Trilogy 968 User manual

968
User Manual

2
thank you
Welcome
Firstly, thank you for purchasing your Trilogy Audio Systems 968 Power-amplier, we value your custom.
We strive to design and build world class products that stand the test of time. By reading this manual you can
gain clear understanding of its operation and learn to care for it correctly. In turn, it will reward you with a lifetime
of outstanding performance.
......................................
Nic Poulson.
CEO Trilogy Audio Systems.
www.trilogyaudio.com
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Getting Started
5 Introduction
5 About this manual
7 Unpacking
7 Environment
7 Power Supply
9 Connections
11 Operation Guide
11 Triode or Pentode Mode
13 Biasing the output valves
15 Trouble biasing ?
17 Output valve choice
Appendices
19 Appendix A
Care & Service
21 Cleaning
21 Servicing
21 Declarations
Glossary
22 Glossary
Specications/Returns
23 968 Specications
23 Returns
Acknowledgements
24 Acknowledgements .
contents
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Introduction
We prefer that your Trilogy dealer delivers, installs, sets up and explains your 968’s operation to you.
However, we still recommend that you read through this manual thoroughly and keep it to hand for reference.
Should any part of this manual or the operation of the 968 not be clear to you, please do not hesitate to contact
your Trilogy dealer. If they are not available please contact ourselves directly.
About this manual
Throughout this user manual, the following icons are used:
[enter] This refers to a physical control on the 968.
LEFT OUTPUT This refers to a physical connection on the 968.
From this point on, any information presented on the left hand pages are pictorial representations of either the
front or back views of the 968 or other diagrams. Therefore consider the left hand pages as additional information
to accompany the written descriptions on the opposite pages.
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Unpacking
Be careful when unpacking your Trilogy amplier, it is heavy. Seek assistance if necessary. Store the packaging
safely for future use. It is the ideal method of protecting your amplier from damage during transport.
Environment
Do not site the amplier near liquids, or place water-lled containers near the unit. If water does come into
contact with the unit there is serious potential for an electric shock or re hazard. Immediately pull out the mains
plug from the wall socket. Contact your dealer to arrange an inspection before further use.
The amplier is cooled by convection and so needs good circulation of room temperature air under and around it.
Do not place it near sources of heat such as radiators or in direct sunlight. Do not enclose in a cupboard. Do not
place directly on carpet.
A at, smooth surface is required. As with all high resolution audio equipment, your amplier is sensitive to
vibration, strong magnetic elds and radio interference. A dedicated high performance equipment platform sited
away from other appliances is the optimum location.
Power Supply
The AC input voltage has been set for the country it was purchased in. Check that the label on the rear panel
matches your AC supply voltage before plugging in. The AC inlet cable provided should be used. If another cable
is used check it is wired correctly. The fuse should be rated at 10 amps.
The wires in the AC input cable supplied are coloured in accordance with the following code:
Green and yellow..............Earth
Blue................................Neutral
Brown.................................Live
The amplier must be earthed. Do not disconnect the AC earth at any time. If in doubt about any aspect of
power supply, consult your Trilogy dealer or a qualied electrician.
A direct connection to a mains outlet is best for your amplier, avoid adapters. To realise your amplier's full
potential we recommend high quality mains conditioning. See www.Isol-8.co.uk for more on power supply and
system solutions from our highly acclaimed sister company.
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Connections
It is good practice to complete all interconnections before switching on to avoid any damage to your systems
loudspeakers while plugging in.
The IEC inlet provides the unit with power. Connect with the supplied AC input cable. It can be left connected at
all times to ensure reliable operation. If not being used for extended periods of time switch off at the mains outlet.
The 968 has a left and right line level audio inputs. Connect your preamplier’s main output to these inputs via
RCA phono cables as required.
Each channel has outputs via copper terminals for connection to your loudspeakers. It is important to connect
your speaker cables correctly. Connect the RED terminal to the positive terminal of your loudspeaker, and the
BLACK terminal to the negative. Make sure that each connection is secure and not touching another. Do not over
tighten the terminals as damage may result. Finger tight is sufcient torque.
Twin TASLink connectors allow system interconnection and control via QuietBuss with other Trilogy Audio System
products. This 968 can be remotely switched on and off via TASLink. See your Trilogy Pre amplier manual for
further details.
TASLink cables of varying lengths are available from your Trilogy dealer.
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TRILOGY

