Instruction manual

ManualsBrandsMatchless Amplifier ManualsAmplifierC-30

MATCHLESS

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT AMPLIFIER

For All C-30 models

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing a MATCHLESS brand instrument amplifier. Your amplifier has

been carefully hand-crafted using only quality materials. The chassis of your amplifier is

completely hand wired employing construction techniques of military electronics

manufacturers. We utilize point to point wiring instead of a printed circuit or bread board.

The wiring is silver coated stranded copper in a Teflon jacket for extra resistance to heat and

decay. We use mica filled phenolic tube sockets that are shock mounted to a rugged welded

steel chassis. Our hand wired paper bobbin transformers are designed for 100% duty cycle.

Vacuum tubes are selected for tone, low noise and performance. This kind of craftsmanship

and attention to detail enables us to offer to the purchaser our six year guarantee.

MATCHLESS amplifiers are ruggedly built, and aside from the periodic tube or indicator

lamp replacement, should require very little maintenance. We have designed every

MATCHLESS product to be a trouble-free, roadworthy, studio quality amplifier.

Summary of content (12 pages)

PAGE 1
MATCHLESS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT AMPLIFIER For All C-30 models INTRODUCTION Thank you for choosing a MATCHLESS brand instrument amplifier. Your amplifier has been carefully hand-crafted using only quality materials. The chassis of your amplifier is completely hand wired employing construction techniques of military electronics manufacturers. We utilize point to point wiring instead of a printed circuit or bread board.
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FEATURES Your MATCHLESS is a straight forward amplifier devoid of bells and whistles. It is an all tube design including the power supply rectifier. Cathode bias operation is utilized for the output stage. The top-boost channel uses two 12AX7’s tubes in the first preamplifier, while the 6 position vari-tone channel uses an EF/86-6267 pentode tube. This configuration offers a unique tonal difference between the two channels.
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When it is desired to use additional speakers with an amplifier, or multiple speakers with an amp head, it is necessary to calculate the proper impedance setting. This is easily accomplished using a simple ohm’s law formula: FORMULA: Load 1 x Load 2 _______________ Load 1 + Load 2 EXAMPLE: 8 Ohms x 8 Ohms ________________ = 4 ohms 8 Ohms + 8 Ohms The correct setting for two 8 ohm cabinets connected in parallel should be the four ohm setting at the amplifier.
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PRECAUTION! Cathode biased class A amplifiers do not like to “idle” for prolonged periods. These amplifiers draw more current idling than they do while being played. Use the stand-by mode or turn the amplifier off if you are not going to play for a while. Save your tubes! SPEAKER PHASE SWITCH All Amplifiers manufactured after November 1993 incorporate a “Speaker Phase” reversal switch at the rear of the speaker system.
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About the PREAMPLIFIER SECTION Your MATCHLESS amplifier employs two very different tube types and circuit designs for the preamplifier channels giving each channel its own distinctive response and personality. This enhances the versatility of our “simplicity” of design philosophy. INSTRUMENT INPUTS: Your MATCHLESS amplifier has two input channels or preamp paths. Each preamp has two inputs, one just above the other.
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About the POWER AMPLIFIER SECTION MATCHLESS amplifiers are cathode biased and operate mostly in a Class “A” mode. This means that current flows continuously through the output tubes whether a signal is present or not. Most amplifier designs employ the more popular “AB” or “AB1” biasing technique, which although capable of producing more power for a given tube configuration and transformer size, produces crossover distortion and more odd order harmonics.
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For a dirtier sound, the MASTER volume control enables the preamplifiers to be overdriven without having the amplifier at full volume. Pull out the MASTER volume control to activate the circuit, then turn the control fully counter-clockwise. No sound will come from the amplifier at this point. Now turn the volume control of the channel you are using fully clockwise or nearly so. Turn the Master volume control clockwise until sound is produced from the speakers.
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VACUUM TUBE REPLACEMENT Never attempt to replace vacuum tubes while the amplifier is on or the amplifier is hot. To replace tubes remove the back panel of the amplifier. Preamplifier tubes usually have a twist-lock shield that must be removed before the tube can be removed from the chassis. Output tubes and rectifier tubes employ either a spring and a cap arrangement (called a tube hat) or a base clamp. The base clamp is loosened by un-tightening the screw on the side of the clamp.
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CAUTION! Never place drinks on top of the amplifier for obvious reasons. Liquids can cause the glass envelopes of the hot vacuum tubes to crack possibly shorting out the amplifier. Liquids can also cause damage to switches and potentiometers and generally reduce the reliability of your amplifier as well as require an expensive repair. If an accidental spill does occur, remove the amplifier from the cabinet, remove the tubes, and thoroughly clean and dry the chassis before attempting to use the amplifier.
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ACCESSORIES: Your MATCHLESS amplifier comes supplied with an operation instruction manual, an IEC power cable, a spare fuse, indicator lamp and panel knob. OPTIONS: An effects loop and balanced line outputs are available on most amplifier models for an additional cost.
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Tips On Tone MATCHLESS manufactures a variety of models, each with its own personality and character. The choice of speaker cabinet type has as much to do with tone as does an amplifier itself. Speaker cabinets with two twelve inch speakers tend to emphasize midrange frequencies and tone texture may be characterized as nasal. The DC-30 and ESD cabinets utilize two different twelve inch speakers. One is rated at 30 watts while the other is rated at 25 watts.
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is primarily used to overdrive the preamplifier. At best it should be considered a tone unique unto itself. We feel that it is important to mention this fact as there are many who believe a master volume control will produce the same effect as turning the amp up to ten. It can’t. The following diagrams are offered to assist the user with some basic tone set-ups.