Concert Fidelity CF-080LS User manual
Hybrid Line Stage Preamplier
CF-080LS
Silicon Arts Design & Concert Fidelity, Inc.
Owner's Manual
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Thank you for your purchase of the CF-080LS Hybrid Line Stage Preamplier. This amplier represents the fruits of
over 30 years’ design experience by Masataka Tsuda, during which he has continuously pursued the limits of circuit
simplication and optimization in order to attain the purest music signal possible.
The CF-080LS represents the pinnacle of our thinking in amplier design. It is so advanced that we literally could
not have designed it two years ago!
1. Before opening the boxes ..................................................................................................... page 3
2. Verifying that the ampliers have not been damaged in shipping ............ page 3
3. Instructions for Getting Started ......................................................................................... page 4
4. Description of POWER ON/OFF and STANDBY/OPERATION Switches ..... page 6
5. Safety warning and warranty invalidation .................................................................. page 7
6. Specications and External Features .............................................................................. page 7
7. Warranty ........................................................................................................................................... page 8
This manual is divided into the following sections
Front Panel
Rear Panel
Mute switch
Level controller
Standby/Operation switch
Ground-lift switch
AC input and fuse
Ground terminal
12AU7 (13D5A) tubes
Parts names and functions
Power On/O switch
Input selector
Level indicator
Pre out terminals (upper)
Rec out terminals (lower)
Right channel input terminals
Left channel input terminals
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Before removing the amplier from the box, please be careful of
the following:
The Standby/Operation switch located on the rear of the amp is fragile, so care should be taken not
to damage it when lifting the amp from their foam packaging. Similarly, care should be taken not to
damage the rear binding posts.
The pearl anodized coating on the industrial-grade chassis of the amplier is highly susceptible to
ngerprints, so we recommend wearing cloth gloves when handling the amplier. Wipe away
ngerprints using a dry cloth, wiping with the grain of the chassis.
Do not wipe against the grain or use materials which contain silicon, such as the cloths used for
polishing eyeglass lenses.
Verifying that the amplier has not been damaged in shipping:
(Before placing the amplier for operation inspection and use in the system, the user may wish to
install the attached feet. Please understand that the feet are for convenience only—in order to
provide clearance for the user’s ngers when the amplier must be lifted—and are not intended to
be “audiophile grade. ” We believe that because isolation devices do inuence the sound to a
greater or lesser extent, they should be chosen according to the user’s taste, which is why we do not
attempt to provide “high-quality” feet that might imply recommendation of a particular tuning
philosophy. Most CF-080LS owners use their own isolation devices between the ampliers and
whatever stands or shelves they are resting upon.)
BEFORE hooking the amplier up to the system via interconnect cables, plug in ONLY the power cord
and then turn POWER switch into the ON position.
Please conrm that white LED on front panel for INPUT 1 is illuminating, showing that the ampliers
are operating properly.
If either the White LED ( INPUT 1) or level indicator is not illuminating, turn o the power to the
amplier, disconnect it from the wall outlet, and notify your dealer.
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Instructions for Getting Started
1. Take top plate o the CF-080LS. Install rectier tube (6CA4/EZ81) in power supply
section.
2. Install 12AU7 tubes (13D5A) in gain stage through rear panel. Please take extra
caution not to bend tube terminal pins during installation, since tube sockets are high
pressure type.
3. Connect AC cable to CF-080LS. Please do not turn the unit on yet.
4. Connect input sources to CF-080LS with interconnect cables. Please do not turn the
unit on yet.
＊The maximum input voltage (INPUT 1〜4)＝2V RMS Max
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*One 6CA4/EZ81 Rectier tube is supplied with
the CF-080LS at time of shipment from factory.
Please take caution, such as wearing a glove, in
order to prevent injury from possible tube
damage during shipment. Please replace top
plate back on after installing rectier tube.
*Two Pinnacle 13D5A tubes are supplied with
CF-080LS at time of shipment from factory.
They are higher grade replacement for 12AU7
tubes. The CF-080LS has been broken in for
100 hours with the supplied tubes. However,
these tubes are provided only to get you
started, and may not meet or guarantee your
expectations for sound quality. We encourage
each customer to try dierent types of tubes
for achieving most satisfying results with
CF-080LS. Close to 12AU7: 12AU7A /ECC82/
ECC802S /E82CC /5814 /6189 /13D5 /13D5A.
6CA4/EZ81
12AU7(13D5A)
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5. Connect power amp to the CF-080LS with interconnect cables. Please do not turn
the unit on yet.
6. After conrming that there is no output from source component (or that source
component is not in play mode), turn POWER ON/OFF switch to ON. Please conrm
that white LED on front panel for "INPUT 1" is illuminating.
7. Turn STANDBY switch to OPERATION position. The switch lever will light up in blue.
Please conrm that there is electricity going through the heater by observing blue
glow coming from the tubes. Mute circuit is eective for approx. 20 to 25 seconds.
Please allow about a minute before playing music.
