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Fixed bias has changed after volume position is middle

Dear All

I am new for DIY the tube amp.

Now I've already finished the PCB with the circuit as in the attached file.

After I try supply the AC power 220V to it, the problem happen when I adjust the volume of input signal from 0 to max.

There is noise during the volume is middle position ( between 0 - max position of POT ) and I measured grid bias of EL84 it drop below -12V ( -16 ~ -23V) which is happen when middle position of POT. The bias is fixed when I adjust the volume POT it will be changed ?

Could you let me know what is cause of this problem ?

Thank you
 

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There are other and better ways of limiting frequency response of first gain stage than putting a 47kohm series resistance on the grid.

small cap between anode and ground would do a better job and possibly remove the need for a 500pF cap in the feedback loop.

What I miss in this schematic is ground connection of COM terminal of the secondary side of the output transformer.
Have you followed the schematic to 100% or did you see the schematic fault and connected COM to signal ground at the low impedance ground point of the electrolytics in the power supply?

Skärmbild 2024-08-04 073541.jpg


A
Skärmbild 2024-08-04 073301.jpg
 
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Since you have three gain stages you need to invert phase in the output transformer.
That's not always indicated in a schematic from a producer, but for a DIY it should.

Look at this and think about it, since I suspect you have made some errors in your schemetic.
I doubt that 8 ohm tap shoulf be grounded. 16 ohm tap is more likely to be grounded.
By inverting phase you get this:
COM will be new 16 ohm tap
4 ohm will be new 8 ohm tap
8 ohm will be new 4 ohm tap
16 ohm will be new ground tap

Skärmbild 2024-08-04 074541.jpg


As seen in the schematic the phase are inverted between primary and secondary side.
Have you checked if you connected the right EL84 to the phase indication of the output transformer?
If you mix them you will not get the necessary signal inversion.

Skärmbild 2024-08-04 074541.jpg
 
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