User manual | PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four

PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
Herman van den Dungen: PrimaLuna  in Italian language is "First Moon". My grandfather was the
first "Herman". My grandmother, an aristocratic lady in a small Dutch village, had a special name for
her husband: "Maantje", which means Little Moon (which is now also the name of our small dog),
van den Dungen. The people in the village adopted that name, and having a strong accent, they soon
called him "Maontje" van den Dungen. My father's first name was Cor, but in the village it was of
course "Cor from Maontje van den Dungen". I was of course "Herman from Cor from Maontje van
den Dungen" …… etc. That's why I thought of First Moon as a brandname and that's why the logo is
how it is ……
Loris Arrigucci: PrimaLuna  believe it or not ... I discovered a small town located 50Km north of
Milano called Primaluna!!! Please get yourself a map from Italy. You'll find Primaluna town near the
upper-right corner. It is located 50Km north of Milano near the Lake of Como. This should eliminate
every doubt regarding "italian" origin of Primaluna name. I've read the "history" section of the
Primaluna village web site and found the following (literally translated):
PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
PrimaLuna®
DiaLogue Four
Power Amplifier
One probable interpretation of the name of the village comes from latin "Primum Lumen", which
means "First Light" of Christianism, since the very first evidence of Christianism in this region dates
495 Annus Domini. "First Light" translates into "Prima Luce" in Italian and this seems very interesting
to me: PrimaLuce (FirstLight) is the first light that we, hi-fi lovers with small budgets, can see in this
world of darkness populated by way too expensive esoteric gears ……
DAT
UP E
Please contact us for registering your PrimaLuna DiaLogue Four amplifier. We will keep you updated
of upgrades or any other information related to your amplifier. If you wish to comment on your
PrimaLuna DiaLogue Four amplifier, please do. If you want to send us a review of your experience with
the amplifier, you are more than welcome to. If you have any technical questions, please don’t hesitate
to contact us. We thank you upfront for your time and attention.
FUSE
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INSIDE
Local distribution:
Worldwide distribution:
Durob Audio BV
P.O. Box 109
5250 AC Vlijmen
The Netherlands
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.primaluna.nl
Serialnumber ...........................................................
PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
Warranty Information
Table Of Contents
Thank you
3
Two-year limited warranty
Specifications
4
Six-month warranty on stock vacuum tubes
Warning - Package Contents - Initial Setup
5
Terms & Conditions
Inputs, Controls & Remote Function
6
Remote Control
7
Ultralinear - Triode Switching
8
Adaptive AutoBias ™
9
Tube Basics
10
Fuse Protection
11
Troubleshooting
12
User Notes
13
Warranty Information
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1. Limited to original purchaser. This warranty is for the sole benefit of the original purchaser of
the covered product, and may not be transferred to a subsequent owner.
2. Conditions & Limitations. This warranty is subject to conditions and limitations, as follows. This
warrantly is void and inapplicable if the product has not been used in accordance with the
instructions found elsewhere in this manual, or if it has been misused, abused, damaged by
accident or neglect, or in transport once in possession of purchaser. The warranty is also void if
the product has been tampered with or has been repaired or modified by anyone other than Durob
Audio BV or its specifically authorized representatives.
3. Remedy. If this product contains material, manufacturing, or workmanship defects, it must be
packed in orginal packaging and returned to Durob Audio BV or its authorized representative via
insured freight, at the owner's expense. Returned products must be accompanied by written
description of the defect, and a return authorization number (available from Durob Audio BV or the
authorized representative via e-mail). Upon receipt of the defective product, Durob Audio BV or
the authorized representative agrees to repair the product without charge for parts (except
vacuum tubes if the unit is more than 6 months old), or labor. The product will then returned via
prepaid, insured freight, with carrier at the sole determination of Durob Audio BV or the authorized
representative. This constitutes the purchaser's sole remedy.
4. Design change. Durob Audio BV and its partners reserve the right to modify their products or
change specifications at any time without obligation or liability to previous purchasers.
