Fountek Electronics ALTITUDE 3500 User manual

FOUNTEK ELECTRONICS
www.fountek.net
ALTITUDE 3500
Integrated Amplifier
OWNERS MANUAL
A3500 ( Version -V1) 240V AC 24-10-05

2
CONTENTS
3. INTRODUCTION
4. IMPORTANT NOTES ( WARNING !)
5. POWER INPUT CONNECTION
6. CONNECTING SPEAKERS
7. SERVICING THE AMPLIFIER
8. LOCATION AND VENTILATION
9. TOP VIEW VALVE LOCATION
10. REAR VIEW DIAGRAM
11. FRONT VIEW DIAGRAM
12. OPERATIONAL NOTES
13. SPECIFICATIONS
14. ALTITUDE 3500 PICTURE

INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the Fountek Electronics Altitude 3500 Integrated valve
amplifier. The circuit design lay out and component quality used has been chosen
carefully after years of development and refinement for reliability to ensure the highest
quality of musical reproduction with accurate and emotional delivery of the sound
stage .
The Altitude 3500 Integrated valve amplifier features only the best available
components with the shortest and cleanest signal paths possible with direct coupling
used on the input stages to improve signal transit response .
High quality electrolytic and non electrolytic capacitors have been used throughout
the Altitude 3500 amplifier in critical signal areas to ensure instant energy for fast
dynamic midrange and top end transients with tight very dynamic bass performance
normally not found on valve amplifiers.

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IMPORTANT NOTES ( WARNING !)
CHILDREN & PETS
If you have small children or pets, you should consider placing the amplifiers out of reach
to prevent damage to the amplifier or damage to your small children or pets by the
amplifier as the valves do get hot during operation.
WATER & MOISTURE
As with any electrical equipment, these amplifiers should not be used near water or
moisture.
Keep clear of open windows
CLEANING THE AMPLIFIER
Turn off the power on the front panel of the amplifier and remove the power cable from the
mains wall socket completely before cleaning the panels.
## Use a soft cotton cloth or cotton gloves only
## Do not use any water, alcohol, chemicals, or cleaning sprays on any part of the
amplifier chassis or valves
Valves may become loose during transit straighten and press down each tube firmly
before into its appropriate valve socket before plugging the amplifier into the AC mains
socket.
HEAT FROM THE AMPLIFIER
Do not touch the valves after the amplifier has been switched on, as the valves become
very hot during operation and should only be handled after the power has been turned off
and the valves have cooled. Allow at least 15 to 20Minuites for the amplifier to cool down
Your amplifier has been factory set to the correct mains voltage for your country.
The voltage setting is marked on the serial badge, located on the rear panel neat the IEC
mains input socket.
Check that this complies with your local main supply.
SHOCK HAZZARD #####
High voltages are contained inside the amplifier
DO Not remove the metal base cover of the amplifier.
DO Not Operate the amplifier with the valves removed from the valve sockets

POWER INPUT CONNECTION
POWER INPUT _ IEC 240V SOCKET/FUSE HOLDER
Your amplifier has been factory set to the correct mains voltage for your country.
The voltage setting is marked on the serial badge, located on the rear panel.
Check that this complies with your local supply.
Please use the IEC power cord supplied with the unit and ensure it is firmly pushed
into the IEC 240V AC socket at the rear of the amplifier and the amplifier installation
and connections have been double-checked before connecting the amplifier to the
240V AC power outlet before switching on the power
REPLACING FUSE
First be sure the unit is turned off and remove the 240V IEC mains cable before
replacing the fuse
The fuse is mounted in the top IEC 240V AC socket at the rear of the amplifier
under a plastic panel.
Replace the fuse only with the recommended type (# see Specifications for type)

