On any of the cards, you remove the input caps and connect the transformer's secondary to the TPA side of the capacitor footprint. If the secondary has a center tap, leave it floating, or connect it to ground through a capacitor.
Progress:
loafimus mailed out last week finally (sorry that it took so long)
hepmusic, takayama69, jonners and mabu0815 bagged and ready to mail out (need to dig through paypal, and grab shipping addresses)
BBUK, pyjamas before christmas, williamau: amps built/tested, filter kits assembled, need to assemble mounting kits
in the finished/tested pile, not assigned to anyone yet: one 8 ohm stereo, one 8 ohm Pro, three 4 ohm Pro.
In the rework pile: one 8 ohm stereo with PVCC short. TPA reworked already, have to start pulling parts until the short goes away :/ and one 8 ohm Pro that's been reworked but not tested yet.
And six stereo cards with SMT done.
Progress:
loafimus mailed out last week finally (sorry that it took so long)
hepmusic, takayama69, jonners and mabu0815 bagged and ready to mail out (need to dig through paypal, and grab shipping addresses)
BBUK, pyjamas before christmas, williamau: amps built/tested, filter kits assembled, need to assemble mounting kits
in the finished/tested pile, not assigned to anyone yet: one 8 ohm stereo, one 8 ohm Pro, three 4 ohm Pro.
In the rework pile: one 8 ohm stereo with PVCC short. TPA reworked already, have to start pulling parts until the short goes away :/ and one 8 ohm Pro that's been reworked but not tested yet.
And six stereo cards with SMT done.
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Following this thread for some months... and seeing your endeavors...from design, BOM, administration of orders, updates, firmware programming, the assembly/solder/test-process, PnP.. and much more...
Kudos! Thanks! Wow!
Kudos! Thanks! Wow!
Hi 🙂
About the pro card
How does this PBTL works? I understand the BTL.. But for PBTL do i need 2 cards to run stereo ?
How much power can they deliver at PBTL at 4 ohm with a supply of 30-32V ?
Is a non-PBTL more audiophile, and what power can you expect so? 🙂
Cant find any measurements in thread, has anyone made some ? 😀
And when is the next group-buy going to run? 😀
About the pro card
How does this PBTL works? I understand the BTL.. But for PBTL do i need 2 cards to run stereo ?
How much power can they deliver at PBTL at 4 ohm with a supply of 30-32V ?
Is a non-PBTL more audiophile, and what power can you expect so? 🙂
Cant find any measurements in thread, has anyone made some ? 😀
And when is the next group-buy going to run? 😀
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I suggest reading the TPA311X datasheet pdfs from (just google) to answer some of these questions. Also search the thread. I'd rather Gmarsh spend time making boards...😉
Funny you mentioned the Altecs. I've wondering lately if I should get them instead of getting the CMs or Jensens. I used Altecs with a diy dac kit a long while back and was really impressed. Glad you're all settled and posting again!
To my ears, the Altec/Peerless 15335A transformers present a warmer tone and smooth treble, which I prefer. The CineMag CMLI-15/15B and Jensen JT-11-p input transformers are very nice. They might be considered as being neutral in sonic character. In any case, the noise floor with the amps I've tried them with is significantly lowered using input transformers (i.e., no hiss or other noise). Additionally, the soundstage grows in all three dimensions with greater separation, and the detail is better. What I like about the Altec/Peerless transformers is their 8-pin octal tube socket mounts allowing me to use whatever hookup wire I choose. The best part is that a matches pair can be purchased via eBay for about the same price as a new, single CineMag or Jensen transformer. You will only find information on these transformers on pro audio references since these were primarily used in Altec Lansing pro audio electronic components.
hepmusic, jonners and mabu0815 mailed out. takayama69, need your shipping address.
Finishing a bunch of stereo cards now, then gonna build some PBTLs.
Finishing a bunch of stereo cards now, then gonna build some PBTLs.
Referring to gmarsh's schematic for the Wiener TPA3118 PBTL, I am using J3-1 or J3-4 signal ground connectors to connect the GND, Pin 2, of each of the Altec/Peerless 15335A bridging transformers. You also need to follow the correct phase connections for "+" and "-" on the transformer primary and secondary windings that are indicated on the schematic printed on the transformer body labels.