5. Miscellaneous. Any implied warranties relating to the above product shall be limited to duration
of this warranty. This warranty does not extend to any indentical or consequential costs or
damages to purchaser or third-parties. Our liability will be no more than the amount you paid for
the product that is the subject of a claim. This is the maximum amount for which we are
responsible. This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights which
vary from country to country and state to state.
Copyright Durob Audio BV - 2010. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part of text, logo, graphics or schematics is strictly forbidden
without permission, in writing, of Durob Audio BV
The information in this manual is subject to change without further notice.
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PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
User Notes
PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
THANK YOU!
We would like to thank you for choosing our PrimaLuna DiaLogue Four vacuum tube power amplifier
as part of your music system. The DiaLogue Four is the first tube power amplifier of the next level up of
our family of affordable, high-quality tube products. The designers and builders of the PrimaLuna
equipment all have a long history in high-end audio. We feel that it's time to offer a range of affordable
audio instruments that can easily compete with today's most expensive brands.
We firmly believe that our quality level will be a difficult standard for other products in the market to
match.
This PrimaLuna DiaLogue power amp features:
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Hand-made construction with the finest point-to-point wiring, using workmanship that is equal to or
better than any product you can buy at any price.
A heavy gauge steel, fully vented chassis with a five coat finish. Each coat is hand-rubbed and
polished.
Premium parts: toroidal transformer for power supply; custom designed -in conjunction with one of
the most prestigious transformer designers in the USA- encapsulated output transformers for
lowest hum; wide bandwidth for great bass and extended highs; ceramic tube sockets; Nichicon
and Realcap capacitors; gold-plated heavy duty WBT style speaker terminals; gold-plated panel
mounted input jacks.
SoftStart™ circuit for extended life of sensitive components, plus a reduced chance of tube failure
from thermal shock.
Adaptive AutoBias™ exclusive to PrimaLuna. This circuit monitors and smoothly adjusts bias
constantly and instantly, reducing maintenance and increasing performance due to the dramatic
reduction in distortion.
Tube plate fuse to protect the amp output stage. Other amplifiers might need a trip to the shop if a
tube fails; not this one- just plug in a new tube, fuse, and go.
Ultralinear or Triode mode switchable by remote control.
Heavy metal UL-TR remote control included.
Premium tubes are available from us and other parties if you wish to upgrade. In USA, Upscale Audio's
inventory of New Old Stock tubes is the largest you can find. Elsewhere, independent suppliers can
assist you to make your best choice.
We hope that the PrimaLuna DiaLogue Four stereo vacuum tube power amplifier will make you want to
follow our next steps in expanding this new range of products. If you have any questions or comments,
don't hesitate to contact us. You can also share your thoughts with others at www.audioreview.com or
other review sites. On the www.primaluna.nl website you will find links to these and other websites.
Our prices are kept low by using word-of-mouth and customer feedback, and we would appreciate
hearing what you have to say about our product. If you need service during or after the warranty
period, contact us.
Thanks again for your support!
Herman van den Dungen
DUROB AUDIO BV
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3
PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
Specifications
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42 Watts per channel
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21 Watts per channel
Power Ultralinear
Power Triode
User Notes
Frequency Response ......................................................................................................................................................... 10Hz – 100kHz +/- 3 dB
THD with AABB .......................................................................................................................................... < 0,25% @ 1W; 2% at rated power
S/N Ratio .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 89 dB unweighted
Input Impedance .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................100 kOhm
Input Sensitivity ..............................................................................................................................................................................880 mV for rated power
Gain ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 dB (8Ω), 23dB (4Ω)
Power Consumption
Net Weight
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Shipping Weight
Dimensions
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Shipping Dimensions
Inputs
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235 Watts
63.8 lbs / 29 kg
70.5 lbs / 32 kg
15.9" x 15.2" x 8.3" / 405 mm x 385 mm x 210 mm (L x W x H)
22.7" x 18.4" x 12" / 577 mm x 468 mm x 305 mm (L x W x H)
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1 pair Stereo RCA
Outputs ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 & 8 Ohm Speaker Taps
Tube Complement
4 x EL-34
2 x 12AX7
2 x 12AU7
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Remote control .................................................................. Heavy Metal UL-TR Remote Control
All PrimaLuna products come with PrimaLuna SilverLabel tubes which are pre-selected
by us following our simple 60 out of 100 rule (PTS™ - Premium Tube Selection) and as
such, are already “special” when compared to other standard tubes on the market.
