VAC Renaissance Signature Mk II Setup guide

VACRenaissanceSignature Preamplifier MkII
Operation&MaintenanceInformation
Valve Amplification Company
Manual issued8/20/2002
Revised 08/09/2006, 07/12/2007

CAUTION
THEPOWERSUPPLYUNITSCONTAIN NOUSERSERVICEABLEPARTS.DO NOT REMOVETHE
COVERS.LETHAL VOLTAGES AREPRESENTWITHIN THECHASSIS.
NEVEROPERATETHEPREAMPLIFIERWITH THEAUDIO CHASSISCOVERSREMOVED.BEFORE
OPENINGTO CHANGETUBES,DISCONNECTTHEPREAMPLIFIERFROMPOWERANDALL
OTHERCOMPONENTS,ANDALLOW IT TO SIT TURNEDOFF FOR30 MINUTES.
DO NOT OPERATETHEUNITS IF THEYAREWET.
THE PREAMPLIFIERANDPOWERSUPPLYUNITSARE VERYHEAVY.BESURE TO USEPROPER
LIFTINGTECHNIQUESTO AVOID BACKSTRAIN ANDINJURY.BECERTAIN TO INSTALL IT IN A
SECURELOCATIONFROM WHICHIT CAN NOT FALL ORTIP OVER.
INDEX
Introduction
Installation
Inputs(backpanel)
Outputs&GroundingSwitch(backpanel)
Logo Illumination(backpanel)
Operation
FrontPanel Controls
Remote Control
Replacementof Tubes
AWordAboutTubesinGeneral
Warranty &RegistrationForm

INTRODUCTION
TheRenaissance Signature Preamplifier istheworld’sfinestaudiopreamplifier and an
absolutelyunique component.Itsunusualtopology,premium parts, and flexibility make it
apleasure to hear and operate.
Thelinestageis, ineffect,asmall Class A1power amplifier,capable of drivingloads aslow
asafewhundredohms. Thisisastarkcontrastto normal preamplifiers, whichclaimalow
outputimpedance butcompletelycollapsewhenaskedto deliver current.TheRenaissance
Signature circuithasaninternal300 ohm outputload, and isloafingwithvirtuallyanyexternal
load, deliveringaneffortless, musical performance.
There isnoloopfeedbackand nocouplingcapacitorsinthelinesection.All active
elementsare triodetubes, thepurest,mostlinearamplifyingdevicesyetinvented. Output
matchingisaccomplishedbyway of superb outputtransformers. Asasidebenefit,different
outputgroundingconfigurationsare possible,optimizingperformance into either balanced
or single-endedloads, and allowingground loops to be broken.
Theoptionalphonostageusessixtwintriodesoperatingwithoutloopfeedback.Gainis
moderatelyhigh,withaverylownoisefloor.LowoutputMCcartridgesare accommodated
bymeansof highquality matchingtransformers, whichcontributevoltagegainwithoutnoise,
resultingindetail that emergesfromaremarkablydarkand neutralbackground.A
completelyseparatepower transformer and filter systemisprovidedforthephonostage,
eliminatingall unwantedinteractionwiththe line stage.
Remotecontrolisimplementedviamotorizedmechanicaldevices. Thisisexpensive,but
providestwomajoradvantages. First,theSignature Preamplifier controlsare completely
intuitiveto use.Second,weavoidthesound degradationattendantwithVCAs, relays,
transistor switches, and switchedresistor arrays.
Themassivechassisismachinedfromquarter inchthickaluminum plateand fittedwith
dampingmaterialforastrong,resonance-resistantstructure.Thehalf-inchthickfasciahasa
hand rubbedgloss lacquer finish.
The audiocircuitryand power supplyare completelyhand wired.
The Renaissance Signature Preamplifier isdesignednot to thelatestfadbutto substance,
forthehighestpossible sound quality.Timespentfamiliarizingyourselfwiththismanualwill
be well rewarded.

