VAC Avatar SE - Manual (Page 5)

Page 5
4) Connect the AC power cord to the IEC connector on Avatar’s rear panel. ALWAYS
connect power cord to component before plugging it into an AC outlet, and make
sure that unit’s power switch is set to the “off” position before making the final
connection. For best performance, try to route the power cord away from signal
cables.
5) Before turning Avatar’s power switch to the “on” position, mute the unit by moving
the “Mute” switch (found at the upper right-hand corner of faceplate) to its clockwise
(i.e.., muted) position, and set output level to zero by rotating the “Volume” control
fully counterclockwise. Note: Mute is automatically engaged when switching on
Avatars equipped with the remote control option.
6) Allow Avatar to warm up for a few minutes, then adjust output tube bias. (See
“Output Tube Bias Adjustment”, below)
As with all high performance audio products, the sonic characteristics of all VAC products
will continue to improve during the first several hundred hours of use.
OPERATING AVATAR
Front Panel Controls:
Although most of Avatar’s front panel controls (Volume, Power, Mute) are self explanatory,
VAC has outfitted this unit with several advanced features which bear further description:
Phono Section: In addition to four line level inputs (CD, 1, 2, 3), Avatar includes a discrete,
pure tube phono preamplifier, which is engaged by rotating the “Selector” switch (found at
the upper left-hand corner of faceplate) fully counterclockwise to the “Phono” position.
Avatar’s phono preamplifier provides 37 dB of gain, suitable for use with MM (moving
magnet) and many high-output MC (moving coil) cartridges. Your VAC dealer can
recommend the proper phono cartridge(s) for use with Avatar.
Monitor: The small knob found at the lower left-hand corner of the faceplate switches
between “Source” and “Tape”. In the “Source” position, input selection is determined by the
Source Selector Switch. In the “Tape” position, the Source Selector is overridden, and the
Tape inputs are activated. Important: Avatar is outfitted with a full “tape loop”, including
a line level tape input and a fixed level recording output. In addition to driving the recording
inputs of a tape deck, this output can supply signal to any typical line level input, enabling
Avatar to control a second zone in multi room installations.
Home Theater Mode: Located immediately to the right of the bias meter, a rotary switch
labeled “Input” provides access to Avatar’s most unusual feature. When set in the “Selector”