Decware ZMA Operation Manual
OPERATION MANUAL MODEL : ZMA - ZEN MYSTERY AMP! REV 1 MAR 2014
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Reference Vacuum Tube Amplifier
Model ZMA
ZEN MYSTERY AMP
OPERATION MANUAL MODEL : ZMA - ZEN MYSTERY AMP! REV 1 MAR 2014
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS!
PLEASE READ THESE BEFORE
OPERATING THIS EQUIPMENT.
1. Read and Follow these instructions.
2. Do not plug your amplifier in or
attempt to turn it on until you have
read and followed the steps in this
complete manual.
3. Never leave this amplifier powered
ON while unattended or at night
when sleeping.
4. Do not use this amplifier near
water or in damp locations.
5. Do not place this amplifier near any
heat sources such as radiators,
heat registers, stoves, or directly
above other amplifiers that produce
heat.
6. Do not defeat the safety of the 3
prong power cord by attempting to
lift the ground. If you only have
two prong outlets in your home,
have a licensed electrician install a
grounded outlet near the amplifier.
7. Protect the removable power cord
from being walked on or pinched at
either end.
8. Do not attempt to move this
amplifier until after it has been
turned off and cooled down to
room temperature.
9. Unplug the amplifier during
lightning storms or when unused
for long periods of time.
10. Refer all service to Decware or a
Decware authorized service tech.
Do not attempt to fix internal
problems. There are no user
serviceable parts inside.
11. WARNING HIGH VOLTAGES
PRESENT - This amplifier stores up
to 500 volts in the capacitors. Do
not open the amplifier under any
conditions.
12. Never touch a vacuum tube while it
is operating. Some can reach
temperatures near 400 degrees F.
13. ALWAYS place amplifier on a solid
sturdy clean and level surface that
can support over 100 pounds so
there is no risk of the amplifier
falling or getting tipped over.!
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lightning flash with arrowhead, within
an equilateral triangle, is intended to
alert the user to the presence of uninstalled “dangerous voltage” within the
product’s enclosure that may be of risk
of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an
equilateral triangle is intended to
alert the user to the presence of
important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the appliance.
AVIS RISQUÉ DE CHOC ELECTRIC-NE PASOUVRIR.
WARNING- TO REDUCE RISK
OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL
SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR
MOISTURE.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
To prevent the risk of electrical shock, do not remove
cover or bottom. No user serviceable parts inside.
OPERATION MANUAL MODEL : ZMA - ZEN MYSTERY AMP! REV 1 MAR 2014
Thank You!
_______________________________
By purchasing this amplifier you are
helping to preserve the art of finely
crafted audio products with absolute
world class reference fidelity.
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Please Take a Moment!
_______________________________
The serial number and date of your
amplifier are recorded on the bottom.
Take a moment to write them down
here so you don’t have to move your
amplifier once it is installed.
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Serial Number:__________________
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Date (Month/Year): ______________
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Model Number: _________________
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Technical Assistance
_______________________________
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You can get help by calling us directly
or you can e-mail zen@Decware.com
If you have any issues, check the web
site’s contact page for up to date e-mail
addresses and phone hours.
We also have a strong online support
forum that is very active. This can be a
handy way of getting help during off
hours or weekends when our office is
closed.
!
DECWARE/High Fidelity Engineering
75 S. Riverview Dr. East Peoria IL 61611
(309) 822 5255 www.decware.com
Table of Contents!
_______________________________
Safety Instructions 2
Thank You 3
Technical Assistance 3
Unpacking 4
Getting Started 5
What’s What 6
Speaker Connections 7
Input Connections 8
Components / Amp Parts 9
Installing Tubes 10
Tube Matching 11
Tube Substitutions 11
Biasing your tubes 12
Bias Windows / Tube life 14
Operation 15
Clipping 15
Preamps 15
Burn in 16
Design 17
Voicing 17
Evaluation 18
About 19
Specifications 20!
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OPERATION MANUAL MODEL : ZMA - ZEN MYSTERY AMP! REV 1 MAR 2014
Unpacking
Your Zen Mystery Amp is shipped in a military grade
waterproof case. The insides of the case contain a foam
impression of the amplifier and the amplifier is stored
upside down inside the case and without tubes.
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As you can see, there are wheels and a pull out handle
on the case making it easy to transport. Please do not
try to carry the case because with amp it weights over
50 lbs.
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Set the case on a low table or the floor and carefully lift the amplifier straight up
out of the foam. Get someone to help if you’re not able to dead lift 40 lbs.
NOTE: Before picking the amp up you need two things:
1. A soft place to set the amp down on after you remove it from the case so you
can flip it over. Once flipped over you can then pick it up again… and…
2. A place to put the amp for it’s initial test. Picking up the amp before you’ve
found a place to set it down is unwise.!
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OPERATION MANUAL MODEL : ZMA - ZEN MYSTERY AMP! REV 1 MAR 2014
Unpacking Continued:
Once you have the amplifier setting right side up in a location where it can be
tested, make sure it has come to room temperature before doing anything else.
This is especially important in cold climates. Cold steel will condensate in a warm
house and this is a high voltage amplifier so wait until the steel is room
temperature before installing tubes or the power cord. This can take up to 24
hours in extreme cases.
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Getting Started
First let’s get familiar with layout of the amplifier. Your amplifier will look like this:
The important thing to notice about your amplifier is that it is actually TWO mono
amplifiers that are laid out symmetrically in a mirror image pattern from an
imaginary centerline between the IEC plug for the power cord and the volume
control. In other words, everything on the left side of the amp is repeated in a
mirror image on the right side of the amp. From this view, the left side of the amp
is typically used for the left channel and the right side, the right channel.!
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OPERATION MANUAL MODEL : ZMA - ZEN MYSTERY AMP! REV 1 MAR 2014
What’s what
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There are only three things on this layout that are common to both channels. The
IEC connector for the power cord, the power switch and the master gain control.
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These three items serve both of the mono amplifiers that make up the Zen Mystery
Amp. This way you only need one good power cord, whereas separating the amps
into two chassis would of course require two. !
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Master Gain Control
Power Switch
IEC Connector with
Fuse Holder !
6.8 amp 20mm fuse
OPERATION MANUAL MODEL : ZMA - ZEN MYSTERY AMP! REV 1 MAR 2014
Speaker Connections
The ZMA has heavy duty gold plated binding posts that can accept up to 8 AWG
bare wire, banana jacks, or the larger spade connectors commonly found on hi-end
speaker cables.
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As you can see, there is a separate positive and negative post for both 4 ohm and 8
ohm speakers. Use only one pair at a time. !
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- +
- +
4 OHM!
8 OHM!
+ -
+ -
4 OHM!
8 OHM!
LEFT CHANNEL RIGHT CHANNEL
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