VAC Vintage Line Stage Mk II User manual

VAC VINTAGELINEAMPLIFIERMk II
Operating Instructions
DO NOT OPEN THISUNIT-THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
DO NOT TOUCH TUBES UNTILUNITHAS BEEN SWITCHED OFF FOR 5
MINUTES.TUBES BECOMEHOT INUSE.DO NOTEXPOSE THISUNITTO
MOISTURE.DO NOT PLUG INTO AN AC SOURCE UNTILALL CONNECTIONS
ARE COMPLETED.
Introduction
TheVintageLineAmplifier is azero-global-feedback,Class A,triodelineamplifier &
controller. It is tobeoperatedfromthevoltagevisible on theconfiguration card,visible
under the fuse. The fuse is a slowblowtype ofthe size labelledon the backofthe unit.
Connection
1.Complete all connections before connecting the AC cordtothe wall outlet.
2.Atturnon,thevolumecontrolshouldbefull counter-clockwise and themodeswitch
shouldbeset toMUTE.Also,topreventpossible damagetospeakers and power
amplifiers, always MUTE the preampbefore switching off power.
3.Allow30 seconds for warmup before leaving MUTE.
4.TheVintageLineStageinverts phase fromall inputs tothemainoutputs. To correct
forthis reverse thespeaker connectionsinbothchannels. Outputtothetapejacks
does not invert.
5.Innormal operation no signal is presentat thetapeoutputjacks. This is doneto
ensure that no degradation ofsound occurs duetoinputnon-linearities orloading
effects ofthetaperecorder. To record,select therecordenable position ("TAPE
ON")oftheTAPE MONITOR switch.Ifyou wishtomonitortheoutputfromthe
recorder'smonitorhead(if soequipped)select themonitor position ("MON"). It is
recommendedthat this switchnot be cycledduring important recordings.
6.Tube compliment is:
V112AU7A/E82CCamplifying triode
V212AX7A/E83CCimpedance translator triode
7.Tubeshields are provided,buttheir use is recommendedonlyinthose rare
installations withrfofemfinterference.

8.XLR balancedoutputs (optional) followtheEIAstandardconvention,where the
positivephase signal is carriedonpin2and theinvertedphase is carriedon pin3.
Manymanufacturers fail tofollowthe standard.
Tube Types
GoldenDragon tubes are generallyrecommendedand havebeenusedextensivelyduring the
developmentofthis amplifier. Other brandswill yielddiffering sonic character. Inaddition,
AC power cordpolarityand grounding caninfluence thesound.Please feel free tocontact
VAC ifyou require additional information or advice.
About Microphony
Everyamplifying device, beit tubeortransistor, produces someoutputwithmechanical
stimulation (microphony). Infact, evencables possess microphony.IntheVintageLine
Stage, V1will emit asound through thespeakers ifit is directlystruck.This is anormal
situation.Theexact amountofsound dependson thetubetype, its location inthecircuit, and
slightrandomvariationsintubemanufacture. Whenthechassis itselfis strucksharplythere
maybe either no sound oraslightsound emittedfromthespeaker, butit shoulddie away
rapidly.Again,this is normal and notrepresentativeofthemechanical oracoustic
stimulation encounteredwhenthe unit is properlyinstalledand playing music.
It is best nottosubject thetubes totapping orthechassis torepeatedmechanical jars, as this
maydamage the precision ofthe tubes and cause themtobecome more microphonic.
About Noise
Everyamplifying device produces someamountofnoise. Infact, evena resistor produces
noise inthepresence ofcurrentflow.Acceptabilityis notaquestion ofwhether this
characteristic is present but rather the degree towhichit is present.
Themost likelysource ofnoise is tubeV1.Theaudibilityofnoise producedintheVintage
LineStageis notaffectedbythevolumecontrolsetting,and is determinedbythesensitivity
ofthepower amplifier and theefficiencyofthespeakers. Withaspeaker ofextremelyhigh
efficiency(forexample, aKlipschorn)thepreamplifier itselfmaybemodifiedbyVAC for
more appropriate noise and outputlevels. Noise shouldbeinsignificantwithspeakers inthe
typical efficiencyrange.
NeedHelp?
Please call us withanyquestions you mayhave. It is better toaskthantoguess.

Warranty
This amplifier is warrantedforaperiodofthirty(30)daysfromthedate ofpurchase. In
addition,iftheregistration card(s) is receivedbyVAC along withacopyofyoursales
receipt fromanauthorizedVAC dealer withinthis thirtydays, aservice contract will be
extendedtocover yourequipmentfortwo(2)years (excepttubes whichare coveredfor90
days). Receipt ofyour registration cardwill be confirmedinwriting byVAC.
This warrantyapplies onlytounits soldtoand operatedbyprivate individuals intheUnited
States ofAmerica through authorizedVAC dealers. Forwarrantyinformation outsideofthe
U.S.contact theimporter ofVAC equipmentforyourcountry.Units soldoutsideoftheU.S.
shouldstill be registeredwithVAC.
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Mail this formalong withacopy of your sales receipt as soon as possible to:
REGISTRATION FORM
VintageLineStageMk II
Name_________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Telephone_______-_______-__________________
Dealer name__________________________________ Salesperson____________________
"address_________________________________________________________________
Purchasedate____________________ SerialNumber__________________
How did you first learnof VAC products?__________________________________________
PleaseprovideanycommentsonVAC productsor your dealer _________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

N OTE
Tube shieldcansareprovidedwith yourVAC,but
theiruseisonly recommendedfor thoserare
installationswherethereisinterferencefrom radio
transmittersornearbyelectro-magneticfields(power
transformers, turntablemotors, etc.).YourVAC
component typically will sound moreopenand sweet
withouttheshields.