New member :)

Hello community,

i am a new member of diyaudio.
My goal is to build a diy pc audiosetup starting from scratch, with the pcb and the speakers.
I am not new to electronics, i made 2/3 years in school and work in an environment where electrical knowledge is required, but am a complete noob regarding audio stuff.
So i signed up, hoping to learn some new stuff and getting help for my little project.

Help to unban account

Hi all.

Please bear with me, this is the second account I have created as my main account was flagged as a spam bot.
I sent an email to request it to be re enabled 16 days ago, as I believe this was an error, but had no response as of yet.

I apologise for breaking any forum rules to create this second account, but I would appreciate being allowed back onto the site with my main account, or at least be able to discuss why my account was banned for asking a question about designing a speaker enclosure for a open source project I'm working on.

Kind regards
Ben Jackson

Anthem PVA-7 - Fuse rating

I bought a used Anthem PVA-7 amplifier, knowing it was not working on 6 of the 7 channels. I have reversed engineered the working channel (no schematic) and have all 7-channels working. As I was cleaning it up, I got to looking at the fuses (only 4 rail fuses the other 4 were missing) and I have some reservations to their rating.

The main fuse coming in was a 15A fast-blow ceramic, but the board clearly states 15A slow-blow on the PCB - so I have changed to a 15A slow-blow ceramic fuse.

The power rails, +/-55Vdc, has a pair of fuses for each Heatsink (three heatsinks have 2 channels and the Center is a single channel on a heatsink). In the amplifier the Center (single channel h/s) and one of the Dual channel h/s boards came with 15A fast-blow ceramic fuses. I question the amperage and being fast-blow type, not to mention they look brand new (red flag). While I was repairing and testing to make sure I fixed everything, I used 6.3A slow-blow fuses. No trouble but I have only repaired and tested/listened at low volumes up to this point and I don't want to blow single/both fuse(s) when I give it a real test.

Any one know the specific amperage/style rail fuses that should be installed? Are the 15A fast-blow ones correct? The amp has speaker, over current and voltage protection so the fuses seem to be there in case of catastrophic failure in one or both of the rails.

The amp is a 2-pair (2SA1302/2SC3281) TO-264 output per channel and I currently have it biased at ~25mA per channel and the h/s is slightly above room temp. after 2 hours of low volume music (~5 watts), with no more than 10mV of DC offset, running at +/-55V rails, with a 40-0-40 Vac rated at 8.8A transformer.

Attachments

  • IMG_6815.jpeg
    IMG_6815.jpeg
    357.2 KB · Views: 135
  • IMG_6816.jpeg
    IMG_6816.jpeg
    419.9 KB · Views: 156
  • IMG_6817.jpeg
    IMG_6817.jpeg
    255.2 KB · Views: 125

SET cuts out when switched off

I’ve got a 2 watt DIY SET amp built on the Decware zKit Schematic (including the anniversary modifications/bypass capacitors)
https://www.decware.com/newsite/ZKIT1.pdf

I’ve been using this amp for about three years and when I shut it off if the source is still playing the music fades out over the course of 10 seconds or so and starts to break up before going silent. The last couple of weeks I have noticed that it started cutting out instantly when switched off. Yesterday I switched it off and it cut out instantly; I changed interconnects and turned it back on. The tubes lit up and everything looked normal but it wouldn’t produce any sound. I let it sit about 10 minutes and tried again. Still no sound. I powered it on today, about 16 hours later, and it is working normally again. Anyone have any ideas on a diagnosis for these symptoms?

Tube distortion 'effect'

Hi all,

I'm currently working on an 'effect' to have adjustable amounts of second order triode distortion. Here you can see the schematic of one channel:
1000097175.png

The input OPA amplifies the standard -10dBv to ~11Vpp. This is then fed through the 12-position stepped attenuator P1 giving 11x 4dB steps. The attenuated signal is then fed towards the grids of a paralleled 6SN7 and afterwards again attenuated by P2 to give an overall gain of 1. In the first position, the grids-stoppers are shorted to ground and the input signal is directly fed to the output OPA.

This gives adjustable ~0.05-5% of second order harmonics while keeping the loudness the same.

Here you can also see the layout, in the first image coloured according to the layers, with red facing upwards to the tubes and blue facing down towards the components. In the second they are coloured red for cathode, green for anode, green for grid, blue for heater, magenta for ground and cyan for input and output. The PCB will have a four layer stackup with both inner layers filled with solid ground planes:
Layers.PNG

Signals.PNG


I'm now wondering if I have overseen something in the schematic or layout. Specifically, are R3, R4 and R16 necessary? Should I try to make the green traces shorter?

Best regards

Dominic

Series tapped pipe

Why does that resonace stick out so much where there was previously a big cancellation at the full wave length between the front and rear of the driver in the upstream section?

360/90 is 4…. So it’s filling in the cancelation notch just briefly at 96 hz or so?

Attachments

  • IMG_1305.jpeg
    IMG_1305.jpeg
    185.8 KB · Views: 46
  • IMG_1304.jpeg
    IMG_1304.jpeg
    147.2 KB · Views: 44
  • IMG_1306.jpeg
    IMG_1306.jpeg
    198.5 KB · Views: 48
  • IMG_1307.jpeg
    IMG_1307.jpeg
    157.9 KB · Views: 43
  • IMG_1308.jpeg
    IMG_1308.jpeg
    96.4 KB · Views: 48

For Sale NOS Toshiba and Sanken transistors

Hello

I have few types of Toshiba and Sanken transistors. These are new-old-stock from Polish distributors and 100% original, not from China.
Price is for complementary pair.
Please contact me for shipping - I will calculate.

For different types or grades - please contact me as well and I will check.

