Heathkit AA-1800 Stereo Power Amplifier

[Sithlord2007]

Hello,

I wanted to start this thread to discuss the Heathkit AA-1800 Stereo Power Amplifier.

So, I guess my first question would be:

Does anyone know what the voltage ratings are for the power transformer? I can not find it in my manuals nor is it located on the unit itself.

I was considering perhaps making separate power supplies for each channel and locating the supplies in a separate chasis.

My Capacitors need to be replaced as they are original and I am sure are out of tolerances. So, I figured I would considerably increase the uF values ( ie, larger and/or more caps). That got me to thinking about separate supplies, basically for a project to do.

I am sure I would have to have a transformer made if I where to go with the same size. So, I was considering a new pair of toroids??? I would hate to gut a working amplifier to get a transformer from it. I own 3 now and just don't have the heart!

Recommendations/Suggestions?

Thanks!

Ed

 

[multi-volti]

I got a phone call today from someone looking for one of the power transformers.

I remembered a fairly high DC voltage, I thought +/- 90 VDC under load, then read on audiokarma +/- 110 VDC.

Anyone know the current rating of the transformer, or the 'power rating' of the amplifier?

Thanks

Murray

 

[Sithlord2007]

I may finally begin to tinker around with the above mentioned project.

Question ...

Should replacing all electrolytic caps be the only things that get changed? Or should I be looking into replacing resistors, transistors, etc.,?

The question is open to any and all even if you don't have this particular amp. It is a general question on amplifier overhaul.

Thanks!!!!

Ed

 

[multi-volti]

That is all I would change unless I wanted to upgrade something or had a problem.

I overhauled & modded a Hafler (DH-200 or '220? I can't remember) for a friend.

It started out with a problem, thumping and muting or something (not confirmed, just took friend's description and asked Hafler support at the time). I thought it was strange, but they told me to replace the bipolar 'long-tailed pair' transistors in the input stage...that they may have become 'gain mismatched'. They were cheap enough, but I thought it was a very peculiar thing to deteriorate.

While I was in the box, I suggested some mods and he said, yeah go for it...nothing esoteric, just 'in principle' upgrades. I replaced all the carbon film resistors with 'ordinary' 1% metal film ones, replaced 10 uF electrolytic coupling caps with some 'on-hand' film caps (absurdly larger; 3 x 3.3 uF 250 VDC, no-name polyester as I had a gallon milk jug full of them from a flea market and had never used them for anything).

Then decided to take the filter caps out as they looked a little worse for the wear, and put separate rectifiers & filter cap circuit boards with the Hafler single power transformer...those came from a broken main circuit board for the Heath AA-2500/Harman-Kardon whatever model they called it.

I think all that was done without even checking to see if the original complaint was fixed and took me about 6 months as I was too busy. I was worried by that point that I'd gone overboard and would not be able to figure out what condition it was in.

But it worked! That was the main improvement. I hadn't heard it before, and I'm not sure he remembered the last time it sounded normal, so we had no choice but to call it a success. I can't remember if it was 20,000 or 40,000uF total for two channels, but it did weld the power switch contacts. I was fine with that because I left my equipment on all the time anyway. By that point he had his father's tube amp and I got to use the Hafler for a while...actually still in my basement...I should figure out a fix for the rocker switch and return it but he hasn't been asking...been 10 years at least, so don't ever let me work on anything for you :O(

Murray

 

[Sithlord2007]

Thanks for the reply. I have it upstairs here and will take a look tomorrow. Gonna take her a part and apply some TLC! Already got the manual and schematics out so I can easily identify caps, etc., Since it was a kit not built by me, I will also give the boards a real good cleaning and check for "ify" solder connections.

 

[Damon Hill]

Are you building a copy of the AA-1800 or refurbishing an existing unit?

