How to build the F5

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AndrewT

R.I.P.
Joined 2004
AudioSan said:
i agree with most. but one way to improve a dual mono, is to use a dedicated star ground to each ch. and let them go to earth thru a resistor or NTC.
thats what i did on my F5. like this.
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Yes, I too find that the two channels must be kept entirely separate. But when we come to the Safety Earth connection, then a pair of Disconnecting Networks are almost always compulsory. Otherwise when the Source is connected the hum starts.

If you add the input grounds and the source connections to your diagram, then others will see the problem. Multiple ground loops.
 
A

AudioSan

Member
Joined 2009
AndrewT said:
Yes, I too find that the two channels must be kept entirely separate. But when we come to the Safety Earth connection, then a pair of Disconnecting Networks are almost always compulsory. Otherwise when the Source is connected the hum starts.

If you add the input grounds and the source connections to your diagram, then others will see the problem. Multiple ground loops.
Click to expand...

i have no hum or ground loops.
 
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Russellc

Member
Joined 2003
Paid Member
AndrewT said:
I have found that dual rectifiers from their own isolated secondaries dedicated to each amplifier channel generally perform better than the other options. But I still find that a true mono block performs better than any two channel amplifier, with all the different grounding options I have experimented with.
Click to expand...

Yes, better said than I did, this is basically what I did. I dont see why one would want to double up on the diodes without going all the way and doubling up the entire power supply. If cost is a concern, I would just use the single board as 6L6 suggests. Agree its would be ideal as true mono blocks, but my amp is deadly silent. Even with altec A7 its hard to tell if its on.

Russellc
 
6L6

6L6

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Joined 2010
Paid Member
Russellc said:
If cost is a concern, I would just use the single board as 6L6 suggests.
Click to expand...

I agree.

The single PCB is going to be cheaper than 2 boards, obviously.

However, the discrete diodes and heatsinks for the chipamp.com board are much more expensive than a pair of diode blocks. (The heatsinks are $$)

You could use a single block with the chipamp.com board if you wanted to, and just jumper the pads where the on-board diodes mount.
 
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Tehtoril

Member
Joined 2012
Got any suggestions bout optimal capacitors for 2x chipamp PSU boards?
I'm looking at them at Mouser, but don't have a clue what it's worth.
I don't want to spend a fortune only on PSU.
Wich caps would be best at price/performance rating for this PSU?
It would be great, if I could get them from Mouser (with the resistors, to get free shipping :) )
 
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AndrewT

R.I.P.
Joined 2004
2off 20,000uF 50V, or 4off 10,000uF 50V, or 4off 4700uF 50V electrolytic capacitors.

I would use the first two options for a single channel driving an 8ohms speaker.
For two channels I would double up the capacitance.
The two amplifiers will work with just 2off 4700uF. But you will discover that you can't get good and extended bass response with these tiny capacitors.
 
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AudioSan

Member
Joined 2009
Tehtoril said:
Got any suggestions bout optimal capacitors for 2x chipamp PSU boards?
I'm looking at them at Mouser, but don't have a clue what it's worth.
I don't want to spend a fortune only on PSU.
Wich caps would be best at price/performance rating for this PSU?
It would be great, if I could get them from Mouser (with the resistors, to get free shipping :) )
Click to expand...

6pc 10.000uF 35V panasonic caps pr board:) thats not a dumb way to go:)
and 2pc film caps pr board. 2.2uF lead spacing of 5mm or 7.5mm.
 
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6L6

6L6

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Joined 2010
Paid Member
I would suggest these capacitors from mouser - Panasonic TSHA, 35v,

18,000uf - ECO-S1VA183EA Panasonic Electronic Components | Mouser

15,000uf - ECO-S1VA153EA Panasonic Electronic Components | Mouser

10,000uf - ECO-S1VA103CA Panasonic Electronic Components | Mouser

Which one you use is dependent on the final PSU configuration, I.E., how many capacitors you plan on using.

If you are going to use the chipamp.com PSU board, with one transformer and PSU board per channel, you may use smaller caps.

But, this is DIY, and complete and utter overkill on the PSU is de rigueur... :D :D :D
 
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AudioSan

Member
Joined 2009
i think the ripple current was a little low on this.
3.2A on the 10.000uF. my mallory 12.000uF has 4.3A ripple current.
but i see that mouser don't sell mallory. and most of the 10.000uF they have is around 3-3.2A ripple current.
well. with 6*10.000uF 3.2A ripple current you have enough:)
and the price was not scary either:)
 
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AndrewT

R.I.P.
Joined 2004
What is the average ripple current on the smoothing caps when running a two channel chipamp playing music?
What is the peak ripple current when testing the chipamp to full power?

How do those ripple currents compare to the ripple current capacity of the smoothing capacitors?

Its an rCRC or rCLC PSU that severely loads the first capacitor with high ripple current when under heavy load. An ordinary rC PSU is much more forgiving.
 
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