INSTALLATION
1)Provide adequate ventilation.
2)Do not operate oncarpetor anyother surface that mightblockair flow.
3)The chassiswill become warminnormal use.
4)Do not allowthechassisto touchanymetalparts, suchastheframeof anequipment
rack.Thismightcreateaparallel ground paththat coulddegradethesound of your
system.
5)Inputconnectionisviasingle endedRCAjacksorXLRjacks(whichcanbe from
balancedorunbalancedsources).Outputcanbe onRCAorXLRjacks, and canbe
setforbalancedorunbalancedloads, withorwithoutground connectionat the
preamplifier.IMPORTANT: READTHESECTIONON“OUTPUTS&GROUNDING
SWITCH”. Connectlinelevel inputs(CD,Tuner,Tape,etc.)to theappropriateRCA
inputjacksontherearpanel.Note:withtheexceptionof Phono(whenfitted),all
inputsare “line level”
6)Connectphonocablesto therearpanel MM orMCinputslabeled“Phono.” Connect
theground wire fromtheturntable orphonocable to the“Ground” terminal
providedontherearpanel.SettheMM /MCswitchto reflecttheinputjacksbeing
used.
7)Connectthepower cablesfromthepower supplyto thepreamplifier.Notethat
eachhasalocatingkeyand alockingcollar.Besure to inserttheconnectorproperly,
and fullytightenthe lockingcollar.
8)Connectthe inputand outputcables.
9)Connectthepower supplytothecorrectvoltagesource.Thevoltagemay be
selectedbymeansof the removable selector cardlocatedunderneaththefusein
thepower connector.Removethecards and reinstall sothat thedesiredvoltage
may be read. Avoidpower conditionersthat float theground pin.ALWAYSconnect
power cordto componentbefore pluggingitinto anACoutlet,and makesure that
unit’spower switchissetto the“off”positionbefore makingthefinalconnection.
For bestperformance,tryto route the power cordaway fromsignal cables.
10)Pay closeattentionto power quality,and be aware that differentpower cords can
alter thesound.Thebacklitmetersshowvariationinpower linevoltageasreflected
to the audiocircuitry.
11)Setthe logo illuminationswitchto bright,dim,or off.

INPUTS (backpanel)
There are fivelineinputs. Three pairs(L1,L2,L3) haveRCAjacksto accommodate
unbalancedlinelevel sources. Theother twoinputs(L4,L5) canaccepteither RCA
unbalancedorXLRbalancedsources;byeachof thesesetsof jacksisatoggle switchthat
mustbe setto the correctmode.
Note:not all sourceswithXLRconnectorsare balanced. Manyare unbalanced, withpin2
orpin3tiedto ground.TheSignature Preamplifier acceptssuchsources, aswell astrue
balancedsources.
Onepair of RCAjacksaccommodateahometheater surround sound processor(left &right
frontchannels).WhentheCINEMAselectionismade,theoutputfromtheprocessoris
routeddirectlyto thepower amplifier at afixedgain.Thisallows volumelevelsto be under
thesole controlof theprocessor,allowingeasyintegrationof yourhigh-end stereosystem
into ahometheater system.Whennoprocessorisconnected, pleasekeepshortingplugs
inthese jacks.
Onepair of RCAjacksaccommodatethemonitorreturnfromatapedeck.If youdonot
have atape deck,these jackscanbe usedasanadditional input.
UnitswithouttheoptionalphonosectionhavetwoRCAjackslabeled“MC”. Theseactas
aline level input(L6),engagedwhenthe SELECTORissetto “PHONO”.
Unitswithphonohavetwosetsof RCAjacks, labeled“MC”and “MM”, to acceptphono
cartridgesof lowor highoutput.The switchshouldbe setto “MM”or “MC”to matchthe
inputsused. Theground leadfromtheturntable shouldbe connectedto thebindingpost
locatedbythese jacks.

