Summit Audio Model TLA-100A
Tube Leveling Amplifier
Operating Manual
IMPORTANT!: CAREFULLY READ THE ENTIRE INSTRUCTION
MANUAL BEFORE HOOKUP OR OPERATION OF THE TLA-100A
WARNING!: HIGH VOLTAGE THIS UNIT CONTAINS NO USER
SERVICEABLE PARTS. SERVICING SHOULD ONLY BE DONE BY
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL OR FACTORY. DO NOT OPERATE
THE TLA-100A WITH THE COVERS REMOVED.
Summit Audio, Inc.
1183 Baltic Suite A
Gardnerville, NV 89410
Copyright 1992, 2003 Summit Audio, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Printed in the U.S.A.
Doc.# 1085A01
INTRODUCTION
The Summit Audio Tube Leveling Amplifier is a hybrid of technologies. It
contains both vacuum tube and solid state components. This combination
of old and new technologies produces an incredibly warm and smooth
sounding compression device without the inherit disadvantages of the older
designs. Input connections are made using three pin XLR connectors.
Features are as follows:
• EASE OF OPERATION
• “SOFT KNEE” CHARACTERISTIC
• SWITCH SELECTABLE ATTACK AND RELEASE SETTINGS
• SIDE CHAIN ACCESS
• STEREO COUPLING CAPABILITY
• BALANCED INPUT
• 990 BALANCED OUTPUT STAGE
• HAND CRAFTED IN THE USA
Having found this manual, carefully unpack the TLA-100A and its power
cord. Save the carton and packing material, should it be needed. Before
powering the unit read this manual, observing the cautions for HIGH
VOLTAGE. Proceed by doing the following :
• Check the line voltage switch.
• Determine the proper fuse size by referring to the specifications.
• Check for meter illumination and the pilot lamp when the unit is
powered up.
• Note that this unit is wired PIN 2 HOT.
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THE CONTROLS
ATTACK SWITCH : A three position switch with fast, medium and
slow settings, which controls the time it takes
the TLA-100A to respond to the input signal.
RELEASE SWITCH: Controls the time it takes the TLA-100A to
return to unity again. A three position switch
with fast, medium and slow settings. The
release time is also effected by the program
material. The slower the release time setting,
the more the program material determines the
release time.
METER SWITCH: Allows monitoring the output level of the TLA-
100A or the amount of gain reduction taking
place.
BYPASS SWITCH: This is a three position switch. In the bypass
position, the TLA-100A is removed from the
audio path. In the middle (or in) position, the
TLA-100A is switched into the audio path. In
the left (or link) position, the stereo link signal
is connected to its back panel connector. This
allows stereo or mono operation of two units by
front panel selection.
GAIN: Sets the voltage gain of the TLA-100A. It
determines the output level, which can be
monitored on the meter.
GAIN REDUCTION: Sets the amount of gain reduction taking place,
and the operating point where gain reduction
begins. The higher the gain reduction, the
higher the ratio becomes.
POWER: A.C. power on and off.
BAL/UNBAL SWITCH: A rear panel switch which changes the output
and metering circuit for proper operation into
balanced or unbalanced loads.
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