Audio Valve RKV Mk II User manual

USER manual for:
RKV – HAA
( Model: 2021 – OTL based on LUM NARE )

We congratulate you with the purchase of this superb AUD OVALVE HiFi component.
This handcrafted product has been manufactured according to your wishes,
and will allow you many years of musical joy.
AUD O 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.

RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp )
RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp ) _________________________dynamic headphone amplifier____________ _________________________dynamic headphone amplifier____________
Table of contents
1. ntroduction and general information
2. Manufacturers information
3. Safety precautions
4. ntended use / Application
5. Factory assembly & getting started
6. Operating instructions
7. Technical data
9. Warranty
_____________________________________
1. ntroduction and general information
Dear client, we congratulate you with your purchase of this superb AUD OVALVE 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 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 to compensate for the low production
tolerances of tubes. The RKV ist build in double mono, i.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. n addition short-circuit protection 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. t 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.
n summary, the servo control system prevents any losses in quality of sound during the entire life-
time of the tubes.
n case your headphone has a low impedance, we recommend to use the " mpedanzer" which has
outputs for 8 - 16 - 32 - 64 Ohm headphones. Also high-efficiency loudspeakers can be driven.

RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp )
RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp ) _ _________________________dynamic headphone ________________________dynamic headphone
2. Manufacturers information
Factory address:
AUD O VALVE, H. Becker,
Dormannweg 48 B
34133 Kassel - Germany
Tel.: 0049 - (0) 561 7013360
Email: info @audiovalve.info
website: www.audiovalve.info
3. Safety precautions
mportant: Please read the user manual before assembly and operation of the
amplifier
Anyone, unable to comprehend the instructions stated in the 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 is 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.
n the unlikely event of a failure of the device repairs may be performed by AUD O
VALVE authorized technicians only.
Use OR G NAL 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 AUD O VALVE approved repair facilities,
b) Usage of other than OR G NAL and approved spare parts.
The RKV-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 disconnected from
grounded mass!!

RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp )
RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp ) ________________dynamic headphone amplifier ________________dynamic headphone amplifier
4. ntended use / Application
AUD O 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 wellings
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. n general terms the amplifier should not be used
for other than its intended purpose.

RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp )
RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp ) _ _______________dynamic headphone amplifier____________ ______________dynamic headphone amplifier____________
Factory assembly & 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. t 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 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. f so, you can
now plug in the powercord.
Use high quality cables only! Usage of D Y 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. f 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 the blue LED at the front of the
amplifier. Only the inside of each tube should glow. f 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 RKV-Amplifier needs at least a 10 Ampere circuit breaker between its powercord and
the mains. Make sure your wallsocket is equiped in such a fashion.

RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp )
RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp ) _ ________________dynamic headphone amplifier____________ _______________dynamic headphone amplifier____________
6. Operating instructions – front panel terminals ...
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. nternally these jacks are connected in
parallel. Both can be used to connect headphones with an load impedance of 25 - 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. t might be forgotten and be loaded with an uncontrolled high output level. This
could damage the heaphone. Above it is a 4-pin XLR socket for headphones, fully
symmetrical.
At the top right next to the Alp volume potentiometer there is a balance potentiometer,
with which you can easily correct the balance between the right and left channels up to a
maximum of + -3 dB.
And under the Balance pot. there is an important switch that is responsible for the gain of
the amplifier. Normally the gain of the amplifier is approx. 30 times and is suitable for the
impedance of headphones with higher impedances. f the headphone impedance is very
low, this gain weight user must preferably be pressed, with a red light appearing in the
switch that signals that the amplifier's output has now been reduced by -10 dB. n this
case, the volume can be adjusted very well with small impedances at the headphones. f
this GA N switch was not in use, no comfortable volume setting would be possible with the
headphones mentioned above because the volume would simply be too high and you would
have to constantly work at the beginning of the potentiometer range. So please don't
forget to use the GA N switch if it gets too loud overall, you can use it to reduce the gain of
the amplifier.
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. t has a 51
kOhm impedance which is at the same time the input impedance of the 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.
RKV HAA and Luminare are based on the same chassis, which means that the RKV HAA in
OTL mode does everything that the Luminare does - without any restrictions. The RKV is
therefore recommended for all those users, who listen without STAX and prefer OTL mode.
!! 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 is lid with the power ON and mutes as soon as you switch the amplifier OFF.

RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp )
RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp ) ________________dynamic headphone amplifier____________ ________________dynamic headphone amplifier____________
The black jack at the upper left of the backside is the EC power inlet. nside 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 that the
amplifier is 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 is 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 ECL 85. Thereby the amplifier is relatively
secure from overload. The two tubes at the left side belong to the same audio channel.
f you want to exchange tubes, please disconnect the power cord. Also make sure that all
pins are properly mounted into the sockets. t is not uncommon that a pin is bend and
doesn't enter the socket.

RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp )
RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp ) ______________dynamic headphone amplifier____________ ______________dynamic headphone amplifier____________
7. Technical data:
actual RKV – HAA – spezifications ( 2021 – jan. )
•OTL – transformer outless tube amplifier ( signal ac / dc closed feedback
loop in OTL concept )
•double mono construction
•Alps volume motor control with remote
•output: 2 pcs. 6,3 mm stereo / XLR combi jack and 4 pin Sennheiser jack
for headphones
•selectable PRE – GA N for low / high impedances
•BALANCE potentiometer
•one pair RCA PRE – OUT`s for power amplifiers
•input: 2 pairs of RCA and 1 pair XLR inputs
•tubes: actual 4 x 6F5P (ECL85)
•power output: each channel 8 watt on 200 ohms load per channel
•bandwide: 15 – 100 000 hz
•internal resistance: 0,3 ohms
•2 x 8 watt / 200 ohms load
•distortion 0,002 % at 1 Watt-200 Ohm load
•max. output voltage 100V
•sens. 0dBm
•C – OPA134 – AC/DC controlled – full autom. – controlled bias
•class – a / minimum load 35 ohms – maximum load 2000 ohms
•power consumption min. 90 watt
•size 360*200*120 mm (d.w.h.)
•weight 6kg
•outside housing shielding toroidal power transformer
•Best ever remote control (A Volume down B volume up) *my contribution to
the specification
A softstart NTC cut high initial currents through the cold low impedances tubes filaments.

RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp )
RKV – HAA ( OTL head amp ) _______________dynamic headphone amplifier____________ _______________dynamic headphone amplifier____________
WARRANTY REG STRAT ON
Please fill out and return this warranty form to the distributor within 15 days of the
purchase date with this form here, or better you make it online on our webside.
1. MODEL : _______________________________________________
2. SER AL NUMBER : _______________________________________
3. PURCHASE DATE : ______________________________________
4. AUTHOR ZED AUD OVALVE DEALER:
5. PURCHASER`S NAME : ___________________________________
6. STREET ADDRESS : _____________________________________
7. C TY : ________________________________________________
8. Z P / POSTAL CODE : _____________________________________

RKV – MARK II
RKV – MARK II _________________________dynamic headphone amplifier____________ _________________________dynamic headphone amplifier____________
Declaration of Conformity
EMC and Low Voltage Directive (CE)
Product Name: AudioValve Model name: RKV – 2 Modell: 2021
This is to certify that the product listed above complies with the following European Union Council
Directives and Standards relating to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC Directive 89/336/EEC) and the
low voltage Directive (73/23/EEC).
This declaration of conformity of the European Communities is the result of an examination carried out
by
Electromagnetic Engineering Services, nc. 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.
Helmut Becker, AudioValve
Dormannweg 48 B
34 123 KASSEL – Germany

RKV – MARK II
RKV – MARK II ______________dynamic headphone amplifier____________ ______________dynamic headphone amplifier____________
Certificate of Compliance
Restriction of the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
We certify that all of our products (exceptions see listed below) are compliant with the European
Union
Directive 2002/95/EC for the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and
Electronic Equipment (RoHS).
No Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr+6), PBB or PBDE is
intentionally added to these devices. Any trace impurities of these substances contained in the parts
are below the RoHS specified threshold levels.
All information provided in this Certificate of Compliance is accurate to the best of our knowledge as
of
the date this Certification was issued.
________________
Certificate of Compliance
Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of chemicals (REACh)
We declare that all of our products European Union Directive EC1907/206 for the Registration, Evaluation,
Authorization and Restriction of chemicals (REACh), and contain none or less than 0.1% of the chemicals listed
as hazardous chemicals in the REACh regulation. All information provided in this Certificate of Compliance is
accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the date this Certification was issued.