CONNECTING SPEAKERS
CONNECTING THE SPEAKERS
IMPORTANT (NOTE)
Never run the amplifier with the speakers disconnected!
Connect 8-OHM speakers to the terminals marked (8 OHM)
Connect 4-OHM speakers to the terminals marked (4 OHM)
Connect the RIGHT CHANNEL speaker cable +Ve to the RED speaker terminal
Connect the RIGHT CHANNEL speaker cable -Ve to the BLACK speaker terminal
Connect the LEFT CHANNEL speaker cable +Ve to the RED speaker terminal
Connect the LEFT CHANNEL speaker cable -Ve to the BLACK speaker terminal
SPEAKER CABLE WITH FITTED BANANA PLUGS
Connect the ends of the speaker cables either buy 4mm banana plugs buy inserting
them into the holes provided in the back of the amplifier speaker terminals
SPEAKER CABLE WITH BARE WIRE
Clamp the bare end of the speaker cable into the 4mm entry hole
provided in the back of the speaker terminal.
Unscrew the speaker terminal cover anti clockwise to allow enough room for the bare
end of the speaker cable then insert the cable and tighten down the speaker
terminal cover clockwise until it is secured firmly buy hand only .
Do not use a wrench to tighten the speaker terminals or you will cause damage
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SERVICING THE AMPLIFIER
The user should not attempt to service the amplifier beyond that described in the owner's
manual.
Refer all servicing other than valve replacement to a qualified Service Technician at
an Authorized Fountek Service Center.
REPLACING VALVES
Switch off the AC 240V power on the front panel of the amplifier.
Switch off wall AC 240V wall power socket and remove the amplifier power cord from wall
socket.
Allow around 20 minutes for the amplifier to cool down before replacing any valves
Remove and replace valves using a pair of white cotton cloves that are supplied as an
accessory with the amplifier.
Gently wiggle the valve whilst lifting it up vertically out of the valve socket,
When fitting the new valve make sure the pins on the new valve are straight and
orientated in the correct direction so they line up with the holes in the valve sockets.
Ensure the valves are fitted into the valve socket firmly
Fit only the designated valve into sockets labeled (V1 V2 V3 V4 EL34, 12AU7 12AT7)
BIASING THE OUTPUT VALVES
By using high voltages on the plates of the output valves, we are able to run them at lower
currents, which will result in longer life for the output valves and less reliance on bias
adjustment with age.
The output valve biasing procedure is normally only required when the valves are faulty or
need replacing due to a loss of sound performance.
Each output valve has its own bias adjustment, the procedure for adjusting the bias is
described in the Altitude 3500 Integrated Service manual.
We recommend that the re biasing of the output valves be attempted by a qualified
Service Technician at an Authorized Fountek Service center..

LOCATION AND VENTILATION
Installation of the Altitude 3500 Integrated valve amplifier must be into in a stable location with ample
ventilation. Place the amplifier at lease 600mm (24") above any floor and allow plenty of clearance
around the unit between it an other equipment and cabinet walls or panels.
## Do not install the valve amplifier into a cupboard behind closed doors
Allow a minimum 100mm (4") of clearance on the top and sides of the amplifier
to allow a constant airflow.
Do not place amplifiers directly on high pile (thick) carpet, mats, towels or any other surface that will
block the ventilation vents underneath the amplifier

TOP VIEW VALVE LOCATION
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OUTPUT
L (CH)
EL34
12AU7
12AT7
TOP VIEW
TRANSFORMER
EL34
EL34
EL34
12AU7 12AT7
OUTPUT
TRANSFORMER
R (CH)
POWER
TRANSFORMER

FRONT VIEW DIAGRAM
1234
Volume
Function Power
FRONT VIEW
ALTITUDE 3500
INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
FUNCTION SWITCH
Selects audio inputs (1,2,3,4 )( CD /TUNER /AUX /1 AUX2)
"Blue" lamp will indicate the selected input (1,2,3,4 )
POWER
ON/ OFF
Press power switch in to turn power and out to turn OFF
## Blue indicator lamp and valve (tubes) will light when Power is ON
VOLUME
Turn Clockwise to set volume to your required listening level to suit the room and program material.
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Turn down the Volume fully anti -clockwise before switching of the amplifier

