Audio Valve LUMINARE 2015 User manual

LUMINARE
Instruction Manual
model – 2015
ultra highend mulit function headphone amplifier
We congratulate you with the purchase of this superb AUDIOVALVE - HiFi co ponent.
This handcrafted product has been anufactured with only your ost de anding require ents in
ind. It was ade to afford you any years of usical enjoy ent.
AUDIOVALVE guarantees that this a plifier has been produced under the strictest of guidelines and with
respect for procedures acquired through decades of tube a plifier design. Your SUNILDA Pre-a plifier has
been thoroughly tried and tested in all details.
I personally guarantee the quality of this product
Hel ut Becker, Design & Production

LUMINARE ultra highend headphone tube amplifier
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Table of contents
- Introduction and general information
- Manufacturers information
- Safety precautions
- Intended use / Application / Factory assembly & getting started
- Operating instructions & technical features
- Set up and installation
- arranty / CE confirmation
I n t
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Dear client, we congratulate you on your purchase of this superb AUDIOVALVE HiFi co ponent.
To safeguard maximum functionality and to avoid operating problems, it is important for
you to carefully study this owners manual and to follow all instructions therein
precisely!
G e
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I portant instructions, regarding safety, security and operational reliability while using the
SUNILDA Pre-A plifier are highlighted throughout this anual.
F a
c t
o ry a
ddr e
ss :
AUDIOVALVE, H. Becker,
U bachsweg 70
D-34 123 KASSEL
GERMANY,
Tel.: 0049 - (0) 561 7013360
Fax: 0049 - (0) 561 6029293
E ail: i
n f o @ a
ud i
o v al
v e .
i
n f o
website: w
w w
. a
ud i
o v al
v e . info

LUMINARE ultra highend headphone tube amplifier
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I portant: Study the owners anual before asse bly and operation of the a plifier
Anyone, unable to co prehend the instructions stated in the owners anual should not operate the
device.
Children and inors are not to use the device and should be kept at a safe distance fro the
device during it is running.
The user is responsible for operating the device in an appropriate fashion and it takes full
responsibility towards third parties. Before the a plifier can be used the first ti e, suitability of taken
precautions regarding electrical safety ust be approved through professional assess ent.
Check that the ains voltage printed on the rear panel of the a plifier corresponds with the line
voltage in the territory where you intend to use the a plifier.
Always check power-cords and plugs for da age before use.
Disconnect the power-cord before work is being done on the a plifier.
In the unlikely case of a failure of the device repairs ay be perfor ed by
AUDIOVALVE authorized technicians only. Use
ORIGINAL spare parts only!
Re ove the foa under the top acryl glass
Please take note of the fact that we waive product liability for da ages caused by our devices,
parts and co ponents as a result of:
a) Unprofessional and / or faulty and / or correct repairs that have been performed in
other than the by AUDIOVALVE approved repair facilities,
b) Usage of other than ORIGINAL and approved spare parts.
c) use within a channel for exchange only possible tubes of one type from the same
manufacturer.
d) Use of headphones over 100 ohms the OTL mode and or IMPEDANCER mode, use for
headphones with low impedances only the IMPEDANCER mode
The LUMINARE A plifier is subject to and co plies with Ger an security class 1
for devices with etal housing. The device is grounded, and ay not – by anipulation or otherwise -
be ungrounded for any reason! To prevent hu as a result of interconnecting your devices with the
A plifier, the internal electrical circuitry has been designed to have no grounded ass !!
The RKV is capable of extre ely high sound levels. This has the danger of severe hearing da age.
While listening to headphones we lack several feedback echanis s on volu e 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- en easily seduces us to listen at volu e
levels that are detri ental to our hearing. Hearing da age fro regular exposure to high sound levels
progresses slowly but is irreversible and can result in per anent hearing loss.
!! Please choose your olume setting with caution !!

LUMINARE ultra highend headphone tube amplifier
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The Lu inare was developed especially for the highest-quality reproduction with earphone-sand serves
very well co plete range of i pedances fro 8 up to 2000 oh s and electrostatic headphones. He
unfolds his big strength with roughly 5 watts per canal in 100 oh s.
The a plifier owns switchable entrances. Thus can be connected, e.g., CD player and TUNER at the
sa e ti e.
The circuit of the a plifier owns 4 tubes of the Type PCL 805 and prepares the signal for the output
stage tubes as OTL ode first line and support a step down / step up output transfor er for STAX or
low i pedance headphones.
The final tubes work constantly in Class A and are post-regulated auto atically opti ally in the Bias
closed current, so that tolerance and aging of the tubes do not atter.
The care tensions are won fro a strong, free of litter, Torodial-Transfo ator. The a plifier itself rests
on one single two-page printed circuit board and was adapted signal-technically opti ally. All parts on
the PCB are of the best quality and selected carefully to do justice to the require ents of the
reproduction in every regard. The case is fro etal and prevents interferences fro the outside. It is
available in the colors black and silver as standard and in a new ore expensive line na ed "IVORY
EDITION".
Like all products of AudioValve this a plifier also distinguishes itself especially by his exceptional
usicality which is based at last also on the fantastic technical values of the circuit and their stability. As
a user you will be able to enjoy this product in the highest perfection for any years enthusiastically and
co e with it to the pleasure of fantastically detached usical reproduction with your headphones.

