LAB12 Suono 25W Class A Single Ended Power Amplifier Owner’s Manual

: June 1, 2024
: LAB12

Table of Contents

LAB12 Suono 25W Class A Single Ended Power Amplifier
Product Usage Instructions
FAQ
IT IS YOURS
Features
Front Panel
Rear Panel
Specifications
Warranty
CONTACT
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

LAB12 Suono 25W Class A Single Ended Power Amplifier

LAB12-Suono-25W-Class-A-Single-Ended-Power-Amplifier-
PRODUCT

Product Usage Instructions

Unpacking
Suono should be removed from its box with care. Remove all the foam protective pieces of the box before you unpack the suono. Unpack the suono with your hands on both sides of the device.
Warnings
No user-serviceable parts are included inside. Do not unscrew the cover; high voltages remain after disconnecting from the mains. In case your device requires any kind of service or upgrade, please ship or take your equipment to an authorized dealer or directly to Lab12. Always use the same type of fuse for replacement.
Installation & Placement
Connect a High-Grade Power cable to the IEC input and to your wall socket. Make sure that your wall socket provides good ground before connecting the power cable. Supply the required voltage (230-240V AC / 50Hz or 115-120V AC / 60Hz).
Suono Tubes / Bias Positions
Insert the tubes carefully in each position. Locate the bias measuring and adjustment positions on top of the housing. Ensure correct positioning of tubes (V1: KT150/KT120, V2: KT150/KT120, V3: 6n2p, V4: 6n2p).
Front Panel
The front panel features three indication LEDs and two VU meters for monitoring the output levels of the left and right channels accurately.
Rear Panel
The rear panel includes connection inputs and outputs, IEC AC input, main fuse holder, power switch, RCA connectors for signal input, and speaker outputs for 4 or 8-ohm impedance matching.
Connect to your Preamplifier
Connect the preamplifier analog output to the analog line level input of your suono Power Amplifier. Ensure correct channel connections and use a good quality interconnect cable pair.

FAQ

Q : What should I do if my device needs servicing or upgrading?
A: If your device requires service or upgrade, please contact an authorized dealer or directly reach out to Lab12 for assistance.
Q: What type of fuse should I use for replacement?
A : Always use the same type of fuse for replacement to ensure the proper functioning of the amplifier.

IT IS YOURS

Thank you for selecting Lab12 suono, an audiophile Class A power amplifier. Every component on it is designed to provide smooth and untreated sound. It is a full-tube amplifier with 6n2p NOS Russian driver tubes and KT150 or KT120 on the power stage. Suono can cooperate gratefully with any preamplifier on the market and it is the perfect match for Lab12 pre1. Suono has the ability to nail you down on your couch and make you listen to all your music collection again. Full power for your speakers is here, but the most remarkable point is that you will receive a fluid, wide and addictive consonant sound with any choice of music style. All components are carefully chosen after hours of listening and testing while paying great attention to every detail affecting the outcome. Like every Lab12 device, the suono has an ultra-solid construction with glass-blasting anodized finishing and retro analogue V/U meters. Do not forget that your suono is totally handcrafted with perfectly matched parts of the finest selections. In order to reach the optimal performance, your suono needs at least 150 hours of listening. In this time all components go from a “burn in” period to stable. Before setting up your new suono, we encourage you to thoroughly read this manual to properly acquaint yourself with its features. We love music and audio devices and we have built your new device with emotion and personal treatment. The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. The most current version of this manual is available on our official website at http://www.lab12.gr .

Unpacking
Suono should be removed from its box with care. Remove all the foam protective pieces of the box before you unpack the suono. Unpack the suono with your hands on both sides of the device.

Warnings
No user-serviceable parts are included inside. Do not unscrew the cover; high voltages remain after disconnecting from the mains. In case your device requires any kind of service or upgrade, please ship or take your equipment to an authorized dealer or directly to Lab12. Always use the same type of fuse for replacement.

Features

6550, KT88, KT120, KT150 compatible
Direct Manual Bias Adjustment
High Power, Low Noise toroidal Transformer
Triode / Ultra-Linear selector switch
No feedback design.
SRSG® implementation
Fine symmetry® implementation
Analog retro Nissei VU meters
5mm Aluminum face panel
Five Years Guarantee

Installation & Placement
Lab12 suono should be placed on a solid flat surface. You should avoid placing it near a heat source as this could compromise the suono’s performance and reliability. Carefully put the tubes in dedicated sockets. Make sure that the tubes are perfectly snapped into sockets. See the below page. Due to the high power tubes’ design, the suono’s chassis could be hot so you should never place another hot component directly near this device. Make sure that the device has enough space to ventilate. Tubes will be hot, this is normal. Be careful not to touch the tubes during the operation to avoid any injuries. Take care of the glass-blasting anodized finish of the front panel with a soft cloth. No need to use any sprays or polishes. Never use cleaners containing abrasives, as this will damage the surface.

