VAC Phi "Kappa 30i" - Manual (Page 18)

17
REPLACEMENT OF TUBES
Tubes V1 - V6 are type 12AX7/ECC83; you may
wish to use low noise tested tubes for V3 and
V4.
Tubes V7 - V12 are type 6SN7.
Tubes V13 - V16 are type 300B.
We strongly recommend that you use only tubes specifically selected and tested by VAC
for this application.
Before replacing tubes, all power must be turned off. Allow 15 minutes for the tubes to
cool down before removing the top glass cover - in use they become hot enough to cause
burns.
Install new tubes of the appropriate types firmly in their sockets, noting the location of holes
in the socket and pins of the tubes, taking care to make sure that pin pattern corresponds
to holes in tube socket (12AX7) or the center key (6SN7 and 300B). Replace the glass
cover before operating the amplifier.
In the event that trouble is encountered, check all signal, speaker and power connections.
If the problem persists, follow all safety precautions stated earlier in this section, and check
that all tubes are correctly seated in their sockets. If possible, try another tube. If the
problem persists, please consult your VAC dealer or contact the factory directly.
Tubes are like the tires on a car; they will eventually need replacement. Murphy's Law states
that a tube will probably fail right at the start of a long holiday weekend. Therefore, many
audiophiles keep a spare tube of each type on hand, just in case!
VAC can test tubes for concerned customers.