F30i “Kappa” The VAC Phi Kappa Triode Integrated Amplifier Operation & Maintenance Information Valve Amplification Company Manual issued 05/20/2004
CAUTION THE AMPLIFIER AND POWER SUPPLY CONTAIN NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS. DO NOT REMOVE THE BOTTOM PLATES OR CHASSIS COVERS. LETHAL VOLTAGES ARE PRESENT WITHIN THE CHASSIS. DO NOT OPERATE THE UNITS IF THEY ARE WET. VACUUM TUBES BECOME HOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE SERIOUS BURNS. NEVER TOUCH A TUBE WHEN THE UNIT IS ON. IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES FOR THE TUBES TO COOL DOWN AFTER THE UNIT IS SWITCHED OFF. IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE TUBE COVERS BE LEFT IN PLACE AT ALL TIMES.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY Your Phi Kappa is fitted with a unique output tube monitoring circuit. Rather than directly contacting the audio path, and thus contaminating the pure sound, the temperature of a small cathode resistance is sensed. The four bi-color LED’s on the front panel indicate the tubes’ conditions. If the idle current of a 300B output tube drops below nominal limits, the LED corresponding to that tube will light green.
INTRODUCTION The Phi Kappa is the world's finest integrated amplifier and an absolutely unique component. Its unusual topology, premium parts, and flexibility make it a pleasure to hear and operate. Essentially, the Kappa is the combination of elements of the Phi 2.0 preamplifier with the Phi 30/30 stereo amplifier into a single, integrated, optimized system. The phono stage uses triode tubes operating without loop feedback. Gain is moderately high, with a very low noise floor.
UNPACKING & ASSEMBLY The Phi Kappa is shipped with the vacuum tubes and glass covers removed. Should the need ever arise, the following directions illustrate how to install the glass; follow these steps in reverse order to remove the glass. THE AMPLIFIER AND POWER SUPPLY ARE HEAVY. IT IS ADVISABLE TO HAVE ASSISTANCE IN UNPACKING, MOVING, AND SETTING UP. BE SURE TO USE PROPER LIFTING TECHNIQUES TO AVOID BACK STRAIN AND INJURY.
From each of the columns remove the tape, which prevented the nylon setscrews from coming loose during shipment. Slide the side glass plates into the pillars’ channels. The glass will not go all the way to the chassis top, but has a gap at the bottom for air flow. Take care not to scratch or break the glass Note: tubes should not be installed yet. The front glass has the etched VAC logo. Install this between the front pillars. Take great care not to scratch this glass.
Install the nylon blocks at the top of the side glasses. If there is a ‘dimple’ in the block, it should face the outside of the amplifier. Tighten the metal setscrews that secure each block using the allen key supplied. Turn clockwise to tighten. Replace the aluminum top frame. Ensure that the front glass fits into the groove in the top frame. Ensure that the top frame sits flush in the pillars. Replace the rear screws.
Replace the screws that secure the top frame. Turn clockwise to tighten. Tighten the four white nylon setscrews that secure the front glass using the tool provided. Turn clockwise to tighten. Do not over tighten. Install the vacuum tubes. The large tubes have two pins larger in diameter, and can only be inserted one way. The medium size tubes have a plastic center pin (“keyway”) that can only be inserted one way. Do not to break this pin.
Set the beveled glass top into the aluminum top frame. Take care not to chip the edges. Note: The top glass will become hot in normal operation. The glass may be removed from the Phi Kappa (such as for replacement or for shipment) by following these steps in reverse order. When loosening the metal and nylon setscrews, be careful not to back them all of the way out of the holes! If a metal screw falls into the amplifier, contact VAC for service directions. Connect the DC cables from the power supply.
NOTE: Do not remove and connect input cables or speaker cables while is amplifier is running. Doing so risks damage to your loudspeakers or the amplifier. Do not operate the amplifier without a loudspeaker or load resistor attached.
INSTALLATION 1) Provide adequate ventilation. 2) Do not operate on carpet or any other surface that might block air flow. 3) The chassis will become warm in normal use. 4) Do not allow the chassis to touch any metal parts, such as the frame of an equipment rack. This might create a parallel ground path that could degrade the sound of your system. 5) Input connection is via single ended RCA jacks or XLR jacks (which can be from balanced or unbalanced sources).
9) Connect the speaker cables and set the impedance selector switch to match the nominal or minimum impedance of your loudspeakers (you may try both). 10) Connect the power supply to the power source indicated on the rear panel, either 100, 120, 220, or 240 volts AC. The voltage may be select by means of the removable selector card located underneath the fuse in the power connector; to change, remove the card and reinstall so that the desired voltage may be read.
INPUTS (back panel) Pairs of RCA jacks accommodate unbalanced line level sources. These are labeled "IN1", "IN2", etc. The XLR input can accept a balanced or unbalanced line level source. Note: not all sources with XLR connectors are balanced. Many are unbalanced, with pin 2 or pin 3 tied to ground. The Phi Preamplifier accepts such sources. The “CINEMA” inputs accept an unbalanced line level source via RCA jacks. One pair of RCA jacks accommodate the monitor return from a tape deck.
OPERATION Turn the "Volume" control fully counterclockwise. Mute is automatically engaged when switching on the unit. High voltage power is not applied for 60 seconds, thus allowing time for the tubes to ‘warm up.’ Do not unmute before 60 seconds; failure to wait can cause a transient to be sent to your loudspeakers. As with all high fidelity products, the sound characteristic of the VAC changes somewhat as it warms up. Best sound will be achieved after about 15 minutes of operation.
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS Although most of the front panel controls (Volume, Power, Mute) are self explanatory, VAC has outfitted this unit with several advanced features which bear further description: Mute: Toggles between the "Mute" and "Operate" condition. When muted, the indicator light is illuminated. Power: Turns the unit off and on. Phono: Selects between the MM and MC inputs.
channels being set by the player or the decoder. Note: The Tape Monitor takes the same setting as the source input. For example, if the SELECTOR is on input #1 and #1 is set up in a SET mode, when you engage the TAPE monitor it will also be in the SET mode, and the VOLUME control will not change the sound level. Conversely, if input #2 is in the VAR mode, then the TAPE monitor will also be in the VAR mode, and the volume control will function.
REMOTE CONTROL The remote control allows for wireless adjustment of POWER, SELECTOR, TAPE MONITOR, CINEMA, MUTE, and VOLUME. The remote wand is powered by two "AAA" batteries. These should be of the alkaline type. You will need to install them in the wand before using the remote. Since batteries can leak, they should be removed from the wand if it is not going to be used for an extended period of time. To install or change batteries, first loosen the screw on the back of the remote.
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.
INSTALLING NEW OUTPUT TUBES Output tubes are type 300B. Replacement output tubes should be purchased from VAC. It is important that the tubes be checked for any tendency to mechanical or electrical shorts (see Safety Notice at the front of this manual). It is desirable that tubes be in matched quartets for each channel, and be close to the "bogey" values for the major parameters. Make certain that each tube fits firmly in its socket. ALL POWER MUST BE OFF.
CHECKING OUTPUT TUBE CONDITION As described at the beginning of this manual, the Phi is equipped with the 300B Sentry circuit, which continuously monitors each output tube to ensure that it is operating within normal limits. Each tube has a corresponding indicator light on the front panel. A green indicator light will be seen as the amplifier warms up, or when a tube’s idle current is less than normal.
CARE OF CHASSIS VAC chassis are machined aluminum for superior electromagnetic performance. The main chassis is finished in a durable clear coat over color powder coat paint. The power supply chassis is finished in durable textured gloss paint. Cleaning the units with a damp cloth WHILE THE AMP IS SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED should suffice. Do not get cleaning solutions onto or into the tube sockets.
TIPS & ADVICE SECTION A Word About Tubes in General It is true that each brand of tube sounds different in a particular high resolution circuit. This is because no two manufacturers make a tube type in quite the same way, and the central tendencies of the performance parameters will differ slightly with each maker. To emphasize the point, examine the plate structure of any two 6SN7 from different manufacturers will probably find that they may not even the same shape and size.
Tips: Output Tubes Your VAC Amplifier uses the 300B filamentary triode. It is strongly recommended that replacement tubes be purchased only from VAC. If, however, you want to customize the sound to your tastes, be aware that as with interconnects and speaker cables, each tube manufacturer's 300B tends to have a distinct sound, as well as its own reliability profile.
WARRANTY Your equipment is warranted for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of purchase. In addition, if the registration form is received by VAC along with a copy of your sales receipt from an authorized VAC dealer within this thirty days, a service contract will be extended to cover your equipment for three (3) years (tubes excepted). This warranty applies only to units sold in the United States of America through authorized VAC dealers and only to the original owner.
