Aleph J illustrated build guide

Here the pics.

In the order: PSU test, left channel, right channel, all amp switched on

Thank you

Renato
 

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I get 9.1V at zener diodes.

Practically no results by adjusting R27, very small variations around 15mV on one channel and 6mV on the other one, by the way strongly oscillating measure.

750mV and 720mV at amp output.

The same problem on both channels let me think I really made an error, not just bad soldering.

Renato
 
Dear All,

finally I finished my building and just started testing.

The PSU seems correct: light bulb test OK, red and green leds switch on and I measure plus and minus 23V DC at capacitors output with 220 VAC at my main power input (I live in Europe).

I tested both my amp boards and things are not going as indicated by the building guide. First of all, when I switch-on the amp, the light bulb switches on and then quickly switches competely off instead of a lower level light.

The blue leds of the amp corretly swtich on and remain on; but when I measure VDC at input resistor as suggested in the guide to adjust BIAS, I measure 0mV in practice. Things do not change by adjusting R27 resistor (as suggested by the guide I make this test with a clean power wire, no more light bulb).
At AMP output (to be connected to the speakers) I measure 700mV on one channel and 400mV on the other one.

In addition I expected the heatsink to warm up but they remain cold.

Can you suggest me what is going on?

Thank you for the help

renato

Have you tried between input resistor and gnd?
 
Noob questions

This doesn't happen to be the noob guidance thread, is it? :D

I'm looking to make choices on the chassis and input transistors and power supply. I'm currently sporting a pair of DBR62 that with a Sensitivity of 86db @ 2.83v/1m. Should I go with mono blocks? I care more about soundstage, clarity and impact at lower lower listening levels. Will a larger PSU have the capacity to dig deeper if called upon? Do I need a scope to make the best decisions when biasing for dissipation over performance?

... etc.
 
And another Aleph J is born! Finished it up last night. With the 5U chassis, I'm running about 500mV across R27. One of the MOSFETs is up at around 66C after running for a couple of hours with no signal, but I figure (hope) that should be fine.

I hooked it up to my system, and it sounds fantastic! I wouldn't say it sounds better or worse than my old ARC Ref 110 - just different. Couldn't have asked for a better result.

I also just want to say how fabulous this community is. The resources you all have put together are incredible. It's amazing that someone (me) who has never used a soldering iron before was able to build this amp relying almost entirely on the various posts and information you've put together. So thank you!

Now onto the next project - either a F5 (so I can swap boards out) or a preamp.

P.S. Eric - I assure you that my workbench is nastier than it looks in the previous picture that I posted. Though, I do use cut up Amazon boxes (which are in unlimited supply around here) to protect it from too much paint, etc. getting onto it.
 

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