Additionally, for certain models we have our GoldLabel tubes, which are available from us
if you wish to upgrade.
As of July 1, 2006 all PrimaLuna products are manufactured with RoHS compliant parts.
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PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
Troubleshooting
Some tips:
PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
To prevent serious injury, electrical shock or fire:
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Do not operate with bottom plate removed.
Keep away from rain and moisture.
Always disconnect all cable connections to and from amplifier before changing fuses and/or
tubes.
Do not replace fuses with any fuse other than the same type and rating as used by the factory.
Do not replace tubes without reading instructions.
Do not replace fuses or tubes if you have any doubt about your ability to do so. We accept no
responsibility for any personal or material damage due to incompetent use or users.
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No output. Power is on, but power LED is off and tubes do not light up.
Mains fuse is out. Replace fuse as per instructions on page 11.
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No output. Power LED is on and tubes do light up normally.
Plate fuse may be out. Replace fuse as per instructions on page 11.
If the new fuse goes out immediately after replacement, contact us for further assistance.
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Noise coming from one channel.
Noisy tube. First swap the 12AX7 tubes left to right. If noise follows tube swap, than you have
found the problem tube. If noise does not follow, swap the 12AU7 tubes left to right.
Package Contents
Hum coming from one channel.
Possible bad output tube. Swap the EL-34 tubes in pairs from right to left. If hum follows the swap,
swap the far left and far right tubes. If the hum returns to the original problem channel, you have
found the problem tube. If not, swap the inside EL-34 tubes left to right.
Power Cord
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Constant low frequency hum at about 50-60 Hz coming from both speakers.
You most probably have a groundloop problem. This might show up with any new component
added, even if you did not have this hum before. It is common in many systems regardless of
brand and easy to address. To confirm you have a ground loop, either unplug the AC cords of all
the other components from electricity, or unplug the cables going to the PrimaLuna you have
hooked up to the amplifier, as well as cable TV or satellite tuner boxes. Leaving only the speakers
attached. If hum stops, call your dealer for a ground loop cure.”
Noise/distortion coming from both channels.
Tubes may be in need of replacement. Read page 10 for tube basics and replacement options.
Remote control does not function. Check battery and if necessary, replace with new one (model
CR2032).
If you try these possible solutions and problems persist, contact us or your local distributor for further
investigation.
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DiaLogue Four Amplifier
White Gloves
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Tube Complement
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Plate Fuse
1
1
1
1 pair
4 x EL-34
2 x 12AX7
2 x 12AU7
1 x Littelfuse® 213 Series 2.5A Slo-Blo® 5 x 20 mm fuse for
100-120VAC and Littelfuse® 213 Series 1.25A Slo-Blo®
5 x 20 mm fuse for 200-240VAC
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Heavy Metal UL-TR Remote Control
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1 x Littelfuse® 218 Series 250mA Slo-Blo® 5 x 20 mm fuse
1
Initial Setup
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This Owner's Manual
Main Fuse
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Carefully remove the DiaLogue Four from its packaging. Use the white gloves to prevent
fingerprint smudges.
Remove the tube cage by carefully pulling it up and away from the amplifier.
Remove the protective foam surrounding the tubes.
Tubes are already installed. Check that each tube is firmly seated in its socket. Use gloves.
Replace cage back in its place if desired.
Check to see the power switch is off (down).
Connect output of preamp with input of poweramp.
Connect your speaker wires, positive to positive, negative to negative. This unit is non-inverting.
Plug the powercord into the amplifier, then into the wall socket.