Toshiba:
2SC5171 + 2SA1930 - $1.50
2SC4793 + 2SA1837 - $1.50
2SC2240-GR + 2SA970-GR - $1.50
TTA004-B + TTC004-B - $1.50
2SC5198-O + 2SA1941-O - $3.50
2SC5200-O + 2SA1943-O - $5.00

Sanken:
2SA1859A-Y + 2SC4883A-Y - $3.00
2SA1668-Y + 2SC4382-Y - $3.50
2SA1186-P + 2SC2837-P - $4.50
2SB1647-P + 2SD2560-P - $7.50
2SA1492-Y + 2SC3856-Y - $8.50
2SB1560-P + 2SD2390-P - $11.00
2SA1216-Y + 2SC2922-Y - $12.00
2SA1295-Y + 2SC3264-Y - $12.00

All the best, Robert

Klipsch R-115SW sub - Broken tinsel lead at cone

Hey All,

How to repair this sub broken tinsel lead ? I cant reach the broken spot on the cone from the cage to try resolder. What other options do i have ? The sub is still good shape but that tinsel lead is not..

PXL_20241120_114057956a.jpg

Appreciate your input..

Attachments

  • PXL_20241120_114145320a.jpg
    PXL_20241120_114145320a.jpg
    277.6 KB · Views: 69
  • PXL_20241120_114948515a.jpg
    PXL_20241120_114948515a.jpg
    301.5 KB · Views: 64
  • PXL_20241120_115725060a.jpg
    PXL_20241120_115725060a.jpg
    346 KB · Views: 66
  • PXL_20241120_115904887.MPa.jpg
    PXL_20241120_115904887.MPa.jpg
    264.4 KB · Views: 60
  • PXL_20241120_140910493a.jpg
    PXL_20241120_140910493a.jpg
    398.8 KB · Views: 68

For Sale London UK - pair amorphous SE OPTS by NP Acoustics 3.5K/8R, 90mA

I have a pair of nice amorphous SE OPTS made by NP Acoustics which are now redundant since I've made other plans. They're very detailed and well run in. Outputs for 8R and 16R. Up to 90mA current. Bottom photo shows the type of OPT not my actual ones, measures 10x10x10cm. Mine are black. Quite heavy, like 2.2kg each. One transformer has a slight blemish as shown on the corner. There was some dust on the top but I just brushed that off.

Going for £185 from London UK. Andy

IMG_6203.jpgIMG_6204.jpg

Screen Shot 2024-11-15 at 20.22.36.png

Do I prefer dull electrolyic caps?

I swapped out some caps on the my 3 way towers. You'll see in the pictures which ones I changed. I also revised the notch to take out a little more of the cone breakup.

Female vocals sound overly bright to me now. I am considering swapping back in the elctrolytics. I really only changed caps on the mids. The tweeter already had poly caps on it. Is it possible that I prefer the duller sound of electrolytics? I did compare sound back to back and found the poly caps sound cleaning. Now that I've spent a week listening to the new caps I find them to be a bit bright for my tastes.

Do the poly caps need to burn in for "x" amount of hours before they sound right?
Is it possible I just don't like it because I am used to the other XO?

I do have multiple other systems in my house. They all use electrolytics. They do not have the same brighteness

Details:
1. All of the other caps are ClarityCaps poly. All except the big one on the woofer. That one is still electrolytic but I added a poly 1 uf coupling cap to it.
2. Other than revising the notch filter none of the values have changed.
3. Yes, I did solder them back in correctly, I verified this as I thought maybe I screwed up.
4. The two variations measure exactly the same. Within 2 db
5. All data in vituixcad is measured data
6. Drivers used are: Hivi Planar tweeter, Zaph mid 5", Peerless woofer 8"

Maybe I am missing something here.

Attachments

  • Revised.png
    Revised.png
    1,022.8 KB · Views: 88
  • Original XO.png
    Original XO.png
    997.4 KB · Views: 88

Cyrus 2 & PSX refurb

It's suffering from the usual crackly volume / input selector issue which is not too bad, it's still usable.
Today when switching on, there was a bit of hum initially that then disappeared (set to a line-level input), which makes me think maybe it could do with a proper refurb, particularly all the electrolytics are still original.

Edit: I found https://www.amprepairservices.com/contact he looks very knowledgeable.

I might open up the PSX myself and test it under a dummy load, to see if the smoothing caps are OK, and ask him to look at the Cyrus 2. I guess a good way to start is to look at the time-constant of the +- rails into a dummy load, removing one cap at a time.

For Sale Twisted Pear Buffalo III-SE-Pro 9028 + Hifiduino, Mercury I/V, Placid HD BP + extras

For sale is the following almost finished easy project to build a super nice DAC:
-Twisted Pear Buffalo III-SE-Pro 9028 DAC with all the good regulators (new price $459, http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/digital/buffalosep.aspx)
-Mercury I/V stage (new price $169, http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/linestages/mercury.aspx)
-Placid HD BP Power supply for Mercury (new price $95, http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/power/placidbp.aspx)
-Arduino DUE (New price ~$50) with Hifiduino TFT Pro v1.09 software programmed (https://www.dimdim.gr/arduino/tft-hifiduino-pro-project/)
-DimDim Universal signal isolator (https://www.dimdim.gr/arduino/universal-signal-isolator-shield-for-the-arduino-due/)
-Rotary Encoder board + encoder (with led) to control power on/off, menu, volume
-Nice 4.3" Color TFT screen
-Audiowind A-270 regulator to provide power to the Buffalo Board
-Twisted Pear CMP1 S/PDIF level converter kit
New price of the parts is ~$1000

I'm selling the complete package for 330 EUR firm + shipping. I'm shipping from Finland, Europe.

