The Phonoclone and VSPS PCB Help Desk

[Nordic]

The regular vsps sounds quite nice combined with a little more TLC in the PSU department, some decoupling caps and an opa2228.

I'm sure there is better out there, but even with a cheap table and cartridge I think it still blows my playstation out of the water as a source.

[rjm]

1. The true PhonoCube has 24V psu, why the PhonoClone here is run at 12v?

The Power Humpty output is about +/-24 V, but the voltage to the opamps is regulated internally in the Phonocube down to 15 V or less.

2. Is that possible to remove the LM337 on the -V and replacing the LM317 with a single discrete regulator? Does somebody tried out some discrete regulator (eg. Jung SuperRegs)?

Only if you implement a virtual ground. // Ask Onvinyl about the plusses and minusses of the Superegs.

3. I am a bit confused about the sonic differences between the PhonoClone and VSPS ultra specifically arranged for the Denon DL103. I am a Denon DL103 user, so which board is suggested and why? What is the differences between a DL103 with a PhonoClone and a VSPS ultra?

The VSPS Ultra was a little side project intended as an modification path available for existing VSPS owners to upgrade to an MC cartridge. If you are building from scratch I suggest going with the Phonoclone since it is properly field tested and far more flexible.

4. I do not use digital sources, is that possible to add a volume pot at the output so that I will not use a line preamp?

Of course, though its better to put the volume control at the amp end of the interconnect cable, c.f. the Gainclone.

[rjm]

I think it still blows my playstation out of the water as a source.

Me >> Sony

.....


Protos, its not at all certain that either the 627 or the 637 are a good choice for this circuit. Please give the OP27 a shot - and give everything a couple of weeks break in time - before writing it off as inferior to the Naim. Heck, for all I know the 323 might be the better sounding circuit ... but I dont think you're giving the VSPS Ultra a fair shake.


Oh right, Happy New Year everyone! Unfortunately I dont think I'll have time to do kits or even board orders this year either, so hopefully having the board files available online is working out for most people.

/R

[Spev]

Hi

I'm looking to build my first MM phono stage and came across the phonoclone. However, the amp I'm looking to put it in only has single supply rails - does anyone have a revised schematic for using it with single supply?

Thanks in advance

James

[rjm]

You can't power the circuit from a shared single supply. Ok, technically its possible, but its a horrible idea involving input blocking caps and voltage dividers. Please build the phono stage as an external box with its own power supply. -R

[Spev]

thanks, thought as much, just wanted to check...

[cukkurullo]

Hi Dear,

is it recommended to use the OP27 in both stages of the Phonoclone? There are several version of the OP27, I was suggested to use the OP27G, but I see that after the G there is onother letter.... which one to buy?

Thanks amd happy new year!
Cukkurullo

[rjm]

The additional letter codes signify different packaging, grades, and temperature ratings. The OP27 is also made by at least two different companies. (AD and Burr Brown-TI)

You want the OP27GP. G:eneral use/ P:lastic package

[Peter Daniel]

I've built recently VSPS using modified Veteran boards with all critical components connected p2p underneathe the chip. I also omitted some output resistors. The chip is OPA627, all caps BG, resistors are Caddocks, regulators LM2990/2937. It worked pretty well by itself, but it's really good with S&B TX 103 in step up (with Shelter 901).

The setup in a picture is better than CEC TL0 with modified BiDAT.

[troystg]

I love Peters stuff, but I have to yank his chain on this one....

Electrical tape holding down th tranformers, and a spring clip holding the ground down on the RCA... Too funny!!

But at least he's doing it, and steadily making progress on his projects..