Continuum Caliburn User manual

Caliburn Turntable
Installation Manual
REVISION ‘D’

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 2 of 52
Welcome and congratulations on your purchase of the Caliburn turntable system. Your
Caliburn was hand-crafted and assembled by the team at Continuum Audio Laboratories, and
has been rigorously tested and is ready for your enjoyment.
We ask that you take the time to read this manual carefully to ensure that you not only enjoy
optimum sound quality from your Caliburn, but also understand the care and maintenance
procedures required to keep your Caliburn in as-new condition for many years to come.
If you ha e any questions in reference to any part of your Caliburn at any time in the
future, please feel free to contact your nearest Continuum Consultant for assistance.
Your Authorised Continuum Consultant is:
Serial Number:
Date of Manufacture

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 3 of 52
TABLE OF CONTENTS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND NOTES...................................................................................5
WHO SHOULD READ THIS MANUAL ...........................................................................................5
HOW TO READ THIS MANUAL ......................................................................................................5
Standard Symbols and Safety Notifications ....................................................................................5
S AFETY P RECAUTIONS ..........................................................................................................................6
CALIBURN SYSTEM COMPONENTS.............................................................................................7
CALIBURN TURNTABLE...............................................................................................................7
CALIBURN CONTROL UNIT ........................................................................................................7
CALIBURN VACUUM UNIT..........................................................................................................7
CASTELLON ISOLATION STAND.................................................................................................7
COBRA TONEARM ........................................................................................................................7
O VERVIEW OF B ASIC I NSTALLATION S TEPS .........................................................................................9
PACKAGING ................................................................................................................................10
INSPECT PACKAGING PRIOR TO OPENING...........................................................................10
OPEN THE PACKAGING ............................................................................................................10
CASTELLON OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................11
CASTELLON LAYERS ..................................................................................................................12
INSTALL LOWER CERAMIC SHELF ..........................................................................................13
INSTALL UPPER CERAMIC SHELF GUIDE BOLTS.................................................................13
INSTALLING THE DAMPING & BALLAST LAYERS.................................................................. 16
CONTROL BOX............................................................................................................................18
VACUUM BOX .............................................................................................................................18
INFLATION OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILISER.....................................................................19
CALIBURN TURNTABLE ................................................................................................................. 20
OVERVIEW OF BASIC INSTALLATION STEPS..........................................................................21
PACKAGING CONTENTS ..............................................................................................................22
PLATTER ASSEMBLY ..................................................................................................................22
CHASSIS, BEARING, ARMBOARD ASSEMBLY.......................................................................... 23
MOTOR ASSEMBLY.....................................................................................................................25
CONTROL BOX ASSEMBLY........................................................................................................26
CONTROL BOX – FITTING OF SEALED BATTERIES ..............................................................27
VACUUM BOX ASSEMBLY .........................................................................................................28
SET - UP INSTRUCTIONS................................................................................................................. 29
PREPARING THE CHASSIS BEFORE INSTALLATION.............................................................29
PLACING THE TURNTABLE CHASSIS ......................................................................................29
PLACING THE TURNTABLE CHASSIS ......................................................................................30
PREPARING THE BEARING FOR PLATTER INSTALL .............................................................. 33
OUTER PLATTER INSTALLATION .............................................................................................. 34
INSTALLING THE INNER PLATTER............................................................................................ 35
INSTALLING THE BELT ................................................................................................................38
PLACING THE TOP COVER...........................................................................................................39
INSTALLING THE PERIPHERALS ................................................................................................40
INSTALLING THE ARM .................................................................................................................41
CALIBURN OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS .................................................................................. 42
PLATTER CLAMP AND LIP SEAL OPERATION........................................................................ 42
RECORD PLAYING PROCEDURE ................................................................................................43
OPERATING THE VACUUM.......................................................................................................43
STARTING THE MOTOR .............................................................................................................43
REMOVING RECORD PROCEDURE .........................................................................................43
SPEED ADJUSTMENT ....................................................................................................................44
LOWERING THE SPEED.............................................................................................................44
RAISING THE SPEED..................................................................................................................44
CONFIRMING THE SET SPEED................................................................................................. 44
OWNER CARE & MAINTENANCE ...............................................................................................45
CARING FOR METAL SURFACES..............................................................................................45
CLEANING THE PLATTER ......................................................................................................... 45
BEARING MAINTENANCE..........................................................................................................45

