VR shunt regulator or RC filter

[zobsky]

Requirements:
1. Input voltage: ~ 300 V DC, with a bit of ripple (lest say 5 mv, worst case)
2. Required output voltage: ~ 150 V DC , and about 30 mA current used to supply a D3A triode tube via a SE: PP interstage .


I currently use an RC stage to filter drop the voltage.

Would replacing this arrangement with a VR150 tube based shunt regulator yield additional benefits/drawbacks etc .. ?

Thanks

[dsavitsk]

30mA is a bit high for a D3a ...

Upside -- Feed the shunt with a CCS and you get great ripple rejection and control the signal current loop largely keeping it out of the PS caps. Plus, VR tubes glow real pretty like.

Downside -- the VR tube may pop loudly when it strikes. Also, it has a pretty high impedance and can't be bypassed by anything larger than 100nF. You might do better with a zener + mosfet shunt of some sort.

http://www.ecp.cc/SSS.html

[zobsky]

True,. D3A current draw is probably closer to 15 mA in practice. I spec'd 30mA as a worst case scenario in case I ever decide to change drivers.

As of now, the amp sounds pretty close to perfect (PP 2A3),. .just can't help wondering "what if i changed this or that"