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Triode conversion for VTL Renaissance 80 monos

Can anyone tell me what would be involved in converting my VTL Renaissance 80 monoblocks to triode operation? Opening one up, I can find and identify the power tube socket pins, and I think the wiring to them would need to be changed--but I don't know what the change(s) would be. If anyone could tell me where to find a schematic for these amps, that too would be very welcome, and I'd be most grateful.
tom_nice
tom_nice OP
387 posts
 
These are decades out of warrantee. I called the company this AM and they were most unhelpful. For $150 and shipping both ways, they'd look at one monoblock and SEE if it could undergo conversion to triode mode. You'd think someone there might know, but I guess not. I've given up on the idea. Happily, the amps sound gorgeous in their present mode, which must be tetrode. I've decided to be happy with leaving well enough alone.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
hi tom:

i own a pair of vtl deluxe 120s. they use 807 output tubes. they operate in terode and triode mode. i am surprised at the attitude you experienced. i bet a qualified technician could determine the feasibility of conversion.

if it were possible, you would probably lose more than 40 watts of power.
pryso
1,947 posts
 
Tom, any experienced (older, meaning tube circuits) local technician should be able to figure out this fairly simple rewire.

I don't have that knowledge myself but I had my VTL deLux 300 monos rewired for triode operation and I believe it only involved moving 2-3 wires. I was motivated after hearing a newer VTL amp with switchable operation mode. Power may be cut in half but the result was a sweeter and more liquid presentation in my case.

Did you speak with either Bea or Luke at VTL? I'm surprised you didn't receive more positive support.

Don't give up and good luck.
tom_nice OP
387 posts
 
Thanks to all, especially to Mrtennis and Pryso. I may try the technician route. It may come down to whether the power transformer has a certain "tab", to judge by what it takes to convert a Dynaco Mk III or Mk IV or Stereo 70 to triode operation. For them, it involves removing one wire from the transformer to pin 4 of each output tube, then putting in a 100 ohm carbon composition resistor between pins 3 and 4. Really simple, and maybe the VTL is no harder--but I'm not just going to do that and hope for the best. I may have spoken to Bea, certainly not to Luke. The lady I spoke to seemed to regard the Renaissance 80's as something that was produced by unknown individuals in a distant country, or even on another planet, and nothing to do with VTL and its operations now.
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