Finale F –208A Owner's manual

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Where music begins!
QUICK USER MANUAL: F –208A / F-208B / F-308
Finalé Audio Toronto, Canada
http://www.FinaleAudio.com
V1.1 2016

http://www.FinaleAudio.com | USER MANUAL F-208a/F-208b / F-308
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Model: F- F –208A / F-208B / F-308 Tube Integrated Amplifier
First of all, thank you for purchasing our product. Anytime you see the Finale
Audio badge, you are getting a finest piece of HIFI product in its class. All our
products are designed to last forever with absolute reliable ownership.
Everything, from design to manufacture are done right here in Toronto, Canada,
in-house by our tube masters and engineers. Today, let us present you the new
era of tube amplifications.
It was Science, now it’s Art!
BEFORE YOU START UP THE MUSIC:
Here are some DOs and DON’Ts to learn about the basic usage of tube amplifiers.
DOs: - Always have all correct tubes in place (See page 3) - Hook up all signal
input cables (RED/WHITE) & speaker wires (RED/BLACK) BEFORE you put the power cord
into the IEC inlet (In case the power button is switched on) - Always put volume to
minimal before or after used - Use matched pair or matched quad tubes whenever
possible - A decent power cord will be beneficial, and plug direct into wall outlet -
After turned off amplifier, let rest and avoid restart immediately
DON’Ts - Do not let children or pets get closed to the amplifier when it is playing, as
the tubes can be harmful, or lethal (The optional cage is highly recommended) -
Do not remove any tubes, cables and wires while the amplifier is playing / on - Do
not try to fix or modify the amplifier, as there could be lethal voltage remains in parts,
even in days or weeks. We have to mention this as we take safety very seriously and we
all have our loved ones and families. So far, we do not have one warranty claimed yet,
so we can safely say shall one day your amplifier requires service, most likely it is caused
by external reason such as misused, lightening, physical abuse and damage...etc.

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QUICK CONNECTIONS:
1. Plug in all tubes at correct locations (EL84 / 6BQ5 / 7189 Quad at the rear four
tube sockets and one pair of 12AX7 / ECC83 in the front sockets –see above
picture).
2. Connect your source to RCA Jacks (Red/White RCA cables for signal inputs) on
the left side of the amplifier, and connect speaker wires (Red/Black Binding
Posts) in the back of the amplifier. Connect 8 or 4 ohms, according to your
speakers rating.
3. Plug in power cord (Do this at last, in case the power switch is on)
4. Turn ON the power button in the back
5. Select your source input via Selector knob (The knob on the left)
6. Turn to suitable volume Via Volume Knob (The knob on the right - And is a good
practice to dial volume to lowest before start and after finish)

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7. Sit back, relax and enjoy!
8. If you are not sure, please ask your closest dealer, or email us directly! We are
professionals here to help and to instruct you the proper way in handling and
using tube amps the correct right, as well to point out the facts about tubes.
TROUBLESHOOT / QUESTIONS:
The tubes are not glowing - check your power cord or fuse
Only one channel is playing or hum/low/weak in volume - switch off, and let
tubes cool. Try rotate tubes between L and R channel, and make sure all
cables/wires are secured. If the problem is not resolved after rotating tubes, try
rotate L to R channel cables/wires until you find out if it is poorly connected or
defected tubes. If volume/power remains weak or blurry, try a set of new tubes.
Most noises and music pauses are induced by loose wires

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Upgrades - people talk about upgrades and modifications, should I listen? Our
answer is NO, because each model of amplifiers we designed and made are
voiced to how we wanted. We are not just engineers who purely pursuit our
products with a high spec and performance on paper. We are also music lovers
and musicians who care how instruments and voices are being portrayed. Each
part and transformer is hand-picked and most of them are what we have been
used for decades. Please be warned: if any changes and modifications done will
void the warranty and affects its value.
NOS or NEW Tubes - We prefer new tubes, as NOS tubes can vary a lot in quality.
Speaker Cables Gauge - We prefer something thin, from 12-18 gauge, we use 15
gauge. No matter it is on single driver loudspeakers or multi-ways large speakers,
we don’t like to use bi-wiring.

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SPECIFICATION:
Rated Output: 10 W - 15 W
Operation:
Class A Autobias F-208s (10W)
Class AB Autobias F-308 (15W /17W Max)
Speaker Outputs:
6 ohms or 8 ohms for F-208B (Made between 2013 –2016)
4 / 8 ohms for F-208A (2011 –2016 / F-308 2012-2014)
Total Harmonic Distortion: Less than 1% at THD+N
Hum & Noise (A-Weight): 90 db or better at rated power
Frequency Response: + 0 - 0.2 db (At 1 Watt Reference Power Output from 20-
20,000hz)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance: Main Input - 500 mv / 100k ohm
Power Consumption: 85W+
Design Philosophy:
The F-208A is our highest dollar-to-refinement ratio amplifier. This unit combines the
most silky, high quality play back with 10 Watts of Class A, real world drivability. Fully
automatic, it needs only 6 tubes and is ready-to-play without the headache of matching
the EL84 power tubes (however, you will want to match the two 12AX7 preamp tubes).
Although it is an integrated unit, we find that the superb inner details, proper weight and
joy of music, real life transient speed and quiet, stable operations will beat a lot of the
current preamp-power amp combinations —especially If you are looking for the best
sounding EL84 Integrated Amp under $2K.
On second thought, forget that —we have heard, serviced, seen tons of tube amps around
the world, new or old, entry or exotic —and, regardless of price, this is one of the best
you’ll hear, period!