Tannoy Autograph-HE Owners manual

Autograph HE

Autograph HE

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Autograph HE

The Autograph HE

The Tannoy Autograph is known more fully as the ‘Guy R Fountain’ Autograph, the
name of Tannoy’s founder. With a production span of 24 years, three different Dual
Concentric drive units were offered in this unique horn loaded corner design:

1954 – 1958 15” Monitor Black
1958 – 1967 15” Monitor Red
1967 – 1974 15” Monitor Gold
1974 – 1978 15” HPD385

Working from the original drawings we are proud to be able to recreate this classic
design, built using traditional crafts. Each loudspeaker in this limited edition run is
numbered as proof of identity.

The specially designed twin-roll impregnated fabric surround used on the drive unit’s
cone, to ensure midrange purity combined with tight, controlled bass. The drive unit
still utilises an alnico (Alcomax 3) magnet system.

The Autograph HE offers a compound horn loaded enclosure driven by classic Dual
Concentric technology. Based around the Alcomax 3 version of the famous 15-inch
Tannoy Dual Concentric the Autograph HE now features the benefits of signal
handling by gold-plated terminals with Bi-Wire/Normal wiring and a Hard-Wired time
compensated crossover network. This Alcomax 3 magnet system endows the Dual
Concentric with an exceptional transient response and increased sensitivity. The
massive cabinet design conceals a complex horn loading system that gives greatly
increased efficiency and a wavefront area approaching the wavefront area from real
instruments.

At low frequencies (below 200Hz), the output from the drive unit low frequency cone
is handled by the rear folded horn. From 200Hz to 1kHz, radiation is from the front
horn only, before electrically crossing over to the horn loaded high frequency unit.

The Autograph HE is effortlessly capable of the realistic reproduction of truly low
frequencies and the widest dynamic range. Silver-plated Van den Hul wiring is used
throughout. High frequency energy can be tailored through high current gold-plated
switch blocks with controls for both treble energy and roll off.

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Autograph HE

Tannoy---A Short History

In the early days of broadcasting radio sets needed both low and high voltage DC
power that had to be supplied by batteries. The lead acid batteries used in the radio
sets of the time needed regular recharging.

In London, in 1926, Guy R. Fountain perfected a new type of electrical rectifier with
the aim of designing a charger more suitable for use in the house. His rectifier
consisted of two dissimilar metals held in a special electrolyte solution. One metal
was tantalum and the other an alloy of lead. So successful was this invention that
Guy Foundation founded a British Company called Tannoy (a contraction of the
words ‘Tantalum’ and ‘Alloy’). Tannoy soon became internationally known and highly
regarded in all aspects of sound reproduction.

Moving coil loudspeakers with DC energised magnets began Tannoy’s continued
success in the field of loudspeaker technology. A discrete two-way loudspeaker
system followed in 1933 and shortly after a range of microphones and loudspeakers
capable of high power handling.

Tannoy has always been at the front of the communications revolution, developing its
own equipment and production technology. The company built a fund of knowledge
and experience, that has proved invaluable in the development of loudspeakers for a
truly wide range of applications. The now famous Tannoy Dual Concentric principle
was created and developed under Guy Fountain’s direction around 1950. It is highly
regarded by music enthusiasts, and recording and broadcast studios because of its
unique properties in faithfully reproducing sound to an unusually high quality
standard.

Guy Fountain retired from the company in 1974 but the Tannoy Company continues
his philosophy, dedicated to the accurate and realistic reproduction of music for both
enthusiasts and professionals around the world.

The Tannoy Research & Development unit has further refined the innovative Dual
Concentric principle. Using the latest design and material technologies, with
sophisticated circuit techniques in crossover design; Tannoy has produced a
loudspeaker system with superb reproductive capabilities and exceptionally wide
dynamic range.

Tannoy is now part of TGI plc; this makes the group one of the largest manufacturers
of quality loudspeakers in the world.

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Autograph HE

Unpacking Instructions

Caution:

This loudspeaker weighs 101 Kg. Do not lift the cabinet by using the wooden grille
mouldings. Two methods are recommended for unpacking. The choice depends on
particular local circumstances.

