Virtue Audio one User manual

Virtue ONE & TWO Owner’s Manual http://www.virtueaudio.com Pa e 1 of 11
Owners Manual
Reference rade inte rated two-channel amplifier
Powered by Tripath™ technology
Purchased from Dealer:
Purchased from Dealer: Purchased from Dealer:
Purchased from Dealer:
Purchase Date:
Purchase Date:Purchase Date:
Purchase Date:
Invoice Number:
Invoice Number:Invoice Number:
Invoice Number:
Serial Number:
Serial Number:Serial Number:
Serial Number:

We make audio lovers audiophiles.
TM
Better Sound by Desi n.
TM
Virtue ONE & TWO Owner’s Manual http://www.virtueaudio.com Pa e 2 of 11
Welcome
We started Virtue in 2005 with the dream of brin in the sensory experience of the hi h-end audio to the
masses. Welcome to our family! If you’re already an audiophile, you know already that this amplifier is one
of the best soundin , hi hest value audio products ever made. If you simply like listenin to ood music, we
hope to help you appreciate of accurate sound reproduction and museum-caliber build quality. When you
do, you’ll be an audiophile.
Virtue is a principle-driven company. Here are some of the rules we live by:
 Life is too short for bad audio. Make audio lovers audiophiles.
 If it’s not overbuilt, it can be made better. Overbuild.
 Provide a transportin sensory experience throu h si ht, touch, and sound.
 Make a product too attractive to be hidden in a cabinet.
 Build it no bi er than it needs to be, but no smaller.
 Make sure that ten is “loud enou h” but o all the way to eleven re ardless.
 Establish Virtue as the hi hest value brand in the industry.
 Provide a completely satisfyin buyin experience.
 Live up to the Virtue name in every product and every way, every day.
We hope that you et a lifetime of enjoyment from your Virtue amplifier. Let this uide show you
how. We’ll cover:
 What’s in the box
 Settin up your amplifier
 Deployment options
 Trouble-shootin
 Specifications
 Warranty
 Trademarks
If you are have any questions whatsoever about the amplifier, please submit feedback on our
website. Go to http://www.virtueaudio.com
http://www.virtueaudio.comhttp://www.virtueaudio.com
http://www.virtueaudio.com , click on “Us
UsUs
Us” and then specify “Product Question
Product QuestionProduct Question
Product Question” or
“Product Is
Product IsProduct Is
Product Issue
suesue
sue” in the messa e form.

We make audio lovers audiophiles.
TM
Better Sound by Desi n.
TM
Virtue ONE & TWO Owner’s Manual http://www.virtueaudio.com Pa e 3 of 11
What’s in the box
You will find 4 items in the box.
Please note that we chan ed the name of the
product from “audiophile” to “virtue” but the box
was not reprinted.
1. Virtue ONE or TWO
amplifier
2. Power Supply unit (PSU) 3. AC power cord
4. Volume kno
(must e attached, prefera ly
glued)

We make audio lovers audiophiles.
TM
Better Sound by Desi n.
TM
Virtue ONE & TWO Owner’s Manual http://www.virtueaudio.com Pa e 4 of 11
Setting up your amplifier
We bubble wrap several of the amplifier parts to protect them durin lon -distance shippin . After
unwrappin the parts, you should be up and runnin within 5 minutes. You will then need to:
1) Attach the volume knob
2) Connect the si nal and speaker cables
3) Plu in power
4) Turn on!
Attach the volume knob
Attach the volume knobAttach the volume knob
Attach the volume knob
After unwrappin the amplifier and the volume knob, you must
attach the volume knob, which is shipped separately to minimize
possible dama e to the POT/attenuator. The volume knob will
not always be ti ht enou h to avoid droppin off. We
recommend puttin a drop of super- lue into the inner plastic
bushin and then immediately pressin on the knob. The flat
part on the bushin should correspond with the flat part of the
POT/attenuator shaft.

We make audio lovers audiophiles.
TM
Better Sound by Desi n.
TM
Virtue ONE & TWO Owner’s Manual http://www.virtueaudio.com Pa e 5 of 11
Plu in audio inputs and outputs
Plu in audio inputs and outputsPlu in audio inputs and outputs
Plu in audio inputs and outputs
The followin dia ram shows how the unit is confi ured for stereo (2 channel) play.
For use as a mono
For use as a monoFor use as a mono
For use as a mono-
--
-block amplifier
block amplifierblock amplifier
block amplifier, simply
use one channel of the amplifier (left or
ri ht). The unit will automatically dedicate
all available current to the channel you
choose: left, ri ht or both (if both channels
are attached). That’s it.
Connect your audio source to the L/R RCA input connectors. Your CD/DVD player, DAC, MP3 player, tuner,
TV audio, preamp, and other inputs can be connected here. The unit supports hi h level inputs such as MP3
players on maximum volume.
WARNING
WARNINGWARNING
WARNING
: If you are usin
a subwoofer,
please use the line
-
level
subwoofer
output
.
D
DD
D
o NOT connect
o NOT connect o NOT connect
o NOT connect
the hi h
the hi hthe hi h
the hi h-
--
-level
level level
level speaker outputs to your sub
speaker outputs to your subspeaker outputs to your sub
speaker outputs to your sub-
--
-woofer hi h
woofer hi hwoofer hi h
woofer hi h-
--
-level inputs
level inputslevel inputs
level inputs and use the subwoofer amp to cross-
over the hi h and low frequencies. With Tripath™ amps such as this one, there is a decent chance that
your subwoofer amplifier will brid e the amp’s speaker outputs, blowin up your Virtue amp. If you want
to prevent low frequencies from reachin your main speakers, follow the instructions below about chan in
the main input capacitors.

