Zen headamp. PCB, my ver.
 

Hello. I'm interested in building Zen head-amp and now designing PCB for this.

My PCB design is based on Marcello Pellerano's PCB, which can be found here:
HeadWize - Project: The Zen Headphone Amplifier by Marcello Pellerano
http://headwize.com/images5/pell6.gif

So here is my version. It's a bit smaller then "original" and I also tried to minimize the total length of tracks, were signal is flowing...
http://i017.radikal.ru/0910/c0/dbf4124ab07f.png

Waiting for comments and advices.

After all I'll share Eagle file here.

Maybe flip R3 and R10 and eliminate the jumper, then you could also straighten up the track between R10, R11 and Q2

Great suggestion, twitchie.

If you have LU1014D jfets and if you don't already have your heart set on this design, then I would seriously consider something like Patrick's DAO Headphone amp.

If you can make it small enough, put both channels on one board ?

Concerning C2: Maybe add more holes to support various footprints/sizes.

Twitchie,
Done. Thank You.

Rodeodave,
Added Lead spacing 10.2 and 15mm. Need any more?

http://i070.radikal.ru/0910/ab/f15311a469fd.png

PCB size is ~85*72mm (with mounting holes)
Inputs cap (C2): Wima MKP4 or other (LS 10.2, 15, 22.5 mm);
Output caps (C9,C10): Panasonic FM 470uf or another (LS 5mm); Elnas are too big :(
Power Cap (C6): Panasonic FC or other ( LS 7.5mm)

Bigun,
It will be dual mono, so both channel will be just this PCB*2. Maybt I'll made stereo version later (but to be honestly, I'm not realy interested on this :) )

thanh1973,
I have read about DAO, and I even believe, that it's better then ZEN (lol), but:
1. DAO need bigger enclosure, bigger filter caps, bigger trafo... Maybe next time :)
2. I'm afraid I need some voltage gain...
3. There aren't any complete Guide for DAO amp, and my skills are not good yet, I'm DIY noob :)

2. You can get all the voltage gain, you need with a suitable preamp.
3. OK, but I am sure EUVL would walk you through it, with pcb, etc.

In the end though build what you feel comfortable with. I am sure you will be happy with the result

The only thing I would probably do differently, with this design, is I would remove the active bias circuit.
A headphone amp really doesn't need an active bias circuit, I would bias it between 600mA to 1A. This will sound better than lowering the bias down with the active bias circuit.
The main benefit I see for the active bias circuit is you can use smaller heatsinks.

1. DAO need bigger enclosure, bigger filter caps, bigger trafo...

That depends on the bias you want to run. I have a version running at +/-16V, 100mA. and you don't need much heatsink for that.

2. I'm afraid I need some voltage gain...

Not if you have low impedance phones (e.g. AK701).

3. There aren't any complete Guide for DAO amp

That is true, I am too lazy / busy with other projects .....
But I am sure Steen or James would help you. ;)
There isn't really much in the circuit, especially the original version.

But then who am I to tell you to build the DAO instead of Nelson's designs !!


Patrick