Audio Note Kassai User manual

MANUAL-ZX158 1

Congratulations and thank you for your purchase of the Audio Note™Kassai

mono power amplifiers. The Kassai is a Pure Class A Parallel Singled Ended valve

amplifier that uses the highly regarded 300B directly heated triode valve. The

Kassai produces a level of performance that is radically superior to current

designs and was specifically designed for sonic performance rather than technical

specifications. It also fulfills all Level 4 criteria.

- Pure Class A operation

- Zero negative feedback

- Single ended output stage

- Valve rectification

- Directly heated Triode

- Materials and component quality

This Level 4 amplifier has the following features: Audio Note™silver wiring,

Audio Note™copper foil signal capacitors, silver wound secondary on the output

transformer and 1 W Tantalum resistors.

UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION

These amplifiers are shipped without the valves installed. It is

necessary to install the valves first. It is

essential

that the valves are

installed correctly or

serious damage that is not covered by the

warranty will result

. We recommend that your dealer does this for you.

Installing the valves

Please take care when unpacking the amplifiers as they are fairly heavy and

place on a suitable clean space (table or floor) it is recommend that you store

the packaging materials in case the unit requires shipping at a later date.

Carefully unwrap all the valves. You will find 1x 6SN7WGTA, 2 x 300B and 1x

5U4G valves for each amplifier.

Looking from the front of the amplifier, the first valve to insert is the 6SN7WGTA

valve which goes into the first valve base at the front of the amplifier.

Inspect the locating pin on the bottom center of the valve and align with the

valve base (the locating pin can only go in one way round due to a locating

spigot) and with gentle but firm pressure insert the valve. Please see diagram 1.

MANUAL-ZX158 2

Diagram 1: Kassai Tube Locations

Looking from the front of the amplifier, the next valve to plug in is the 5U4G

valve which goes into the last valve base at the back of the amplifier.

Inspect the locating pin on the bottom center of the valve and align with the

valve base (the locating pin can only go in one way round due to a locating

spigot) and with gentle but firm pressure insert the valve.

Looking from the front of the amplifier, the next valves to install are the 300B

valves which are inserted into the two 4 pin valve bases in the middle of the

amplifier.

It is absolutely vital that these valves are fitted correctly

(1) The larger pins must face the front of the amplifier when fitted to their valve

bases.

(2) The sticker on the valves base must also line up with the sticker on the

copper top plate, that is, A to A, B to B etc., or 1 to 1, 2 to 2 and so on.

Please make sure that both (1) and (2) are correct and with gentle but firm

pressure insert the valves into their sockets. Check again that all valves are fully

inserted in the correct way in their respective valve sockets. Follow the above

installation for both amplifiers.

6SN7

300B 5U4G

MANUAL-ZX158 3

Installation

Select a suitable location for the units ensuring that adequate ventilation

clearance is provided allowing at least 30cm. of space above the units. This is an

important consideration as the amplifier generates substantial heat during

normal operation. Be sure not to install the amplifier into a cabinet with

restricted air flow or onto a thick pile carpet.

In the interest of safe, reliable operation situate the amplifier away from

dampness or direct sunlight. Site the unit on a flat and firm surface capable of

sustaining the amplifier’s weight. Worthwhile sonic improvements may be

obtained by locating the amplifiers on a purposely designed audio support

system.

CONNECTION –Inputs

Each amplifier has a single RCA socket on the back panel for connection to your

preamplifier marked as Input. The sockets are colour coded Black for Left

channel and Red for Right channel.

CONNECTION –Speakers

Each amplifier is equipped with three colour coded standard binding posts for

connection to your speakers.

Connect the amplifiers black speaker output binding post marked as “ 0 ” to the

black terminal (also marked “ – “) on the speaker.

Connect the amplifiers red speaker output binding post marked “8 Ohm” to the

red terminal (also marked “ + “) on the speaker.

