Fosgate Signature Tube Headphone Amplifier Owner’s Manual
Table of Contents Read This First…………………………………….2 Introduction by Jim Fosgate……………………3,4 Unpacking………………………………………….5 Tubes Installation………………………….………5 Product Placement………………………………..5 Connections………………………....………….....6 Use………………………………………………….7 Features………………..…………………………..7 Special Features…………………………………..8 Tube Rolling………………………………………..9 Specifications……………………………………..
Read This First Please read carefully the following safety instructions, which have been included in compliance with international safety regulations. • Read this instruction manual prior to connecting and operating this unit. Retain this manual for future reference. • Retain all packing materials and carton for future need. • To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture or operate in these conditions. • This unit contains voltages that can cause serious injury or death.
Introduction World-class audio engineer Jim Fosgate is the vision and expertise behind the Fosgate Signature Tube Headphone Amplifier. The Fosgate Signature embodies unique and patented circuit topologies, elevating the headphone listening experience. The genesis of the design started over 2 decades ago. Countless man-hours of working with every possible major circuit approach was not just explored, but designed, built, and auditioned by Jim Fosgate himself.
listener defined low frequency bass impact without bass boom. This circuit has been used in different forms in many products including Rockford Fosgate Car amplifiers. Jim Fosgate received US patent number 3,883,832 for this circuit in 1975. It is called a "SINGLE ELEMENT CONTROLLED TWIN T FILTER" and has a much steeper curve than a bass or loudness control. It changes frequency and amplitude (Boost) with a single control.
Unpacking Opening the cartons: Use caution when opening the cartons. Using a sharp edged tool could cause damage to the contents. Foam packing: When you open the inner carton, you will see a layer of foam covering the headphone amplifier. There are cut outs in the foam containing each vacuum tube, located in the appropriate position. Be careful when lifting the foam so that the tubes do not fall out. Alternately, you can remove the tubes from the foam before removing the foam itself.
Audio connections: Your headphone amplifier features 2 line level stereo inputs with RCA jacks. You can connect to these the outputs of a phono stage, CD player, DA converter. etc. You may also connect the tape output or loop output of a preamplifier or receiver. These choices will be determined by your listening preferences and system configuration.
Powering up: Make sure all connections are in place and your volume control is completely turned down prior to powering up your headphone amplifier. When the unit is powered up, the amber LEDs under the tubes will be illuminated. A 35 second muting circuit eliminates turn on/off thumps from the direct coupled output circuit. Now you are ready to listen. The sound will improve after several minutes of warm up.
SPECIAL FEATURES Surround Circuit: Jim Fosgate integrated his surround circuitry design, part of his US patent 5,307,415 “Panorama Control” filed in April 1994 in his Signature headphone amplifier. This circuit applies an out of phase cross blend to create a sense of depth and space and moves the dimensional soundstage outside of your head. The control has Min, Max, and Off positions. In the center off position, the surround circuit is bypassed so the signal is unaffected and provides normal stereo.
Tube Rolling: Your Fosgate Signature headphone amplifier ships with two carefully selected, new production 12AX7 tubes. Do not change tubes when the unit is powered on. To avoid risk of burns, do not touch vacuum tubes when the unit is powered on or within 30 minutes of powering down. Below is a list of equivalent tubes used in your Fosgate Signature headphone amplifier if you wish to tube roll. Please check with your Musical Surroundings’ dealer regarding availability of tubes for this purpose.
SPECIFICATIONS Frequency response: 2 HZ to 200KHZ at -3DB Voltage Gain: 15DB Signal to noise ratio: 95DB Headphone impedance drive range: 30 - 500 ohms Maximum output voltage: 26 volts p-p into 500 Ohm load Maximum power output: 180MW RMS 500 Ohm load Maximum power output: 387MW RMS 200 Ohm load Maximum power output: 1000MW RMS 30 Ohm load Distortion: .05% @ 165MW 1KHZ 500 Ohm load Distortion: .05% @ 387MW 1KHZ 200 Ohm load Distortion: .
90 DAY LIMITED WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS (2 Year optional extended service contract) 1. Musical Surroundings warrants the product designated herein to be free of manufacturing defects in material and workmanship, subject to the conditions herein set forth, for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase by the original purchaser.
