Audion Mk1, Mk2, Sterling Push Pull Mk 1, Sterling Push Pull Mk 2, Sterling Stereo Plus Mk 1 User Manual

Revision 1.40 Sterling

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Sterling

Power Amplifiers

User Manual

Models Covered

Stereo 12 Watt Mk 1 & 2

Stereo Plus 18 Watt Mk 1 & 2

Stereo Integrated 12 & 18 Watt Mk 1 & 2

Stereo Integrated Remote 12 & 18 Watt Mk 1 & 2

Parallel Single Ended Mk 1 & 2

Push Pull Mk 1 & 2

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Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the World acclaimed
“Sterling” triode amplifier from Audion.

Your Audion Amplifier is the result of nearly 20 years exhaustive
research and development culminating in our current world class
product. The chassis is made of anodised aluminium designed to
minimise magnetic interference and reduce internal noise to an
absolute minimum. All our amplifiers are hand built using only the
finest components available. Our Mark 2 range is entirely hard
wired offering even better quality.

Our new look and our higher specification Mark 2 range are our
guarantee to you of quality.

Warranty

All of our products carry a 2 (two) year worldwide parts and labour
warranty (less delivery charges). All valves/tubes are gu aranteed
for a period of 6 (six) months. This does not affect your statutory
rights.

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Getting Started

Upon opening your box you will find:

1. Audion Amplifier

2. Audion Power cord

3. This User Manual

4. Product Registration and Warranty form

5. Valves/tubes
Please keep all packaging and store in a dry and safe place.
Carefully remove the Audion Amplifier from its packaging and store

both the box and the foam in a safe place, should, in the unlikely
event that you ever need to return your Audion to us for
maintenance, upgrading or servicing. The packaging has been
specifically designed to protect your amplifier.

Before attempting to connect your Audion please read carefully
and understand thoroughly the contents of this manual. Keep this
manual near you when installing your Audion so it is handy for
reference.

This manual is designed to assist both novice and experienced
persons in achieving satisfaction from your Audion. It describes the
features and operation

Please Note.
As with any electrical product extreme caution should be

exercised. Do not place your Audion in direct sunlight. There are
no user serviceable parts inside. The valves/tubes run HOT in
normal operation, under no circumstance during operation should
they be touched. If it bec omes necessary to replace a valve/tube
please allow at least 20 minutes from switching off for the unit to
cool.

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Valves/Tubes

You will now need to place the valves/tubes into your Audion. The
Sterling Mark 1 and 2 use a E88CC or 6922 in the left hand side
front and a 5687 on the right hand side front. All Models use either
EL34 or KT88/KT90 valve/tubes in the rear sockets depending on
model ordered

EL34 or Kt88

El34 or Kt88

5687

6922

Audion Sterling Mark 1

EL34 or Kt88

El34 or Kt88

6922

6922

Audion Sterling Mark 2

If you have never handled a valve/tube before be careful – they
are similar in properties to a light bulb and just as easily breakable.
In use they can run as hot as a light bulb – SO BE CAREFUL.

The smaller 5687, E88CC or 6922 valve/tube will only fit one way
around into its respective socket. Before inserting check that the
pins are straight and that there is no physical damage to the glass
envelope. A small downward push is all that is needed to insert the
valve/tube make sure that the pins align and that the orientation is
correct.

The larger rear valve/tubes EL34 or KT88. Both valve/tubes, when
viewed from underneath have a notch and will only fit one way into
the socket. Look at the socket and align the valve so that the notch
aligns with the notch on the socket when viewed from above with
the front facing you. A small downward push is required to insert
correctly. Do not use excessive force.

All Audion valve/tubes are dynamically selected and where
applicable are supplied as matched pairs. All are supplied with a
six (6) month return to base warranty.

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Please Note

Inserting the valve/tubes the wrong way around will at the very
least damage the valve base pins and may result in a loose valve
causing crackling.

WARNING – Do not attempt to remove or replace valves/tubes
whilst your Audion is in operation, as by so doing you could
destroy the amplifiers circuitry – risk electrical shock to yourself
and invalidate your Audion’s warranty.

Installation

Positioning Your Audion
You will probably have in mind the location to place your Audion

but remember, valves/tubes get warm and need a good circulation
of air.

Connecting
Your Audion is supplied with a power cord for your country of

operation. However we recommend connecting your input and
loudspeaker cables prior to con necting the power cord.

