Audiovalve ASSISTENT 100 Mark 2 Owner's Manual

Assistent 100 – Mark 2 integrated tube amplifier_ ___________

ASSISTENT 100 - Mark 2

Integrated stereo triode tube amplifier

owner manual

This handcrafted product was special made for your high demands,

to display the music in its finest way.

We guarantee, that this amplifier was carefully produced

and tested in all details.

Assistent 100 – Mark 2 integrated tube amplifier_ ___________

Congratulations on your decision to become the proud owner of the
AUDIO-VALVE Prometheus power amplifier.

This manual has been prepared to help you understand the operation
of your amplifier and to provide some information about its design and
the variety of ways it may be used.

We have designed and manufactured this amplifier to faithfully and
accurately reproduce music. This hand build instrument should give
a lifetime of pleasure and with a little care and a full understanding
of the operation recommendation in this manual the Prometheus
should provide trouble free performance.

List of contents

- Warning and precautions

- Front panel - rear panel

- Drawing front panel

- Drawing rear panel

- Input - output terminals

- Polarity - phasing

- Installation and operation

- Automatic bias control ( ABR )

- Specifications

Please take time to read this manual

thoroughly before using your amplifier

Assistent 100 – Mark 2 integrated tube amplifier_ ___________

WARNING

This amplifier Prometheus operates in class - A and is
therefore capable of generating a moderately high temperatue
which requires careful placing to aviod any effect this heat
may have on other equipment, furniture and fittings etc.

Do not remove the top cover from this ampllifier.
Hazardous voltages are present. Any repair work should
be referered to a suitable qualified and experienced
service person.

Do not attempt to connect any input of this amplifier to
any of its outputs.

Do not earth any output terminal or connect any of these
terminals together without following the instructions in
this manual or seeking qualified assistance.

Do not place this amplifier in any position where liquids
or any foreign material may accidentally enter it.

Do not disconnect any in / output wire, while the amplifier is
operating.

Do not connect any voltage source short circut, earth / ground
or appliance (other than suitable HiFi quality loudspeakers )
to any output terminal.

Some preamplifiers, proccesors, CD players etc produce
large switching pulses when switched on, causing a loud
click through the loudspeakers. For this reason, turn on
all other equipment in your system and operate the
Stand - by mode of the amplifier before turning on the Prometheus.

No forget is procedure: power amplifiers all time: first OUT and

last ON.

Assistent 100 – Mark 2 integrated tube amplifier_ ___________

Introduction to AudioValve

All AudioValve products are designed by Helmut Becker and feature
advanced, modern circuitry, combined with the superb sound of
valves. Now it is no longer necessary to sacrifice one to get the other.
Combining the finest in modern valve technology with sophisticated smartbias
circuitry, AudioValve brings you the best of both worlds - and more.

With contemporarily-styled chassis built from 4 & 5 mm laser-cut steel, every
amplifier and pre-amplifier we manufacture utilises double sided PC boards
and automatic bias regulators to ensure a continuously uniform current flow
to and a perfect match between all the valves throughout their entire life,
even as the various valves decay at different rates.

Unlike other valve amplifiers, where a certain amount of guesswork and
experience is required to know when valves need to be replaced, with
AudioValve amplifiers not only do valves not have to be removed
prematurely (prior to burn out), but when burnt out does occur, only the bad
valves need to be replaced. The amplifier will automatically adjust and
distribute the total current flow to optimally match the new configuration.

AudioValve amplifiers always deliver nothing but the most advanced,
economical, high quality valve sound. Power output valves in most models
may be varied among several different types with no modifications to the
units, so that an appreciable degree of sonic system matching and user
preference may be accommodated.
No matter what combination of valves one uses (differing valves, new valves, old valves),
one will experience at all times the balanced and coherent sound of amplifiers working
with brand new, perfectly matched valves. The bonus is that there is never any need to
use a meter or screwdriver to adjust bias on any valve in any condition of
operation. AudioValve�s smart - bias circuitry is the best and most
unobtrusive available!

The ASSISTANT 100 amplifier represents exceptional value for money. We
have designed and manufactured this power amplifier to faithfully and
accurately reproduce music. The high quality of components used and
advanced valve operational principles employed in this design ensures that
you will enjoy the superb audio performance and pride of ownership,
inherent in such a hand-crafted product as this, for many years to come.

BIAS AND PCB

Traditionally, valve biasing is performed with a screwdriver to adjust the bias
current to the valve. Any such adjustment can only be optimum for an
instant as valves, even selected ones or a matched set, cannot hold a
consistency of performance in the long term. Each valve will deteriorate
individually and, if in a set, not necessarily in the same way as others in that
set. A matched pair or quad will therefore only remain matched for a
relatively short period of time!

Helmut Becker of AudioValve has developed a unique valve biasing circuit
that automatically monitors, biases and controls each valve independently
thereby maintaining any number of valves at their optimum performance
level. These valves do not even have to be of the same type or condition.
This is AudioValve�s Automatic Bias Regulator (ABR) circuit, a feature that

Assistent 100 – Mark 2 integrated tube amplifier_ ___________

AudioValve considers essential to deliver optimum performance from any
multiple power valve amplifier and, in particular, to get the very best from
the stunning 6C33.
AudioValve�s ABR therefore delivers a long awaited dream - to combine
the operational convenience of solid-state amplifiers with the sonic benefits
of pure triodes. True 21st century valve-technology!

The PCB

All electronic components of the ASSISTANT 100 are mounted on one double
sided mil-spec printed circuit board created from a pure copper covered
panel using CAD/CAM software to produce a circuit board completely free
from solder bridges or point-to-point wiring. All signal and power tracks are
separated by grounding tracks to minimise cross-talk and noise and the
overall construction is designed to ensure low microphony and excellent
conductivity.

The advantage of this approach is a consistency and reliability of
performance and the certainty that all production examples of any
AudioValve model will be exactly like its reference sample! This is in stark
contrast to amplifiers that employ hardwired components, where the sonic
outcome will depend upon the construction technicians ability to solder all
joints to a consistent standard and place the components in the same
position and orientation as those of the reference sample to ensure
consistency of interaction with other components.

AudioValves PCB ensures that all components receive the same accuracy
of assembly and that electro-dynamic interactions between components
are constant in all aspects of the construction. Only the use of a well thought
out and calculated printed circuit can achieve this.

MORE WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS

The ASSISTANT 100 amplifier operates in a floating class-A and is therefore capable of
generating moderate to high temperatures. This may have an adverse
effect on other equipment, furniture and fittings close by and you will need
to position the amplifier carefully to avoid this.
Do not remove the top cover or the metal top from this amplifier whilst it is in
operation or connected to the mains supply as you will be exposed to
potentially lethal voltages.
Do not attempt to connect any input of this amplifier to any of its outputs
otherwise damage to components will result.
Do not earth any output terminal or connect any of these terminals together
without following the instructions in this manual or seeking qualified
assistance.
Do not connect any voltage source, short circuit, earth/ground or appliance
(other than a suitable Hi-Fi quality loudspeaker) to any output terminal.
Repair work should only be undertaken by a suitably qualified service
engineer.
Be sure that you understand the requirements fully
before you make any connection to this amplifier or switch ON !!
This amplifier ASSISTENT 100 operates in class - A and is