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Talk Electronics
Tornado 3.1B Power Amp
User Manual
T
ALK ELECTRONICS LTD
TEL: +44 (0)1276 709966 F
. U
NIT
3 I
MAGE HOUSE
AX
: +44 (0)1276 682843 E-
326 M
OLESEY ROAD
MAIL
: info@talkelectronics.com www.talkelectronics.com
H
ERSHAM
S
URREY
KT12 3PD E
NGLAND
1
Page 2
Talk Electronics
Tornado User Manual
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing a Talk Electronics
Tornado power amplifier. We are confident
that it will provide you with many years of
musical enjoyment and reliable service.
However, please take the time to read this
guide thoroughly before using the amplifier.
It explains how to install and connect it,
and suggests how to ensure that you
always enjoy its optimum performance.
UNPACKING LIST
Power amplifier
Instruction manual
AC power cord
Guarantee card
NOTE: We recommend that the supplied AC
power cord is replaced with a high quality Merlin
Cables power cord for best results.
Please be aware that this unit is not supplied with
interconnects and we recommend the use of the
Merlin series of interconnect cables.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
HOW TO SITE AND CONNECT YOUR TORNADO POWER
AMPLIFIER
FOR BEST PERFORMANCE AND SAFE OPERATION
well-being - do not allow it to come into contact with
water. Keep it away from potted plants to avoid
those all-too-common watering accidents! To clean
the amplifier’s case disconnect it from the wall
socket and wipe it with a barely damp, lint-free cloth
or chamois leather. If you suspect that water has
entered the casework, return the amplifier to your
dealer so that he can examine it.
Once you have installed the amplifier please do not
throw away its packaging. If you move home or
need to return the unit to your dealer for example for
upgrade, the original packaging will protect it and
ensure it arrives undamaged.
ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
The Tornado comes with a ready assembled mains
lead and we suggest that you use this to connect it
to the mains supply. We strongly recommend that
you connect the lead directly to a wall socket and do
not use extension blocks, which degrade sound
quality. For the same reason we also advise against
“line filters” and “mains conditioners”. If your mains
supply is noisy or you have household appliances
that generate clicks and pops that can be heard
through your hi-fi system, have an electrician correct
the problem at its source. We do however
recommend the use of ‘Merlin Cables’ power chords
which do not interfere with the current flow and offer
a significant performance improvement.
Please unpack your amplifier carefully and position it
on a stable, level surface close to a mains socket.
Before attempting to connect it into your system
please read this manual carefully.
The Tornado will perform well when placed on a
coffee table or bookshelf but if you wish to achieve
the best performance we suggest you place it on a
specialist hi-fi support. There are many suitable
designs available, which your dealer will be happy to
advise you about.
Position the amplifier so that it will not be subjected
to high ambient temperatures: avoid sites where it
will be in direct sunlight or close to a central heating
radiator. For your own safety - and your amplifier’s
Should you need to replace the fuse in your mains
plug, please fit only the correct replacement type.
This is a standard 13A.
If, for any reason, you wish to replace the plug or
cable, please note that the lead must be connected
as follows. NOTE: These instructions apply in the
United Kingdom only - consult your dealer about
wiring conventions in other countries.
Green and yellow wire connects to EARTH (E or
symbol )
Blue wire connects to NEUTRAL (N)
Brown wire connects to LIVE (L)
This unit must be earthed.
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SIGNAL CONNECTIONS
The Tornado Series was developed using high
quality interconnects and speaker cables from Merlin
Cables, these allow the amplifiers to operate as
intended and deliver their optimum performance. We
strongly recommend that you use these cables for all
connections. You can obtain these from your dealer
or distributor..
Please note that we particularly advise you not to
use solid core interconnect or speaker cables, or any
type of high capacitance speaker cables. We further
suggest that you use short cable runs. Try to keep
interconnects to 2 metres/6 feet or less and speaker
cable runs below 10 metres/30 feet. Even though a
Tornado amplifier will drive longer speaker cables
you will find its performance improves with shorter
cables. The use of “litz” or “goertz” type cables may
cause your amplifier to overheat under certain
circumstances. These are best avoided.
connection periodically to make sure that the wire is
still tightly gripped. Better still, use high quality cables
factory fitted with appropriate plugs!
Tornado mono amplifiers are suitable for use with
most current loudspeaker systems with an
impedance rating between 2 and 16 Ohms. Contact
your dealer if you have a particularly unusual
loudspeaker system and are uncertain about how
your amplifier might react to it. Under all normal
circumstances the amplifier is well protected against
encounters with demanding speakers: it has thermal
protection, voltage and current limiting and DC offset
protection.
MUTE LINK INPUT
This is to allow simultaneous mute control over the
power amplifier when used with a Hurricane preamplifier, just connect using the 3.5mm jack lead
provided with your Hurricane pre-amplifier.
REAR PANEL
A diagram can be found on page 6 of this manual.
MAINS CONNECTIONS
The Tornado’s mains switch is fitted in the centre of
the rear panel. Use this to switch off the amplifier
completely. Below it is an IEC socket into which the
supplied mains lead fits. If an internal fuse should
blow i.e. the blue LED will not illuminate when the
amplifier is not hot but plugged in and switched on,
then the amplifier should be returned to your dealer
for examination. Any replacement should only be of
an identical type.
The amplifier, whilst powered ON, will be warm to
the touch even as idle, due to the class A quiescent
current flowing in the output stage. This is perfectly
normal.