0
1

GND GNDRIGHT LEFT

OUTPUTS

L

R

POWER

OFF

ON

H.T.

fuse

Ground

lift

Audion Sterling Stereo Amplifier Rear Panel Layout

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0
1

INPUTS

L

R

12345TAPE

GND GNDRIGHT LEFT

OUTPUTS

POWER

OFF

ON

H.T.

fuse

Ground

lift

Audion Sterling Integrated / Remote Amplifier Rear Panel

0
1

INPUT

H.T.

fuse

1 42 3

OUTPUTS

Ground

lift

POWER

Off

On

Audion Sterling Mono-block Amplifier Rear Panel

First connect audio input leads to the input RCA connectors. In the
case of the integrated / remote models, connect all audio input
leads. The top white sockets are for the Left input(s) the bottom
red sockets are for the Right channel(s).

Next, connect the loudspeaker cables to your Audion. For all
Stereo models the left and right channels are marked by red/black
colouring and also ground & channel name; ie . left, right etc. Your
loudspeaker cables should be of a suitable quality and connect to
the corresponding red/black binding posts of the loudspeaker. To
achieve the best from your Audion we recommend that your
loudspeakers have an efficiency of 89 db or higher.

Unless ordered specifically all the above models come with an 8
ohm output. The Mono-block Amplifiers come with 2 x 8 ohm

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outputs marked 2 x black & 2 x red. These are designed for “Bi­amping”.
The ground lift switch is used to effectively reduce a ground
feedback loop and hence noise from some installations.
Finally connect the power cord to a mains electricity supply.
Before proceeding – Are all the connections fitted correctly and
securely tightened?

Finally Check again – make sure everything is correct.

Using your Audion

Congratulations you are now read y to switch your Audion on. But
first we recommend turning the volume control on the front panel
anti-clockwise to zero. On the rear panel locate the on/off button.
Push the button downwards to position 1, this has now turned your
Audion on. You will notice if everything has been installed correctly
that your valves/tubes are starting to glow, your Audion is now
“Warming up”. We recommend that an initial few minutes is
allowed for the warm up process to take place. A valve/tube will
change its audio characteristics slightly once it has reached its
nominal operating temperature.

Select your sound source, CD, record, etc. and play. Once your
source has started playing adjust the volume control to your
required level.

On the Integrated model, the five switc hes correspond to the five
inputs on the rear and can be switched in and out accordingly.

MUTE

1 2 3 4 5

Audion Sterling Integrated Amplifier Front Panel

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The remote model has three buttons – Up, Down and Record. The
up and down buttons change inputs from 1 to 5 and the Record
button allows recording via RCA pair No. 6.

In general use your Audion should give many years of trouble free
use. The anodised aluminium chassis should be wiped regularly
with a clean lint free cloth to remove dust. Under no circumstances
should solvent or solvent based products be used on or near your
Audion.

Please remember to fill in and return your warranty registration
form to us at the address at the end of this manual.

Please Check our website for updates to this manual.

http://www.audion.co.uk

Enjoy your Audion.

Have you tried Audion cables.. We have power, loudspeaker and
interconnects. They are available in two ranges, The Electron, real
high end, totally transparent for the discerning listener and the
Proton range for the discerning listener on a budget. Visit our
website for up to the minute information

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Technical Specifications

Stereo Mk 1

Power: 2 x 12 Watts Class A into 8 Ohms at 240V AC Load: 4 – 8 Ohm Nominal
Distortion @ 1W att: <0.1% No Feedback Frequency Response: 14 to >34KHz ±1 db
Sensitivity: Variable >200mV Full output Noise: < (CCIR) – 85 db
Consumption: 130 Watts Tubes: 2 x EL34, 1 x 5687, 1 x E88CC

Stereo Mk 2

Power: 2 x 12 Watts Class A into 8 Ohms at 240V AC Load: 4 – 8 Ohm Nominal
Distortion @ 1Watt: <0.1% No Feedback Frequency Response: 14 to >40KHz ±1 db
Sensitivity: Variable >200mV Full output Noise: < (CCIR) – 85 db
Consumption: 140 Watts Tubes: 2 x EL34, 1 x 5687, 1 x E88CC

Stereo Plus Mk 1

Power: 2 x 18 Watts Class A into 8 Ohms at 240V AC Load: 4 – 8 Ohm Nominal
Distortion @ 1Watt: <0.1% No Feedback Frequency Response: 14 to> 34KHz ±1 db
Sensitivity: Variable >200mV Full output Noise: < (CCIR) – 85 db
Consumption: 146 Watts Tubes: 2 x KT88, 1 x 5687, 1 x ECC88

