Clon C-3850

Hi,
i made another layout for the Mono Clone with BD Transistors. The schematic is the same based on Chalky's simu.
The S8050/8550 transistors are small and need cooling with a heatsink, as i wrote.
Now i have changed to BD139/140 on the pcb. They will need heatsinks too, therefore i set 2,5 mm holes.
I will use heatsinks from Fischer 10022747 SK 95 25 TO220. I think this heatsinks will be big enough to cool down the transistors.
Because there are tracks under the heatsinks, it is useful to put a cardboard disc or a plastic disc betwenn pcb and heatsink for safety.
The heatsinks from fischer have 5mm thicknes after the transistors. Other heatsinks will fit too, but you must use one.
The rest is the same as before...

Greets
Peter

 

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I don't have photo in this moment, the board is aliexpress with components in kit, i change Jrc5532 in the kit with genuine NE5532 for more balanced sound, jrc of kit is more harsh with sibilant "S" and non-existent bass, every couple of transistors have same hfc, power amplifier is an inverting 3 x LM3886 parallel, very flat response, 35+35v with 25mf capacitors for each rail, snubber and zobel network, zero hum and noise, speakers 4 ohm.
I have tested many amplifiers with this board, and the sound is poor in bass with medium in evidence respect original signal. I made test with genuine tl072, bass present but soundstage strict, less stereo separation, but not bad.
Example..., i made a simple preamplifier with active tone controls, a couple of ne5532, listening identical sound input/output with flat controls.

excuse me for poor english
Salvatore
 
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Ok...the bass is poor...There must be something wrong.
I used the orgininal clone as it was delivered. No changes. The bass was ok. I think other users have the same experience.
You write all transistors have the same Hfe. What transistors are in use ?
Have you ever followed my advice and use an other source ? I ask because the output of a phone is very low. If the dac has no higher gain the sound may be poor.

Greets
Peter
 
Transistors are BC550 BC560, yes same hfe, output dac 2v max, other sources... some CD Philips and Grundig with TDA1540 and TDA1541, more output level respect the chip SABRE ESS 9218P but frequency response is the same.
This evening i can measure voltage of transistor on board, resistors all checked before soldering and perfect value.
 
I think like you, but, with 1 opamp and 10 transistors, ultra low distortion on the oscilloscope, great details... but an old 40years age grundig and other brands preamp is much more musical, for me a single opamp has a more natural and balanced sound, i don't agree with the enthusiastic comments based only with oscilloscope and technical report
 
Hi Salvatore, you are right, without any changes the C3850 sounds as other preamps can do.
But with the changes it is an other preamp. I have no experience until yet, but i think my Mono version with BD transistors will sound great. The pcb's are on their way...
The Mono version with S8050/8550 is good too but the current is a bit high. Perhaps a change of the CRD to lower current is helpful.
The BD transistors can work with 3,2 mA CRD. Thats the reason to make a new layout...

I had a finished preamp from a well known on my table. The pcb was purple. But it seems to base on the same schematic as the green one and the MOFI Clone, sold at Aliexpress.
I only used a 330 ohm resistor to get a bit lower gain. With 100 or 220 ohm i could hear hum. I used the AD797 and it was a different preamp too...
I had to made made more changes, but nothing to do with the pcb. There was a gounding problem.

Greets
Peter
 
I think like you, but, with 1 opamp and 10 transistors, ultra low distortion on the oscilloscope, great details... but an old 40years age grundig and other brands preamp is much more musical, for me a single opamp has a more natural and balanced sound, i don't agree with the enthusiastic comments based only with oscilloscope and technical report
okay...
but id doesnt explain why a pot is changing the rolloff...
enjoy your other preamps
 
Hi Salvatore, you are right, without any changes the C3850 sounds as other preamps can do.
But with the changes it is an other preamp. I have no experience until yet, but i think my Mono version with BD transistors will sound great. The pcb's are on their way...
The Mono version with S8050/8550 is good too but the current is a bit high. Perhaps a change of the CRD to lower current is helpful.
The BD transistors can work with 3,2 mA CRD. Thats the reason to make a new layout...

I had a finished preamp from a well known on my table. The pcb was purple. But it seems to base on the same schematic as the green one and the MOFI Clone, sold at Aliexpress.
I only used a 330 ohm resistor to get a bit lower gain. With 100 or 220 ohm i could hear hum. I used the AD797 and it was a different preamp too...
I had to made made more changes, but nothing to do with the pcb. There was a gounding problem.

Greets
Peter
Good, with a new board and BD it can work really in A class, surely other sound