VTL TL5.5 Series II Signature, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ...VTL TL5 5 Series II Signature Preamplifier Owner sManual...

Page 2: ...be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical for any purpose without the express written permission by VTL Version History Version 2 0 May 19 2010 Part Number OM...

Page 3: ......

Page 4: ...and Connect Source Components 14 Connecting to a Turntable 15 Connecting the TL5 5 to a Home Theater System 16 Using the TL 5 5 to trigger other devices 16 Chapter 3 18 Operating the Preamplifier 18...

Page 5: ...w of TL5 5 II Line and Phono Stage 45 Internal View of TL5 5 II Phono Stage 46 Cleaning 46 Troubleshooting 46 chapter 5 49 TL 5 5II Specifications 49 Chapter 6 51 Warranty 51 Appendix 53 Warranty Regi...

Page 6: ...udio technology sourced from VTL s TL 7 5 Reference and TL 6 5 Signature preamplifiers This technology uses a simple circuit topology with low negative feedback and a high current low impedance output...

Page 7: ...that the power cord used with this unit be connected to a properly grounded AC outlet There are hazardous voltages present in the unit and to prevent electrical shock do not remove the cover of this...

Page 8: ...re damaged due to overheating from incorrect installation It is also recommended that the preamplifier be sited at least 10 inches away from the power amplifier to prevent possible noise introduction...

Page 9: ...e any covers from the unit Always consult with your VTL authorized dealer or the VTL factory before attempting any service work on any VTL unit Do not touch the tubes after the TL5 5 is turned on The...

Page 10: ...et on a stable surface Setting it on any other side may damage protruding components SAVE THE CARTON AND ALL PACKAGING FOR ANY FUTURE SHIPMENT OF THE TL5 5 After you open the carton you should find th...

Page 11: ...the Preamplifier Make sure the source is turned off connect the source that you use most frequently e g your CD player to the CD or AUX1 input locations in the back panel of the unit If your CD playe...

Page 12: ...nd the LED above CD is blue to indicate that the default selection of CD is in balanced mode If your Source component is setup in balanced mode you are now ready to play your music Turn the volume to...

Page 13: ...his input and the following four are single ended inputs only and are not used for any other function The LED color is permanently green Warning It is critical for proper sonic performance of this com...

Page 14: ...he left and right channels are equally balanced A number with a bar on either side indicates an out of balance setting with the bar indicating the direction of balance and the display indicating the d...

Page 15: ...s the main power fuse CAUTION Replace fuses only with fuses of same type and rating The Power Rocker powers the unit into standby mode Press up for on and down for off The Trigger Outputs provide a 12...

Page 16: ...te Control hand held unit supplied with this preamplifier allows the user to perform the following functions Power the preamplifier on and off This is a toggle control which changes the state from one...

Page 17: ...remote wand can be used to program another universal remote that can be used in place of or in addition to the supplied remote wand There are additional discrete remote codes available that are progra...

Page 18: ...ur TL 5 5 Preamplifier is a high performance component capable of extremely high resolution and sonic performance To assure best conditions for optimal results plug the unit directly into a wall AC ou...

Page 19: ...en you can also use Phono Aux2 as an additional input for any line level source you wish to use Connect all source components e g CD SACD DVD Audio Tuner DAT Video Recorder etc to the inputs on the pr...

Page 20: ...plifier and set that input for Unity Gain by holding the Mon Proc button and pressing the button for that input simultaneously Please refer to the programming instructions in the Programming section o...

Page 21: ...level that the Processor is putting out This means that in this mode the volume control is fixed and the signal is passed to the front left and right amplifiers at unity gain through the gain stage T...

Page 22: ...n mm are The polarity of the trigger voltage is positive on the pin closest to you with the side view shown above and in the photo below positive is the closest left most screw terminal pin with negat...

Page 23: ...age that takes approximately 90 seconds with countdown status displayed on the front panel numeric display window During this warm up period the preamplifier is in the muted mode After the warm up sta...

Page 24: ...mode of the preamplifier For more details on the different operating modes indicated by the LEDs please refer to the section below on Operating modes and LED Indications Ground Loop Hum If you get a...

Page 25: ...is pressed The numeric display also shows the channel imbalance offset value 8 Use the Fade button on the remote control to change the volume level down to 20 if the current level is higher than 20 T...

Page 26: ...gs to memory for use at a later power up Loss of power before the settings are saved will cause the settings to be lost from memory and the preamplifier will have to be programmed again and the settin...

Page 27: ...ee the 90 to 0 countdown when the preamp goes through the power up sequence you can suppress the display by pressing the Mute button during the countdown sequence Any programmed trigger indication wil...

Page 28: ...n Power on mode select the input you wish to re enable and hold down the Mute button at the same time Programming Lock Out Mode Setting and resetting of Triggers Unity Gain Balanced or Single ended mo...

Page 29: ...ss the Phono Aux 2 input for another 5 seconds and the LED will turn green Inputs 4 5 6 and 7 LED Aux 3 Tuner Aux4 Aux 5 Inputs 4 5 6 and 7 are for single ended inputs only During Power up and trigger...

Page 30: ...of balance information If the channels are out of balance out of balance indicator on left for leftward balance or on right if rightward balance of numeric display is visible during operate mode if t...

