LaChapell Audio 500TDI User manual

1266 Park Road
Chanhassen, MN 55317
952-401-7700
suppor[email protected]
www.digitalaudio.com
LACHAPELL AUDIO 500TDI USER GUIDE
Version 1.1
August 2017

LACHAPELL AUDIO 500TDI
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. CONTACT DIGITAL AUDIO LABS FOR SERVICING.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user
to the presence of uninsulated and/or potentially dangerous voltage within the products enclosure
that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of
important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the
appliance.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read and understand this entire manual.
2. Keep this manual available for reference.
3. Heed all warnings and precautions in this manual and notices marked on the product.
4. Do not use this product near water or damp environments.
5. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. There are no user serviceable components inside
the product.
6. The product shall not be exposed to moisture. Do not touch the unit with wet hands. Do not handle
the unit or power cord when your hands are wet or damp.
7. The product should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating
instructions or as marked on the product.
CARE
• From time to time you should wipe off the front and side panels and the cabinet with a dry soft
cloth. Do not use rough material, thinners, alcohol or other chemical solvents or cloths since this may
damage the finish or remove the panel lettering.
• The manufacturer cannot be held responsible for damages caused to persons, personal possessions,
or data due to an improper or missing ground connection.

LACHAPELL AUDIO 500TDI 1
DIGITAL AUDIO LABS LIMITED WARRANTY
Digital Audio Labs warrants their products against defects in material and workmanship for a period of two years
from date of purchase. During this period, Digital Audio Labs will, at its option, repair the defective unit or replace
it with a new or rebuilt one.
The warranty does NOT cover:
• Damage due to abuse, misuse, or accident.
• Damage due to operation contrary to the instructions in the product instruction manual.
• Units on which the product serial number has been removed or altered.
• Units that have been serviced by unauthorized personnel.
All implied warranties, including warranties on merchantability and fitness, are limited in time to the length of
this warranty. Some states do not allow time limitations on implied warranties, so this limitation may not apply
to you. Digital Audio Labs’ liability is limited to the repair or replacement of its product. Digital Audio Labs shall
in no way be held liable for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the use of their product or
its software, including, without limitation, damages from loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of
business information or other pecuniary loss. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
REPAIR POLICY
Please do not return the product without obtaining an RMA number first. Contact Digital Audio Labs at support@
digitalaudio.com to acquire an RMA number. Do not return the product to the place of purchase. Please write
the RMA number on the outside of the shipping carton. Any product sent to us without a valid RMA number will
be refused. Include the following with the product: a brief description of the problem, your name, return shipping
address, phone number and the RMA number. Do not include any accessories. DAL is not responsible for any
damage to or loss of the product during transit. We recommend that customers obtain a receipt and tracking
number for all packages shipped to us. Turnaround time on repairs is generally ten business days. If you live
outside of the United States, please contact your local distributor for warranty service.
Please return product to:
Digital Audio Labs
Attn: RMA Number
1266 Park Road
Chanhassen, MN 55317
USA
WARRANTY SERVICE
You will be required to pay the shipping charges when you ship your product to DAL. DAL will pay for return
shipping via UPS ground. We reserve the right to inspect any product that may be the subject of any warranty
claim before repair is carried out. For warranty service, we may require proof of the original date of purchase if
you have not registered your product with DAL. Final determination of warranty coverage lies solely with Digital
Audio Labs.
NON-WARRANTY SERVICE
If it is determined that the product does not meet the terms of our warranty, you will be billed for labor, materials,
return freight and insurance. There is a $80 USD minimum charge for materials and labor. Appropriate shipping
charges will be applied. We require payment in advance of repair by credit card; we accept Visa and Master
Card. In the event the charges are over the minimum charge, DAL will contact you and inform you of the cost of
the repair before any work is completed.

LACHAPELL AUDIO 500TDI
CONTENTS
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.................................................................................................................................................................II
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.............................................................................................................................II
CARE...........................................................................................................................................................................................II
DIGITAL AUDIO LABS LIMITED WARRANTY........................................................................................................................1
REPAIR POLICY.......................................................................................................................................................................1
WARRANTY SERVICE ...........................................................................................................................................................1
NON-WARRANTY SERVICE...............................................................................................................................................1
LACHAPELL AUDIO MODEL 500TDI.......................................................................................................................................3
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED........................................................................................................................................................3
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ........................................................................................................................................................3
500TDI CONTROLS.........................................................................................................................................................................4
CONTROL DETAILS ..............................................................................................................................................................4
GETTING STARTED ..........................................................................................................................................................................5
LACHAPELL AUDIO 500TDI SPECIFICATIONS....................................................................................................................6
LACHAPELL AUDIO SUPPORT...................................................................................................................................................6
MODEL 500TDI DIAGRAM..........................................................................................................................................................6

