Trilogy 968 User Manual

968

User Manual

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thank you

Welcome

Firstly, thank you for purchasing your Trilogy Audio Systems 968 Power-amplier, we value your custom.

We strive to design and build world class products that stand the test of time. By reading this manual you can
gain clear understanding of its operation and learn to care for it correctly. In turn, it will reward you with a lifetime
of outstanding performance.

......................................

Nic Poulson.
CEO Trilogy Audio Systems.
www.trilogyaudio.com

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Getting Started

5 Introduction
5 About this manual

7 Unpacking

7 Environment

7 Power Supply
9 Connections
11 Operation Guide
11 Triode or Pentode Mode

13 Biasing the output valves
15 Trouble biasing ?
17 Output valve choice

Appendices

19 Appendix A

Care & Service

21 Cleaning

21 Servicing

21 Declarations

Glossary

22 Glossary

Specications/Returns

23 968 Specications
23 Returns

Acknowledgements

24 Acknowledgements

.

contents

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Introduction

We prefer that your Trilogy dealer delivers, installs, sets up and explains your 968’s operation to you.
However, we still recommend that you read through this manual thoroughly and keep it to hand for reference.

Should any part of this manual or the operation of the 968 not be clear to you, please do not hesitate to contact
your Trilogy dealer. If they are not available please contact ourselves directly.

About this manual

Throughout this user manual, the following icons are used:

[enter] This refers to a physical control on the 968.
LEFT OUTPUT This refers to a physical connection on the 968.

From this point on, any information presented on the left hand pages are pictorial representations of either the

front or back views of the 968 or other diagrams. Therefore consider the left hand pages as additional information
to accompany the written descriptions on the opposite pages.

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Unpacking

Be careful when unpacking your Trilogy amplier, it is heavy. Seek assistance if necessary. Store the packaging
safely for future use. It is the ideal method of protecting your amplier from damage during transport.

Environment

Do not site the amplier near liquids, or place water-lled containers near the unit. If water does come into
contact with the unit there is serious potential for an electric shock or re hazard. Immediately pull out the mains
plug from the wall socket. Contact your dealer to arrange an inspection before further use.

The amplier is cooled by convection and so needs good circulation of room temperature air under and around it.
Do not place it near sources of heat such as radiators or in direct sunlight. Do not enclose in a cupboard. Do not
place directly on carpet.

A at, smooth surface is required. As with all high resolution audio equipment, your amplier is sensitive to
vibration, strong magnetic elds and radio interference. A dedicated high performance equipment platform sited
away from other appliances is the optimum location.

Power Supply

The AC input voltage has been set for the country it was purchased in. Check that the label on the rear panel
matches your AC supply voltage before plugging in. The AC inlet cable provided should be used. If another cable
is used check it is wired correctly. The fuse should be rated at 10 amps.

The wires in the AC input cable supplied are coloured in accordance with the following code:

Green and yellow..............Earth

Blue................................Neutral

Brown.................................Live

The amplier must be earthed. Do not disconnect the AC earth at any time. If in doubt about any aspect of
power supply, consult your Trilogy dealer or a qualied electrician.

A direct connection to a mains outlet is best for your amplier, avoid adapters. To realise your amplier's full
potential we recommend high quality mains conditioning. See www.Isol-8.co.uk for more on power supply and
system solutions from our highly acclaimed sister company.

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Connections

It is good practice to complete all interconnections before switching on to avoid any damage to your systems
loudspeakers while plugging in.

The IEC inlet provides the unit with power. Connect with the supplied AC input cable. It can be left connected at
all times to ensure reliable operation. If not being used for extended periods of time switch off at the mains outlet.

The 968 has a left and right line level audio inputs. Connect your preamplier’s main output to these inputs via
RCA phono cables as required.

Each channel has outputs via copper terminals for connection to your loudspeakers. It is important to connect
your speaker cables correctly. Connect the RED terminal to the positive terminal of your loudspeaker, and the
BLACK terminal to the negative. Make sure that each connection is secure and not touching another. Do not over
tighten the terminals as damage may result. Finger tight is sufcient torque.

Twin TASLink connectors allow system interconnection and control via QuietBuss with other Trilogy Audio System
products. This 968 can be remotely switched on and off via TASLink. See your Trilogy Pre amplier manual for
further details.

TASLink cables of varying lengths are available from your Trilogy dealer.

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TRILOGY

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Operation Guide

Having made and checked all appropriate input, output and AC connections, press the [power] button.
The [power indicator] will glow brightly.

If this is the rst time that the 968 has been turned on, the [pentode indicator] will light. The four [low bias]
indicators will also light. This is explained on the next page.

Over the next twenty seconds or so, the [high bias] indicators will begin to light as well.

