Balanced Audio Technology VK-33SE User manual

VK-33SE

WARRANTY REGISTRATION FORM

Unit Serial Number:

_______________________________________

Customer Name:

_______________________________________

Address:

_______________________________________

Date of Purchase:

_______________________________________

Purchased From:

Dealer Name:

_______________________________________

Address:

_______________________________________

IMPORTANT NOTE:

In order to receive the full five year product warranty, please

mail this completed form together with a copy of your sales

receipt to Balanced Audio Technology at the address below,

within thirty days of purchase.

Failure to do so will result in the product being warrantied for

one year from the date of manufacture.

1300 First Stat Blvd. Suite A Wilmington DE 19804 Tel: 302-999-8855 Fax: 302-999-

8818

VK-33SE

Vacuum Tube

Balanced Stereo Preamplifier

Owner's Manual

1300 First Stat Blvd. Suite A Wilmington DE 19804 Tel: 302-999-8855 Fax: 302-999-

8818

Vacuum Tube Current Sources in VK-33SE

Your VK-33SE incorporates a unique feature that allows you to optimize its sound to tailor it to your

individual taste or system requirements.

The Vacuum Tube current sources incorporated in the VK-33SE, being part of the signal gain stage, have a

direct effect on the unit’s sound. Changing the tube type used in that circuit allows the user an extra degree

of control over the sound of the unit.

In its standard configuration the VK-33SE current sources use the Russian 6C19 tubes. That tube is

basically a miniature version of the famous 6C33 tube, and provides, in our view, the best combination of

sonic characteristics and electrical performance.

However, the unique design of the VK-33SE allows you to also use other tube types in that application.

Currently, the user has the following three choices for vacuum tube Current Sources:

1. The standard 6C19 tube current source as installed from the factory.

2. The 6H30 SuperTube current source which requires the purchase of the X-PAK accessory.

3. The 5881 tube current source.

In order to change the tube type the user needs to remove the installed Current Source board, and replace it

with either another board, designed for a particular tube type, or install the 5881 tubes as a direct plug-in.

Only the 5881 tubes can be used directly upon the removal of the 6C19 current source board.

Please consult the factory regarding options for other tube types that may be available in the future.

WARNING:

The following procedure should only be performed by qualified personnel

To change the current source:

1. Turn the unit OFF and wait at least 5 minutes to allow the tubes to cool down and the power

supply charge to dissipate.

2. Remove the six screws holding the current source board.

3. Pull the current source board straight up to disengage its connectors.

4. Install the new current source board making sure its connectors are properly aligned. Board will

be positioned properly when the mounting holes in the circuit board align with the standoffs.

5. Install the six mounting screws.

6. Turn the unit ON.

TABLE OF CONTENT

CURRENT SOURCES 3

CHANGING CURRENT SOURCES 4

INTRODUCTION 6

Package Content 6

Physical Placement 7

Connecting to your system 7

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS 8

VK-33SE Power On sequence 8

Turning the VK-33SE Off 8

PHASE Button and LED 9

MONO button and LED 9

MUTE button and LED 9

INPUT selection 9

VOLUME knob 9

DISPLAY format 10

FUCTION button 10

DISPLAY Brightness function 11

MUTE function 11

VK-33SE PROGRAMMABLE FUNCTIONS 12

Parameter Definitions 13

PROGRAMMING THE VK-33SE 13

BALANCE adjustment 13

VOLUME offsets 14

PHASE 15

MONO/STEREO 15

MAXIMUM gain 15

FIXED gain 16

DISPLAY MODE 16

INPUT NAME 17

REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS 18

Volume Up/Down 18

Mute 18

Fade 18

Input 18

Display/Power 19

Fuse Protection 19

Servicing 19

Cleaning 19

RESETTING THE VK-33SE 20

SPECIFICATIONS 21

WARRANTY 22

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for your purchase of the Balanced Audio Technology VK-33SE

preamplifier. Please read this owner's manual to obtain the full benefit of the

VK-33SE in your system. It will provide you with the needed safety information

and operating procedures for this exceptional unit.

WARNINGS:

To prevent the possibility of serious injury, electrical shock or fire:

DO NOT operate with the cover removed.

DO NOT expose to rain or moisture.

DO NOT defeat the ground power-plug.

DO NOT replace fuse with anything other than the same type and rating as supplied

by the factory.

