Q17 - an audiophile approach to perfect sound

Hello Atiq,

the parallel circuit of C2 does not sound good. I have all kinds of electrolytic capacitors there now and I also bought the MUSE. A single Muse sounds good - just like Tibi has - two 220uF/25V in series sound better. So I have touched the layout again and enlarged the footprints.
At the input there are now Rin+ and Rin-. It's up to you to decide whether you want to solder wire or resistors. I want to experiment with it to test whether a resistor between GND and input (-) has an effect and what effect.

Regards Tim

Tim, can u pls post a matching schematic? Is this for ground loop break? Thx
 
of course, please.
 

Attachments

  • Rin.JPG
    Rin.JPG
    114.3 KB · Views: 511
This time, a more relaxed layout , the version, that also fits, larger parts, connections for the version with Mosfet 2SK1058 and 2SJ162 or EPXICON transistors. MUSE capacitors in series, the inductor being a classic one. :)

Regard,
Alex
 

Attachments

  • QUAD Q17 ALL PIC COLOR.jpg
    QUAD Q17 ALL PIC COLOR.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 535
  • QUAD Q17 TOP PIC.jpg
    QUAD Q17 TOP PIC.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 509
  • QUAD Q17 BOTTOM PIC.jpg
    QUAD Q17 BOTTOM PIC.jpg
    1,010.3 KB · Views: 477
This time, a more relaxed layout , the version, that also fits, larger parts, connections for the version with Mosfet 2SK1058 and 2SJ162 or EPXICON transistors. MUSE capacitors in series, the inductor being a classic one. :)

Regard,
Alex

Hello Alex,
I find your layout very interesting, although I would never do it that way. I do not want to make a fundamental debate here, I see that there are different priorities in the layout creation and the question of ground planes, scattering and mass conductors are evaluated very differently.
I would be really surprised if you can hear a difference between 100uF BP and 2x 220uF BP as C2 when using a MKS as C7. That would disturb my physical world view. The Q17 is a very simple and very functional amplifier with the MKS, so there are also no problems with oscillation, less good speakers...
Regards Tim
 
Nice work Alex !
I would increase C20ab and C25ab to 330uF-470uF or even more with the price of a larger pcb. This will lead to more space between final transistors which is also desired for better thermal dissipation.

Regards,
Tibi
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Jan,

You may add zener between gate and source. As I already mentioned, this will protect only in case of Q5 and Q6 failure. On other hand, this will add Vgs modulated parasitic capacity which is not desired.
However, if you still want to have one, a 9,1V zener may be added before gate stoppers, only one.

Regards,
Tibi
 
I would not recommend anti clip diodes. These will considerably degrade performance.

However, when you design a commercial product, you must take care on any possible damage a "dumb" user may do, at the cost of performance and price.
I do not think such extra care should be considered in our case. Even in your schematic there is a jumper, indicating that a normal user may remove this protection.

Regards,
Tibi
 
Size of PCB now 230 mm x 71mm . I hope no errors on board . I will check tomorrow again .Thanks Tibi , good tips with larger elcos and biger distance OT .:)

Regards,
Alex
 

Attachments

  • QUAD Q17 ALL COLOR TOP C1  TO C2.jpg
    QUAD Q17 ALL COLOR TOP C1 TO C2.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 480
  • QUAD Q17 TOP PIC.jpg
    QUAD Q17 TOP PIC.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 451
  • QUAD Q17 BOTTOM PIC.jpg
    QUAD Q17 BOTTOM PIC.jpg
    1,007.2 KB · Views: 416
fredlock, it is a good question. Already addressed, but I'll try to add some more info.
Q17 in running mainly in class B with negligible AB operation. There is no need for bias adjustment, unless you use lateral mosfet or some other vertical mosfet with different Vgs threshold.
In case of Exicon laterals R11 and R12 = 10ohm.

Q12 & Q6 form a ccs. If you still want to slightly adjust bias, this can be achieved by changing ccs current trough R13. A series 22ohm multiturn potentiometer + 5ohm resistor may replace R13. This way you can adjust current trough class A stage, formed with Q5 and Q6. Together with ccs current the bias voltage over R11 and R12 will have a variation, changing final stage operation. For symmetry, R10 must mach pot+5ohm.
Please also note, if you want thermal tracking, Q12 need to be mounted on heatsink. Q12 Vbe is the main ccs voltage reference.

DC offset is achieved trough servo with R23+R17+C2.
More details at Q17-a-QUAD405-audiophile-approach/Q17.pdf at main * tvicol/Q17-a-QUAD405-audiophile-approach * GitHub

Regards,
Tibi
 
Last edited by a moderator: