C.E.C. TUBE53 User manual
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• Introduction ……………………………………………………………………… 2
• Important Safety Instructions …………………………………………………… 3
• Handling Precautions …………………………………………………………… 6
• Accessories ……………………………………………………………………… 8
• Front Panel Functions …………………………………………………………… 9
• Rear Panel Functions ……………………………………………………………10
•Vacuum tube replacement …………………………………………………… 12
• Cautions regarding Handling ……………………………………………………15
• Maintenance ………………………………………………………………………16
• Troubleshooting …………………………………………………………………17
• Specifications ……………………………………………………………………18
Thank you for purchasing the TUBE53.
Please refer to this Owner’s Manual to use your TUBE53 safely, and in the best pos-
sible way. It is recommended that you keep the carton box and the packing material
available for future transportation needs.
• Though it is a vacuum tube amplifier, the TUBE53 achieves a 20W + 20W (8Ω)
output and high response, that can drive the analog signal with ease from even
digital media players.
• The TUBE53 uses two 6L6GC tubes per channel in a push-pull configuration, and
low-distortion Mullard type phase inverting circuitry design.
• The TUBE53 achieves hi-fidelity music reproduction with minimum reliance on
negative feedback circuitry.
• The output transformer, which uses orient core materials, achieves a straight
sound quality with minimum phase misalignment. The TUBE53 uses a troidal
transformer, featuring superior rise characteristics, for its power supply. Noise is
thoroughly eliminated by solidifying the transformer with resin and covering it
with a steel casing.
• The TUBE53 uses selected high quality components to draw out the circuitry’s
full potential, such as low-distortion volume control, electrolytic capacitors and
resistors with high information processing ability and low noise.
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The lightning flash with an arrowhead symbol, within an equi-
lateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to potential electric
shock hazards within the product’s casing.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended
to notify the user to the presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the accompanying docu-
mentation.
WARNING : TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO
NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
1) Read these instructions.
2) Keep these instructions.
3) Heed all warnings.
4) Follow all instructions.
5) Do not use the TUBE53 near water.
6) Clean only with a dry cloth.
7) Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
8) Do not install the TUBE53 near any heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce
heat.
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9) (For USA, Canada: ) Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or
grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades, with one blade wider
than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding
prong. The wide blade or the third prong is provided for your safety. If the pro-
vided plug does not fit your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the
obsolete outlet. (For European Countries: ) Do not defeat the safety purpose of
the grounding-type plug. This plug has two poles and a third grounding hole.
The third hole is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit your
outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10) Protect the TUBE53’s power cord from being walked on or pinched, especially
around the plugs, convenience receptacles, and where it exits the TUBE53’s
casing.
11) Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12) Only use the TUBE53 with a cart, stand, tripod,
bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer or
sold with the unit. If using a cart, exercise caution
when moving the cart/unit combination to avoid
injury from it tipping over.
13) Unplug the TUBE53 during lightning storms or
when leaving it unused for extended periods of time.
14) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when
the TUBE53 itself, its power-supply cord, or plug has been damaged in any
way, when liquids have been spilled onto the TUBE53, when foreign objects
have fallen into the TUBE53, when the TUBE53 has been exposed to rain or
moisture, when the TUBE53 does not operate normally, or when the TUBE53
has been dropped.
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• Do not expose the TUBE53 to drips or splashes.
• Do not place any objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the TUBE53.
• Do not install the TUBE53 in a confined space, such as within a book case
or similar piece of furniture.
• Plug the AC power cord into an easily accessible AC wall outlet, so it can
be quickly unplugged in case of emergency.
• DO NOT REMOVE THE PROTECTIVE HOUSING WITH A SCREW-
DRIVER.
• USE OF CONTROLS OR ADJUSTMENTS OR PERFORMANCE OF
PROCEDURES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFIED HEREIN MAY RE-
SULT IN HAZARDOUS RADIATION EXPOSURE.
• IF THE TUBE53 SEEMS TO BE MALFUNCTIONING, CONTACT A QUAL-
IFIED SERVICE STATION. DISCONTINUE USE OF ANY MALFUCTION-
ING UNIT.
AC POWER CORD CONNECTION
CAUTION:
TO PR EVENT ELECTORIC SHOCK, MATCH THE BLADE
WIDTH OF THE PLUG TO THE SLOT WIDTH. THE PLUG
MUST BE FULLY INSERTED TO THE SLOT.
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1. Before connecting or disconnecting other devices, unplug the
TUBE53’s AC power cord from the outlet.
2. To avoid noise from your speakers, turn your system components
on or off in the following order:
Power on: Turn on other devices connected to the TUBE53’s inputs first, before
turning the TUBE53 on.