Method 1 (5 persons)

Remove the cardboard packing and top cap to reveal the loudspeaker standing on
the transit pallet. Locate and remove from the carton the accessory pack. Lift the
loudspeaker vertically up off the pallet by 100 mm (4 inch) to clear the interlocking
pallet. Remove the pallet and lower the loudspeaker to the ground. The loudspeaker
may then be wheeled conveniently into position.

Method 2 (3 persons)

Remove all packing beneath the top cap to reveal the top of the loudspeaker and
mark the face of the carton immediately behind one side panel of the loudspeaker.
Locate and remove from the carton the accessory pack.

Replace the top packing and top cap; tape the top packing in place to prevent
movement. Invert the loudspeaker by rolling over onto the side panel and rolling over
again onto the top cap. Do not roll over onto the front cover. Remove the wooden
pallet and roll the loudspeaker back again using the marked face of the carton only.
Remove the outer cardboard carton and end cap to reveal the loudspeaker. The
loudspeaker may then be wheeled conveniently into position.

Important:

It is essential that only the side top edge of the cabinet is used as the hinge point in
rolling the cabinet over. If any stress is placed on the front top edge it may be
damaged.

Examine all pieces of packing material and inspect the carton for signs of external
damage. If there is evidence of excessive damage to the packing and resulting
damage to the loudspeaker inform the carrier and supplier immediately. Always keep
the packing in such circumstances for subsequent examination. Tannoy strongly
suggests that you store the complete packing set for possible future use.

Initial Positioning

Place the loudspeakers into the corners of the room, as close to the walls as
possible. Note: the loudspeakers are handed left and right The adjustment and
terminal panels should be located on the inside. Next position the three metal cups,
provided in the accessories pack, so that they sit under the three support cones, on
the underside of the loudspeaker. These are positioned two at the front and one at
the rear. This will give maximum stability, and enable your loudspeaker to provide
their full dynamics and resolution of detail.

WARNING: This operation should be carried out by two people, to avoid the risk of
personal injury, should the speaker slip or fall.

Amplifier Connections (Figure 1)

Connect the loudspeaker to the amplifier using a suitable high quality cable.
Arrange the connections so that the right hand amplifier channel terminals are
connected to the right hand loudspeaker as viewed from the listening position.

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Autograph HE

Correct polarity of the connections between the amplifier and speakers is essential.
The positive terminal on the amplifier left channel, marked + (plus) or coloured red,
must be connected to the positive terminal on the left loudspeaker. The negative
terminal on the amplifier left channel, marked – (minus) or coloured black, must be
connected to the negative terminal on the left loudspeaker.

Repeat this connection for the right speaker. Remember, the amplifier right channel
positive terminal, marked + (plus) or coloured red, must be connected to the positive
terminal on the right loudspeaker. The negative terminal on the amplifier right
channel, marked – (minus) or coloured black, must be connected to the negative
terminal on this loudspeaker.

Good quality cables and tight, well-made connections are necessary to eliminate
resistive losses maintain the correct damping of the loudspeaker by the amplifier.

If the cable and connections have been made correctly as described above the
loudspeakers will be automatically in phase with each other. If the phasing is
incorrect, diffuse stereo image and a lack of bass will result. If in doubt, use a
suitable test disc. Incorrect phasing can be remedied by reversing the connecting
leads to one loudspeaker (at either the amplifier or the loudspeaker terminals but not
both).

Note:

Be certain to ensure that the amplifier is switched off when connecting or
disconnecting loudspeaker leads. Also accidentally shorting the loudspeaker leads
together can damage some amplifiers. Such damage is outside warranty provisions.

Bi-Wiring Theory

Loudspeakers need power signals to produce acoustic energy when reproducing
music. The range of electrical currents passing down the cable from the amplifier to
the loudspeaker is very wide. In decibel terms this is called the dynamic range.
Modern loudspeakers are capable of resolving a dynamic range of at least 80dB with
a suitable power amplifier.

