VAC Renaissance 30/70 User Manual
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9
TIPS & ADVICE
Tuning Your System
The VAC Renaissance has unparalleled opportunities for fine tuning your system for best subjective reproduction. At
first glance this may seem a bit intimidating, but it's actually quite easy to do. Let's go step by step from the beginning.
1)
Start with the Ground switch at "AF" (also marked "AC" on some units) and the two Feedback controls at "0."
Connect the loudspeakers to the tap that matches the nominal impedance rating of your speakers. For example,
if your speakers are 4 ohms, connect them to the "4" tap.
2)
Play several different recordings that you are familiar with to get used to the sound of the system.
3)
Turn the Feedback controls to the next highest setting. Turn up the volume control on your preamp until the
volume sounds the same as before. Listen again to several recordings. If the sound seems improved, then try the
next higher Feedback setting. Stop when you find the setting that sounds best to you.
In general, very reactive loudspeakers such as electrostatics will require more feedback for open sound.
4)
Try the Ground switch in the "DC" position, then the "RF" position. Select the position that sounds best and
does not introduce hum or buzz into the system. Be very careful when using this control, as the tubes are hot
enough to cause a severe burn. If you're uncertain, switch the amplifiers off and wait 5 minutes for the tubes
to cool down.
5)
Try the speakers on the next lower impedance tap, and select the tap that sounds best to you.
6)
If you made changes in steps 4 or 5, then repeat steps 3, 4, and 5.
Finally, remember that the break-in time of high resolution audio equipment is infuriatingly long. The Renaissance sound
will continue to season for at least 200 hours. Typically, the early sound of the amplifier will be less extended, dynamic,
and coherent. Then the sound will improve noticeable, followed by a period of darker sound, finally giving way to the
desired musicality. Patience, as they say, is a virtue.