Under extreme
V1 V2 V3 V4 V5
6SL7 6SN7 2A3 2A3 GZ34
Preamp Preamp Power Power Rectifier
n

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cases, tubes may become noisy. A crackling or rustling sound from your speakers will indicate that
an immediate tube change is necessary.
We recommend the following tube replacement schedule:
•Under normal bias conditions, power tubes typically last 2 years depending on hours of use
and average listening volume. Speakers demanding maximum power may push the lifespan
below 2 years. With very efficient speakers, which require little power for acceptable
listening levels, tubes can last much longer than 2 years.
•Preamp tubes will last longer than power tubes, assuming no premature failures. We
recommend changing preamp tubes every other time the power tubes are changed unless
the utmost performance is demanded or they have gone bad.
•The tube rectifiers only need to be replaced when they fail. There is no need for regular
change unless reliability is a concern and the amplifier has seen a lot of vibration from
transportation. Moving the amps when they are on or hot can damage the rectifier and other
tubes.
Always re-bias your amplifier after changing the power tubes!
The bias of the amplifier should be checked immediately after replacing the 2A3 Power tubes.
V3 and V4 Hum Balance adjustment potentiometers may also need adjustment and after
changing tubes.
Matching tubes between a stereo pair of amplifiers is critical for matched channel performance.
Therefore, V3 on one channel should match V3 of the other channel. Likewise, V4 of one amplifier
should match V4 of the other. A quad of match 2A3 tubes is recommended. However, two
matched pairs can be used if they are split between channels as described above.
Preamp tubes V1 and V2 should also be tightly matched between channels. Using matched tubes
ensures that the signal level is identical between amplifier channels in a stereo configuration.
This is critical in the 22A3 amplifier due to the lack of negative feedback.

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All tubes from Bandwidth Audio are matched in this fashion.
3.3 Biasing
Your amplifier has been biased from the factory. However, the bias setting should be checked on
first startup and periodically thereafter to maintain performance as well as longevity of the power
tubes.
Note: preamp tubes are automatically biased. No adjustment is needed
A. Checking the Bias:
To check the bias, power the amp on and let it warm up for at least 10 minutes. The bias reading
for the power tubes can made off of the two analog ammeters located on the back face of the
amplifier.
Bias Set Point: 50 to 60mA
With the volume turned all the way down, the bias should be set between 50 - 60mA
by the screwdriver adjustment potentiometer labeled “Bias” on the back of the amplifier. This
range is based on sound preference as well as desired output tube life. The lower the bias, the
longer the tube life with the expense of higher distortion.
If using 2 matched pairs that are split between each amplifier as discussed in 3.2, each meter
should read +/- 5mA or Less for best performance. A well-matched quad of tubes will measure
much better than this.

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B. Bias Drift:
Under normal operation, the bias current may slowly increase or decrease as the tube
characteristics change. This is normal and it is encouraged to bring the idle back to the target point
whenever it is noticed to be off.
C. Operating with Incorrect Bias:
Running the amplifier with a bias setting far below 40mA will cause no damage to your amplifier. In
fact, the power tubes can last longer. However, distortion will rise steeply, causing significant
distortion figures, less power, and bad sound.
Running the amplifier with a bias setting over 53mA will decrease the life of the power tubes. A bias
well over 53mA will cause “red plating” or glowing of the internal metal plate structure of the tube
due to excessive heat. This can be so excessive that the glass envelope of the tube melts! If red
plating occurs, turn off the amplifier immediately and let it cool completely. Then turn it back on and
quickly re-bias if the ammeters overshoot the 53mA bias target.

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3.4 Typical Specifications
Maximum Output Power
5-Watts RMS
THD+N @ at 5-Watts 1KHz
2.75% Open Loop
2.5% Closed Loop
Full Power Bandwidth (5-Watts)
<13Hz –23KHz at -3dB Open Loop
<13Hz –32KHz at -3dB Closed Loop
THD+N at 1-Watt 1KHz
0.5% Open Loop
0.35% Closed Loop
1-Watt Bandwidth
<13Hz –23KHz at -3dB Open Loop
<13Hz –32KHz at -3dB Closed Loop
Input Voltage for Rated Output
1.3V RMS Open Loop
1.7V RMS Closed Loop
SNR 1-Watt into 8ohms (600-ohms source impedance, volume set to maximum)
-90dB A-Weighted Open Loop
-91dB A-Weighted Closed Loop
SNR 5-Watts into 8ohms (600-ohms source impedance, volume set to maximum)
-95dB A-Weighted Open Loop
-96dB A-Weighted Closed Loop

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Gain
14.5 dB Open Loop
12.5 dB Closed Loop
Negative Feedback (Closed Loop Only)
2 dB
Input impedance
100K ohms
Speaker Taps
4, 8, & 16 ohms
Power Tubes
2x 2A3
Preamp Tubes
1x 6SL7, 1x 6SN7
Rectifier Tube
GZ34
Power Consumption
100 Watts
Dimensions
20” x 13” x 9.5”
Due to the open loop design of this amplifier, actual performance will vary depending on vacuum tube quality.

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4.0 Notes:
Date: __________________ Bias Current: V3______________ V4_____________
Date: __________________ Bias Current: V3______________ V4_____________
Date: __________________ Bias Current: V3______________ V4_____________
Date: __________________ Bias Current: V3______________ V4_____________
Date: __________________ Bias Current: V3______________ V4_____________
Date: __________________ Bias Current: V3______________ V4_____________
Date: __________________ Bias Current: V3______________ V4_____________
Date: __________________ Bias Current: V3______________ V4_____________
Date: __________________ Bias Current: V3______________ V4_____________
Date: __________________ Bias Current: V3______________ V4_____________
Notes: ___________________________________________________________________________________
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