Salas hotrodded blue DCB1 build

Thanks!

So the idea is that the voltage drop you expect over any resistor is Vf - Vgs.

My 3 ohm resistor gives me about 500 mA. That means Vf - Vgs = 1.5.

The chart indicates that the Vgs will increase by about 1/2 a volt so, Vf - Vgs will be about 1. With a 1 ohm resistor, the current is 1A.
 

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OK!

So, the voltage across the 1 ohm resistor is 1.3 and 1.4 volts. The heatsinks are at 45 degrees -- they were barely warm before. That is about 20 degrees above ambient. Now, they are like a low bias class A amp.

It was swapped from cement to Caddock, and changed from 3 to 1 ohm, so I cannot say that the improvement came from the hotrodding alone. But subjectively, there is more clarity and grip.
 
All tweaks now complete!

Heatsinks at 49 degrees C. Turned off the unit and quickly applied a thermistor to the diodes. 59 deg C. They are rated to 175 deg C. Seems ok by me, but will make better tests. Also, will measure temp of the transformer -- tomorrow.

It is a terrific unit! I just LOVE it. Thank you Salas for sharing this!
 
Thank you!

I taped a thermistor to the potted transformer that is inside a non-ventillated case that gets read via DMM. The transformer temp went to 49 deg C after about 1.5 hours of time spent on. The manufacturer says they designed the transformer for a 40 deg C above ambient temp rise. This was only 26 deg C -- well within the design parameters.

Should this somehow be vented? Even if just with a few holes, it would probably help. Or am I too fussy?
 
With the holes, the transformer temp stabilizes at 27 degrees above ambient.

Given the new temperature of the sinks, there is no point to increase the voltage drop across the CCS.

It would make for an interesting comparison though:

Is hot-rodding with higher current "better" than hot-rodding with higher voltage?
 
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With the holes, the transformer temp stabilizes at 27 degrees above ambient.

Given the new temperature of the sinks, there is no point to increase the voltage drop across the CCS.

It would make for an interesting comparison though:

Is hot-rodding with higher current "better" than hot-rodding with higher voltage?

What you run now? 1.3A-1.4A? At what Vin-Vout?
 
diyAudio Chief Moderator
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You never know each one's system synergy. Trust your own findings in your own system. If you have been there and you are in a better place now then its alright. If there are some recommended levels that you haven't tasted its easy to down gear and see for yourself.
 
I agree.

Whenever you change a component, and something changes in the sound, there are at least three choices:

1) The change in sound is brought in with the component
2) The sound was always present in the system... the new component revealed it.
3) A bit of both 1 and 2....

It makes for a crazy hobby. Same with the DCB1

I cannot understand why a circuit that uses so little power to begin with would sound any different when the shunt current is increased!