Page 31: ...c display goes into the sequential countdown timer from 90 to 0 If power on sequence is successfully executed display on unit indicates that it is no longer in standby mode when the numeric display ch...

Page 32: ...ute switch is pressed again during the power on cycle Status Power on countdown mode is turned on and off depending on the current state Remote control mute button does not change the power on countdo...

Page 33: ...o balanced mode Input 1 2 only Front panel or RS 232 port Unlocked mode only Most components are single ended but balanced operation is often quieter and more dynamic Balanced operation requires a dif...

Page 34: ...wise for lowering input level offset and clockwise for increasing input level offset Releasing the input button returns the volume display to show the level it was before the input offset was programm...

Page 35: ...out mode and must be unlocked before setting Status Unit is in muted mode and volume does not change from unity gain after user un mutes unit Volume input offset balance phase and tape monitor functio...

Page 36: ...tenuate or amplify signal that is fed into it User input User either rotates the volume knob clockwise for volume up or counter clockwise for volume down until desired volume is reached Indication The...

Page 37: ...degree of out of balance If the channels are out of balance when the display reverts to volume display the directional bar is displayed next to the volume level indication in whichever direction the b...

Page 38: ...display Status No functional change in unit 17 User changes absolute phase Remote or Front Panel Absolute phase between positive wave fronts and negative rarefactions of sound watch the woofer of you...

Page 39: ...e only Front panel or RS 232 port Unlocked mode only Programming lockout is to lock all programming functions so that they are not able to be accidentally re set to some unintended setting during norm...

Page 40: ...directional status information available via infra red connection and it is required that discrete commands be used by the central remote so that it does not get out of synch with the preamplifier Th...

Page 41: ...s Connect Using as COM1 Change to the Settings tab check the following settings First field Function arrow and ctrl keys act as Terminal Keys selected Second field Backspace key sends Ctrl H selected...

Page 42: ...ng the status of the preamplifier Returns current status as set for example STATUS POWER ON INPUT CD VOLUME 0 PHASE 0 OFFSET 0 UNITY GAIN OFF BALANCED POWER ON OFF For powering the preamplifier ON and...

Page 43: ...Returns current balanced settings for example BALANCED CD AUX1 OFFSET n For setting input offsets to equalize volume between inputs Returns current offset settings for selected input in degree of off...

Page 44: ...9 627 6988 VERSION Returns the version number of the software Installed version of the software Version 072109 Powering the system off You may keep your VTL preamplifier and your source components on...

Page 45: ...u turn the preamplifier off If the trigger function is being used powering the preamplifier off will automatically turn off the power amplifier s 3 Turn the source components off if you prefer to keep...

Page 46: ...s As the tubes age beyond their peak performance there will be a general softening of the sound We recommend a complete replacement of the tubes in your preamplifier at that time which will restore it...

Page 47: ...bes two 12AU7s and four 12AT7s The following figure indicates the location of the tube type with respect to the sockets looking from above and in front of the chassis If your TL5 5 II preamplifier is...

Page 48: ...any movement at all when you try to rock it gently If the socket appears loose and not making contact with any or all of the tube pins the socket should be re tensioned 2 Replacing the protective cove...

Page 49: ...rting a flat head screwdriver into the slot and turning the screw head approximately one quarter of a turn in a counter clockwise direction while pressing inwards The fuse cap should spring out from i...

Page 50: ...Internal View of TL5 5 II Line Stage Internal View of TL5 5 II Line and Phono Stage TL5 5 SERIES II Preamplifier Owner s Manual VTL 45...

Page 51: ...or cleaning the front panel as this can damage the lettering and the finish It is recommended that you use a contact cleaner such as Pro Gold on the input and output connectors regularly to ensure opt...

Page 52: ...ommand are different for both units then one or other of the remote controls will have to be re programmed Contact your VTL Dealer or the Factory for a solution to this problem Note that in either cas...

Page 53: ...e there is most likely no damage to the unit as the fuses are designed to open before damage occurs so most likely the fuse replacement will fix the problem 8 The fuses have been checked and they are...

Page 54: ...dB single ended 17dB balanced Switchable to Low Gain 6 dB SE 11 dB balanced Output Impedance 150 Ohms Max 400 ohms at 10Hz Input Impedance 35K Ohms Frequency response 0 1 dB 1 Hz 200KHz 0 1dB Maximum...

Page 55: ...ge MM MC Tube Complement 2x12AX7 2x12AT7 2x12AT7 2x12AX7 2x12AU7 Load 47K ohm Selectable 100 ohm 220 ohm 470 ohm 1K ohm 47K ohm Gain 40 dB Selectable 54dB 60dB 66dB TL5 5 SERIES II Preamplifier Owner...

Page 56: ...unit was purchased and by VTL Amplifiers Inc Under the terms of the warranty defective parts will be repaired or replaced without charge excepting the cost of tubes A six month warranty on tubes is a...

Page 57: ...nly be registered with the VTL distributor in the country of purchase In the case of returns from outside the USA the owner of the product returned is responsible for all shipping charges and VTL will...

Page 58: ...te 10 Chino CA 91710 USA To help you keep a record of the serial number and purchase information please enter the following information into this manual Product Model Number __________________________...