I have now listened to my Gainclone monoblocks with both a +/-37VDC supply and +/-27VDC.
There is a very slight difference in tonal quality but not really enough for me to express a preference for one or the other. If I were forced to take one though, I would just opt for the lower supply!
I know that Peter Daniel prefers the lower voltage option but has anyone else tried different supplies and found a big difference in the sound?
There is a very slight difference in tonal quality but not really enough for me to express a preference for one or the other. If I were forced to take one though, I would just opt for the lower supply!
I know that Peter Daniel prefers the lower voltage option but has anyone else tried different supplies and found a big difference in the sound?
Hi Nuuk,
I haven't tried other voltages, I use a 24v transformer on mine.
But what I can tell from looking at the datasheet is that if you whant your Gainclone to be stable with both 8 and 4 ohm speakers you have to pick a transformer between 20 and 24 volts, and no more.
I think the ideal would be a 22 volts transformer, to get a final voltage of around 30-31 volts.
It's a good compromise.
I haven't tried other voltages, I use a 24v transformer on mine.
But what I can tell from looking at the datasheet is that if you whant your Gainclone to be stable with both 8 and 4 ohm speakers you have to pick a transformer between 20 and 24 volts, and no more.
I think the ideal would be a 22 volts transformer, to get a final voltage of around 30-31 volts.
It's a good compromise.
But what I can tell from looking at the datasheet is that if you whant your Gainclone to be stable with both 8 and 4 ohm speakers you have to pick a transformer between 20 and 24 volts, and no more.
Hi Carlos, that tallies with what somebody else told me about driving 4 ohm speakers.
I think what has happened is that so many of us have built Gainclones as an experiment, using what ever transformers we can find in the neighbour's dustbin that all sorts of voltages have been seen in these threads.
It may be a good idea to revise my transformer recommendations on the GaincloneFAQ page.
I'm driving 4 ohm speakers with my LM3886 amp and had been using a 2x25 volt trafo that gave me a 2x37 volt supply.
I had always felt this was on the high side based on the data sheets and just put a 2x18 trafo in(2x28) supply and I like it much better.
I can get into the volume more without the sound getting hard.
Also could one of you more learned chaps comment on the 'less voltage for 4 ohm load issue'is it a function of the amp being required to deliver more current and the supply rails maxing out or what?
I had always felt this was on the high side based on the data sheets and just put a 2x18 trafo in(2x28) supply and I like it much better.
I can get into the volume more without the sound getting hard.
Also could one of you more learned chaps comment on the 'less voltage for 4 ohm load issue'is it a function of the amp being required to deliver more current and the supply rails maxing out or what?
mothman said:Also could one of you more learned chaps comment on the 'less voltage for 4 ohm load issue'is it a function of the amp being required to deliver more current and the supply rails maxing out or what?
Not sure if I qualify for this
But, without bothing to do the maths, I'd guess it's probably a combination of heat dissipation and SOA in the output devices.
With higher rails and lower impedances, there's a chance the Spike protection might kick in to protect the output devices and colour the sound.
Cheers,
Mark
Jared said:if I have an 8 ohm 80x2 amplifier that has a blown channel, what would a good guess on the transformer voltages be? any kathematics to get a ball park figure on this?
It would not be suprising if a 2 x 80 watt amp had + & - 50 volt rails DC so if we assume no voltage regulators then the transformer AC voltage would be about 35V.
...but it's only a guess...
mike
mhennessy said:
With higher rails and lower impedances, there's a chance the Spike protection might kick in to protect the output devices and colour the sound.
Colour the sound ??? I'd say FUBAR the sound !
BTW: our Peter uses 22 Vac, but he said he measured around 37 Vdc !
Fedde
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