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• Introduction ……………………………………………………………………… 2• Important Safety Instructions …………………………………………………… 3• Handling Precautions …………………………………………………………… 6• Accessories ……………………………………………………………………… 8• Front Panel Functions …………………………………………………………… 9• Rear Panel Functions ……………………………………………………………10•Vacuum tube replacement…………………………………………………… 12• Cautions regarding Handling ……………………………………………………15• Maintenance ………………………………………………………………………16• Troubleshooting …………………………………………………………………17• Speciﬁcations ……………………………………………………………………18

Thank you for purchasing the TUBE53.
Please refer to this Owner’s Manual to use your TUBE53 safely, and in the best possible way. It is recommended that you keep the carton box and the packing material
available for future transportation needs.

• Though it is a vacuum tube ampliﬁer, the TUBE53 achieves a 20W + 20W (8Ω)
output and high response, that can drive the analog signal with ease from evendigital media players.
• The TUBE53 uses two 6L6GC tubes per channel in a push-pull conﬁguration, andlow-distortion Mullard type phase inverting circuitry design.
• The TUBE53 achieves hi-ﬁdelity music reproduction with minimum reliance on
negative feedback circuitry.
• The output transformer, which uses orient core materials, achieves a straightsound quality with minimum phase misalignment. The TUBE53 uses a troidaltransformer, featuring superior rise characteristics, for its power supply. Noise isthoroughly eliminated by solidifying the transformer with resin and covering itwith a steel casing.
• The TUBE53 uses selected high quality components to draw out the circuitry’s
full potential, such as low-distortion volume control, electrolytic capacitors andresistors with high information processing ability and low noise.
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The lightning ﬂash with an arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to potential electric
shock hazards within the product’s casing.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended
to notify the user to the presence of important operating andmaintenance (servicing) instructions in the accompanying documentation.

WARNING : TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO
NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

1)

Read these instructions.

2)

Keep these instructions.

3)

Heed all warnings.

4)

Follow all instructions.

5)

Do not use the TUBE53 near water.

6)

Clean only with a dry cloth.

7)

Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.

8)

Do not install the TUBE53 near any heat sources such as radiators, heatregisters, stoves, or other apparatus (including ampliﬁers) that produce
heat.
3

9)

(For USA, Canada: ) Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or
grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades, with one blade wider
than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding
prong. The wide blade or the third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not ﬁt your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of theobsolete outlet. (For European Countries: ) Do not defeat the safety purpose of
the grounding-type plug. This plug has two poles and a third grounding hole.
The third hole is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not ﬁt youroutlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10) Protect the TUBE53’s power cord from being walked on or pinched, especiallyaround the plugs, convenience receptacles, and where it exits the TUBE53’s
casing.
11) Only use attachments/accessories speciﬁed by the manufacturer.
12) Only use the TUBE53 with a cart, stand, tripod,bracket, or table speciﬁed by the manufacturer orsold with the unit. If using a cart, exercise caution
when moving the cart/unit combination to avoid
injury from it tipping over.
13) Unplug the TUBE53 during lightning storms orwhen leaving it unused for extended periods of time.
14) Refer all servicing to qualiﬁed service personnel. Servicing is required when
the TUBE53 itself, its power-supply cord, or plug has been damaged in any
way, when liquids have been spilled onto the TUBE53, when foreign objects
have fallen into the TUBE53, when the TUBE53 has been exposed to rain or
moisture, when the TUBE53 does not operate normally, or when the TUBE53
has been dropped.

4• Do not expose the TUBE53 to drips or splashes.
• Do not place any objects ﬁlled with liquids, such as vases, on the TUBE53.
• Do not install the TUBE53 in a conﬁned space, such as within a book caseor similar piece of furniture.
• Plug the AC power cord into an easily accessible AC wall outlet, so it canbe quickly unplugged in case of emergency.

• DO NOT REMOVE THE PROTECTIVE HOUSING WITH A SCREWDRIVER.
• USE OF CONTROLS OR ADJUSTMENTS OR PERFORMANCE OF
PROCEDURES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFIED HEREIN MAY RESULT IN HAZARDOUS RADIATION EXPOSURE.
• IF THE TUBE53 SEEMS TO BE MALFUNCTIONING, CONTACT A QUALIFIED SERVICE STATION. DISCONTINUE USE OF ANY MALFUCTIONING UNIT.

AC POWER CORD CONNECTION

CAUTION :TO PREVENT ELECTORIC SHOCK, MATCH THE BLADE

WIDTH OF THE PLUG TO THE SLOT WIDTH. THE PLUG
MUST BE FULLY INSERTED TO THE SLOT.

