VAC Statement 450 Monoblock User Manual

The VAC Statement 450

Mono Beam Power Amplifier

Operation & Maintenance Information

Valve Amplification Company

Manual issued 09/22/2010

Revised 01/19/2011
Revised 07/26/2011

CAUTION - SAFETY NOTICE

THE AMPLIFIER AND POWER SUPPLY CONTAIN NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS. DO NOT REMOVE THE
BOTTOM PLATES OR CHASSIS COVERS. LETHAL VOLTAGES ARE PRESENT WITHIN THE CHASSIS. DO
NOT OPERATE THE UNITS IF THEY ARE WET.

VACUUM TUBES BECOME HOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE SERIOUS BURNS. NEVER TOUCH A TUBE WHEN
THE UNIT IS ON. IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES FOR THE TUBES TO COOL DOWN AFTER THE UNIT
IS SWITCHED OFF. IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE TUBE COVERS BE LEFT IN PLACE AT ALL
TIMES.

THE TUBE COVERS WILL BECOME HOT IN NORMAL OPERATION. DO NOT SET OR SPRAY ANYTHING
ON THEM.

Never touch a tube if the glass is broken. The internal structures carry high voltage and could present
a serious, possibly lethal shock. If a tube breaks, unplug the amplifier and wait 30 minutes, then
remove the tube.

Keep flammable objects away from the amplifier.

DO NOT LEAVE THE AMPLIFIER UNATTENDED IN OPERATION.

THE AMPLIFIER IS HEAVY. IT IS ADVISABLE TO HAVE ASSISTANCE IN UNPACKING, MOVING, AND
SETTING UP. BE SURE TO USE PROPER LIFTING TECHNIQUES TO AVOID BACK STRAIN AND INJURY.
BE CERTAIN TO INSTALL IT IN A SECURE LOCATION FROM WHICH IT CAN NOT FALL OR TIP OVER.

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INDEX

Introduction
Installation
Installing the front glass and top bars
Input connectors
Operation
Illuminated Logo
Installing New Output Tubes
Biasing & Checking Output Tube Condition
Replacement of Low Level Tubes
Care Of Chassis
Tips and Advice

Fuses
A Word About Tubes in General
Output Tubes
Low Level Tubes
Impedance Matching
Grounding

Tuning Your System
Specifications
Footnotes
Warranty & Registration Form

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INTRODUCTION

The Statement 450 is a unique power amplifier, and the most powerful and detailed in VAC’s
history. Featuring a new direct-coupled input & driver circuit, extremely fast and vivid sound is
achieved from both single-ended and balanced sources.

The front panel attenuator may be selected for aid in balancing channels. It may also be used to trim
spectral balance when biamplifying.

The chassis is machined from thick aluminum, finished in a metallic base coat/clear coat finish.

The is designed not to the latest fad but to substance, for the highest possible sound quality. Time
spent familiarizing yourself with this manual will be well rewarded.

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INSTALLATION

01)Place the power supply in its final location. It is quite heavy, and will become more so when
the amplifier is installed on top of it. Consider the location carefully, and use appropriate

help in lifting, etc., so as to avoid injury.

02)Place one of the metal balls provided in each of the three cups on
the top of the power supply.

03)Carefully place the amplifier chassis on top of the power supply,
taking care to align the balls on top of the power supply with the
cups on the bottom of the audio chassis.

004)Install the vacuum tubes.
Each tube or its box has
a “V” number, which
corresponds to the
labels on the top plate of
the amplifier; these
indicate where each
tube should be installed.

Fit each tube into the
matching socket.

When inserting and
removing tubes, handle
them by their bases, not
by their glass bulbs.

Note that there is a
locator pin on the octal
(eight contact) tubes that
indicates proper
alignment.

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05)Carefully install the front glass and top rails (see detailed directions in the next section of this
manual). Take care not to chip or scratch the glass.

06)Set the top switch to Balanced (for use with balanced sources on
XLR connector) or Single-ended (via RCA connector) as desired.

07)Set the front panel SELECT switch fully
counterclockwise for full volume input, or clockwise
if you wish to attenuate volume using the front panel
VOLUME control.

08)Install the input cable in the back panel jack that corresponds to the switch settings selected
above.

09)Connect the speaker cables; the black lead goes to “-“ or “Ground”. The red lead goes to
“+” or “Positive”. Follow the label on the back of the amplifier for the impedance that best
matches your loudspeakers.

10)Connect 12 volt trigger input cables into the appropriate sockets on the back panel if
desired; either will slave the off/on function to the external connection.

11)Provide adequate ventilation - allow at least 3 inches above and to each side.

12)Do not place in a completely enclosed cabinet. Do not stack other equipment on top of the
VAC unit.

13)Do not operate on carpet or any other surface that might block air flow.

14)The chassis and glass will become hot in normal use.

15)The power supply may produce a small mechanical hum; therefore avoid placing the system
on any surface that could act as a sounding board, or at any location in the room that
corresponds to a resonance at your local power frequency (50 Hz. or 60 Hz.).

16)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.

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