Listened to transformers with and without input caps. Very different presentations. With caps the bass is more prominent, sound is very full, maybe too much so for my taste. Be curious to know what is happening signal wise between the altecs and the caps. Without the caps, presentation more like stock but cleaner and purer with that more tube like quality of the transformers. However, after I removed the caps I wired the altecs directly to the cap pads, bypassing the ESD and 30k resistors, so being a little naughty.
wushuliu,
What are your settings for switching frequency, gain and master/slave for each board? I reported that I dialed the gain down to 20dB, but then I switched it back to 26dB several days ago as I think the sound is more to my liking at the higher gain after more extensive listening.
I am also curious how you would compare the Weiner PBTL with the TBI TPA3100 Class D amp. I can only compare my amp to my collection of tube amps, and I quite pleased with how it compares to them driving my upgraded Klipsch Forte II speakers.
A few months ago, I visited some friends back in the San Francisco Bay Area, and one of my friends who also has the original Weiner stereo amp had his amp connected to a Little Bear 6N3 tube buffer preamp. He had made some slight modifications to it and put in some GE 5670 tubes. I was amazed with how great that combination sounded considering the Little Bear was about $50 on eBay. The Wiener TPA3118 amps are great matches with tube preamps.
What are your settings for switching frequency, gain and master/slave for each board? I reported that I dialed the gain down to 20dB, but then I switched it back to 26dB several days ago as I think the sound is more to my liking at the higher gain after more extensive listening.
I am also curious how you would compare the Weiner PBTL with the TBI TPA3100 Class D amp. I can only compare my amp to my collection of tube amps, and I quite pleased with how it compares to them driving my upgraded Klipsch Forte II speakers.
A few months ago, I visited some friends back in the San Francisco Bay Area, and one of my friends who also has the original Weiner stereo amp had his amp connected to a Little Bear 6N3 tube buffer preamp. He had made some slight modifications to it and put in some GE 5670 tubes. I was amazed with how great that combination sounded considering the Little Bear was about $50 on eBay. The Wiener TPA3118 amps are great matches with tube preamps.
I've got it set to BD mode at 1Ghz and 20db. I keep hearing the tube pre is the way to go for a while now so may finally give in, but I have a PGA2310 based pre with remote and it's just too convenient to take out the chain so the tube will have to go after it. I also have a Glassware Aikido stored away somewhere now that I think about it. Could try that too...
Hi BK,
How would you compare the Weiner Pro to the Weiner PBTL amps? Have you had an opportunity to run the Weiner Pro with input transformers yet?
Hi Rich,
I haven't yet had a chance to compare the PRO and the PBTL Wieners on the same system. I do adore both of them in their respective locations. Also have not yet swapped around the CineMag input transformers. The PRO continues to impress - and so far just from a power brick. You're right that I need to setup a shootout and do some critical listening.
BK
@gmarsh - any spare amps to sell? I was on list but missed paying window. Here's hoping! : )
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
I really envy you guys already playing with the Wiener Pro😉
Please keep us updated on your impression of both.
BTW, I have measured a number of transformers with square wave and they ring. I have tried several on a 3116 input and they all sound pretty good, (except a UTC one). But I suggest adding a snubber across secondary , the Jensen JT11p has a recommended value of 13k + 620pf (which measured excellent). Another Chinese one, sound very good also, I have somewhere around 1-3k ohm and 2-3000pf snubber value to dampen the ringing.
I wonder if one of the reason transformer sound good at class D input is because it also isolates the high frequency noise feeding back into the input section.
When everything that's paid for is mailed out, I'll sell what's left.
Put a good few hours into it tonight. Got a Pro resurrected, five stereo cards tested, and SMT done on eight PBTL cards.
I also turned my house pretty much upside down trying to find the screws/nuts/washers for the mounting kits. I've got 4 (?) orders ready to mail out that just need those. Of course I know if I go to Fastenal and get more of them, I'll find the original ones immediately 😉