We make audio lovers audiophiles.
TM
Better Sound by Desi n.
TM
Virtue ONE & TWO Owner’s Manual http://www.virtueaudio.com Pa e 6 of 11
You will attach speaker cables to the lorious Propeller Post™ bindin posts. They support banana plu s,
bare wire, and spades.
Banana plu s are simply inserted in the back
of the plu . Banana plu s are the most
convenient attachment option.
Bare wire can be wrapped around the post or inserted throu h
the hole. Be sure the brass bushin is above the hole as
shown. Spades and bare wire provide the opportunity for an
all-copper si nal path (on the TWO).
If you are usin bare wire or spades, twist down the posts to make a solid connection. Check the connections
a ain in a week to see they remain snu . If snu , they should remain that way.
You may connect speakers with an impedance of anywhere from 2 ohms to 16 ohms, without problem. Lower
impedances may cause the amp to shut down; hi her impedances may not have optimum frequency
response. But you'll be fine with the vast majority of speakers on the market. Runnin the amp without
speakers will not harm it.
Plu in power
Plu in powerPlu in power
Plu in power
Makin sure that the unit is turned off, you will then plu in the power brick to your AC mains power socket.
The power bricks we ship are re ulated so they already have much of the circuitry that you find in many power
conditioners. However, you may still want to use a power conditioner to supply smoother and more consistent
current.
Turn on the amplifier
Turn on the amplifierTurn on the amplifier
Turn on the amplifier
You can now depress the power switch to turn on the unit. When you do, the blue LED on the front panel will
illuminate. Also, you will notice a red li ht momentarily behind the volume control. Seein this li ht flash
durin startup, shutdown, and under very heavy loads (si nalin clippin ) is normal. If you see the red li ht
come on often or consistently durin normal listenin , please consider up radin the PSU or turnin down the
volume. Clippin can dama e speakers.

We make audio lovers audiophiles.
TM
Better Sound by Desi n.
TM
Virtue ONE & TWO Owner’s Manual http://www.virtueaudio.com Pa e 7 of 11
Modding your unit
You may want to remove the wrap-around skin in several circumstances:
1. Curiosity.
2. Replacin the cover with another color.
3. Bypassin the POT/attenuator to turn the unit in case a pre-amp is bein used.
4. Minor repairs or up rades such as:
a. ti htenin the output bindin posts
b. replacin the LED assembly
c. replacin the fuse
d. replacin the power switch
e. replacin the input capacitor to implement hi h-pass filterin
Removin the Cover
Removin the CoverRemovin the Cover
Removin the Cover
To remove the cover, choose a hex-screw wrench that fits the screws snu ly. Unscrew slowly, makin sure not
to strip the threads. When ti htenin , please do not over-ti hten as you may dama e the threads and make it
difficult to remove them.
After removin the screws, sprin open the shell and ently slide back, half way. Do not slide the cover off
fully before unfastenin the LED tether.
Unfastenin the LED
Unfastenin the LEDUnfastenin the LED
Unfastenin the LED
WARNING
WARNINGWARNING
WARNING
:
Before moddin your Virtue amplifier, please insure that the amplifier is completely powered
off and the power supply cable is disconnected from the amplifier.

We make audio lovers audiophiles.
TM
Better Sound by Desi n.
TM
Virtue ONE & TWO Owner’s Manual http://www.virtueaudio.com Pa e 8 of 11
On the front side of the unit, you will find the LED tether. Usin your fin ers or a needle-nose pliers, pull it
up from the board.
Turn the unit into a power amplifier
Turn the unit into a power amplifierTurn the unit into a power amplifier
Turn the unit into a power amplifier
If you are usin a pre-amplifier, there is no need to use the internal attenuator (POT) on the Virtue amp.
Customers have found that by takin the POT out of the circuit, sound quality improves. This job requires
movin the POT bypass jumpers.
The volume control bypass jumpers are located on the
end of the circuit board behind the POT. On most
models of the virtue amp the jumpers will be
underneath the board. A small needle nose plier will
make the job easy. Simply move the jumpers to the
position shown in the photo above.* If yo have not yet
lued the volume knob in place, the job can be made
easier by removin the 8mm nut, pullin the POT back
and movin the jumpers. Then reinstall the pot.
*We recommend tryin the volume in full open position
with your preamp first, to be certain this works well with
your system.

