Khan Audio PAK User manual

www.khanaudio.com
The Pak Amp User’s Manual

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Welcome and congratulations on purchasing a Khan Pak Amp.
The Khan Pak is a full featured Vacuum Tube Guitar Amplier. Powered by a pair
of NOS 6AQ5 Beam Power tubes, the PAK delivers classic rock guitar tone that spans
decades. This unique design can t in a backpack, gig bag, or carry on luggage for the
working musician on the go. It is as equally useful in the studio, providing a wide range
of tonal variety and an exceptional line out in a compact format. We hope you enjoy the
all tube tones inside!
Table of Contents
Welcome and Safety Guidelines .............................................................................2
Khan Pak Models Features ......................................................................................3
Front Panel - Single Channel (PAK) Model ..........................................................4-5
Front Panel - Dual Channel (2PAK) Model ...........................................................6-7
Back Panel - Both Models ....................................................................................8-9
Technical Specs & Warranty ..................................................................................10
Block Diagram ........................................................................................................11 Single Channel (PAK) Model1:
• Gain and Master Controls
• (2) 12AX7 and (2) 6AQ5 tubes
• Bright and Mid Boost Switches
• Mid Boost foot switchable
Dual Channel (2PAK) Model2:
• Dual Concentric Gain and Master
Controls
• (3) 12AX7 and (2) 6AQ5 tubes
• Bright, Channel, Presence and Mid
Boost Switches
• Channel and Mid Boost foot
switchable
Shared Features:
• Switchable 10 or 18 watts @ 5% THD
• Treble, Middle, Bass tone stack
• Buffered FX Loop Send and Return
• Speaker simulated balanced line out
• Silent operation with internal 8 ohm load
• Speaker Impedance selector - 8 and 16 ohm
• Built in cooling fan with high/low switch
• Made in USA custom transformers
• Compact size: 9" x 7" x 2 1/2". Weight: 6 1/2 pounds
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
ATTENTION
RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION
NE PAS OUVRIR
ATTENTION: POUR REDUIRE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PAS
ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE N'EST REPRABLE
PAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTE REPARATION, S'ADRESSER A UN
TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE.
VORSICHT
ELEKTRISCHE SCHLAGGEFAHR
NICHT OFFENEN
VORSICHT: ZUR MINIMIERUNG ELEKTRISCHER SCHLAGGEFAHR NICHT
DEN DECKEL ABENHMEN. INTERNE TEILE KONNEN NICHT VOM
BENUTZER GEWARTET WERDEN. DIE WARTUNG IS QUALIFIZIERTEM
WARTUNGSPERSONAL ZU UBERLASSEN.
THIS EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED TO PROVIDE SAFE AND RELIABLE OPERATION. IN ORDER TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF THE UNIT AND PREVENT ACCIDEN-
TAL DAMAGES OR INJURY, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONARY GUIDELINES:
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT OPEN CHASSIS; DO NOT DEFEAT OR REMOVE THE GROUND PIN OF THE POWER CORD; CONNECT ONLY TO A PROP-
ERLY GROUNDED AC POWER OUTLET.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CAUTION: NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
CAUTION: OUR AMPLIFIERS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT
HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS ADVISED AND EAR PROTECTION IS RECOMMENDED IF UNIT IS OPERATED AT HIGH VOLUME. The chart below shows the U.S.
Government Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations which were in effect at the time of this publication for permissible noise exposure, per 29CRF1910, Table G-16.
According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of those listed above could result in some hearing loss.
"IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE USER TO REFER TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL"
"REFERREZ-VOUS AU MANUAL D'UTILISATION"
"UNBEDINGT IN DER BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG NACHSCHLAGEN"
EXPLANATION OF
GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:
"DANGEROUS VOLTAGE"
"DANGER HAUTE TENSION"
"GEFAHLICHE SPANNUNG"
==
SOUND LEVEL dBA DURATION PER DAY
SLOW RESPONSE IN HOURS
809
629
459
379
2001
SOUND LEVEL dBA DURATION PER DAY
SLOW RESPONSE IN HOURS
2/1-1201
1501
2/1011
sselro4/1511
Important: Precautions & Safety Guidelines
All KHAN products are designed for continuous safe operation, as long as common sense is used and steps are taken to help avoid certain
problems. Abiding by the following rules can help prevent damage to your amplier, yourself and others.
• The amplier is equipped with a three-pronged AC power cord. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, never remove or otherwise
attempt to defeat the ground pin of the power cord.
• Connect the amplierONLY to a properly grounded AC outlet of the proper voltage for your amp.
• Always match the total speaker impedance to the amplier.
• Unplug the amplier before cleaning it. NEVER spray liquid cleaners onto the amplier. Wipe it with a slightly dampened, lint-free cloth
to remove dirt and lm.
• Ampliers capable of producing high volume levels are also capable of inicting permanent hearing loss or damage, if the exposure to
such levels is prolonged. Such damage is progressive and irreversible!
Dual Channel (2PAK) Model2
Single Channel (PAK) Model1

