Klipsch SE84ZS owner manual Output Tube Warning, Other Output Tube Information, Tube Life

OUTPUT TUBE WARNING

The SE84ZS is designed to use either EL84 output tubes or SV83 output tubes. No adjust- ments are needed when switching from one to the other. Of the type SV83 tubes carrying the Svetlana name there is one batch known to be questionable and ARE NOT RECOMMENDED for use in this amplifier.

picture above.

These tubes whether milspec or non-milspec are because of their small size and intended use in video applications are superior sonically to the pop- ular 300B, 2A3, 45’s because they lack the heavy signature and are considerably faster. The band- width of these tubes is far greater then that speci- fied for audio tubes.

The SV83’s and the 6P15P-EV tubes all came from a single tube factory in Russia and were manufac- tured in the 1980’s.

Decware was introduced to these tubes in 1995 by Svetlana’s Eric Barbour who was convinced they would make a nice alternative to the EL84’s. Steve Deckert, owner of Decware and designer of this amplifier was the only one in the industry smart enough and with the foresight to purchase and use these tubes. To date we are the only manufacture to use this Vacuum Tube in produc- tion high fidelity amplifiers.

Now that the company Svetlana is gone, Decware purchases these tubes directly from Russia and with only original factory markings on the glass. Always buy 6P15P-EV replacement tubes directly from Decware. You may also enjoy EL84/6BQ5 tubes of which there is a huge variety of, from any reputable tube supplier.

The tube on the left is an acceptable SV83 output tube for use in this amplifier. The tube on the right with the smaller logo is NOT accept- able for use in this amplifier.

OTHER OUTPUT TUBE INFORMATION

This amp ships with the milspec version of the SV83 output tubes.

This ultra high quality tube features a 5000 hour rat- ing, and is known only by its REAL Russian numbers of:

◊6P15P-EV or 6n15n-EB

If there is no extension of -EV or -EB it is not high grade version and likely a standard SV83.

The number SV83 came from an American marketing company who purchased a large stock of the non- military grade of these tubes and then made up the trademark of Svetlana and the “S” logo visible in the

TUBE LIFE

Output tube life is rated at either 3000 or 5000 hours depending on the type tube used.

Rectifier tubes can easily last the life of the amplifier.

Input tubes will vary from tube to tube and should be checked yearly.

The easiest way to check input or output tubes is to replace them with a known new set and compare both sound quality and power output of the amplifier. If you hear very little difference, the tubes are still good.

5