I bought one of Ebay, sans relay/protection board, as a way to build the Leach Superamp without having to scrounge up all the necessary parts and design a chassis. First I'll need to determine how to power up the amplifier and test for problems. Then start replacing the small electrolytics and resistors with better quality parts. Priority is low and more oriented towards learning about this particular version of Leach's design, rather than getting a reliable listening amplifier. I've been using Leach's regular amplifier design since the 70's with great success, maybe too much success. It's kept me from working seriously on any other large power amplifier design.

I've got a copy of the assembly manual if there are any questions.

 

[Sithlord2007]

Thanks for the reply!

I am actually refurbishing one of three that I have.

"I bought one off Ebay" ... A whole non-working unit? Do you have the transformer and are willing to part with it? I would purchase it. That is, if you are going to use an new transformer for your project.

Thanks!

Ed

 

[Sithlord2007]

Can anyone suggest a good brand that won't cost a bundle to replace ALL my electrolytics with? I am looking for the following:

Protection Circuit Board:

Electrolytic
(2) 2.2 µF (axial)
(1) 100 µF (axial)
(1) 10 µF (Tantalum)
(2) .062 µF (Mylar)

Output Amplifier Boards:

Electrolytic:
(4) 10 µF nonpolarized (radial)
(2) 220 µF nonpolarized (radial)
(4) 100 µF (axial)
(4) 220 µF (axial
(2) .2 µF (Mylar)

Should I stay with Aluminums (OEM to this design) or has anyone had any positive and noticeable experience with films?

Thanks!

 

[Damon Hill]

I'm looking to fully restore my unit, which means eventually replacing the missing relay/protection board with a duplicate on perfboard; no way I'm parting out any of this amplifier! I plan to 'shotgun' the output boards' capacitors and resistors, but keep the power supply components unless something is defective. Maybe I will change the supply design at some point if I decide the layout/grounding is less than ideal. I haven't looked at it enough to make any decisions on that.

On parts: I use Black Gate NX or Nichicon ES for nonpolar electrolytics. If the 10uF nonpolar is an input coupling capacitor, a 4.7uF polypropylene film cap should do in its place. I wouldn't replace anything on the protection board unless it's clearly defective, but use the best quality (high temp rating) if something is bad. I've noticed over the years that many of the axial lead electrolytics that Heath used had popped their vents even though almost none of them were outright defective.

I'm having a bit of trouble identifying >good< axial electrolytics; back in the day I'd order up some computer-grade Spragues and be done with it. I guess on the output board you could use radial lead caps with the leads bent out to go into the holes, but that's a little non-neat to my eye.

Hopefully you've got some basic test equipment and access to a distortion analyzer. I can't work without an oscilloscope on the analyzer's scope output to see what the distortion/noise/hum looks like. A simple meter reading tells too little.

I'm thinking a 120 center-tapped secondary (isolation transformer, essentially) with around 750 watt power rating would do for the power transformer, but it seems like there are some other voltages required as well. Got to find the manual--I moved last year and some things still haven't reappeared.

 

[Sithlord2007]

Thanks for the advice! I will look up Black Gate and Nichicon and see what I can locate.

Ed

 

[Damon Hill]

Michael Percy Audio Ordering Information

https://www.partsconnexion.com/

Note that Black Gate is out of production, and pricey on what stock remains but it's my part of choice for bipolar types

 

[Damon Hill]

More sites for parts scrounging:

http://pdfcatalog.digikey.com/US2010/sectf.pdf

Worth scanning for their current stock of various capacitors; I need to do this for some suitable replacement electrolytic capacitors for several Heathkits and other projects.

Surplus Sales of Nebraska

I've been snagging quite a few high-precision resistors and some film capacitors here; they've got a lot of choices and the site is well-organized for scanning and searching. Worth a look when you need something more than a generic part and don't want to pay boutique prices. I'm also finding precision reference resistors and some film capacitors here that are hard to find anywhere else.

Ebay can be a good source as well, but changes constantly and it's easy to miss the right parts at the right prices, but the adventure is in the search, yes?