LUMINARE ultra highend headphone tube amplifier
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Product Description
I do not really know why I have driven this project forward not any years ago. I think I was busy with a
lot of other develop ents as well as trivial things like earning oney for exa ple. Perhaps ine is
si ply unaware that their headphones and a plifiers are experiencing a large hipe for years.
Anyway, the beginning of 2014 resulted in discussion with colleagues that I would have so e products
in y progra that see ed al ost ideally suited to put with the require ents of the headphone arket
apart.
No sooner said than done.
First, the IMPEDANCER befell a technical revision, it was expanding the range of applications for the
RKV Mark 2 significantly, especially as a fe ale teflon connector for headphones STAX was inter
alternates. The bias voltage was obtained fro the voltage signal, so no external power supply is in
advance required. VERTO was born and VERTO laid the foundation for all further considerations in this
topic, cul inating now in the product with the na e LUMINARE.
I can excuse at this point only for e actually that I started so funda entally i portant develop ent in
the headphones sector so late (I slept through) and had thus deprived the public a potentially
groundbreaking product. Many of you have their oney invested now possibly poorly because there
was nothing else on the arket - that really a sorry.
But now back to Lu inare.
It see ed to e as the basis for such a project, the OTL circuit of the RKV downright aweso e. First,
they had already clai ed stable over decades in the arket and on the other they had characteristics
that should prove to be just the Lu inare be extre ely efficient and ore full develop ent. There would
be for exa ple the superior da ping factor, low internal resistance, high bandwidth, and not least the
low har onic distortion he always particularly distinguished the RKV.
Now it was in principle "only" about output transfor ers so be interconnected in the OTL principle,
which can be obtained if possible upright with transfor er all these benefits. The advantage to couple a
outpt transfor er to an OTL circuit is that the repercussions and influences on the circuit itself ( either
headphones or transfor ers ) are considerably lower. And this brings a projection on presence in the
usic, the listener will appreciate very quickly.
Everything else on this project was for e then just "routine". A new circuit board develop, expand the
circuit according to the light of all electro - physical principles and y over 45 years of experience in this
topic.
And ladies and gentle en, I a ore than satisfied with y work, I hope you are there also - Hel ut
Becker

