VAC Renaissance Setup guide

VACRenaissancePreamplifier
Operation&MaintenanceInformation
Valve Amplification Company
Manual issued02/21/2001

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 HEAVY.BESURETO USEPROPERLIFTING
TECHNIQUESTO AVOID BACKSTRAIN ANDINJURY.BECERTAIN TO INSTALL IT IN ASECURE
LOCATIONFROM WHICHIT CAN NOT FALL ORTIP OVER.
INDEX
Introduction
Installation
Inputs(backpanel)
Outputs&GroundingSwitch(backpanel)
Operation
FrontPanel Controls
Remote Control
AWordAboutTubesinGeneral
Replacementof Tubes
Warranty &RegistrationForm

INTRODUCTION
TheRenaissance Preamplifier isamongtheworld’sfinestaudiopreamplifiers, second only
to theVACRenaissance Signature Preamplifier.Sharingsimilarcircuitdesigns, theyare
absolutelyuniquecomponents. Unusualtopology,premium parts, and flexibility makethem
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
circuitisloafingwithanormalloadinthe10,000 to 200,000 ohm range,deliveringan
effortless, musical performance.
There isnofeedbackand nocouplingcapacitorsinthelinesection.All activeelementsare
triodetubes, thepurest,mostlinearamplifyingdevicesyetinvented. Outputmatchingis
accomplishedbyway of superb outputtransformers. Asasidebenefit,differentoutput
groundingconfigurationsare possible,optimizingperformance into either balancedor
single-endedloads, and allowingground loops to be broken.
Theoptionaltriodetube phonostagehasmoderatelyhighgainwithaverylownoisefloor.
LowoutputMCcartridgesare accommodatedbymeansof highquality matching
transformers, whichcontributevoltagegainwithoutnoise,resultingindetail that emerges
fromaremarkablydarkand neutral background.
Remotecontrolisimplementedviamotorizedmechanicaldevices. Thisisexpensive,but
providestwomajoradvantages. First,theRenaissance Preamplifier controlsare completely
intuitiveto use.Second,weavoidthesounddegradationattendantwithVCAs, relays,
transistor switches, and switchedresistor arrays.
Themassivechassisismachinedfromquarter inchthickaluminum plateand fittedwith
dampingmaterialforastrong,resonance-resistantstructure.Thesculptedaluminum fascia
hasahand rubbedgloss lacquer finish.
The audiocircuitryand power supplyare completelyhand wired.
Youwill notice thesound quality of theRenaissance Preamplifier improveduringthefirstfew
hundredhoursof operation,particularlywithregardto subjective frequencyextension.
TheRenaissance Preamplifier isdesignednot to thelatestfadbutto substance,forthe
highestpossible 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 cable fromthepower supplyto thepreamplifier.Notethat ithas
alocatingkeyand alockingcollar.Besure to inserttheconnectorproperly,and fully
tightenthe lockingcollar.
8)Connectthe inputand outputcables.
9)Connectthepower supplyto thepower source indicatedontherearpanel,either
100,120,220,or240 voltsAC. Thevoltagemay be selectbymeansof the
removableselectorcardlocatedunderneaththefuseinthepower connector.
Removethecards and reinstall sothat thedesiredvoltagemay be read. Avoid
power conditionersthat float theground pin.ALWAYSconnectpower cordto
componentbefore pluggingitinto anACoutlet,and makesure that unit’spower
switchissetto the“off”positionbefore makingthefinalconnection.Forbest
performance,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)Youwill notice thesound quality of theRenaissance Preamplifier improveduringthe
firstfewhundredhoursof operation,particularlywithregardto subjectivefrequency
extension.Thephonostage,whenfitted, hasitsownbreakintime.TheMCphono
sectionhasapartunique to it,souse of theMM phonoinputdoesnot countfully
towards breakinof the MCinput.Breakinisalwaysfastestand mosteffective with
signal.

