Hello,
A project nearly three years in the making, half of that convincing myself to invest in lundahl iron. But definitely worth it!
I spent more time planning the layout and sourcing hardware for the final layout than on the construction itself. That said, a simple looking circuit on paper turns out to be an exercise in good signal and power wiring layout.
I used the CCS from the Impasse preamp which works well, and have been swapping OD3's to match each channel's voltage regulation (not a big deal).
This is my 3rd valve preamp (have built a Nuvistor (tnt preamble) and a balanced 6SN7 in the past) and I have to say that this is a big step ahead in sound quality (which I thought I had found in the 6SN7 preamp).
It's dead quiet, and going through some old albums I'm hearing a lot more.
To me, It just sounds GOOD.
A project nearly three years in the making, half of that convincing myself to invest in lundahl iron. But definitely worth it!
I spent more time planning the layout and sourcing hardware for the final layout than on the construction itself. That said, a simple looking circuit on paper turns out to be an exercise in good signal and power wiring layout.
I used the CCS from the Impasse preamp which works well, and have been swapping OD3's to match each channel's voltage regulation (not a big deal).
This is my 3rd valve preamp (have built a Nuvistor (tnt preamble) and a balanced 6SN7 in the past) and I have to say that this is a big step ahead in sound quality (which I thought I had found in the 6SN7 preamp).
It's dead quiet, and going through some old albums I'm hearing a lot more.
To me, It just sounds GOOD.
Attachments
I appreciate the photos - for one.
Are they 6CJ3 rectifiers? (best!) and you're running E182CC in push-pull as per LO's Raven with input and output traffo?
Have a pair of 50's pinched waist 7119 Amperex labelled HP if you're keen, and considering that you're local but need to ask whats your heater supply like with regard to B supply ramp up time. 6CJ3 ~20sec or so, heaters are AC?. If it all comes up as it should, I'd post them to you .. option for return or keep/swap etc. No tricks, just integrity and interest.
Almost a literal bucket load of 5687, all H/K short screened and AVO Gm tested and Ip matched, maybe you've been there already. E182CC is like 7044??
Shane
Adelaide
Are they 6CJ3 rectifiers? (best!) and you're running E182CC in push-pull as per LO's Raven with input and output traffo?
Have a pair of 50's pinched waist 7119 Amperex labelled HP if you're keen, and considering that you're local but need to ask whats your heater supply like with regard to B supply ramp up time. 6CJ3 ~20sec or so, heaters are AC?. If it all comes up as it should, I'd post them to you .. option for return or keep/swap etc. No tricks, just integrity and interest.
Almost a literal bucket load of 5687, all H/K short screened and AVO Gm tested and Ip matched, maybe you've been there already. E182CC is like 7044??
Shane
Adelaide
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Can you tell me more about the umbilical connections?..
I've being using Neutrik but they seem limited to three pole in the higher power rating (but very good).
Shane
I've being using Neutrik but they seem limited to three pole in the higher power rating (but very good).
Shane
Hi Shane,
Yes, copied straight from lynn olsen's schematic:
http://www.nutshellhifi.com/Raven-MarkII.gif
6CJ3 rectifiers take about 15-20 sec to ramp up. The E182CC's have a seperate heater transformer configured for 6.3vac.
I haven't tried 7119's yet, so I'm keen on the ones you have. 7044 are close in spec, I'm keeping an eye on ebay but exchange rate dependent.
Also haven't tried 5687's but interested.
cheers,
send me a PM..
I'll pack and post, trust you're good for it.
pr 7119, and a couple very well matched Tung-Sol,..
condition is 72 hrs only and pack-resend plus $15 inside (wrap it news paper) for to and from.
Or just buy them for $120 US and be done with it 🙂
Shane
I'll pack and post, trust you're good for it.
pr 7119, and a couple very well matched Tung-Sol,..
condition is 72 hrs only and pack-resend plus $15 inside (wrap it news paper) for to and from.
Or just buy them for $120 US and be done with it 🙂
Shane
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I had trouble as well but settled for these including the panel mount connections (Hirschmann brand):
Plug Hirschmann C16-1 6 Pole + PE Line Plug - Jaycar Electronics
I had some shielded, 5 core cable from a work installation that's 300v, 80ºC and 3A current rated. 2x 150v rails, heater, sig gnd and mains earth.
Very impressive build, nice clean organized layout. I'm sure you'll be happy for years to come.
I built a Raven a few years back with a few mods to the original design. I had a current output DAC feeding the differential stage with I/V resistor. Used a slightly different Lundahl per the rec of Kevin Carter at K&K. Finally used the 6n6p. I had a very harsh and edgy sound with the E182CC and 7119 types. Went to the 6n6p and was much better. It's only a $3 tube, give it a shot.
I built a Raven a few years back with a few mods to the original design. I had a current output DAC feeding the differential stage with I/V resistor. Used a slightly different Lundahl per the rec of Kevin Carter at K&K. Finally used the 6n6p. I had a very harsh and edgy sound with the E182CC and 7119 types. Went to the 6n6p and was much better. It's only a $3 tube, give it a shot.
Thanks, Michael.
Let me know how you go.
I know Lynn is not a fan (Raven etc) of differential operation, but you might find it worth your while.
Posted tomorrow, you'll be well pleased, I cant find pinched waist 7119 anywhere anymore.
Harsh, blah. Adjust the plate current - 7119 are not 5687, although similar enough. Tube manual wont give you much info.. but a tube tester manual which has both types listed (AVO) certainly will.
