User manual AOPEN TUBE

[. . . ] I. Introduction AOpen has been a pioneer in the motherboard field, bringing solid and award-winning products to the PC community, for many years. These achievements include the first Intel-based 440BX chipset motherboard with a military-grade black PCB and a 24K gold-plated heatsink for overclockers. AOpen was also the first to offer space-grade ultra-high precision components for commercial motherboards, providing overall PC system stability and long-term reliability. Now, AOpen presents the world's first vacuum tube motherboard for game enthusiastic and music lovers, allowing them to totally immerse themselves with their favorite software and enjoy the ultimate in audio performance. [. . . ] Plug the audio cable to the connector on the daughter card, and notice the orientation of the hook. 2. Connect the other end of the cable to the connector on the motherboard, in the same way; you'll not be able to plug it in with wrong orientation. --20-- 3. Connect your device to the jack on the bracket of this daughter card. 3. 5mm Line-IN 6. 3mm Headphone Jack Left RCA Output Right Audio Cable Connector S/PDIF Output --21-- IV. Let's make things better Unplugging the tube for replacement Be Careful - IT'S HOT Current tube technology requires high internal operating temperatures. As a result, the glass part of the tube can reach temperatures as high as 250 degrees. Always allow your AX4B-533 Tube to sit switched off for several minutes before you touch the tubes. Never hastily pull out the tube while lights is still on: The fuse inside the tube could still be red with high temperature when the power was just being cut off. Therefore, if you pull out the tube immediately right after power off, the possibility is that you might not only be burnt by the high temperature, but also caused a broken fuse by violent shaking, and there goes the tube. --22-- 2. Never touching the printed wordings with your fingers: When you pull out the tube, try not to touch the printed wordings with your fingers, because if that's an earlier-designed tube, the wordings on tube would be easily rubbed off after few times touching. 3. Inappropriate pulling angle: Most of the tube basement could be a little bit tight, but remember not to pull them too hard bilaterally, for this could break the vacuum seal and ruin the tube. --23-- Correct sequence of pulling out the tube: 1. Waiting at least 30seconds right after cutting off the power for the fuse and inner glass to cool off a bit. Holding the tube with fingers, trying your best not to touch the printed wordings on tube; Swinging slightly bilaterally, and pulling the tube upward with balanced strength. --24-- 3. Pull the tube out of the base, and put it into box with care. Note: To prevent loud noise caused by the large current of the huge capacitor on this motherboard, it is strongly recommended to turn off your power amplifier or speaker first before turning off your computer. --25-- Substitution of tube The following tubes can be used on the AX4B-533 Tube for those of whom looking for different tonal characteristics or just replacing the tube. General speaking, a low output tube such as the 6922 will have about 5, 000~6, 000 operating hours life span. Of course, many factors also determine the life of a tube including working voltage, temperature, vibration. . . etc. Here is the substitute tube list for Sovtek 6922: Jan-Philips 6922 Russia 6922 / 6H23 Siemens E88CC / 6922 6N30 or 6N30P Telsa E88CC / 6922 Telefunken E188CC / CCa Telefunken E88CC / 6922 Telefunken PCC88 / 7DJ8 Siemens E288CC Siemens 7308 Sveltana 6N1P Philips E80CC Philips E88CC / 6922 MiniWatt ECC88 / 6DJ8 Amperex ECC88 / 6DJ8 Mullard E88CC / 6922 Mullard CV2492 / E88CC Mullard CV2493 / E88CC-01 Mullard E188CC / 6922 Sylvania 6922 / E88CC Sylvania 7308 / E188CC AEG E88CC --26-- Comparison of different tubes Please refer to the reference chart below for 6922/6DJ8 tubes comparison: EU code Normal ECC88 High-end E88CC Advanced E188CC Exclusive E288CC Compatible PCC88 Unique CCa (unique german code) **The CCa here is the same as E88CC, which is made of special quality and low noise, and selected out among E88CC high-grade tubes, with longevity and less noise. US code 6DJ8 6922 7308 8223 7DJ8 You may directly change the mentioned tubes whenever you like, but E88CC, E188CC, E288CC, CCa is the best quality tubes among ECC88/6DJ8 series, with longevity and golden pins mostly. (Most modern or American tubes do not equipped with golden pins) PCC88/7DJ8 and 6DJ8 are similar in structure, except one thing, and that is the overheating of filament (7V). It could be used to replace 6DJ8/ECC88, too. --27-- The sound trend of various manufacturers of 6DJ8/ECC88/6922/E188CC: The statement below is just a reference of the sound trend of various manufacturers. German made Siemens: Excellent resolution and stage positioning, however the sound is not as solid and thick as England made tube. If your system lacks in resolution, then this Siemens made will be your first choice. England made Mullard, Phlips, Amperex. : Typical England solid style, thick mid range, but of course, resolution is not as good as Siemens. [. . . ] This procedure will greatly help AX4B-533 Tube to achieve its optimum sonic performance. Do not worry about the thermal since the 6922 is only running at very small current for both filament and plate and will not generate excessive heat that causes permanent damage to the --56-- motherboard. Speaker Selection PC multimedia speakers may not be able to reproduce realistic sound stage as presentation compare to stereo speakers due to its build and costs. Therefore, recommend you to acquire a pair of stereo speaker that the tonality suits you for listening. As for the game's sound effect, nicely built PC multimedia speakers will get well done as well. well as we do critical the job There are many inexpensive but solidly built bookshelf stereo speakers that sell for less than US$300 and we recommend you do test with it to experience the technical merits and audio reproduction of AX4B-533 Tube. PC CD-ROM / Audio CD and DVD player selection Believe it or not, CD drive will greatly affect the sound reproduction too. [. . . ]