10 years ago. These advances have been achieved through the application of the latest technological developments as they become available and affordable. OCTAVE has specialized in tube amplification for the past 30 years, during which time we have developed a number of innovative technologies that have earned us a reputation as one of the leaders in the field.
CONTENTS Page Introduction ....................Description of the V 110 SE ................. Safety instructions ..................Before you begin ..................Placement ....................Warranty ....................... Getting started ....................Unpacking, package contents ..............Removing the grille ..................Installing the power tubes ................Switching on for the first time: the soft-start feature ........
Power Pre Selector for alternate output tubes The V 110 SE is a member of the family of amplifiers, based on the power tube KT 120. A switch on the rear panel allows switching between different types of tubes, to ensure the operation in their optimum sonic performance and working conditions.
2. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 2.1. Before you begin Before using the V 110 SE for the first time, remove the grille and install the power tubes! (See Section 3.2 „Removing the grille"). Replace the grille before switching the V 110 SE on.
2.2. Placement 1. Location OCTAVE equipment is designed strictly for use in a dry domestic environment. Do not use it in the open air or in damp environments! Never place plants or liquid-filled containers on your OCTAVE equipment. Take care to avoid dropping objects or spilling liquids into the case.
3. GETTING STARTED 3.1. Unpack and check the contents of the box. Scope of delivery V 110 SE 1 set power tubes with tube layout diagram 2 pc driver tubes for modifying the damping factor Power cord (3-core cable with 3-pin plug) ...
Check that the Ecomode switch on the rear panel is in the "Eco off" position Connect the V 110 SE to the mains. (On new units, this switch is set to "off" at the factory) Switch on the V 110 SE using the amplifier’s mains power on/off switch.
Check that the switch positions on the front and rear of the amplifier are in their recommended settings. Switch on the V 110 SE using the on/off switch and wait until the Soft-Start LED extinguishes. Now you can play music...
Pos 6: The electronic BIAS measurement system is activated (see chap. 7.3). Pos 7: Front Ch. Multichannel input. In this mode, the V 110 SE functions as a two-channel power amplifier. The volume control is bypassed. (See chap. 6.6) The record output is switched off in this position ...
Page 14
4. CONTROLS – the front panel Legend BIAS adjustment BIAS regulators and corresponding LED array for each power tube Remote control receiver To ensure optimum operation of the IR remote control, do not cover this window Status indicators Indicates that the unit is switched on.
Regulated preamp output for active subwoofer, etc. (see chapter 6.7.). CD 2 CD line level input, XLR with Pin configuration for XLR connectors Sliding switch to adjust the output power of the V 110 SE. Power Selector (see chapter 6.1)
Page 16
The (Super) Black Box is an outboard power supply connection capacitance upgrade for the power amplifier section (see chapter 10). You should switch off the V 110 SE using the power switch before connecting and disconnecting the Black Box! AC supply socket IEC socket with integrated fuse holder.
The Power Selector allows adjusting the V 110 SE in accordance to the output tubes. Position HIGH is reserved for the standard KT 120 tubes. In the HIGH Position the V 110 SE is able to deliver up to 2 x 110 W RMS Output Power. The slightly weaker tubes type KT 88 or 6550 can be used in the position LOW.
6.2. Changing the damping factor The V 110 SE is the first model in the Octave range that provides another tool, to match the ampli- fier with any speaker regardless of the construction principle .The V 110 SE allows to change the damping factor in three settings (LOW, MED and HIGH), and thus achieve an even more sensitive adjustment to the electrical load (speaker).
The BIAS LEDs will show "yellow" for each of the four output tubes. If a Black Box or a Super Black Box is connected to the V 110 SE, the front panel (operate) LED of the Black Box / Super Black Box will go out. If the Super Black Box is connected, tripping the protection system will automatically activate the discharge circuit of the (Super) Black Box (see chapter 10).
After 9 minutes without receiving signal, the V 110 SE Ecomode is activated, turning down the power. In this “sleep” mode, the V 110 SE draws less than 20 W Idle current. Therefore the running unit produces no heat, because the heater voltage and the high voltage for the power amplifier section are switched off.
“Front Channel” selector position, the V 110 SE functions as a stereo amplifier. The overall Gain of the V 110 SE is reduced to 26dB in this position. The signal of the front channel input is not available on the record output.
Note: Low BIAS tubes will not allow you to achieve the maximum output of the V 110 SE. We do not recommend using them with low efficiency or low impedance loudspeakers. Some tubes will fit into the sockets but will still not work with the V 110 SE – such as the EL 509 / 519, for example.
