Hi Guys,
I hope I am posting this in the correct place, I think this question is better here than in the tube section. I am interested in the question of the best available B+ supply for a tube preamp. What would be the 'state of the art'? what would be the highest performance per dollar spent?
Firstly, the amp is a kitset Aikido design using 6SN7 tubes from an USA based online retailer that is not Broskie.
I am in the process of rebuilding the amp entirely as I have had some issues that are most likely due to the poor quality of my initial build many years ago.
Since I am planning to do a clean sheet rebuild I am considering whether the current PSU is ideal.
Here is the current power supply:
Is there anything less than ideal about the current supply?
Is there something higher performance that might be built for similar or lower cost?
Other options I am currently considering
1) A Maida style regulator, either with a mosfet a la Pete Millet or with a 10M45S a la Broskie.
Is this going to be higher performance than the current offering?
2) Salas SSHV2. shunt regulator.
This seems to me to be the highest performance option.
3) Jans HV regulator.
I'm not sure where this would fit in performance relative to the SSHV2.
4) Back to basics with a high quality CRC or CLC filtered supply.
Some say still the best option?
5) Janus Shunt Regulator from Broskie.
Problematic due to space requirements.
Are there any other good options I have missed?
I am concerned here mostly with the B+ side.
I am inclined towards solid state rectification and regulation as it requires less maintenance and ultimate less space to implement.
I hope I am posting this in the correct place, I think this question is better here than in the tube section. I am interested in the question of the best available B+ supply for a tube preamp. What would be the 'state of the art'? what would be the highest performance per dollar spent?
Firstly, the amp is a kitset Aikido design using 6SN7 tubes from an USA based online retailer that is not Broskie.
I am in the process of rebuilding the amp entirely as I have had some issues that are most likely due to the poor quality of my initial build many years ago.
Since I am planning to do a clean sheet rebuild I am considering whether the current PSU is ideal.
Here is the current power supply:
Is there anything less than ideal about the current supply?Is there something higher performance that might be built for similar or lower cost?
Other options I am currently considering
1) A Maida style regulator, either with a mosfet a la Pete Millet or with a 10M45S a la Broskie.
Is this going to be higher performance than the current offering?
2) Salas SSHV2. shunt regulator.
This seems to me to be the highest performance option.
3) Jans HV regulator.
I'm not sure where this would fit in performance relative to the SSHV2.
4) Back to basics with a high quality CRC or CLC filtered supply.
Some say still the best option?
5) Janus Shunt Regulator from Broskie.
Problematic due to space requirements.
Are there any other good options I have missed?
I am concerned here mostly with the B+ side.
I am inclined towards solid state rectification and regulation as it requires less maintenance and ultimate less space to implement.
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practically all your other options are higher performance, but not necessarily lower cost: The LR8 is not a very good reg, and here it is used without global feedback
Here is another one, lower cost and higher performance:
Simple HV series regulators
These ones are more complex, but not very much and have higher performance:
A commodity-based HV regulator: FlexHV
I use this regulator, it can easily be reworked for other voltages.
The scheme is from ARC_LS25MKII and is available online.
I made three versions, friend one, I put a better OP (AD825) and CCS for LM329. It works fine with the NE5534 as well.
I had a Salas regulator, but this one is better, it may be more complicated and more expensive, but it's worth the effort, that's why we're DIY.
The scheme is from ARC_LS25MKII and is available online.
I made three versions, friend one, I put a better OP (AD825) and CCS for LM329. It works fine with the NE5534 as well.
I had a Salas regulator, but this one is better, it may be more complicated and more expensive, but it's worth the effort, that's why we're DIY.
Attachments
Not my impressions at all, on the contrary. The ARC style series regulators, even with tubes all sound horrible to me. Been playing with those from the time the SP-10 was new 🙂
This is very context sensitive. In some systems, yes, absolutely, although this approach only works well with really top grade components.
In other systems the sound has too little apparent resolution and separation. And the bass really sucks.
Otoh, finding a regulator which does not overstate the leading edges in music and has a natural tone is also not easy.
Depending on specifics and expectations i can see why people become attached to either the LC or regulator approach
I combine both: vacuum rectification LCLC + regulation and for my system/taste this appears to be best with valves. With SS i can easily prefer the LCLC approach minus the regulation, especially when intrinsic PSRR is high. I also feel that the LCLC approach is best with dual mono and not so great with a shared supply.
In short, this is another area where other people's opinion do not count for much. if you are serious you should build several power supply topologies and see what works best for YOU.
The Salas definitely works for me. Previously (20 years ago?) built some of the shunts designed by Manfred Huber and those were also quite good.
Never had any luck with series regulation.
Well I wouldn't disagree, I didn't test it with high currents (max 100mA) but for what I use it (DAC, phono, hybrid amp.) It's better than any HV regulator I've made, the difference is heard, and that's to me the most important.
G'day Guys,
Thanks a lot for the feedback.
I had a suspicion that the LR8 was not such a great regulator.
I like the idea of the Salas SSHV2, however it appears to be the most complicated. Especially in regards to floating the heater supply around the kelvin connections. I will need to read the whole thread to see if this is covered.
Elvee's FlexHV perhaps offers the best balance between complexity, cost and performance.
I have more research and some thinking to do.
Many Thanks
Sadface
Thanks a lot for the feedback.
I had a suspicion that the LR8 was not such a great regulator.
I like the idea of the Salas SSHV2, however it appears to be the most complicated. Especially in regards to floating the heater supply around the kelvin connections. I will need to read the whole thread to see if this is covered.
Elvee's FlexHV perhaps offers the best balance between complexity, cost and performance.
I have more research and some thinking to do.
Many Thanks
Sadface
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