Sonic Frontiers SONIC FRONTIERS SFC-1 User manual

SFC-1
CONTROL AMPLIFIER
OPERATING MANUAL
We at Sonic Frontiers are sure that you will derive many years of listening pleasure with your new SFC-1 Control
Amplifier. This brief operating manual contains important information regarding the operation and care of the amplifier,
so be sure to read this manual carefully and follow these simple instructions in order to keep it looking, operating and
sounding its best!
VACUUM TUBES
Handling
We suggest that you do not handle the large power tubes with your bare hands or fingers as skin oils deposited on the
glass surface can “leach” through the glass envelope and cause the tube to become “gassy.” In other words, your tube life
may be shortened unnecessarily. Use a paper towel or one of the cotton gloves (supplied) instead. This is also the rec-
ommended procedure for handling the small input tubes. Also, check to be sure that none of the 12AT7A/12AU7A tube
pins are bent when you install them.
Installation
Whenever you remove or insert the input or power tubes into their sockets, handle them gently and do not force them into
the sockets. Instead, ‘rock’them slightly as you slowly push them into place, making sure that they are properly seated.
Over-enthusiastic ‘rocking” may snap-off the molded keying lug (orientation pin) at the base of the tube (not covered
under warranty)!
Recommended Tube Types
Your SFC-1 amplifier is supplied from the factory with one (1) 12AT7A for the stereo input tube (Vl) and two (2)
12AU7A for the phase splitter/driver tubes (V2, LV2). Alternative choices for the 12Al7A tube type are 6201 or ECC81
and ECC82 or 5814LA for the 12AU7A,
The power tubes are factory supplied matched pair E34L (mil-spec EL34/6CA7 types) type but you may also use EL34’s,
6CA7’s or 6550/655OA/KT88/KT90/KT99a types. Although not essential, we recommend the use of matched pairs of
power output tubes for lowest distortion.
1
2790 Brighton Road, Oakville, Ontario, Canada, L6H 5T4 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
SKU# 56620

OPERATE/MUTE
The “MUTE/OPERATE”switch serves to mute the outputs without having to change the Volume control setting.
TROUBLE-SHOOTING GUIDE
If at any time your SFC-1 amplifier fails to work, follow this simple checklist:
1. Make certain that the A.C. power cord is plugged in firmly at the A.C. wall socket.
2. Make sure that you have biased the output tubes.
3. Open the fuseholder. Check that:
A. A “slo-blo” fuse, with a rating of 2 1/2 Amp 250V (0.25” x 1.25”), is installed or 1 1/4 Amp 250V
(5mm x 20mm) for European and Asian versions.
B. That the A.C. power fuse is intact and has not blown.
4. If the power line fuse has blown, replace it with a same size and type fuse of the same rating (2 1/2Amp 25OV. slo-blo
- 100 to 120 Volt / 1 1/4Amp 25OV - 200 to 240 Volt).
5. Turn on theamplifier. If theamplifier fails tooperate,turnofftheamplifier,unscrew and liftoff thetop cover andremove
the four (4) EL34/E34L power tubes (using a glove, cloth or paper towel) and turn the amp on again. If the three (3)
small 12AT7A/12AU7A type tubes glow and the A.C. line fuse remains intact, it is likely that one of the four (4) power
tubes has shorted and should be replaced.
6. If the fuse blows again without the power tubes installed, then you should return the amplifier to your dealer or to a
service depot for repair.
NOTE: Under no circumstancesshould you replace the A.C.powerfuse with one of a higher current rating! Doing so
may cause further damage to the amplifier in the event of a fault condition and will also void your
warranty!Inaddition, yourcontinued protection fromthe riskoffire orshock would beseriously compromised.
NOTE: Thesurge capabilities ofslo-blo fuses from differentmanufacturers vary. If in doubt,replace your fuse with one
supplied by SONIC FRONTIERS or your distributor.
7. If at anytimeyou are unable to adjust the meterpointer toread at least “35” onthe meter, forany one of the four powertubes,
you should replace the tube as it is nearing the end of its useful life.
8. If you experience a slight “HUM” in your system, you may have a “Ground Loop.”This is caused by having more than one
grounded component inyour system when all these componentsrun off the sameAC circuit. Toeliminate this problem, “lift
the ground” (either remove the ground prong off yourAC cord or use a 3-to-2 adapter plug) on one of the components,
preferably a source component such as a Preamplifier. If you are still unsure, please contact your dealer for further
assistance.
2

Tube Biasing
This is a simple yet important function of the back panel meter,the selector switch and the four slotted adjustment
controls on the back of the unit.
It is essential that the following procedures be followed before you turn on your SFC-1 amplifier.
OPERATION
1. Connect your speaker leads and input source cables on the amplifier, making sure the power switch is in the “OFF”
position (down).
2. Using a slotted screwdriver, rotate all of the adjustment controls fully counter-clockwise.
3. Turn “ON’the amplifier. After approximately 5 seconds you should see an orange glow appearing inside each tube
through the ventilation slots on the amplifier cover. Wait two minutes, then turn the selector switch knob to the far
left position (fully counterclockwise). Now insert a flat bladed screwdriver into the LV4 bias control slot and slow-
ly rotate the control clockwise while observing the back panel bias meter.Adjust the control until the meter point-
er reads ‘40’ (the red line) on the meter scale. Now rotate the selector knob clockwise to the next position (LV3)
bias control for a “40” reading on the meter. Continue the same procedure for the remaining two output tubes, rotat-
ing the control clockwise. When you have adjusted all four tubes to the ‘40” position, return the selector knob to
the middle “12 o’clock” position (the indicator mark on the knob should be pointing straight towards the top of the
amp.) The first time you use the amplifier, you should recheck the bias settings on each output tube after about 30
minutes of use (when checking please ensure that there is no signal going through the amp - switch it to MUTE).
Adjust if necessary. We suggest that you check the bias settings every 3 months or so.
Your SFC-1 Control Amplifier is now ready for use.
NOTE: The “40” position on the meter scale biases each output tube for maximum sonic performance and
longest tube life. The “50” position can be used, however, if 6550(a), KT88 or KT90IKT99(a) type tubes
are installed. Under no circumstances should the amp be biased at more than “40” when using the
E34L/EL34/6CA7 tube type.
SYSTEM CONNECTIONS
NORMAL/DIRECT
Although most of the functions on your SFC-1 are self-explanatory, one function in particular should be explained. The
“NORMAL/DIRECT”toggle switch allows you to select one dedicated input (DIRECT) which will bypass all other front
panel switching (except MUTE and VOL for the greatest degree of fidelity. The NORMAL position is for all other less
critical inputs which you would like to have access to the BALANCE,MONO/STEREO and/or TAPE/SOURCE controls.
Use DIRECT for your most critical source material for maximum transparency and sonic performance.
3

CLEANING
The beautiful stainless steel (non-magnetic) finish of the Front Panel and Black Acrylic finish of the chassis will last for
years. A regular dusting with a soft, non-abrasive cloth will generally keep the finish looking like new. Fingerprints may
be removed with a small amount of silicon spray, such as WD-40™. Be sure to apply any liquid into a soft cleaning cloth,
not directly onto the chassis, At no time should you allow any liquids to drop onto the amplifiers; it may run into the elec-
tronic circuitry underneath and cause damage which will not be covered under your warranty
VENTILATION
Your SFC-1 amplifier must be placed on a flat hard surface to allow proper air flow through the ventilation slots in the
bottom panel. Failure to do so may result in overheating of electronic components inside the unit and possible damage
to your amplifier.
PACKING MATERIAL
We recommend that you retain all of the packing material and shipping boxes for your SFC-1 amplifier. They are cus-
tom designed to prevent shipping damage from occurring. SONIC FRONTIERS INC. will accept no responsibility for
any damage occurring to amplifiers that are shipped in packing material other than the original SONIC FRONTIERS INC.
packing material.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. WATER AND MOISTURE - This product should not be used near water. Do not expose this product to rain or
moisture to prevent fire or shock hazard.
2. HEAT - This product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other appliances which produce heat.
3. POWER SOURCES - This product should be connected to an AC power source of the same rated voltage. The
original shipping containers will stipulate the AC voltage this unit can operate on.
4. CLEANING - see previous section in this manual.
5. SERVICING - Do not open this product. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. Refer servicing to
qualified service technician.
6. NON-USE PERIODS - The power cord of this product should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for
an extended period of time.
4

DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Under no circumstances does SONIC FRONTIERS INC. assume liability or responsibility for injury or damages sus-
tained in the use or operation of this equipment or for damages to any other equipment connected to it.
SONIC FRONTIERS INC. reserves the right to make design changes or improvements without the obligation to revise
prior versions. All specifications are subject to change without notice.
LIMITED FIVE YEAR WARRANTY
SONIC FRONTIERS NC. warrants to the purchaser that each SFC-1 Control Amplifier is free of manufacturing defects
for a period of five (5) years from the date of purchase. This five (5) year limited non-transferable warranty excludes all
vacuum tubes, which we warrant for a period of 1 year. To receive this warranty, the original purchaser must mail to
SONIC FRONTIERS INC. within thirty (30) days from date of purchase, the enclosed WARRANTY REGISTRATION
FORM completed, along with a copy of the bill of sale from an authorized SONIC FRONTIERS dealer. SONIC FRON-
TIERS INC. will then validate the warranty to the original purchaser. This warranty is subject to the following conditions
and limitations:
1. This warranty applies only to the original purchaser.
2. This warranty is void and inapplicable if the product has been handled other than in accordance with the
instructions in the OPERATING MANUAL, abused or misused, damaged by accident or neglect or in being trans
ported, or the defect is due the product being tampered with, modified or repaired by anyone other than SONIC
FRONTIERS INC. or an authorized SONIC FRONTIERS repair depot.
3. This warranty does not cover normal maintenance.
4. SONIC FRONTIERS INC. shall not be responsible in any way for consequential or indirect damages or liabilities
resulting from the use and operation of the product covered herein or resulting from any breach of this warranty or
any implied warranty relating to said product.
During this period, SONIC FRONTIERS INC. will repair or replace any defective components free of charge. A Return
Authorization Number is required before any amplifier is returned to our factory for any reason. This number must be
visible on the exterior of the shipping container(s) for SONIC FRONTIERS INC. to accept the return.
Units shipped to us without a Return Authorization Number or without a visible RA number on the exterior of the ship-
ping container(s) will be returned to the sender, freight collect.
Units to be repaired by SONIC FRONTIERS INC. must be sent shipping and insurance prepaid by the original purchas-
er in the original packing material. A returned product should be accompanied by a written description of the defect.
Repaired units will be returned by SONIC FRONTIERS INC. shipping and insurance prepaid.
All other warranties or conditions either written or implied are void.
5

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Power 100 watts/channel (peak power)
50 watts RMS at I kHz
(40 ma. bias, I channel driven)
Frequency Response 4 Hz to 50 kHz + 3.0 dB
(1 watt)
Input Impedance 40 Kohms (Normal) 80 Kohms (Direct)
Input Sensitivity .40V RMS at 1 kHz for 45 watts
Power Requirements 250 VA 50/60 Hz (Maximum)
Fuse Requirements 2 1/2 Amp 250V slo-blo - 100V to 120V Countries
1 1/4 Amp 250V slo-blo - 200V to 240V Countries
Tube Complement 2 MP - EL34/E34L 1 - 12AT7A 2 - 12AU7A
Dimensions 19 in. Wide x 17 in. Deep x 7.5 in. High
Weight 60 lbs. (27 kg) - unpacked
NOTE:All specifications based on the use of factory supplied tubes.
6