A slight hum may be heard through the speakers for a few seconds as the various stages within the amplier
stabilise.

The 968 is ready for use. However, please allow one or two minutes if you wish to play loud music. In the same
way you would allow a car engine warm before pushing it hard.

To switch the 968 off, briey press the [power button].

Frequent switching on and off is best avoided as this will shorten valve life. However, it is not advisable to leave
the 968 on continually, as it is wasteful of energy. The 968 typically achieves optimal performance within ten
minutes of switching on.

Triode or Pentode Mode

The [Triode/Pentode switch] allows the ampliers output stage to be congured to your taste. When rst powered
up the amplier will be set to Pentode operation. Triode mode subtly changes the character of the sound but
reduces the ampliers available power.

Pressing this button will toggle between the two modes. The top [pentode] or bottom [triode] indicator will show
which mode is in use.

Providing the mains lead has not been removed, the 968 remembers which setting was last used and will start in
that mode.

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TRILOGY

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Biasing the output valves

The 968 uses four output valves. One pair is used for each channel and they are congured in a “push-pull”
arrangement to drive the loudspeaker.

In a setup somewhat similar to the “idle speed” adjustment of a car’s engine, the idle current of each of these four
valves needs to be adjusted periodically. We call this BIASING.

Each valve has a pair of LEDs to indicate the bias point and a potentiometer to adjust it.
The pair of LEDs are arranged vertically one above the other.

The lower one indicates too little bias (under bias).
The upper one indicates too much bias (over bias).
When they are both equally lit, this indicates correct bias.

The potentiometer is turned clockwise to increase the bias.
The potentiometer is turned anti clockwise to decrease the bias.
Please use the supplied bias tool to make any adjustments.

During the rst 20 seconds of powering the 968, it is normal that only the four low bias LEDs light.
When adjusting the bias, make sure the 968 has been powered for at least 40 seconds and has no music playing
through it.

Biasing may be necessary every few months and will take no more than one minute.

You may notice a slight increase or decease of bias on all four valves simultaneously at different times of the day.
This is due to the rise and fall of the mains voltage and this does not need to be adjusted for.
However, should you notice a consistent low or high bias, it is best to adjust accordingly.

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Trouble biasing ?

Valves do gradually wear out. Some may continue for a very long time without actually failing, but at some point
you will be unable to bias correctly. At this point the valve will need replacing.

Other valves may fail abruptly. Depending on the particular mode of failure within the valve itself, one or more of
the 968 internal systems will protect the 968.

Should only all four [low bias indicators] be illuminated and no sound be heard through the speakers, it is
probable that an internal fuse has blown. In this case, turn off the 968 and return to your Trilogy dealer for
service. It is likely that a valve has failed and needs a replacement or that an output has been shorted.

Should ALL of the front panel indicators go out with the exception of any of the [high bias] indicators, please
make a note of which one is illuminated. The 968 has already switched off automatically. Unplug the 968 and
return to your Trilogy dealer notifying them of which indicator was illuminated.

If the 968 has been used for over a thousand hours, it is probably worth replacing all of the four output valves.

Please see the section on Servicing.

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Output valve choice

By virtue of the design, the 968 can use several different types of output valves.

Just as with transistors, there are many different designs of valves. Even within a type, there are often various
manufacturers from different countries.

We t as standard, output valves from JJ Electronic. The 968 is available with a choice of two types of output
valve. These are the E34L or KT88. Neither is better than the other, they are simply different in their presentation
of the music.

The E34L has a leaner clean sound and excels particularly when in triode mode, where the higher frequencies are
sublime.

The KT88 has a richer sound and is more powerful.

The nal choice will be down to your personal taste, the type of music you like and the speakers that the 968 will
be driving. Your Trilogy dealer will be able to guide you.

You can, at any point, ask your Trilogy dealer to install an alternative type of output valve. This is not a
complicated procedure, but should be undertaken by your Trilogy dealer as they may wish to run in the new
valves for a day to make sure all is well with them.

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Appendix A

TASLink Pinout

RJ45 FUNCTION

2
1

Orange/white
White/orange

BUS POWER
0V

6
3

Green/white
White/green

LSW
LSS

4
5

Blue/white
White/blue

DATA +
DATA -

8
7

Brown/white
White/brown

BUS REMOTE

LSD

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Cleaning

Dust the unit regularly with a soft cloth or soft brush. For more stubborn marks make sure the unit is switched off
and disconnected from the power supply. Use a slightly damp cloth with a very small amount of mild detergent
such as washing up liquid. Do not use a wet cloth. Be careful when using cleaning or polishing agents. Never use
abrasives or alcohol based agents, they will harm the surface nish. Do not allow the unit to become wet when
cleaning.

Servicing

Your Trilogy amplier uses thermionic valves or vacuum tubes for amplication. They are the key component in
realising your ampliers very high performance. Valves have a nite lifespan and will need replacing during the
lifetime of the amplier. This lifespan depends on how long and how hard they are used. In typical use, small
signal valves can last for 5000 hours, whilst the output valves may need changing every 2000 hours. Frequent
switching on and off reduces valve life.

Please bear in mind that some failures can occur early on in a valve’s working life, usually due to mechanical
stresses that can occur during shipping. This is not a reection on the ampliers design but is an inherent
characteristic of all valves, and is impossible to predict even during the ampliers factory burn in period. The
good news is considerate circuit design and modern manufacturing methods mean that valves are now typically
very reliable once established in service.

It is good practice to replace the valves your amplier periodically to prevent sudden loss of a signal path. Your
Trilogy amplier uses readily available and inexpensive valves should replacement be needed. If you are in any
doubt your Trilogy dealer will help you assess whether your valves need replacing.

If your amplier exhibits noticeable loss of performance, extreme sensitivity to vibration or becomes excessively
noisy then new valves should be tted by your authorised Trilogy dealer.

There are no user serviceable parts inside. Do not open or attempt to repair the unit. Refer to your authorised
Trilogy dealer for servicing.

Declarations

This product is guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship for 3 years from the date of purchase.
This Guarantee excludes valves which are guaranteed for 6 months from date of purchase.
The Guarantee is not transferable and is offered to the original purchaser only.
This guarantee does not limit your statutory rights within the country of purchase.

Failure to comply with any of the above instructions during installation or operation will render the manufacturers
warranty null and void.

Marking by the “CE” symbol indicates compliance of this device with the EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility)
and LVD (Low Voltage Directive) standards of the European Community

This amplier has been tested to ensure that its operation is not adversely affected by normal background levels
of radio frequency interference, and that it does not itself generate excessive amounts of radio frequency energy.

If your amplier exhibits sensitivity to nearby radio frequency devices or is suspected of affecting another device,
increase the distance between them. If the problem persists, consult your Trilogy dealer.

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Glossary

Single ended input An input with the signal referenced to earth, utilising the RCA “phono” connector.

Bias The quiescent or “standing” current in the output valves.

Pentode A mode of operation in the output stage offering most power.

Triode A mode of operation in the output stage offering less power but slightly “sweeter” sound.

TASLink Trilogy Audio Systems’ proprietary Link between products.

RJ45 A standard latching connector chosen for TASLink.

Cat5(e) A standard 4 pair data cable chosen for TASLink.

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968 Specications

Size 424*428*115 (W*D*H)
Size (including connectors) 424*460*115 (W*D*H)
Size (packaged) 590*610*250 (W*D*H)

Weight 20Kg

Weight (packaged) 22.5Kg
Standby power consumption 4 Watts
Idle power consumption 120 Watts

Max power consumption 400 Watts

Input RCA “phono”
Input impedance 130K Ohms
Input sensitivity 1.5V RMS for rated output
Frequency response 20Hz - 20KHZ +/-0.5dB
Rated power 60 Watts minimum into 6 Ohms (KT88 pentode)
Recommended load impedance 4-16 Ohms

Distortion Less than 1.5% A weighted at rated out
Phase Phase correct (non inverting)

Specication subject to change.

Returns

Should it be necessary for your 968 to be serviced, please send it in the original packaging to your dealer.

If this is not possible please contact us directly and request a Return Authorisation Number. Please mark this
number in the space provided on the outer packaging.

Please do not send products back to us without this number as we will not accept liability for the product.

If a product is not returned to us in its original packaging, after servicing we will return it, in Trilogy packaging
and a nominal charge will be made.

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Whilst the information given in this document is correct at the time of printing, small production changes in
the course of our Company’s policy of improvement through continued research and development might not
necessarily be indicated in the specication.

If clarication of any point or specication is required, please refer to your Trilogy dealer.

We welcome your feedback, whether positive or negative, to help us further rene our products.

Please write to; Trilogy Audio Systems

PO Box 56402
London SE3 7WQ

Or fax: [phone]

Or email; [e-mail]

Please visit our web site; www.trilogyaudio.com

Acknowledgements

.
Nearly three years in design and development, this current range of Trilogy products are un-paralleled in their
performance, aesthetics and system architecture.

Only when a product is technically near perfect, blended with real passion and soul, is it possible for this level of
overall performance to be achieved.

A great many people have worked tirelessly to help achieve this goal, and I would like to take this opportunity to
thank Emeka Chigbu, Simon Dart, Cliff Orman, Chris Sims and Simon Quill for their dedication to this project.

© Copyright Trilogy Audio Systems 2008. E&OE

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