Interesting Dennis. Instructions for the boards stated: "NOTE: Pinout is reverse on 2N4401, and it will be installed opposite to the shape on the PCBs." Maybe there was an update to the board layout. Guess I should have confirmed pinout on the data sheet. 😏
I'm actually not familiar with these boards or the instructions. In any case, I hope turning around the 2n4401 transistors will resolve you problem (and you can change R19 back to its standard value) Good luck. 
I think I’ll update the docs with pinout pix. A picture is worth 1000 words, as they say.
Let me know if you need more BJTs. I can drop them in the mail.
Let me know if you need more BJTs. I can drop them in the mail.
Dennis nailed it. No need for more BJTs. Swapped them around and everything is as it should be. Many thanks Dennis for the keen eye.
Feel free to use this if you like. I saved this a while ago. My dyslexia hits hard when dealing with different pinouts.
All build docs updated with ZTX450 and 2N4401 pinouts. Thanks for the feedback.
I also updated a handful of BOM parts that I knew were obsolete or out of stock. As soon as I PDF and publish the docs that will happen to a few other parts.
I also updated a handful of BOM parts that I knew were obsolete or out of stock. As soon as I PDF and publish the docs that will happen to a few other parts.
After a week of listening I made a few updates, including Randy's W12 PS board. The CRCRC PS significantly lowered the noise floor of the amp. The quality of the board is excellent. Highly recommended!
@wdavis009
Great job! Please tell us what it sounds like compared to the Mark Levinson integrated amplifier.
Best,
Anand.
Great job! Please tell us what it sounds like compared to the Mark Levinson integrated amplifier.
Best,
Anand.
Also, what are the two other amps you have sitting back there? Looks like a couple more builds!
The other two amps are an Aleph J and F5. I also have an F4 and F6, and have built the BA3 and M2X, but repurposed the chassis for other builds. Since I sold my CJ preamp the F4 doesn't get used much as the ML doesn't have enough gain to drive the F4 to my preferred listening levels. I do use the F4 occasionally with my Bottlehead S.E.X., but I have kind of moved away from listening to the Bottlehead.
The ML sounds very different than the FW amps. It is very polite and pleasant sounding, and easily drives my 4 ohm speakers. It sounds more effortless than the FW amps, which it should given the power rating. But the FW amps are significantly more transparent and detailed, and have a sweeter top end. Of all the amps the Aleph 30 has the most drive and force (at normal listening levels), including the ML, though not necessarily the tightest grip on the low end. The ML beats all the FW amps there. At the risk of offending, the Aleph 30 reminds me of my Naim 200DR amp, albeit much more transparent and sweet sounding.
The ML sounds very different than the FW amps. It is very polite and pleasant sounding, and easily drives my 4 ohm speakers. It sounds more effortless than the FW amps, which it should given the power rating. But the FW amps are significantly more transparent and detailed, and have a sweeter top end. Of all the amps the Aleph 30 has the most drive and force (at normal listening levels), including the ML, though not necessarily the tightest grip on the low end. The ML beats all the FW amps there. At the risk of offending, the Aleph 30 reminds me of my Naim 200DR amp, albeit much more transparent and sweet sounding.
@wdavis009
Thank you for the comprehensive review! FWIW, build yourself either the Aleph 60 or Aleph 2 if you want something with more current drive capability into 4 ohm loads. The Aleph series as a whole has a more ripe midbass but that gets tighter and tighter with larger models at the expense of heat and size.
Again, nice work and keep it up!
Best,
Anand.
Thank you for the comprehensive review! FWIW, build yourself either the Aleph 60 or Aleph 2 if you want something with more current drive capability into 4 ohm loads. The Aleph series as a whole has a more ripe midbass but that gets tighter and tighter with larger models at the expense of heat and size.
Again, nice work and keep it up!
Best,
Anand.
What CJ preamp was that? I've been driving a CJ PV9 since '89. Abour four years ago I did a complete refresh and added the teflon caps ( at the CJ factory, when they still supported us old customers ). It drives the F4 to pretty loud levels... even rock and roll... but that requires a reasonable efficient speaker..
For the Maggies, the A2 is indispensable.. or perhaps bridged F4s with a balanced BA3 preamp. The A5s simply run out of steam with the Maggies. ( 1.7 and 12 ). I have not triied the F4 with the Maggies...
For the low end I drive a pair of Entec SW5s... just a little bit, mind you. So, I don't need to worry if the FW/Pass amps are soft in the bottom end.
@tonyEE
I quite agree. I have an asymmetrically positioned multi-sub setup (4 subs) which takes care of the low end so when I build my diy amp creations, I am basically judging from the mid-bass on up…
Best,
Anand.
I quite agree. I have an asymmetrically positioned multi-sub setup (4 subs) which takes care of the low end so when I build my diy amp creations, I am basically judging from the mid-bass on up…
Best,
Anand.
I built the F6 a while back. It was a nice amp. I have never heard the F4 or the M2X.
I have the boards for a BA3 sitting in my drawer. How did you like the BA3 compared to your Aleph 30? I have some heatsinks sitting around and can build either a Aleph 30 or a BA3
I was asking wdavis as it seems he has experience with all of these. But keep us in the loop on your projects. I am interested to hear how those work for your Maggies. Are you thinking of Balanced BA3 for yourself? I thought I saw some boards for a BBA3 in the swap section recently.
@tonyEE
I had the ET3-SE preamp. It drove the F4 really well. I had the 1.7i Maggies for awhile too. I really liked them but wanted to get something easier to drive so I could play with the various First Watt amps. They were replaced with Harbeth 7ES-3s, which were then replaced with the Martin Logan Classic ELS 9.
I had the ET3-SE preamp. It drove the F4 really well. I had the 1.7i Maggies for awhile too. I really liked them but wanted to get something easier to drive so I could play with the various First Watt amps. They were replaced with Harbeth 7ES-3s, which were then replaced with the Martin Logan Classic ELS 9.
@Mikerodrig27
The BA3 is nice. A bit of a cross between the F4 and F5. Since I already had both, it didn't really offer something different enough. I think if you like F4 but don't have a preamp with enough gain the BA3 makes a lot of sense. I've liked all the amps I've built so far except for the M2X. I only used that for for short while and then repurposed the chassis and power supply for the Aleph J.
The BA3 is nice. A bit of a cross between the F4 and F5. Since I already had both, it didn't really offer something different enough. I think if you like F4 but don't have a preamp with enough gain the BA3 makes a lot of sense. I've liked all the amps I've built so far except for the M2X. I only used that for for short while and then repurposed the chassis and power supply for the Aleph J.