VAC Renaissance Signature Preamplifier Operation & Maintenance Information Valve Amplification Company Manual issued 02/21/2001
CAUTION THE POWER SUPPLY UNITS CONTAIN NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS. DO NOT REMOVE THE COVERS. LETHAL VOLTAGES ARE PRESENT WITHIN THE CHASSIS. NEVER OPERATE THE PREAMPLIFIER WITH THE AUDIO CHASSIS COVERS REMOVED. BEFORE OPENING TO CHANGE TUBES, DISCONNECT THE PREAMPLIFIER FROM POWER AND ALL OTHER COMPONENTS, AND ALLOW IT TO SIT TURNED OFF FOR 30 MINUTES. DO NOT OPERATE THE UNITS IF THEY ARE WET. THE PREAMPLIFIER AND POWER SUPPLY UNITS ARE VERY HEAVY.
INTRODUCTION The Renaissance Signature Preamplifier is the world’s finest audio preamplifier and an absolutely unique component. Its unusual topology, premium parts, and flexibility make it a pleasure to hear and operate. The line stage is, in effect, a small Class A1 power amplifier, capable of driving loads as low as a few hundred ohms. This is a stark contrast to normal preamplifiers, which claim a low output impedance but completely collapse when asked to deliver current.
INSTALLATION 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) Provide adequate ventilation. Do not operate on carpet or any other surface that might block air flow. The chassis will become warm in normal use. Do not allow the chassis to touch any metal parts, such as the frame of an equipment rack. This might create a parallel ground path that could degrade the sound of your system. Input connection is via single ended RCA jacks or XLR jacks (which can be from balanced or unbalanced sources).
INPUTS (back panel) Four pairs of RCA jacks accommodate unbalanced line level sources. These correspond to SELECTOR positions “L1" through “L4". One pair of XLR jacks accept a balanced or unbalanced line level source. This corresponds to SELECTOR position “BAL”. Note: not all units with XLR connectors are balanced. Many are unbalanced, with pin 2 or pin 3 tied to ground. The Signature Preamplifier accepts such sources.
For power amplifiers with RCA input jacks, you will normally use the “RCA GND” setting. You may also choose “XLR/RCA UNGND” if it is necessary to break a ground loop. For power amplifiers with XLR input jacks, you must determine if the input is truly balanced, or if either pin 2 or 3 is actually tied to ground (unbalanced XLR). For true balanced inputs you may choose between “XLR GND” and “XLR/RCA UNGND” for lowest hum level. For power amplifiers with unbalanced XLR inputs, select “XLR/RCA UNGND”.
Please note that although your VAC System has been run for 48 hours at the factory, it will continue to "break in" for approximately 150 hours. Also be aware that many components display the need for a new break in period after being transported in unheated cargo aircraft.
Mute: This knob is spring loaded; moving the control clockwise will toggle between the “Mute” and “Operate” condition. When muted, the VAC logo will be red; when un-muted, it will be blue. On occasion the preamplifier may seem not to have responded to a turn of the “Mute” knob; this is due to “contact bounce” in the switch. Simply turn the knob again until the desired condition is attained. Meters: The power supply has two backlit meters.
REPLACEMENT OF TUBES Refer to the figure (below) for the location and types of tubes.
CARE OF CHASSIS VAC chassis are machined aluminum for superior electromagnetic performance, and finished in durable textured gloss paint. Cleaning with a damp cloth WHILE THE AMP IS SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED should suffice. Do not get cleaning solutions onto or into the connectors or controls. When shipping your unit, be certain to wrap the amplifier in the cloth, tissue or plastic wrap in which it was originally packaged.
WARRANTY Your equipment is warranted for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of purchase. In addition, if the registration form is received by VAC along with a copy of your sales receipt from an authorized VAC dealer within this thirty days, a service contract will be extended to cover your equipment for three (3) years (tubes excepted). This warranty applies only to units sold in the United States of America through authorized VAC dealers. It covers factory service and standard return shipping.
