Thanks Generg for advice. I`ve already set up offset in a few millivolts. Sound is incredibly clean after adjustment harmonicsforgot when you turn the distortion pot you mistune offset and bias a bit…
calc for same input impedance as BA3 is having
So, if I put my L-pad network on one channel in front of the Ba-3 then it would want to match a 47K impedance, right?
Here's what I've come up with. Is it correct?
Attachments
Thanks Generg for advice. I`ve already set up offset in a few millivolts. Sound is incredibly clean after adjustment harmonics
Happy!🙂
Try using different lenght of speaker cables, that will probably do the job.
At the moment I have 3 m in the left side, and 5 m in the right, that shifts the vocals to the left.
Best regards
Arthur.
At the moment I have 3 m in the left side, and 5 m in the right, that shifts the vocals to the left.
Best regards
Arthur.
I need some advice.
Now that the BA-3 FE is done I've taken more notice of the acoustics in my room. The room has a sloped ceiling from the left to right. Probably drops from 20feet to 10 feet.
This is causing the center "image" on vocals to appear a foot or two to the right of the center of the speakers. Its also causing bass to appear "uncentered". It's not the amp or preamp, I've swapped cables and speakers and the effect is constant. I have also used a SPL meter right up on each speaker and it appears pretty well matched. It is the room. I've always noticed it, it's just the BA-3 FE is really imaging stronger and making this problem more pronounced.
Other than adding a balance control what can I do? I've adjusted speaker positioning but bringing one speaker closer looks strange (it's my living room) and brings about some other weird acoustics.
Can I add a resistor to the input or output on the B-3 to pad one channel a decibel or two? Anyone have any ideas for that? I'd rather not use a pot if possible.
Dont think 6 ft of cable is going to off-set your balance. Look at the room or component gain per channel.
Room treatments: Acoustic Weave - White - Paperforms
Using these in a room improved the sound significantly. A combo of reflection and absorption is probably needed.
Room treatments: Acoustic Weave - White - Paperforms
Using these in a room improved the sound significantly. A combo of reflection and absorption is probably needed.
I am amazed at how the room is influencing channel balance.
I have long speaker cables of uneven length. About 20 feet and 25 feet. I swapped them, doesn't make a difference. I also cranked up the preamp/amp all the way w/no source connected (mild hiss), when tested with a voltmeter AC levels were the same on both channels.
I swapped speakers. Same imbalance to same side.
Finally, I built a Lpad network land intalled it in one channel of the preamp. 2 resistors on the preamp rca out. It's working to even out the imbalance.
My room is odd (see attached). It's funny, as my system gets better I really am noticing the influence the room is having. The "sweet spot" is really small which makes any imbalance left or right really noticeable. Before I padded one preamp channel the imbalance was about 3 feet from center. The speakers are 10 feet apart. That is a lot of room influence.
I have long speaker cables of uneven length. About 20 feet and 25 feet. I swapped them, doesn't make a difference. I also cranked up the preamp/amp all the way w/no source connected (mild hiss), when tested with a voltmeter AC levels were the same on both channels.
I swapped speakers. Same imbalance to same side.
Finally, I built a Lpad network land intalled it in one channel of the preamp. 2 resistors on the preamp rca out. It's working to even out the imbalance.
My room is odd (see attached). It's funny, as my system gets better I really am noticing the influence the room is having. The "sweet spot" is really small which makes any imbalance left or right really noticeable. Before I padded one preamp channel the imbalance was about 3 feet from center. The speakers are 10 feet apart. That is a lot of room influence.
Attachments
Guys, I've seen that zhoufang used to sell trannies here in the forums and now on ebay. Any reason to suspect of fakes, regarding 2sk170bl? I see he is still selling 100 units at a reasonable price.
Just finished my BA-3 preamp. Chassis, knobs, transformers, pretty much everything recycled from previous projects.
I used Salas BIBs for voltage regulation and 47R for R13, as I did not need so much gain.
Regarding sound now, initially with P3 in mid position sounded a little harsh. Used Arta to adjust it and got to 0.018 THD. I could get lower, but left it there for the time. It' s more balanced now and I quite like the sound.
I used Salas BIBs for voltage regulation and 47R for R13, as I did not need so much gain.
Regarding sound now, initially with P3 in mid position sounded a little harsh. Used Arta to adjust it and got to 0.018 THD. I could get lower, but left it there for the time. It' s more balanced now and I quite like the sound.
Attachments
Very nice! I wanted to use Salas BiB shunt in my project, but the dropout was too much for my transformer.
Yes, now driving TSSA.
My transformer is 100VA 2x30V, so I needed the voltage drop!
Buzz, as I quite like the BA-3 I may try it balanced, but it's going to be bigger project than this. I had most of the parts and tried to do something with them.
Also no balanced source or amps for the time being.
My transformer is 100VA 2x30V, so I needed the voltage drop!
Buzz, as I quite like the BA-3 I may try it balanced, but it's going to be bigger project than this. I had most of the parts and tried to do something with them.
Also no balanced source or amps for the time being.
Gotcha. If you like 6V6, please try it in the future. 6V6 is permanent member of my audio family, as is BA3B. You can drop the caps with a little bit of help.
I love my 6V6 pre! I need something decent as backup when I make some changes to it.
I managed to get one channel to 2mV and the other to 5mV before the caps, could do better though. But I was afraid to leave without them. Do you think it' s safe to go without them?
I managed to get one channel to 2mV and the other to 5mV before the caps, could do better though. But I was afraid to leave without them. Do you think it' s safe to go without them?
vgeorge, nice build. Like the use of thin wire. You an Allen Wright fan? I am. 🙂
We know Buzz, balanced is the way. 😀 I wonder if I could make it balanced by just building an exact replica, but just add some balanced I/O? Dual chassis.
We know Buzz, balanced is the way. 😀 I wonder if I could make it balanced by just building an exact replica, but just add some balanced I/O? Dual chassis.

The wire is thin magnet I had left over that was give with some Intact AVCs to wire them. Usually prefer shielded, but had no hum or buzz so what the heck, I used it. Looks cool!
off topic ( but who cares
) - which stacking arrangement you prefer with that AVC and - exactly in which configuration (preceding stage , next stage )
?

?
- Home
- Amplifiers
- Pass Labs
- BA-3 As Preamp