VTL MB-450 Series III Owner's Manual
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VTL MB-450 Series III Owner's Manual

Signature monoblock amplifier
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MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Amplifier
O w n e r ' s M a n u a l

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Summary of Contents for VTL MB-450 Series III

  • Page 1 MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Amplifier O w n e r ’ s M a n u a l...
  • Page 2 VTL. Version History: Version 1.0 September 30, 2010 Part Number: OM-MB-450 III Copyright © 2010 by VTL Amplifiers Inc. All rights reserved. 4774 Murrieta Street, Suite 10 Chino, CA 91710, USA Phone 909.627.5944 • Fax 909.627.6988 Email: mail@vtl.com •...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Break In Period ..................................29 Power-on Period..................................29 Tube Types....................................29 Tube Life..................................... 29 Changing the Screen, Plate, Mains, Logic, B+ Input Fuses....................... 30 Cleaning ..................................... 31 Transporting MB-450 ................................. 31 Troubleshooting..................................32 MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...
  • Page 4 ................................33 PECIFICATIONS ..................................34 CHAPTER 5 ................................. 34 ARRANTY ..................................35 APPENDIX Warranty Registration ................................35 Service Notes ....................................35 MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 5: Chapter 1

    VTL is delighted to welcome you as a new owner of our MB-450 Series III Signature monoblock power amplifier. This precision-engineered high-performance amplifier will provide you with many years of trouble-free listening pleasure.

  • Page 6: Circuit Overview

    Circuit overview: An all-tube amplifier, the MB-450 Series III is the culmination of VTL’s most advanced thinking in performance engineering. A proprietary regulated power supply, high-grade parts, and an automatic tube bias system ensure ultra high fidelity audio reproduction, while tube fault diagnostics and user feedback offer the ultimate in usability and convenience.

  • Page 7: Symbol Conventions Used In This Guide

    Ensure that the amplifier is installed in a location that is stable and well ventilated. If the amplifier is placed in a built-in installation, ensure that there is adequate room for air to flow through the MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 8: Servicing

    Please consult your authorized VTL dealer or the VTL factory customer support department if you have any questions on the fully balanced connection of the amplifier.
  • Page 9 Do not attempt to disassemble the amplifier chassis or remove any covers from the amplifier. Always consult with your VTL authorized dealer or the VTL factory support department before attempting any service work on any VTL unit. Do not touch the tubes after the amplifier is turned on.

  • Page 10: Chapter 2

    Look through the top cover and check to see that the tubes appear properly seated in their sockets, and that no tubes are white on top. Contact your VTL dealer immediately if any physical damage is detected.
  • Page 11 5. Insert the output tubes into each of the output tube sockets from tube # 1 to # 4 on the left side of the cover and 5 to 8 on the right side of the cover. MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...
  • Page 12 Fit the original screws onto cover and use the #2 Phillips screw driver to tighten the screws. Do not overtighten and make sure the screws are in securely. Notes for the servicing technician: MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 13: Connecting Your Amplifier To Your System

    (3/8”). Be careful not to over-tighten the posts, as you may break the connection inside the amplifier if you exert too much force on the posts. MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 14: Voltage Setting

    Your amplifier is shipped with a 20A power cord which matches the requirements of your country. If you need a replacement and you are not sure what the appropriate cord should be, consult your authorized VTL dealer or the VTL factory customer support department.

  • Page 15: Chapter 3

    If the amplifier is ready for power up within five seconds after the rocker is turned on the Mute LED on the front panel will turn on green to indicate that the amplifier is now in standby mode. MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 16: From Standby Mode To Power On Mode

    If the amplifier shows a red fast flashing Mute LED then it is not ready for power up. Refer to the Fault section of this manual for instructions on how to identify and clear faults. From Standby Mode to Power On Mode MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 17: Mute And Unmute

    Mute LED is turned off. The deck LEDs are steady if no music is playing, with occasional flickers as the output tube bias is adjusted. MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 18: Tetrode /Triode Switching

    The next time the amplifier is powered on it will come up in the new mode with the appropriate Mode LED indication and the tubes will be brought to the operating point of this new mode. MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 19: Deck And Deck Led Indications

    Deck and Deck LED Indications MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...
  • Page 20 MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 21: Power Off The Amplifier Into Standby Mode

