VTL TL5.5 User manual

MaftnAtubes
usey-fiirnbb
HANDtrRAFTED IN THE UAA
VTL
TL5.5LineStage
Preamplifier

IxrnoDI]CTION I
Electrical Safety
l{otice 1
WaterandMoisture . 1
Locationand Ventilation
Servicing
Gr,ruNGSranrE,D 3
TL5.5
FrontPanel
Controls .'
Inverted phase and
ThePreamplffier'sBackPanel j
TheRemote
Control
Hand-held
Unit 6
Fitting the Batteries
tothe
Remote
Control 7
Connecting
YourPreamplifierto
yoursystem 8
Powering
your
systemon ... ....e
Usingthe
Preampltfierwith the Remote
Control e
Powering
thesystem,ff io
CI{APTER3 ........1l
OpT,naTING
THEPREAMPLIFIE,R II
ConnectingandSelectingSourceComponents tt
PowerOnStages tl
Connecfing
theTL5.5toaHome
Theater
5ystem......... ..........Il
UsingtheTape
Loop to monitol recordtngs.. .....12
Connectrngasecond
pair of
amp1ifers................ ..................1-l
TL5.5 Prcamplifier Owney's tanual
VTL

Cang AND
Man.TTENANCE
OF
YOURVTL
PREAMPLIFIER 17
Bngar INPpruoD ,7
ChangingTubes t8
Changing theMain Fuse 20
Troubleshooting 2l
SpEcIFICATIONS 23
WannaNTY 24
WarranQRegistration 26
Serttic
TL5.5 Preamplifier (lwneds tanual
VTL ii

CHAPTER 1
Itrtrot[rction
Congratulationsnn-yzurpurchase
ofa VTLPuretube
preamplfin
his hand craftedequrpmentis designed
to deliversuperbperformancefor your
listening
pleasure
for marry
years
to come. Please
takeamomentto read through
thisownels manual.You wdlgetanidea
of theinstallatron procedures
needed
to
connectthis preamplifierto the restoi vour audiosystem,
as
well as the various
functionsthispreamplifiercanperform. Please
takeenoughtrmeto get familiarwith the
features
of thisproduct.After youhavefinished
reading
thismanual please
keepit in asat-e
place
for future
reference.
The VTL tearnis proud that you have selectedour pure tube preamplifier as a new
member of your home audio system. This preamplifier
is designed
to gve you the
convenienceandflexibilityto manage
allyour audioandr,rdeo
sources,while atthe sarne
nmegivrrg you themusical
experience
thatisthemostaliveandthetruestto your source.
Wehope
you'llgetmanyhoursof enioymentfrom it,
Elec{rhal SaffiV Ndbe
Electncalvoltagefrom power cables
is hazardous.
We recoffrnend that the power cord
connectedto this unit be usedwith a propedy grounded oudet. To prevent electncal
shock,do not remove
thecover
of thispreamplifierwhiletheunit ispowered
on.
Prior to connectingthis preamplifierto ar-ryaudio or video equipmentin your system,
make surethis unit's power (andthe rest of the equipmentconnectedto its input and
ouput channels) is tumed off Adding or removing input or ouput cablesto the
preamplifierwhile
thesystem
is
powered
oncancause
d*up to thesystem.
Waterand lllbisnure
The preamplifiershouldbe used N^y from water or moisture. If liqurd entersthe
preamplifierit must be immediately
returmed
to your dealer for servrcing. In thiscase
you
shouldunder no circumstances
try to power the unit on - there zrehazardous
voltages
presentin thisunit thatcan
causeserious
iri,rry if theycomein contact
with you.
Locationand\tentiHion
Install
thispreamplifierin alocation
that
isstableurdwellventilated.If thepreamplifieris
placedh abuilt-in installation,
ensure
that thereis adequate room for a supplyof air to
flow throug! theventilation
openin5. Allow atleast
3 - 5inches
clearanceonthetop and
TL5,5 Prcamplifier OwncCs Hanual I
VTL

aroLuldthe sidesof thepreamplifier.Be surethepreamplifier
is atleast
10inches away
from your amplifierto preventpossible noiserntroductionrnto your system.Tiptoes or
otherisolation accessories
mayproveusefulin reducingmechanical
vibratrons.Do not
placethe preamplifiernext to heatsoLrrcessuchasradiators,stoves or other appliarrces.
Do not placethe preamplifieron the floor where small children can tamper wrth the
equipment.
If it isnot possible
to placethepreamplifierout of thereach of smallchildren
it isrecommended
thatyouremove powercableswhentheeqtupment
isnot in use.
Servbittg
Do not attemptto service
the preamplifier beyond the procedures described
in ttus
marrual.For allother serviceandquestions,pleasecontact
your authorized\TL dealeror
the factory.
TL5.5 Prempllfier Owney'c Hanual
VTL 2