Power off: Turn the TUBE53 off first, before turning off any connected devices.
3. Handle with care
Avoid exerting excessive force to the glass cover, knobs and cabinet on the
TUBE53.
4. Installation
Use of an audio rack is recommended to maximize the sound quality and per-
formance of the TUBE53. Installation and use of the TUBE53 in the locations
described below may cause deterioration in sound quality or malfunction:
• Locations exposed to direct sunlight - such as windowsills, and other ex-
ceptionally warm locations - such as near heating appliances (surrounding
temperature higher than 35 ℃), or exceptionally cold locations (surrounding
temperature lower than 5 ℃), can prevent the TUBE53 from functioning
properly.
• Damp locations exceeding 90% humidity may cause the TUBE53’s metal
parts to rust, causing the unit to malfunction.
• Dusty locations may cause contact failure of the switches and noise, and may
result in deteriorated performance of the TUBE53.
• Otherwise, avoid installing the TUBE53 close to other transformers and
electrical motors, so as to prevent the pickup of induction hum. Also, avoid
mounting the TUBE53 on surfaces that may be affected by vibration.
5. Avoid lightning strikes
Disconnect the AC power cord from the AC outlet when there is a thunderstorm
in your vicinity.
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6. Condensation
When the TUBE53 is brought into a warm room when the exterior tempera-
ture is cold, or when the room temperature rises sharply from using a heater,
condensation may form both inside and outside the TUBE53, hampering its
performance. If this happens, leave the TUBE53 unused in the room for 1 to 2
hours (depending on the amount of condensation), so as to bring the TUBE53’
s temperature closer to the room temperature. The condensation should go away
gradually.
7. Listening etiquette
When adjusting the sound volume level, make sure you do not disturb other
people and your neighborhood.
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取扱説明書
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The packaging for the TUBE53 should contain the following:
1. TUBE53 unit
2. AC power cord
3. Owner’s Manual
Note: Keep the carton box and packing material available for future transportation
needs.
The AC power cord is for use with the TUBE53 exclusively, and should not be used
for other devices.
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POWER
Press the POWER button to turn the TUBE53 on. The LED above the button will
light up.
Note: It takes 2 to 3 minutes for the TUBE53 to stabilize once its power is on.
To turn the unit off, move the VOLUME knob to the minimum and press the POW-
ER button again.
SELECTOR
Turn the SELECTOR knob to select an input source from 1, 2 or 3.
Note: Before changing the input, turn the VOLUME to the minimum.
VOLUME
Turn the VOLUME knob clockwise for volume up.
Turn the VOLUME knob counter clockwise for volume down.
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AC LINE
Connect the supplied AC power cord to the AC LINE inlet.
RIGHT INPUT/LEFT INPUT
Line in audio signal input jacks equipped with unbalanced RCA connectors. Use in-
terconnect RCA cables to connect inputs 1 / 2 / 3 to an external source with an RCA
line output, such as a CD player, tuner or tape deck.
Note: Phono and digital sources cannot be connected directly to these line inputs.
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RIGHT OUTPUT/LEFT OUTPUT
Power amplifier output terminals to connect speakers. Banana plugs, spades and
wires can be used for the connection. Connect the – speaker cable to the - terminal
marked with black color. Connect the + speaker cable to the 8Ω terminal marked
with red color for speakers with an impedance of 8Ω or higher, or to the 6Ω terminal
marked with red color for speakers with an impedance of 6Ω or lower.
Note: When connecting speaker cables, the TUBE53 should be powered off. Screw
the terminal caps tightly when using banana plugs. Insert the spades or wire into the
terminal pole and screw the caps tightly. Using high-quality Audio RCA intercon-
nect and speaker cables may improve sound quality.
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Unplug the TUBE53’s AC power cord from the outlet in
use when replacing vacuum tubes.
Do not attempt to replace vacuum tubes immediately after
turning the unit off, as residual heat within the tubes may
cause burning. Wait for the tubes to cool down before at-
tempting replacement.
The vacuum tubes should be considered expendables. The tubes used in the TUBE53
are designed to last fi ve years or longer under normal operating conditions. Should
a fi lament be broken, or should you experience a malfunction (such as noise), you
can replace the vacuum tube(s) following the procedure described below. Contact an
authorized service center if you have any questions concerning the replacement of
vacuum tubes.
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Pull the broken vacuum tube out, lifting it straight up from the unit. Insert a new
vacuum tube into the socket, making sure the pins are lined up adequately. Check that
the tube is plugged in fi rmly and completely.
