LuFo Amp - 39w SE Class A from 28v Rail

Indeed it is a cascode and I'm getting better distortion numbers. One can go with tube front end without cascode, but the distortion numbers will almost double.

I have some LU1014D in hand and I was thinking for some time now to try a hybrid amp with a source follower in the output stage. This might me the prefect choise.

8Vpp FFT
8Vpp FFT.JPG

25Vpp FFT
25Vpp FFT.JPG
 
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Quick update - Vunce is enjoying stereo from his dual monoblock single chassis LuFo! Way to go Vunce! :cheers:

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I love the LuFo’s built in mood lighting! You will have to fill us in on listening impressions when you get more time to listen during the day without waking up the while house.
 

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Yup, listening in stereo now. Low volume listening so far, over the weekend I’ll swap speakers for more bass impact and flex LuFo’s muscle. The amp is silent with out music playing. A single Antek AS-4225 provides both channels with 29.5vdc with SLB psu’s. I want to listen for some time without any onboard FE to get a feel of the sound, but it is very tempting to stuff the ACP+ or Hakuin daughter boards onto LuFo ;)
 

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Great project.
I was playing with LTSpice and I simulated LuFo with Jfet/tube front end. Here is the result.
View attachment 962490

It would be great to implement it on PCB!

Wohoo, a tube front end! Great!

Would it be possible to get the B+ running off the 28 VDC PSU using a voltage booster?

Also, I recently learned about the 3S4, 3C4, and 3V4 directly heated tubes. They can be hooked up as triodes, they are cheap, can be biased at low B+, and are super linear. See here and here.

It would be great if it would be possible to make a tube front end PCB! Maybe also for the SuSyLu!?
 
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We have made DC/DC boosters for the B+ of an E88CC before (also filament 6.3v was also DC/DC). It completely eliminates mains 60/120/180Hz hum or noise and nothing more than 12v (or 28v) DC input to power. This is a hybrid solid state / tube buffer with SE/Bal input and SE/Bal output. Gains selectable (0dB/6dB/14dB/20dB). I am actually using this as part of the line stage to drive either the LuFo and planned for SuSyLu as I need balanced drive.

954336d1621841440-bench-tonight-obt-0520c0e3-3a3f-4c3b-b822-f5daf3c26a40-jpeg
 
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Yup, listening in stereo now. Low volume listening so far, over the weekend I’ll swap speakers for more bass impact and flex LuFo’s muscle. The amp is silent with out music playing. A single Antek AS-4225 provides both channels with 29.5vdc with SLB psu’s. I want to listen for some time without any onboard FE to get a feel of the sound, but it is very tempting to stuff the ACP+ or Hakuin daughter boards onto LuFo ;)

Geeze - I take a 3-month break from amp building and you guys come up with this! I am itching to try a LuFo now. Great job, Vunce.
 
We have made DC/DC boosters for the B+ of an E88CC before (also filament 6.3v was also DC/DC). It completely eliminates mains 60/120/180Hz hum or noise and nothing more than 12v (or 28v) DC input to power. This is a hybrid solid state / tube buffer with SE/Bal input and SE/Bal output. Gains selectable (0dB/6dB/14dB/20dB). I am actually using this as part of the line stage to drive either the LuFo and planned for SuSyLu as I need balanced drive.

For SuSyLu, you can consider the first front end. I did a simulation and can easily drive SuSyLu. See below.

FE.JPG

8Vpp FFT
8Vpp FFT_FE.JPG

25Vpp FFT, 3rd is rising
25Vpp FFT_FE.JPG

50Vpp FFT, 3rd is rising more, it will have more "bite" at higher power
50Vpp FFT_FE.JPG

I you want more 2nd harmonic distortion, just create an imbalance between R16 and R17.
 
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