What is still needed to finalize this:
-Transformer to feed Placid HD BP Power supply
-Transformer + rectifier or another power supply to feed A-270 regulator board
-Enclosure
-Connectors, etc. small parts
-Wiring
+ whatever options you want to have, like amanero or similar (not mandatory)

See attached photos and the linked video of the action: https://photos.app.goo.gl/uJM3o9JnfWE8aFxM8

BR, Sami

Attachments

  • IMG_20241123_133727.jpg
    IMG_20241123_133727.jpg
    341.2 KB · Views: 91
  • IMG_20241123_134156.jpg
    IMG_20241123_134156.jpg
    559.1 KB · Views: 76
  • IMG_20241123_134223.jpg
    IMG_20241123_134223.jpg
    473.5 KB · Views: 71
  • IMG_20241123_134233.jpg
    IMG_20241123_134233.jpg
    422.5 KB · Views: 70
  • IMG_20241123_134245.jpg
    IMG_20241123_134245.jpg
    518.5 KB · Views: 70
  • IMG_20241123_134252.jpg
    IMG_20241123_134252.jpg
    705 KB · Views: 71
  • IMG_20241123_134302.jpg
    IMG_20241123_134302.jpg
    696.3 KB · Views: 77
  • IMG_20241123_134314.jpg
    IMG_20241123_134314.jpg
    594.4 KB · Views: 65
  • IMG_20241123_134321.jpg
    IMG_20241123_134321.jpg
    378 KB · Views: 62
  • IMG_20241123_134334.jpg
    IMG_20241123_134334.jpg
    489.8 KB · Views: 66
  • Screenshot 2024-11-23 at 14.05.39.png
    Screenshot 2024-11-23 at 14.05.39.png
    2.6 MB · Views: 83

Ikea Kallax MEH (Unity/Synergy) speaker

While slowly working on my other MEH projects, I just noticed the Ikea Kallax in front of myself and I just thought it would be cool to fit in a synergy horn there. The internal dimension of the kallax cell are 330 x 330 x 380 mm, so the speaker must fit into this volume including wires in the back. This is nothing new, it has been done before, e.g. this one by aragorus https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...-6-5-coax-in-a-reflex-box.353906/post-6190455 would most probably fit the shelf.

Coaxial is the obvious option, but I would like to try if I can fit in the GRS PT 6816 planar tweeter in there...

And if necessary, I can add a bass unit to a shelf cell below. Not that I would necessarily use the speakers inside the shelves, but it is a quite handy size and a bit of a challenge🙂
  • Like
Reactions: unaHm

Can I Connect Two Transformers Together?

Folks:

Please forgive what may well be a very dumb question, but I do need some advice. I am planning a Noval Aikido preamp project and have a power supply question. I have two Hammond transformers on hand -- a 369JX (50VA, 500V C.T. @ 69 ma and 6.3V C.T. @ 2.5A) and a 166L6 (12.6VA, 6.3V C.T. @ 2.0A). I understand the Aikido needs more heater current than the 369JX alone can supply. Can the 6.3VAC secondaries on both transformers be connected together at the power supply? I have attached a copy of the power supply circuit; the power supply board itself can be found at https://www.ebay.com/itm/144817864498

Regards,
Scott

Attachments

  • s-l1600.png
    s-l1600.png
    158.1 KB · Views: 232

Full bridge SMPS with IR2110 + IGBT

Hi
I built a full bridge SMPS with IR2110 + boostrap capacitor + old mosfets as recommended, which works fine, but I would like to replace the old mosfets with GT60N321 IGBTs, add a totem array, remove the boostrap and add an isolated power supply of +14VDC and -4VDC to get rid of the Miller effect.

Simply replacing the old mosfets with IGBTs also works, but according to the oscilloscope I see that it would be a good idea to add a totem array and adjust the power supply for the output side of the IR2110. For the power supply of the upper and lower sides, they will use isolated converters designed for driving IGBTs with outputs of +14VDC and -4VDC.Is it possible to keep the IR2110 driver and connect the IGBT and totem array using isolated converters in this way ?
I will adjust the Deadtime only after the circuit with isolated converters and IGBTs works.
Thank you, samponek

Attachments

  • IR2110 + IGBT + isolated converters.jpg
    IR2110 + IGBT + isolated converters.jpg
    105.4 KB · Views: 172

For Sale Tubelab SSP PCB and some tubes

I have blank tubelab spp PCB and some tubes to sell.
PCB - sold

Used Matsushita 12AT7 measured pair 14usd

Nos Toshiba 12AT7 pair 20usd
(Hi-s version - selected items)
Used Matsushita 6BQ5 measured two matched pairs 55usd

+PayPal fee 4% or frieds family option
+ Shipping 15 usd with tracking number

Attachments

  • PXL_20241119_145317903.MP.jpg
    PXL_20241119_145317903.MP.jpg
    395.5 KB · Views: 73
  • PXL_20241119_151132650.MP.jpg
    PXL_20241119_151132650.MP.jpg
    336 KB · Views: 53
  • PXL_20241119_145505815.jpg
    PXL_20241119_145505815.jpg
    495.9 KB · Views: 62
  • PXL_20241119_145923493.MP.jpg
    PXL_20241119_145923493.MP.jpg
    452.9 KB · Views: 61
  • PXL_20241119_151522998.jpg
    PXL_20241119_151522998.jpg
    281 KB · Views: 74
  • PXL_20241119_150027007.jpg
    PXL_20241119_150027007.jpg
    663.8 KB · Views: 71

Welcome new member from the Netherlands

Hi, as new member I would like to share my repairs and lessons learnt as well as learn from other members.

After and during the COVID period working from my home disk I missed my audio gear from the eighties for a proper music experience. As such I started to acquire new stereo equipment form the 70s/ early 80s around built quality went done.

As some of these equipment required repair or restoration I started the hobby of repairing equipment, solid state as well as tube gear.

Regards, Werner

Pioneer SX450

Has anyone had experience with the power / speaker switch on Pioneer SX450 receiver? The switch has these positions: Power Off, Speakers A, Off, Speakers B, Speakers A+B. Starting the amp through my dim bulb from Off to A, the light stays bright and a hum is heard through the speakers. If I turn the knob to the next Off position then back to A, the bulb dims and it works fine. The receiver sounds fine. I suspect there may be an issue with the switch, but it's a very fiddly thing to pull out so wondered if there are any other thoughts about this out there.
Regards John L.

MeanWell SDR-960-48 optimization for PBTL 3255 setup

https://www.meanwell-web.com/content/files/pdfs/productPdfs/MW/SDR-960/SDR-960-Spec.pdf

Hello!

May I ask for help to optimize a MW SDR-960-48 SMPS here?
I chose this power supply to feed six TPA3255 in PBTL configuration for a cheap trick 2x3 way active setup.
Powerwise the SMPS should be more than sufficient, so no problem there.

Even though, the SDR-960 is of good reliant quality and miles ahead of most noname SMPSs, some may claim that the ripple could be better (it's <1%), not sure if this is a real problem at all or a theoretical paranoia phenomen.

However, before making the layout for the amp case, I wonder what kind of optimization could be worth to implement.

1. Additional EMI filter on the 230 AC side?
2. Additional buffer with 63V / 10-20.000 uF caps at the supply 48V side and or additional filters?
3. Any other thoughts how you would optimize it? Or just go and relax?

Thanks for your time and input in advance! 🙂

A new beer thread

Rather than open an old thread and necropost I'm starting another.
Without wanting to be morbid I'm not getting any younger [ mores the pity] and I am writing a new will and pre-planning my funeral.
As part of that I am chasing a recipe for a very strong dark beer to drink on the day.
I'm not of a religious persuasion and if asked I always tell folk I'm a pagan and believe in the dark artz.
Anybody got any good recipes for a bitter-sweet stout of as strong a strength as possible?
Something like Theakstons Old Peculier but sweeter and stronger approaching 12% or better, a "**** & Raisin Ale" perhaps?
  • Like
Reactions: Stanislav

Varying Cathode Bias voltage question

Hi all,

Just a quick question regarding cathode bias voltage and, in particular, stability.

After catastrophic failure caused by an overused output tube (runaway cathode voltage). I rebuilt the amp and installed meters to indicate what the cathode bias voltage was on the KT66's (as pictured).

Generally, they do vary slightly (albeit always 1v apart) but occasionally, the left channel (blue) will skip very quickly between 38v - 39.5v. It sort of cycles from 38v then jumps quickly to 39.5v then back down, then back up. This happens over a few minutes and all the time the right channel (red readout) is stable. After a few minutes, it becomes stable too.

Happened today shortly after switch on, yesterday after about 2hrs use.

Schematic attached.

Attachments

  • 20240625_202437.jpg
    20240625_202437.jpg
    280.5 KB · Views: 255
  • Screenshot_20240201_102617_Microsoft 365 (Office).jpg
    Screenshot_20240201_102617_Microsoft 365 (Office).jpg
    76.1 KB · Views: 246

For Sale Bartola LT Filament Supply

Selling 1x pair of LT DC filament supplies, designed by Ale Moglia
More info here: https://www.bartola.co.uk/valves/for-sale/dht-lt-supply-pcb/

Including 2 populated and working/tested boards, with common mode chokes installed and 2x pair (4 total, only 2 pictured) of hammond 159ZE 28mH/3A inductors

125€/pair, ex worldwide shipping

Attachments

  • tempImagelggVNJ.gif
    tempImagelggVNJ.gif
    1.6 MB · Views: 132

SEAS Odin MkIII A Dream Comes True - 2007 after 15 years back in my living room

Yesterday I sold succesfully the overhauled Basis '95 - 2023 to a happy new owner in Helmond.

https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/re-built-vifa-basis-95-2023.395894/page-9#post-7490956

At the moment I'm playing again (after 15 years, {bought back} for a fraction) with my old self made Odin's MkIII built in 2007 (sold in 2008) 😍.
First project ever built good DIY speaker.
Very nice!

The story:
The new owner from 2008 contacted me about 2 months ago and told me that he wants to sell my speakers after 15 years listening music with pleasure.
He asked me some advice for a good description for his advertisement text on the internet.
But I was thinking....... this is unique......I like to have them back in my house / listening room....... full of good memmories with this speaker!
We make a deal and now they are back here in my living room again and still playing as good as in 2007.😍😍

Attachments

  • IMG_20231026_085814.jpg
    IMG_20231026_085814.jpg
    308.8 KB · Views: 330
  • IMG_20231026_085947.jpg
    IMG_20231026_085947.jpg
    387.6 KB · Views: 334

Fixing the internal pieces of the Frugel-Horn

Has anyone routed a rebate into the insides of the side panels as per (I think) the flat packs. ?
I'm building from scratch and could just glue them in place, but thought about trying this.
I only have basic diy tools and can do one side easy enough probably, but what would be the easiest way to mirror it perfectly on the other side?
Short of a lot of measuring and marking, is there an easier way?
Thanks..
Rik

BRZHiFi 5V 1A "Audiophile Grade" Portable Linear Power Supply Review

I bought one of these devices from Aliexpress. Technically, the use case isn't audio - it's radio - but I thought you might be interested in this quick review.

My main goal was to find a decent power supply with the following requirements:
  • 5V @ 1A (and I need 0.9A of that)
  • Low switching noise (so either not a switcher, or very low noise)
  • Under 100mV ripple (which probably isn't low noise by audio standards)
It turned up. Superficially, it works. 5V comes out, no fire.

2024-03-02 18_02_58-WhatsApp Image 2024-03-02 at 5.27.40 PM.jpeg ‎- Photos.png


Internally, it's made up of a 2*110V to 2*7.5V transformer. The two primaries are wired in series for 220VAC operation, but typically my mains voltage is around 245VAC here. The switch is single pole. There is no dedicated fuse, although the transformer appears to have a thermal cut-out. There is no connection to earth, despite being metal cased.

That goes into a full wave rectifier and 3300uF and 100nF capacitors. After that, an LM317T regulator, with 2*1000uF, 2*220uF and 100nF capacitors.

2024-03-02 17_33_59-WhatsApp — Mozilla Firefox.png


Output regulation is acceptable up to around 0.7A. There's quite a difference in behavior between when it is first turned on ("Cold") and after it has been loaded for a while ("Warm").

9454f4b1-7aca-4541-89a4-38fb48429ac4.png


Ripple is relatively well controlled at lower currents but gets pretty wild later. At 0.7A it is around 5mV. By 0.8A it is 235mV. At 1A it is 660mV - although from time to time, when warm, it gets worse.

When connected to a USB device drawing 0.9A with a switcher inside it, you get a horrible interaction, with the voltage dropping and the current increasing. It ends up oscillating.

As expected, on the spectrum, the 100Hz is the fundamental with several harmonics.

1709465657703.png


It also gets warm enough to emit that warm plastic smell...

1709465790807.jpeg


All in all, I would not recommend this device.

For Sale Solid Cherry Wood Bookshelf Cabinets

I had these cabines ready for a new project but I really have no time to build anything right now, so, I will put for sale if there is any interest.
They a Sonys Faber Electa Amator stye anf fuly built in solid Cherry wood. Fully new.
THe cabinets were made for Swans HiVi M1 kit but can be easily modified to your project.

External dimensions (cm) 21 width x 33 height x 26 depth. Wood thickness 22mm. 11.2 internal liters.
The current holes for drivers are:
Tweeter 120mm diameter (90x75mm cut off originally for the HiVi RT1C-A Tweeter)
Woofer 115mm depth. Ready for 5" surface mounted midwoofer. (Hivi F5)


Asking 250€ for the cabinets. Shipping to EU will be 20 to 25€.
Will be sent in their original packaging


https://ibb.co/GnHgVFW][/url]

https://ibb.co/1RN8MSK][/url]

https://ibb.co/Vm54SK0][/url]

https://ibb.co/x5yzMPY][/url]

https://ibb.co/nmV1NZY][/url]

https://ibb.co/1b51gRP][/url]

https://ibb.co/PG8qwf8][/url]

https://ibb.co/T1rkxTz][/url]

https://ibb.co/phMtFmw][/url]

https://ibb.co/TvnZndt][/url]

https://ibb.co/jTymDxd][/url]
https://ibb.co/rFXjVZG][/url]

Switching power supply blinking start-up for tube heaters

I am using a few 12V switching power supplies for heaters of my DIY tube amps. Because the heater resistance is too low, some of them will not start. Two of them blink for 10 - 30 seconds then run normally. I assume the blinking is due to current limiting of the supply. My question is whether start-up blinking will cause premature failure of the supplies or hurt the tube heaters?

GainWire line/phone non GNFB preamp

This is a line/headphones preamplifier with no global NFB used, but still with very low distortion.
First stage is input gain stage with variable gaain
Secon stage is a buffer.

Here is description of first/gain stage.
It started as GainWire CFA preamplifier, and I decided to redesign it in to a non global NFB preamp.
The gain is set to 4 times at the rheostat P1 value of 10k and it's calculated as P1/R19.
It uses a current conveyor as a gain block.
SNR does not change with the gain, so it is the same for low as it is for high gain, as the input signal is never attenuated, signal noise ration stay the same for all gains.

Gerbers are here: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...ne-non-gnfb-preamp.395695/page-3#post-7733838

Attachments

  • pojacanje ulaznog dijela.jpg
    pojacanje ulaznog dijela.jpg
    229.7 KB · Views: 1,540

Threshold CAS-2, Blast from the past

I recently had the good fortune to find a used Threshold CAS-2 at one of my local high-end audio stores. It has been a pleasure to listen to and learn about the history of one of the earliest Threshold designs from the late 70s.

The unit was well cared for by its previous owner(s). If anything, it may have been in clean storage for a few years. Initial power up resulted in a significant amount of mechanical 120Hz hum from the internal power transformers. This subsided a little over the next couple hours as I let the amp come up to temperature. There was also a small amount of 120Hz hum present from the speakers, but this component was not noticeable at my listening position. Initial listening was good, with a noticeable amount of brightness to the tonal balance. The brightness mellowed out slightly over the next few hours of powered operation.
I switched to a Transparent power cable for the next day's listening. This power cable is an earlier 1.5 meter model that has three lumps of filter network along its length. I have used it in the past with amplifiers that had sensitive power transformers. The Transparent cable did its job once again, and both the mechanical hum and audio hum were noticeable reduced. Listening to the amp with this configuration proved to be a lot of fun. In many ways the CAS-2 reminds me of my old olive era Naim NAP250, in the best of ways. The CAS-2 is lively and engaging, with a distinct sense of Pace, Rhythm and Timing, as Naim aficionados like to say.
Over the next two days of listening sessions I found the amp to sound better integrated over the whole frequency spectrum. The imaging solidified as well, and there started to be a better sence of the distinct harmonics of acoustic and simple electric instruments. The bass developed good extension and definition, sometimes calling more attention to itself than I am used to on a few recordings, though this feature also mellowed slightly over time. The amp definitely sounds its best when it is left on for a few hours, so I started leaving it on all the time. The case gets just slightly warm after a full day. This is not a Class A design, but a moderate high bias class A/B. It appears to be an excellent match with my newer Vandersteen 3A Signatures, with plenty of power available for good control. The dynamic presentation seems to be better with the CAS-2 than with my DIY M2x. I have enjoyed revisiting a number of my favorite recordings to hear them with a better set of dynamics.
The CAS-2 also compares very favorably with my DIY F6. The F6 has been something of a test bed lately, as I was experimenting with some alternate Mosfets in the output stage. The sonic comparison with the CAS-2 led me to re-think some aspects of my F6 modifications, and I intend to try some new ideas to help the F6 provide some of the same rhythmic enjoyment that the older amp seems to provide with ease.

Attachments

  • CAS2_front.JPG
    CAS2_front.JPG
    261.6 KB · Views: 302
  • Like
Reactions: Mikerodrig27

New Monoblocks

This design is a refinement of one I designed and built about 15 years ago. In most respects the front end is not that unusual, being a derivative of a Krell front end. The most unusual feature is the use of separate feedback loops for the voltage gain and output stages. If there is interest I can post additional details and a circuit description.

The electronics have been designed and simulated, and the PCBs will shortly be arriving. I'll be posting some photos of the mechanicals: no acceptable chassis was available, so I had to fabricate one from scratch.

Jeff

Attachments

Oracle Turntable Rebuild

After over 43 years my Oracle turntable was in need of a refurbishing. The Papst motor was getting noisy and I was unable to fix the problem. A replacement motor was unavailable, so the next step was to replace the motor and motor controller. This entailed some electrical design and quite a bit of mechanical design and machining. The first attempt utilized a Maxon DC motor with an optical encoder feedback loop. Speed stability was fine, but the motor noise was unacceptable. Mitigation efforts were only partially successful.

The second approach used a DC brushless motor and a Maxon controller. Some motor cogging noise remained, but the addition of sound deadening polymer (Sorbathane) eliminated that noise. The controller speed is set by a DC voltage, so the auxilliary electronics are limited to generating the DC levels corresponsing to 33.3 and 45 RPM and producing a 60 Hz strobe signal to an LED. The latter makes it easy to calibrate the TT with a strobe disk.

Jeff

Attachments

  • Like
Reactions: alighiszem

Just In From Indiana

New member here, 58 yrs old. Also a musician of many years with plenty of stage experience. Always been into all things electronics since middle school. In fact, in high school a friend and I cut a guitar cable in half and he took one walkie talkie apart and I did the same to the other. He unsoldered the microphone and soldered the cable in it's place. I unsoldered the speaker on mine and soldered in my half of the cable. When we put them back together he taped the microphone button on and plugged it into his guitar. We then plugged the other cable/talkie into his amp and put it speaker facing out his bedroom window. He walked all around the neighborhood blasting his guitar to all the neighbors. We had a huge laugh when the local truckers CBs came through the amp and so did the neighbors. 😆😆Nobody could quite understand how we created a wireless guitar system back in the mid 80's but it worked! Sorta. I like to learn anything I can so here I am in the DIY Audio Group.

Acoustic center - Horn + CD - construction technique for horn out front?

I've got a 8" woofer and a CD + horn. I've used DSP with delay to time align drivers before, and liked the result. So for this passive build I thought I'd try to get the acoustic centers aligned physically.

So to investigate what that would require, I set up some boards between 2 tables so I could hang my woofer and then my tweeter at the same vertical location, facing up. I set up a mic above, pointed down and didn't move it between measurements. Then I measured with REW with a timing reference channel, and that told me the distance (acoustically) to each driver. Then I just gotta make my baffle so that I can line 'em up...

Looking at the woofer and CD+horn I thought it would be pretty close. The measurements suggest otherwise... =\ I've got the Tymph AULA02014 8" woofer and the Celestion CDX1-1446 on a JBL / Selenium HM17-25. I have a thread for those drivers here: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/tymphany-aula02014-0006-pe-buyout.416365/ but this discussion is to focus on baffle structure ideas.

REW thinks the tweeter is 70 mm behind the woofer. To line them up I need to bring the tweeter forward rather than back, and by a fair 2.8 inches! Now, I've seen the dual chassis type of horn build, where there's a box with a big woofer in it, and then the big multi-cell horn leans over the front of the box, and that achieves a horn-forward type of build. I kind of had a more visually discreet aesthetic in mind. The HM15-25 isn't a huge monster, I had imagined mounting it in the box / on the baffle. XO is expected to be ~ 2 kHz I was hoping to keep C2C distance from becoming enormous, but also don't want to put a big diffraction object right near the woofer.

Has anyone made / seen an elegant horn mouth fwd of woofer type build? I'm looking for ideas.

- A

WTB some NOS transistors

Hi,

Looking to buy the following NOS genuine transistors, matched if possible:

2SA1986-O, PNP, 230V, 15A - Qty 30
2SC3558-O/R, NPN, 230V, 15A - Qty 30
2SC3478-K/U, NPN - Qty 10+
2SA1376-K/U, PNP - Qty 10+
2SC2705-Y, NPN - 10+
2SA1145-Y, PNP, 150V, 50ma - Qty 10+
2SC3790-E/F, NPN - Qty 5+
2SA1480-E/F, PNP, 300V, 100ma - Qty 5+
2SC4685, NPN - Qty 5+
2SA1507-S/T, PNP - Qty 10+
2SC3902-S/T, NPN - Qty 10+
2SK330-Y (1.2-3ma IDSS) - Qty 5+

Please let me know by PM

Thanks
Do

Hypex Ncore NC500MP Failure

Hello,

I've bought one year ago two hypex NC500MP modules, and mount them in two differents enclosures, and run without problem.
After power shutdown in my house, the two cards are burned !?!
In one of the board , the main fuse have burn , and the seconde one, the capacitor C44 have explode, but the main fuse is ok...
No burning traces on board or componants ...
1659358510468.png

1659358631523.png


My pre-amplifier, DAC, Computer are Ok.
Do you had this experience with Hypex amplifier board ?


Thank you,Best regards

Scrapbox 45 in 4 weeks!

Well, I gone and done it! in Austria when you have a child, you get four weeks off as a father to stay home and help out.

Since our new son came into the world at the beginning of November, I’ve had some time off, and decided to finally throw together a 45 amp, without all the bells and whistles that I normally would use. There’s no Coleman regulators, no fancy, expensive output transformers, no solid state help.

It’s relatively simple, AC heating, a 6SL7, and only parts that I had in the junk box. I think it turned out great, I’m really impressed, I had never actually tried AC heating in all my years of building….

I was going for that 1950s industrial look.😎🤞🏻

Attachments

  • IMG_1036.jpeg
    IMG_1036.jpeg
    750.9 KB · Views: 145
  • IMG_1038.jpeg
    IMG_1038.jpeg
    752 KB · Views: 148
  • IMG_1035.jpeg
    IMG_1035.jpeg
    811.6 KB · Views: 125
  • IMG_1037.jpeg
    IMG_1037.jpeg
    758.3 KB · Views: 146

Which differences between Mark Levinson's "JC-1" and "JC-1DC"

Both versions are for operating without mains power supply - just two secondary D-cells are in use.
What is the difference ?

BTW - the mains supply version uses the additional term "AC"
The difference is the year of release - the suffix "DC" means a newer series (release 1976) than the older series without that suffix (release already 1974) go to
ハイファイ堂メールマガジン
Who know the difference between the gain stage circuits of this both versions ?

The schematic of the JC-1DC (potted version), which I have create some years ago, you will find in post #8 below.
Maybe there is also a schematic of the JC-1 anywhere. Simplified schematic you will find in post #32 so as some hints concerning the question from headline.
The last both pictures in post #12 are from a device in not worked condition at left channel - unfortunately also in a potted version. The replace of electrolytic capacitors by new ones don't provide the wanted success.

Why is Faital Pro 6RS140 so well regarded given it's distortion measurements?

Looking for a ~5.5" mid and I see the Faital Pro 6RS140 being spoken highly of. For example, Troels uses it in his Loudspeaker center and raves about it. My problem with this (and other Faital drivers that have been measured) is that it has some fairly high distortion. In this case there appears to be a giant peak at ~1300 Hz as shown in Dickason's review linked below. I realize most of this is 2nd order harmonic (up to 4%), but the 3rd order also clears 1% in this range, which from my understanding should be clearly audible. Is the problem that other drivers are not better here? (Wondering about the SB Acoustics SB15CRC30-4, where the IMD has been measured but I can't find harmonic distortion tests) Or is it that the strong 2nd order harmonics are inoffensive enough and mask the 3rd order for most listeners?

https://audioxpress.com/article/test-bench-faital-pro-6rs140-midwoofer-midrange

So shockingly good! $50 only! Grab it now! Sig180-4 ...

Hello , cheer up Dayton Audio for this DIY gem :

https://cdn.xingosoftware.com/audioxpress/images/fetch/dpr_2.25,w_300,h_394,c_fit/https://audioxpress.com/assets/upload/images/1/20240228205005_20240228180745-VC-Cover202403--March1.jpg

Measurements by Vance Dickason are way better than expected , the Sig180-4 show no weaknesses!

Am I dreaming ... or some good soul alien must have beamed me into wonderland 🙂

But wait until the Sig120-4 will be klippelized , I guess some other designers will burst into tears seeing the meas' results!

Future is golden! (in our little DIY universe)
  • Like
Reactions: analogkid455

Alternative to DE250 on RCF H100

At the moment I'm using a B&C DE250 on an RCF H100 horn from 3,5kHz on up on my open baffle setup.
I also have some Air Motion Transformers and some Dipole planars I frequently put on them.

Out of the three options the B&C RCF combo has by far the best dynamics which also improves the bass of the system quite a bit (yes, no typo)
However, the other two options sound more natural, they have better top-end resolution and have a different presentation which is a bit more relaxed. It is not that the The B&C RCF combo sound aggressive or too forward, it's more the lack of top-end resolution that makes most of the difference. Since this is already a four-way system I don't want tot turn it into a five-way system by adding another super-tweeter. Besides, in my experience with super-tweeters in the past is that they add something nice but have a trade-off in image stability.

The option I'm currently looking at is to either try the Faital Pro STH-100 with the Faital PRO HF10AK or HF108R or go for a better dipole tweeter like a Mundorf AMT, both math the off-axis response of my wideband midrange pretty good.
I have tried the big ESS AMT's but the magnet structure forms a pretty bad-sounding waveguide and I have never been able to integrate them into the system properly.

Has anyone compared the B&C DE250 in either RCF-H100 or Faital STH-100 to the Faital HF10AK or HF108R? Both Faital drivers might have a better top-end resolution in theory but I would like an opinion from first hand. I have read the HF10AK is supposed to have more "air" but I wonder if this is really more resolution or just the rising frequency response. Frequency response shaping is also easy enough on the DE250 but that does not improve its resolution. I'm not much interested in the response towards the lower end since I cross them at 3,5kHz and won't go any lower anyway. Most of the discussions about compression drivers seem to be about how comfortably low they can go, I'm more interested in how comfortably high they can go.


