• WARNING: Tube/Valve amplifiers use potentially LETHAL HIGH VOLTAGES.
    Building, troubleshooting and testing of these amplifiers should only be
    performed by someone who is thoroughly familiar with
    the safety precautions around high voltages.

Does Allen Wright's Cathode Bias Resister Scheme for IMD Reduction Work? Yes? No? Maybe!! Episode ll

In this exciting episode the possibility of Intermodulation Distortion Reduction in a Class AB2 amplifier by the Allen Wright method is tested.
The amp output is PP 6V6s driven by a 6BQ7 as cathode followers direct into the 6V6 grids, Refer to the schematic,

The driving signal in 80 Hz mixed with 4.7 KHz at 12 db lower level, The measurements follow the SMPTE method.
In test A the 6V6 cathodes are taken straight to the commons rail with the exception of small resisters to allow current measurements.
At 5 watts the IMD measured 1.87 %.
In test B a 47R resister was inserted into the 6V6 cathodes lead to common. The IMD increased to 4,67 %.
In test C the common resister to the common rail was 23R, And the IMD was 3,48 &.

The Allen Wright method did not improve the IMD in this amplifier. 🙂
 

Attachments

  • Power Supply 6V6 PP Twin Coupled Amp.jpg
    Power Supply 6V6 PP Twin Coupled Amp.jpg
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  • 6V6 PP Class AB2 Amp Test A.JPG
    6V6 PP Class AB2 Amp Test A.JPG
    122.8 KB · Views: 140
  • 6V6 PP Class AB2 Amp Test B.JPG
    6V6 PP Class AB2 Amp Test B.JPG
    121.7 KB · Views: 102
  • 6V6 PP Class AB2 Amp Test C.JPG
    6V6 PP Class AB2 Amp Test C.JPG
    120.8 KB · Views: 138
The schematic attached was a trick negative PS that belongs in another thread.
Did this at 1 AM , guess I was a bit tired. The real PP 6V6 Class AB2 amp here.

Here is a link to another discussion of the distortion reducing circuits from DIY about 15 yrs ago.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/distortion-neutralizer-for-odd-harmonics.111501/

OK Zintolo, I'll try that later today, The snow is coming down steady now, I'll have to spend some time on the tractor.🙂
 

Attachments

  • Cascode Amp H.JPG
    Cascode Amp H.JPG
    54.8 KB · Views: 105
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