Try the 5687 first, then the 7119.. then substitute a rheostat for the common cathode resistor and play around. Try a signal gen. that can output pink noise, then adjust for what sounds most like a waterfall. Sounds crazy, huh?. Its not. Try it.
In the end.. there is only the end. (at least of this POS existence).
Best to you, and let us all know what you find.
Shane
Let me know how you go.
I know Lynn is not a fan (Raven etc) of differential operation, but you might find it worth your while.
Posted tomorrow, you'll be well pleased, I cant find pinched waist 7119 anywhere anymore.
Harsh, blah. Adjust the plate current - 7119 are not 5687, although similar enough. Tube manual wont give you much info.. but a tube tester manual which has both types listed (AVO) certainly will.
Try the 5687 first, then the 7119.. then substitute a rheostat for the common cathode resistor and play around. Try a signal gen. that can output pink noise, then adjust for what sounds most like a waterfall. Sounds crazy, huh?. Its not. Try it.
In the end.. there is only the end. (at least of this POS existence).
Best to you, and let us all know what you find.
Shane
You'd have the tubes by now.
Try the 7119 but be prepared to adjust plate current to find them as they should be found (not like 5687)
Also, maybe it was in the Raven cct, maybe not… use a high quality 20ohm pot with wiper to Rk to balance plate current through the transformer primary, which will be important.
Work it through for yourself, of PM with question, or open forum - same, same. These tubes are worth the effort
Shane Ceglar
www.sxcelectrical.com.au
Try the 7119 but be prepared to adjust plate current to find them as they should be found (not like 5687)
Also, maybe it was in the Raven cct, maybe not… use a high quality 20ohm pot with wiper to Rk to balance plate current through the transformer primary, which will be important.
Work it through for yourself, of PM with question, or open forum - same, same. These tubes are worth the effort
Shane Ceglar
www.sxcelectrical.com.au
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Yes those pinched waist 7119's are quite rare!
Thanks Ceglar,
I've received the valves, and I'm running the 7119's.
They sound good just like the e182cc's. They also didn't need bias adjustment in circuit, correct cathode bias and even HT through the primaries.
Haven't tried the 5687's yet, I want to listen to the 7119's for a while.
cheers,
Thanks Ceglar,
I've received the valves, and I'm running the 7119's.
They sound good just like the e182cc's. They also didn't need bias adjustment in circuit, correct cathode bias and even HT through the primaries.
Haven't tried the 5687's yet, I want to listen to the 7119's for a while.
cheers,
Attachments
Which tube line stage to drive my First Watt F4 amp?
Earlier this year, I was all set to have a very experienced and good hearted fellow member build Nelson Pass’s BA-3 ss line stage for me. I may ask him about doing this, if he agrees to at a later date. But after spending many months at Lynn Olson's thread http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/100392-beyond-ariel-1315.html , I’d first want to get the best sounding tube line stage I can afford for driving one of my First Watt F4 voltage follower amps FIRST WATT F4 http://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/prod_f4_man.pdf
I’m happy that after spending all that time building the Raven that you found its sound to be very satisfying. However, being that he designed it, I’m quite surprised that Lynn Olson didn’t.:: View topic - New to Forum, Throwing Out Some Thoughts
Did you decide between the sound of the 7119 and the 5687, or some other tube for use in the Raven?
How might their sound differ from that of the rest of Lynn’s preferred “space-age” family (5687, 7044, 7119) and "radio-age” family (27, 37, 56, 76, 6P5) tubes? The Amity, Raven, and Aurora
I see that you had initially built the Impasse, which Stuart Yaniger designed especially for the F4 amp. But what was it about the Raven that you apparently liked better than the Impasse?
Are you familiar with Kevin Smith’s linestages and/or complete preamps? K&K Audio | Line Stage
How might they compare to the sound of the Impasse and the Raven?
Though I know the basics of solid-state amplifier design, I'm pretty much of a newbie with tube amps. And the only audio circuit of any respectable sound quality that I built was one a Walt Jung’s phono preamps using Burr-Brown op amps. I used PRC metal film resistors and F-Dyne film foil polyprop caps and was rewarded with very good sound, though I still have as yet no reference.
Earlier this year, I was all set to have a very experienced and good hearted fellow member build Nelson Pass’s BA-3 ss line stage for me. I may ask him about doing this, if he agrees to at a later date. But after spending many months at Lynn Olson's thread http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/100392-beyond-ariel-1315.html , I’d first want to get the best sounding tube line stage I can afford for driving one of my First Watt F4 voltage follower amps FIRST WATT F4 http://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/prod_f4_man.pdf
I’m happy that after spending all that time building the Raven that you found its sound to be very satisfying. However, being that he designed it, I’m quite surprised that Lynn Olson didn’t.:: View topic - New to Forum, Throwing Out Some Thoughts
Did you decide between the sound of the 7119 and the 5687, or some other tube for use in the Raven?
How might their sound differ from that of the rest of Lynn’s preferred “space-age” family (5687, 7044, 7119) and "radio-age” family (27, 37, 56, 76, 6P5) tubes? The Amity, Raven, and Aurora
I see that you had initially built the Impasse, which Stuart Yaniger designed especially for the F4 amp. But what was it about the Raven that you apparently liked better than the Impasse?
Are you familiar with Kevin Smith’s linestages and/or complete preamps? K&K Audio | Line Stage
How might they compare to the sound of the Impasse and the Raven?
Nice looking preamp! I bet it sounds really good.
Do you still have the complete schematic for it? I can not find the constant current source design build by Gary Pimm.
Do you still have the complete schematic for it? I can not find the constant current source design build by Gary Pimm.
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