CHAPTER 2
Gettingffi
After you openthecartonyou should
find the followingitemsinside:
. The preamplifier,
with apowercord
. The remote
controlhand-heldunit with trvoAAA batteries
o This Owner'sManual,VTL QualitvAssurancetestdocument,
VTL productwarrans.
regstration
card
Remove
each
item from itspack4ging materialandcheckto makesure
thatno phvsicai
dam4ge
has
occurredduringshippingof theunit. Thereshould
be no rattlesinside
either
oi thepreamplifier or remotecontrol uruts.
took througfrthevent slotsandcheckto see
that the tr"rbes
^pper properly seated
firmly n their sockets.Contactyour VTL dealer
immedratelyif physicaldamage isdetected.
TLSS front Panel
Gonhls
E
VOLUME
CONTROT
E
INPUT
SELECTOR
qE
TAPE SURRC'UND
INN|TOR PROCESSOR
swlTcH swlTcH
u
EAI.ANCE
@NTROL
EEEII
MUTE STdPhS€STATTJSREIiOTE IRO1IYERON/OFF
SWITCH LED RECEIVER SWITCH
frdhlr,trLlb
ANFE
T5.5FrontPanel
TL5.5 Prempllftcr Owncy's tanual
VTL 3

You canoperate
thevariouscontrolsandswitches
from the front panel
to accessthe full
functronaliwof theurut.The status
indrcation
I.trD shorvsthevariousoperating
modes
of
theurut.
l. The Pouvr
On/Of xvitchcanbeused to turn thepreamplifier
on andoff. Press
the
svzitchup to tum the preamplifierON andpressthe switchdown to tum the r-nit
OFF. Tlne Status
LED shouldbe on andoff respectively,
accordrngto the settingof
the
Poaer
Oaswitch. Galk aboutflashingLED)
2. The Renote
Rereiwwindow allorvsthe transmissionof srgnal from the remotehand-
heid unit to be received
by the preamplifier. Keep tkus
window clear from any
obstructionto allow
maximumsrgnal
transmission.
3. TheStatus
LED indicates
theoperatingmodeof thepreamplifier.The modes are:
Pwerqr ildoft
o \X{renthe unit is poweredon, the LED light will be lit. W}renthe unit is
poweredoff theLED lght isott.
tub ild openatirlg:
. When the unit is in mute the LtrD hgfrt is blinkrng. When the r-urit
is in
normaloperaung mode,theLED hghtwill stay
lit constandy.
Inrertcd plmcand nqr.fowerted phGe
. When theunit isoperatrng
out of phase,theLED vill changeto ambercolor.
If thephase is
normal,
thentheLEI)'s color
is
green.
4. ThePhase/Mutc switch
isamomentary
togle swrtchto allow
youto switchthe svstem
into themutestateor thephasereversed
state.
. If thepreamplifier
iscurrentlyin the operabngstate
- presstheswitchdown.
The preamplifierwill go into rnute stateasindrcated
by the flashingStatus
LtrD. If thepreamplifieriscurrentlyin mute state,clickingthis switchdown
^g tnwill changethesystem
backmtotheoperating
state.Clickingtheswitch
in thedownwardpositiontogles the systembetween
themute andoperating
state.
. Clicking the switchupward togglesthe system
betweenthe phase
reversed
andphasenormal state. Tl;.e
Status
LED will tum amberwhen the system
is
in pha^sereversed
state.
5. The Volume
Control
knob changes
the loudness levelof the output from your speaker
system. Tumrng the knob clockwisewill urcrease
the volume level. Alternatively,
tuming theknob counter-clockwisewill decreasethevolumelevel.
6. The Sunuund PmnssorThis switch can be used to change the control of your
audro/video systemto the surround processorwhen the swrtchis tumed to the
PrccessorIa position.In this mode,the surroundsystemwill only control all of the
Tt5.5 Preampllfier Owney's Hanual 4
VTL

channels
oi your systerrq
and the preamplifieris rn the unity gain mode. In thrs
mode the volume control and the amplificauonstages
of the TL5.5 areblpassed
completely,
andthesignal
ispassed to thefront left andnght amplifien atprecisely
the same
volume asthe surround processor
isputting out. In the defaultoperaflng
mode oi the preamp, the Pranssor
switch stays
n the down posinon. Tkusmeans
thatthepreamplifierwill not bereceir,'ing
thesrgnal
from thesurroundprocessor.
The Tqe Morutorcanbe usedto selectv'hetherthe input source
is comingfrom tape
monitor or not. If you wish to usethepreamplifier
to monitor anongomgrecording
session
from thetape decbyoucan
selectthisswitchto Tape
Monitor mode. In this
statethe plavback
from the preamplifier
will comedirectlyfrom the tapedeck. The
unit is shipped
in the default-operatmg
mode of the preampwith the swrtch
in the
dorvnpositron.
This meansthat the input source
will not come from the tapedeck,
but will bedependent
on thenput selection
made
on thepreamplifier.
TheBalannConhvl
knob canbeused to settheleft andriglrtchannel
level. \X4eenthe
line on the knob is rn the 12 o'clock position this indrcatesthat the left and nght
channelsareequally
balanced.
\'ou wrll feelacenter dentin thecontrolto indicate
tlrrs
exactpositron.
The InputSehctor canbe used to select
the source
component for the preamplifier.
You can chooseanyoneof the sixinputsbv tuming the selector
knob to thelocation
as
marked
abovetheknob.
The Prcamifieils Bact(Panel
From the Preamplifier's backpanel,you canaccessthe input, output,ground andpower
connectors,
themainfuse
holder,
and
theserial
numberof theunit.
8.
9.
M
Ptcs Tapa
ln OJi In Intrns
Vd€o Tuns Tape CD Arx 1Arx 2 / Phso
CND
Right
TL5.5 Preamplifier Owneds tanual
vTt 5

The RemoteGontrolHatd{rcH Unit
Mute
On/Off Volume
Up
Phase Reverse On/ VolumeDown
The RemoteControl hand held unit, which comes
with this preamplifier,
allow-s
you to
perfbrm thefoilowing:
o Increasefdecrease
the Volume Control by pressing
theup anddown arrows
respectively
on theremote controlhand-held
unit.
TL5.5 Preamplifier Owney's Hanual
VTL 0
MutE VOLUME
n
l /\
\_-/ a
a) 17
\_-/ v

Set/resetthe system
in mute urd operatlng modesbv pressingthe upper
roundbutton on the remotecontrol hand-held urut. This is atogte control,
whichchanges thestate
from oneto theothereach f,me
rtispressed.
o If the system
is in mute,pressingthe up arro\r'to increase
the volume will
reset
the systemandput it into operatrng
mode. The down arrow,however,
will not impactthemutestate.
o Setand
reset
the
preampto phase
reversedmode
bypressutg
the
lowerround
button.
\[4een
you first press
thebuttons on the remotecontrol unig thereis adelay
of a
iew seconds(about 2-3 seconds)before the preamplifier'scompletesthe
processingof the slpal sentby the remote. Wait for the responsefrom the
preamplifierbefore pressinganotherbutton on the remote unit. Dunng this
processingperiod selection of remotefuncnonswill bergnored.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Fffitrg fie Batterbs to flrc Remote Gotrtnol
Two Phillips head screwshold on the back cover of the remote control.
Removeall screwswith the correcttool to avoiddam4grngthem (using#2
Phillips
head
screwdriver),andput themaside
for re-installinglater.
Tum the remotecontrol over sothat the coverdrops into your other hand,
andput the cover aside
with the screws. If the back cover for the remote
control is too trghtto fall out afterremovingallthe covermounting screws,
hold the remotecontrol loosely
in your hand face
up with your other hand
undertheremoteready
to catchthecover. Givethebottom of thefront edge
a shaqp
rap on a hard-protected
surface
- a m gdzine covering a table is
sufficientto do thiswith. The covershoulddtop out afteroneor two raps.
Becarcful of the insidc cdgesof t{relumote, ast{reycan bc sharp.
Locatethe batteryholder andinsertthe two supplied
AAA batteries in the
marked
positrons,
* to * and
-to -.
Beingcarefi:lnot to damagethe coverof the remoteshell,
replace
the back
coverandsnap it into itsexactpositron. Replace
the mountingscrews,being
carefi:lnot to over-tightenthem,and
thecoverwill settle
into place.
Test the remote control functions and ensurethat all the functions ^re
working correcdy. If the functronsare not working then check that the
batteries
arein the correctmourting positionsandthat theyare
not stale.If
you stillencounterproblemsthenyou should
call
the factoryor your dealer.
TL5,5 Preamplifier Owney's tanual
vTt 7

