VAC Phi Alpha Musicbloc I60 User manual

Valve Amplification Company
Phi AlphaMusicbloc160
MonoblockTube Amplifier
Instructions
Manual issued12 March2008
Pleaseread carefullybeforeinstalling
Copyright 2008 by ValveAmplificationCompany. All rightsreserved.

Page2
WELCOME
CongratulationsonyourpurchaseoftheVACPhiAlpha Musicbloc 160,and welcometo thefamily
of VACowners!
Your VACis designed not to the latest fad but to substance,providingthe highest quality of sound.
Timespent familiarizingyourself with this manual will be well rewarded.
Itis our goal to provide instruments of the highest quality,be informativeto all of our customers,
and to provide responsive, effectivecustomer service.
Please feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance. We can be reached:
Telephone[phone]
Fax[phone]
[e-mail]
Website www.vac-amps.com
We lookforward to beingof service, even as you havemany years of enjoyment fromyour VAC
instrument.
Kevin M. Hayes
President, VAC

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GENERAL PRECAUTIONS &SAFETY NOTES
1.VACUUM TUBESBECOME HOT ENOUGH TO CAUSESERIOUSBURNS.NEVER
TOUCH ATUBE WHEN THE UNITIS ON.ITMAYTAKE SEVERAL MINUTESFOR
THE TUBESTO COOLDOWN AFTER THE UNITIS SWITCHED OFF.INSTALL
THIS AMPLIFIER INSUCH AWAYTHATPEOPLE,PETS,AND FLAMMABLE
MATERIALS CANNOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE AMPLIFIER.
2.DO NOT EXPOSECHASSIS TO MOISTURE. DO NOT PLUG INTO ANACSOURCE
UNTIL ALL CONNECTIONSARE COMPLETED.
3.Complete all signal (interconnect and speaker cable) connections before connectingthe AC
cord to the wall outlet and turningthe unit on. Similarly,always turn the amplifier off and
removethe ACpower cord before detachingcabling.Failure to observethis sequence can
result in damageto the amplifier, speakers or associated components.
4.For protection of your speakersandpoweramplifier,sourcecomponents should be switched
on before the power amplifier.Similarly,turn the power amplifier off before switchingoff
the source components.
5.THESEUNITSCONTAINNO USER SERVICEABLEPARTS.DO NOT REMOVE THE
BOTTOM COVER.LETHAL VOLTAGESAREPRESENTWITHINTHE CHASSIS.DO
NOT OPERATE THE UNITSIFTHEY ARE WET.
6.This amplifier is moderately heavy.Please exercise caution in liftingthe unit,and takecare
to install it securely in asturdy,well designed stand so that it will not fall or tip over (this
could cause serious, possibly fatal injury).

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INSTALLATION
Physical requirements:
1)Provide Adequate Ventilation-Allow at least three inches of free air space aboveand two
inches to either side of amplifier
2)Do not place the amplifier in acompletely enclosed cabinet.Ifequipment cabinet has asolid
front door, a“boxer” fan will be necessary to ensure proper airflow.
3)Do not stackother components (or any objects which could impede proper ventilation) on
top of the amplifier.
4)Do not operate the amplifer on carpet, or on any other surface that might restrict airflow.
5)The amplifier chassis will becomevery warmduringnormal use.
6)The amplifier must be installed in asecure,sturdy,properly built (and ventilated) stand,
cabinet or enclosure.The Phi Alpha Musicbloc 160 is heavy,and could inflict serious injury
or property damageif it falls, or if the stand upon which it is place tips over. This concern
is particularly important in households with small children who might try to climbfurniture.
Inaddition,care must be taken to prevent people,pets,and flammable materials from
cominginto contact with the VERY HOT vacuumtubes.

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Basic Hookup:
1)Connectavolume-controlledline-level source to either the inputRCAconnectorfor‘single-
ended’ sources or the input XLRconnector for balanced sources.Set the front switchto
reflect the connection used.
2)Connect loudspeaker cables to the five-way bindingposts on the rear panel.Makesure that
all connections are tight (Do NOT over tighten,or damageto amplifier or speaker cable may
result), and that heavyor bulkycables are properly strain-relieved.
4)Connect the ACpower cord to the IEC connector on the rear panel.ALWAYSconnect
power cord to component before pluggingit into an ACoutlet,and makesure that unit’s
power switch is set to the “off” position before makingthefinal connection.For best
performance, try to route the power cord away fromsignal cables.
5)For first installation or when aKT88 tube is changed.
Asthe amplifier warmsup,checkthe tube bias,adjustingoutput tube bias as necessary (see
“Output Tube Bias Adjustment”).The output tubes will first draw current approximately 40
seconds after switchingthe power on,and the amount of current drawn will tend to climb
rapidly for the first minute or two, and then slowly for another 10 -30 minutes.
Aswith all highperformance audio products,the sonic characteristics of all VACproducts will
continue to improveduringthe first several hundred hours of use.
NOTE: Do not force the tubes into their sockets.The central “key way” of each tube indicates the
proper alignment.Only gentle pressure should be required to seat the tube.Ifyou encounter excess
resistance, try gently wigglingthe tube,so as to allow the tube’s pins and the socket’s contacts to
alignwith each other.

