Simplistic NJFET RIAA

iko

Ex-Moderator
Joined 2008
If you allow me a quick OT, I was working lately on a new shunt, which is besides the point really, because what I want to share with you is a little program that I really like. It's called kicad, and it's open source, freely available for windows, linux, etc. It is a schematic capture and pcb design program. It took me about a day to get up to speed with it, but it seems to be powerful and very capable of nice results. I know it's not eaglecad, but I think I like this one more. It even has a 3d view thingy, see attached :D
 

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iko

Ex-Moderator
Joined 2008
And back to the topic, I'm beginning to suspect the board, like salas. If you have any traces that are close together, you may want to check for tiny solder bits that may short circuit the tracks. I was quite surprised when I looked with a magnifying glass on a board I made once.
 
Been listening to my Salas RIAA built from generic parts until substituting a 0.1uF MKT 1822 as the inter stage cap early today. Running it in now, but I thought I hear improvement in clarity and slightly better defined bass already.

Anybody use it in their built?
Good to experiment with parts at hand here. Some caps are plainly offending, some seem to disappear. There's experience in old posts, this one.

Ricardo, sometimes the shoulders of resisters become loose when heat is applied. Maybe your problem is related. Gently pushing them one by one might take you somewhere.
 
phono mod &co.

Hi
I have replace all signal resitor (dale) with shinkoh ,plus some prp on b+ jfet side,
not :hypno2: mod ,the voice are little dry but more clear as the hight ,very clean and smooth ,removed the fuzzy on my new 300B.

guys try this mod : I put the - speaker wire on the basket of my FR, :hypno2: I can confirm that humblehomemadehifi is rigth !!
 

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Member
Joined 2006
Paid Member
Just did it again !

After replacing 1 component (The board) :) I finally finished the DL160 riaa.

First impressions are at home using a benz ace clear: absolutely no hum (due to the outboard psu)
Very good overall balance without any harshness. (The BGNx will provide even more smoothness with über detail)

Dynamics not as good as the benz salas riaa (maybe due to the 1k1 load.. the benz likes 2k2 and also because the first riaa has some outstanding Jensen caps in the psu)

It is burning for 30 minutes now so I must wait before I try serious comments.

Ricardo

PS: I tried freezing the interconnects but my freezer is not very powerfull so the cables just got cold and damp and .... so I quit... Nevertheless I believe it should do something.
 
diyAudio Chief Moderator
Joined 2002
Paid Member
Oh that lacquer! Congratulations. It takes 48h of play as you remember. Yes, the load ain't the best for the ACE. Still it will develop dynamically if you spin some vinyl in the next few days. No hum, means more resolution in the bass too. Nice version so to compare parts when played off the same TT.

Hey, don't freeze the cables! They may oxidize. Take a pic of the phono, print it out, and put it in the fridge instead.:bulb::D
 
Member
Joined 2006
Paid Member
I used KONTAKT PLASTIC 70 to paint the underside of the board and so inibit rust. It leaves a shiny surface but now I know it can also produce short circuits. http://www.nedis.com/Articles/Kontakt Chemie/70⁄200.php

It is a product that I must never use.

I am sure this is the problem because now I have one super silent channel (the new one without lacquer) and the other one that still works produces a woosh when idling at full output.

Must determine how to remove the lacquer.

Some might remenber that I had some wooshing and spitting sounds in my first riaa... now I believe it is the lacquer also.

Ricardo
 
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iko

Ex-Moderator
Joined 2008
Ricardo :D

Use lacquer thinner to clean the pcb.


By the way, if you wanted to protect the pcb traces from oxidation and if you're rich, Cool Amp silver plating power has been used by some http://www.cool-amp.com/

Some people use pure shellac (a natural laquer which dries fast because it is diluted with high grade alcohol). It has many nice properties, including that you can clean it with alcohol.
http://http://www.shellacepc.com/properties.html
Yes, I love shellac! :smash:

If you're really worried about oxidation then a point-to-point construction using insulated wire for the connection might be better.
 

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