Gonnecting
YourPreanplifierto yow q/sbm
1. Gonncctall sourcc componcnts (e.9.GD,Tuncr, Tape, DAT,Video Playrcretc.) to
the inprts on Ore
prcampllfier. For example,connecttheoutput cables
from theCD
transport to the CD input connectors oi the preamplifier. Make sure that the
preamplifier and the source components Me powered off. Use appropnate
interconnectsfor the different sources.If adirectionindrcatorisprintedon the cable
make sure that the cable is connectedto the sourceand the preamplifier in the
appropnate
directron
(arrows
flowingin thedirectionthesignalwill travel,
i.e.
from the
sourceto the preamplifier.) It is also
important that the left andrigfrtchannels from
the source
componentsarecomected to thecorresponding
left andnght channelsoi
thepreamplifier.
Gonncct the pounr amplifier to the output channel of the preamplificr. The
interconnect
cablebetween
the amplifierandthe preamplifierlinks the left andnght
rnput channelsof the power amplifier to the left and ndlt output channelsof the
preamplifier.
The low output impedance
of the preamplifier
is capableoi supportrng
long interconnects
up to 35 feet,andcanalso
easilydnvetransistor amplifiers. There
aretwo setsof RCA output corurectorsandone setof Balanced
ouput connectors
available
from thepreamplifier. You canconnectyour amplifier(s)to thepreamplifier
uslng
eitherbalancedcablesor RCA cables. If you have
asecondparrof amplifiers,
theycan
be connectedto the second
RCA ouputs of thepreampLfier.
The second
parrof amplifierscaneitherbe usedfor bi-ampingor to dnve a subwoofer
rn the
system.
When connecting
morethanonepairof amplifiers
in parallelit rsadvisedthat
you af,ezwareof the different rnput impedance,
sensitivities
and resultantinput
impedance.If you haveanyquestronsaboutthis then you shouldcontacteitheryou
dealeror the manufacturers
of your amplifiers,or contact the VTL factory service
deparunent.
l. Gonnect the Suround Sound Prccessor to the preanplifier. To takeadvantage
of the Surround
Processor
loop capabihty,
connecttheNghtandItfi output of the
Home Theater
processor
to theProcesnrln
on thepreamplifier.
2. Gonnectthe Tape tlonitor input and output channels to the prrampllfler. To take
advantage
of theT4p. Monitor capability,connecttheTap Outon your tapedeckto
rheTEe In on the preamplifierandconnectthe Tape
Outon the preamplifierto the
RemdIn onyour tapedeck.
3. Gonnectflre Phono
stage to tre preamplfficr. If your preamplifier comeswrth the
optional phono board, you can connect the output from your turntable to the
Phono/Aux. 2 trput channelof the preamplifier. Usethe Gmand
connectoron
the preamplifier so that you cannsert the ground wire from the turntableinto the
spacebetween
theconnector
andchassis.
Be sure
to ughtenrhe
Grvunlconnector
andmakesurethat it makes
a firrn contactwith thewire.
TL5.5 Preamplifier Owne/g tanual
VTL E

4.
2.
a
3.
t.
2.
Powedng
yourq/stem on
After you have propedy corxlected all your sourcezurd
amplifier componentsto the
preamplifieryouarcready
to poweryoursystemon.
1. If you haven'takeadydoneso,ensurethat allthetubes
inside
theVTLpreamplifier
areproperlyseatedallthewayinto their sockets
beforecorxrecting
theurutto anAC
soufce.
Povzer
onthesource
component(s)youintend touse
foryourlistening
session
Fromthepreamplifier's
front panel Power
On switchturn on thepreamplifier.Check
to makesurethat the Status
I-ED indrcates
preamplifier
warrnup mode,as
indicated
by the flasllng StatustED. Check to ensurethat the volume control is at the
minimumor desired
level.
Once thepreamphfiercompletes
itswarm up ryclethe Status
LtD will stop flashing
to indicate thatit hasreturnedfrom themutestate
into theoperatrng
state.
In casethe
Status
LtrD does not behaveasdescribedabovecheckto makesurethat the power
cable
is securely
connected
to the AC Powerconnectoron the backpanelof the
preamplifier,and that the power cable
is pluged into the AC supply. Contactyour
VTL dealer
if theunit stillwill not pou/erup afterthesechecks havebeenpertormed.
Adjust the Input Selectorto the input source
vouwould like to use. Make surethe
TapeN{onitorandSurround ProcessorIn svitchesare in defaultstate (downposition)
if you'renot utihzingthese
f-eatures.
Turn on thepoweramplifier(s) in your system.
Setthesourcecomponentto play
mode.
8. Tum up thevolume
control
to thedesired
playing
level.If thepreamplifier isin mute,
(i.e.
theStatus
LED isflashing),
pushthemuteswitchdown to reset thesystemout of
muteand nto operatrng mode.
Usitq the Prcanplifierwih fte kmote Gontnol
Followthepoweron selJuencesteps 1to 6 asdescribed in theprevioussection.
Op.r the back of the remotecontrol by removrng
the trvo Phillipsheadscrews
and
gendyshaking
thebackcoveroff theremote urut.l,ocatethebattery
holderand install
the fivo AAA battenes suppliedrn the correct directionsasmarked in the battery
holder, with plus on eachbattery correspondingwrth the plus srgn1rlthe holder.
Replace
thebackcover of therernote and
install
thescrews.
(fit thebatteryas
in P.7)
TL5.5 Preamplifier Owneds tanual
VTL
5
6.
-fI.
I

,
J.
4.
Usetheremote control'svolumebutton to adjustthedesiredplaying
level. Increase
thevolumeby pressingtheup arrowon the remotecontrol. I)ecrease thevolumeby
pressing
thedown arrovron theremote
control.
If the system is in mute, (i.e.
the Staturs
TF.D on the preamplifier's
f-ront
panelis
tlashrng),
press
the round mutebutton on the remotecontrol to reset the system
out
of mute mode andput it into operating
mode. Notc tlat pnrssing t{re volume up
arow on the remotc contrul unit wlll also rcsct tfie systcm out of mute modc.On
the other hand,pressurgthe volume down arro\vwill not affectthe Mute/operating
Stateof thepreamplifier.
Usethe lower round button on the remoteunit to togglethe phasestatus
of your
system.If the system is rn normalphase,clickthe Phase
button once to put it into
reverse
phase.The Status LED shouldtum irom greento anamber
color. \X4:rile the
system
isin reverse
phase. Underthis state,
you cancontinueto operatethepreamp
and
put it in andout of N{ute
State.
Fouedng
tre systemotr
1. When you're done listerung
to your systemalwaysturn your power amplifier(s)
off
first.Allov'a shorttrme
(15
-20second$
tor theamplifier(s)
to powerdownafteryou
turn themofT. ffor cantum oif -preamp immediatelymutedstate
)
2. Then tum the preamplifiervolume down. This is a precautron
to a'u-oida sudden
surge
rnyour system
thenexttimeyoutum it on.
3. Jum the preamplitierandsource
componentsoff, if you preferto keep
theseoff
when not in use.(\bu maykeep
yourVTL preamplifier
andyour sourcecomponents
on pennanendy
if youpreferto keep
themwarm.)
TL5.5 Preamplifier Owneds tanual
VTL
5.
{0

