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http://www.FinaleAudio.com | USER MANUAL F-168 MK1
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Where music begins!
QUICK USER MANUAL: F – 168
Finalé Audio Toronto, Canada
http://www.FinaleAudio.com
V1.1 2016
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http://www.FinaleAudio.com | USER MANUAL F-168 MK1
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Model: F-168 Tube Integrated Amplifier
First of all, thank you for purchasing our product. Anytime you see the Finale
Audio badge, you are getting a finest piece of HIFI product in its class. All our
products are designed to last forever with absolute reliable ownership.
Everything, from design to manufacture are done right here in Toronto, Canada,
in-house by our tube masters and engineers. Today, let us present you the new
era of tube amplifications.
It was Science, now it’s Art!
BEFORE YOU START UP THE MUSIC:
Here are some DOs and DON’Ts to learn about the basic usage of tube amplifiers.
DOs: - Always have all correct tubes in place (See page 3) - Hook up all signal
input cables (RED/WHITE) & speaker wires (RED/BLACK) BEFORE you put the power cord
into the IEC inlet (In case the power button is switched on) - Always put volume to
minimal before or after used - Use matched pair or matched quad tubes whenever
possible - A decent power cord will be beneficial, and plug direct into wall outlet -
After turned off amplifier, let rest and avoid restart immediately
DON’Ts - Do not let children or pets get closed to the amplifier when it is playing, as
the tubes can be harmful, or lethal (The optional cage is highly recommended) -
Do not remove any tubes, cables and wires while the amplifier is playing / on - Do
not try to fix or modify the amplifier, as there could be lethal voltage remains in parts,
even in days or weeks. We have to mention this as we take safety very seriously and we
all have our loved ones and families. So far, we do not have one warranty claimed yet,
so we can safely say shall one day your amplifier requires service, most likely it is caused
by external reason such as misused, lightening, physical abuse and damage...etc.
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QUICK CONNECTIONS:
1. Plug in all tubes. (4 Pieces of 6BM8 / ECL82, prefer matched Quad or matched
Pairs)
2. Connect your source to RCA Jacks (Red/White RCA cables for signal inputs) on
the left rear side of the amplifier, and connect speaker wires (Red/Black Binding
Posts) in the back of the amplifier to your speakers.
3. Plug in power cord (Do this at last, in case the power switch is on)
4. Turn ON the power button in the back (rear right)
5. Select your source input via Selector knob (The knob on the left)
6. Turn to suitable volume Via Volume Knob (The knob on the right - And is a good
practice to dial volume to lowest before start and after finish)
7. Sit back, relax and enjoy!
8. If you are not sure, please ask your closest dealer, or email us directly! We are
professionals here to help and to instruct you the proper way in handling and
using tube amps the correct right, as well to point out the facts about tubes.
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TROUBLESHOOT / QUESTIONS:
The tubes are not glowing - check your power cord or fuse
Only one channel is playing or hum/low/weak in volume - switch off , and let
tubes cool. Try rotate tubes between L and R channel, and make sure all
cables/wires are secured. If the problem is not resolved after rotating tubes, try
rotate L to R channel cables/wires until you find out if it is poorly connected or
defected tubes. If volume/power remains weak or blurry, try a set of new tubes.
Most noises and music pauses are induced by loose wires
Upgrades - people talk about upgrades and modifications, should I listen? Our
answer is NO, because each model of amplifiers we designed and made are
voiced to how we wanted. We are not just engineers who purely pursuit our
products with a high spec and performance on paper. We are also music lovers
and musicians who care how instruments and voices are being portrayed. Each
part and transformer is hand-picked and most of them are what we have been
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used for decades. Please be warned: if any changes and modifications done will
void the warranty and aff ects its value.
NOS or NEW Tubes - We prefer new tubes, as NOS tubes can vary a lot in quality.
Speaker Cables Gauge - We prefer something thin, from 12-18 gauge, we use 15
gauge. No matter it is on single driver loudspeakers or multi-ways large speakers,
we don’t like to use bi-wiring.
Quick Fact:
Rated Output: 8 W + 8W
Operation: Class A/B, Push Pull, Pentode, Autobias
Speaker Outputs: 4 / 8 ohm (16 Optional)
Total Harmonic Distortion: Less than 1%
Hum & Noise (A-Weight): 88 db or better at rated output
Frequency Response: + 0 - 0.2 db (At 1 Watt Reference Power Output from 20-20,000hz)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance: Main Input - 500 mv / 100k ohm
Footprint: 14” W x 9” D x 7.5” H
Shipping Box: 18” W x 12”D x 12”H
Shipping weight : 25 lbs Approm
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STORY:
We always like and miss this tube as it brings us the memories and nostalgia feeling, remember
the good olde playback sound of the big old TV or tube receivers in the past? Alot of them are
being powered by this same tube here, a tube that combines both preamp tube and power
tube in one envelope (if running Single Ended configuration, only one tube is needed to play!).
This is why the kick drums of the live band on tv shows sound so realistic, full and really kicks,
compare to the TV sound you heard today is totally different.
This tube also present a good stereophonic sound... Although this is the bottom of our line, but
we design and treat this like all our higher end designs, which is never a quick off old design
/circuitry, but something never heard of in the past nor seen on the market! This is why at the
shows and demo events, we are not afraid to use this amp as the reference amplifier, demo our
other products. We also used this at show to amaze all visitor. Everyone stopped and amazed
this quality contributed by the F-168.
Now, get a sip of the high end tube sound with this F-168.This is easily the current best 6BM8 /
ECL82 type machine on the planet now, and with great real world driving power for most
speakers.
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