The other red speaker output binding post is marked “4 Ohm” and may be used

with 4 Ohm speakers. If you are uncertain whether your speaker system is of 4

MANUAL-ZX158 4

or 8 Ohm type, try the following test once all other connections are made and

the amplifier is operational. Compare the sound quality using a familiar recording

with the speakers connected to the 8 ohm connections and then the 4 Ohm

connections respectively. The selection that produces the best frequency balance

and maximum dynamics should be used.

CONNECTION –Mains

Both amplifiers have an IEC mains inlet socket. Use the supplied mains cable to

connect the unit to the local mains supply. The mains fuse and a spare is located

in the inlet socket fuse drawer. The mains cable must be removed to access the

fuse or fuses.

Special Note – Make sure that all connection are tight and clean. For best results

use good quality audio interlinks. Although several companies make good quality

interlinks, those manufactured by Audio Note™give the best performance with

Audio Note™Amplifiers.

MANUAL-ZX158 5

USING THE AMPLIFIERS

Once all the connections are completed and checked, turn on the amplifiers by

using the rocker switch located on the rear top right of the back panel just above

mains inlet socket. The amplifier requires approximately two minutes initializing

time before it is ready for operation. During this time ensure that the volume

control on your preamplifier is at the minimum setting.

A new amplifier requires about 200 hours of initial use (called “bedding in time”)

before the circuitry becomes stable and optimum performance is realized. As the

amplifier “beds in” the sound will become increasingly smoother, detailed and

open. Once the amplifier has “bed in” a warm up time of approximately 30 to 45

minutes is required each time the amplifiers are switched on before optimum

sonic performance is reached.

CAUTION – Valves can reach very high operating temperatures when in

use and can cause burns if touched.

MANUAL-ZX158 6

AFTER CARE

No special maintenance is required for the amplifiers. A small feather or wool

duster is excellent for removing household dust from the valves and chassis.

Fingerprints and such may be cleaned with a soft cloth. Use a soft cloth

dampened in mild, warm and weak soapy solution to remove grease or oily

substances. Strong or alcohol based solvents may damage the finish on the

amplifiers. Dust or clean the amplifiers only when switched off and “cold”.

TUBE REPLACEMENTS

The valves used in the amplifiers should provide at least 6000 hours of

operation. These valves are specially selected and carefully matched by Audio

Note™for use with the Kassai and should only be replaced with matched pairs.

Please consult your Audio Note™dealer should the performance of the amplifiers

deteriorate so that arrangements for valve replacements can be made.

WARRANTY AND SERVICING

Audio Note™warrants this product free from defects in materials and

workmanship for 1 year from original date of purchase from an appointed Audio

Note™dealer. The valves are warranted for 3 months. In the event that your

Audio Note™product requires servicing, please contact your Audio Note™

dealer. If the equipment needs to be shipped, please use the original packaging

and include a copy of the sales purchase receipt, with a note explaining in as

much detail as possible, the problems that you are experiencing with the unit.

Any modification not authorized by Audio Note™will invalidate this

warranty.

If you require technical support, new valves or have any questions, please direct

them to your Audio Note™dealer first or contact us directly.

Audio Note (UK) Limited,

25 Montefiore Road

Hove, East Sussex,

BN3 1RD,

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)1273 220511

Fax: +44 (0)1273 731498

Email: [email protected]

MANUAL-ZX158 7

SPECIFICATIONS Per Mono Block

Weight 20 kg

Dimensions in mm 195(h) x 205(w) x 500(d) mm

Fuse Rating 2A anti-surge 110 to 120 VAC

1A2 anti-surge 220 to 240 VAC

Input Impedance 100kOhm

Maximum Output 18W RMS per channel

Into 4 or 8 Ohms

Input Sensitivity 250mV for full output

Channel Balance +/- 0.3db

Valve Compliment 1 x 6SN7WGTA, 1 x 5U4G, 2 x 300Bs

Power Consumption 135VA or 135 Watts

NB: Due to our desire to continually improve our products, specifications are

subject to change with out notice.

THIS PRODUCT COMPLIES WITH CE STANDARDS

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