CANARY AUDIO CA-309 User manual

CANARY AUDIO®
300B Mono BlockPush-Pull Parallel
Power Amplifier
Handcrafted in California
CA-309
OWNER’S MANUAL
MADE IN USA

Dear Customer:
Please allow us to take this opportunity to thank you for purchasing this CANARY
AUDIO product.
We strongly recommend that you carefully study the Safety Instructions before
attempting to operate the unit.
After you have finished reading the instructions, please save this manual for
future reference.
WARNING:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE
THE UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CAUTION:
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT USE THIS POLARIZED AC PLUG
WITH AN EXTERSION CORD, RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS
THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE
COVER (OR BACK). NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL ONLY.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol is intended
to alert the user of the presence of uninsulated
“dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure
that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk
of electric shock to persons
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying
the unit.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Power Source:
•The unit should be connected to an AC power source of the proper rated
voltage.
•Never replace the power supply’s line fuse with the one of incorrect
characteristics.
AC Cord Protection:
•Do not defeat the grounding or polarization feature of the AC cord.
•Make sure that the AC receptacle holds the AC cord plug firmly and securely.
•Keep the AC cord away from heating appliances.
•Never put heavy object on the AC cord.
•If smoke, malodors or noises are emitted from the unit, turn the power off and
disconnect the AC cord.
Placement:
•Do not place the unit near a heating device or in a location where it is
exposed to direct sunlight.
•Do not place the unit in an excessively humid or dusty location.
•Avoid placing the unit in the areas of vibration, impact or where the surface is
tilted as the internal parts may be seriously damaged.
•Avoid placing the unit next to kitchen counters or other locations where it is
subjected to oily fumes.
Keep Away from Water and Moisture:
•This unit should not be used near water.
•Keep the unit away from flower vases, bathtubs, washbowls, kitchen sinks,
laundry tubs, swimming pools, etc. If liquids are spilled into the unit, serious
damage could occur.
Ventilation:
•Slots and openings in the chassis and in the back or bottom are provided for
necessary ventilation.
•Do not place a cloth on top of the unit or block the provided ventilation slots
and openings in any other way.
•Do not place the unit on a bed, sofa, rug or other similar surface which may
block the slots and openings.
•Do not place the unit in a confined space, such as a bookcase or built-in
cabinet, unless proper ventilation is provided.
Non-Use Periods:
•When left unused for a long period of time, the unit should be unplugged from
the AC outlet.

PROPER CARE
Bias Settings:
•When replacing the 300B vacuum tubes, you must adjust the bias settings of
the amplifier to account for the new tubes. These adjustments best performed
by your Canary Audio dealer as an incorrect bias setting can cause damages
to the tube and to the amplifier.
Break-in Period:
•As with most audio components, the CA-309 requires a “break-in” period.
During this period the internal components will stabilize and reach their
normal operating parameters. There are no special procedures required for
this break-in period, just listening to your favorite music will accomplish this
task all by itself.
•The time required to break in the CA-309 is approximately 30 to 50 hours.
Upon completion of the break-in period you will hear an improvement in the
overall sound quality of the amplifier.
Stacking:
•Place the unit in a horizontal position, and do not place anything heavy on it.
•Do not place the unit on any other equipment which may become hot.
No Fingers or Other Foreign Objects:
•Touching internal parts of this unit is dangerous and may cause serious
damage to the unit. Do not attempt to disassemble the unit.
•Do not put any foreign object into the unit through the ventilation slots and
openings.
Cleaning:
•A regular dusting with a soft, non-abrasive cloth will generally keep the finish
of the faceplate and chassis looking like new.
Packing Materials:
•The original packing materials and shipping boxes are custom designed to
prevent shipping damage from occurring.
•We recommend that you retain all of the packing materials and shipping
boxes for your CA-309 to be covered by warranty.
Registration Card:
•To ensure that your CA-309 is registered, please spend a moment now to
complete and return the Registration Card.
•Save a copy of the Registration Card and the bill of sale as proof of purchase
for future reference.

Diagram 1.1 Overview of CA-309
V6
V2
V1
V7
V4
V3
V8
V5
INSTALLING THE TUBES
Be sure the amplifier is OFF before installing any tubes.
Avoid touching the tubes with bare hands to prevent skin oils from depositing on
the glass surface of the tubes.
Insert each tube in the corresponding socket. Refer to Diagram 1.1 for further
clarification.
The 6SN7 tubes are inserted into sockets designated as V5 and V6. Align the
center key of the tube base with the slot in the center of the socket. Carefully push
down the tube into the socket with a gentle rocking motion until it is firmly seated.
The 5U4GB tubes are inserted into sockets designated as V7 and V8. Align the
center key of the tube base with the slot in the center of the socket. Carefully push
down the tube into the socket with a gentle rocking motion until it is firmly seated.
The 300B tubes are inserted into sockets designated as V1 to V4. Pay extra
attention to the tube pins and socket holes for these tubes. Identify the two
larger pins and align the pins with the two larger holes on the socket. Carefully
push down the tube into the socket with a gentle rocking motion until it is firmly
seated.