LACHAPELL AUDIO 500TDI 3
LACHAPELL AUDIO MODEL 500TDI
The LaChapell Audio 500TDI is a a vacuum tube direct box for the 500 series format. The 500TDI
supplies TrueTube™ power, giving the ECC832/12DW7 vacuum tube the proper power needed for rich
harmonics and clean amplification.
Two inputs (one which can be used as a THRU output) provide different tonal expressions. The Dual
Drive knobs allow independent control of the input and output stages for incredible versatility. The
vacuum tube feeds a combination nickel and steel transformer for punch and clarity.
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
Please take time to read the information below before you install and use your LaChapell Audio 500TDI.
• UNPACKING: Inspect thoroughly. Although we take extreme care at final assembly and packing,
things can happen during transit. It is very important that you contact Digital Audio Labs if there is
anything broken or damaged upon receipt of package. Included in every package should be:
(1) preliminary operating manual, (1) packet of mounting screws, (1) registration card. It is a good
idea for you to retain the packaging (box & foam case) in case there is a need to return the unit
for service or repair at a later date.
• SERVICE/REPAIR - WARNING: The user should NOT attempt to service this unit in any way, due to the
risk of electrical shock and the presence of lethal voltages inside the 500TDI. It is recommended
that tube replacement be performed only when necessary by technically competent individuals.
Tube replacement: Turn power supply off and remove 500TDI from the chassis, wait five
minutes to allow the vacuum tube to cool before attempting to remove it. Using your fingers,
apply a slight circular/rotating motion as you pull it away from the socket. It is important to
replace the tube with the same type. When a replacement tube is installed double check
that you’ve inserted the correct tubes into the 500TDI’s tube socket BEFORE powering up.
WARNING: Warranty may rendered void if tubes other than those listed above have
been used at any time.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• Always provide adequate ventilation by allowing the top vents of your 500 series power supply
chassis to remain unobscured. Due to the vacuum tube and the internal secondary power supply,
the 500TDI will get warm, blocking or defeating any existing vent is not recommended.
• Never position the power supply directly above other heat generating sources such as a power
amplifier.
• Always provide a source to ground (earth.) Never under any conditions should a power cord that
has the 3rd prong for ground missing or defeated be used with the power supply.
• Do not place the 500TDI in an area where there is a potential for fluids to fall, spill into or come in
contact with the 500TDI. If you notice fluids or moisture present inside the 500TDI DO NOT turn power
on! Contact Digital Audio Labs for direction.
• The 500TDIS MKII should only be used with power supply frames that have a >130ma rating per bay.

LACHAPELL AUDIO 500TDI 4
500TDI CONTROLS
CONTROL DETAILS
• TUBE DRIVE: The INPUT controls how much of the source signal is fed to the second stage of the
vaccuum tube. Higher levels will drive the tube harder and result in more harmonics. Think of this
control as your anount of tube coloration/harmonics (distortion).
• LEVEL: Provides variable control over signal strength. This control can work interactively with the
TUBE DRIVE for a wide array of tonal possibilites.
• INPUT: This input provides a higher impedance input and is suitable for instruments with active
electronics.
• THRU: The THRU jack provides a pass through for the INPUT. It can also be used as an input for
passive instruments, or when an alternate tone is desired.
• HPF: The HIGH PASS FILTER will insert a HPF directly after the first gain stage. The -3dB point is at
65Hz at MAX gain and shifts semi-proportionaly with the TUBE-DRIVE gain.
• 250V: This LED will illuminate green to signify the tubes are getting TrueTube™ power.
• PULL HANDLE: This should be used for installation or removal of the device. It also assists in
protecting toggle switches.
250v
MODEL 500TDI Vacuum Tube Direct Box
THRU
INPUT
HPF
TUBE-DRIVE
LEVEL
LaChapell
Audio
MaxMin
MaxMin
HIGH-PASS
FILTER
INPUT
JACK
THRU
JACK
PULL
HANDLE
250v
INTDICATOR
TUBE DRIVE
Gain
LEVEL

LACHAPELL AUDIO 500TDI 5
GETTING STARTED
TUBE DRIVE LEVEL
TUBE DRIVE LEVEL
TUBE DRIVE LEVEL
CLEAN GAIN, HIGH HEADROOM
With the Dual Drive knobs set at TUBE DRIVE around
25% and the LEVEL around 75%, you will get a very
clean and pristine sound. The distortion is very low with
no added harmonics and there is a ton of headroom.
This is a great starting position for those wanting a clean
tube sound, especially with active pickups.
TUBE HARMONICS AND COMPRESSION
With the Dual Drive knobs set to TUBE DRIVE 75% and
LEVEL 25%, you will get tube harmonics and natural
tube compression. This is a great place to start when
using instruments that need a little harmonic color.
TUBE DISTORTION
The 500TDI provides great sonic versatility, including
the ability to fully distort an input signal. Especially with
active pickups, the 500TDI give you the desirable bass
crunch heard on so many classic records. Start the TUBE
DRIVE set to 100% and using the top INPUT jack, bring
up the LEVEL to the desired level.

LACHAPELL AUDIO 500TDI 6
LACHAPELL AUDIO 500TDI SPECIFICATIONS
Internal Gain 24dB
THD+N 010% - 25% (@ +2dBV)
Frequency Response 8Hz - 28kHz
EIN -100dB
Input Impedance ~1.5MΩ
Tube Complement/Type 1x 12DW7 (ECC832)
Current Draw 150mA
NOTE: Stated specifications are typical measurements but subject to change without notice due to individual traits unique to
each tube. All measurements taken while driving a 40kohm load and using a 1khz tone at MAX gain.
LACHAPELL AUDIO SUPPORT
Phone Support: 952-401-7700
Toll Free: 844-DAL-INFO
Email Support: suppor[email protected]
Website: www.digitalaudio.com/support
DIGITAL AUDIO LABS
1266 Park Rd
Chanhassen, MN 55317
MODEL 500TDI DIAGRAM
Input
Thru/Aux
(Lower Input Impedance)
Balanced Output
Level Tube-Drive
HPF
LaChapell Audio
500TDI User Block Diagram
Designer’s Name Page # or name
Rev 1.0

® 2014, 2015 Digital Audio Labs. ™ & © 2017 Digital Audio Labs.
Patents pending.