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Autograph HE

An 80dB dynamic range corresponds to voltages of between 50 Volt and 0.005 Volt
at the loudspeaker terminals or equivalent currents of between 0.0006 and 6 Amp.

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Autograph HE

This is a truly wide range of electrical signals to pass down one cable without some
interactions causing a loss of resolution in the very small signals.

When electricity passes down a wire or cable, what goes in at one end is
unfortunately different from what comes out at the other. The degree of loss or
modification of a signal depends on the physical characteristics of the cable and the
nature of the signal. Heavy electrical currents flowing down thin conductors cause
heating effects. Very high frequency signals passing along conductors or cables of
certain lengths cause electromagnetic radiation effects (aerials). Electrical cables
are selected for minimum loss and maximum information resolution considering the
type of electrical signals they are designed to carry.

A good solution to the problem is ‘Bi-Wire’ the loudspeakers to the amplifier. This
means providing two separate sets of cables from the power amplifier to each
loudspeaker and dividing the electrical signals into high current, ‘slow’ signals and
light current, ‘fast’ signals. Of course, the loudspeaker must be fitted with two pairs
of terminals to take the two sets of cables; your Tannoy loudspeakers are of course
equipped for just this type of connection.

Bi-Wiring (Figure 2)

Bi-Wiring releases the full potential of the Tannoy Autograph loudspeaker. Two
complete sets of cable are required.

Switch the amplifier off. Deal with each ‘side’ of the system separately. Label two of
the cables Left LF and Left HF (low frequency and high frequency). Do the same for
the right pair. Undo the loudspeaker terminals, remove and retain the Bi-Wiring links
so that the same polarity terminals are no longer joined.

It is essential to get the polarity correct. If your amplifier does not have separate
output terminals for bas and treble then, at the amplifier end of the cable, connect the
left LF+ and HF+ cables together. Then wire to the amplifier Left channel positive
terminal marked + (plus) or coloured red.

Connect the Left LF-and HF-cables together to the amplifier negative terminal
marked – (minus) or black.

Note the polarity marking on the cable. At the loudspeaker end connect the cables
marked Left LF+ and LF- to the appropriate Left speaker LF terminals. Connect the
Left HF+ and HF- to the appropriate + and – left speaker HF terminals.

Make the same connections with the Right LF and HF cables. Note the polarity of
the cable and be sure to connect + to + and – to -; the LF cables to LF terminals and
HF to HF.

For optimum performance, the earth connection on the terminal panel should be
connected to the amplifier chassis earth or other ground point. This screening effect
can give an improvement in detail clarity, depending on the amplifier used.

Switch on the amplifier with the volume turned down. Select a favourite source and
carefully turn the volume. Check that bass and treble sounds come from both
speakers. If not, switch off and remake the connections.

Cables

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Autograph HE

High quality audio signals passing from power amplifier to loudspeaker are unusual
in their demands on cable. Frequencies from 20 Hz to20 kHz (10 octaves or a ratio
of 10,000:1) and currents of 80dB dynamic range (again a ratio of 10,000:1) have to
coexist. The cable also has to be capable of transmitting peak currents of at least 10
Amp without causing losses greater than 0.001 Amp (10 Amp dividend by the ratio
10,000).

These strict requirements on loudspeaker cable help explain why the sound quality
from loudspeakers is so dependant on the physical properties of the cables
connecting them to the power amplifier.

Always use the best cable possible. Technically, we recommend two-core cable with
a cross-section area not less than 1.5 square millimetres (1.5mm
3 metres. Longer runs require 2.5mm2) cable. Your supplier can advise.

Cable construction can affect sound quality. Be prepared to experiment to find a
cable that suits your ear and system. We do not recommend braided or coaxial
loudspeaker cables. These have a high capacitance that may affect the stability of
certain amplifiers.

Grilles

Please note that the front and side grilles are not removable, and damage is likely to
occur should this be attempted.

Loudspeaker System Adjustment

Each loudspeaker is fitted with two controls located on the front baffle beneath the
detachable grille. These high current switch blocks are labelled ROLL OFF and
ENERGY. They can be used to compensate for the varied acoustic characteristics
of listening rooms. The controls should be adjusted with the amplifier tone controls
in the 'flat' or uncompensated position.

Each loudspeaker should be adjusted individually. This is most easily done by
rotating the amplifier balance control to select the first one loudspeaker and then the
other.

The Energy control has five positions. It allows the output of the high frequency
compression drive unit to be increased or decreased from the linear or 'flat' position
over a frequency band from approximately 1 kHz to 20 kHz.

The Roll Off control has five positions (+2, level, -2, -4 and –6dB per octave) and
provides adjustment at extreme high frequencies from 5 kHz to 20 kHz.

The Energy control has a shelving effect over the 1 kHz to 20 kHz frequency band
whereas the roll off control increases or decreases the slope of the extreme high
frequency response hinging about 5 kHz.

The flattest, most linear response from the loudspeaker will be obtained with both
controls set at the LEVEL position, and this position should be used for initial
listening tests. If the overall high frequency sound quality seems too prominent the –

1.5 or –3 positions for the Energy control should be tried. If the sound appears
subdued in the treble region +1.5 or +3 settings may be preferred.

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for cable runs up to

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Autograph HE

Once the Energy control setting has been established the Roll Off control can be
adjusted to reduce or slightly increase the extreme high frequency content if
necessary.

Remember the changes that can be made by moving either control from one position
to another are subtle. They may not easily be heard if the programme material has
very little content in the frequency band under consideration.

Choose a well balanced piece of music with a full spectrum of sound. The correct
setting will be found when the loudspeakers are no longer evident and only the
musical performance is heard.

Running in

Like all loudspeakers, the drive unit in your Autograph HE requires a while to reach
optimum performance, as the stresses in the materials relax – especially in the
suspension system. For this reason, it is beneficial to run the system at fairly high
levels at normal room temperature, for approximately 20 hours to achieve best
results.

Tannoy Dual Concentric Drive Unit

One of the unique advantages of the Tannoy Dual Concentric principle is that the low
and high frequency sound radiation is generated on the same axis. The high
frequency unit is mounted behind, and concentrically with, the low frequency unit.
High frequency sound radiates from the centre of the low frequency unit through a
carefully designed high frequency exponential horn. Low and high frequencies are
therefore fully integrated at source. It is this feature that gives the Dual concentric
driver such unique sound reproduction qualities.

There are other significant benefits. The high frequency unit does not obstruct the
low frequency unit in any way (a unique feature when compared with other so called
coaxial systems). Polar dispersion of sound is symmetrical in both horizontal and
vertical planes. By careful crossover network design the virtual acoustic sources of
the high and low frequency units can be made to occupy the same point on the axis.
Therefore the total sound appears to emanate from a single point source located
slightly behind the drive unit. This means that a full and accurate stereo image can
be recreated by the loudspeakers when fed from a high quality stereo source.

The Low Frequency Section

The low frequency section of the Dual concentric driver is a unit of exceptional power
handling and dynamic range. The low frequency cone piston is produced from
selected paper pulp. This is specially treated to absorb internal resonance modes.

The twin roll fabric surround is also damped and shaped correctly to terminate the
moving cone and provide optimum compliance and linearity at large excursions.
The cone piston is driven by a high power motor system consisting of a four-layer coil
suspended in a precision magnetic air gap. The coil is wound with a special high
temperature adhesive system and individually cured to ensure reliable operation at
high peak power units. The shape of the low frequency cone is arranged to provide
optimum dispersion of audio frequencies at both the high and low ends of the
spectrum. The cone flare continues the high frequency horn profile to ensure a
smooth transition at the crossover point.

The High Frequency Section

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Autograph HE

The high frequency driver consists of a wide dynamic range compression unit giving
superb transient performance with a smooth uncoloured response. The
compression unit feeds acoustic power through a multiple phase compensating
device to the throat of a solid steel acoustic horn. This horn provides an acoustic
impedance transformation to match the compression unit radiation into the listening
environment.

