Because the distortion from the transducer tends to be lower order harmonics (2nd, 3rd), hence, more pleasing to the ear than the typical distortion "forest" of harmonics seen from a solid state amp.
Tom
Yeah. If you're designing an effects box. As I wrote a few posts back, there is an overwhelming body of research which supports that fidelity results in a positive listening experience.
I don't design effects boxes. If you're expecting an effects box, the Modulus-86 is not a good amp for you.
Tom
I don't design effects boxes. If you're expecting an effects box, the Modulus-86 is not a good amp for you.
Tom
Those striving for 'euphonic distortion' are free to put eg a simple FET or Triode circuit in front of a distortion-free amplifier. And if you don't like lowish output impedance, place a resistor in series or modify the feedback so as to inject a little bit of current-derived feedback.
However, if you happen to like the sound of unstable distortion mechanisms then the approach of using a blameless amplifier core won't fit...
However, if you happen to like the sound of unstable distortion mechanisms then the approach of using a blameless amplifier core won't fit...
I can't either. A truthfull representation of the original signal must be as musically pleasing as the original.
That is implied by the original meaning of "High Fidelity" that got stolen and turned into hi-fi to label all the crap that came out of "(put in any location you fancy)".
Whether pleasing or not depends on the total system and the additive effects, but the performance of each part and proper interfaces contribute to the ultimate goal. We just have to live with the fact that integration of equipment is a daunting task beyond the knowledge of most developers.
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I've integrated some pretty daunting things in my time. Integrating a hifi is a piece of ****. However some (usually people who can't actually design so roll op-amps and mess around with cables and capacitors) like to think that there is some skill here. Given the amount of poorly designed high end equipment in the last 20 years they have a fertile playing ground.
But claiming euphonic outcomes is somehow the result of a competent designer is belittling the efforts of those who actually know what they are talking about!
Back on topic. I will finally be ordering my transformers tomorrow and starting on the enclosures. Who knows may finally get these built!
But claiming euphonic outcomes is somehow the result of a competent designer is belittling the efforts of those who actually know what they are talking about!
Back on topic. I will finally be ordering my transformers tomorrow and starting on the enclosures. Who knows may finally get these built!
I'd consider any designer who doesn't consider the whole system - or at least source and load - to be incompetent. I'm not incompetent.
Tom
No way!!! Here I thought that earth tremor was just an earthquake. In reality it was the universe realigning in anticipation of the Thread Starter actually making progress on the project.
Awesome. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.
Tom
Tom, there are some really great and sensible reviews of your Modulus-86 on the net.
Hell, one day I might get around to building some myself, kudos.
Dan.
We are at 'now or never point' due to other happenings*. Of course I take 3 day offs with the sproglet at child minders and the first thing that happens is both cars develop faults. I just need to measure the incoming mains voltage and see if it really is 250V not a meter anomaly then good to go.
*will let you know of that offline. All good news. Stupid but good.
*will let you know of that offline. All good news. Stupid but good.
I don't know how, but the cars new I had a few days off to get stuff done so both decided to break down on the same day, one with a stuck handbrake (e-brake to our auto driving cousins) which gave a le mans style glowing disk and the other with a fusible link that had finally turned into green powder. Joy. So goodly chunk of 2 days lost.
As I may have mentioned before, I seem to be on the high end of the european harmonised voltage tolerance, at least according to my crappy non-true-rms DVM, which I lost so bought another crappy NTR DVM, which measured the same. And so I had a clever plan, which was to hook a 12V toroid up and hook the scope to the output and measure actual peak voltage. Never ever rush something before wife returns with the minature equivalent of gozer the destroyer in staypuft form and has to be put away or attacked. Scope gave 22v peak off the 12V winding, which is 293V mains, but ran out of time to work out what I was being boneheaded about. So I give in and I'll just get 18v secondaries to be safe. Not like I can rock out with a little one anyway
P.S. top tip. When working on handbrake related issues after midnight by inspection lamp put the helper spring somewhere safe and remember to refit it! I so miss having a garage and inspection pit.
As I may have mentioned before, I seem to be on the high end of the european harmonised voltage tolerance, at least according to my crappy non-true-rms DVM, which I lost so bought another crappy NTR DVM, which measured the same. And so I had a clever plan, which was to hook a 12V toroid up and hook the scope to the output and measure actual peak voltage. Never ever rush something before wife returns with the minature equivalent of gozer the destroyer in staypuft form and has to be put away or attacked. Scope gave 22v peak off the 12V winding, which is 293V mains, but ran out of time to work out what I was being boneheaded about. So I give in and I'll just get 18v secondaries to be safe. Not like I can rock out with a little one anyway
P.S. top tip. When working on handbrake related issues after midnight by inspection lamp put the helper spring somewhere safe and remember to refit it! I so miss having a garage and inspection pit.
I just googled Modulus 86 review and quickly came up with these for starters....
audiocircle.com - Modulus-86 amp
audioholics.com/new-chipamp-project-thread
Glad to see that your approach to good sound is vindicated/admired/cherished, that ought to make an old bloke feel good.
Dan.
Pin 1 question
The received wisdom is that you should connect pin 1 of the XLR input socket to the chassis (using as short a path as possible). However, what should one do if you decide to not have an XLR socket and instead run your balanced input cable direct to the PCB ? A further complication; I may make my enclosure out of wood and other materials so that the only metal will be the heatsinks.
The received wisdom is that you should connect pin 1 of the XLR input socket to the chassis (using as short a path as possible). However, what should one do if you decide to not have an XLR socket and instead run your balanced input cable direct to the PCB ? A further complication; I may make my enclosure out of wood and other materials so that the only metal will be the heatsinks.
Ian, here's the two answers.
1. In the UK all your electrical items that are not double insulated need to be grounded to a metal chassis part, the chassis must be continuous around the entire component. If there's no chassis, there's no IEC earth point and no safety earth. You risk the durability of your build, your own safety and that of your house, oh and your house and contents insurance is now void.
2. Mine works fine, each amp channel is plugged into the same heatsink, there is only chassis earth on the box the transformer sits in, everything else is up for fireworks and there is zero noise.... I have no earth on my BPBP, there is no box at all and I wire that directly into the input on the Mod86 (which takes wires not sockets) so there's no earth there either.
When I complete my build it will all go into a metal chassis, probably a pair of these.
1. In the UK all your electrical items that are not double insulated need to be grounded to a metal chassis part, the chassis must be continuous around the entire component. If there's no chassis, there's no IEC earth point and no safety earth. You risk the durability of your build, your own safety and that of your house, oh and your house and contents insurance is now void.
2. Mine works fine, each amp channel is plugged into the same heatsink, there is only chassis earth on the box the transformer sits in, everything else is up for fireworks and there is zero noise.... I have no earth on my BPBP, there is no box at all and I wire that directly into the input on the Mod86 (which takes wires not sockets) so there's no earth there either.
When I complete my build it will all go into a metal chassis, probably a pair of these.