8. When not listening to music, please turn OPERATION switch to “STANDBY” position.
POWER ON/OFF switch can be left in “ON” position. Volume control circuit is active at
all times in STANDBY mode.
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Description of POWER ON/OFF and STANDBY/OPERATION Switches
[POWER ON/OFF Switch]
This is the main power switch. CF-080LS is designed to be left in POWER ON position at all times. In
POWER ON position, volume control circuit is active, and vacuum tube gain stage is in STANDBY
(OFF) mode. When going away or not using the CF-080LS for a long period of time, please turn this
main power switch to OFF position, and unplug AC cable from AC outlet.
[STANDBY/OPERATION Switch]
This switch turns vacuum tube gain stage into STANDBY (OFF) or OPERATION (ON) mode. In
STANDBY position, power supply to vacuum tube section is turned OFF.
When this switch is in OPERATION position, vacuum tube gain section is turned ON. MUTE is in eect
for approx. 20 to 25 seconds after the switch is turned to OPERATION position, and no audio signal
comes out of CF-080LS during that time.
When power supply to vacuum tube section is turned OFF (STANDBY), please leave at least 3
minutes before turning it back ON (OPERATION). This will allow protection circuit to discharge and
resume its normal status.
[GND/LIFT Switch]
It is possible to oat the ground of the chassis from the ground of AC power supply.
[GND TERMINAL]
Terminalfor chassis grounding. Please turn GND LIFT switch to LIFT position, when grounding
through this terminal.
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POWER ON/OFF Switch
STANDBY/OPERATION
Switch
GND/LIFT Switch
GND TERMINAL
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Safety warning and warranty invalidation
The printed circuit board immediately on the inside of the rear panel is connected to high voltage
power, and thus presents an extreme shock hazard if it is touched.
Never open the case which protects the amplier circuitry, or touch the parts inside.
Specications and External Features
Inputs ............................................ 4-Line Level Inputs (RCA)
Input Impedance ................... 100kohms
Outputs ........................................ 1-Line Level Output (RCA)
Gain ................................................ 6dB (Standard) / 12dB (Option)
Tube Complement ............... 12AU7 (2) for gain (tube-swapping possible, NOS tubes preferable);
6CA4 (1) for rectication
Phase ............................................. Polarity Inverting
Power Reqiremants .............. 110-120VAC / 60Hz
Dimensions ............................... 450mm (W) X 100mm (H) X 310mm (D)
Net Weight ................................ 8.5KG
NOTE : While we make every reasonable eort to insure the utmost uniformity and the highest
quality in our products, DUE TO VENDOR PARTS AVAILABILITY, MINOR SPECIFICATIONS CAN
CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE AND WITHOUT UPGRADE OBLIGATIONS TO CONCERT FIDELITY.
For servicing or questions, contact your dealer or Silicon Arts design & Concert Fidelity, Inc.
info@siliconarts. jp
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Silicon Arts Design & Concert Fidelity warrants your amplier against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of
one year from the date of purchase. This warranty applies to the original purchaser only and to amplier used in normal
residential stereo systems.
Silicon Arts Design & Concert Fidelity will repair amplier without charge for labor and parts, subject to the following
conditions:
a. The amplier must not have been altered or damaged through misuse, abuse, negligence, accident, or improper
operation.
b. The amplier must not have been used outdoors or in any other environment in which they are subject to
excessive heat, moisture, or cold.
c. The amplier must not have been modied in any way, however slight, except as authorized in writing by Silicon
Arts Design & Concert Fidelity or performed at the Silicon Arts Design & Concert Fidelity factory.
d. The purchaser must provide proof of original purchase, including receipt, name of purchaser, serial numbers, date
of purchase, and dealer.
e. The amplier must be in the original shipping box when being returned to factory.
f. All repairs will be performed at the factory or other service center designated by Silicon Arts Design & Concert
Fidelity. A return authorization is required for factory service and may be obtained by calling or writing the Silicon
Arts Design & Concert Fidelity distributor at the phone number and e-mail address provided below.
g. Silicon Arts Design & Concert Fidelity will bear all shipping expenses between the customer and the factory, but
only after verifying that this warranty applies and has not been invalidated in any way.
h. Normal wear and maintenance are not covered by this warranty.
Product specications may change without notice, and changes made under repair or warranty to similar Silicon Arts
Design & Concert Fidelity products owned by others do not imply obligations to make equivalent changes to this product
under this warranty.
Where permitted by law, Silicon Arts Design & Concert Fidelity’s liability shall be limited to that set forth in this warranty.
Silicon Arts Design & Concert Fidelity shall not be liable for incidental or consequential costs or damages caused to the
purchaser by any Silicon Arts Design & Concert Fidelity product.
This warranty gives you specic legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
Any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this warranty shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the rules
of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction thereof. This procedure must be resorted to before the customer pursues any legal remedies through the
courts.
Model : CF-080LS Serial Number :
598-13 Nagakura Karuizawa-machi, Nagano-Ken JP389-0111 JAPAN
Warranty
Date:
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Silicon Arts Design & Concert Fidelity, Inc.
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