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The left control of the Timbre Lock®at each one of the Model 88 monoblocks
usually gives you the impression of changes at the bass articulation and attack,
especially with high-efficiency loudspeakers. Turning its potentiometer counterclockwise
(first or second LED) makes the overall sound drier while turning it clockwise can
appear to reduce impact, attack, and internal detail after the fifth LED. Between these
two positions, you will soon realize the effects on the overall presentation until getting
the best position for the right amount of warmth, presence, and resolution. You could
thus think of the left control as a "definition control". So, generally speaking, in a correct
Timbre Lock® setting, this will ends with one of the first five of the LEDs turned on.
The right control of the Timbre Lock®at each one of the Model 88 monoblocks
usually gives you the impression that it affects the overall smoothness and tone. Again,
going counterclockwise the sound turns progressively lighter and drier and clockwise it
becomes softer and warmer. Moving this position away from the ideal setting in the
clockwise direction will make the sound fuzzier and less rich, in the same way, moving it
away from the ideal setting in the counterclockwise direction it will make it bodyless,
empty. Think of this control as "sound density".
Besides the left/right potentiometers adjustments, that gives you a kind of a dial
to get the best balance between warmer (but softer), when you go to clockwise
direction, and clearer (but drier), when you go counterclockwise, you can also get new
nuances changing the offset between the two adjustments, that is, depending the
amount of LEDs positions you have between the left and right adjustments in a single
monoblock. This affects different qualities simultaneously, the perceived final extent of
the high frequencies against the mid-range attack, the mid-range brightness rather than
too much internal detail and transparency, emotion rather than extreme resolution.
Usually, the ideal range of this difference goes from 1 to 3 LEDs (bigger values may
interfere with the overall perception of the sound image) and selecting the appropriate
difference for your system is often more important than the absolute position of each
one of the controls.
In Model 88 the yellow LEDs define the preferred starting position for the
adjustments. As it also has enough adjustment range to work with any brand of tubes
and even to get more from aged tubes (you certainly will always get the most of it with
these amplifiers), Model 88 has red LEDs that are a clear indication that you are
approaching dangerous presets regarding your tube's life. So, they should never be
used as a preset position.
We recommend that when you first turn on the amplifier, you adjust the Timbre
Lock® after a few minutes and again after about 20 minutes of power on. You should
first try to familiarize yourself with the effects of Timbre Lock®and then look for the