C}IAPTER 3
Wingilrcksnilifrr
GorrnectingandSetectitrgSorrce @
The Input Selecuon
for the preamplifier
is marked for l,'idto,
Tuner,T@t,CD,Ailx. / and
Aw 2/Phono. The input corurectorson the back panel of the preamplifier ^re
correspondrngl,v
markedthe same way. Take careto comect the proper interconnect
cabie irom the source component to the corresponding input comector of the
preamplifierand
in thecorrectchannels.
You can replaceand use ^ny oi the marked input sources
wrth your own source
component
as
longastheproper interconnectisused. Forexample,
if youdo not have
a
tunerin vour system,but youwould liketo connectany
otherlinelevelsourceto the Tuner
input instead,
youmaydo so. Whenyouhlm thepreamplifier's
input selectorto Tunerthe
input source monitoredby thepreamplifierwill playtheslgnal
from thatsource.
Similarly,the
Aax. / input canbeusedfor uw hnelevelinput source
vouwish to use. If
your preamplifierdoes not come with the phono option then you can also use
Phonn/Atx2 asan additional
input fbr anysourceyou wish to use,including a separate
external
phono stage thatcanproducea
linelevel
signal.
If you haveinstalled
the optronalphono stage
for your preamphfier
the Phono/'htx.2
input connectorshouldbe reserved
exclusively
for the phono input from vour tumtable.
Do not connectany
otherinput sourcesto thisconnector.
FouuerOnS@es
\{,'henyou tirst pov/er-onyour preamplitrerit goestht*$ awarm-up st4ge
which takes
approximately50 seconds.D:nng this period the preamplifier
is in the muted mode,as
indicated by the blinking StatusLED. After the warm-up stageis completed,the
preamplifier automattcallygoesinto the operaungstate. The Stanr5
T
trD tums mto a
steady
green[$t, indicaung
thatthepreamplifier
isreadyfor use.
GonnectingflreTl55 to a l{ome Theaterqt$em
Your VTL TL5.5 integratedamplifier is designedto work in confuncttonwith
both the conventionaltwo-channel
andthehome theatersystems.
If you have
both systemssetup so thatyour front speakersareused
for your audioaswell as
home theatersystems,then connectthe externalsurroundprocessor
front left and
right main outputs to the TL5.5 ProcessorIn input. This will allow the surround
TL5.5 Preamplifier OwneCr tanual
VTL 11

processor
to drive the iront left andright speakers
when theprocessor
loop is
engaged.
Under this configuration,
when you are
listening
to your two-channelaudiosystem
from sourcesconnectedto the line inputs of the TL5.5 set thePrvcesror
switch on
theTL5.5 front panelto the defaultoperaung
position (dor,vn).The source
components
andtheTL5.5 zre
nov/ driving the front speakers,grving
you the full
volume control andsourceselection.
When you want to use
your system
for home theater,setthe TL5.5's Prvcessor
switchto the Processor posiuon ("p). Under thisconfigurauonthe TL5.5 receives
the externalsurroundprocessor'ssignal
for the front left andright channels
directlyfrom the externalsurroundprocessor,andpasses
it directly
to thepower
amplifiers
without amplificationor attenuauon.
This means that in thismode the
volume control andtheamplificationstagesof theTL5.5 arcbypassedcompletely,
and the signal
ispassedto the front left andright amplifiers
at preciselythe same
volume asthe surroundprocessor
isputting out.This grvesthe externalsurround
processorthevolume control of thesechannelswhile controllingthe center,
rear
and subwooferchannelsat the sametime.
Gaution: Before switching the Processor switch to either the up
or down position ensure that you adiust the volume of the TL5.5
and the surround processor to a low level to protect your
system from high signals that might come through.
Gaution: lf you do not have a sulTound processor connected to
the TLS,Sts Processor ln input, you may get a slight buzzing
sound when you set the Processor switch to the up position,
which comes from the open input of the power amplifier, This
slight buzzwill not damage anything in your system.
Usitrgthe Tape Loop to monita t€codings
If you usea tape deck that gves you the capabilityof monitonng the recording i.e.
listening
to the recordrng while it is takrng
place,
you canusethe TL5.5's Tape Ioop
switch to take advantageof this feature. Connect the tape's input and output cablesto
the TL5.5's Tape Out andTape In connectors, respecflvely,
asper the instructionsn
theGening
Stntedsectionof this manual. While the tapedeckisin recordingmode, set
the preamplifier to Tapemode (switchn the up positon.) This allows the preamplifier
to play back the record-g srmulaneouslywhile the tapeis recording.The volume of
the Tape monitor input is regulated
by the main volume control on the TL5.5 in this
mode.
Gaution: Before engaging the Tape monitor switch be sure to turn
the volume control all the way down. lf your tape deck does not
have a monitor feature (sometirnes called a 3rd head), then
TL5.5 Prcamplifier Owneds tanual
VTL 12