5

1. Before connecting or disconnecting other devices, unplug the
TUBE53’s AC power cord from the outlet.
2. To avoid noise from your speakers, turn your system components
on or off in the following order:
Power on: Turn on other devices connected to the TUBE53’s inputs ﬁrst, before
turning the TUBE53 on.
Power off: Turn the TUBE53 off ﬁrst, before turning off any connected devices.
3. Handle with care
Avoid exerting excessive force to the glass cover, knobs and cabinet on the
TUBE53.
4. Installation
Use of an audio rack is recommended to maximize the sound quality and performance of the TUBE53. Installation and use of the TUBE53 in the locations
described below may cause deterioration in sound quality or malfunction:• Locations exposed to direct sunlight - such as windowsills, and other exceptionally warm locations - such as near heating appliances (surrounding
temperature higher than 35 ℃), or exceptionally cold locations (surrounding
temperature lower than 5 ℃), can prevent the TUBE53 from functioning
properly.
• Damp locations exceeding 90% humidity may cause the TUBE53’s metalparts to rust, causing the unit to malfunction.
• Dusty locations may cause contact failure of the switches and noise, and may
result in deteriorated performance of the TUBE53.
• Otherwise, avoid installing the TUBE53 close to other transformers andelectrical motors, so as to prevent the pickup of induction hum. Also, avoid
mounting the TUBE53 on surfaces that may be affected by vibration.
5. Avoid lightning strikes
Disconnect the AC power cord from the AC outlet when there is a thunderstorm
in your vicinity.

66. Condensation
When the TUBE53 is brought into a warm room when the exterior temperature is cold, or when the room temperature rises sharply from using a heater,condensation may form both inside and outside the TUBE53, hampering its
performance. If this happens, leave the TUBE53 unused in the room for 1 to 2
hours (depending on the amount of condensation), so as to bring the TUBE53’s temperature closer to the room temperature. The condensation should go away
gradually.
7. Listening etiquette
When adjusting the sound volume level, make sure you do not disturb otherpeople and your neighborhood.

7

The packaging for the TUBE53 should contain the following:
1. TUBE53 unit
2. AC power cord
3. Owner’s Manual
Note: Keep the carton box and packing material available for future transportationneeds.
The AC power cord is for use with the TUBE53 exclusively, and should not be used
for other devices.

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POWER
Press the POWER button to turn the TUBE53 on. The LED above the button willlight up.
Note: It takes 2 to 3 minutes for the TUBE53 to stabilize once its power is on.
To turn the unit off, move the VOLUME knob to the minimum and press the POWER button again.
SELECTOR
Turn the SELECTOR knob to select an input source from 1, 2 or 3.
Note: Before changing the input, turn the VOLUME to the minimum.
VOLUME
Turn the VOLUME knob clockwise for volume up.
Turn the VOLUME knob counter clockwise for volume down.

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AC LINE
Connect the supplied AC power cord to the AC LINE inlet.
RIGHT INPUT/LEFT INPUTLine in audio signal input jacks equipped with unbalanced RCA connectors. Use interconnect RCA cables to connect inputs 1 / 2 / 3 to an external source with an RCAline output, such as a CD player, tuner or tape deck.
Note: Phono and digital sources cannot be connected directly to these line inputs.

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RIGHT OUTPUT/LEFT OUTPUTPower ampliﬁer output terminals to connect speakers. Banana plugs, spades andwires can be used for the connection. Connect the – speaker cable to the - terminal
marked with black color. Connect the + speaker cable to the 8Ω terminal marked
with red color for speakers with an impedance of 8Ω or higher, or to the 6Ω terminal
marked with red color for speakers with an impedance of 6Ω or lower.
Note: When connecting speaker cables, the TUBE53 should be powered off. Screw
the terminal caps tightly when using banana plugs. Insert the spades or wire into theterminal pole and screw the caps tightly. Using high-quality Audio RCA interconnect and speaker cables may improve sound quality.

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The vacuum tubes should be considered expendables. The tubes used in the TUBE53
are designed to last ﬁve years or longer under normal operating conditions. Should
a ﬁlament be broken, or should you experience a malfunction (such as noise), you
can replace the vacuum tube(s) following the procedure described below. Contact anauthorized service center if you have any questions concerning the replacement ofvacuum tubes.

Unplug the TUBE53’s AC power cord from the outlet inuse when replacing vacuum tubes.
Do not attempt to replace vacuum tubes immediately after
turning the unit off, as residual heat within the tubes may
cause burning. Wait for the tubes to cool down before attempting replacement.

