Original resistors are always 0.25 W on these old amps. The only exception is if the resistors are huge - then they might be 1 W parts.
It doesn't matter what you use, wattage rating or resistor type. Just get whatever you can find of the intended values.
It doesn't matter what you use, wattage rating or resistor type. Just get whatever you can find of the intended values.
Noted. I've ordered some sampler kit from eBay with different values.
I'm shifting my focus to a long abandoned project, full range mass loaded transmission line speaker, inspired by TABAQ design. Would be awesome when they finally come together.
I'm shifting my focus to a long abandoned project, full range mass loaded transmission line speaker, inspired by TABAQ design. Would be awesome when they finally come together.
The new resistors have arrived, I've put the proper value Rs in place. Have also replaced some of the caps, all I have left is the main supply caps, and the smaller ones that will be replaced with film caps. I fired the amp thru the DBT and it shows that the amp is working well. I'll probably finish everything by tonight and have a listen by the weekend.
Pleased to hear you are pleased 🙂 Its good fun bringing old gear back up to scratch.
Enjoy the amp.
Enjoy the amp.
Thanks Mooly. This amp is beginner-friendly, and yet very satisfying. Thanks for your kind assistance.Pleased to hear you are pleased 🙂 Its good fun bringing old gear back up to scratch.
Enjoy the amp.
Bob, the amp sounds like it was, well, new! Very powerful, both channels are now balanced, the tonal range are also very balanced, I just set the volume and put the bass and treble at 0 and I'm happy. Bass section has changed a lot, more power and articulation. I played it overnight non stop, so far it's been running 11 hours or so at low volume and it's working nicely.How does it sound?
Thank you so much for steering me in this direction and guiding me thru the recapping stage.
Glad to hear it worked out for you. It was a good experience and you brought it back to life.
Enjoy it!
Enjoy it!
Please enlight me about DC offset. I measured my amp using a method explained here
When I got the amp it measured 90mV on the left channel and 10mV on the right channel. After I recapped and installed new transistors, they measured -99mV on the left and -8.5mV on the right channel. So basically the same figures, only this time it's negative value.
My questions: Does DC offset affect sound and performance of the amp? Do I measure the amp after it's been turned on/playing for some time, or measure it cold? What other parts do you suggest me to replace?
This may explain why the amp sometimes only play on the right channel especially at low volume. Usually quickly switching between input modes take care of it, but it may be a good idea to fix it properly.
Thanks.
When I got the amp it measured 90mV on the left channel and 10mV on the right channel. After I recapped and installed new transistors, they measured -99mV on the left and -8.5mV on the right channel. So basically the same figures, only this time it's negative value.
My questions: Does DC offset affect sound and performance of the amp? Do I measure the amp after it's been turned on/playing for some time, or measure it cold? What other parts do you suggest me to replace?
This may explain why the amp sometimes only play on the right channel especially at low volume. Usually quickly switching between input modes take care of it, but it may be a good idea to fix it properly.
Thanks.
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The method is fine. Historically, DC offsets of up to around a 100mv were always considered acceptable. Its only in recent years that amps have been developed with more attention paid to DC stability... and an old design like this just isn't one of them. It will wander with temperature.
The normal levels of offset has no effect on sound quality.
Swapping the input transistors around might get you a lower value but you would have to be prepared for quite a bit of trial and error.
The normal levels of offset has no effect on sound quality.
Swapping the input transistors around might get you a lower value but you would have to be prepared for quite a bit of trial and error.
Thanks Mooly. I've purchased some diodes as well, do you think replacing diodes will help regulate the DC offset?
Thanks Mooly. I've purchased some diodes as well, do you think replacing diodes will help regulate the DC offset?
Nope 😉 You can't make the amp into something it was never intended to be... an amp with DC precision.
Gents, this amp was left unused for more than a year, and when I tried to fire it up, it keeps blowing a fuse. I did some reading and came to a conclusion that the output transistor is dead. In order to check the condition of the transistor, I need to take it out of the circuit and measure, right?
Original transistor is 2SC1061, I used MJE15032 as replacement. Could it be the replacement is not suitable? I might look for TIP41C and replace all four. What else should I check?
As you can probably see from the pages back, I humbly need some handholding.
Thank you in advance.
Original transistor is 2SC1061, I used MJE15032 as replacement. Could it be the replacement is not suitable? I might look for TIP41C and replace all four. What else should I check?
As you can probably see from the pages back, I humbly need some handholding.
Thank you in advance.
Any transistor that has failed either short circuit (or almost so) will show up in circuit.
Use a bulb tester before you go any further with powered tests.
Use a bulb tester before you go any further with powered tests.
As for me I always use a variac when firing up old stuff that has been unused for a long time. It saves myself a lot of situations like that one, and lets old electrolytics reform even if they're not in top shape.
But then I have read that some amps does not like to be started up slowly from a variac. How would one know which amps that would be ?🙂
Most conventional linear amps with conventional power supplies should be fine on a variac.
Exceptions could include depletion mode FET output stages (like the original Sony VFET), class D amps and amps using switching power supplies.
Exceptions could include depletion mode FET output stages (like the original Sony VFET), class D amps and amps using switching power supplies.
Any transistor that has failed either short circuit (or almost so) will show up in circuit.
Use a bulb tester before you go any further with powered tests.
Mooly, I will check using methods described here:
Learn About Electronics - Fault Finding on Transistors
How to Test Transistors in a Circuit | Techwalla.com
Is it a good idea to measure resistors in circuit to see if they are/they still hold the correct value?
Thanks.
Orit and Vrystaat: Thanks for your input. I've made it a habit to use dim bulb tester when first powering on an amplifier after a repair/assembly. But I have no variac. So until then I might rely on my bulb. ☺️
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