That is why we have built this BIAS measurement facility into the V 110 SE – to allow you, the user, to carry out the adjustment yourself without the need for test equipment. The use of precision op amps makes it possible for you to set the BIAS to accuracy within 0.3%, making it superior to any...
Page 24
7. TUBES There is an upper adjustment limit to the "high" BIAS setting, which is indicated by the green and red LEDs lighting up at the same time, and a lower limit to the "low setting, where the yellow and green LEDs light up.
You should adjust these tubes after about 20 minutes 7.5. Running in All OCTAVE equipment is subject to a 48-hour soak test at the factory to burn in the tubes. The tubes are preselected for use in each particular model.
9. PHONO (MC / MM) OPTION A MM or MC Phono board is available as an option for the V 110 SE. This additional board is connected internally to the phono input. When the board is installed, this input can no longer be used as a line level input.
With the Black Box technology OCTAVE offers an instrument for optimizing the OCTAVE amplifier in respect to the speaker. This flexibility is a unique feature of the OCTAVE brand. The dynamic and tonal stability of an amplifier is strongly dependent upon the stability and capacity of the power supply, therefore the Black Box and Super Black Box were developed as external upgrades to the OCTAVE amplifiers’...
10. OPTION (SUPER) BLACK BOX 10.3. Super Black Box option Legend Blue power LED The blue “power” LED illuminates when the power amplifier is switched on via the amplifier’s power on/off switch. Yellow unload LED The yellow “unload” LED (discharge control circuit) lights up for ap- proximately 2 seconds after switch-off, in case the electronic protec- tion is activated and if the amp is powered down through the Eco- mode.
DACs. Although the V 110 SE is grounded, its signal ground is a "floating" ground, which means that the V 110 SE cannot itself create ground loops. Hum can only be caused when it is connected to other items of equipment.
Page 30
To reduce this kind of interference, move the transformer/component or the affected component/cable to a different location. The transformer in the V 110 SE will not generate interference, as it is electromagnetically shielded and has a very low stray field.
11.2. Faults caused by tubes, faulty tubes Like other OCTAVE products, the V 110 SE is equipped with a double safety system. This means that the amplifier will be protected from damage if a component (tube) should fail and trip the electronic protection.
Page 32
"front" the particular tube is, the more it will tend to make itself felt. In the V 110 SE, this would be tube V 5. As it is rare for both systems in a double triode to be equally affected, the noise levels in each stereo channel will be different.
12. SPECIFICATIONS AND DIMENSIONS Output Configuration: Push Pull, advanced Pentode Mode, Grid 2 Voltage 340 V, Idle Current Tubes 28 mA - BIAS Low, 34 mA - BIAS High. Negative Grid Voltage separately adjustable for each Tube. Range: -16 to -45 V, 3 turn precision regulators. Wideband Output Transformers using Silicon steel PMX Core, single Impedance Output.
Page 34
12. SPECIFICATIONS AND DIMENSIONS General data Inrush current limitation 220 W 50 sec. Start-up time Power consumption 500 W at full power 190 W idle 20 W in Ecomode Weight 22,70 kg For 230/240V: 4A slow-blow H (5 x 20 mm). Mains fuse For 115/240V: 6.3A slow-blow H (5 x 20 mm).
Page 35
Audio Precision Frequency Response V 70 SE 5 V / 4 Ohm The frequency response curve clearly shows the low frequency extension of the V 110 SE linear to 10 Hz The loss at 20 Hz is less than 0,2 dB...
Page 36
12. SPECIFICATIONS AND DIMENSIONS Diagrams, graphs Graph 3: Noise spectrum A-A FFT SPECTRUM ANALYSIS V 70 SE 5 V / 4 Ohm Audio Precision -100 -110 -120 Noise spectrum at 1 kHz / 5 W into 4 ohm – there is no mains interference to be seen. (50 Hz <...
Does the V 110 SE have to have all of its tubes fitted? In principle, the V 110 SE will also operate without tubes. It is sometimes useful to do this when testing the operation of the switching functions such as the selector switch, remote control, etc.
Page 38
We reserve the right to alter and improve the specifications in pursuit of better. OCTAVE logo is a registered trade mark of Andreas Hofmann. Copyright by Andreas Hofmann. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited. edited OCTAVE AUDIO Germany www.octave.de...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the V 110 SE and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers