VTL TP2.5 User manual

VTL
TP2.5 Phono Preamplifier
Owner’s Manual

MAKING TUBES USER FRIENDLY
VTL TP2.5 Phono Preamplifier
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 by VTL.
Version History:
Version 2.0 September 21, 2012
Part Number: OM-0495
Copyright ©2012 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/

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 ...............................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
Symbol Conventions used in this guide..................................................................................1
Electrical Safety Notice..........................................................................................................1
Water and Moisture ...............................................................................................................2
Location and Ventilation........................................................................................................2
Warning – To avoid risk of failure due to overheating, do not stack components.................2
Servicing ................................................................................................................................3
Operational Warnings............................................................................................................3
CHAPTER 2 ...............................................................................................................................4
GETTING STARTED.....................................................................................................................4
TP 2.5 Front Panel Controls..................................................................................................4
The Preamplifier’s Back Panel..............................................................................................5
Connecting Your Phono Preamplifier to your system............................................................5
Powering the system off .........................................................................................................7
CHAPTER 3 ...............................................................................................................................8
CONFIGURING THE PHONO PREAMPLIFIER FOR MM OR MC ......................................................8
CHAPTER 4 .............................................................................................................................13
CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF YOUR VTL PREAMPLIFIER.........................................................13
BREAK IN PERIOD ....................................................................................................................13
Changing Tubes...................................................................................................................13
Changing the Main Fuse......................................................................................................15
Cleaning...............................................................................................................................16
Troubleshooting...................................................................................................................16
CHAPTER 5 .............................................................................................................................18
SPECIFICATIONS.......................................................................................................................18
CHAPTER 6 .............................................................................................................................19
WARRANTY..............................................................................................................................19
APPENDIX ...............................................................................................................................21
Warranty Registration..........................................................................................................21
Service Notes........................................................................................................................21
TP2.5 Preamplifier Owner’s Manual
VTL i

CHAPTER 1
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of a VTL pure tube phono preamplifier.
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. You will get an idea of the installation
procedures needed to connect this preamplifier to the rest of your audio
system, as well as the various functions this preamplifier 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 our TP2.5 phono preamplifier as a new
member of your home audio system. This preamplifier is designed to give you the
convenience and flexibility to manage your analog input while at the same time giving
you the musical experience that is the most alive and the truest to your source, and we
hope you’ll get many hours of enjoyment from it.
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. There are
hazardous voltages present in the unit, and to prevent electrical
shock, do not remove the cover of this preamplifier, and under no circumstances while the
unit is powered on.
TP2.5 Preamplifier Owner’s Manual
VTL 1

Warning – Under no circumstances should any attempt be made to
circumvent the ground system to the AC line for any reason. Using a
ground lifted system can be potentially extremely dangerous, both to persons that might
come in contact with the unit, and to the unit itself, and proper RF shielding cannot be
attained without a secure ground connection.
Damage to the unit that is the result of improper AC connection and grounding will not be
covered under the warranty.
Prior to connecting this preamplifier to any audio or video equipment in your system,
make sure this unit’s power (and the rest of the equipment connected to its input and
output channels) is turned off. Adding or removing input or output cables to the
preamplifier while the system is powered on can cause damage to the preamplifier and
possibly also to the rest of the system.
Water and Moisture
The TP-2.5 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.
Location and Ventilation
Warning – To avoid risk of failure due to overheating, do not stack components
The TP-2.5 chassis emits heat and needs proper ventilation to ensure long operational life.
Under no circumstances should the TP-2.5 be stacked on top of or below any other unit.
Ensure that the TP-2.5 is installed in a location that is stable and well ventilated. If the
preamplifier is placed in a built-in installation, ensure that there is adequate room for air to
flow through the ventilation openings. Allow at least 3 - 5 inches clearance on the top and
around the sides of each chassis of the preamplifier. The warranty does not cover units
that are damaged due to overheating from incorrect installation.
It is also recommended that the TP-2.5 be sited at least 3 feet away from the power
amplifier to prevent possible noise introduction into the system.
Tiptoes or other isolation accessories may prove useful in reducing mechanical vibrations
or other external vibrations that might affect sonic performance, and we have found that
such accessories can offer definite beneficial sonic improvements when used correctly. In
all cases this preamplifier should only be installed in a location that is stable, as warranty
does not cover damage due to the unit falling.
TP2.5 Preamplifier Owner’s Manual
VTL 2

