I did it yesterday evening, but I wasn't able to find anything (I used an 8X magnifier)...
Before that, I tried to listen a record while cheking some voltages to see what happened when the left channel was off (I started by cheking negative from the regulator) but the problem didn't appear during a complete LP...
I found a schematic of the circuit with some voltage to check. I'll see if I find something wrong...
I checked different voltage yesterday. Everything seemed to be OK. But, considering the random nature of the problem, I wasn't surprised.
I listened to 3 records, Pearl2 guts opened, with my multimeter ready to check if something was wrong when a failure on the left channel occured. But nothing happened, so I decided to put the Pearl2 back on the furniture (having such a thing opened in the middle of the living room is not very safe with two children playing around).
This afternoon, I played three records without any problem, but after changing the side of the fourth, there was not left channel.
I switched the pearl2 off then on again with the turntbale playing, and the left channel was here again...
I listened to 3 records, Pearl2 guts opened, with my multimeter ready to check if something was wrong when a failure on the left channel occured. But nothing happened, so I decided to put the Pearl2 back on the furniture (having such a thing opened in the middle of the living room is not very safe with two children playing around).
This afternoon, I played three records without any problem, but after changing the side of the fourth, there was not left channel.
I switched the pearl2 off then on again with the turntbale playing, and the left channel was here again...
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I'm working on a B1 to replace my Parasound PHP-850 preamp which powers my J2. So I've been thinking about building the Pearl 2 for my turntable.
After having read a pretty good chunk of this thread I'm now worried that I don't possess the skill necessary to pull it off. I don't have a scope. I just have a soldering iron and a couple of DVMs. What are my chances of pulling this off?
After having read a pretty good chunk of this thread I'm now worried that I don't possess the skill necessary to pull it off. I don't have a scope. I just have a soldering iron and a couple of DVMs. What are my chances of pulling this off?
I had nothing more than that and built it on perfboard. Encountered only one small problem (blown 3310). It's been working fine for years now. If you use the official PCB's and work carefully there is not that much that can go wrong IMO. Most problems are documented in this thread; lots of help available. I would go for it!
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If you can solder half way decently and build a B1, you can build a Pearl 2. Go slowly, measure every resistor before you solder it in, follow the silk screened orientation picture for orientation of your transistors and you'll be fine! Just ask questions when you are not sure and someone will be here with an answer for you!
You've got enough experience to build the Pearl 2, and it's a fantastic phono preamp, so go for it!!
Also, buy a couple extra ZVP3310, they are incredibly static sensitive and about 75% of builders blow one during construction. Have them on hand right away.
Good idea to purchase the anti-static wrist strap. Around $3.00 at various distributors.
(I am from the era in which we had to put a flea-clip on germanium transistor leads to heat sink them when soldered.)
There isn't a better one. They are both very, no, extremely well designed, with similar circuits and design goals.
The Simplistic Folded is a bit more flexible if you want enormous gain. The Pearl is probably a tad quieter in input noise because if the paralleled devices.
The designers have their signature PSUs, Nick uses shunt regs, Wayne uses mountains of capacitance.
Choosing one is akin to being in a garage full of Ferraris and and asking which one is the the most Italian sports car.
The Simplistic Folded is a bit more flexible if you want enormous gain. The Pearl is probably a tad quieter in input noise because if the paralleled devices.
The designers have their signature PSUs, Nick uses shunt regs, Wayne uses mountains of capacitance.
Choosing one is akin to being in a garage full of Ferraris and and asking which one is the the most Italian sports car.
I get it. I just borrowed a Parasound JC3+ from a dealer friend of mine...it was definitely better, but at 3 grand it should be. I have the boards and most parts for the Salas Simplistic NFET so I'm trying to decide whether to built it, or start saving my money for a JC3+ or XP-15.
...I know, build it and find out.
...I know, build it and find out.
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