OUTPUTS &GROUNDING SWITCH(backpanel)
Onepair of RCAjacksprovidelinelevel outputto ataperecorder.Thelevel of signalisnot
adjustedbythe volume control.
Twosetsof RCAoutputjacksare providedasmainoutputsto power amplifiers. Inaddition,
one pair of XLRjackscanbe usedto drive apower amplifier.
TheGROUNDswitchmustbe setcorrectlyfortheoutputconfigurationbeingused.
Incorrectsettingwill resultineither excessivebuzz,orcausegross distortionof frequency
response and output.
Forpower amplifierswithRCAinputjacks, youwill normallyusethe“RCAGND”setting.You
may alsochoose “XLR/RCAUNGND”ifitisnecessaryto breakaground loop.
Forpower amplifierswithXLRinputjacks, youmustdetermineiftheinputistrulybalanced,
or ifeither pin2or 3isactuallytiedto ground (unbalancedXLR).
Fortruebalancedinputsyoumay choosebetween“XLRGND”and “XLR/RCAUNGND”for
lowesthum level.
Forpower amplifierswithunbalancedXLRinputs, select“XLR/RCAUNGND”. If theamplifier
tiespin3to ground,youmay alsouse “RCAGND”. Do NOT use “XLRGND”.
LOGO ILLUMINATIONSWITCH(backpanel)
Thelogo may be setforbright,dim,ornoillumination.Since thelogo lightalsofunctionsas
the mute indicator,we suggestthat itbe left on.

OPERATION
Before turningthepower switchto the“on” position,mutetheunitbymovingthe“Mute”
switchto itsclockwise(i.e., muted)position.Youmightalsowantto turnthe“Volume”
control fullycounterclockwise.
Mute isautomaticallyengagedwhenswitchingontheunit.The mute state isindicatedby
theVAClogo beingilluminatedinred. Whenun-muted, thelogo will be blue.(Note:the
logo illuminationmay be setfor bright,dim,or off viathe rear panel switch.)
Allowthepreamplifier to warmup foraminutebefore youun-mutetheunit;failure to wait
cancauseatransientto be sentthroughyourpower amplifier that mightcausedamageto
your loudspeakers.
Aswithall highfidelity products, thesound characteristic of theVACchangessomewhat
asitwarmsup.Bestsound will be achievedafter about15 minutesof operation.
Anytimethat theVACRenaissance Signature Preamplifier hasnot beenusedforafew
weeksthesound may be different.Thisisalsonormalforhighresolutionaudioequipment.
Optimum sound shouldreturnafter afewhoursof operation,preferablywithanaudio
signal.
Pleasenotethat althoughyourVACSystemhasbeenrun for48 hoursat thefactory,itwill
continueto "breakin"forapproximately150 hours. Alsobe aware that manycomponents
display theneedforanewbreakinperiodafter beingtransportedinunheatedcargo
aircraft.