Stereo Plus Mk 2

Power: 2 x 18 Watts Class A into 8 Ohms at 240V AC Load: 4 – 8 Ohm Nominal
Distortion @ 1Watt: <0.1% No Feedback Frequency Response: <10 to >40KHz ±1 db
Sensitivity: Variable >200mV Full output Noise: < (CCIR) – 85 db

Consumption: 180 Watts Tubes: 2 x KT88, 1 x 5687, 1 x E88CC

Stereo Integrated / remote 12 Watt Mk 1

Power: 2 x 18 Watts Class A into 8 Ohms at 240V AC Load: 4 – 8 Ohm Nominal
Distortion @ 1Watt: <0.1% No Feedback Frequency Response: 14 to >34KHz ±1 db
Sensitivity: Variable >200mV Full output Noise: < (CCIR) – 85 db

Consumption: 130 Watts Tubes: 2 x EL34, 1 x 5687, 1 x E88CC

Stereo Plus Integrated / remote 18 Watt Mk 1

Power: 2 x 18 Watts Class A into 8 Ohms at 240V AC Load: 4 – 8 Ohm Nominal
Distortion @ 1Watt: <0.1% No Feedback Frequency Response: 14 to >34KHz ±1 db
Sensitivity: Variable >200mV Full output Noise: < (CCIR) – 85 db
Consumption: 146 Watts Tubes: 2 x KT88, 1 x 5687, 1 x E88CC

Stereo Integrated / remot e 12 Watt Mk 2

Power: 2 x 18 Watts Class A into 8 Ohms at 240V AC Load: 4 – 8 Ohm Nominal
Distortion @ 1Watt: <0.1% No Feedback Frequency Response: 14 to >40KHz ±1 db
Sensitivity: Variable >200mV Full output Noise: < (CCIR) – 85 db

Consumption: 160 Watts Tubes: 2 x EL34, 1 x 5687, 1 x E88CC

Stereo Plus Integrated / remote 18 Watt Mk 2

Power: 2 x 18 Watts Class A into 8 Ohms at 240V AC Load: 4 – 8 Ohm Nominal
Distortion @ 1Watt: <0.1% No Feedback Frequency Response: <10 to >40KHz ±1 db
Sensitivity: Variable >200mV Full output Noise: < (CCIR) – 85 db
Consumption: 180 Watts Tubes: 2 x KT88, 1 x 5687, 1 x E88CC

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Parallel Single Ended 30 Watt Mk 1

Power: 30 Watts Class A into 8 Ohms at 240V AC Load: 4 – 8 Ohm Nominal
Distortion @ 1Watt: <0.1% No Feedback Frequency Response: <10 to >34KHz ±1 db
Sensitivity: Variable >200mV Full output Noise: < (CCIR) – 85 db
Consumption: 134 Watts per unit Tubes: 2 x KT88, 1 x 5687, 1 x ECC88

Parallel Single Ended 30 Watt Mk 2

Power: 30 Watts Class A into 8 Ohms at 240V AC Load: 4 – 8 Ohm Nominal
Distortion @ 1Watt: <0.1% No Feedback Frequency Response: <10 to >40KHz ±1 db
Sensitivity: Variable >200mV Full output Noise: < (CCIR) – 85 db
Consumption: 160 Watts Tubes: 2 x KT88, 1 x 5687, 1 x E88CC

Push / Pull 45 Watt Mk 1

Power: 45 Watts Class A into 8 Ohms at 240V AC Load: 4 – 8 Ohm Nominal
Distortion @ 1Watt: <0.1% No Feedback Frequency Response: <10 to >34KHz ±1 db
Sensitivity: Variable >200mV Full output Noise: < (CCIR) – 85 db
Consumption: 160 Watts Tubes: 2 x KT88, 1 x 5687, 1 x ECC88

Push / Pull 45 Watt Mk 2

Power: 45 Watts Class A into 8 Ohms at 240V AC Load: 4 – 8 Ohm Nominal
Distortion @ 1Watt: <0.1% No Feedback Frequency Response: <10 to >40KHz ±1 db
Sensitivity: Variable >200mV Full output Noise: < (CCIR) – 85 db
Consumption: 160 Watts Tubes: 2 x KT88, 1 x 5687, 1 x E88CC

Audion International
Chez Reynaud
Le Haut Mont
17360, La Genetouze
France

www.audion.co.uk