    Always mute the amplifier prior to changing the setting of the DF switches and use a long handle tool to access the switch to prevent your hand from accidentally touching the hot tubes. MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 22: Df Switch Settings

    2. MED: The Left switch forward towards the front panel, and the right switch back towards the back of the amplifier. This setting allows for better loudspeaker control, with some impact on sound quality MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...
  • Page 23 Figure 3: HI DF Setting 4. MAX: Both switches forward towards the front panel. This setting provides the maximum damping factor, but sonic impact could be noticeable. MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 24: Fault Indication

    Mute LED blinking fast red and the Power and Mode LEDs off. The top deck LED next to the faulty tube will be blinking green rapidly, with all other deck LEDs off. MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 25: High Current Tube Fault -- Mute/Power/Mode Leds Off, Deck Led Green

    However the tube indicated by the slow flashing should be changed as soon as possible, as in this condition output power will be lowered and sonic performance will be affected. Also, because it affects the ability of the amplifier’s fault MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...
  • Page 26 MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 27: Power Fault -- Mute Led Blinking Fast Red, No Deck Led Lit

    Data Specification section of this manual, and re-power, after allowing 5 minutes to drain the power supplies. If both fuses are good, then refer servicing of your amplifier to your authorized VTL dealer or service technician. The internal fuse could be blown and the amplifier must be returned to the VTL dealer for servicing.
  • Page 28 3. Save these screws in a safe place so that they can be re-used to fasten the cage back to the amplifier. 4. Remove the tube cover and put it aside in a safe place. MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...
  • Page 29 5. Look down onto the deck of the amplifier to locate either a fast flashing or slow blinking green LED next to one of the output tubes. This is indicating that this is the faulty tube that is causing the problem. 6. Replace the bad tube with a known good tube of the same type. MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 30: Resetting A Tube Red Fault

    Data Sheet section of this manual. Contact VTL or your authorized VTL dealer to purchase replacement fuses of the same type. WARNING: If the plate or screen fuse is open, it is recommended that the amplifier be re-powered only after waiting for at least for 5 minutes to let the power supplies drain.

  • Page 31: Reset High Current Tube Fault

    The tubes used in your MB-450 Signature monoblock Amplifier are specially matched and tested for best performance. Please contact your VTL dealer or VTL factory service department to order the matched replacement tubes.

  • Page 32: Mute Trigger

    The amplifier can be toggled between the muted and unmated modes while it is in power on mode by using the Mute Trigger. Mode Trigger The amplifier can be toggled between the triode and tetrode modes while it is in power on mode by using the Mode Trigger. MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 33: Chapter 4

    Tube Types The VTL MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock amplifier uses a total eight 6550C tubes for the output stage and one 12AT7 and one 12BH7 tube for the input and driver stages.

  • Page 34: Changing The Screen, Plate, Mains, Logic, B+ Input Fuses

    Note: use only tube types and tube brands that are recommended by VTL. VTL specified replacement tubes are available from your authorized VTL dealer or the VTL factory service department. Any damage incurred to units which use non- VTL approved tubes will not be covered under the warranty.

  • Page 35: Cleaning

    Transporting MB-450 If you should ever need to ship your amplifier and need help doing so, ask your VTL authorized dealer to give you assistance in packing the unit into the carton for the amplifier. Your dealer should also be able to arrange for new cartons to be sent to you and help you with the packing should you require it.

  • Page 36: Troubleshooting

    If the noise persists you should either contact your dealer or the VTL factory to try to resolve this problem.

  • Page 37: Specifications

    Specifications MB-450 Series III Signature Monoblock power amplifier Vacuum Tube Complement 8 x 6550C, 1 x 12AT7, 1 x 12BH7 Output Power Tetrode = 425 watts 20 Hz – 20kHz, into 5 ohm load Triode = 225 Watts T.H.D. 20 Hz – 20 kHz @ 450W Tetrode <...

  • Page 38: Chapter 5

    This warranty is provided by the dealer where the 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 available with the correct recording of the serial number of the amplifier on your warranty registration card and mailing it with your purchase receipt to VTL.

  • Page 39: Appendix

    VTL dealer regarding product registration and warranty procedures. To obtain valid US warranty service, please fill out the enclosed VTL Warranty Registration card and mail it to the following address with a copy of your original bill of sale within the first thirty days of purchase:...

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