How to install the Vail AMP 3 with Alexa Dot for home audio
Claim your FREE pair of speakers and a VAIL amp here:
https://learn.tymhomes.com/vail-offer1lysrxb7
Yesterday I posted a video introducing the VAIL Amp, a really cool wall mount for the Alexa Dot. If you missed it, you can catch that video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QiEgc0CDWk
So quick recap, the VAIL Amp is in in-wall amplifier that doubles as an Alexa Dot wall mount. Super cool stuff from our friends at Vangaurd Dynamics.
Being stuck at home like most of us during quarantine, I was pretty excited to add some music into my make shift office.
So I retroed a VAIL Amp and Paradigm Speaker into my office. I thought I'd film it and share a few tips to help you retro your own VAIL Amp.
If you have an existing Audio System already installed, and if it has in-line volume controls, or analog volume controls - that's the round knob that turns or the slider in some cases - you can use that wiring to install the VAIL. Super slick!
But... if you're like me and don't have any wiring in place, you'll have to do a little more work.
No worries. The team at Vangaurd has made the VAIL Amp one of the easiest solutions out there to retro.
Unlike a lot of Retrofits, where you have to run your wires back to an ampifier in another room, and sometimes on another floor, with the VAIL Amp all the wire and power is contained in the room. So that makes a Retro in one room, or multiple rooms way easier.
Physically installing and powering the VAIL Amp is the easy part. It comes with a simple to use template, so you can cut out the sheetrock, and install the amp.
Do your best to install the VAIL above a semi-close outlet, and you can easily power the Amp with the included power cables built to go inside your wall.
The part that is a little more challenging is wiring the speakers. But there's a couple easy tricks.
First... if at all possible, place both speakers in the same bay of joist or ibeams in the ceiling. That way you only have to get wire to the first speaker, from there it's down hill.
This means your speakers might be placed with less emphasis on esthetics, and maybe not the perfect 'stereo' placement, but it will still work great.
Second... try and place the VAIL Amp under neath the same ceiling bay you'll place your speakers, remember you need an outlet close. So things to think about.
Third... use two 'pull boxes' to make the corner. A pull box is a way to pull wire, and it's a great trick for retros when you don't want to patch sheetrock.
You cut out a hole the size of a one gang low voltage ring. You can grab the orange ones for retrofits at Home Depot. You cut one hole at the top of the wall, and a second hole on the ceiling.
You can use a 3/4 to 1" drill bit to drill through the 2x4 stud, or top plate. This will allow you to run a wire up the wall, and into the ceiling and on out to your speakers.
Once the wire is in place, you can cover both these holes with a single gang faceplate and no one will ever be the wiser.
That's it! Hook up your speakers and your VAIL Amp, and set up your Alexa Dot, you should be able to start playing music immediately.
I'd budget about 2 hours per room if it's your first time doing it. If you have a volume control already in place, you'll need 15-30 minuets tops.
Alright go claim your FREE Speakers when you buy your VAIL Amp here:
https://learn.tymhomes.com/vail-offer1lysrxb7
Let us know what you think in the comments!
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