REAR VIEW DIAGRAM
RIGHT
SPEAKER
TUNER
AUX 1
AUX 2
1
23
4
CD
240V A/C 50 HZ
POWER INPUT
RIGHT
SPEAKER
REAR VIEW
08 ohm 4 ohm 4 ohm 8 ohm
FUSE
0
POWER INPUT (IEC Socket) : IEC 240 V mains cord power input socket
FUSE: Mains fuse is located under the plastic cover in the top the (IEC socket)
Use only the manufactures recommended type.
SPEAKER : for 4 or 8 Ohm Speakers - speaker terminal post for speaker cables with banana
plugs or plain wire cable SEE ( Page 8) CONNECTING THE SPEAKERS
INPUTS
Any of the input jacks can be used with any hi-fi system RCA outputs.
All 4 inputs are electrically identical and only differ in how they are labeled
1 CD : CD / DVD /SACD players
2 TUNER : AM / FM Stereo or digital Radio Receivers
3 AUX 1 : For external Phono Pre amplifier or Home Theatre Pre amplifier Out (L &R)
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4 AUX 2: For VCR or Laser Disc or Computer Sound playback

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OPERATIONAL NOTES
POWER
The power switch is located on the lower left hand corner of the front panel. Push the top of the
rocker switch (1) to turn on the amplifier and the bottom of the rocker to turn off the amplifier.
The (Blue) indicator lamp on the front panel will illuminate indicating that the amplifier is on operating.
Allow around 30 seconds to 1 minute for the valves to warm up before using
RUNNING
It is not recommended that you leave your amplifier permanently switched on as this reduces valve
life and wastes electricity.
Your amplifier has solid state rectification and reaches peak operating
condition in approximately 30 to 60 minutes.
VALVE (Tube) LIFE
As with all valves, their quality degrades with age. This is due to cathode emission, a natural process
found in all valves.
We recommend that you have your amplifier services every 3to4 years usually the amplifier
A full set of new valves(tubes) is recommend every 3-4 years
POWER REGULATOR (FILTER)
In locations where mains and power fluctuates an optional 240 V regulator/ power filter unit between the
240V wall outlet and the power cord feed to the amplifier is advisable
SPEAKER POSITION
Position the left and right speakers at least 2.7 to 3.5 metres apart to achieve the best sound stage and depth
of field. Depending on whether you have floor standing or Stand mounted speaker's bookshelf toe both
speakers in towards the centre listening position around 5 degs.
Avoid positioning the speakers too close to any adjacent or back wall .A minimum distance of (0.25 to 0.75) M
is recommended. Fine-tune the speaker's position to suit your room acoustics using your favorite recordings
Note all rooms are different so you will have to experiment with the position of your speakers
until you are happy with the sound.
Use high quality speaker leads remember the better the leads the more detail you will hear from your
speakers.
AMPLIFIER VALVE RUN IN TIME
The valves supplied with the amplifier are pre run in at the factory. It is normal practice though that you allow
a week or so of normal listening to further run in the valves especially if you have changed them during a
dealer service.

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SPECIFICATIONS
CHANNELS: 2 channel
INPUTS : 4 CD/ TUNER / AUX1 / AUX2 (1,2,3,4)
INPUT IMPEDANCE =100K ohms
INPUT SENSITIVITY = 350mV rms @ 1Khz
OUTPUT POWER per channel = 32 Watts @ 1 KHz into 8ohm
OUTPUT CLASS: AB push pull
OUTPUT: 4 or 8 ohm speaker load 0-4-8 ohms
T.H.D. less than 1%
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 15Hz- 50 KHz +- 0.5 dB
S/N Ratio : 89dB/A
VALVES :
2 x 12AT7 Twin triode
2 x 12AU7 Twin triode
4 x EL34 Pentode
EL34 Output Valves are matched pairs
FUSE: 240V 3.15A
CHASSIS: Silver Brushed Aluminum
DIMENSIONS : 350mm*190mm*320mm
NET WEIGHT : 18Kgs
GROSS WEIGHT: 21Kgs

FOUNTEK ELECTRONICS
ALTITUDE 3500 VALVE AMPLIFIER
Altitude 3500 amplifier in a High Definition Sound System
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Thank you again, and please enjoy your new dimension in sound