I have been told of a old article in Hi-Fi News which described a circuit whereby 2 valves in parallel whose anodes were used as current source and the cathodes grounded to make a rather fine sounding MC step-up. Does this ring a bell ? Can anyome point me in the right direction ? I rather fancy a punt at it.
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Hi,
Sorry for the late reply but yes, that does ring a bell although a rather subdued one.
Please search for my MC Hammer circuit which I take will suit your needs just fine.
Best regards,
Ps: It's in there somewhere:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/12042-franks-ultimate-tube-preamp.html
Sorry for the late reply but yes, that does ring a bell although a rather subdued one.
Please search for my MC Hammer circuit which I take will suit your needs just fine.
Best regards,
Ps: It's in there somewhere:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/12042-franks-ultimate-tube-preamp.html
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Hi,
Ah, voila:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/analogue-source/14305-mc-hammer.html
Keep in mind this was developed as a add on for existing MM preamps.
It worked very well with my own and other dedicated MM phono preamps well surpassing the likes of what was commercially available back in the early Nineties.
No idea how far commercial designs have deviated from the truth since then but all in all I think the designs as presented should be viewed in the context of their timeline.
I'm pretty sure I can do better now but I'll still stick to my dogmae.
Rest assured, my aging ears don't discern much of a difference listening to my analogue gear or CD so I assume I wasn't too far off track.
Best, 😉
Ah, voila:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/analogue-source/14305-mc-hammer.html
Keep in mind this was developed as a add on for existing MM preamps.
It worked very well with my own and other dedicated MM phono preamps well surpassing the likes of what was commercially available back in the early Nineties.
No idea how far commercial designs have deviated from the truth since then but all in all I think the designs as presented should be viewed in the context of their timeline.
I'm pretty sure I can do better now but I'll still stick to my dogmae.
Rest assured, my aging ears don't discern much of a difference listening to my analogue gear or CD so I assume I wasn't too far off track.
Best, 😉
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Swarky, if it's the circuit I think you are referring to,I have the schematic somewhere. Excellent design,very low noise,and sounds great as well. I would believe that with modern components and power supply techniques(I built this a VERY long time ago) you will have an excellent unit!
I'll try to find it for you.
I'll try to find it for you.
Have just seen these late replies. Many thanks. In fact after seeing another thread by Frank, I have just sent him a PM. about possible ways to improve the PS.- I have ordered the valves and am definitely going to try this.So any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Chris
Chris
Hi,
@Swarky et al,
Further to your PM. Regarding the now long obsolete BF244A and 245A, any J-Fet with the same idss should do provided it works with a 24VDC supply.
The expected measured B+ at the anodes of the valves should be 12VDC on both channels.
Also, should anyone want to use the E188CC instead of ECC88, keep in mind that the former draws more heater current.
The entire concept can be taken further by using higher gm valves such as EC86, 6C45 and such but do keep in mind that all of these should be linear when used close to 0 Vdc grid bias and when using high gm valves you inevitably invite self-oscillation as well, not to mention possible grid current. Gain some, lose some I guess.
Should I be commissioned to design something like this again I'd do some things differently for sure. But only if I'd had to have this stage inside a matching phono stage, MC only probably.
Or someone should design a MM cart with the same attention to detail and a tip to go with it. Sigh.....And LOL.
Oh, sometimes people say it lacks detail. It does not. It has all the detail you can wish for. It's like a master tape, everything's there, in the right place at the correct volume, the correct perspective.
Most of all it sound like music, not electronics. And it's cheap, way too cheap.LOL.
Best to you all, enjoy the music,
@Swarky et al,
Further to your PM. Regarding the now long obsolete BF244A and 245A, any J-Fet with the same idss should do provided it works with a 24VDC supply.
The expected measured B+ at the anodes of the valves should be 12VDC on both channels.
Also, should anyone want to use the E188CC instead of ECC88, keep in mind that the former draws more heater current.
The entire concept can be taken further by using higher gm valves such as EC86, 6C45 and such but do keep in mind that all of these should be linear when used close to 0 Vdc grid bias and when using high gm valves you inevitably invite self-oscillation as well, not to mention possible grid current. Gain some, lose some I guess.
Should I be commissioned to design something like this again I'd do some things differently for sure. But only if I'd had to have this stage inside a matching phono stage, MC only probably.
Or someone should design a MM cart with the same attention to detail and a tip to go with it. Sigh.....And LOL.
Oh, sometimes people say it lacks detail. It does not. It has all the detail you can wish for. It's like a master tape, everything's there, in the right place at the correct volume, the correct perspective.
Most of all it sound like music, not electronics. And it's cheap, way too cheap.LOL.
Best to you all, enjoy the music,
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