Switch the preamplifier on and wait for 1 minute to stabilize the circuit.
Switch the poweramplifier on.
The tubes will be warmed up and ready to use in about 30 seconds.
5
PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
Inputs, Controls & Remote Function
Front Panel
PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
Fuse Protection
A note on fuses: If "someone who knows" tells you to wrap fuses with aluminium foil to avoid wasting
money on new ones, it's best not to take his advice. Fuses are safety valves. They should always be
replaced with the exact same value and type.
Warning: Never attempt to check or replace a fuse while the amp is plugged in. Turn it off and unplug
all speakers, components and AC cords before continuing. Wait 10 minutes to let tubes cool down and
the circuit to fully discharge.
Plate Fuse:
The front panel of the PrimaLuna models is made from machined aluminium, finished to match the
blue metallic chassis. No controls are available from the front. The heavy metal UL-TR remote control
that comes with your PrimaLuna DiaLogue Four amplifier is dedicated to switch between Ultralinear or
Triode mode. The power switch is located on the left side of the amp, just behind the front plate.
Rear Panel
The plate fuse is located inside the amp, on top of the Adaptive AutoBias™ board. To replace it,
remove the bottom plate using a Phillips #2-type of screwdriver. The fuse is located in a small plastic
case on the end of the Adaptive AutoBias™ board. Refer to the pictures on this page. Remove the top
cover. The fuse will be held on by the cover. Remove it by twisting the fuse out of the holder.
Replace with a Littelfuse® 218 Series 250mA Slo-Blo® 5 x 20 mm fuse. The cover will snap back into
place. Re-install bottom plate of the amp.
Experiment using the 4 or 8 Ohm positive (+) terminal to find the best match for your speakers. Do not
make any assumptions. Trust your ears.
Some preamplifiers invert the audio signal. In that case you might want to connect the positive(+)-wire
of your loudspeaker cable to the 0 Ohm terminal of the DiaLogue Four, and the negative (-)-wire to the
4 or 8 Ohm terminal; do so on both channels. When in doubt, consult the preamp's manual or ask the
manufacturer of the preamp. Our preamplifiers are non-inverting.
Looking at the rear panel, you will note one set of inputs and the pair of speaker terminals. Attach the
positive (+) from your loudspeaker to the 4 or 8 ohm terminal that most closely matches the average
impedance of your loudspeakers according to their manufacturer's specifications. The negative (-) from
your loudspeaker attaches to the 0 Ohm terminal.
Mains Fuse:
The mains fuse is located on the rear of the amplifier, just below the power
cord socket (see picture on this page). The fuse rating is 1 x Littelfuse® 213
Series 2.5A Slo-Blo® 5 x 20 mm fuse for 100-120VAC and Littelfuse® 213
Series 1.25A Slo-Blo® 5 x 20 mm fuse for 200-240VAC. Replace with the
same type and value fuse! The fuse holder can be snapped out using a small
slotted flat blade screwdriver.
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PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
Remote Control
Tube Basics
The 12AX7 and 12AU7 tubes will have a life of about 5,000 to 10,000 hours. The lives of powertubes
are more difficult to predict. This also depends on how "gently" or "roughly" you use your amplifier. In
general -under normal conditions- you can say between 2,000 and 3,000 hours.
Here are some tips on using tubes:
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Do not use treatments on tube pins or in sockets.
If you decide to experiment with other tube types, it's best not to swap tubes in and out repeatedly,
as you never want to cycle amplifiers on and off rapidly. They should be left off for at least five
minutes. Further, every time you insert a tube, you stand a chance of loosening the tube sockets.
It's okay to have fun, and we support that, but don't go crazy and swap tubes in and out twenty
times in a day.
Do not leave the amplifier on 24 hours a day. Just a short warm-up is required for the PrimaLuna
to get into its groove.
Break-in yields improvements. Every tube, when new, needs to be left alone for a little while. So,
when your amplifier is new, or when you re-tube it, it may take a little time to settle in. There is
however no fixed "time rule" for break-in.