Suono Tubes / Bias Positions
Insert the tubes carefully in each position. All of the tubes are marked with the position number placed during calibration and factory burn-in of the suono. All tubes included in the box are perfectly matched during calibration to achieve a perfectly balanced operation.

LAB12-Suono-25W-Class-A-Single-Ended-Power-Amplifier-
FIG-1

Please locate the bias measuring and adjustment positions on top of the housing.

V1 : KT150 / KT120
V2 : KT150 / KT120
V3 : 6n2p
V4 : 6n2p

Front Panel

LAB12-Suono-25W-Class-A-Single-Ended-Power-Amplifier-
FIG-2

SUONO Front panel
In the front panel you will see three indication LEDs and two VU meters. The three LEDs (C) indicate that the device is powered on. To the left of the 3 LEDs, you will see a retro analog VU meter (A). You can accurately monitor the output level of left channel on dB scale. To the right of the 3 LEDs, you will see a retro analog VU meter (B). You can accurately monitor the output level of the right channel on the dB scale.

Rear Panel

LAB12-Suono-25W-Class-A-Single-Ended-Power-Amplifier-
FIG-3

SUONO Rear panel
In the rear panel, you will find the connection inputs and outputs. On the right side, you will find an IEC AC input. Below IEC input (A), the main fuse holder (B) and the Power switch (C) are located. A pair of RCA connectors (F) is located about in the middle of the back panel. It is the input of the signal from your preamplifier. Below the signal input, you can find the speaker outputs. (D & E). You have the choice of 4 or 8-ohm output for perfect matching with your speaker impedance.

Main connections
Connect a High-Grade Power cable to the IEC input and to your wall socket. Make sure that your wall socket provides good ground before connecting the power cable. You must supply 230 to 240 Volt AC/ 50Hz (115 to 120 AC Volts / 60Hz). (Every suono is tuned and calibrated using the Lab12 Knack mk2 Power Cable. We strongly suggest using this cable).
Connect to your Preamplifier
Connect the preamplifier analog output to the analog line level input of your suono Power Amplifier. Make sure about the correct channel connections. We suggest using a good-quality interconnect cable pair.
Connect your Speakers
Connect your speakers to the additional output of suono (connect speakers from 2 to 4 ohm at 4ohm positive bind, speakers from 6 to 16 ohm at 8ohm bind). Make sure about the phase and polarity of speakers, always connect the ‘’plus’’ (red) bind of the suono to the ‘’plus’’ (red) bind of the speaker and the same with black.
Triode / Ultra-Linear
You can choose the operation of suono between Triode or Ultra Linear pentode mode, to tune the sound closest to your taste. This can be done through two toggle switches on the top cover. Position both switches towards to transformers for Triode mode or towards tubes for Ultra Linear pentode mode. Always do this selection with your amplifier turned off.

Notes
Suono is fully compatible with the best octal tubes (6550, KT88, KT120, KT150). You can use any of these four types of tubes with no problem. Please always set the correct bias after any tube change, and always use matched pairs of tubes (contact Lab12).

Bias Setting
Please contact a qualified person or your local dealer if you are not sure about this procedure. You can easily set the bias of each tube from the top panel of the amplifier. You must use a DC multimeter. Please set the multimeter in the 5VDC range. Turn on the amplifier (with connected speakers at outputs and connected inputs without signal). Connect the minus (black) terminal of the multimeter at any minus (black) speaker bind. Connect the plus (red) terminal of the multimeter at the measurement point (please see page 6) of the tube you need to bias. Use a trimming screwdriver to set the voltage at 950mVDC (KT150 setting) or 850mVDC (KT120 setting) from the corresponding trimmer (please see page 6). Follow the same procedure for each tube. Wrong bias will destroy your tubes and possibly your amplifier. Always adjust the new tube bias current immediately after turning it on. Repeat the bias procedure at least 3 times during the first 5 hours of use.

For the safety of your equipment

Make sure that all your equipment is turned off before any connection.
To avoid damaging your speakers you have to turn on suono some seconds after turning on your preamplifier and turn it off some seconds before turning off your preamplifier.
Never turn on the suono without connected speakers or a preamplifier on it. It is possible to damage tubes or even output transformers.

Specifications

Power : 230VAC 50Hz (115VAC 60Hz)
Power consumption: 350 VA max
Output power: 25 Watt per channel (KT 150)
Frequency response : 20 Hz-25 KHz (-0.9dB)
Input impedance : 100K ohm
Recommended speakers : 4-8 ohm
Tube complement : 2x 6n2p dual triodes, 2x KT-150 Power Pentodes
Input sensitivity: 600mV triode mode / 500mV Ultra Linear mode
Inputs: 1x line stereo (RCA connectors)
Available Colours: Matt Black, Frozen Silver
Dimensions (WxHxD): 43x19x29 cm
Weight : 19Kg

Warranty

This device has 5 5-year warranty for all parts (or a 90-day Limited Warranty for vacuum tubes) from the day of purchase. We wish you to enjoy your new device exactly as we enjoyed it when we built it for you!