 

[indianajo]

electrolytics

I hate electrolytics. I just retired from a job changing out motor drives that had electrolytics bleed solution all over the bottom of the box, then short out the drive. These drives are typically 5 years or less old. Electrolytics come in various "service life" grades, and the ones that are rated 2000 hours or more at 105 deg c cost more. A good hint, AB, the top drive producer, uses nichicom caps. Newark.com sells new stock, (not surplus) and their selector shows the life rating of the capacitor you are buying. Personally I'll use surplus on other components, but life is too short to buy old electrolytics. Another hint- ceramic and film caps have made great strides since 1980, and I am replacing some of my 10mf or smaller electrolytic capacitors in my 1968 organ with ceramic caps or film caps. Film caps are a little bigger than electrolytics, ceramic a little smaller. The top rating on 10 mf ceramics seems to be 50v. Ceramics and film caps are inherently non-polar. Haven't had any of the dreaded microphone problem associated with ceramic caps on the organ, and it gets pretty loud.

 

[Sithlord2007]

Thanks for the advice. I plan on looking around online tomorrow and see what I can come up with.

 

[rrcrain]

Would a copy of the original Heathkit schematic be of any help?

 

[toodleoo]

Hello all,

I have an AA-1800 that i built back in the early 80's along with the AP-1800 and the tuner also. The equipment has been in storage for about 10 years because of work overseas. After dusting it off, I found that I now have a problem that appears to be confined to the left amp. I still have the assembly book but seem to have lost the schematic somewhere in the last 7 moves. I really need it and the pictorial to start working on it. Anybod know any good techs?

 

[Sithlord2007]

RRCRAIN ... Thanks but I have one.
Ed

 

[Sithlord2007]

Toodleoo ... Not sure I can be of help. I am simply a novice.
When you power it up, is the protection light for the left channel going off or is it staying on? If it is going off, could be very diry pots in the back. Could be an input jack that needs cleaning out and a little clamping to get a better connection. Could be a broken wire/failed solder connection somewhere inside. Other things get more complicated to locate after a visual inspection fails to produce any results. Hopefully others on here can be more helpful.
Ed

 

[Damon Hill]

There are enough Molex plugs in this chassis that one of them could be oxidized/loose.

 

[anatech]

Hi Ed, Sithlord2007, Damon,
I've rebuilt a few of these amps and the matching preamp. These are actually sleepers. Originally I didn't think much of them, that was when they were new in the local Heathkit store. Turns out that I misjudged them, and they are in fact well worth restoring. There are a couple things I should point out though.

The main filter capacitors are usually good. I mean like as good as new ones. They used quality parts. If you do have to replace them, then do it in a pair of course. Do not increase the capacitance. I'll say it again since many people have somehow got the idea that this is the thing to do.
Do not increase the capacitance of the main filter capacitors.
Murray, you've already done this. Another thing you are doing is leaving your equipment on all the time if I understand you correctly. Don't do that either!
You have to understand that earlier capacitors had a tolerance of +50% and -20% on capacitance. Modern parts may have closer tolerances, that's good. However, the circuit and transformer was not designed for really large filter capacitors. Besides, huge filter capacitors don't buy you anything. Better quality ones do (within reason). As for using two power transformers, that's another thing I am not getting. The output stage is designed to handle a certain amount of power dissipation and current. Many times the voltage sag in a power supply is what actually saves an abused amplifier. Stiffer supplies will not change the protection current limit, and the actual amount of power you gain with the other supply is not worth even thinking about. I'd leave amplifiers stock, they don't get more powerful very easily.

Large replacement signal capacitors. Look, if the part does not fit, do not use it. Larger capacitors are like antennas, either picking up noise from all around inside the amp or transmitting noise to other areas. That and the pads and traces they are connected to are easily damaged. In other words, the amplifier is now less reliable and may suffer from some form of distortion that stock units don't. A spectrum analyzer or FFT from a sound card type setup are the only ways to see what is truly happening.

-Chris