TUBE BIASING
Bias voltage applied to the grids of the power tubes in the output stage should be
checked from time to time to keep these tubes operation at the optimum
operating point. A properly biased power tube will have a longer life.
To check and adjust the bias voltage of the 300B tubes, simply follow the
following procedures.
Tools Required:
Digital Multimeter
Long-handled slotted screwdriver
Procedures:
1. Making sure that the power switch is in the OFF position.
2. Install all the tubes to the corresponding sockets using a gentle rocking
motion. (See “Installing the Tubes” section for detail information on installing
the tubes.)
3. Connect your speaker leads, input cable and power cord to each amplifier.
4. Turn ON the amplifier.
5. Turn on the multimeter. Select the section for measuring up to DC 20V.
Attach and secure the negative test lead to the chassis or to the binding post.
6. Insert the positive test lead into the bias test point marked as “300B - 1”.
7. Carefully insert a long-handled slotted screwdriver into the bias adjustment
pot marked as “1”. Slowly rotate the screwdriver to adjust the bias voltage
until it reaches 0.55V.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to adjust the bias voltage for the three remaining 300B
tubs in the same fashion as biasing 300B - 1. Using bias test points marked
as “300B - 2, 300B - 3 and 300B - 4” for measuring, and bias adjustment pot
marked as “2, 3 and 4” for adjusting. You will need to go back and forth a few
times until all four 300B tubes are properly biased.
9. Once you have finished biasing all four 300B tubes, wait a few minutes and
recheck the settings again.
10.Repeat these procedures to adjust the bias voltage for the 300B tubes on the
other channel of the amplifier.
11.The CA-309 mono blocks power amplifier is now ready to use.

SPECIFICATIONS
Model: CA-309
Rated Power Output: 45 Watts RMS
Input Sensitivity: 0.72 Volts for full output
Input Impedance: 150,000 Ohms
Frequency Response: +/- 1 dB from 8 Hz to 80,000 Hz
Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.3%
Signal-to-Noise ratio: -86 dB below 1 Watt
Damping Factor: 14
Power Consumption: 340 Watts (true RMS)
Output Impedance: 4, 8 Ohm
Tube Complement (per channel): 4-300B,
2-6SN7GTB,
2-5U4GB
Dimensions (per channel): 12” W x 24.5” D x 9” H
Weight (per channel): 70 lbs.
Note:
Specifications are subject to change without notice. Weight and dimensions are approximate.

LIMITED WARRANTY
Canary Audio warrants to the original purchaser that each CA-309 power
amplifier is free of manufacturing defects for a period of three (3) years from the
date of purchase. To receive this warranty, the original purchaser must complete
the enclosed Warranty Registration Card and mail it to Canary Audio within thirty
(30) days from the date of purchase. Canary Audio will then validate the warranty
to the original purchaser.
This warranty does not cover cosmetic damage or damage due to acts of God,
accident, misuse, abuse or negligence. This warranty does not cover damage
due to improper operation or maintenance, use with incompatible accessory,
connection to improper voltage supply, or attempted repair, modify or upgrade by
anyone other than Canary Audio or a facility authorized by Canary Audio. This
warranty does not cove any damages to the vacuum tubes and does not cover
normal maintenance.
Canary Audio shall not be responsible in any way for consequential or indirect
damages or liabilities resulting from the use and operation of the product covered
herein or resulting from any breach of this warranty or any implied warranty
relating to said product. Under no circumstances does Canary Audio assume
liability or responsibility for injury or damages sustained in the use or operation of
this equipment or for damages to any other equipment connected to it.
During this stated period, Canary Audio will repair or replace any defective
components free of charge. A Return Authorization Number (RA Number) is
required before any product is returned to our factory for any reason. This
number must be visible on the exterior of the shipping container(s).
Units to be repaired by Canary Audio must be sent shipping and insurance
prepaid by the original purchaser in the original packing material. Canary Audio
will accept no responsibility for any damage occurring to the unit that is shipped
in packing material other than the original packing material. A written description
of the defect and a copy of the original bill of sale should be accompanied with
the returned product.
This warranty applies only to the first end-user purchaser of a CA-309 power
amplifier that is purchased and used in the United States of America and is not
valid for subsequent purchasers. All other warranties or conditions either written
or implied are void.
Canary Audio
P.O. Box 6216, Rosemead, CA 91770, USA
Telephone: [phone]
Http://www.canaryaudio.com