Absolare Integrated Amplifier User manual

ABSOLARE Integrated Amplifier
User Manual

2
ABSOLARE Integrated Amplifier User Manual 1.2

3
ABSOLARE Integrated Amplifier User Manual 1.2
Contents
1. General Description ...............................................................................................................4
2. Safety Issues and Warnings ...................................................................................................4
3. Unpacking and Placement .....................................................................................................5
4. Installing the Tubes ................................................................................................................6
5. Connecting the Cables ...........................................................................................................7
5.1. Power cables ...................................................................................................................7
5.2. Signal Cables....................................................................................................................7
5.3. Speaker Cables ................................................................................................................7
6. Operating the Unit .................................................................................................................8
6.1. General Operation...........................................................................................................8
6.2. Setting the Volume Level ................................................................................................8
6.3. Input Transformer Switch ...............................................................................................8
7. Troubleshooting and Maintenance .......................................................................................9
8. Technical Specifications .........................................................................................................9

4
ABSOLARE Integrated Amplifier User Manual 1.2
1. General Description
The Absolare Integrated Amplifier is hybrid design single piece integrated stereo
amplifier. Single ended tube input section is inspired from the Absolare Preamplifier
and output section is all solid-state, dual mono construction. Transformer balanced
(XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) input versions are available.
2. Safety Issues and Warnings
- Be sure the voltage setting of the unit matches the applied voltage to power
input. Operating voltage is fixed and must only be changed by an authorized service
agent.
- Do not connect unbalanced subwoofer input terminals to speaker outputs!
Absolare Integrated Amplifier has a balanced output stage. Neither of the speaker
output terminals should be connected to ground. Doing so may permanently damage
the amplifier. Please consult your dealer about correct subwoofer connection.
- This unit is not bridgeable.
- Do not short circuit the speaker terminals. The output is protected for short
circuits, but speaker damage may occur from electrical pulses when the connectors
touch to each other.
- Do not touch tubes while operating. Tubes are extremely hot devices and
contain very high voltages.
- Do not open bottom covers.There are no user serviceable parts inside the unit.

5
ABSOLARE Integrated Amplifier User Manual 1.2
3. Unpacking and Placement
After opening the top cover of the box, remove the upper layer of hard foam material.
You can then lift the Amplifier from its box cradling them with the cloth that is
underneath the chassis. Retain the cloth and all packing materials for future use.
The Integrated Amplifier may become very hot during operation. You should always
place it on support feet and leave at least 2 inches (5 cm) clearance above the
Amplifier to allow sufficient ventilation.
The Integrated Amplifier is designed to be supported by separate support feet. It
does not have support feet fixed in place. Feet can affect the sound quality
significantly. Feet must be positioned underneath each unit in direct contact with the
aluminum base plate –not the leather clad MDF covers. There are three areas
where the aluminum base plate is exposed through openings in the leather clad MDF
bottom plate. You can use either three or four feet.
After the Amplifier has been placed in its final position, it can be lifted in turn to locate
the support feet –firstly lifting the back (for 2 feet) and then the front (for 1 or 2 feet)
to be placed underneath the chassis. Adjusting their position will also affect the
sound to varying degrees, depending on the type of rack, location or interaction with
other equipment. For the most situations, the arrangement as shown in the diagram
below is a good starting point.

6
ABSOLARE Integrated Amplifier User Manual 1.2
4. Installing the Tubes
There are two 12AU7 (ECC82) twin triode tubes in the input stage. Do not remove
the tubes while the unit is operating.
12AU7 / ECC82 tubes have one missing pin acting as a correct positioning key.
Align the missing pin with the missing hole in the tube socket while inserting.

7
ABSOLARE Integrated Amplifier User Manual 1.2
5. Connecting the Cables
5.1. Power cables
AC power input is via a standard IEC inlet socket. Operating voltage must only be
changed by an authorized service agent.
The quality of the power cable will affect the sound quality accordingly.
5.2. Signal Cables
Input is single-ended RCA or transformer balanced XLR depending on the version.
You can connect 4 source devices at the same time. The selector knob on the left-
hand side switches between the input channels.
5.3. Speaker Cables
Speaker binding posts can handle spade lugs, banana plugs or bare wire.
Polyethylene knobs are chosen instead of metal ones to reduce extra conductor
mass and eddy currents. Do not overtight them, the higher friction of the
polyethylene should safely secure the cables in place.
You can connect any speaker with 4Ω impedance or above. The Hybrid Mono
Amplifier can maintain output specifications into impedance variations down to 2.5Ω.
CAUTION: Negative (black) speaker binding posts are not at ground level
electrically. Do not connect them to chassis ground, or to each other in any way.
PLEASE NOTE: This unit is not bridgeable.

8
ABSOLARE Integrated Amplifier User Manual 1.2
6. Operating the Unit
6.1. General Operation
Before turning on the Absolare Integrated Amplifier, be sure that all tubes are
installed and all cables are connected securely.
After turning the Amplifier on, the power indicator LED on the front face plate will
start to blink. You will not hear any sound until the indicator LED stops blinking to
illuminate continuously which indicates all the capacitors are charged and internal
voltages are stabilized.
The Absolare Integrated Amplifier will be ready to operate approx. 40 seconds after
turning on the power but attain full performance after 15 to 30 minutes.
6.2. Setting the Volume Level
The Absolare Integrated Amplifier has a 48-step motorized attenuator with IR remote
control. You can either set the volume level by turning the right-hand side knob or via
remote control. Operating angle of the remote control unit is about 45°.
6.3. Input Transformer Switch (GAIN)
If you have XLR (balanced) version, there is an input transformer by-pass switch on
the back plate. The 4:1 input transformer is active when the switch is in the ‘DOWN’
position, inactive when the switch is in the ‘UP’ position.

9
ABSOLARE Integrated Amplifier User Manual 1.2
7. Troubleshooting and Maintenance
Surface of the unit is dirty
Clean with a slightly damp cloth.
No power light
- Check AC line voltage
- Check the main fuse
Remote control is not working
- Check the angle, see section (6.2)
- Check the battery of the remote-control
unit
Power light is on, tube heaters are
glowing, but no sound
- Check the input cables, speaker cables
and source
- Check input selector
- Check if tube(s) are defective
Noise / hum in the sound
- Check grounding of power, input cables
and source
If the problem is persistent, contact your nearest ABSOLARE dealer.
8. Technical Specifications
- Input Sensitivity: 0.5 Volts (Balanced Version 2 Volts)
- Tubes: 2 x (12AU7 / ECC82) –every unit supplied with select NOS tubes
- Inputs: 4 RCA with Single-Ended / 4 XLR with Balanced model
- Input impedance: 100 kΩ
- Output Power: 200 Watts min. @ 4 Ω, 150 Watts min. @ 8 Ω
- 48-step attenuator- IR Remote Control
- Gain: 37 dB
- Bandwidth: 20Hz -20kHz within +/- 0.2dB, 15 Hz –30 KHz +/- 1.0 dB
- Dimensions: 38.2 x 67.4 x 20 cm / 15" x 26.4" x 7.9" (W x D x H), excl. feet
- Weight: 30 kg

ABSOLARE USA LLC
40 Pemberton Road, Nashua, New Hampshire, 03063
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
ABSOLARE SERVICE EUROPE
Mozartstraat 157, 1962AL Heemskerk, Netherlands
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

11
ABSOLARE Integrated Amplifier User Manual 1.2
© 2020 ABSOLARE