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS
Althoughmostof thefrontpanel controls(Volume,Power,Mute)are selfexplanatory,VAC
hasoutfittedthisunitwithseveral advancedfeatureswhichbear further description:
PhonoSection:Whenfitted, input“PHONO" isconnectedto adiscrete,pure tube phono
preamplifier,providing44 dBof gain,suitable forusewithMM (movingmagnet) and many
high-outputMC(movingcoil)cartridges. AnMCstepup interface canbe switchedinfor
64 dBof gain,makingthe Signature Preamplifier suitable for mostlowoutputcartridges.
Monitor:Thesmall knobfound at thelower left-hand corner of thefaceplateswitches
between“Source”and “Tape”. Inthe“Source”position,inputselectionisdeterminedby
theSource SelectorSwitch.Inthe“Tape”position,theSource Selectorisoverridden,and
the Tape inputsare activated.
Cinema:Thesmall knobfound at theupper left-hand corner of thefaceplateswitches
between“Source”and “Cinema”(hometheater pass-throughmode).Inthe“Source”
position,inputselectionisdeterminedbytheSource SelectorSwitch.The“Cinema”
positionprovidesaccess to oneof theSignature Preamplifier’smostunusualfeature.When
setinthe“Source”position,inputchoice isgovernedbytheInputSelectorswitch.Thisis
thenormalsetting,and enablestheunitto be usedasatypicalpreamplifier.Rotatingthe
controlclockwiseto the“Cinema”positionbypassesall preamplifier controls(including
volume)and passestheoutputfromyoursurround sound processor(i.e., thefrontleft- and
right-channel outputsof amultichannel processor)directlyto yourpower amplifier.Inthis
case,theusers’analog stereosourceswouldbe connected, asusual,to theline,phono
and tapeinputs. A/Vinputs(DVD,Laserdisc,DSS,etc.)wouldbe connectedto thehome
theater processor,and the processor’smainoutputswouldbe connectedto thepair of
rearpanel RCAjackslabeled“HomeTheater Direct”. Whenthecontrolissetto the“Cinema”
position,theSignature Preamplifier functionsasapass-throughONLY,and iscontrolledby
theexternalprocessor,preamplifier,orother componentconnectedto the“HomeTheater
Direct”inputs.
Mute:Thisknobisspringloaded;movingthecontrolclockwisewill toggle betweenthe
“Mute”and “Operate”condition.Whenmuted, theVAClogo will be red;whenun-muted,
itwill be blue.Onoccasionthepreamplifier may seemnot to haverespondedto aturnof
the“Mute”knob;thisisdueto “contactbounce”intheswitch.Simplyturntheknobagain
until the desiredconditionisattained.
Meters:Thepower supplyhastwobacklitmeters. Onemonitorstheoutputvoltageof the
heater supplyto thelinestage,theother monitorsthehighvoltagesupplyto thelinestage.
Thesewill varysomewhat dueto power linevoltage,and,to alesser degree,tube
condition.Thetargetconditionhastheneedle alignedwiththeball indicationinthecenter.

REMOTECONTROL
The remote control allows for wireless adjustmentof MUTE and VOLUME.
Theremotewand ispoweredbytwo“AAA”batteries. Theseshouldbe of thealkaline
type.Youwill needto install theminthewand before usingtheremote.Since batteriescan
leak,theyshouldbe removedfromthewand ifitisnot goingto be usedforanextended
periodof time.
Mute:Pressingeither sideof the“Mute”buttonwill toggle betweenthe“Mute”and
“Operate”condition.Whenmuted, aredglowwill be observedintheLEDindicator.Mute
isautomaticallyengagedwhenthe preamplifier isfirstswitchedon.
VolumeUp/Down:Thesebuttonscauseamotorto turnthevolumecontrol;themore
brieflyyoupress thecontrol,thesmaller themotionof thevolumecontrol.Motorized
controlsoffer superiorsound,aswell asdirectvisualindicationof volumesetting.Thefront
panel control may alsobe useddirectlyinthe conventional way.
Note:Yourremotecontrolwand may containbuttonsfor additional functions, butthese
are not active withthe Signature MkII Preamplifier.