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 4 of 52
MOTOR.........................................................................................................................................45
MOTOR BELT REPLACEMENT..................................................................................................45
FAULTS & TROUBLE SHOOTING ................................................................................................46
SPECIFICATIONS............................................................................................................................47
CALIBURN’S DESIGN HISTORY ..................................................................................................48
APPENDIX 1 – R ECOMMENDED B ATTERY D ETAILS .........................................................................50

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 5 of 52
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND NOTES
ENGLISH
WE RECOMMEND YOU READ THIS DOCUMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY
BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO ASSEMBLE OR DISASSEMBLE YOUR NEW
TURNTABLE.
WHO SHOULD READ THIS MANUAL
This manual is designed for the owner, dealer, or dealer representati e who will install the
Caliburn turntable. The reader should ha e a good general knowledge of mechanical de ices
and be proficient with basic tools such as allen wrenches, spirit le els, and general assembly
techniques for machined components.
HOW TO READ THIS MANUAL
The User manual (this manual) contains important notes that need to be obser ed to operate
the Caliburn safely and correctly.
Throughout this manual there will be standard symbols denoting important
in ormation.
Standard Symbols and Safety Notifications
For your safety and that of others, follow the guidelines pro ided on the following pages
concerning the use of the product.
Symbols are used throughout this manual. These are pro ided to emphasize important points
for your safety and that of others. The following are the symbols and their meanings:
Ignoring the instructions under this symbol when installing or dismantling the Caliburn may be
hazardous or e en lethal.
Ignoring the instructions under this symbol when installing or dismantling the Caliburn may
lead to injuries as well as damage to the de ice or hardware options.
CAUTION (CAUTION without the exclamation mark)
Ignoring the instructions under this symbol when using the Caliburn may lead to damage to
the de ice or hardware options.

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 6 of 52
Safety Precautions
Category
Do not dismantle or modify this de ice in any other way than described in
this manual.
Do not place anything on top of this de ice. Doing so may cause fire, electric
shock or a malfunction.
Do not install this de ice in direct sunlight, near a heater, or in a humid or
dusty en ironment. Doing so may cause fire or electric shock. To pre ent fire
or shock hazard, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture. Do not use or
allow any liquid cleaning solutions to enter the unit.
Do not obstruct the entilation slots. This could cause o erheating and fire.
Use only a certified safe AC adapter and power cable to connect to any IEC
connectors on the pro ided Power Entry Modules. Third-party adapters and
cables may cause fire, electric shock or malfunction.
In the e ent the de ice o erheats, starts to smoke or smells strange,
immediately unplug the de ice completely from the AC power plug.
Contact the company where you purchased the de ice immediately. Using
the de ice in its current condition may cause fire or electric shock.
Electric shock
and fire
Do not damage or modify the power or other cables. Do not twist the cables
together, place anything on them or place them where someone may trip
o er them. Doing so may cause fire or electric shock or personal injury.
The Power Supply contains oltages that can cause serious injury or death.
There are no user ser iceable parts inside and no reason to open the control
box or the pump box. In situations of failure return to appro ed dealer or
agent. Should any solid object or liquid fall into the cabinet, unplug the unit
and ha e it checked by your Factory Authorized Dealer
To a oid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer ser icing to qualified
personnel only.
Before operating the unit, check that the operating oltage is identical with
your local power supply. The operating oltage is indicated on the name
plate at the rear of the unit on the Power Entry Module.
The unit is not disconnected from the AC power source (mains) as long as it
is connected to the wall outlet, e en if the unit itself has been turned off.
If you are not going to use the unit for a long time, be sure to disconnect the
unit from the wall outlet. To disconnect the AC power cord, grasp the plug
itself; ne er the cord.
AC power cord must be changed only at a qualified ser ice shop.
Fitting
components
The components in the Caliburn are made to close tolerances with sliding fits
on most bearing surfaces. Ne er o er tighten any of the pro ided fasteners
for assembling the platter. If you are in doubt request the assistance of a
trained dealer representati e to ensure no forcing or misalignment of the
components during assembly.
Obser e all instructions on placing your hands in the correct location when
installing the hea y platter on to the bearing. Failure to obser e the
instructions and commonsense may result in injury.

