RKV - Mark II
Contents
1. User Manual for the RKV Mark Il tube headphone amplifier We congratulate you with the purchase of this superb AUDIO VALVE HiFi component This handcrafted product has been manufactured according to your wishes and will allow you many years of musical joy AUDIO VALVE guarantees that this amplifier has been produced under the strictest manufacturing guidelines established through decades of tube amplifier design Your RKV headphone amplifier has been thoroughly tried and tested in all detail I personally guarantee the quality of this product H Becker Manager Production amp Development Table of contents Introduction and general information Manufacturers information Safety precautions Intended use Application Factory assembly amp getting started Operating instructions Technical data Use of the Impedancer Warranty eh ON a 1 Introduction and general information Dear client we congratulate you with your purchase of this superb AUDIO VALVE HiFi component To safeguard maximum functionality and to avoid problems up operation it is important that you carefully study this user manual and that you follow all instructions therein precisely The RKV Mk II excels through a number of technical details that are unique for a tube based device in this price category By design only tubes are found inside the signal path of the RKV Solid state electronics are only used to create a stable voltage supply and to2. AUDIO VALVE warrants its components for a three year period on all electronics and a 90 day period on the tubes from the purchase date In the event of a failure of your amplifier AUDIO VALVE will repair or readjust this unit or should the occasion arise will replace it provided that all conditions stipulated in this warranty are met In order to initiate service of any kind it is necessary to obtain distributor or dealer authorization prior to shipping the unit for service Any of the following conditions shall void the warranty e Operation not in accordance with this manual e Abuse accidental damage or unauthorized modifications as determined by AUDIO VALVE or its agents exclusively e Removal defacing or falsifying of the serial numbers e Shipping without the original complete factory crates WARRANTY REGISTRATION Please fill out and return this warranty form to the distributor within 15 days of the purchase date or visit the AudioValve homepage for ONLINE warranty registration its cheaper and faster e MODEL e SERIAL NUMBER e PURCHASE DATE e AUTHORIZED AUDIO VALVE DEALER e PURCHASER S NAME e STREET ADDRESS e CITY e ZIP POSTAL CODE Send to AUDIO VALVE H Becker Auf dem Streken 7 D 32689 KALLETAL GERMANY AUDIO VALVE german tube technology ce mer wy an diovaly ede 32 689 EKaletil nf dem Sieken 7 GER MANY phone 49 S54 7799 fax 495964654477 DECLARATION OF CON
3. 60 0 70 0 2000 00 Hz77 38 d8 80 0 3000 00 Hz 84 36 dB 90 0 ha td dg a 400 500 600 700 800 1 0k 3 0k 4 0k 50k 60k 7 0k 8 0k 90k 20k Frequency Hz The picture shows the fuses and their values for one audio channel In case of a defect they have to be exchanged by versions of the same value The lower one is 0 63 Ampere Slow The upper one is 3 15 Ampere Slow These pictures show the distortion spectra of the RKV The main distortion component is K2 which results in a pleasent sound characteristic if audible at all at these low levels 8 Use of the IMPEDANZER In case headphones with impedances below 100 Ohm are to be connected it is recommended to use the so called Impedanzer for a better match between amplifier and load impedance This device allows to connect headphones with impedances between 8 64 Ohm Also high efficiency loudspeakers can be connected through the two pairs of connectors at both sides of the front The rotary switch selects the right amount of impedance matching In case of doubt optimal matching can be established by ear At the middle of the front plate two headphone jacks can be found Again optimal matching can be selectec by the switch The backside of the Impedanzer has a cable connector that is to be connected to one of the headphone jacks of the RKV If you like to use two headphones of the same load impedance please select a matching impedance at the Impedanzer that equals half the i