A magnesium alloy diaphragm formed by a specially developed five-stage process
produces a piston with a very high stiffness to mass ratio. Optimum molecular grain
structure gives long-term durability. A very low mass precision aluminium coil
provides the driving force for the diaphragm, with fine multi stranded copper lead out
wires to ensure reliability. A rear damped acoustic cavity controls the compression
driver response and ensures further correct acoustic impedance matching to the horn
throat.

The response of the compression horn driver extends a full two octaves below the
crossover frequency to eliminate colourations that can arise through operation over
the fundamental resonance region.

The Magnetic Circuit

An Alcomax 3 high energy magnet provides flux generation for both high frequency
and low frequency driving motors. Precision air gaps contain the magnetic flux
surrounding each coil. The high frequency air gap has a unique shunt member to
apportion the total magnetic flux in the correct ratio between low and high frequency
units. This gives an optimum acoustic balance. Precision machined, low carbon
steel pole pieces ensure unsaturated operation, linear flux fields and a high heat
sinking capability. High power inputs can therefore be handled with minimum
change of impedance due to temperature effects. A very robust, high quality,
precision pressure die-cast chassis locates the whole magnet assembly and
positions the moving parts with high accuracy. This provides long term reliability and
yet does not interfere with the acoustic radiation from the individual sections.

Alcomax Magnet

Alcomax 3 is an unusually high energy permanent magnet. The unusual iron/nickel
alloy is doped with cobalt, aluminium and other rate metals to produce a magnetic
material with very special properties. Alcomax 3 has a high remanent magnetism
and energy product. In other words, it magnetises to a high level and retains that
unusual degree of magnetisation. Alcomax 3 is also an electrical conductor. These
properties give the Dual Concentric drive unit using an Alcomax 3 magnet an
exceptionally clean transient response and increased sensitivity.

The Crossover Network

During the design of the crossover network the acoustic, mechanical and electrical
interactions of the high and low frequency sections have been fully analysed. The
crossover is therefore an integral part of the design of the system. The crossover
network provides complex equalisation in both amplitude and phase for each section
and fully integrates the response at the crossover point. All components are high
precision, low-loss and thermally stable. Quality, low-loss polypropylene capacitors
are used. Air-cored inductors avoid saturation effects. A unique shunt element
technique controls the motional impedance of the drive units.

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Autograph HE

All components in the crossover network are hard wired to eliminate unwanted metal­to-metal contact and ensure freedom from vibration. The components are laid out to
minimise inter-component coupling and are placed well away from the driver
magnetic field. Top quality silver plated Van den Hul wiring is used throughout.

High current switch blocks with gold-plated screw terminals permit user adjustment of
high frequency sound radiation to suit differing listening environments.

The complementary design of crossover and drive units means that the loudspeaker
system as a whole behaves as a minimum phase system over the audio band and
therefore the acoustic sources of the high and low frequency sections are aligned in
time and space to ensure accurate reproduction of stereo images.

A Note on Auditory Perception

Our hearing mechanism locates natural sound sources with great accuracy by using
the naturally occurring phase differences (or arrival times) at middle frequencies, and
intensity differences at high frequencies, between each of our ears. Naturally
occurring sounds pass through the air to the ears at constant speed (345
metres/second or 1132 feet/second). All frequencies travel at the same speed and
therefore a frequency independent time delay is associated with the distances
involved. (The familiar time delay between a flash of lightning and the associated
clap of thunder is an example).

Human hearing relies on the constant nature of the time delay with the intensity to
locate natural sounds accurately. A pair of Tannoy Prestige loudspeakers can
uniquely reconstruct stereo images and provide excellent localisation of recorded
sounds. The Tannoy Dual Concentric principle ensures that the source of sound at
high frequencies is on the same axis as the source of sound at low frequencies.

The careful design of crossover network complements the drive unit to provide a
coincident sound source at frequencies, where the human ear derives phase
information for localisation. The loudspeaker system exhibits a time delay response
that is in essence independent of reproduced frequencies. In addition, the amplitude
(or intensity) response is linear, smooth and consistent. This provides the correct
intensity information to recreate the original sound stage.

