Symbol Conventions Used In This Guide - VTL TL6.5 Owner's Manual

Signature line stage preamplifier

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Table Of Contents

Table of Contents

using tubes is no small challenge. To achieve the design goals we had to address two

fundamental issues: (1) Deal with the sonic bottlenecks that occur in the multiple stages and

functions of known preamplifier designs, and (2) design a preamplifier that will work in as wide

a variety of conditions as possible, as unaffected by outside environmental influences as

possible. The sonic performance should be musical, predictable and consistent, regardless of

AC condition, load, source component, physical vibrations or digital or other external radiated

noise.

During the long four-plus years of the R&D development cycle of this project, the 5-man VTL

engineering team was given the mission to create the best single-chassis preamplifier that we

could possibly make. During this time our panel of listeners was given the mandate to be

relentless in pushing the requirements for the design envelope -- parts were changed and

modules re-designed over and over again until we were satisfied with all aspects of the sonic

and measured performance.

Making a preamplifier that is capable of driving any load with any length of cable without

flinching is an extremely challenging prospect. In designing a completely novel push-pull low

impedance output stage, and taking a radical approach to the volume potentiometer by

incorporating relays and discrete resistors in an innovative combination, we have finally been

able to significantly improve upon the highly-regarded TL5.5 sound. By coupling this

technology to multiple super-regulated power supplies we have dramatically improved on the

preamplifier's capability to drive any power amplifier, with truly superior resolution, spatial

imaging and bass control.

Finally, the VTL TL 6.5 Preamplifier is designed primarily for the user whose primary source is

a line source. If phono is a primary source then a separate phono stage will be required to step

the cartridge voltage up to line level and to handle the RIAA equalization needed to re-equalize

the signal from the record. Since this stage is usually a high gain stage and is therefore

susceptible to noise, it is sonically better to separate this stage from the line preamplifier.

The VTL team is proud that you have selected our Signature preamplifier as a new member of

your home audio system. This preamplifier is designed to give you the convenience and

flexibility to manage all your audio and video sources, while at the same time giving you the

musical experience that is the most alive and the truest to your source, and we certainly wish

you many hours of enjoyment from it.