Like it's non-detented brother... if you've ever just wished you had a bit more "wool" on a sound your days of wishing have ended. The Culture Vulture's 3 different tube sounds [Triode, Pentode 1 and Pentode 2] afford the user the ability to add a smidge of harmonic content to their audio or full on distortion [when the "overdrive" switch is engaged this unit is anything but subtle or unnoticeable!!]. For a tad of sparkle or thickness to the most urgent of grange sounds the Culture Vulture is a tool that should not be overlooked... and the best part, you can get your settings back and add a bit more or take some out if you've overdone it a tad.
thermionic culture vulture mastering version features
Balancing
The MV has balancing transformers on inputs and outputs. The input transformers are always in circuit and have an input impedance of 50k ohms, so they will accept a high impedance source (eg: guitar) as well as line. Use of the front socket cuts out the input from the back. The option of using balanced or unbalanced outputs with a switch next to the output jack that bypasses the transformer. We suggest that you do not use this switch unless the program material is high level and contains plenty of low bass. You may prefer to leave the transformer in anyway to get the distortion caused by a saturating transformer. The output transformer is designed to feed an impedance of 10K. Bypass it if the impedance of the unit you are connecting to is lower or much higher. All inputs and outputs and standard stereo jacks.
Valves
The valves used in the MV are all specially selected or military types. Exceptionally long life with low microphony can be expected. A 5725 is used for distortion and they are carefully matched left and right. The output is a 5963 which is similar to the common ECC82.
Controls
Indented conductive plastic pots are used for inputs and outputs and these are linear types in the MV for greater accuracy. They do not go back to zero in this version as we felt that accuracy was more important than total flexibility. The bias controls are also linear in the MV and wirewound for lower noise and higher reliability. The switches are unchanged and the same "P2" effects of extreme distortion and frequency doubling can be obtained.
Setup and Operation
The MV is factory aligned so that it has unity gain when inputs and outputs are set at 0dB, it is in balanced mode feeding an impedance of 10K ohms and the current meter is set for minimum distortion with the Distortion switch set to Triode (T). This is usually about 0.25mA. Refer to the test report for each unit. Although the MV is set up at minimum distortion point, this setting is only really useful for gently "warming the sound". The most popular setting is P1 and a higher current, around 0.4mA when an even distortion, a little like analog tape, is obtained. Reduce the output control as gain will be higher. Obviously, overdrive will give more extreme distortion. P2 can be used for frequency doubling effects as well as extreme distortion. For frequency doubling, set the output level to max, the meter to about 0.1 or less with no signal but don't drive too hard. You will probably need some extra gain from the unit following the MV.
MANUALS & PDFs
Therminoic Culture Culture Vulture Product Information Adobe pdf file 
Thermionic Culture Culture Vulture Manual Adobe pdf
Thermionic Culture Culture Vulture Recall Sheet Adobe pdf
Thermionic Culture Culture Vulture Samples Settings Adobe pdf
Thermionic Culture Culture Vulture Mastering Version Information Adobe pdf
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