Care of the Cabinet

The cabinet is finished in high quality teak veneer. It should only be cleaned with a
dry cloth or light application of quality non-silicone furniture polish. It should be
remembered that as a natural substance all wood products will change colour when
exposed to the UV content of ambient light, and you should expect the cabinets to
darken with age.

Faultfinding

Tannoy loudspeakers are designed and manufactured to be reliable. When a fault
occurs in a hi-fi system the effect is always heard through the loudspeakers although
they may not be the source of the fault.

It is important to trace the cause of the problem as accurately as possible.

A fault heard on one source (only CD or tape for instance) is most unlikely to be a
loudspeaker problem. Loudspeakers do not generate hum, hiss or rumble although
high-quality, wide-bandwidth loudspeakers may emphasise such problems.

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Autograph HE

Tannoy Quality

An important part of Tannoy's design philosophy is to produce loudspeakers with a
level of performance beyond the most exacting specifications of contemporary
source equipment.

Tannoy follows a policy of stringent quality control procedures using sophisticated
measurement facilities. Strict quality control is more easily achieved because all the
loudspeakers are built in-house at the Tannoy factory in Scotland. All drive units are
designed and manufactured by Tannoy. All in-coming parts are thoroughly tested to
ensure that they are as specified. Not only is all data computerised but Computer
Aided Design (CAD) ensures every loudspeaker meets or exceeds our exacting
standards.

Warranty and Service

Your Tannoy Autograph loudspeakers will operate for many years without trouble
provided the simple precautions are followed.

Tannoy Autograph loudspeakers are warranted against manufacturing defects in
material or craftsmanship over a period of 5 years from the date of purchase. This
warranty is in addition to your statutory rights as a customer.
Tannoy cannot however be held responsible for failures caused by abuse,
unauthorised modifications, improper operation or damage caused by faults
elsewhere in your system.

Tannoy Ltd or its authorised Distributor will make the determination of the cause of
failure or Service Agent based on physical inspection of the failed parts. If you
suspect a problem with your loudspeakers then in the first instance discuss it with
your Tannoy Dealer. The dealer has the expertise and experience to help you
troubleshoot the system and assess the situation.

If you continue to have problems contact your Tannoy distributor.

Due to our policy of continuous improvement, all specifications are subject to change
without notice.

Caution

The high peak power handling of Tannoy loudspeakers will allow responsible use
with larger amplifiers on wide dynamic range material.

Take care with any amplifier, irrespective of power output, to avoid abnormal
conditions such as switch-on surges or output overload (clipping) that may result in
peaks of power greatly over the rated output.

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Autograph HE

Specification

ENCLOSURE VOLUME 515litre

ENCLOSURE TYPE Compound horn

RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER POWER 50 to 225 watt per channel

POWER RATING 135 watt RMS
550 watt peak

MAXIMUM SPL 119 dB at 1 metre for 135 watt RMS
125 dB at 1 metre for 555 watt peak

TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION Less than 1% at 135 watt RMS (50Hz to

20kHz)

SENSITIVITY 98 dB for 2.83 volt at 1 metre, half space

NOMINAL IMPEDANCE 8 ohm

MINIMUM IMPEDANCE 5.5 ohm

DISPERSION 90 degree conical

PHASE RESPONSE System behaves substantially as a

frequency independent time delay

FREQUENCY RESPONSE 20 Hz – 22 kHz

CROSSOVER FREQUENCY 200 Hz acoustical, 1.0 kHz electrical

CROSSOVER ADJUSTMENT +/-3 dB over 1 kHz to 22 kHz shelving.

+2 dB to –6 dB per octave over 5 kHz to
22 kHz slope

CROSSOVER TYPE 2nd order compensated LF, 2

compensated HF. Bi-Wired, Hard-Wired
passive, low loss. Time compensated.

DRIVER TYPE 380 mm (15”) Dual Concentric, treated

paper
Cone Alnico magnet system, twin roll
fabric surround.

CABINET CONSTRUCTION High density birch ply. Internally

crossbraced and heavily damped

CABINET DIMENSIONS 1525H x 1075W x 658D mm

WEIGHT 101kg

nd

order

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