B1 with Korg Triode

The one and only
Joined 2001
Paid Member
Attached is the schematic specific to this project.

Note: the DIY version going in the store is not identical, the difference
mostly being the additional holes for the J113 type Jfets as options.

I will post the test voltages when I have time.

:cheers:
 

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  • XMAS NUTUBE DIY.pdf
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The one and only
Joined 2001
Paid Member
Here's some more information.

You will understand that the best way to adjust this circuit is with a
distortion analyzer. Many of you do not have this, but you do have
multimeters.

I just finished testing a small batch of the Xmas boards using matched
2SK370's and drawing from two separate batches of Nutubes.

I mention the matched 2SK70's as important because it is difficult to
accurately measure the Plate voltage of the tube because the impedance
is very high and the ordinary multimeter will load it down, so I used the
DC output of the Fet buffer, and the matching assures that it is close to
actual Plate DC.

The Plate voltage which gives a nulled 2nd harmonic (leaving about .25%
3rd harmonic) averages 11.5V with a spread of about +/- 0.3V.

1% @ 1V 2nd harmonic with the desired positive phase (remember, it
will be negative after you invert the speaker phase) occurs at about
9.4V also with a spread of about +/-0.3V. This is achieved when you turn
the adjustment pot clockwise from the null position.

1% @ 1V negative phase 2nd harmonic is achieved at about 1.1V greater
than the null position, or about 12.6V. This is not not generally the
preferred position, but you want to know where it is in case you want
to play.

In between values give what you would expect, as well as going farther
than these figures. You won't break the circuit with any setting.

The circuit does have a turn-on and turn-off transient, as well as a
DC shift during adjustment. Best to not have the amplifiers running.

Keep in mind that this calibration requires 24 V regulated supply - any
variation will show up as a slightly different setting.

If you have a means of measuring distortion but can't tell the phase
(for example, using a soundcard to make the measurement) then simply
find the lowest distortion point, and then as you turn the pot clockwise
you go into positive phase, or negative phase with counterclockwise.

There is an additional procedure for those not using the matched 2SK
parts which will be posted soon.

:wiz:
 
And we're off! Thank you Nelson Pass and bk856er!!!!!!!!!

:cheers:
 

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There is a small discrepancy between the silk screen and the schematic. The output feedback resistor to the source/gate is 33.2K on the board but 332K on the schematic. I assume it should be 332K.

ANOTHER EDIT: based on build picture posted it is 33.2K

EDIT: I see @soundhappy asks this a few posts back but I do not see clarification

Almost done :cheers:

Thanks again NP, looking forward to experimenting with the harmonic distortion

.. dB
 
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The one and only
Joined 2001
Paid Member
There is a small discrepancy between the silk screen and the schematic. The output feedback resistor to the source/gate is 33.2K on the board but 332K on the schematic. I assume it should be 332K.

ANOTHER EDIT: based on build picture posted it is 33.2K

Attached is the schematic. I see that the output resistor to ground is
332K on the schematic and 33.2K on the board.

It really doesn't matter, as this is just a bleeder resistor for the output
cap. You can leave it off if you want, and 33K is not enough of a load
to make a difference. I recall that the boards I built use 33.2K.
 

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  • XMAS NUTUBE DIY.gif
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I'm using a $30 Eiderol DAC, a laptop and Room EQ Wizard (free) running in the RTA mode with "show distortion". Input source is a smart phone running the "Tone Generator" app (again free) set to 1KHz. Preamp output level is set to 1V RMS (or at least as "RMS" as my old Fluke meter will read at that frequency). Starting with the Korg plates on the 'less than half supply' side of things, I found a second harmonic peak over a fairly broad range but a narrower spot within that where the third harmonic was minimized. I like what I hear at that setting. This is with 475K plate resistors. Will be curious to see how the B1 version sets up with the recommended 332K plate resistors.
 
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