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Pull the broken vacuum tube out, lifting it straight up from the unit. Insert a new
vacuum tube into the socket, making sure the pins are lined up adequately. Check thatthe tube is plugged in ﬁrmly and completely.
Note: Avoid handling the vacuum tube with bare hands. Handle with gloves or a dry
cloth to prevent leaving ﬁngerprints on the tube, as this may cause the vacuum tube tooverheat at the ﬁngerprint(s) and increase the risk of malfunction.
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Note: Use genuine C.E.C. vacuum tubes for replacement. Any malfunctions caused by
the use of generic tubes will be exempt from warranty.
Only the malfunctioning vacuum tubes need to be replaced.

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Replace the top cover on the unit and ﬁx the 5 screws gradually, in the order instructedin the diagram below.
Caution: Do not screw too tightly or unevenly. Extreme or uneven tightening may cause
the glass side panels to crack due to excessive pressure.

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• Amplifiers produce heat. Prolonged usage will cause heat to accumulate within thealuminum top cover and glass side panels. To avoid burning from residual heat, do nottouch the top cover and glass side panels while the TUBE53 is powered on. Make sure
to install the TUBE53 out of reach of small children.
• Install this ampliﬁer with plenty of surrounding space, so as to allow heat generated by
the TUBE53 to dissipate into the surrounding air.
• Do not place any other devices on the TUBE53, or block the air vents in the top cover.
Ensure that there is plenty of space between the TUBE53 and other devices and/or
walls.
• If you wish to install the TUBE53 in an audio rack, ensure that there is at least 15cm ofclearance above the unit’s top cover. It is recommended that you install the TUBE53 on
an audio rack or board of sufﬁcient mass, so as to prevent vibrations from reaching theunit and draw out the TUBE53’s full potential.
• Avoid installing the TUBE53 in a dusty environment, as the accumulation of dust at thebase of the vacuum tubes may cause excessive heat, shorting and ﬁre.
• The TUBE53 must be handled with care as it operates at high voltage. Do not open thebottom cover of the unit. CEC cannot be held responsible for any injuries or burns suffered as a result of opening the TUBE53’s top, side and bottom panels, and/or coming
into contact with the TUBE53’s internal components.
• To avoid causing cracks in the side panels, which are made of semi-tempered glass, do
not hit the panels with sharp and/or hard objects, or apply excessive pressure to the panels. Pay particular attention not to screw the top cover back on too tightly or unevenly
when replacing vacuum tubes.
• Turn the TUBE53 off when connecting and disconnecting cables to avoid electricalsurges that may cause damage to the vacuum tubes and speakers.
• Never cause a short circuit between the (+) and (-) speaker output terminals. This may
damage the TUBE53.

15

• The TUBE53 should not require any periodic maintenance, and contains
no user serviceable parts except for the vacuum tubes and fuse. If thesurface of the TUBE53 is soiled, wipe with a soft cloth or use diluted
neutral cleaning liquid. Be sure to remove any ﬂuid completely. Neveruse thinner, benzene or alcohol as these may damage the surface of theunit.
• If the FUSE located below the AC INLET is broken, gently pull the box
with a small ﬂat screwdriver. Replace the FUSE with a new one. Replace
the box inside the unit.
If the new FUSE continues to break after replacement, there may be amalfunction with the internal circuitry. In this case, please contact the
dealer where the TUBE53 was purchased, or an authorized service centerto arrange for repairs.

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If you suspect a malfunction in the unit, please check the following chart
before calling your dealer.
No power
Check the connection at the both ends of the AC power cord. Make sure there is power at
the wall outlet.
Replace the fuse at the AC inlet if it is broken.
No soundCheck the connection from the external source device (e.g. CD player).
Check the operation of the external source device (e.g. CD player).
Turn the unit off and unplug the AC power cord from the outlet. Wait for a minute before
plugging the AC power cord back in and turning the unit back on.
Noise on soundCheck that the interconnect cables are plugged in adequately.
Replace any broken vacuum tubes.

17

Output Power2 x 20W (8ohm)

Frequency Response

20Hz ~ 20kHz + / -0dB

S/N Ratio

more than 90dB

THD

less than 0.5% (8ohm / 1kHz)

Input Terminal

3 x RCA

Input Sensitivity

400mV

Input Impedance

100k ohm

Output Terminal

1 (8 ohm or 6 ohm)

Tube

4 x 12AU7, 4 x 6L6GC

Fuse

T6.3AL 250V for 120VAC or T3.15AL 250V for
230VAC

Power

AC120V/230V, 60Hz/50Hz (specified on therear panel)Power consumption

160W

Dimensions

approx. 217.5(W) x 410(D) x 183(H) cm

Weightapprox. 16kg

Color

SilverAccessories

AC power cord, Owner’s Manual* Design and speciﬁcations are subject to change without notice.

* Illustrations within the Owner’s Manual may differ slightly from the actual unit, due to design
improvements

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0703-A