Lafayette LA-234 Amplifier

[wrenchone]

I was lucky and scored a very, very clean Lafayette LA-234 integrated amp on fleabay. This is a 6BQ5-based amp with a few 12AX7s and 6AN8s around as helpers. I suspect it's good for 15-20W/channel. Since the phenolic sockets for the output tubes are a bit on the crispy side, I suspect that the designers aimed for the upper part of that power range. I've already popped the hood and decided to do a complete refurb, as it's almost all 10% carbon comps and dubious caps under the chassis. Even though I haven't seen a schematic just yet, I'll probably feel more comfortable ditching the current phono amp inside and starting fresh, especially judging from the schematics I've seen of earlier models like the LA-224.
Even with all the work involved, this could end up as a nifty little amp. Does anyone happen to have a schematic for this one? I've found a source for a manual, but I'm cheap.

[wrenchone]

Got schematic - no big surprises. 12AX7 does duty for feedback RIAA amp - will ditch this for passive EQ RIAA using 6JK8. 6LN8 triode is used as an amp for tone controls, pentode used as input for pwr amp with 1/2 12AX7 for splitter. Will look at other triode/pentode combo like 6JE8 for this duty, or perhaps other topology. Another dual triode will be used instead of 12AX7 for phase splitter. Schematic calls out 7189 outputs, 6BQ5s are actually used, with cathode bias.
This would be a comfy little amp if refurbed with circuit as-is - I would like it to be a little stunner instead.

[Eli Duttman]

The 6JK8 is a good looking tube. Thanks for the tip. However, heater draw is 400 mA., while 'X7 heater draw is 300 mA. How "beefy" is the power trafo? The tweaked RCA circuit I've been "pushing" is 100% safe. Also, the Sovtek 12AX7LPS is a true 7025 equivalent, which is important if AC is used to energize the phono section heaters.

You said the "finals" are cathode biased. That gives you the possibility of employing "Cheap Charlie" DC phono heater power, as used by H/K, et al.

A 12AU7, shared between the channels, should be decent as the phase splitters. "Concertina" phase splitter duty is (IMO) 1 of the few audio situations the 'U7 triode works reasonably well in.

Speaking of the "finals", the schematic shows 7189s, while you found 6BQ5s in situ. The Russian 6П14П-ЕВ (6p14p-ev), AKA EL84M, covers all bets.

[wrenchone]

The power transformer looks fairly sizable. I don't think Lafayette skimped too much on the iron. They did cheap out by using a voltage doubler for the B+, though. I could always load a small 6.3V transformer under the hood for extra filament juice if necessary, as there is a bit of room. This opens the possibility of running the low level filaments separately with DC. The 12AU7 is a good call for phase splitter. I may also consider the 5965, as I have quite a few of those.

I was loooking at those 6p14ps on Ebay last night. They're cheap enough to lay in a big supply for rainy days. Nice to know they're a good sub.

First off, though, I have to strip out the guts, as there are a lot of nasty old 10% carbon comps under the chassis that have had plenty of time to drift and drink up moisture. Lots of ancient electrolytics and dubious paper caps, too. Once the deck is cleared, this project shouldn't be too bad taken a piece at a time.

[Eli Duttman]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a properly executed voltage doubler B+ PSU. Some of the very best amps ever made, like Marantz 8B, H/K Cit. 2, and some "Mac" models, use the topology. Back then, truly high PIV SS diodes were not available and the best of the available lot did not come cheaply. 4X diodes wired as series connected pairs and employed in the Greinacher ("full wave") topology made both technical and economic sense. What was lacking back then is sufficient capacitance in the doubler stack. Given today's greater capacitance per unit volume, that is a non-issue.

Make very sure you buy 6Н23П-ЕВ. Tubes without the suffix are 6BQ5/EL84 and not particularly good. As is so often the case, that EB suffix, which indicates highest military grade, is important in Russian stuff.

[wrenchone]

I know some Scott and Fisher amps use voltage multipliers for the main B+, as well as the others you mentioned. I understand the rationale, I'm just not in love with it... The supply is definitely undercapped. As you said, easy to fix. I may ditch the HV dropper string and gin up some regulators instead.

I took another look, and EB-suffix tubes are pretty cheap and available (for now). Time for some shopping, as if I didn't have enough tubes cluttering up the place. I have a circuit for active cathode bias. I may use it or an LED array for output stage bias. The active circuit has acquitted itself well so far in a little SE amp using a pair of 6LR8s. Check out my "Mighty Mite " thread if you're interested.

[Eli Duttman]

Sorry for the "fat finger" error in my previous post. The Russian tube that really is a 7189 equivalent is the 6П14П-ЕВ.

BTW, the 6П15П-ЕВ is a very nice tube too. However, it's screen grid is fragile. Full pentode mode with 0A2 g2 B+ regulation is fine, as is triode strapping with a 1 KOhm tie resistor. UL mode is out, unless you have separate screen grid winding O/P "iron". The data sheet for the 6П15П is here. BTW, sockets set up for the 6П15П will accept 6BQ5, etc. The other way around does not work.

[wrenchone]

I have a dozen 6P14P-EB nailed down. They will arrive in due time. As I get stuff designed and ready to incorporate, I will post. Stay tuned for more devlopments. I may post some pictures of amp and innards before I have my ghoulish way with it. It looks nice in a utilitarian sort of way.

[wrenchone]

The amp - nice, clean lines, stark, uncluttered, all that rot. Sufficient motivation to put a tiger in its tank...

[wrenchone]

The innards - the usual hand-wired hodgepodge. Things will change.