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Single Channel (PAK) Model
Input: High 1 Megohm input impedance for maximum signal and tone from your
instrument. Standard ¼” jack
Gain: Controls the gain of the preamp. Adjust to taste for the sound desired. The
gain structure of the Pak Amp is very dynamically responsive. Even at maximum gain
the amp will clean up well with the guitar volume knob.
Bright Switch: Adds brightness and boosts the preamp gain above 1KHz. This is a
useful switch to compensate for different types of pickups.
Treble: Controls the high frequency response of the amplier at a frequency of 2
KHz. Adjust to taste with your particular guitar and pickups
Mid: controls the midrange response at 900 Hz. This control “lls” the sound or
“scoops” it for more clarity and sizzle
Bass: Controls the low frequency response at 100 Hz. Adjust this to taste with the
speaker cabinet of choice.
Mid Boost: Adds a thickening boost that drives the power amp with full range
signal. This is foot switchable via ftsw jack on both models.
Footswitch Jack: Use any one button footswitch. The footswitch will activate the
mid boost function.
Master: Controls the overall volume of the amplier. Full output is achieved around
¾ of the way up. Increasing the master beyond this adds power tube breakup and
compression.
TIP #1: Although any cabinet may be used, the Pak Amp is best suited with a
“greenback” type speaker cabinet. Some modern speakers tend to be peaky
and harsh in the midrange. Speakers are critical to the tone as they are the nal
component to transfer the electrical energy into sound.

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Dual Channel (2PAK) Model
Input: High 1 Megohm input impedance for maximum signal and tone from your
instrument. Standard ¼” jack
Gain: Controls the gain of the preamp. Adjust to taste for the sound desired. The
inner knob is for channel 1 (clean). And the outer knob is for channel 2 (dirty). The
gain structure of the Pak Amp is very dynamically responsive. Even at maximum gain
the amp will clean up well with the guitar volume knob.
Bright Switch: Adds brightness and boosts the preamp gain above 1KHz. This is a
useful switch to compensate for different types of pickups.
Channel Selector: This panel switch selects between clean and dirty channels. The
up position is the clean (inner knob) channel, and the down position is the dirty
(outer knob) channel. This function along with the midboost is accessed via the
footswitch jack.
Treble: Controls the high frequency response of the amplier at a frequency of 2
KHz. Adjust to taste with your particular guitar and pickups
Mid: controls the midrange response at 900 Hz. This control “lls” the sound or
“scoops” it for more clarity and sizzle
Bass: Controls the low frequency response at 100 Hz. Adjust this to taste with the
speaker cabinet of choice.
Presence Switch: This provides a boost above 2.5Khz for maximum cut through
a mix. It can be used to smooth the sound at lower volumes, or compensate for
different rooms/speaker cabinets.
Mid Boost: Adds a thickening boost that drives the power amp with full range
signal. This is foot switchable via ftsw jack on both models.
Master: Controls the overall volume of the amplier. The 2PAK has the clean/dirty
on the concentric knobs. The inner knob is master for both channels and the outer
knob is master for the dirty channel only.
The clean channel (inner) master will affect the dirty channel as well. Consider this
control as a global master volume. Set the volume balance with the outer knob and
use the inner knob to regulate both channels.
Footswitch Jack: Use any two button footswitch. Mid boost and Channel select are
foot switchable.
TIP #2: Start by setting the gain and master levels for Ch 1 (clean). Switch to Ch 2
(dirty) and set the gain and master levels with the outer controls. Switch back and
forth and adjust the outer (dirty) master to balance the two channels. At this point
the volume balance between channels has been set. You are now able to control the
overall volume with the inner master (clean), while maintaining the channel balance.