4. control 2 stereo jackets 6 3 mm for headphones tubes 4 PCL 805 PCL 85 or 18 GV 8 german old TV vertikal ampl tube power output each channel 3 watt SINUS between 100 and 400 ohm loads bandwidth 15 100 000 hz damping factor 3600 distortion 0 002 at 1 Watt 200 Ohm load maximum output voltage 80V IC fullautomatically controlled bias class A power consumption 60 watt size 360 200 120 mm d w h weight 7 2 kg e more interesting links example in www head fi com A softstart prevents high initial currents through the cold low impedance heating element This prevents the element to break at its most narrow spot Of special interest with respect to headphone protection 1s the suppression of all amplifier activity at the warming up phase of the amplifier and at power down During these phases charging currents and large voltage variations may cause damage to your headphone To prevent such damages a BLOOB Eliminator has been added that shortens the outputs of the amplifier and thereby protects the phone NOTE The output will become active after approximately 1 minute after power ON Please keep your volume settings low during this period At power OFF the outputs are shortened for 10 seconds only Internal discharges are by then completed ry Overall Level 10 12 dBA Left Channel SA 10 0 X 20 0 asus 60 440 dBA 30 0 g 8 40 0 3 S a amp 50 0 2 co
5. damage the device Please allow the amplifier at least two hours to acclimatise The amplifier comes fully assembled ready to go The powercord should not be used as yet please connect all other input and output connectors first cinch cables speaker cables etc The decive MUST be switched off while connecting it to other components it might be damaged if this is done with the amplifier under power The person operating the amplifier might be hurt as well in this case since powerspikes operating currents and voltage charges may occur Check whether the ON OFF switch is in the OFF position If so you can now plug in the powercord Use high quality cables only Usage of DIY cables low spec cables or cables intended for other use voids all warranty and cancels any product liability Make sure all plugs are connected tightly to the amplifier When in doubt replace the cable Allways use the device in a complete configuration damages may occur when devices are not connected to the amplifier when it is being run Never lift the device by its glass cover The amplifier should be positioned at a level surface in time the construction of the glass housing may fail as a result of tensile forces Please check all connectors If all connectors are undamaged make sure the switch is in the OFF position connect the powercord and swith the amplifier on You can make sure the amplifier is properly connected by checking the tubes and th
6. FORMITY Compal bility Da rectiv Low volge Dect Siamdard wed For AUDIOVALYE tube amplifier model Manufacturer AudoValve tube techndogy center Auf dem Streken 7 32 639 K ALLETAL GERMANY Statement of Conformity Based on the testresult using appropriate s tandands the product is in conformity with Mlectrome rte 89 33 gEEC 92 3 LERC 93 oS EEC AATEC 93 0 EEC EN 550131 EWN 6100032 EN 6100033 EN 60335 EN S AFPLE TESTS 1993 and subseque nt modific aons Limits and methods of measurement of radio dis turbanc characteristics of broadcast re cetvers and associated equipment 1995 and subseqie nt modific ahons Mec iromagnetic com patibility Part3 Limits Section 2 Limits for hamon amp current emission equipment Input curred lt 16A per phase 1995 and subseque nt modific aons Fler iromagnetic com pathi l ty Part3 Limits Section 2 Limitation of voltage fluciatons and flicker in lo volt e supply system forequipment wth rated curen t 16 613051 EN 613053 CEL 84 3 CEL 843 CET 84 8 The tests have been performedin a typical confizumton This Confonnity isindicated by the symbol CE Confomite europe eme
7. amplifier The potentiometer has a logarithmic scale The RKV is capable of extremely high sound levels This has the danger of severe hearing damage While listening to headphones we lack several feedback mechanisms on volume level that are present when we listen to loudspeakers Much less distortion no feeling of the lower frequencies by our body and no psychological restraints not to annoy our fellow men easily seduces us to listen at volume levels that are detrimental to our hearing Hearing damage from regular exposure to high sound levels progresses slowly but is irreversible and can result in permanent hearing loss Please choose your volume setting with caution At the right side of the front the power switch and the power indication LED are found The blue LED 1s lid with the power ON and mutes as soon as you switch the amplifier OFF Headphone Volume Power udio alve RKV Mark Il Main Power waio alve model R K V Mark Il ser no Right Left Voltage C power consumption 60 VA fuse Input The black jack at the upper left of the backside is the IEC power inlet Inside the power inlet a fuse can be found as a protection against overload For the 117 V version the value of the fuse should be 1 Ampere Slow For the 235 V version the fuse is 0 63 Ampere Slow Please only change the fuse with the powercord disconnected and if you re sure
8. and a technically impeccable reproduction with a typical tube sound were major design goals All these requirements were fulfilled with the RKV The concept of the RKV has no output transformer It is a typical example of an OTL design The only problem that remained was to eliminate the signs of wear and tear normally associated with tubes e g increasing tolerances humm microfonie etc These problems generally take a lot of effort to deal with By using a high quality opamp a DC servo could be created that eliminates all the negative aspects of tubes Even the base line settings are automatically stabilised independent of the age of the tube Thus even tubes can be used that are approaching their end of life In summary the servo control system prevents any losses in quality of sound during the entire life time of the tubes In case your headphone has a low impedance we recommend to use the Impedanzer which has outputs for 8 16 32 64 Ohm headphones Also high efficiency loudspeakers can be driven 2 Manufacturers information Factory address AUDIO VALVE H Becker Auf dem Streken 7 D 32689 KALLETAL GERMANY Tel 0049 0 5264 77 99 Fax 0049 0 5264 65 44 77 VAT ID 125 673 965 Email service audiovalve into website www audiovalve de 3 Safety precautions Important Please read the user manual before assembly and operation of the amplifier Anyone unable to comprehend the instructions stated in the
9. compensate for the low production tolerances of tubes The RK V ist build in double mono 1 e each channel has its own power supply Even in devices at a much higher price range this feature is not a standard For the technicians amongst us the RKV has been build as a differential amplifier and therefore the output voltage is always in phase with the input signal Of course an ALPS potentiometer is used to control volume Like all other Audio Valve amplifiers the RKV is build inside a hard coated case of laser cut steel with gold plated terminals A few important notes The most successful Audio Valve tube amplifier is the RKV that has been launched in 1984 Traditional tube technology has been discarded and through new and uncommon solutions a concept has been created that was and is unique in the construction of amplifiers However modern solid state technology was not discarded and thus a product was build that reflects 40 years of electronical development The concept is copy protected by the patent DE 3200 51T Why a headphone amplifier Can t we simply use the output of a receiver The answer is a clear NO To faithfully reproduce the extreme dynamic range that modern CD players allow high quality dynamic headphones need driving voltages that are much higher than those provided by the power supplies of transistor devices To allow adequate output levels was one of the requirements for the new amplifier In addition short circuit protection
10. e blue LED at the front of the amplifier Only the inside of each tube should glow If the steel coverjacket glows as well the device is faulty and must be serviced immediately As a rule of thumb the device should work now Don t push the volume up to its maximum yet and allow the device to burn in smoothly and avoid powerspikes The RK V Amplifier needs at least a 10 Ampere circuit breaker between its powercord and the mains Make sure your wallsocket 1s equiped in such a fashion 6 Operating instructions The frontside of the RKV has a number of controls whose functions need some explanation At the left you find two 6 3 mm headphone jacks Internally these jacks are connected in parallel Both can be used to connect headphones with an load impedance of 100 2000 Ohm Please do not connect devices with a lower impedance the output of the amplifier is shortened and the life time of the tubes is reduced drastically You may also connect an impedanzer to one of the headphone jacks which allows you to use low impedance headphones Please do not connect an additional headphone in case the impedanzer is used It might be forgotten and be loaded with an uncontrolled high output level This could damage the heaphone Please connect your headphone to the jacks at low sound levels only At the middle of the front you find the ALPS potentiometer to control volume It has a 51 kOhm impedance which 1s at the same time the input impedance of the
11. mpedance of each headphone Example Both headphones have a 32 Ohm load impedance and both are connected Please select the 16 Ohm setting for a proper matching The two pictures show the frontplate and a photograph of the Impedanzer and visualize the various control elements Upgrading Febr 2004 The Impedanzer is equipped with a bypass switch that completely removes the built in transformer from the circuit a so called true bypass This feature allows the RKV owner to hook up headphones such as the AKG K 1000 directly to the speaker binding posts of the Impedanzer using the headphone s standard cables and without any need for custom terminations At the same time the RK V s output impedance remains unchanged resulting in a perfect impedance match between RKV and headphone When the bypass switch is facing upwards the Impedanzer s impedance selector is activated and may be adjusted to loads of 8 16 32 and 64 Ohms When the bypass switch is facing downwards the impedance selector is bypassed and the RKV will work best into loads of approximately 100 Ohms or higher A word of warning The volume control of the RKV should always be turned all the way down before operating the bypass switch Bypassing the Impedanzer will otherwise result in a considerable jump in volume which may damage your hearing or your equipment RKV Mark II impedancer Speaker Speaker left Outputs right WARRANTY
12. ted from grounded mass 4 Intended use Application AUDIO VALVE Hi Fi Amplifiers are intended for use for the situations listed below only To play and transfer music of any make and fashion when this occurs in private dwellings or studios All devices must be operated under moderate climatological circumstances comparable to those under which human beings usually live When the surrounding temperature is too high the device will heat up beyond its optimal parameters This can damage the amplifier Proper ventilation will be needed and the amplifier should not be covered in Allow approximately 3 cm of air sidewise and approximately 4 cm above the amplifier to cool the amplifier Unusually high humidity of the air increases the risk of shortcircuits in the device because of the increased conductivity This reduces the internal insulation values dramatically and will eventually result in a malfunction of the amplifier This increased conductivity also might endanger the user of the device In general terms the amplifier should not be used for other than its intended purpose Factory assembly amp getting started Once the amplifier has arrived at its desired destination make sure the amplifier has ample time to adjust to the climate at its new location It is likely that the changes in temperature and humidity between the last location and the new one has caused condensation to build up somewhere in the amplifier This can
13. that the amplifier 1s not defective Below the power inlet you find two pairs of RCA inputs to connect the source of your audio signal The two pairs of inputs are connected in parallel Thus you can bypass the input signal to another amplification or recording device Please use either the lower or the upper pair of RCA inputs to connect your source Whenever the device 1s to be serviced please disconnect the powercord Only a knowledgable technician should have access to the amplifier This survey of the PCB s will explain the most important elements for service The four tubes are all equal and of the type PCL 805 Thereby the amplifier is relatively secure from overload The two tubes at the left side belong to the same audio channel To be mentioned are 4 fuses for the two mono channels The 0 5 Ampere fuses are for the anodal current regulation and the large 3 15 Ampere versions protect the heating circuitries Normally these fuses will hardly fail as the inrush current at power ON 1s reduced to acceptable levels by a guarding circuitry In case a fuse is to be exchanged please make sure you use the same value and not a higher one If you want to exchange tubes please disconnect the power cord Also make sure that all pins are properly mounted into the sockets It is not uncommon that a pin 1s bend and doesn t enter the socket 7 Technical data OTL transformer outless tube amplifier double mono construction Alps volume
14. user manual should not operate the device Children and minors are not to use the device and should be kept at a safe distance from the device while it is running The user is responsible for operating the device in an appropriate fashion and takes full responsibility towards third parties At first use electrical safety 1s to be checked through professional assessment Please check that the mains voltage printed on the rear panel of the amplifier corresponds with the mains voltage in the country where you intend to use the amplifier Always check powercords and plugs for damage before use Disconnect the powercord before any service to the amplifier In the unlikely event of a failure of the device repairs may be performed by AUDIO VALVE authorized technicians only Use ORIGINAL spare parts only Please take note of the fact that we decline product liability for damages caused by our devices parts and components as a result of a Unprofessional and or faulty and or correct repairs that have been performed in other than the by AUDIO VALVE approved repair facilities b Usage of other than ORIGINAL and approved spare parts The RK V Amplifier is subject to and complies with German security class 1 for devices with metal housing The device is grounded and may not by manipulation or otherwise be ungrounded for any reason To prevent humm as a result of ground loops the electrical circuitry internally has been disconnec
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search