Renaissance Mk V

About the Renaissance Mk V

The Renaissance Mk V Preamplifier from Valve Amplification Company is a completely redesigned successor to the earlier Mk III, with new circuitry, chassis materials, and appearance, sharing key line-stage design concepts with VAC's Statement Series. Its line stage uses a transformer-coupled Class A1 balanced triode topology employing a pair of 7308/6922-family twin triodes and Lundahl output transformers, giving it the behavior of a small Class A power amplifier rather than a conventional buffer preamp. The unit features an external dual-chassis power supply with rectification and filtering in a separate enclosure, connected via an umbilical cable, which improves imaging, noise floor, and preservation of low-level detail. A direct-acting analogue, motorized potentiometer volume control provides continuously variable attenuation via the front panel or remote. The audio connectors are premium rhodium-plated Cardas and Neutrik Professional parts, with three high-level inputs (two of which are user-selectable as balanced XLR or single-ended RCA), and one set each of RCA and balanced XLR main outputs. An optional full-function MM/MC phono stage can be factory fitted, employing three twin triodes in pure Class A1, with variable loading for moving-coil cartridges and purely passive RIAA equalization. The preamplifier may be configured at the factory for 100, 120, 220, or 230/240 V operation and includes an illuminated VAC logo whose brightness can be set to bright, dim, or off.