I just received my Aikido Octal PCB's from John Broskie. They appear to be very robust and well-made.
I am now beginning to source the parts. The design appears flexible, but for someone who is a beginner, it makes the choice of values difficult, so I'd appreciate some input:
R3, R9, R10 are grid resistors. The instructions call for 100 - 470 ohms. I was going to settle for 300 ohms. Should they all be equal? I was planning on using 200 to 250V for B+ and initially using 6SN7's for inputs and outputs.
R8 and R11 are cathode resistors. The instructions call for 100 ohm to 1K. Broskie suggests that hugher mu tubes require higher cathode resistors. He gives an example for 6sn7's of 1K for the input tubes and 300 ohms for the outputs. Of course, I'll try these values, but what about 1.5K and 470 ohms?
C1 / C2 are the coupling capacitors. My speakers supposedly have a flat response to around 45Hz, so I was thinking that 20Hz would be the lowest that I would require. My power amp is an AKSA 55N (www.aksaonline.com) which has an input impedence of 47K (I think). Anyway, the formula of 159155/Fq/Restistance would yield 159155/20/47000 = 0.169uF. While for 10Hz it would yield 0.34uF. Do I need to go any lower??? - I doubt it.
I would greatly appreciate any suggestions, and maybe a Aikido owner in the Phoenix area who may be able to look over my work?????
Regards,
Charlie
I am now beginning to source the parts. The design appears flexible, but for someone who is a beginner, it makes the choice of values difficult, so I'd appreciate some input:
R3, R9, R10 are grid resistors. The instructions call for 100 - 470 ohms. I was going to settle for 300 ohms. Should they all be equal? I was planning on using 200 to 250V for B+ and initially using 6SN7's for inputs and outputs.
R8 and R11 are cathode resistors. The instructions call for 100 ohm to 1K. Broskie suggests that hugher mu tubes require higher cathode resistors. He gives an example for 6sn7's of 1K for the input tubes and 300 ohms for the outputs. Of course, I'll try these values, but what about 1.5K and 470 ohms?
C1 / C2 are the coupling capacitors. My speakers supposedly have a flat response to around 45Hz, so I was thinking that 20Hz would be the lowest that I would require. My power amp is an AKSA 55N (www.aksaonline.com) which has an input impedence of 47K (I think). Anyway, the formula of 159155/Fq/Restistance would yield 159155/20/47000 = 0.169uF. While for 10Hz it would yield 0.34uF. Do I need to go any lower??? - I doubt it.
I would greatly appreciate any suggestions, and maybe a Aikido owner in the Phoenix area who may be able to look over my work?????
Regards,
Charlie
Didn't John publish a table of optimum values for a variety of tubes?
In any case, I'll take a look at my 6SN7 boards tonight and tell you what values I've got there- these were a gift from Broskie, so presumably they have the resistor values that he would recommend.
As far as grid stoppers, the values aren't critical, but it offends my sense of symmetry to have them differ from channel to channel. I wouldn't be concerned about them varying from stage to stage.
And, finally, try to use a higher B+. This circuit loves and needs lots of volts. If you bias up the heater supply to 25% of the B+, you can go up to 350V or a bit more.
In any case, I'll take a look at my 6SN7 boards tonight and tell you what values I've got there- these were a gift from Broskie, so presumably they have the resistor values that he would recommend.
As far as grid stoppers, the values aren't critical, but it offends my sense of symmetry to have them differ from channel to channel. I wouldn't be concerned about them varying from stage to stage.
And, finally, try to use a higher B+. This circuit loves and needs lots of volts. If you bias up the heater supply to 25% of the B+, you can go up to 350V or a bit more.
Sy,
Yes there is a table in the Broskie instructions, although it only lists values for R15 and R16. Unless, the values listed in the Rp and Rk refer to plate resistors and cathode resistors respectively, in which case, I have simply misread his table!!!!
Maybe I'll try things with 300V following your recommendation.
Thanks,
Charlie
Yes there is a table in the Broskie instructions, although it only lists values for R15 and R16. Unless, the values listed in the Rp and Rk refer to plate resistors and cathode resistors respectively, in which case, I have simply misread his table!!!!
Maybe I'll try things with 300V following your recommendation.
Thanks,
Charlie
coupling capacitors
Given your amp is loading the Aikido at 47K, a 0.33uF coupling capacitor should work fine for ~10Hz rolloff as you notes. You could also try a 0.47uF coupling capacitor (a very common value if your review all of John's Aikido writings) if you want to support heavier loading or a lower rolloff frequency.
I would try experimenting with the two - pretty simple to do.
Given your amp is loading the Aikido at 47K, a 0.33uF coupling capacitor should work fine for ~10Hz rolloff as you notes. You could also try a 0.47uF coupling capacitor (a very common value if your review all of John's Aikido writings) if you want to support heavier loading or a lower rolloff frequency.
I would try experimenting with the two - pretty simple to do.
Hi,
Charlie
taken from http://www.tubecad.com/2006/05/blog0064.htm
Tube mu rp Rk Ik B+ R15 R16 InGain IndBs OutG OutdBs Zo
6SN7 21.10 8960 397 5.0 200 82684 100k 10.4 20.3 0.93 -0.59 657
6SN7 21.00 9250 626 5.0 250 82609 100k 10.3 20.2 0.94 -0.56 820
First line for 6SN7's at B+ 200Volts
Second line 6SN7's at B+ 250Volts
Rk = 397 for 200V and 626 for 250V This values are for 5 mA plate current
{but you could go as high as 10 mA on a 6SN7GTB or 6SN7 EH}
grid resistors: same value in the same position of each channel ; 300 is good
And from:
http://www.tubecad.com/2005/January/blog0030.htm
C4 = 0.47microF at 200 volts or more
C1/C2= 0.47microF at 200 volts or more
last article: R15/R16
http://www.tubecad.com/2006/04/blog0060.htm
Triode mu R15 R15 1% R16
6SN7 20 81,818 82.5k 100k
Hope that will answer your questions...
Alain.
Charlie
taken from http://www.tubecad.com/2006/05/blog0064.htm
Tube mu rp Rk Ik B+ R15 R16 InGain IndBs OutG OutdBs Zo
6SN7 21.10 8960 397 5.0 200 82684 100k 10.4 20.3 0.93 -0.59 657
6SN7 21.00 9250 626 5.0 250 82609 100k 10.3 20.2 0.94 -0.56 820
First line for 6SN7's at B+ 200Volts
Second line 6SN7's at B+ 250Volts
Rk = 397 for 200V and 626 for 250V This values are for 5 mA plate current
{but you could go as high as 10 mA on a 6SN7GTB or 6SN7 EH}
grid resistors: same value in the same position of each channel ; 300 is good
And from:
http://www.tubecad.com/2005/January/blog0030.htm
C4 = 0.47microF at 200 volts or more
C1/C2= 0.47microF at 200 volts or more
last article: R15/R16
http://www.tubecad.com/2006/04/blog0060.htm
Triode mu R15 R15 1% R16
6SN7 20 81,818 82.5k 100k
Hope that will answer your questions...
Alain.
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