Here is the better routing of the power supply wires.
Installed! And all I can say is WOW. These JBLs have never sounded so good. They are actively biamped from a minidsp Flex with the low frequency crossover removed and 4 channels of raw undistorted power from the wolverines. Since hooking them up I have noticed a huge improvement in the depth of the soundstage, dynamic response is unbelievable and the bass hits hard and extremely fast. It feels to me like the woofer starts and stops instantly without decay or reverb. It will be a very long time if ever that I will find a need to upgrade this pair of amps.....well maybe with EF3-4's 🤣
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Can use some advice on mounting the power transistors. Would one of the following interface materials be suitable?
Bergquist SP400-0.007-00-1212 https://mou.sr/3cOR4g9 Or the more afordable Bergquist SP1200-0.009-00-1212 https://mou.sr/3cMDtWA
Or perhaps non from above, but something else thats good and affordable? Preferable from an EU supplier.
Thank you.
Bergquist SP400-0.007-00-1212 https://mou.sr/3cOR4g9 Or the more afordable Bergquist SP1200-0.009-00-1212 https://mou.sr/3cMDtWA
Or perhaps non from above, but something else thats good and affordable? Preferable from an EU supplier.
Thank you.
I like https://diyaudiostore.com/collections/consumables/products/keratherm-transistor-insulator or mica and thermal paste
Thank you. The ones in the DIYaudio-store seem somewhat small to my taste tho. I use TO-264 outputs. Also Import from sorces outside EU is problematic where I live.
However I found that Keratherm® 86/82 Red available at a German supplier. It's sold as a sheets 190mm x 190mm for 18 Euro each.
Is this stuff easy to cut with a knive/cutter? Also how to make holes in it?
@stuartmp,
Thank you, I will remember that for my next project. But as Aliexpress takes some 30 days to arive at my place, probable not for the Wolverine amp.
OmeEd.
Very easy to cut and drill this.
Use a pair of scissors for cutting
You can drill this even with the screw itself.
Just place this in position under the transistor and use the screw as an always drilled hole.
Please can you share the supplier?
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I never thought about using kapton tape for isolating transistors on heatsinks. Does it transfer heat well?
Kapton tape is very easy to use and is available at most local electronic stores. I use it on my honey badger build and will use it again for my Wolverine build.
I generally still apply a thin layer of thermal grease as well to the back of the transistor.
I attached a link I found very useful and informative below.
https://www.giangrandi.ch/electronics/thcalc/thcalc.shtml
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I'm old enough to remember when we had local electronics stores--fondly remember.
In Australia you can still get it on the shelf
Altronics carry a couple of sizes luckily.
Altronics carry a couple of sizes luckily.
Was there any comparision done with Virtual Zero Audio ODNF and Tribute-3000 amplifiers after this build ?
The Wolverine design is a highly refined EF3, the PCB is similarly taken to the 'nth' degree and the chosen parts along with the transistor and resistor matching recommended in the build guide give a noise/distortion floor well below equipment capability. The actual numbers are published in the main thread.
If you can find the specifications for the amplifiers you mention it might be interesting (to some at least) to see the comparison.
Measurements solely, do not tell how “good” an amplifier is. Listening is what will determine if you think the amplifier is a keeper or not.
The main problem is, you’ll need to build them all to listen for yourself 😊
The main problem is, you’ll need to build them all to listen for yourself 😊
Thats true Vunce, there are many amplifiers which are techically best on paper are felt inferior in listening tests.
Hope this Wolverine build doesnt disappoint after all these efforts.
Hope this Wolverine build doesnt disappoint after all these efforts.