INPUT CONNECTIONS
The input sockets for the Tornado are either RCA
phono or XLR balanced. Connect your preamplifier’s main audio outputs to these. Us the rear
mounted switch to select the input type that you
have connected to. The switch points towards the
input selected.
SPEAKER CONNECTIONS
Gold plated 5-way binding posts are provided for
your speakers’ connections as well as BFA safety
type terminals. The red terminal is the positive
connection and the black terminal is negative. If you
use bare cables or spade terminals that require
clamping in the binding posts, be sure to arrange the
leads so that they do not short-circuit the amplifier.
Clamp the connections tightly but do not overtighten them: do not, for instance, tighten the
binding posts with pliers. Check this sort of
BI-WIRING
Although two sets of speaker terminales are
provided, if you intend to bi-wire - or tri-wire - your
loudspeakers, we recommend that you use cables
fitted with a single pair of plugs at the amplifier end
for four reasons. 1) To bi/tri wire properly you should
have a common ground point. 2) Trying to squeeze
two or three individual cables into a binding post will
give a poor connection that will degrade sound
quality. 3) It increases the likelihood of wiring one or
more of the speaker drive units out of phase by
reversing its connections. 4) It invites accidents
through wires breaking free and shorting the
amplifier’s output.
FRONT PANEL
Although there are no front panel controls
Connecting the mute link cable between your
Hurricane pre-amplifier (if you have one) will operate
internal relays that connect the audio signal to the
loudspeakers when the mute button on the
Hurricane’s front panel is pressed once. To un-mute
press it a second time. It does not connect the
mains supply to the amplifier: the actual mains
power switch is on the rear panel.
If you do not have a Hurricane pre-amplifier then the
Tornado will un-mute itself automatically after a few
seconds.
Leaving the mains supply permanently connected
and silencing the amplifier with the Hurricane’s mute
switch means the Tornado will deliver optimum
performance immediately it is brought out of its
“stand-by” state.
When the amplifier’s output is muted the red
indicator light on the front panel extinguishes.
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PROTECTION MODE
INTERNAL FUSES
If for any reason these are found to have blown or
the red LED on the front panel will not illuminate
within 20 seconds of power up, then the protection
circuits have identified a possible fault condition. The
amplifier should immediately be switched off and
returned to your dealer or distributor for examination.
There are no user serviceable parts in your power
amplifier. Units contain lethal voltages, so only
qualified personnel should service your amplifier.
HINTS AND TIPS
Although you can stack a Tornado power amplifier
with a pre-amplifier and other components, your
system will not perform at its best if you do. The
power supply in the amplifier can induce hum into
sensitive components.
SPECIFICATIONS TORNADO 3.1B
Type Mono
Nominal power output 20-20k 8 ohms 200W
Input impedance 22k ohms
Input sensitivity 1V for full output
Distortion 1KHz 8Ohms <0.005%
Mains Voltage 230V or 115V AC ± 10%
Dimensions
width 440mm
height 89mm
depth 325mm
Weight per unit unpacked 16.2kg
packed 18.0kg
When using a Tornado with our Hurricane preamplifier we recommend that you place the units
side by side or arrange them on separate shelves of
a system rack, separated by about 15cm. Keep your
turntable, if you are using one, as far away as
possible from the power amplifier.
Don’t be tempted to take a little look inside the
amplifier: there’s nothing very exciting to see and
there are some dangerous voltages floating about
inside its case. Similarly, do not try to modify or
“improve” the design with the latest audiophile fad
components. We know what we are doing and we
chose the most appropriate components for this
design. We certainly will not repair the amplifier
under guarantee if you’ve been fiddling with it!
(allow at least 400mm for connections)
Talk Electronics’ policy of continued research and development means that the above specification may change without
notice.
The Thunder has been manufactured to conform with the protection requirements of the EC Council directive 89/336/EEC
relating to EMC by application of the following standards:
EN50081-1 1997 Emissions Standard
EN50082-1 1997 Immunity Standard
and also the requirements of the EC low voltage directive relating to electrical safety by application of the following standard
BSEN60065: 2002 Safety standard
For the purposes of testing the Thunder was used with the mains cables and high quality interconnects supplied by Merlin
Cables. Compliance with the above standards can only be made if the unit is installed as per this manual and using the
correct cables.
*Guarantee: 3 Years return to dealer.
To help us provide you with the most efficient service please return your guarantee card promptly. Your CD player is
guaranteed against manufacturing and component defects for a period of 3 years. The guarantee does not cover and
damage caused by accident, misuse, neglect or through incorrect installation, adjustment or repair by unauthorised
personnel or the cost of collecting the Thunder from you and returning it to the dealer. The above does not effect your
statutory rights as a consumer.
E & OE. Due to our policy of continued development we reserve the right to change the specifications at any time.
*Upon return of Guarantee Card
Talk Electronics
T
ALK ELECTRONICS LTD
TEL: +44 (0)1276 709966 F
. U
NIT
3 I
MAGE HOUSE
326 M
AX
: +44 (0)1276 682843 E-
OLESEY ROAD
www.talkelectronics.com
4
H
ERSHAM
S
URREY
MAIL
: info@talkelectronics.com
KT12 3PD E
NGLAND
Page 5
GUARANTEE
To extend your guarantee from 1 year to 3 years FREE of charge please complete and return this form
T
FOLD HERE
ALK ELECTRONICS LTD
NIT
3 I
ERSHAM
URREY
NGLAND
MAGE HOUSE
OLESEY ROAD
KT12 3PD
U
326 M
H
S
E
.
Model: Tornado 3.1B
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