VAC Standard Preamplifier Mk2 Owners manual

Valve Amplification Company

VAC Standard Preamplifier Mk II

Instructions

Manual issued - 3 March 2006

Please read carefully before installing

Copyright 2006 by Valve Amplification Company. All rights reserved.

WELCOME

Congratulations on your purchase of the VAC Standard Mk II Preamplifier, and welcome to
the family of VAC owners!

Your VAC is designed not to the latest fad but to substance, providing the highest quality of
sound. Time spent familiarizing yourself with this manual will be well rewarded.

It is our goal to provide instruments of the highest quality, be informative to all of our
customers, and to provide responsive, effective customer service.

Please feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance. We can be reached:

Telephone[phone]
Fax[phone]
E-mail [e-mail]
Website www.vac-amps.com

We look forward to being of service, even as you have many years of enjoyment from your
VAC Standard Preamplifier.

Kevin M. Hayes
President, VAC

INTRODUCTION

The VAC Standard Mk II Preamplifier is an all new design derived from the VAC Phi Beta,
and employs four twin triode vacuum tubes operating in Class A. This unique design
provides great speed, detail, punch, and musicality, all without global feedback. Its moderate
gain structure and low output impedance provides an excellent match with a wide range of
popular power amplifiers.

The new highly shielded power transformer keeps significant e.m.f. fields away from the
audio circuit, yet allows the source of power to be located close to the audio circuit’s
demands, resulting is fast, clear response to audio transients and high resolution of inner
detail. Low noise rectifiers further improve the purity of the DC supplies, thus preserving
both the power and delicacy of the music. Heater voltage is precisely regulated to improve
tube life.

The chassis is rigid and non-magnetic.

A triode MM phono stage or triode MC/MM phono stage are optional.

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GENERAL PRECAUTIONS & SAFETY NOTES

1. DANGEROUS VOLTAGES EXIST WITHIN THE CHASSIS. DO NOT REMOVE

CHASSIS COVER UNTIL UNIT HAS BEEN SWITCHED OFF AND
UNPLUGGED FROM THE WALL OUTLET (POWER) AND ALL COMPONENTS
FOR 15 MINUTES. TUBES BECOME HOT IN USE, AND CAN CAUSE INJURY.
DO NOT EXPOSE CHASSIS TO MOISTURE. DO NOT PLUG INTO AN AC
SOURCE UNTIL ALL CONNECTIONS ARE COMPLETED AND ALL COVERS
ARE INSTALLED.

2.Complete all signal connections before connecting the AC cord to the wall outlet and
turning the unit on. Similarly, always turn the amplifier off and remove the AC power
cord before detaching cabling. Failure to observe this sequence can result in damage
to the amplifier, speakers or associated components.

3.At turn on, all volume controls should be full counter-clockwise. Allow one (1)
minute for warm up before disengaging mute and commencing playback. Note: Mute
is automatically engaged when switching on units equipped with the remote control
option.

4.For protection of your speakers and power amplifier, always engage “Mute” before
switching the power off or on. Note: Mute is automatically engaged when switching
on.

5. DO NOT OPERATE THE UNIT IF IT IS WET.

6. THE CHASSIS CONTAINS VACUUM TUBES. DANGEROUS VOLTAGES

EXIST WITHIN THIS CHASSIS. NEVER REMOVE THE COVER UNLESS THE
UNIT HAS BEEN SWITCHED OFF AND COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FOR
AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. THE TOP COVER MUST ALWAYS BE LEFT
SECURELY IN PLACE.

7. Take care to install your preamplifier securely in a sturdy, well designed stand so that

it will not fall or tip over (this could cause serious, possibly fatal injury).

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