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Operation Guide
Having made and checked all appropriate input, output and AC connections, press the [power] button.
The [power indicator] will glow brightly.
If this is the rst time that the 968 has been turned on, the [pentode indicator] will light. The four [low bias]
indicators will also light. This is explained on the next page.
Over the next twenty seconds or so, the [high bias] indicators will begin to light as well.
A slight hum may be heard through the speakers for a few seconds as the various stages within the amplier
stabilise.
The 968 is ready for use. However, please allow one or two minutes if you wish to play loud music. In the same
way you would allow a car engine warm before pushing it hard.
To switch the 968 off, briey press the [power button].
Frequent switching on and off is best avoided as this will shorten valve life. However, it is not advisable to leave
the 968 on continually, as it is wasteful of energy. The 968 typically achieves optimal performance within ten
minutes of switching on.
Triode or Pentode Mode
The [Triode/Pentode switch] allows the ampliers output stage to be congured to your taste. When rst powered
up the amplier will be set to Pentode operation. Triode mode subtly changes the character of the sound but
reduces the ampliers available power.
Pressing this button will toggle between the two modes. The top [pentode] or bottom [triode] indicator will show
which mode is in use.
Providing the mains lead has not been removed, the 968 remembers which setting was last used and will start in
that mode.
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TRILOGY

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Biasing the output valves
The 968 uses four output valves. One pair is used for each channel and they are congured in a “push-pull”
arrangement to drive the loudspeaker.
In a setup somewhat similar to the “idle speed” adjustment of a car’s engine, the idle current of each of these four
valves needs to be adjusted periodically. We call this BIASING.
Each valve has a pair of LEDs to indicate the bias point and a potentiometer to adjust it.
The pair of LEDs are arranged vertically one above the other.
The lower one indicates too little bias (under bias).
The upper one indicates too much bias (over bias).
When they are both equally lit, this indicates correct bias.
The potentiometer is turned clockwise to increase the bias.
The potentiometer is turned anti clockwise to decrease the bias.
Please use the supplied bias tool to make any adjustments.
During the rst 20 seconds of powering the 968, it is normal that only the four low bias LEDs light.
When adjusting the bias, make sure the 968 has been powered for at least 40 seconds and has no music playing
through it.
Biasing may be necessary every few months and will take no more than one minute.
You may notice a slight increase or decease of bias on all four valves simultaneously at different times of the day.
This is due to the rise and fall of the mains voltage and this does not need to be adjusted for.
However, should you notice a consistent low or high bias, it is best to adjust accordingly.
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Trouble biasing ?
Valves do gradually wear out. Some may continue for a very long time without actually failing, but at some point
you will be unable to bias correctly. At this point the valve will need replacing.
Other valves may fail abruptly. Depending on the particular mode of failure within the valve itself, one or more of
the 968 internal systems will protect the 968.
Should only all four [low bias indicators] be illuminated and no sound be heard through the speakers, it is
probable that an internal fuse has blown. In this case, turn off the 968 and return to your Trilogy dealer for
service. It is likely that a valve has failed and needs a replacement or that an output has been shorted.
Should ALL of the front panel indicators go out with the exception of any of the [high bias] indicators, please
make a note of which one is illuminated. The 968 has already switched off automatically. Unplug the 968 and
return to your Trilogy dealer notifying them of which indicator was illuminated.
If the 968 has been used for over a thousand hours, it is probably worth replacing all of the four output valves.
Please see the section on Servicing.
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Output valve choice
By virtue of the design, the 968 can use several different types of output valves.
Just as with transistors, there are many different designs of valves. Even within a type, there are often various
manufacturers from different countries.
We t as standard, output valves from JJ Electronic. The 968 is available with a choice of two types of output
valve. These are the E34L or KT88. Neither is better than the other, they are simply different in their presentation
of the music.
The E34L has a leaner clean sound and excels particularly when in triode mode, where the higher frequencies are
sublime.
The KT88 has a richer sound and is more powerful.
The nal choice will be down to your personal taste, the type of music you like and the speakers that the 968 will
be driving. Your Trilogy dealer will be able to guide you.
You can, at any point, ask your Trilogy dealer to install an alternative type of output valve. This is not a
complicated procedure, but should be undertaken by your Trilogy dealer as they may wish to run in the new
valves for a day to make sure all is well with them.
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Appendix A
TASLink Pinout
RJ45 FUNCTION
2
1
Orange/white
White/orange
BUS POWER
0V
6
3
Green/white
White/green
LSW
LSS
4
5
Blue/white
White/blue
DATA+
DATA-
8
7
Brown/white
White/brown
BUS REMOTE
LSD
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