Linear Regulators

eranrund · 10th August 2008, 05:59 PM

Hello,

For a pre-amp I am designing, I will be needing a few rails.
Below is a list, and how I thought of achieving them.
All are fed through a 2x18Vac supply (probably Hammond 182L18), rectified with MUR860, bypassed by some small 100nF capacitor.

- 12V for input signal relays (LM7812)
- 5V for the digital circuity (microcontroller, LCD. Microcontroller will achieve its 3.3v using an LDO) (LM7805)
- +/-5/12/15V (TBD) - Analog PSU. Here I thought about using LM317 as from what I understood it yields better performance which might be noticeable
- +/-15V VU Meter driver circuit - LM7815

Would this topology do the job?
What would be the best suggested method for providing this many rails?
(Going with only LM317/LM337's make the PCB quite large so I'm trying to avoid that).
Note that this pre-amplifier do not provide a gain stage, this will be done via a tube part with its own PSU.
Volume control is achieved using a DS1666 IC.

Many thanks

Bootstrapper · 10th August 2008, 07:03 PM

Shalom, I've been under the impression that one could get a more precise and less noiseless voltage out of the adjustable regulators compared to the fixed ones. This information should be available in the datasheets or application notes.

The most important design constraint is the required current with each of the supply voltages. These ubiquitous mentioned regulators commonly allow maximum of 1.5 amps output current, but I wouldn't dare take that much out of them. At least the performation (stability, noise issues) might be compromised.

I see nothing inherently wrong with the use of these regulators, maybe someone else has different opinions?

eranrund · 10th August 2008, 08:42 PM

Shalom

What you said about noise levels is correct - but does it really matter for relay/digital (uC) supplies?

About current requirements - ~500mA on each rail is probably all I'm going to need, unless there are current requirements for an opamp buffer (for the vu meters) I am unaware of

Alexsch · 10th August 2008, 10:14 PM

What may be the reason for using ultrafast diodes at 50Hz? I would suggest, regular types may give you less dissipation. And the lower the diode voltage rating, the less its conduction loss.

eranrund · 10th August 2008, 10:28 PM

Good point, Alex
The main reason the MURs popped to mind was because I have a few of them lying around..
But I guess another few diodes are not going to be noticeable on the BOM of a tube preamp

Alexsch · 10th August 2008, 10:35 PM

A TUBE preamplifier? Are we out of old good JFET's?

eranrund · 10th August 2008, 10:38 PM

Everyone seems to brag about the magnificent sound of those tubes.
I could go buy one, or build my own and experiment with it, learning in the process. So I was thinking, why not?

For fun, and not for profit

Bootstrapper · 11th August 2008, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by eranrund
Shalom

What you said about noise levels is correct - but does it really matter for relay/digital (uC) supplies?

I think you can have a bit more noisy supply for relay, but not for sensitive digital devices! Personally I would try filter the digital supplies well, and pay attention to the PCB layout as well. That means, a separate ground for analog and digital is recommended.

Alexsch · 11th August 2008, 06:13 AM

If you are building tube preamplifier, where are the HV rails? You are talking about low voltage rails so far. And what digital circuit has to do with it anyway? And relays?

eranrund · 11th August 2008, 07:53 AM

Tube PSU is on a different board, being fed from its own power transformer.
The digital circuity is for volume control (through DS1666), infra-red remote control and input selection (hence the relays - used to choose from several input sources).

About noise reaching digital devices - Except the DS1666 which is fed with its own +/-5v rail, the other devices are not very sensitive and some supply bypass capacitors are all they need.

10th August 2008, 05:59 PM	#1
eranrund diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Haifa, Israel	Linear Regulators Hello, For a pre-amp I am designing, I will be needing a few rails. Below is a list, and how I thought of achieving them. All are fed through a 2x18Vac supply (probably Hammond 182L18), rectified with MUR860, bypassed by some small 100nF capacitor. - 12V for input signal relays (LM7812) - 5V for the digital circuity (microcontroller, LCD. Microcontroller will achieve its 3.3v using an LDO) (LM7805) - +/-5/12/15V (TBD) - Analog PSU. Here I thought about using LM317 as from what I understood it yields better performance which might be noticeable - +/-15V VU Meter driver circuit - LM7815 Would this topology do the job? What would be the best suggested method for providing this many rails? (Going with only LM317/LM337's make the PCB quite large so I'm trying to avoid that). Note that this pre-amplifier do not provide a gain stage, this will be done via a tube part with its own PSU. Volume control is achieved using a DS1666 IC. Many thanks

10th August 2008, 07:03 PM	#2
Bootstrapper diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	Shalom, I've been under the impression that one could get a more precise and less noiseless voltage out of the adjustable regulators compared to the fixed ones. This information should be available in the datasheets or application notes. The most important design constraint is the required current with each of the supply voltages. These ubiquitous mentioned regulators commonly allow maximum of 1.5 amps output current, but I wouldn't dare take that much out of them. At least the performation (stability, noise issues) might be compromised. I see nothing inherently wrong with the use of these regulators, maybe someone else has different opinions? __________________ -Juha

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10th August 2008, 08:42 PM	#3
eranrund diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Haifa, Israel	Shalom What you said about noise levels is correct - but does it really matter for relay/digital (uC) supplies? About current requirements - ~500mA on each rail is probably all I'm going to need, unless there are current requirements for an opamp buffer (for the vu meters) I am unaware of

10th August 2008, 10:14 PM	#4
Alexsch diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2008	What may be the reason for using ultrafast diodes at 50Hz? I would suggest, regular types may give you less dissipation. And the lower the diode voltage rating, the less its conduction loss.

10th August 2008, 10:28 PM	#5
eranrund diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Haifa, Israel	Good point, Alex The main reason the MURs popped to mind was because I have a few of them lying around.. But I guess another few diodes are not going to be noticeable on the BOM of a tube preamp

10th August 2008, 10:35 PM	#6
Alexsch diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2008	A TUBE preamplifier? Are we out of old good JFET's?

10th August 2008, 10:38 PM	#7
eranrund diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Haifa, Israel	Everyone seems to brag about the magnificent sound of those tubes. I could go buy one, or build my own and experiment with it, learning in the process. So I was thinking, why not? For fun, and not for profit

11th August 2008, 06:13 AM	#9
Alexsch diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2008	If you are building tube preamplifier, where are the HV rails? You are talking about low voltage rails so far. And what digital circuit has to do with it anyway? And relays?

11th August 2008, 07:53 AM	#10
eranrund diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Haifa, Israel	Tube PSU is on a different board, being fed from its own power transformer. The digital circuity is for volume control (through DS1666), infra-red remote control and input selection (hence the relays - used to choose from several input sources). About noise reaching digital devices - Except the DS1666 which is fed with its own +/-5v rail, the other devices are not very sensitive and some supply bypass capacitors are all they need.