Xciter Amplifier OWNER’S MANUAL o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o Integrated Stereo Vacuum Tube Amplifier NOTE: Before installing your new component, please read this manual carefully as it will inform you of the product specifications, proper installation and correct operating procedures for your unit.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Important Safety Instructions .............................................................. 2 Welcome Thank You ................................................................................................... 5 Product Features .......................................................................................... 6 Unpacking and Installation .......................................................................... 7 Specifications Specifications .................................
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture. The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of un-insulated dangerous voltage within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the cover.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 14. LIGHTNING: For added protection for the unit during a lightning storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable system. This will prevent damage to the unit due to lightning and power line surges. 15.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 26. FCC INFORMATION FOR USER: CAUTION: ANY changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
WELCOME THANK YOU Dear Cary Audio Customer: I am so pleased and excited about the new Cary Audio Design Xciter, stereo vacuum tube integrated amplifier. I have spent countless hours designing and refining this very special vacuum tube amplifier. The Xciter started life in April of 2008 as a companion to a new digital to analog USB converter I was designing. I had recently discovered the merits of computer full bandwidth audio.
WELCOME PRODUCT FEATURES The stereo vacuum tube power amplifier has a great history at Cary Audio Design. The superb lineage of CAD power amplifiers and integrated amplifiers have consistently garnered fantastic reviews for stable power output, incredible value for the money and sound quality along with ‘Best Buy’ and ‘Class A’ ratings from magazines and reviewers worldwide. Building on this storied legacy, we are releasing the CAD Xciter Integrated stereo vacuum tube power amplifier.
WELCOME UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION This section describes the unpacking and installation procedures for your new component. Unpacking All Cary Audio Design shipping cartons have been specially designed to protect their contents and special care has been taken to prevent damage under normal shipping conditions. Mishandling should be evident upon inspection of the shipping container. If shipping damage is found after visual inspection, take care not to destroy the evidence.
SPECIFICATIONS Operating the CAD Xciter is a simple procedure. It is designed for long-term stability in virtually any home operating environment. However, if the unit is operated outside the parameters outlined in this owner's manual, damage may result. Please read this manual carefully before putting your new CAD Xciter amplifier into operation. The following section describes the CAD Xciter amplifiers’ basic specifications. The specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation. ..........
SPECIFICATIONS Warm-Up Time 3 minutes ........................................................................................................................................................................... Break-In Time 100 hours of playing time ...........................................................................................................................................................................
CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS FRONT PANEL 1. AC POWER SWITCH • Press the “1” at the top of the rocker switch to turn the power ON. • Press the “0” at the bottom of the rocker switch to turn the power OFF. 2. SOURCE SELECTOR SWITCH • Rotate to select one of 3 inputs for each channel 3. MUTE INDICATOR LED • Indicates mute function is activated when illuminated • Press remote control “Mute” button to activate Mute, Press “Mute” button again to deactivate the Mute function 4.
CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS REAR PANEL 1. RIGHT CHANNEL INPUT – NUMBER 1 2. RIGHT CHANNEL INPUT – NUMBER 2 3. RIGHT CHANNEL INPUT – NUMBER 3 4. RIGHT CHANNEL SUBWOOFER OUTPUT 5. LEFT CHANNEL SUBWOOFER OUTPUT 6. RIGHT CHANNEL INPUT – NUMBER 3 7. RIGHT CHANNEL INPUT – NUMBER 2 8. RIGHT CHANNEL INPUT – NUMBER 1 9. LEFT CHANNEL SPEAKER OUTPUT – NEGATIVE LEAD 10. LEFT CHANNEL SPEAKER OUTPUT – POSITIVE LEAD 11. AC POWER CORD JACK 12. AC POWER FUSE PANEL 13. LEFT CHANNEL SPEAKER OUTPUT – POSITIVE LEAD 14.
CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS TOP PANEL The following illustration shows the tube placements on the CAD Xciter.
OPERATION Your new CAD Xciter integrated amplifier is ready for operation after the AC power, speaker, and interconnect cables and the vacuum tubes have been installed into their proper sockets. Refer to the labeling on the chassis for placement and proper tube installation. Since the amplifier circuitry is completely auto-biasing, no biasing adjustments are required – just plug and play! AC POWER REQUIREMENTS The CAD Xciter is designed to work from house current AC mains.
OPERATION SOURCE SELECTOR The Source Selector switch, located on the front panel, allows the selection of one of three input stereo source selections connected to the RCA input jacks on the rear panel. Simply rotate the knob of the selector switch to the desired input source. LISTENING LEVEL The Listening Level control, a potentiometer located in middle of the front panel, allows the adjustment of the listening level (or output volume).
OPERATION BREAK-IN PERIOD The tubes, capacitors and output transformers take approximately 100 hours use to settle in for peak performance. The CAD Xciter will sound good right out of the box but it will improve within a short time. After the first 50-100 hours you will notice increased depth and tighter bass. This break-in period is characteristic with quality vacuum tube audio amplifiers.
SERVICE AND CARE TUBE REPLACEMENT If it becomes necessary to replace the tubes in the amplifier, a matched set of output tubes of the same name brand should be used. A new tube kit is available from Cary Audio. You should get years of service from the rugged 6L6GC output tubes. The input and driver 12AX7A tubes can last even longer. Other output tubes may be used in the CAD Xciter amplifier include: 6V6, 5881, or EL-34 tubes are all acceptable for use in the output stage of the CAD XCITER.
SERVICE AND CARE NON-WARRANTY REPAIRS Cary Audio Design will provide repair service for its products charging on a time and expense basis. The standard non warranty service bench fee is $125, plus charges for parts and materials. This may change and is not a quote for service. Please call us at 919-355-0010 for more information about out of warranty service and repair fees. CAUTION - Never remove or insert the back panel AC plug when the unit is on or the ac cord is plugged into the wall.
UNITED STATES LIMITED WARRANTY Cary Audio Design warrants to the original United States purchaser for use in the United States that Cary Audio Design vacuum tube or solid state power amplifiers, surround sound processors or preamplifiers shall be free from defects in parts or workmanship for three (3) years from the date of the original purchase.