Please note that tubes can vary electrically, and by plugging in the wrong type of tube (i.e. 6922
for a 12AX7) you can damage the amplifier and void your warranty.
Common replacements:
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12AX7: ECC83, ECC803S, E83CC, 7025, CV4004. You can also use a 5751, but please note
that the 5751 is a lower gain tube than a 12AX7 and the sound will be altered.
12AU7: ECC82, ECC802S, E82CC, 5814, 6189, CV4003
EL-34: 6CA7, E34LS, E34L. You may also use 6L6GC, 7581A and KT66 though power will drop
slightly.
The functions of the PrimaLuna DiaLogue UL-TR Remote Control are self-explanitory. The remote
controls Triode/Ultralinear switching.
Topview picture of DiaLogue Four
10
Some tubes and tube sockets
have a “center key” which
must correspond! If you use
“brute” force and misalign, you
will damage important and
expensive parts of your
amplifier!!
The PrimaLuna DiaLogue UL-TR Remote Control has two high quality silicon rubber rings on each end
to protect against damage of the remote control itself as well as your furniture. These rings can be
easily removed in case battery has to be replaced or if you plain just don’t like them.
In the event your remote control does not function, please check battery and if necessary, replace with
a new CR2032 model battery. To access the battery-compartment, remove the rubber rings and
unscrew the back plate. If the remote still does not function, contact your dealer for further assistance.
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PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
Ultralinear – Triode Switching
PrimaLuna® DiaLogue Four
Adaptive AutoBias™
Your DiaLogue Four amplifier affords you the opportunity of switching between Ultralinear and Triode
modes by remote control. You need not turn off the amp to do so; you can switch while the unit is
operating. Although a faint click might be heard through your speakers, it is in no way harmful.
Your DiaLogue Four always starts in Ultralinear mode when powered up. Centered behind the front
panel is a two-color LED which indicates the mode in which the amp is functioning: Red—Ultralinear;
Green—Triode.
The choice between Ultralinear or Triode modes is a matter of taste, influenced by your speakers and
the recording.
Ultralinear Mode
The term ultralinear applies quite literally here. The design exerts a tighter grip on the speakers and
produces music more likely to be described as accurate, dynamic, with great inner detail. The top and
bottom end take on more “pop” and excitement.
Triode Mode
Exclusive to PrimaLuna, this circuit monitors and smoothly adjusts bias constantly and instantly. The
genius of this design is that the Adaptive AutoBias™ actually improves the overall sound quality and
performance of the amp. Between 12 and 30 Watts, measured distortion levels drop by over 40%. In
addition, tubes do not have to be matched, and there is no bias (re-)adjustments needed, ever.
Furthermore, the PrimaLuna is equipped with SoftStart™, which brings the amplifier on line slowly to
prolong the life of internal components, including the tubes. This makes the PrimaLuna a joy to own
and operate.
Take your KT-88 or EL-34 and wire it like a 300B! Triode sound is best described as warmer on top and
bottom, a little compressed, with the midband now slightly more pronounced. Your shoulders drop as
the sound is more relaxed. In absolute terms it will not play as loud as maximum power drops by
roughly half compared to Ultralinear.
So Which Is Better?
Decide with your ears but we will leave you with this thought: On the surface it would appear that if you
wanted to play music louder, you would use the higher-powered Ultralinear mode; conversely, you
would use the Triode setting for soft listening. Not always true! At low listening levels, you may need
the “pop” that Ultralinear provides for top and bottom extension so the music sounds full. At higher
listening levels, Triode operation will start to “compress” and allow you to crank it up more with less
fatigue. The point is: have fun with it and never let people tell you what sounds right.
8
While matched tubes are not a requirement, it is still recommended if you want to get the very best
results. You can get the very best in replacement tubes as well as rare vintage NOS (New Old Stock)
tubes from us and other parties if you wish to upgrade. In the USA, Upscale Audio's inventory of New
Old Stock tubes is the largest you can find. Elsewhere, independent suppliers can assist you to make
your best choice.
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