Zen headamp. PCB, my ver.

[Stream]

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


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...


Waiting for comments and advices.

After all I'll share Eagle file here.

[twitchie]

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

[mosconiac]

Great suggestion, twitchie.

[Melon Head]

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.

[Bigun]

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

[Rodeodave]

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

[Stream]

Twitchie,

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

Done. Thank You.

Rodeodave,

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

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



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

[Melon Head]

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

[Melon Head]

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.

[EUVL]

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