connecting to the TL5.5's Tape Loop may result in a loud hum
through the system whenever the Tape Loop switch is engaged.
In this case the output from the tape deck should be connected to
the regular line input marfred Tapein the main input cluster on the
TL5.5.
This loud hum will not damage
your TL5.5,but maydamage
othercomponents
in the
system
if sufficiendy loud enough.
Gonrrcting asecondpairof anplifrers
If youwish to usetrvopairsof amplifien to driveyour loudspeakersin abi-amplified
mode you can connect the amplifiers to eachof the two ouputs of the preamplif-ier.
One parrwill go to Output A and the other to Output B on the back panel of the
preamplifier.
Consult your speakerand amplifier manualsfor additional installauoninstrucuons on
this mode of usage.
Your dealershould alsobe ableto glve you guidance
wrth this
procedure.
Gonnectingb flre Ti,rnrtaHe
If vour TL-5.5 Preamplifieris equippedwith the opuonalintemally
retrofittable
phono
stage,
vou canusethe phono stage
with eitherMNI or MC cartridge. The VTL factory
standardly
configurestheTL-5.5 phono st4geto work with aMC cartndge.If youwould
liketo aiterthe standard
settingplease
follorvtheinstructions
belowor contactyourdealer
for assisturce.
1. Remove the top cover of the TL-5.5:
Tum off the TL-5.5 preampandremove the power cord. Usea #2Phrlllps screv/
dnver and remove the 10 screwson the top and 3 screv/s
on each side of the
preamplifier. Keep the screws in a safeplaceso that you can put the cover back
onto theunitwhen you have
completed
thefollowrng
installation.
Checkto makesurethat the optional phono PC board is installed
to the left of the
linestage PC boardin your preamplifier. If there
isno phono PC boardor If you
have
anyquesuons,please
call
your dealeror theVTL factory
ior assistance.
2. Selecting MM
JumFers
on Phono PC Board F'IG.1:(nearMX,tInput pads) Therearetwo
smallblackjumpers located
on thephono PC boardnear
theleft andnght
MX,fInput pads. To setthe phono stage
for MM, lift the blackpin iumperand
connect
the jumper to one pin of the header
only (doesnot matter which pir).
Do thisfor both headers
(one
per channel).
Tt5,5 Preamplifler Owney's tanual
vTt {3

IumoersonRCA lnout PCboard
FIG. 1A:thereare twosets of shunt
jumpers
for configunngthephonoboardto MM. Pleasechargethe
connectorsonthetwo configuration
boxesandput thejumpers across
pins
5
and6and
pins77and72respectively.Repeatthisprocess
for bothleftznd
rightchannel.
Lifftheseshunt
jumpers
fiomthe
i I r.%.i a a t all .l-; I o t headersandconnecltoonly1
lta I ll ^",,\ ll !\- - / pinoftheheaderforMMoperation
lli 5
fo -' !
T.eJ=:.+-
I FE /"i- :- -1 , -l-' ' "'' ::- ' i,--- -.4' /
i "r:: 1'-4 sd ::Xa<2 rU " 't
; .,.--{ .tra- |. -:] .{ ,l.-] {." i
(tl _ - 2'.
f, I ..o o" o i .. i
t "-.r=-r.d i. """
"r-a; -l
.'.-. \rcp /..tr-a I .' .l
I 1,'.1",r6-rE: .(&l6'_li'--"'i':l
- --"1tzaxzll.'':l ' :tJzlxzf''G'
,""
'l Jumpers
onRCAPCB
-_li':-.-i-" :i':..,r_==" i Flc.1A
lru;-+iSnAl ffi
i i
d"G\.
.;i
-#
# r..,, i,""r#[[.fi"1.,T
F-B-'
grutr' ..
lo I.l t \-\,--'l J;{ FY" andpinsl1&l2
{,,i;, "t\* ht ,/
In",:':---
t---r o--...-''..F ' =A---jS" Sffi:O^\'#6i '--"-
i, i!rzrnl:l_1"" lrznvlrlg' ''-*"
i- y^9.52 Hll p
tr/ :=l;
I--__---l l{
I r! l, rl
] -__/--\ -''-'-'-l' *
.F./ 1../ I
,l
t -ol l.*-l I
FIG.
1
3. Selecting MC
Jumpers
on Pho.noPC board FIG. 2: (near
MM Input pads). To setthe
phono stage
for MC, make
surethe shunt jumper connectsto both pins of the
header.
TL5.5 Preamplifler Owncdn tanual
vTt 14