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 7 of 52
CALIBURN SYSTEM COMPONENTS
The Caliburn consists of separate subsystems that combine to create a most sophisicated
analogue playback system.
CALIBURN TURNTABLE
The Caliburn turntable is a precisely engineered piece of equipment designed to be a low
noise foundation for the record to sit, allowing the stylus to extract the maximum
information from the record’s groo e.
CALIBURN CONTROL UNIT
The Caliburn Control Unit allows for platter speed selection, 33, 45 and 78, and speed
adjustment/memory settings. It also controls the acuum unit for precise negati e
pressure to hold the record down during playback.
CALIBURN VACUUM UNIT
The Caliburn Vacuum Unit is a super quiet pump with a “stealth-mode” operation during
playback. It is a computer controlled negati e pressure mechanism that maintains correct
acuum for record playback. It runs continuously during playback.
CASTELLON ISOLATION STAND
The Castellon Isolation Stand is specifically designed to support the Caliburn Turntable and
pro ide a suspension system that is tuned to the Caliburn. It contributes a significant
proportion to the sound of the system.
COBRA TONEARM
As the primary tonearm on the Caliburn System the Cobra offers unparalleled performance
e en against ery complicated linear mechanisms. It has been designed to work as part of
the o erall system to deli er a complete sonic result.

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 8 of 52
Castellon Stand

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 9 of 52
Overview of Basic Installation Steps
Perform the steps below to install the Castellon. Details are contained in this manual.
1. Read the User Manual (this manual)
↓
2. Unpack and Check the contents of the packaging
↓
3. Confirm location for Castellon installation
↓
6. Position and place the Castellon. Level the Stand using the adjustable feet
↓
7. Remove protective packing film
↓
8. Remove Top Drawer
↓
9. Install the Lower Ceramic Shelf and Upper Ceramic Shelf using Special Bolts
↓
10. Install Pneumatic Buffer around Upper Ceramic Shelf
↓
11. Place Damping Sheets onto Upper Ceramic Shelf
↓
12. Place Top Timber Shelf on Damping Sheets
↓
13. Install Caliburn
↓
14. Release Installation Bolts
↓
15. Secure Safety Bolt
↓
16. Inflate Buffer

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 10 of 52
PACKAGING
Please retain all the packaging in a safe dry place away from fire hazard and/or pests which
could damage the packaging materials.
Should you need to transport the turntable we strongly recommend you use the original
packaging to pre ent damage during shipment.
Ne er transport the turntable with the platter assembled as this will potentially lead to serious
damage to the bearing and platter.
INSPECT PACKAGING PRIOR TO OPENING
The packaging has been especially designed so that all component parts are safe during
transportation by reputable shipping companies. Should the packaging appear damaged or
show signs of ha ing been exposed to significant amounts of moisture (buckled cardboard
packaging or hea y water stains) please ad ise your dealer immediately as the contents may
ha e been exposed to undesirable e ents.
The packaging is designed to handle the majority of expected shipping conditions but there
may be instances where e ents beyond Continuum Audio Laboratories control ha e occurred in
shipping. To a oid complications with warranty claims we recommend you contact your dealer
for assistance in e aluating the packaging prior to unpacking and installation.
OPEN THE PACKAGING
The standard packaging consists of custom made roadcases and triple walled cardboard boxes
containing foam lining to protect the components.
Use a suitable protected cutting implement to carefully release the packaging tape holding the
protecti e boxes.
Then remo e each component. Note: the parts are hea y and require a firm careful grip to
remo e the items from their packaging. Be careful not to drop these components. Ask for
assistance before lifting hea y objects should you feel this is necessary.
Place each component in a safe place (i.e a soft surface such as a towel or soft blanket) before
opening the next component.

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 11 of 52
CASTELLON OVERVIEW
The Castellon is a ery specialised design incorporating the latest technology in ibration
control.
The stand contains a negati e stiffness mechanism which works in harmony with the Caliburn
to produce unequalled sonic results. This spring mass damper system are hidden beneath the
attracti e exterior.
Aircraft grade alloys are used throughout along with high tension turnbuckle systems to rigidly
brace the stand from any spurious mo ement.
Con enient features such as the drawer mechanism allow for storage of the usual collection of
tools and cleaning needs of quality analogue systems.
Custom Finish Top
Custom Finish Drawer
Ceramic Adjustable Feet
High Tension
Turnbuckles
Side Bracing Ring
Custom Middle
and Lower Shelf

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 12 of 52
CASTELLON LAYERS
Once you ha e installed the stand in the correct location you need to insert the arious shelf
components, ceramic le itating shel es, ballast metal sheets and damping material sheets.
Horizontal Pneumatic
Stabiliser. Inflation al e
centered at rear.
Damping Material Sheets
Custom Finish Top
Ballast 3MM
Metal Sheets
Upper Ceramic
Le itating Shelf
Lower Ceramic
Le itating Shelf
4 x M10 Allthread
Assembly Clamping
Guide Bolts with
Plate Washers and
Wingnuts
Central Cutout
For Inflation
Val e
Main Safety
Bolt

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 13 of 52
INSTALL LOWER CERAMIC SHELF
Carefully lower the Bottom Ceramic Le itating Shelf into the recess in the top of the stand.
Secure at each corner with the supplied M6 x 20MM Socket Head Cap Screws.
Tighten all the bolts after ensuring each bolt has been started without crossthreading.
INSTALL UPPER CERAMIC SHELF GUIDE BOLTS
Thread the 4 x M10 Allthread Assembly Clamping Guide Bolts into the inside corners of the
UPPER Ceramic Shelf. Ensure these are flush with the top face of the Ceramic Shelf.
Lower into the stand allowing the Guide Bolts to locate the top shelf e enly through the
opposing holes in the LOWER Ceramic Shelf.
M6 X 20MM
SHCS Bolts
2 in each
corner

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 14 of 52
Secure the flat plate washers and wingnuts as shown.
Install the Pneumatic Horizontal Stabilizer (do not inflate at this stage) by wrapping it around
the outer edge of the UPPER Ceramic Shelf.
Ensure the inflation al e is centered at the rear of the Castellon Stand inline with the cutout.
Tighten the allthreads in sequence to pull the UPPER Ceramic Shelf gradually and e enly into
the recess in the Castellon.
DO NOT REMOVE THESE BOLTS UNTIL THE CENTRAL SAFETY BOLT HAS BEEN INSTALLED.

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 15 of 52
Install the Safety Bolt and tighten this until it is flush with the top surface.

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 16 of 52
INSTALLING THE DAMPING & BALLAST LAYERS
Install the alternating layers of damping material and ballast metal sheets in the following
order:
After Ceramic UPPER Shelf Secured into stand
A. 1 x 3MM Damping Sheet (EPDM Rubber)
B. 1 x 3MM Ballast Metal Sheet .
C. 1 x 3MM Damping Sheet (EPDM Rubber)
D. 1 x 3MM Ballast Metal Sheet .
E. 1 x 1.5MM Damping Sheet (EPDM Rubber)
F. 1 x Custom Finished Top Cap

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 17 of 52
Remo e the M10 Allthread Guide Bolts to allow clear room for the Drawer Mechanism:
YOU MUST ENSURE SAFETY BOLT REMAINS INSTALLED. THIS IS TO PREVENT THE
LEVITATION SYSTEM FROM RELEASING INADVERTENTLY SHOULD SOMEONE REMOVE THE
CALIBURN TURNTABLE OFF THE STAND WITHOUT FOLLOWING PROPER INSTRUCTIONS
INSTALL THE DRAWER MECHANISM

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 18 of 52
CONTROL BOX
THE CONTROL BOX IS USED TO SET SPEEDS, TURN VACUUM AND LOGO LIGHT ON/OFF.
We recommend this is installed in the middle shelf of the Castellon
VACUUM BOX
THE VACUUM BOX IS USED TO DELIVER NEGATIVE PRESSURE FOR VACUUM HOLDDOWN.
We recommend this is installed in the lower shelf of the Castellon

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 19 of 52
INFLATION OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Once the Caliburn has been fully installed on to the Castellon a settling procedure is
required to centralize and le el the le itating ceramic shel es.
Use the supplied manual inflation pump to add about 5-6PSI of low pressure to pro ide a
“rolling” buffer to the UPPER Ceramic Shelf.
You may need to push repeatedly up and down on the shelf to equalize the pressure
around the periphery of the shelf.
Additional fine positioning of the Caliburn Motor and Chassis will help e enly distribute and
balance the suspension system.
Periodic checking of the pneumatic buffer is recommended (3-6month cycle). Add pressure
using the pump if required.

Continuum Audio Laboratories – Caliburn Installation Manual
Written By: MDO Appro ed By: PLO Re ision D – 01-JUN-08 Page 20 of 52
Caliburn Turntable