Package Contents

Included in the box should be the following:

Description Quantity

VK-33SE Preamplifier 1

Power Cord 1

Spare Fuse 1

Torx Wrench (T-15) 1

Spare Top Cover Screws 5

User’s Manual 1

VK-R3 Remote Control (If ordered)

Save all the packaging material in a safe dry area for the unlikely event that

you need to return the VK-33SE to the factory for service.

PHYSICAL PLACEMENT

It is recommended that you provide at least 6" of free space around the unit for

proper ventilation.

Mount the unit on a hard surface with proper ventilation underneath.

Do not stack the VK-33SE preamplifier on top of other units, nor vice

versa.

CONNECTING THE VK-33SE TO YOUR SYSTEM

Balanced Components

Use balanced XLR interconnects. All input and output connectors are clearly

marked on the back panel.

Note: The VK-33SE XLR connectors are wired as follows:

Pin 1: common/shield

Pin 2: positive

Pin 3: negative

For the VK-33SE, use the Main 1 XLR Output for connection to your balanced

power amplifier. The Output 2 is configured as an RCA connector output.

Single-Ended Components

Single-ended components have RCA connectors. The VK-33SE preamplifier

is designed to work with mix of single-ended and balanced components connected

to its inputs and outputs. If more single ended components need to be

connected to the preamplifer, then the XLR inputs or outputs can be used for

that in conjunction with RCA/XLR adapters. These adapters are available from an

authorized Balanced Audio Technology dealer at a nominal charge.

Two types of adapters are available:

Input Adapters: RCA Female to XLR Male

Output Adapters: RCA Female to XLR Female.

VK-33SE FRONT PANEL CONTROLS

STANDBY Button and LED

The Standby button is used to turn the unit ON and OFF and to switch the

preamplifier into its Standby mode. The LED indicates the status of the unit’s

power circuitry and has four state:

LED OFF Display OFF Unit is in OFF state

Display ON Unit is in ON state

LED Flashing Unit is going through its Power-ON routine

LED ON Unit is in its STANDBY mode

When the unit is plugged into a power line, it will stay in the OFF state until the

Standby button is pushed. The LED will then start blinking and the unit will go

through a 50second warm-up sequence. At the end of that sequence it will turn

ON.

Pressing the button again will switch the unit into its Standby mode.

The VK-33SE can be turned OFF by

pressing and holding

the Standby button.

VK-33SE Power-On sequence:

When you turn the VK-33SE ON, it will automatically go through a gentle power-

on sequence. This sequence takes 50 seconds, during which time the display and

the Standby LED will be flashing, indicating the status of the unit.

1. The number on the display during this time indicates the volume setting.

This will usually start at 000. This setting can be changed during this time

by using the volume knob or Volume Up/Down buttons on your VK-R3

remote control transmitter. In addition, such functions as Phase, Mono,

input selection and Mute can be changed during this time either from front

panel or through the remote control.

2. Normally the VK-33SE will be

not muted

(Mute LED on the display is OFF)

and will begin playing at the end of the 50 second delay. If so desired, the

unit can be put in the MUTE mode during this delay interval either by

depressing the front panel MUTE switch or by using the MUTE button on the

VK-R3 remote control transmitter.

Turning the VK-33SE OFF:

The unit can be turned OFF by

pressing and holding

the Standby button. It will

automatically mute.

PHASE button and LED

This button allows the user to invert the absolute polarity of the signal to

compensate for some recordings that are made out-of-phase. The LED indicates

whether the unit is in its INVERTING or NONINVERTING mode. This function is also

accessible via the VK-R3 remote control.

LED OFF Non Inverting operation

LED ON Inverting operation

MONO Button and LED

The Mono button allows the user to switch the VK-33SE in Mono operation when

the two channels are summed together. This may be useful, for example, while

listening to old monophonic recordings. This function is also accessible via the VK-

R3 remote control.

LED OFF Stereo operation

LED ON Mono operation

MUTE Button and LED

The Mute button disables the preamplifier output. It is recommended that the

Mute be engaged any time the signal cables are changed or any other system

configuration changes are being made. This function is also accessible via the VK-

R3 remote control.

LED OFF Unit in Play mode

LED ON Output Muted

INPUT selection buttons 1through 5

These allow the user to select any of five available inputs to be played. The

selected input number together with its name will be indicated on the unit front

panel display as well. This function is also accessible via the VK-R3 remote

control.

VOLUME Knob

This knob performs different function depending upon the unit’s mode of

operation. In normal mode it works as volume control knob.

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