DIY Sony VFET Builders thread

V-fet 052 is up and running. Due to health issues I just built this amplifier. It was one of the easiest FW amplifier I have built and I have built just about all of them. Voltages were pretty much on the money on startup. Just a slight touch of the pots got them at 20V. Plan on doing some listening tonight. No issues so far.
 
Heatsink looks tiny..if you want serious high quality device under test jig ( Mosfets, Vfet's, Tokin's )
for Your future mesurements then go buy large one , similar to 25 Watt's class A amp size 🙂

I went for the cheap heatsinks and I may use two in a "piggy-back". I can always use a fan during testing with a lot of power.

I have seen the "ZM-tower" when ZM are testing his amps. I have limited space and already have too much stuff around.

The two ACA's are in service now until VFET is ready again. I also just installed a STA-1000D class D amp for the 15" woofers. It makes a difference. ACA gets much nicer working condition and I can play very load without sound gets compressed. Will also be nice for VFET.
The spec. for STA-1000D says damping factor = 1000 ? ....so some kind of control is expected. It is only for bass control.....not for "music".....unless it is for a party. Probably a nice "party-amp".

The STA-1000D has only SpeakOn out so I needed to build a small converter from SpeakOn to banana-plugs. It works well.

Think I will just try to drop the spare KF-33 in VFET amp and see what happens. Can do that while watching UCI World championship.....
 

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Checking temps I notice that one of my Q3 transistors is running really hot 80c. The other is much lower 45C to 50c. Voltages are the same comparing the leads of both of them. In the article by NP he states Q3 regulates the current for Q2. Obviously there is too much current going through Q3. Possible Q2 problem? Max temp for the 4N35 is 100C. Plays fine with no problems but concerned. Any suggestions, opinions appreciated.
 
Checking temps I notice that one of my Q3 transistors is running really hot 80c. The other is much lower 45C to 50c. Voltages are the same comparing the leads of both of them. In the article by NP he states Q3 regulates the current for Q2. Obviously there is too much current going through Q3. Possible Q2 problem? Max temp for the 4N35 is 100C. Plays fine with no problems but concerned. Any suggestions, opinions appreciated.

Do you know that it is too much current?
It could also be that it is too loose against the heatsink so maybe check the tension?
 
wdecho

compare voltages (between channels) across R1 (or R2)

if these are the same and if you can set output node voltage same on both channels, at least amp is functional as needed, in OS department

check small resistor values, these connected to 4N35 ..... and be sure that you determine temperature in at least two ways

if using red dot gun thingie ........ I don't trust in these, only good for big areas and of not tricky emissivity

when in doubt, I'm using DVM with contact sensor
 
New KE-33 is now inserted (left channel) and without any adjustment voltage is close to 20 VDC between the two test points.

I also built a new PSU for the amp. Some days ago I glued 6 x small additional heatsinks using thermal glue to be sure temp is "safe". It helped a lot.

There is a possibility to adjust voltage. I measure 35.3 VDC at VFET amp board. Should I adjust it to 36 VDC or just let it be as-is and just finetune voltage to 20 VDC?
 

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The important bit is regulated voltage.

I doubt 0.7v difference really changes things as long as you adjust to 20V (which might not even be far off). I read here somewhere that absolute PS voltage wasn't that sensitive, as long as regulated.

Further, The original Mc Coy hasn't 36V at the VFETs. 36V is what comes out of the Mean Well, the std filter takes nearly 2 tenth of volts away, you can calculate that easily...

Have fun and let us know how it sounds

Claude
EDIT : and the latest VFET filter board for the "other" VFET even more, but then that's a different fish
 
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wdecho

compare voltages (between channels) across R1 (or R2)

if these are the same and if you can set output node voltage same on both channels, at least amp is functional as needed, in OS department

check small resistor values, these connected to 4N35 ..... and be sure that you determine temperature in at least two ways

if using red dot gun thingie ........ I don't trust in these, only good for big areas and of not tricky emissivity

when in doubt, I'm using DVM with contact sensor

Everything checked OK. Beginning to not trust red dot gun either. Put top on and will find something else to worry about. Did scope both channels and everything seems to working fine. One thing though others may have noticed. After listening for 30 minutes or so I heard a loud pop coming from amp. Jumped up to see what blew but music still played great and no smoke. Finally figured it was heat expansion from case. Did some loosing and tightening screws and put top on so hoping it does not happen again.
 
just check them optos with tip of your finger

leave gun thingie near boiler or wherever, where it belongs

one thing - I'm using split washers practically everywhere - since I got that habit, generally less surprises (including heat expansion phenomenons )


luckily, being taught that on someone else's mistakes

:rofl: considering list of my own ookoops, nice one, for change
 
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