Electronaut M63 Manuale utente
USER’S MANUAL
USER’S MANUAL
Electronaut M63 Vacuum Tube Microphone/Instrument Preamplifier
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SERIOUSLY!
Read this entire manual before plugging in and turning on the M63, or removing the top cover.
Refer servicing to qualified personnel only!
To prevent electric shock, do not operate the M63 near water or moisture!
USER’S MANUAL
Electronaut M63 Vacuum Tube Microphone/Instrument Preamplifier
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USER’S MANUAL
Electronaut M63 Vacuum Tube Microphone/Instrument Preamplifier
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTACT INFORMATION 4
CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY 5
INTRODUCTION 6
INITIAL INSPECTION 6
INSTALLATION 7
MAINS CONNECTIONS 8
OPERATION NOTES 8
FRONT PANEL 8
REAR PANEL 9
INTERNAL SETTINGS AND ADJUSTMENTS 10
CONFIGURING THE M63 FOR 115 OR 230 VOLT OPERATION 10
VU METER CALIBRATION 11
PHANTOM POWER ADJUSTMENT 11
CONFIGURING THE GROUND LIFT SWITCHES 11
OPERATION 12
POWERING UP THE M63 12
SETTING THE GAIN 12
SUGGESTIONS 13
REPLACING THE TUBES 13
REPLACING THE FUSE 14
REPLACING THE PILOT LAMP BULB 14
REPLACING THE VU METER BULBS 14
A NOTE ABOUT POWERING DOWN THE M63 WHEN THE PAD IS ON 14
WARRANTY & REGISTRATION 15
SERVICING 15
SPECIFICATIONS 16
USER’S MANUAL
Electronaut M63 Vacuum Tube Microphone/Instrument Preamplifier
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Electronaut Company
333 N Oakley Blvd
Suite #100
Chicago, IL 60612
U.S.A.
info@electronaut.info
(312) 212-3983
All information provided in this manual is thought to be accurate and free of errors at the time of printing;
however, Electronaut Company shall not be held liable for any errors or omissions in this manual, nor any
subsequent damage resulting from the use of the information in this manual. This manual and any future
updates can be downloaded from the Electronaut website, at:
www.electronaut.info/manuals/
This user’s manual contains information protected by copyright. No part of this manual may be
reproduced in any form without prior written consent from Electronaut Company.
© 2002-2012 Electronaut Company
M63_UsersManual.pdf
Revision 5, February 2012
USER’S MANUAL
Electronaut M63 Vacuum Tube Microphone/Instrument Preamplifier
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CONFORMITY
Name of Manufacturer: Electronaut Company
Address of Manufacturer: 333 N. Oakley Blvd
Chicago, IL 60612
U.S.A.
Product: M63 Vacuum Tube Microphone & Instrument Preamplifier
Declaration: The product described above complies with the requirements of the Low
Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC) and the protection requirements of the EMC
Directive (89/336/EEC) issued by the Commission of the European Commu-
nity.
Compliance with these directives implies conformity to the following
European Standards:
EN 60065:1993 Safety requirements for mains operated electronic and related apparatus for
house hold and similar general use
EN 55103-1:1997 Electromagnetic compatibility - Product family standard for audio, video,
audiovisual and entertainment lighting control apparatus for professional use
(emissions - environmental categories E1 to E5)
EN 55103-2:1997 Electromagnetic compatibility - Product family standard for audio, video,
audiovisual and entertainment lighting control apparatus for professional use
(immunity - environmental categories E1 to E5)
The M63 Microphone and Instrument Preamplifier is also made with entirely lead-free components and is as-
sembled with lead-free solder. The M63 conforms to the RoHS Directive.
USER’S MANUAL
Electronaut M63 Vacuum Tube Microphone/Instrument Preamplifier
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INTRODUCTION
First of all, THANK YOU for adding the M63 Microphone and Instrument Amplifier to your recording system.
This preamplifier has been through close to a dozen incarnations since the orginal prototype was first built back
in 1999, and every version along the way improved upon some aspect of the previous one. A lot of obstacles have
been overcome and a lot of unexpected skills have been learned and mastered in order to produce this final design,
and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the sound and performance of this preamplifier as much as I do, and for
many, many years to come. Thanks!
Rob Roy M. Campbell
ELECTRONAUT COMPANY
Initial inspection
The box and/or case includes three items: The M63 preamplifier, the User’s Manual, and the Line Cord. Check the
packaging to be sure you have everything.
Electronaut recommends that the M63 be inspected before use. To inspect the M63, remove the top cover and
make sure that all five tubes are properly seated in the tube sockets, to make sure nothing became loosened
during shipping. Check the four amplifier tubes and the rectifier tube.
This is a good time to get familiar with the inside of the M63. Using Figure 1 as a reference, locate the following:
• Meter calibration potentiometers – See page 11 for instructions on how to calibrate the VU meters to the
reference level of your choice.
• VU meter bulbs – See page 14 for instructions on replacing the VU meter bulbs.
• Pilot Lamp – There is no reason to pay any attention to the lamp socket since the bulb is accessed from the
front panel of the M63, but it might be worthwhile to take note of the type of base the pilot bulb has so that
you know what to expect when you remove and replace the bulb eventually. See page page 14 for instructions
on replacing the pilot lamp bulb.
• AC Mains Voltage Select Switch – See page 10 for instructions on configuring the AC MAINS voltage setting.
• Phantom Power Voltage Calibration Potentiometer
• Ground Lift Switches – See page 11 for instructions on configuring the various ground connection alternatives.
When the inspection is complete, put the cover back on. Do not tighten the top cover screws with a screwdriver
until all the screws have been inserted and lightly tightened by hand. Do not over-tighten the screws.
USER’S MANUAL
Electronaut M63 Vacuum Tube Microphone/Instrument Preamplifier
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R 1
R 2
R 3
R 4
C 1
D 1
D 2
C 2C 5
C 4 C 3
R 5
R 6
R 7
R 8
D 5
D 7
C 9
RIGHT
D 6
D 8
D 4
C 7
C 6
C 8
LEFT
Q 1Q 2
Q 4
T C
LINE VOLTAGE SELECT
12X4
R B l e e d e r
Q 3
R 9
C11
C12
C10
D 3
POWER 12VDC
12AY7
12AU7
SW4 SW5
R 3
R 4
R 5
R 8
C14 C13
C12
D 5
SW7
SW6
C 2
C 3
C 6
M C
R 7
R 6
C16
R T
R 9
C 1
C 5
C 8
R10
R11
R12
R13
R14
R15
R25
R17
R18
R16
R26
R28
R30
R29
R32
R22
R19
R21
R20
C 9
C10
D 1 D 2
D 4
D 3
LL1636
Mic Input Right
Line Output Right
TL072
R27
C15
R24
R23
C11
R 2
R 1
0 V
Header-12
Header-4
C 7
C 4
LL1676
12AU7
12AY7
SW4SW5
R 3
R 4
R 5
R 8
C15 C14 C13
C12
D 5
SW7
SW6
C 2
C 3
C 6
M C
R 7
R 6
C16
R T
R 9
C 1
C 5
C 8
R10
R11
R12
R13
R14
R15
R25
R27
R17
R18
R16
R26
R28
R30
R29
R22
R19
R21
R20
C 9
C10
C11
D 1
D 2
D 4
D 3
LL1636
Mic Input Right Line Output Right
TL072
R24
R32
R23
R 1
R 2
0 V
Header-4
Header-12
C 7
C 4
LL1676
Meter
Calibration
Potentiometers
Ground Lift
Switches
Phantom Power
Voltage Adjuster
12AY7/6072A
Vacuum Tube
12AU7/ECC82
Vacuum Tube
12AY7/6072A
Vacuum Tube
12AU7/ECC82
Vacuum Tube
12X4
Vacuum Tube
AC Mains
Voltage Selector
Figure 1
INSTALLATION
The M63 is designed to be mounted in a standard 19” equipment rack, occupying three units (3U) of space,
or 5.25 inches, but additional space above and below is recommended for improved airflow and cooler
operation. Alternatively, the M63 can be placed on a table or other level surface, but care must be given to prevent
covering up or blocking the ventilation holes on the top and bottom of the unit. The M63 is designed to run fairly
cool considering the number of tubes and the size of the power supply, but it is normal for the unit to be warm to
the touch. The M63 should never be so hot as to make it impossible to leave your hand on the top cover for an
extended period of time.
USER’S MANUAL
Electronaut M63 Vacuum Tube Microphone/Instrument Preamplifier
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Mains Connections
The AC MAINS voltage select switch is set at the factory prior to shipping based on the shipping address or upon
special request at the time of order, and is indicated on the original packaging. The standard M63 accommodates
120 volt, 60 Hz operation, as well as 230V, 50 Hz operation. DO NOT OPERATE THE M63 WITH THE LINE
VOLTAGE SELECT SWITCH IN THE WRONG POSITION. For instructions on changing the line voltage setting,
see page 10.
OPERATION NOTES
Front Panel
Power Switch: The POWER switch turns on the M63 by applying the mains voltage to the power transformer.
Make sure the M63 is configured for the proper line voltage before plugging it in and turning it on. See page 10 to
configure the line voltage of the M63.
Pilot light: The pilot light shines when the M63 is powered on. See page 14 for instructions on replacing the pilot
light bulbs.
48V Toggle Switch: The 48V switch is a heavy-duty locking toggle switch that controls a high-quality,
small-signal relay which applies phantom power to pins 2 and 3 of the input XLR connector. To turn on the
phantom power, pull and lift the toggle into the ON position. Do not use phantom power unless a condenser
microphone that requires phantom power has been connected to the corresponding input XLR connector.
Although the M63 has been designed with a slow-start, slow-stop phantom power supply, it is good practice to
turn the TRIM and ATTENUATE potentiometers fully counterclockwise before flipping the 48V toggle switch.
Input Mode Switch: The input mode switch is a heavy-duty toggle switch that controls two high-quality,
small-signal relays which in turn provide three options. INSTRUMENT mode disconnects the input XLR and
the input transformer, and connects the unbalanced INSTRUMENT jack on the front panel of the M63 to the
input amplifier. The 0 dB setting disconnects the INSTRUMENT jack and connects the input XLR and input
transformer to the input amplifier. The -20 dB setting inserts a 20 dB PAD between the input XLR and the input
transformer.
Polarity Switch: The Polarity switch is a heavy-duty toggle switch that controls a high-quality, small-signal
relay which inverts the polarity of the signal at the output XLR.
Trim Control: The Trim control is a conductive plastic type potentiometer wired as an attenuator and placed after
the input amplifier. This is the main level control.
Attenuate Control: The attenuate control is a conductive plastic type potentiometer wired as an
attenuator and placed after the output amplifier. This potentiometer is useful to keep level under control when
deliberately overdriving the input amplifier. For normal operation, and especially in cases where the M63 is set
up to drive very long cables or equipment with an input impedance of 600 ohms, the ATTENUATE control should
be set fully clockwise (cranked!).
H
USER’S MANUAL
Electronaut M63 Vacuum Tube Microphone/Instrument Preamplifier
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Instrument input: The instrument jack is a locking quarter-inch connector used for connecting unbalanced
instrument cables to the M63. The input impedance of the instrument input jack is approximately one million
ohms. (1 MΩ)
TRIM
Controls
POLARITY
Switches
48V
Switches
Input Mode Select
Switch
ATTENUATE
Controls
VU Meters
INSTRUMENT
Jacks
POWER
switch
Input Mode Select
Switch
Pilot Lamp
Figure 2
Rear Panel
INPUT XLR connectors: The Input XLR connectors provide balanced inputs for microphones with an input
impedance of approximately 1800 ohms. As is consistent with modern standards, pin 1 is connected to the
chassis ground, pin 2 is for the positive phase of the signal, and pin 3 is for the negative phase of the signal.
OUTPUT XLR connectors: The Output XLR connectors provide a balanced, line-level output sufficient to drive
long cables and/or equipment with 600 ohm inputs, however the M63 will perform best when driving a higher
load impedance, such as a typical, modern 20 kΩ bridging input.
Indice
