So this is the layout I've come up with for a pair of SSE chassis I'm planning to have fabbed up in the next few weeks. It will be 12 gauge polished stainless laser cut and CNC bent. End caps will be solid walnut with a channel routed in them to hide the bends/tabs on the ends.
My main question is with regards to the placement of the choke, the two holes ahead of the output transformers on the right are to mount the choke inverted inside the body (Triad C-14X) and it lives there purely to keep the body as compact and efficient as possible. Since the choke is after the rectifier I assume having it close to the OPTs won't be as undesirable (also mounted 90 degrees offset).
Any other feedback or suggestions welcome! I've tried to keep things fairly straightforward, bend tolerances are to spec for the material, allowances for bending dies to fit have been made, some venting for cathode resistors (the only thing top mounted besides the sockets) and as much thought as possible put into routing of wiring inside to cause the least possible noise in the smallest possible package.
Note: The volume knob between the cap and power transformer isn't very accessible but these will be used essentially as power amplifiers and the knob is only there for gain structure tinkering so don't worry about burnt knuckles.
I would see if anyone else wanted one before sending off the files but I feel the odds of someone else making an SSE with all the same components is unlikely so doubt there's interest.
My main question is with regards to the placement of the choke, the two holes ahead of the output transformers on the right are to mount the choke inverted inside the body (Triad C-14X) and it lives there purely to keep the body as compact and efficient as possible. Since the choke is after the rectifier I assume having it close to the OPTs won't be as undesirable (also mounted 90 degrees offset).
Any other feedback or suggestions welcome! I've tried to keep things fairly straightforward, bend tolerances are to spec for the material, allowances for bending dies to fit have been made, some venting for cathode resistors (the only thing top mounted besides the sockets) and as much thought as possible put into routing of wiring inside to cause the least possible noise in the smallest possible package.
Note: The volume knob between the cap and power transformer isn't very accessible but these will be used essentially as power amplifiers and the knob is only there for gain structure tinkering so don't worry about burnt knuckles.
I would see if anyone else wanted one before sending off the files but I feel the odds of someone else making an SSE with all the same components is unlikely so doubt there's interest.
zeagan,
My understanding is that George (Tubelab) placed all the power supply related connections on the left side; the choke is part of the power supply, and the choke connectors are adjacent to the power transformer connectors.
The choke can be underneath the chassis on the side of the power transformer and large capacitor. You can orient the choke 90 degrees in relation to power transformer.
My understanding is that George (Tubelab) placed all the power supply related connections on the left side; the choke is part of the power supply, and the choke connectors are adjacent to the power transformer connectors.
The choke can be underneath the chassis on the side of the power transformer and large capacitor. You can orient the choke 90 degrees in relation to power transformer.
Hey zman,
I do get that, but I was under the impression that the choke is part of the filter network and is only seeing somewhat ripple-y DC not full whack AC so the potential for interference with the OPTs would be minimal. I may be wrong though, which is part of the point of this thread. I do really like the symmetry of the current layout but it being noisy wouldn’t make that worthwhile.
I do get that, but I was under the impression that the choke is part of the filter network and is only seeing somewhat ripple-y DC not full whack AC so the potential for interference with the OPTs would be minimal. I may be wrong though, which is part of the point of this thread. I do really like the symmetry of the current layout but it being noisy wouldn’t make that worthwhile.
Correct, well besides what C1 takes care of which isn’t insignificant. That said, the question is whether the ripple, which is a fraction of what comes through the PT is of a magnitude that it’s going to induce hum in an OPT which is inverted, a few inches away, and also turned 90 degrees in relation to the OPT.
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It’s looking more like I’m going to have to set up a test bench for this, was hoping for a few “yeah my choke is close and it’s fine” responses but beggars can’t be choosers. Luckily I have an SSE put together already and can pretty easily relocate the choke to simulate the positioning. It’s an afternoon of work but worth it before spending money.
In the interest of avoiding hum I'm reworking the design and the choke will go under the PT suspended horizontally from the side tab that I'll just enlarge, will take some wiggling with dimensions to keep the unfolded sheet of stainless under 16" wide but should work. Appreciate the comments.