VTL IT-85 User manual

VTL
IT-85 Integrated amplifier
Owner’s Manual

MAKING TUBES USER FRIENDLY
VTL IT-85 Integrated Amplifier
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the
express written permission of VTL.
Version History:
Version 3.2 April 23, 2008
Part Number: 0020-001
Copyright ©2008 by VTL Amplifiers Inc. All rights reserved.
4774 Murrieta Street, Suite 10
Chino, CA 91710, USA
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]
Email: [email protected] • http://www.vtl.com/

IT-85 Integrated amplifier
Owner’s Manual
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1.................................................................................................................................. 1
Introduction............................................................................................................................ 1
Symbol Conventions used in this guide...............................................................................2
Electrical Safety Notice........................................................................................................2
Water and Moisture..............................................................................................................2
Location and Ventilation......................................................................................................3
Servicing..............................................................................................................................3
Operational Warnings..........................................................................................................3
Chapter 2.................................................................................................................................. 5
Getting Started ....................................................................................................................... 5
Unpacking the IT-85 from its box........................................................................................5
Check for tube placement.....................................................................................................6
IT-85 Front Panel.................................................................................................................7
The IT-85 Rear View...........................................................................................................8
Connecting the VTL IT-85 Integrated amplifier to your system .......................................10
Voltage Setting...................................................................................................................11
Power Source for the VTL IT-85 Integrated amplifier......................................................11
Fitting the Batteries to the Remote Control........................................................................11
Chapter 3................................................................................................................................ 13
Operating the VTL IT-85 Integrated Amplifier.................................................................... 13
Power on Stages.................................................................................................................13
Powering your system on...................................................................................................13
Ground Loop Hum.............................................................................................................15
The Remote Control Hand-held Unit.................................................................................15
Powering the system off.....................................................................................................16
Selecting Source Components............................................................................................17
Selecting Headphone out ...................................................................................................17
Connecting the IT-85 to a Home Theater System..............................................................18
Using the Tape out.............................................................................................................19
Connecting a second amplifier to your IT-85....................................................................19
chapter 4................................................................................................................................. 20

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Care and Maintenance of your VTL IT-85............................................................................20
Break in Period ..................................................................................................................20
Tube types..........................................................................................................................20
Tube Life............................................................................................................................20
Bias checking and Setting..................................................................................................21
Top view and Bias Measurement points and Tube complement of the IT-85 amplifier....24
Changing Tubes.................................................................................................................24
Changing the Main and B+ Fuses......................................................................................26
Cleaning.............................................................................................................................27
Troubleshooting.................................................................................................................27
chapter 5..................................................................................................................................30
Specifications........................................................................................................................30
Chapter 6.................................................................................................................................31
Warranty ...............................................................................................................................31
Appendix.................................................................................................................................33
Warranty Registration........................................................................................................33
Service Notes.....................................................................................................................33

IT-85 Integrated amplifier
Owner’s Manual
VTL
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CHAPTER 1
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the VTL pure tube IT-85 Integrated
amplifier.
his hand crafted equipment is designed to deliver superb performance for
your listening pleasure for many years to come. Please take a moment to read
through this owner’s manual, as it contains all of the installation procedures
needed to connect your new IT-85 to the rest of your audio system, as well as
the various functions the IT-85 can perform. Please take enough time to get familiar
with the features of this product. After you have finished reading this manual please
keep it in a safe place for future reference.
T
The VTL team is proud that you have selected the VTL IT-85 Integrated amplifier as
the newest member of your home audio system. The IT-85 is designed to give you the
convenience and flexibility to manage all of your audio sources, while at the same time
easily integrating into your existing home theater system.
The VTL IT-85 is a true integrated amplifier, insofar as it has both a full line level
preamplifier and a complete amplifier section in one compact package. We have
chosen this route over the "high gain amplifier with passive volume control" approach
for several reasons.
Integrated amplifiers (ie. amplifiers that are both preamplifier and power
amplifier) offer the user many benefits that separates cannot, primarily simplicity
and space efficiency, coupled with some cost savings that is realized from
eliminating a chassis, power supply, and a pair of interconnects to connect the two
chassis. Ease of installation is another primary benefit with integrated amplifiers.
Yet another benefit from integrating the line preamplifier and power amplifier into
one package is the elimination of the output buffer stage that is required on a
typical preamplifier. Even though the output stages used today are very
transparent sounding, absolute sonic purity dictates that any circuitry that is not
needed is better left out. The reason a buffer is needed on an output stage in a
preamplifier is to lower the output impedance to drive the next stage (usually a
power amplifier, with unknown input impedance) and/or the interconnecting
cable, with its capacitance.
When the power amplifier input impedance is known, (as it is in an integrated
amplifier), this impedance matching circuit can be left out entirely, which gives a
direct connection between these two necessary stages.