REPLACEMENT OF TUBES
Refer to the figure (below)for the locationand typesof tubes.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------back-----
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|12AX712AX7|
|LownoiseLownoisenotubenotube|
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|12AX712AX784168416|
||
||
||
|12AX712AX712AU712AU7|
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------front-----
^^^^
PhonoPhonoLineLine
LeftRightLeftRight
Dueto theuniquenature of theVACSignature,westrongly recommend that youuseonly
tubesspecificallyselected and testedbyVAC for thisapplication.
DANGEROUSVOLTAGESEXISTWITH THISCOMPONENT.YOU MUSTFOLLOWTHESESTEPS
TO PROTECTYOURSAFETY.Before replacingtubes, all power mustbe turnedoff.Unplug
thepower cordfromthewall,and removeall audiointerconnectcables. Wait30 minutes
before removingthetopcover.Install newtubesof theappropriatetypesfirmlyintheir
sockets, notingthelocationof holesinthesocketand pinsof thetubes, takingcare to
makesure that pinpatterncorrespondsto holesintube socket.Reinstall thetopcover
before reconnectingthe unit.
NEVERINSTALL OROPERATETHIS UNIT WITHOUT ALL COVERS IN PLACE.
Intheeventthat trouble isencountered, checkall signal,speaker and power connections.
If theproblempersists, followall safety precautionsstatedearlier inthissection,and check
that alltubesare correctlyseatedintheir sockets. If possible,tryanother tube.If the
problempersists, please consultyour VACdealer or contactthe factorydirectly.

CAREOFCHASSIS
VACchassisare machinedaluminum forsuperiorelectromagnetic performance,and finished
indurable texturedgloss paint.Cleaningwithadamp clothWHILETHEAMP IS SWITCHED
OFF ANDUNPLUGGEDshouldsuffice.Do not getcleaningsolutionsonto orinto the
connectorsor controls.
Whenshippingyourunit,be certainto wraptheamplifier inthecloth,tissueorplastic wrap
inwhichitwasoriginallypackaged. Giventhehighgloss of thelacqueredfinish,makesure
there are noridgesorsharpsurfacesinthosepartsof theclothwhichcontactthefaceplate.
Useof acoarser clothorfailure to otherwiseprotectthefaceplatemay resultindamageto
thefinish.VACisnot responsible forcosmetic damageresultingfromimproper care or
packing.
AWordAboutTubesinGeneral
Tubesare likethetiresonacar;theywill eventuallyneedreplacement.Murphy’sLawstates
that atube will probablyfail rightat thestartof alongholiday weekend.Therefore,many
audiophileskeepaspare tube of eachtype onhand,justincase!
VACcantesttubesfor concernedcustomers.

WARRANTY
Your equipmentiswarranted for aperiod ofthirty (30)daysfromthe dateofpurchase.Inaddition,if the
registrationformisreceivedby VACalongwithacopyofyour sales receiptfromanauthorized VACdealer
withinthisthirty days,aservicecontractwill beextended tocover your equipmentfor two (2)years (tubes
excepted).It isthe responsibility ofthe dealer andcustomer todetermine suitability ofthisunit for aparticular
application.Thiswarranty applies only tounitssoldinthe United States ofAmericathroughauthorized VAC
dealers andoperated inthe USAby the original owner.It covers factoryserviceand,withinthe continental
U.S., standard return shipping. For warranty informationoutside ofthe U.S.contactthe importer ofVAC
equipmentfor your country. Unitssoldoutside ofthe U.S.shouldstill beregistered withVAC.
Your questions andcommentsare alwayswelcome.Contact:
Valve AmplificationCompany
1911 EastAvenue North
Sarasota, FL 34234
Telephone [phone]Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
_____________________________ Detachand mail to theaddress aboveassoon aspossible. ____________________________
Renaissance Signature Preamplifier Mk II RegistrationForm
Name________________________________________________________________________
Address________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Telephone_______/_______-_____________e-mail __________________________________
Dealer name________________________________City ____________________________________
Salesperson___________________ Purchase date____________SerialNumber ________________
How didyoufirstlearn ofVACproducts?____________________________________________________
What other brands/modelsdidyouconsider? _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
What made youdecide onthe VAC?_______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
What else wouldyoulikeus toknow? _______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Optional:
What magazines do youreadregularly?________________________________________________________
What are your hobbies (besides fillinginwarranty cards)?_______________________________________
What are your favoritetypes ofmusic? ________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Onwhat format?(CD, LP,DVD, SACD, MP3,etc.)______________________________________________