LEFT
1' 1'
oo
(D(D
(,"
8S
OP
E8
9J('|
6+
R8
5
Tubeson Phono PC board FIG. 2: For MC mode,makesure
thatthe
12AX7A Chinatubesare
installedin sockets \r1 andV101.
Jumpers
on RCA Input PC board FIG. 2A: thereare
two setsof jumpersfor
configuringthe phono boardto MC. Please
changethe connectorson the two
configuranonboxesandput the jumpers
across
pins 3 andtl andpins9 and 10
respectively.
Repeat
thisprocess
for both left andnght channel.
Connectthisshunt
jumper
across
both
pins
oftheheader
forMCOperation
.tt,Z-
Jumpers
onRCA
PCB
FIG.2A
ForMCmovethese
jumpers
to
pins
3&4
and
pins
9&10
fr
#il;Axz:'r.(11;
,,
T}H1:';--;
tlzATTt -='
ra'--"'allf-}.B
*\r2':+::
FIG.2
4. Replace the cover
Put the coverof the preamplifier
backonto theunit, andinsertandtightenall
1.6
screws.
Tt5.5 Pramplifler Owne/s tanual
vTt ,15

5. Connecting the turntable to the preamplifier
Connect the RCA input cables
from the tumtable to the Aux2/Phono RCA inputs
of the preamplifier. I-oosenthe bindrngpost of the ground connecdonand place
thegroundconnector(s)
irom theinput cablesto thebindingpost.
6. Power thepreamplifierandyour amplifierson andcheckto seethat there
is
no hum in the system.There shouldbea mild rush from both channelsat
high volume,with no hum present. If you experience hum or anyother
anomalythen please
callthe VTL factoryfor clarification.
TL5.5 Preamplifier Owney's tanual to
VTL

CHAPTER 4
Greandltilaiffid
yortrVTL prffirilifrcr
Brcd(ln Feriod
Your VTL preamplifier is a pure tube product designed
to give you the contrnued
optrmumperformanceover along time period. Irutrallythetubesandcircurtswill require
abum-in periodto reach
maximumperformance.Dunng the first 100hoursof us4gethe
preamplifierwill undergoseveral
improvementsin sound. To breakin the preamplifier
you can leave
it on with a music sourcecorurectedto it and pla)'rngwith the volume
control tumed to the 1/z
level. It is not necessary
to have the power amplifieron dunng
thrsbreak
in period,asthepreamphfierwill stillpassthesrgnal.
Tubelrb
Your VTL preampLfier has
beendesigned
to ensure
long tubelife. Tube replacement
neednot be considereduntil afterapproxmateiy5000hoursof use(roughlv
4 to 5 years
depending on your listerung requirements.) As the tubes age beyond their peak
pertbrmance
there
will beageneralsoftening
of thesound.
We recommend a complete
replacement
of all tubes
in your preamplifierat that time,
which will restoreit to a '1ike new" soundquality. Your VTL dealeror VTL factory
servicedepartmentwill behappy
to assist
youwith there-tubing
process.
Notq use only fubG Qpes and tube brands that aru rceommGndedby VTL. VTL
speclffed replaccment hrbes arc aveilablc ftom ypur authorizedVTLdcalGror lhe VTL
factory servlce dcpartment Any damage irrcuned to unlts wfrich usc non-VTL
apprcvcdtubcs will not bc covcrcd undertre warranty.
TL5.5 Preamplifier Owncls tanral
VTL 17