heavy distortion in sonic t-amp after input mods

pne · 12th May 2005, 06:41 AM

i've just finished modifying the input stage according to the diagram on mardis's site. Blackgates are still on order so I used some plain electrolytic caps rated 2.2uf 50v with 22k 1/4watt resistors. The amp plays fine for a few minutes, then it outputs heavy sputtering/distortion. Could this be due to the caps I used?

The diagram

shows the negative lead of the cap going to the resistor right? Are the blackgate c series nonpolar? Am I using the wrong type of cap?

thanks.

phase_accurate · 12th May 2005, 07:15 AM

AFAIK is the input potential of the Tripath chip around half the supply voltage so the cap should be soldered the other way around i.e. plus to the resistor - minus to the pot.

Regards

Charles

pne · 12th May 2005, 09:43 PM

blast! In the process of unsoldering the caps I accidently lifted one of the pads the resistor lead goes into. Is there another place I can solder the lead to or is this amp done?

TriodeGuy · 13th May 2005, 12:42 AM

It's been my experience that just about every foul up can be fixed. You just need to look at the input schematic and poke around a bit with an ohm meter to find "other" end of the trace...then bypass the trace with some blue wire.

I have to give mad props to those who've been able to solder thru hole leads onto those smd pads and get it to work. I would'nt even attempt it. For me it was much easier to remove all the parts in the signal path and then bridge these with blue wire. Basically making a direct signal path from the pot's connector to the signal inputs on the chip. I then ran the leads from my input caps thru the holes left behind by the removed connector.

TriodeGuy · 13th May 2005, 03:27 AM

Need to make a correction here... I do leave the 20k resistors in the signal path, but everything that comes before is removed.

kujina · 22nd May 2005, 06:08 AM

Hi I'm a bit of a newb, how does this input mod benefit the amp/sound?
And can anyone give links to any other mods for this amp.

...Thanks...

kec · 23rd May 2005, 12:43 PM

Do the input caps need to be electrolytic? Can you use Solen caps?

-Ken

wim · 23rd May 2005, 06:06 PM

I have the same question as KEC, because i read over and over that people use electrolyts as inputcap; in all me amps the inputcap is a good quality cap with no polarity (most off the time i use chateauroux polypropylene (MKP)).

i always thought a electrolyt is no good inputcap, but please tell me if i am wrong, and why i am wrong.

Wayne1 · 24th May 2005, 01:20 AM

I think people use NP electrolytics, such as Black Gate N or NX series, because they are physically small.

A film or film and foil cap of 2.2 or 3.3 uF is a very large cap.

If you have space in whatever chassis you are using, a film cap will work fine. If you have a LOT of space and money, try using a paper in oil cap, like the Jensen.

I personally use Sonicaps in all of my Tripath amp builds.

12th May 2005, 06:41 AM	#1
pne diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Canada	heavy distortion in sonic t-amp after input mods i've just finished modifying the input stage according to the diagram on mardis's site. Blackgates are still on order so I used some plain electrolytic caps rated 2.2uf 50v with 22k 1/4watt resistors. The amp plays fine for a few minutes, then it outputs heavy sputtering/distortion. Could this be due to the caps I used? The diagram shows the negative lead of the cap going to the resistor right? Are the blackgate c series nonpolar? Am I using the wrong type of cap? thanks.

23rd May 2005, 06:06 PM	#8
wim diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Nootdorp, Netherlands	I have the same question as KEC, because i read over and over that people use electrolyts as inputcap; in all me amps the inputcap is a good quality cap with no polarity (most off the time i use chateauroux polypropylene (MKP)). i always thought a electrolyt is no good inputcap, but please tell me if i am wrong, and why i am wrong. __________________ Als er "X" artikelen benodigd zijn, blijken er "X" - 1 in voorraad te zijn.

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12th May 2005, 07:15 AM	#2
phase_accurate diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Switzerland	AFAIK is the input potential of the Tripath chip around half the supply voltage so the cap should be soldered the other way around i.e. plus to the resistor - minus to the pot. Regards Charles

12th May 2005, 09:43 PM	#3
pne diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Canada	blast! In the process of unsoldering the caps I accidently lifted one of the pads the resistor lead goes into. Is there another place I can solder the lead to or is this amp done?

13th May 2005, 12:42 AM	#4
TriodeGuy diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Huntsville, AL	It's been my experience that just about every foul up can be fixed. You just need to look at the input schematic and poke around a bit with an ohm meter to find "other" end of the trace...then bypass the trace with some blue wire. I have to give mad props to those who've been able to solder thru hole leads onto those smd pads and get it to work. I would'nt even attempt it. For me it was much easier to remove all the parts in the signal path and then bridge these with blue wire. Basically making a direct signal path from the pot's connector to the signal inputs on the chip. I then ran the leads from my input caps thru the holes left behind by the removed connector.

13th May 2005, 03:27 AM	#5
TriodeGuy diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Huntsville, AL	Need to make a correction here... I do leave the 20k resistors in the signal path, but everything that comes before is removed.

22nd May 2005, 06:08 AM	#6
kujina diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK	Hi I'm a bit of a newb, how does this input mod benefit the amp/sound? And can anyone give links to any other mods for this amp. ...Thanks...

23rd May 2005, 12:43 PM	#7
kec diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: California	Do the input caps need to be electrolytic? Can you use Solen caps? -Ken

24th May 2005, 01:20 AM	#9
Wayne1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Colorado	I think people use NP electrolytics, such as Black Gate N or NX series, because they are physically small. A film or film and foil cap of 2.2 or 3.3 uF is a very large cap. If you have space in whatever chassis you are using, a film cap will work fine. If you have a LOT of space and money, try using a paper in oil cap, like the Jensen. I personally use Sonicaps in all of my Tripath amp builds.