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A line stage with gain (and therefore dynamic headroom) always yields superior
sound in dynamic musical passages. This approach allows the use of a buffered
preamplifier out, for a subwoofer or for bi-amplifying. (Check the relevant section
in this owners manual for further details.)
Finally, the VTL IT-85 Integrated amplifier is designed primarily for the user
whose primary source is a line source. If phono is a primary source then a separate
phono stage will be required to step the cartridge voltage up to line level and to
handle the RIAA equalization needed to re-equalize the signal from the record.
Since this stage is usually a high gain stage and is therefore susceptible to noise, it
is sonically better to separate this stage from the power amplifier and its high
power fields anyway, so including this stage into an integrated amplifier would not
be of much benefit.
Symbol Conventions used in this guide
Certain symbols are used in this owner’s manual to draw your attention to important
points being discussed. For your own safety and that of your equipment you should
note and heed the warnings that follow these symbols.
The “Warning - Pay particular Attention” symbol used is
And the “Warning – Observe These Precautions for Your Safety” is
Electrical Safety Notice
Electrical voltage from power cables can be hazardous. We recommend that the power
cord used with this unit be connected to a properly grounded AC outlet. To prevent
electrical shock, do not remove the cover of the IT-85, especially while the unit is
powered on.
Water and Moisture
The IT-85 should be kept away from sources of water or moisture. If liquid enters the
unit it must be immediately returned to your dealer for servicing. In this case you
should under no circumstances try to power the unit on - there are hazardous voltages
present in this unit that can cause serious injury if they come in contact with you.

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Location and Ventilation
Install the IT-85 in a location that is stable and well ventilated. If the IT-85 is placed in
a built-in installation, ensure that there is adequate room for a supply of air to flow
through the ventilation openings. Allow at least 9 inches clearance on the top and
around the sides of the IT-85. Do not place the IT-85 next to heat sources such as
radiators, stoves or other appliances. Be sure the IT-85 is at least 10 inches away from
your turntable to prevent possible noise introduction into your system. Tiptoes or
other isolation accessories may prove useful in reducing mechanical vibrations. Do not
place the IT-85 on the floor where small children can tamper with the equipment. If it
is not possible to place the IT-85 out of the reach of small children it is recommended
that you remove power cables when the equipment is not in use.
Servicing
Do not attempt to service the IT-85 beyond the procedures described in this manual.
For all other service and questions, please contact your authorized VTL dealer or the
factory.
Operational Warnings
 Do not touch the tubes after the IT-85 is turned on. Tubes can get very hot
while the IT-85 is operating. Turn off the IT-85 and allow the tubes to cool down
before attempting to work with the tubes.
 Do not attempt to disassemble the IT-85 chassis or remove any covers from
the IT-85. Always consult with your VTL authorized dealer or the VTL factory
support department before attempting any service work on any VTL unit.
 Always connect your loudspeaker to the amplifier before powering the IT-85 on.
Operating the IT-85 without a speaker load connected can damage the output
transformer, and will not be covered under the warranty. Also, ensure that no
speaker cables can become loose during use and that there are no intermittent
faults with the cables.
 Tube amplifiers are heavy and awkward to lift, with the weight unevenly
distributed, and you should not attempt to move the unit without help. The IT-85
Integrated amplifier weighs approximately 55 lbs. (26.5 Kg).
 Do not attempt to make or break any connections to the IT-85 while the unit is
powered on as this can damage the IT-85 and/or the rest of the system, and this
damage is not covered by warranty.

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 If this unit has tetrode/triode switch, do not flip the triode tetrode
switches while the unit is powered on, as this can damage the switch
and is not covered under warranty.
 Do not exceed fuse ratings or attempt to bypass any fuses, as
this can cause an extremely hazardous condition and will void
any warrantees. Use only the same type and rating of fuses as
specified in the owners’ manual and marked on the unit.

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Owner’s Manual
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CHAPTER 2
Getting Started
Unpacking the IT-85 from its box
The VTL IT-85 Integrated amplifier is shipped in a carton and wrapped in thick
plastic. The plastic is not strong enough to support the unit, and may tear if you try to
lift the unit out of the box with it. Also there are protruding switches which could
break if the unit is not properly handled, and in addition to the awkward, unbalanced
heavy load the unit has a cleaning polish on it which makes it slippery and hard to
grasp. We have found that the best way to remove the IT-85 from the box is as
follows:
1. With the box on a thick carpeted floor, fold back all the flaps of the top of
the carton, leaving all the packing foam in place. Roll the carton onto one
long side on top of the flap.
2. Roll the box once more onto the open top and, making sure that none of
the flaps is trapped under the carton, lift the carton off the unit.
3. Rotate the IT-85 onto one of the foam ends.
4. Lift the top foam away from the unit and carefully cut away the plastic
from around the IT-85.
5. Rotate the IT-85 onto the other end and lift off the other piece of foam
and the plastic.
6. Rotate the unit onto its bottom so that it lands on its four rubber feet.
7. When lifting the unit, be sure to only lift it from the bottom under the
transformers. Be careful not to break any switches. Be sure to only set the
IT-85 down on its bottom side on the four rubber feet on a stable surface.
Setting it on any other side may damage protruding components.
If the unit is too heavy or too awkward to lift then do not attempt to do this
by yourself, but rather find someone to help you. Save the carton and all
packaging for any future shipment of the IT-85.
After you open the carton you should find the following items inside: