Time for a new amp! Some time ago, I started with a project, that got a bit out of hand. In the background, I'm still working on it, but with all the new ideas for that amp, the pile of unused components started growing: chassis, PSU boards + caps, transformer, DAC and volume control. So why not use those parts and make an amplifier out of it? This time keeping it simple.
Chassis:
Ebay / AliExpress "2515 Aluminium Amplifier Enclosure"
Inrush limiter:
2x 5 Ohm NTC resistor in series
Nothing fancy, but it works just fine
Transformer:
Amplimo 300VA - 2x22V
Amplimo 15VA - 2x12V (for DAC PSU)
Power Supplies:
Audiosector - RECT-PCB
MUR860 diodes
22.000uF caps + bleeder resistors (just two 8.2kOhm 1/2W resistors in in parallel)
No snubber
Amplifier:
Neurochrome LM3886DR
DAC:
Ebay / AliExpress: CS8416+PCM179
4 24bit/192kHz DAC
Volume control:
Valab 23 steps - 20k
Binding posts:
Sourced from Neurochrome
Cabling:
-Whatever was available in the drawer, mostly Lapp / Ölflex cables:
230VAC circuit: 1mm^2 (orange)
22VAC circuit: 1mm^2 (colours same as Amplimo: red, blue, yellow, grey)
DC circuit: 2.5mm^2 (black)
LM3886DR to terminals: 4mm^2 (black/red)
Notes
A. 4mm^2 would have been better for the DC circuits, but with the tight space, the 2.5 offers a bit more flex.
B.
Solder:
60/40, nothing special here
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Project "points of attention"
Volume control:
The DAC has a 2V RMS output, while the LM3886DR boards have an input sensitivity of 950mV RMS. In other words: the last few steps of the attenuator will drive the LM3886 into clipping. Not the highest priority at the moment.
DAC PSU:
These kits have been circling around for a long time now, "back in the day", the first versions where built with 7805/7812/7912 voltage regulators. Not the best option when it comes to PSRR. A Dutch guy built a LM317/LM337 based PSU, achieving a significant reduction in noise, more details here (in Dutch, with pictures, schematics and measurements):
click here
The DAC I bought has LM317/337 regulators, but I haven't reversed engineered the schematics. Depending on how well the newer PSU is done, it might be rewarding to do a PSU upgrade later on in the process.
DAC Opamps:
Default: AD827
Possible upgrade options: LM4562 or LME49720 (
click)
Update 05-DEC-2021: LM4562 ordered, on the Dutch forum they are regarded as a good drop-in replacement. The LME49720 had availability issues anyway, and reading trough the referred thread, the internals and performance specs seem to be the same.
DAC mods:
Multiple well known mods are circling around the internet for this DAC. I'm not the type the type that determines improvements by listening, I rather heave measurements (on of the reasons I like Neurochrome so much). Example mods:
Modded Hong Kong DAC
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Pictures:
Note: something seems to be off with picture size ratio's, all pictures are clickable, showing them with the correct aspect ratio.
Rough estimate for the layout
Rear panel, work in progress
-Each toroid will be fused separately
-Power switch is on the rear, two reason: 1. I wanted to keep the front as clean as possible and 2. the chassis is tight, doing it this way avoids running 230VAC cables trough the entire cabinet.
DAC + PSU stack
-With of the boards = same
-Length of PCB = not the same, bummer
Added 05-DEC-2021 - PSU boards:
Personal note: they are very, very compact, compliments to that! One of my design ideas was to avoid hardwiring where possible. The spacing on the PCB is standard 5.08mm and lucky me, I had some screw terminals laying around. One setback: the screw terminals do interfere with the diode's. After slightly modifying a screw terminal and raising the diodes a bit, it all fitted.
First soldering all parts on one side, then cleaning the solder joints, then mounting the caps with enough clearance and cleaning again. To be honest: not the most user friendly method. Aside from that, the solder joints become a "stressed" member.
And yes, I know not all diodes look the same. All are MUR860, functionally all the same, only difference is the isolated/non-isolated. Just a mistake while ordering for this project and saved by some diodes laying around for another project.
*picture taken before cleaning PCB topside after soldering the caps in.