Anyone?

Jean Hiraga MC circuit

I am interested to built a circuit i notice at http://webook.fset.de/20091999PHCHO/audio/prepre.htm
inside the author recommended to use the transistor recomended to him by toshiba
the transistor is TBC559
is this transistor similar to bc559 made by philips/motorola
i am wondering as tbc559 can't be sourced from where i am staying(M'sia)
any other transistor type that can be used ?
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

MIRO PCM1704 DAC Complete and Tested

Sold

Have two sets of Miro PCM1704 DAC boards for sale.
I will only get either board sold, and I will keep the one not sold.
Please read the condition of the board stated below, and note the individual price.

What you need to provide :
1. You will need to give it PSU with rails +/-5V (Analog) and +/-5V (Digital).
2. i2s source (Amanero Combo384 USB-i2s, JLSounds i2soverUSB are some examples) is needed to feed it in order to play music.
3. Two pieces of single op amps or whatever IV stages you have.
4. Chassis, wires, connectors etc

Board fully populated with good quality caps eg. Elna Tonerex, Nichicon KZ, Vishay mkp and Kemet mkp film caps, Panasonic acrylic caps, Samsung ceramic caps. all the signal resistors are low noise non-magnetic resistors with copper leads, good quality Nextron IC gold plated contacts sockets. Packed with high quality components. As seen in the pictures, both boards have different types/brands of components. Both boards also have u.fl connectors installed in case you would use them.

Payment by PAYPAL FF please.
I have sent 50+ packages to US, EU and a couple to Asia. All receive the packages in good condition.

Using electronic crossover as a bass booster

I’ve been experimenting connecting the outputs of Nakamichi EC-200 electronic crossover in different way by tying low and high frequencies outputs together via Y-cables. The objective is to use it as a bass boosting that is splitting low and high frequencies apart for allowing level adjustments independently and merging them again before sending it to a single amplifier, see attached. The unit was inserted at tape minitor loop of the preamplifier section of the integrated amplifier. Normally, the high frequency level will be left at fully clockwise (maximum position). And the low frequency level will be used alternately from min to max positions for adjusting bass level. After experimenting, I found an issue that the signal cancelled (output decreased) against each other when the low level knob was set at fully clockwise (max) and fully anti-clockwise (min). But it summed at around mid-rotation. I’d like to ask if there’s a potential to modify the unit to completely perform as desired description earlier.

Attachments

  • IMG_0184.jpeg
    IMG_0184.jpeg
    227.4 KB · Views: 76
  • IMG_0185.jpeg
    IMG_0185.jpeg
    58.2 KB · Views: 78

Audio Aero Capitole II not so special edition!

Audio Aero Capitole Special Edition - Bought back from the dead!!!

I purchased this player in a terrible condition. Someone had decided to "upgrade" the player and pretty much destroyed it!

IMG_4044.jpeg

IMG_4045.jpeg


The Mundorf supreme silver oil caps had been changed to basic film MKPs and the board was completely destroyed around the tube mounts.

IMG_4046.jpeg


Fortunately I was able to clean up a bit and there was enough of the PCB left to recover from the mess left behind!
I have some sub boards on the way to properly tidy up the valve area of the PCB.

For noe I had to fashion the tube legs to replicate the connectivity

Still not as I would like it to be but its functioning...... I'll get there 🙂

IMG_4070.jpeg


IMG_4073.jpeg


Result is its now running and fully functioning as a CDP, DAC and preamp albeit its not as pretty on the inside as it once was.
There's still some work to do, as I have designed new sub PCB's for the tubes to mount to and the caps will revert to Mundorf Silver oil! More than happy to have saved this one!!!!

IMG_4111.jpeg

IMG_4110.jpeg


IMG_4115.jpeg


IMG_4119.jpeg


IMG_4121.jpg


IMG_4122.jpg


IMG_4060.jpeg


IMG_4058.jpeg

Neurochrome 21st Century Regulator and extra parts

Sold.

Complete Neurochrome 21st century regulator kit from a few years ago, never assembled -- did come with surface mount devices preinstalled however.

Comes with extra parts from an even earlier build I did of this board back when you could get a bare board and solder in your own surface mount devices. (I bought extras at the time.)

Attachments

  • regulator (1).JPG
    regulator (1).JPG
    764.9 KB · Views: 61
  • regulator (2).JPG
    regulator (2).JPG
    421.7 KB · Views: 63
  • regulator (3).JPG
    regulator (3).JPG
    453.2 KB · Views: 61

EL84SE with local NFB?

Hi, mainly for curiosity i would like to learn on an EL84SE amp with local NFB.

Imagine a standard EL84SE, pentode mode, kathode bias. NFB is usually being appplied from the 8 or 16 Ohms tap of the OT to the cathode of the stage in front of the EL84.
And what if the application needs a volume pot ore some kind of tonestack just in front of the EL84?
Which means that there is no NFB of this kind possible in a meaningful way - it would depend on the position of the vol pot.

So - applying NFB directly to, say, the cathode of the EL84? Which would, of course require that the cathode condensor of the EL84 be omitted.
That would lead to
a) current NFB due to the missing cathode condensor
b) NFB including also the transformer.

has someone also done this? How would, for example, the stability of the bias point be affected?
Projects by fanatics, for fanatics
Get answers and advice for everyone wanting to learn the art of audio.
Join the Community
507,631
Members
7,881,011
Messages

Filter

Forum Statistics

Threads
405,903
Messages
7,881,011
Members
507,631
Latest member
Paolo Gennari