Simplistic MosFET HV Shunt Regs

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. . . . . . Measure Vbe when back in service, its interesting. The DMOS (single) I have written sometimes back in this thread that I have not opted for too... Cascode, lets see for your final evaluation.

Howdy Salas,

'put it back in tonight. MJE5731A Vbe = 0.493VDC

As you already know, so far your original choices for ccs devices sound best to me in this circuit. While in some ways it's easy to say that the later version is better, I still like the character of the original circuit and wouldn't complain if it had stopped there. Still exploring , I'll post if I find any more good ones.
 
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That Vbe is not extra chunky to be biasing the JFET steadier so that BJT can be better in parameters its poor data sheet does not cover. At least for a 400V TO-220 we can not say no to the range extension & reliability it brings when going over 300V.

From the start the core circuits proposed are things made and evaluated and liked in real DIY systems. Not theoretical. The first is nice enough but wilder and easier to go astray. Because of several BJT's there are base currents and tempcos in the ref. Especially when it goes higher than 250V. Lower it can be behaving. The JFET ref is more straightforward and has more even Zo and stable characteristics. They are brothers anyway. I prefer the SSHV subjectively also. But I have listened to it in many different projects and I am talking statistically. Going the subjective way in one particular application someone can say the first one helps my tone here, or the SSHV helps another application, but that is individual happening and the job of the thorough inquiring DIYer to find a coherent whole for a given system. Still does not say much about electrical parameters of the circuits. Conclusion: Have fun, that is why I made them, they all certainly help, mix and match, listen a lot, watch your hands with high voltage.
 
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What Vbe you got is normal. If it was like 1V I could say it changes the steepness of the regulation to the better by providing more VDS to the FET. So if you find the sound a bit better with that transistor it must be the transistor itself is good. That's what I meant.
 
Wrenchone had made a small amp like a Red Light District but with a shunt instead and it worked. Mighty something its name? Have a search in the forums. Maybe he took it to burning amp once, not sure.

Do you think the noise is low enough to substitute for a bypasscap/resistor in a DC coupled 45SET amp. I could post a concept schematic. I'm having trouble visualizing how the regulator would hold a steady voltage with the current flowing the opposite direction as normal.
 
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There are V1, V1.2, V1.2R for low voltage and the SSHV that can go much higher. All have power Mosfets. V1 has the less BJTs in number and also low noise in type, less gain, so it owes to produce the less self noise. SSHV is few active components also but its MJE must be noisier than a BC550 that you can find in V1. I don't think that the noise level of such shunts that have been used successfully in phono and line stages or DACs can be a problem in the cathode loop of a valve output stage though. The signal levels are many Volt there.
 
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I can't possibly guess at a system that I can't experience and also take measurements as a whole. The reg lowers its Zo with more standing current spared to it up to a point. That is one thing. Interactions and subjective preferences with an unknown to the reader valve circuit that it serves its another. Set it wherever you think its more likeable to you as long as it stays in good working order.