Do not place the TP-2.5 next to heat sources such as radiators, stoves or other appliances.
Do not place the TP-2.5 where small children might be able to tamper with the equipment.
If it is not possible to place the preamplifier out of the reach of small children it is
recommended that power cables be removed when the equipment is not in use.
Servicing
Do not attempt to service the TP-2.5 beyond the procedures described in this manual.
For all other service and questions, please contact your authorized VTL dealer or the
factory.
Operational Warnings
 It is critical for proper sonic performance of this component that it be
properly configured for the mode of operation while playing.
 Always make all connections before powering the TP-2.5 on. Connecting or
disconnecting the TP-2.5 while powered on can damage the unit, and will not be
covered under the warranty. Ensure that no interconnect cables can become loose
during use and that there are no intermittent faults or shorts with the cables.
 Do not attempt to disassemble the TP-2.5 chassis or remove any covers
from the unit. Always consult with your VTL authorized dealer or the VTL
factory before attempting any service work on any VTL unit.
 Do not touch the tubes after the TP-2.5 is turned on. The tubes can get very
hot while the TP-2.5 is operating. Turn off the TP-2.5 and allow the tubes to cool
down before attempting to work with the tubes.

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.
 Do not put shorting plugs into the input jack that is not being used. For
example, if you are using the preamp in MC stage, do not plug the MM
input jack.
TP2.5 Preamplifier Owner’s Manual
VTL 3

CHAPTER 2
Getting Started
After you open the carton you should find the following items inside:
• The preamplifier, with a power cord
• This User Manual, VTL Quality Assurance test document, VTL product warranty
registration card
Remove each item from its packaging material and check to make sure that no physical
damage has occurred during shipping of the unit. There should be no rattles inside the
preamplifier. Look through the vent slots and check to see that the tubes appear
properly seated firmly in their sockets. Contact your VTL dealer immediately if physical
damage is detected.
TP 2.5 Front Panel Controls
You can operate the switches from the front panel to control the power on/off, mute
and rumble functions. The Status indication LED shows whether the unit is on or in
mute.
 The Status LED indicates the power on status of the preamplifier. When the unit
is powered on, the LED light will first blink to indicate the preamplifier is in mute,
and then after 30 seconds, the blinking will go away. The Status light continues to
stay on to indicate that the system is in the “ready” state.
TP2.5 Preamplifier Owner’s Manual
VTL 4

 The Status toggle switch is a 3-position toggle switch to allow you to switch the
phono preamplifier between operating mode, the mute state and Rumble on state.
When the toggle switch is in the middle position, the preamplifier is in its operating
state. Change the preamplifier to the mute state by pressing the switch down. If
the preamplifier is currently in mute state, press this switch up to change the
system back into the operating state.
 When the status switch is in the up position, the Rumble feature is selected.
 The Status LED indicates whether the preamplifier is in operating state or in muted
state. When the LED light is on, the preamplifier is in operating state. When the
LED light is on and flashing, the preamplifier is in mute state. The LED is off
when the preamplifier is powered off.
 The Power On/Off switch can be used to turn the preamplifier on and off. Press the
switch up to turn the preamplifier ON and press the switch down to turn the unit
OFF. The Status LED should be on and off respectively, according to the setting
of the Power On switch.
The Preamplifier’s Back Panel
From the Preamplifier’s back panel, you can access the input, output, ground and
power connectors, the main fuse holder, the serial number, and the voltage setting of
the unit.
RISK OF ELECTRIC SKOCK
1A Slo Blo (120V)
4/10 A Slo Blo (240V)
AC POWER
TP2.5 Phono Preamplifier
For continious protection
against fire hazard replace only
with fuses of same type and rating.
To prevent electric shock DO NOT remove cover.
No user servicable parts inside. Refer servicing
to qualified personnel. To prevent fire or shock
do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture.
Manufactured by:
VTL Amplifiers Inc.
4774 Murrieta Street Suite 10
Chino, CA 91710 USA
[phone]
Output Inputs
MM MC
Left
Right
GND
AC INPUT FUSE HOLDER INFORMATION LABEL OUTPUT RCA'S MM INPUT RCA'S MC INPUT RCA'S GROUND CONNECTOR
Connecting Your Phono Preamplifier to your
system
1. Connect the turntable to the TP2.5 preamplifier. Make sure that the
preamplifier and the turntable is powered off. Connect the output cable from the
turntable to either the MM or MC Input connectors of the TP2.5 preamplifier,
TP2.5 Preamplifier Owner’s Manual
VTL 5