Summary of Contents for Solo Golden Tube Audio SE-40
- Page 1 Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Golden Tube Audio SE-40 VERSION 1.3 Please help improve the accuracy of this manual by providing your feedback to the forum. Document kept: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/golden_tube/info Page 1 of 36...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Preface ..................................3 Document Control............................... 3 SE-40 Original Parts Diagram ..........................4 Left Channel Schematic ............................5 Power Supply Schematic ............................6 Original Circuit Board v1.4 – Bottom Side ......................7 Original Circuit Board v1.4 – Top Side ........................8 SE-40 Owner’s Manual ............................ -
Page 3: Preface
This manual is a collection of contributions from various forum members edited and consolidated into on handy guide to assist in the self-support of maintaining the highly regarded Golden Tube Audio SE-40 amplifier manufactured by the now defunct Solo Electronics of Hayward California in the 1990’s. -
Page 4: Se-40 Original Parts Diagram
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 SE-40 Original Parts Diagram Parts Placement and Key Test Points Page 4 of 36... -
Page 5: Left Channel Schematic
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Left Channel Schematic GTA built versions from 1.0 to 1.4. It’s unknown which version this schematic pertains. There is debate how accurate this drawing may be or for which version. Page 5 of 36... -
Page 6: Power Supply Schematic
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Power Supply Schematic Page 6 of 36... -
Page 7: Original Circuit Board V1.4 - Bottom Side
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Original Circuit Board v1.4 – Bottom Side Board pics on Pages Burnt R10 6 & 7 are version 1.4 51K Carbon Resistor Page 7 of 36... -
Page 8: Original Circuit Board V1.4 - Top Side
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Original Circuit Board v1.4 – Top Side Page 8 of 36... -
Page 9: Se-40 Owner's Manual
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 SE-40 Owner’s Manual Page 9 of 36... - Page 10 Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Page 10 of 36...
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Page 20: Biasing The Amp
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Biasing the Amp What is the Proper Bias Set Value? The bias values recommended in this service manual are intended for factory tubes or factory equivalent tubes. Maximum bias for factory tubes is 640mV, given drift and fluctuation the bias should be no more 630mV. -
Page 21: Removing The Bottom Cover
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Removing the Bottom Cover 1) Unplug the amplifier from AC power, speakers, and signal sources – unplug and disconnect everything 2) Set the amplifier on the work surface facing you Now, with only a cold Amp:... -
Page 22: Setting The Bias
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Setting the Bias Read this entire section from top to bottom before starting this procedure! If you are not confortable making these adjustments, ask a technician for help. Refer to the diagram on page 21 while using this following procedure: 1) With the Amp unplugged and resting on its side, Plug in the Biasing harness to CN18. -
Page 23: Underneath Gta Se-40
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 10) Don’t forget to visually inspect each tube for red plates, and adjust bias down really quick and recheck the bias value again. Let the amp idle for 20 minutes and recheck and adjust. 11) Once all tubes are biased to the proper mV value, repeat the whole procedure again starting with set #5, checking and fine adjusting each tube up to the right approximate value. -
Page 24: Red Plate Condition
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Bias cable sockets and trim pot locations As noted in the biasing instructions above, adjust the bias by starting with the right channel then left in the following sequence: VR5, VR4, VR3, VR7, VR8, and then VR6 as shown on the table on page 21. Be absolutely sure the proper corresponding test points are used for each trim pot. -
Page 25: Replacing Tubes
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Replacing Tubes Factory Tubes Originally as shipped new, the GTA SE-40 came supplied with 8 tubes. These were 6 Sovtek 5881/6L6WGC output tubes and 2 Sovtek 6SN7GT input/driver tubes. The factory output tubes are easily confused with other 6L6 tubes with similar markings. -
Page 26: Factory Output Tube Cross-Reference
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Factory Output Tube Cross-Reference At time of publication, all of these tubes are really the Sovtek 5881WXT or 5881/6L6WGC available at local guitar shops: OEM Brand & Name Comments Fender 6L6 Precision Matched Tubes Fender GT-6L6B or 6L6R... -
Page 27: Tube Swapping
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Tube Swapping Be careful when swapping to tubes of different models and values. It looks so easy to just pull and plug varieties of tubes to find the best sound. At minimum switching tubes requires re-biasing, and may likely require revised resistor values for voltage and current to supply a different tube type. -
Page 28: Troubleshooting
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Troubleshooting Note: When working on an amplifier always wear a pair of thin plastic Nitrite gloves when working on the board to avoid contact with lethal high voltages Refer to the Parts Diagram on Page 3 to see parts placement and key test points with factory voltage values. -
Page 29: Hum
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Most common cause is a ground loop. More has been written about fixing ground loops than could ever be covered here. Do a web search about fixing ground loops in audio systems and gear. Red Glowing Tubes If any tubes are glowing orange or red, this condition is called “Red Plating”... -
Page 30: References
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Bias Resistors The common cathode bias check resistors R25, R26, R27 on the right channel and R43, R44, R45 on the left channel, sometimes are changed to 10 Ohm, from stock 11 Ohm, due to availability, then the bias reading should be changed to reflect: 54.55mA X 10 Ohm = 545mV... - Page 31 Golden Tube Audio SE-40 http://www.thetubestore.com/ Mouser Electronics has a vast inventory of components like the highly regarded Vishay Dale RN55 and RN60 milspec resistors DIYer’s like for audio applications. Mouser also has an excellent supply of wire wound resistors as well.
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Page 32: Appendix - Sovtek Tube Specs
Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Appendix - Sovtek Tube Specs Page 32 of 36... - Page 33 Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Page 33 of 36...
- Page 34 Golden Tube Audio SE-40 Also Labeled 5881WXT+ Page 34 of 36...
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