LUMINARE ultra highend headphone tube amplifier
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The new LUMINARE headphone tube a plifier is a beauty. It's ability to render fully believable, 3D
usical i ages, replete with har onic richness is unparalleled. That's what it co es back to, again -
usic. A id all the subjective observations and objective easure ents that one can uster, the
ineffable, e otional feel of the usic is what any of us are seeking. And it will be so easy you'll
wonder how you ever survived without it. The LUMINARE is si ply such a stellar perfor er it doesn't
leave uch left to be desired.
AudioValve puts ost of our budget towards the sound quality of our design and co ponents rather
than all of the audio jewellery and arketable designs featured by so e of the co parable sounding
a plifiers on the arket. We would say on sound alone it outclasses its price point, for design and fit
and finish it fulfils our expectations of an established co pany in this price range. Sound wise this
a plifier ticks all the boxes, great tonality, world class 3D sound stage, a noise floor on par with all but
the very best valve based a plifiers, and acro and icro dyna ics in spades. The sound quality of
the LUMINARE is of absolute top reference level for an OTL based headphone tube a plifier. The pros
to this are rock very low noise floor, low distortions, high frequency range, high da ping, very natural
and usical tonality, wide i pedance atching, perfect open sound stage and so on. This a p isn't for
the weak of heart - this is an audioholic's . Highly reco ended is an understate ent, we can't tell you
how i pressed we have been with the develop ent of this headphone tube a plifier.
LUMINARE ultra highend headphone tube amplifier
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Controls and operation on the front and rear panel
On the left side of the front aperture , the 4 jacks for headphones, a ode switch and volu e control.
The headphone jacks are connected in parallel when using the 6.3 connectors. For the use of XLR
connectors , take the lower bushing for the right ear and the top of the left ear .
Below the 4 headphone jacks is the Mode switch. Use it to select the ode with which you want to hear.
Use the LOW IMP. or OTL or STAX ode if you have a high-i pedance headphones (> 100 Oh s) , or
benefit you if your headset has the IMP ode less than 100 oh s i pedance , or if you intend to use
speakers. Which usical i pedance best suit with your headphones , you have to find out for yourself.
Just turn on the IMPEDANCE switch.
With the black rocker switch under the MUTE switch you can select the source you want to listen to
between input 1 or 2. In open ode when LED light up will be supported INPUT 2. Input 1 are also
equipped with XLR inputs. INPUT 2 is contrructed as loop between the both pairs RCA connectors. On
the right is the power switch. When the unit is in operation, a green LED lights in the switch.
LUMINARE ultra highend headphone tube amplifier
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The excellent results the headphone a plifier LUMINARE provides, are not only based on the
sophisticated design of the circuit board. A perfect developed circuit design is only perfect when it is
i ple ented in accordance with the practice.
For all these products AudioValve theoretical and practical sy boise is har onious and coherent.
This leads to a atchless usical reproduction of all sound sources.
Also in LUMINARE is a fully auto atic biasing servo controller to use. In our new approach we have
chosen a OPA134.
The black jack at 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 3,15 A pere Slow.
For the 235 V version the fuse is 1,6 A pere Slow.
Please only change the fuse with the power-cord disconnected and if you're sure that the a plifier is not
defective!
LUMINARE ultra highend headphone tube amplifier
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USAGE
USAGE
Dear AudioValve fan,
we are delighted that you have for your audio - have bought a device fro AudioValve hobby. We know
this uch appreciated and will always strive to eet your expectations.
The LUMINARE is a logical develop ent of our highly successful predecessor odels RKV. This
a plifier is designed for playing usic through headphones in the first place, and can act in different
i pedances. You can also use the a plifier but also for playing background usic about speakers.
Playing usic through speakers has inor i portance because the power of the a plifier is rated for
headphones.
The AudioValve - LUMINARE is a s all-power a plifier, specially designed to drive headphones. It
offers a sound quality and driving capabilities far beyond that of an ordinary headphone socket found on
a CD-player or a plifier and thus allows you to exploit the full sonic potential of your headphones.
Due to the close contact to your ears, headphones provide an extre e channel separation whilst
listening to stereo recordings. Unlike loudspeakers, none of the sonic infor ation in the left channel is
acoustically transferred to the right ear and vice versa. Although this adds to the extre e high level of
detail that can be achieved with headphones, it subconsciously also introduces ental stress. The
natural correlation of stereo sound interpreted by the brain is lost.
The AudioValve - LUMINARE not only offers nor al stereo reproduction of your usic, but it also has a
facility to add so e of the left channel infor ation to that of the right channel and vice versa. Thus
ental stress is reduced and usic can be enjoyed with ore ease.
For safety and in order to obtain the best possible results with your new headphone prea plifier, we
ask you to read these instructions carefully. The LUMINARE was developed by usic-lovers for usic-
lovers and we hope that it will serve you well for a long ti e.
Connections
At the rear side of the AudioValve - LUMINARE ore pairs of inputs allow you to connect different audio
sources that have typical output voltages (CD- player, cassette-player, tuner, ini disc-player, ...). The
source you want to listen to can be selected by the rocker switch at the iddle on the front side of the
a p.
The LUMINARE can also be used as a prea p. He has two gold-plated RCA connectore for pickup a
signal for a power a p. Its signal co e fro the OTL stages divided signal level by 10.
Your headphone should be connected to one of the headphone - sockets on the front side of the
LUMINARE. You can also use the sockets to connect two headphones si ultaneously.
The sockets are 2 intended for 6.35 stereo jacks and for XLR jackets too. The left jacket support
the left channel ( XLR pin 2 ) and the botto jacket support the right channel ( XLR pin 2 ). If your
headphone only has a 3.5 jack, then use an adapter that can be obtained in ost electronics or
audio shops.
Before you switch ON the a p, please connect all cablers and turn down the volu e control, the switch
ON the a p. After 1 Minute turn up the vulu e and hear whats going on ....

LUMINARE ultra highend headphone tube amplifier___________________
The headphone protector reliably protects the headphones fro pulses that can occur when switching
ON or switching OFF the a plifier. The outputs of the a plifier are shorted for this ti e both on power
as in both cases.
NOTE: When you switch ON the a p - please turn down the volu e pot co pletety. In its ti e when
the poutputs are short circuit for protect the headphone, the a p no like a signal.
- CLIPPING / OVERLOAD circuit -
When the red sine wave at the output of the OPA reaches the upper or lower li it of supply voltage (out
of range), one of the two red LED ( green / blue wave ) lights as an indication of an overload of the
a plifier. Then either the volu e is too high, i pedance is is atched, or a tube of this channel is
faulty.
A word of warning:
The volu e control of the LUMINARE should always be turned all the way down before
operating any rotary switch. When you turn thehz MODE switch in a considerable ju p in
volu e, which ay da age your hearing or your equip ent.

LUMINARE ultra highend headphone tube amplifier___________________
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AUDIOVALVE Hi-Fi A plifiers are intended for use under the following circu stances only:
- To play and transfer usic of any ake and fashion when this occurs in private dwellings
or studios.
- All devices ust be operated under oderate cli atological circu stances, co parable to
those under which hu an beings usually live. When the surrounding te perature is too high,
the device will heat up beyond its opti al para eters. This can da age the a plifier.
Proper ventilation will be needed, and the a plifier should not be covered in. Allow
approxi ately 3 c of air sidewise and approxi ately 4 c above the a plifier to cool
the a plifier.
- Unusually high hu idity of the air increases the risk of short circuits in the device
because
of the increased conductivity. This reduces the internal insulation values dra atically
and will eventually result in a alfunction of the a plifier. This increased conductivity
also ight endanger the user of the device. In general ter s the a plifier should not be
used for other than its intended purpose.
Factory assembly & getting started
Once the a plifier has arrived at its desired destination, ake sure the a plifier has a ple ti e to
adjust to the cli ate at its new location. It is likely that the changes in te perature and hu idity
between the last location and the new one, has caused condensation to build up so ewhere in the
a plifier.
This can da age the device. Please allow the a plifier at least two hours to accli atise.
The a plifier co es fully asse bled, ready to go. The power-cord should not be used as yet, please
connect all other input and output connectors first (cinch-cables, speaker-cables, etc).
The device MUST be switched off during it connecting to other co ponents, it ight be da aged if
this will be done with the a plifier under power. The person operating the a plifier ight be hurt as
well in this case, since power-spikes, operating currents and voltage charges ay occur!
Check whether the ON/OFF switch is in the OFF position. If so, you can now plug in the
power-cord.
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 a plifier. When in doubt, replace the cable.
Always use the device in a ’ co plete configuration ’ , da ages ay occur when devices are not
connected to the a plifier when it is being run.
Never lift the device by its glass cover, not even when there are gripps attached to the cover. The
gripps and the cover are there for orna ental purposes only. They ake the a plifier look nice.
The a plifier should be positioned at a level surface, in ti e the construction of the glass housing
ay fail as a result of tensile forces.
Please disconnect and ove the a plifier when you replace tubes. Replace the at a place where
you can work easily. You ight da age the ’ otherboard ’ if you replace the tube in an awkward
position. After that please check all connectors. If all connectors are unda aged, ake sure the
switch is in the OFF position, reconnect the power-cord and switch the a plifier on. You can ake
sure the a plifier is properly connected by checking the tubes. Only the inside of the tube should
glow. If the steel cover jacket glows as well, the device is faulty and ust be serviced i ediately.
As a rule of thu b the device should work now. Don ’ t push the volu e up to its axi u just yet,
allow the device to burn in s oothly and avoid power-spikes.
The LUMINARE Pre-A plifier needs at least a 1.6 A pere slow blow circuit breaker in the fuse
holder for 230 VAC ain voltage and 3,15 a pere slow blow by 115 VAC. Make sure your wall socket is
equipped in such a fashion.

LUMINARE ultra highend headphone tube amplifier
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Technical specifications and features:
power consu ption: 60 VA no inal - 100 VA full load
power switch ON / OFF
headphone protector
auto gain switch for STAX
2 x switchable inputs 1+2
input 1: set XLR jacks with parallel RCA
input 2: RCA only 2 pair jacks as signal IN / OUT loop
1 x RCA PRE - OUT, 20 :1
2 x NEUTRIK Co bo jacks 6,3 + XLR
1 NEUTRIK 4 pin headphone jack
1 x STAX Teflon fe ale connector
1 x ALPS Potentio eter
1 x 3 ode switch, LI - OTL - STAX
and ore ...
In summary, this means:
Note: Thus is L U M I N A R E the ONE AND ONLY headphone a plifier on the arket that is able to
drive all standard headphone loads, starting fro 3 oh up to 145.000 oh s.

LUMINARE ultra highend headphone tube amplifier
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LO IMPEDANCE mode: - test load 32
Oh :
( ax: 4,5 watt power output / ch. )
1 Khz - 0,1 watt - 0,06 %
1 Khz - 1 watt - 0,15 %
1 Khz - 4,5 watt - 1 %
10 Khz - 0,1 watt - 0,06 %
10 Khz - 1 watt - 0,15 %
bandwide: 15 - 100.000 Hz
da ping: 15
in.: load 3 oh ( 3 watt / 0,33 watt -
0,15% )
OTL mode: test load 220
Oh .
( ax: 3,5 watt power output /
ch. )
1 Khz - 0,1 watt - 0,015 %
1 Khz - 1 watt - 0,08 %
1 Khz - 3,3 watt - 1 %
10 Khz - 0,1 watt - 0,08 %
10 Khz - 0,5 watt - 0,1 %
bandwide: 12 - 150.000 Hz
da ping: 600
gain: 32 dB
ax. load 2000 oh s
tested exa ple:
1200 Ohm load: 5.5 att
max: -
New Audeze "Prototype-Z"
STAX mode: ( auto gain
control )
bandwide: 15 - 150.000 Hz
bias: 300 + 580 VDC
Vpp: ax: 1700 VAC
gain: 34,5 dB + 15,5 dB = 50dB
gain overview :
Mode: ( red ) Low-Imp signal on all black headphone jacks 16.5dB / and STAX connector 3 dB + 6dB
( galvanic coupled sym. balanced complementary output STAX connector signal ) summary: 38 db.
Mode: ( blue ) OTL , summary: 3 dB ( amps gain only, step - up transformer less ) - STAX connector not signal
supported. Output transformer not in use.
Mode: ( yellow ) STAX only, summary: 50dB ( 3 dB + ,5 dB auto gain increase +15.5dB galvanic coupled
balanced step up tranformer ) all other jacks not output signal supported.

LUMINARE ultra highend headphone tube amplifier
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Warranty
AUDIOVALVE warrants its co ponents for a three-year period on all electronics and a 90 - day
period on the tubes fro the purchase date.
In the event of a failure of your a plifier, AUDIOVALVE will repair or readjust this unit or, should
the occasion arise, will replace it provided that all conditions stipulated in this warranty are et.
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:
 Operation not in accordance with this anual.
 Abuse , accidental da age or unauthorized odifications , as deter ined by AUDIOVALVE
or its agents exclusively.
 Re oval, defacing or falsifying of the serial nu bers.
 Shipping without the original co plete factory crates.
A
RR A N
T Y R E GI
ST R A
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Please fill out and return this warranty form to the distributor within 15 days of the purchase
date, or fill out our online warranty registration form at: w w w. a
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 MODEL :
 SERIAL NUMBER :
 PURCHASE DATE :
 AUTHORIZED AUDIO - VALVE DEALER:
 PURCHASER`S NAME :
 STREET ADDRESS :
 CITY :
 ZIP / POSTAL CODE :

LUMINARE ultra highend headphone tube amplifier
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Certificate of Co pliance
Restriction of the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
We certify that all of our products (exceptions see listed below) are co pliant with the European Union
Directive 2002/95/EC for the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and
Electronic Equip ent (RoHS).
No Lead (Pb), Cad iu (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Hexavalent Chro iu (Cr+6), PBB or PBDE is
intentionally added to these devices. Any trace i purities of these substances contained in the parts are
below the RoHS specified threshold levels.
All infor ation provided in this Certificate of Co pliance is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of
the date this Certification was issued.
________________
Certificate of Co pliance
Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of che icals (REACh)
We declare that all of our products European Union Directive EC1907/206 for the Registration,
Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of che icals (REACh), and contain none or less than 0.1% of
the che icals listed as hazardous che icals in the REACh regulation. All infor ation provided in this
Certificate of Co pliance is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the date this Certification was
issued.

LUMINARE ultra highend headphone tube amplifier
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Declaration of Confor ity
EMC and Low Voltage Directive (CE)
Product Name: AudioValve Model name: LUMINARE
This is to certify that the product listed above co plies with the following European Union Council
Directives and Standards relating to electro agnetic co patibility (EMC Directive 89/336/EEC) and the
low voltage Directive (73/23/EEC).
This declaration of confor ity of the European Co unities is the result of an exa ination carried out
by
Electro agnetic Engineering Services, Inc. in accordance with European Standards EN 50081-1, EN
50082-1 and EN 60065 for low voltage, as laid down in Article 10 of the EMC Directive.
Hel ut Becker, AudioValve
U bachsweg 70
34 123 KASSEL - Germany
U-St.Ident.Nr.: DE 264830259
WEEE-Reg.Nr.: DE 81178274