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OutputTubeBias Adjustment:
Your amplifier has been shipped with the output tube bias properly set. Nonetheless, it should be
checked when you install your amplifier and approximately once every month thereafter.Itmust
also be adjusted each timeatube is replaced.
Adjustment of the output tubes is quite easy,and requires only asmall screwdriver.On the front
panel are four test switches,each with an adjacent adjustment control.With no music playing,lift
and hold the first test switch while viewingthe meter: the meter’s needle should point straight up,
directly to the central blackdot (note: slightly below the dot is acceptable; abovethe dot is never
acceptable). Usingasmall screwdriver,adjust the control for that tube if necessary to attain this
indication. Now, release the first test switch; moveto the next test switch and repeat the process,
and so on, until all four tubes havebeen tested.
Anytubethat can not be adjusted to the correct bias point should be replaced.Any tube which
requires constant readjustment should be replaced immediately.Never operate the amplifier with
atube that is indicatingabovethe meter’s central dot.
When installingnew tubes,set the bias controls counter-clockwise. Checkthe bias of all tubes as
the amplifier warmsup -don'twait ten minutes.
Bias levels should be checked monthly to ensure optimumsound quality. Itis not unusual for the
bias to changewith time,particularly when tubes are new.The greatest amount of drift occurs
duringthe first 200 hours of atube'slife.The drift may changedirection periodically,such that the
bias control must be increased and later decreased,or vice versa.Checkbias if the sound seems
lackingin detail or dynamics.
Note:When not testingbias, the meter is indicatingpower line voltage.

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MatchingToYourLoudspeakers
Likemany modern tube amplifiers,the Phi Alpha Musicbloc 160 includes multiple match taps for
the speaker outputs.DoNOT assumethat the settingwhich corresponds to your speakers’
published impedance specification will yield the best sound.Due to the various standards by which
impedance can be measured,not to mention the fact that aspeaker’s impedance varies with
frequency, it is impossible to assert with certainty which output tap will yield the best sound. For
this reason, VACstrongly suggests auditioningyour speakers throughall settings. Ingeneral, we
find that aspeaker’s minimumimpedance is more important than its nominal (average) impedance
when determiningwhich settingis correct.Alackof bassresponse often indicates that alower
impedance settingshould be tried.
CHASSIS CARE
Althoughyour amplifier is extremely durable,its finish can be scratched,chipped or damaged if
improperly treated.Cleaningwith asoft,dampcloth while the amplifier is switched off and
unplugged should restore thefinishtoitsoriginallustre.Never clean with harsh or caustic cleansing
agents.
When shippingyour amplifier, be certain to wrap the amplifier in the cloth, tissue or plastic wrap
in which it was originally packaged.VACis not responsible for cosmetic damageresultingfrom
improper care or packing.

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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT TUBES
Itis true that each brand of tube sounds different in aparticular highresolution circuit.This is
because no two manufacturers makeatube type in quite the sameway,and the central tendencies
of the performance parameters will differ slightly with each maker.
This sonicvariability may at first seemaliability,but further thought will reveal that it is an
advantage.The owner of atube amplifier can select those tubes which sound likethe real thingin
his/her specific system. VACcan recommend the best tubes for your amplifier.
Normally vacuumtubes should last for 4,000 to 12,000 hours of use, or two to ten years for most
users. There are always occasional exceptions,longor short.Ifyou haveto replace atube before,
say, 3,000 hours, just replace the single tube.Ifyou haveto replace atube at 8,000 hours,replace
themall and keep those still functioningwell as spares
VACwill be happy to test tubes for concerned customers.
InstallingNewTubes:
Original Equipment Replacement tubes are available fromVAC.Thesetubes ensure your amplifier
will meet or exceed all factory performance specifications.
Before replacingtubes,all power must be off.Unplugpower cord.Removecover and old tubes
ONLYafter the unit has cooled down (Innormal use,tubes becomehot enoughto cause serious
burns. Allow several minutes for tubes to cool before attemptingto removeor replace.)
Do not force the tubes into their sockets.The central “key way” (the locatingridgein the plastic
center pin of the KT88 &6SN7 tubes) of each tube indicates the proper alignment.Only gentle to
moderate pressure should be required to seat the tube.Ifyou encounter excess resistance,try gently
wigglingthe tube,so as to allow the tube’s pins and the socket’s contacts to alignwith each other.
Install the new tubes fully in their sockets.
When changingKT88 tubes,turn the bias control correspondingto the new tube fully
counterclockwise.After turningthe unit on and allowingit to reach normal operatingtemperature,
follow the normal biasingprocedure.
Inthe event that trouble is encountered,switch power to the “off” position,checkthat all tubes are
correctly seated in their sockets and checkall signal,speaker and power connections. Ifpossible,
try another tube.Ifthe problempersists,please consult your VACdealer or contact the factory
directly.

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WARRANTY
Your equipment is warranted for aperiod of thirty (30) days fromthe date of purchase.Inaddition,
if the registration formis received by VACalongwith acopy of your sales receipt froman
authorized VACdealer within this thirty days,aservice contract will be extended to cover your
equipment for two (2) years (tubes excepted).Itis the responsibility of the dealer and customer to
determine suitability of this unit for aparticular application.This warranty applies only to the
original purchaser and only for units sold in the United States of America throughauthorized VAC
dealers and operated within the U.S. Itcovers factory service and standard return shippingwithin
the continental US.For warranty information outside of the U.S.contact the importer of VAC
equipment for your country. Units sold outside of the U.S. should still be registered with VAC.
Your questions and comments are always welcome. Contact:
ValveAmplification Company, Inc.
1911 East Avenue North
Sarasota, FL34234 USA
Telephone[phone]
Facsimile941 952 9691
[e-mail]

VAC PHIALPHAMUSICBLOC160 REGISTRATIONFORM
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