Note: Avoid handling the vacuum tube with bare hands. Handle with gloves or a dry
cloth to prevent leaving fi ngerprints on the tube, as this may cause the vacuum tube to
overheat at the fi ngerprint(s) and increase the risk of malfunction.
Note: Use genuine C.E.C. vacuum tubes for replacement. Any malfunctions caused by
the use of generic tubes will be exempt from warranty.
Only the malfunctioning vacuum tubes need to be replaced.
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Replace the top cover on the unit and fi x the 5 screws gradually, in the order instructed
in the diagram below.
Caution: Do not screw too tightly or unevenly. Extreme or uneven tightening may cause
the glass side panels to crack due to excessive pressure.
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• Amplifiers produce heat. Prolonged usage will cause heat to accumulate within the
aluminum top cover and glass side panels. To avoid burning from residual heat, do not
touch the top cover and glass side panels while the TUBE53 is powered on. Make sure
to install the TUBE53 out of reach of small children.
• Install this amplifier with plenty of surrounding space, so as to allow heat generated by
the TUBE53 to dissipate into the surrounding air.
• Do not place any other devices on the TUBE53, or block the air vents in the top cover.
Ensure that there is plenty of space between the TUBE53 and other devices and/or
walls.
• If you wish to install the TUBE53 in an audio rack, ensure that there is at least 15cm of
clearance above the unit’s top cover. It is recommended that you install the TUBE53 on
an audio rack or board of sufficient mass, so as to prevent vibrations from reaching the
unit and draw out the TUBE53’s full potential.
• Avoid installing the TUBE53 in a dusty environment, as the accumulation of dust at the
base of the vacuum tubes may cause excessive heat, shorting and fire.
• The TUBE53 must be handled with care as it operates at high voltage. Do not open the
bottom cover of the unit. CEC cannot be held responsible for any injuries or burns suf-
fered as a result of opening the TUBE53’s top, side and bottom panels, and/or coming
into contact with the TUBE53’s internal components.
• To avoid causing cracks in the side panels, which are made of semi-tempered glass, do
not hit the panels with sharp and/or hard objects, or apply excessive pressure to the pan-
els. Pay particular attention not to screw the top cover back on too tightly or unevenly
when replacing vacuum tubes.
• Turn the TUBE53 off when connecting and disconnecting cables to avoid electrical
surges that may cause damage to the vacuum tubes and speakers.
• Never cause a short circuit between the (+) and (-) speaker output terminals. This may
damage the TUBE53.
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• The TUBE53 should not require any periodic maintenance, and contains
no user serviceable parts except for the vacuum tubes and fuse. If the
surface of the TUBE53 is soiled, wipe with a soft cloth or use diluted
neutral cleaning liquid. Be sure to remove any fluid completely. Never
use thinner, benzene or alcohol as these may damage the surface of the
unit.
• If the FUSE located below the AC INLET is broken, gently pull the box
with a small flat screwdriver. Replace the FUSE with a new one. Replace
the box inside the unit.
If the new FUSE continues to break after replacement, there may be a
malfunction with the internal circuitry. In this case, please contact the
dealer where the TUBE53 was purchased, or an authorized service center
to arrange for repairs.
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If you suspect a malfunction in the unit, please check the following chart
before calling your dealer.
No power
Check the connection at the both ends of the AC power cord. Make sure there is power at
the wall outlet.
Replace the fuse at the AC inlet if it is broken.
No sound
Check the connection from the external source device (e.g. CD player).
Check the operation of the external source device (e.g. CD player).
Turn the unit off and unplug the AC power cord from the outlet. Wait for a minute before
plugging the AC power cord back in and turning the unit back on.
Noise on sound
Check that the interconnect cables are plugged in adequately.
Replace any broken vacuum tubes.
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Output Power 2 x 20W (8ohm)
Frequency Response 20Hz ~ 20kHz + / -0dB
S/N Ratio more than 90dB
THD less than 0.5% (8ohm / 1kHz)
Input Terminal 3 x RCA
Input Sensitivity 400mV
Input Impedance 100k ohm
Output Terminal 1 (8 ohm or 6 ohm)
Tube 4 x 12AU7, 4 x 6L6GC
Fuse T6.3AL 250V for 120VAC or T3.15AL 250V for
230VAC
Power AC120V/230V, 60Hz/50Hz (specified on the
rear panel)
Power consumption 160W
Dimensions approx. 217.5(W) x 410(D) x 183(H) cm
Weight approx. 16kg
Color Silver
Accessories AC power cord, Owner’s Manual
* Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
* Illustrations within the Owner’s Manual may differ slightly from the actual unit, due to design
improvements
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0703-A
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