We make audio lovers audiophiles.
TM
Better Sound by Desi n.
TM
Virtue ONE & TWO Owner’s Manual http://www.virtueaudio.com Pa e 9 of 11
Replacin the fuse
Replacin the fuseReplacin the fuse
Replacin the fuse
The fuse is located on the main circuit board. Please use 3A for standard
power supplies and 7A for the 130W (or hi her) supply. It is possible that
when you up rade the PSU on the amp, the fuse will simply blow. This is a
standard part you can find in most hardware stores. If you have trouble
findin the part, email us.
Replacin the input capacitors
Replacin the input capacitorsReplacin the input capacitors
Replacin the input capacitors
If you wish to replace the input caps with smaller values (see table below) to
remove some bass from satellite speakers, you can solder new capacitors in
place. Simply desolder the existin Virtue Caps or Auricaps and install
smaller values. We recommend hi h quality film capacitors such as Auricap
or other.
 For 80Hz hi h pass use 0.1uf
 For 100Hz hi h pass use 0.082uf
 For 120Hz hi h pass use 0.068uf
 For 160Hz hi h pass use 0.05uf
Troubleshooting
Virtue amplifiers are triple checked and burned in for 24-hours before shipment to customers and are built to
provide a lifetime of use. Here are the most common problems that customers have experienced and
recommended solutions.
Issue:
Issue:Issue:
Issue: Sound is only comin throu h one c
Sound is only comin throu h one c Sound is only comin throu h one c
Sound is only comin throu h one channel
hannelhannel
hannel
Recommendation:
Recommendation:Recommendation:
Recommendation: The reen rin on the subwoofer output jack is a quite dark reen, so it
may be mistaken for a black si nal input jack. Please check to see that both the left and
ri ht (red/black) RCA input cables are connected to the RCA in
put jacks (red and black) and
not the subwoofer output jack ( reen).
Issue:
Issue:Issue:
Issue: The unit will not turn off
The unit will not turn off The unit will not turn off
The unit will not turn off
Recommendation:
Recommendation:Recommendation:
Recommendation:
The push
-
button on/off switch has been known to stick, internally, from
time-to-time. Typically, the switch can be unstuck by physically pumpin it on and off. To
do this, please detach the power cable and then vi orously press the switch on and off,

We make audio lovers audiophiles.
TM
Better Sound by Desi n.
TM
Virtue ONE & TWO Owner’s Manual http://www.virtueaudio.com Pa e 10 of 11
between 10 and 20 times. If the switch remains non-functional, please contact us about
replacin the switch.
Issue:
Issue:Issue:
Issue: FM recep
FM recep FM recep
FM reception is weaker when the radio is beside the amplifier
tion is weaker when the radio is beside the amplifiertion is weaker when the radio is beside the amplifier
tion is weaker when the radio is beside the amplifier
Recommendation:
Recommendation:Recommendation:
Recommendation: Please try movin the unit at least 24 inches away from FM receiver in
order to reduce interference.
Issue:
Issue:Issue:
Issue: The left and ri ht RCA jacks are reversed
The left and ri ht RCA jacks are reversed The left and ri ht RCA jacks are reversed
The left and ri ht RCA jacks are reversed
Recommendation:
Recommendation:Recommendation:
Recommendation: Due to a silkscreen printin error, input RCA jacks are not labeled “Left”
and “Ri ht” as they are with the output speaker posts. You should find in all cases that the
black input jack corresponds to the “Ri ht” channel and the red input jack corresponds to
the “Left” input source channel. Phase is correct on the amplifier.
Issue:
Issue:Issue:
Issue: The Virtue label fell off
The Virtue label fell off The Virtue label fell off
The Virtue label fell off
Recommendation:
Recommendation:Recommendation:
Recommendation: Due to some very cold weather this
winter in both shippin and stora e, your “VIRTUE” label
on the front of the amp may have come un lued. A drop
of Super Glue will fix it back in place.
Issue:
Issue:Issue:
Issue: The red li ht behind the volume knob is flashin often
The red li ht behind the volume knob is flashin often The red li ht behind the volume knob is flashin often
The red li ht behind the volume knob is flashin often
Recommendation:
Recommendation:Recommendation:
Recommendation: Seein this li ht durin play indicates clippin , a condition when the
peaks of the si nal are clipped off. This is the power limit of the amp. If you find your unit
clippin often, please consider up radin the power supply or turnin down the volume.
Both the ONE and TWO amplifiers will play more than 90wpc cleanly at 30v with sufficient
current. The unit will drive loads as low as 2 ohms and with speakers as insensitive as
83db, we have many satisfied customers.
Issue:
Issue:Issue:
Issue: My propeller posts have broken free from the chasis
My propeller posts have broken free from the chasis My propeller posts have broken free from the chasis
My propeller posts have broken free from the chasis
Recommendation:
Recommendation:Recommendation:
Recommendation: It is possible to over-ti hten the posts, thereby breakin allowin them to
freely rotate. If this occurs, please open up the enclosure and ti hten down the posts from
the inside. Also, add some super- lue or Lok-Tite™ to reduce the chance of untwistin .