INPUTS (backpanel)
Three pairsof RCAjacksaccommodateunbalancedlinelevel sources. These correspond
to SELECTORpositions“L1" through“L3".
Twoinputs, designated“L4" and “L5" may be either RCAunbalancedorXLRbalanced. Each
inputhasacorrespondingconfigurationswitchadjacentto itontherearpanel;setthis
switchto matchtheinputyouintend to use(setto “SE”forRCAinputsorunbalancedXLR
withpin3grounded, setto “BAL”for XLRbalanced).
Note:Not all unitswithXLRconnectorsare balanced. Manyare unbalanced, with
pin2or3tiedto ground.TheSignature Preamplifier acceptssuchsources
withoutdifficulty.
Note:Thesound character of theRenaissance Preamplifier isidenticalineither inputmode.
Therefore,thepreferredmodewill depend uponthedesignand voicingof the
source component.Generally,unitshavingbothbalancedand SEoutputstend to
sound better inthe balancedmode.
Onepair of RCAjacksaccommodatesahometheater surround sound processor(left &
rightfrontchannels).WhentheCINEMAselectionismade,the outputfromtheprocessor
isrouteddirectlyto thepower amplifier at afixedgain.Thisallows volumelevelsto be
under thesole controlof theprocessor,allowingeasyintegrationof yourhigh-end stereo
systeminto ahometheater system.Whennoprocessorisconnected, pleasekeepshorting
plugsinthese jacks.
Onepairof RCAjacksaccommodatethemonitorreturnfromatapedeck.If youdonot
have atape deck,these jackscanbe usedasanadditional input.
Unitswithouttheoptionalphonosectionhave twoRCAjackslabeled“MC”. Theseactas
aline level input,engagedwhenthe SELECTORissetto “L6”.
Unitswithphonohavetwosetsof RCAjacks, labeled“MC”and “MM”, to acceptphono
cartridgesof loworhighoutput.Theswitchshouldbe 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.
TheOUTPUT GROUNDswitchmustbe setcorrectlyfortheoutputconfigurationbeingused.
Incorrectsettingwill resultineither excessivebuzz,orcausegross distortionof frequency
response and output.
Forpower amplifierswithXLRinputjacks, youmustdetermineiftheinputistrulybalanced,
or ifeither pin2or 3isactuallytiedto ground (unbalancedXLR):
For true balancedinputs,select“BAL”.
Forpower amplifierswithunbalancedXLRinputs, select“SE”. Thiswill ONLYworkif
the amplifier tiespin3to ground (EIA standard); ifpin2istiedto ground itwill be
necessaryto modify the power amplifier to meetthe EIAstandard.
OPERATION
Before turningthepower switchto the“on” position,mutetheunitbymovingthe“Mute”
switchto itsclockwise(i.e., muted)position.Youmightalsowantto turnthe“Volume”
control fullycounterclockwise.
Mute isautomaticallyengagedwhenswitchingonthe unit.
Allowthepreamplifier to warmup foraminutebefore youun-mutetheunit;failure to wait
cancauseatransientto be sentthroughyourpower amplifier that mightcausedamageto
your loudspeakers.
Aswithall highfidelity products, thesound characteristic of the VACchangessomewhat
asitwarmsup.Bestsound will be achievedafter about15 minutesof operation.
Anytimethat theVACRenaissance Preamplifier hasnot beenusedforafewweeksthe
sound may be different.Thisisalsonormalforhighresolutionaudioequipment.Optimum
sound shouldreturnafter afewhoursof operation,preferablywithanaudiosignal.

Pleasenotethat althoughyourVACSystemhasbeenrun for48 hoursat thefactory,itwill
continueto "breakin"forafewhundredhours. 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“L6" isconnectedto adiscrete,pure tube phono
preamplifier,providing40 dBof gain,suitable forusewithMM (movingmagnet) and many
high-outputMC(movingcoil)cartridges. AnMCstepup interface canbe switchedin,
makingthe Renaissance Preamplifier suitable for mostlowoutputcartridges.
Monitor/Cinema:Inthe“Source”position,inputselectionisdeterminedbytheSource
SelectorSwitch.Inthe“Tape”position,theSource Selectorisoverridden,and theTape
inputsare activated.
The“Cinema”positionprovidesaccess to oneof theRenaissance Preamplifier’smost
unusualfeature.Whensetinthe “Source”position,inputchoice isgovernedbytheInput
Selectorswitch.Rotatingthecontrolclockwiseto the“Cinema”positionbypassesall
preamplifier controls(includingvolume)and passestheoutputfromyoursurround sound
processor(i.e., thefrontleft- and right-channel outputsof amultichannel processor)directly
to yourpower amplifier.Inthiscase,theusers’analog stereosourceswouldbe connected,
asusual,to theline,phonoand tapeinputs. A/Vinputs(DVD,Laserdisc,DSS,etc.)would
be connectedto thehometheater processor,and theprocessor’smainoutputswouldbe
connectedto thepair of rearpanel RCAjackslabeled“HomeTheater Direct”. Whenthe
controlissetto the“Cinema”position,theRenaissance functionsasapass-throughONLY,
and iscontrolledbytheexternalprocessor,preamplifier,orother componentconnected
to the “Home Theater 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.

REMOTECONTROL
The remote control allows for wireless adjustmentof SELECTOR,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.
SelectorUp/Down:Pressingtheleft sideof thisbuttoncausesamotorto turntheselector
switchinthecounter-clockwisedirection.Pressingtherightsideof thisbuttoncausesthe
selectorto turnclockwise.If thecontrolever stops midway betweentwosettings, merely
push the buttonagain.
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.
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.

REPLACEMENT OF TUBES
The line stage tubesare type 8416.
Thephonostagetubesare type12AX7,alsoknownas12AX7A,7025,CV4004,ECC83,
and E83CC. Do not use the 5751,whichsome suppliersmay suggest.
Werecommend that youuseonlytubesspecificallyselected and testedbyVAC forthis
preamplifier.
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, notingthelocationofholesinthesocketand pinsof thetubes, takingcare to
makesurethat 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 all tubesare 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 ISSWITCHED
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.

WARRANTY
Your equipmentiswarranted for aperiod ofthirty (30)daysfromthe dateofpurchase.Inaddition,if the
registrationformisreceivedby VACalongwithacopyofyour sales receiptfromanauthorized VACdealer
withinthisthirty days,aservicecontractwill beextended tocover your equipmentfor three (3)years (tubes
excepted).Thiswarranty applies only tounitssoldinthe United States ofAmericathroughauthorized VAC
dealers andoperated inthe United States.It covers factoryserviceandstandard return shipping. For warranty
informationoutside ofthe U.S.contactthe importer ofVACequipmentfor your country. Unitssoldoutside
ofthe U.S.shouldstill beregistered withVAC. It isthe responsibility ofthe dealer andcustomer toensure
that thisunit issuitablefor anygiven application.
Your questions andcommentsare alwayswelcome.Contact:
Valve AmplificationCompany
1731 NorthgateBoulevard
Sarasota, FL 34234
Telephone [phone]Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
_____________________________ Detachand mail to theaddress aboveassoon aspossible. ____________________________
Renaissance Preamplifier 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.)______________________________________________