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Rear Panel - Both Models
Power Switch: Turns the amplier on and off. The Khan Pak does not require a standby
switch for safe operation.
AC Inlet: The line votage is clearly marked on the unit. Use a standard IEC cable
(supplied) to connect to the correct power source. Never defeat the ground terminal on
the AC cable.
Line out: Speaker compensated balanced 1/4” TRS line out. Connect to your DI, mixer
or recorder input. The line out has been carefully ltered to give the response of a classic
rock guitar speaker. Some additional post EQ can be used to “sweeten” the sound
further.
Speaker Output: Connect your speaker cabinet here. The jack is marked with a red nut
for easy identication. Always match the impedance between the amp/cabinet. A tube
amp requires the correct match to operate properly, unlike SS ampliers that vary their
power with load impedance.
Output Power Switch: Switches from 18 watt to 10 watt operation. This is achieved
by reducing the plate voltage on the pentode output stage. The essence of the tone is
maintained in each setting.
FX Loop Send/Return: The fully buffered loop has been designed to work with
pedal devices. Reverbs and delays will sound much cleaner when placed in the
loop. Gain/drive pedals should be used in front of the amp. Modulation effects
could be placed in either pre or post location.
Impedance Switch: 16 and 8 ohm operation is supported. Always match the
impedance with a tube amplier as this assures the maximum power transfer. The
Pak can tolerate a slight mismatch, but the Output transformer has been carefully
designed for the 6AQ5 output tubes. Always match the impedance between
amplier and loudspeaker.
Fan Speed Switch: Located on the bottom panel. This switch will select high/low
speed operation. Under normal conditions, the PAK will not overheat when using
the fan in the low position. For extreme duty use, use the high speed setting. In
either case, adequate ventilation is required.
TIP #3 – Silent Use: When using the “silent” feature, disconnect speaker and set
impedance to 8 ohms. It is very important to do this as the output tubes need the
proper match to the 8 ohm internal load. The line out can then be used to drive
your recording software and monitor through your studio speakers.

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Tech Specs:
Input Impedance: 1 Megohms
Gain: 72 dB clean/92 dB dirty
Tube Complement: PAK - (2) ECC83/12AX7 (2) 6AQ5/6005W
2PAK – (3) ECC83/12AX7 (2) 6AQ5/6005W
Power Output: 18/10 watts @ 5% THD. 16 or 8 ohms.
Line out: -10dB level @ full output. Electronically balanced
and speaker compensated.
Effects Loop: -20dB level for use with pedals.
Treble: 14 dB range at 2 Khz
Mid: 10 dB range at 900Hz
Bass: 14 dB range at 100Hz
Presence: 8 dB lift starting at 2.5Khz and above
Voltages: 100V, 120V, 220V, 240V 50/60 Hz
Power consumption: 85 Watts maximum
Dimensions: 9” x 6.75” x 2.5”
Weight: 6.5 lbs
About the 6AQ5 Vacuum Tube
Used extensively in TVs and radios throughout the 50’s and 60’s, the 6AQ5
miniature 7 pin power pentode is equivalent in specication to the 6V6. The
tube has been utilized in its original intent where compactness and power are
paramount. A full 18 watts of clean power is developed with a power supply of
well under 400VDC.
There are literally thousands of NOS 6AQ5’s on the market today, so availability
is not a problem. Great tone and longevity are qualities that are inherent in NOS
tubes. Regardless, a spare set of NOS GE military spec 6AQ5 tubes are included
with each amplier, providing you assurance at no extra cost.
Enoy a classic vacuum tube design, brought to you in the most compact and
innovative format yet.
Warranty
Each unit is hand built and sound tested by KHAN. Designed and manufactured
in the USA with premium components. All KHAN products carry a 3 year
warranty to be free of defects from materials and workmanship. Tubes are
covered under a 90 day warranty.

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