For boards, contact Jack at www.tech-diy.com . I'm rebuilding the project on one of the boards he designed and I suspect it will look a lot better than my current point-to-point version. (Disclaimer: no commercial interest in board sales, but I did get a free board)
I'm finishing up an article on a tone control line amp- once that's done, I'll write up my MM amp. Until then, you can turn this into a very good MM preamp if your cartridge is tolerant of capacitance (e.g., Grado): just eliminate the input transformer and change the first stage grid resistor from 6k8 to 47k. If your cartridge needs a low input C (e.g., the Audio-Technica 150MLX that I use), my upcoming MM-only design will take care of that.
I'm finishing up an article on a tone control line amp- once that's done, I'll write up my MM amp. Until then, you can turn this into a very good MM preamp if your cartridge is tolerant of capacitance (e.g., Grado): just eliminate the input transformer and change the first stage grid resistor from 6k8 to 47k. If your cartridge needs a low input C (e.g., the Audio-Technica 150MLX that I use), my upcoming MM-only design will take care of that.
Note I don't think the tech-diy site has the boards listed, but you can contact them via their sales email address and inquire about them. I think they are still available.
I've got to figger out the cost of the HMN boards -- then I'll put them on the site. I don't know why I forgot to do that -- it's just cost plus shipping and the PP fees. I have one for my own purpose and make 49 more at cost! Tech DIY Company Store
OK, the boards are on the Tech-DIY website at cost -- shipping in the US and overseas is via Priority Mail and is added when they are ordered. Tech DIY Company Store
Because I've been tending to a sick relative there might be a delay in shipping.
Because I've been tending to a sick relative there might be a delay in shipping.
Hey Sy,
Entertaining read that. Have you any closer to the MM version. If I get the HMN PCB kit, can it be added to this?
Thanks muchly for the efforts! More maths than I'm used to!
Cheers,
Drew.
Entertaining read that. Have you any closer to the MM version. If I get the HMN PCB kit, can it be added to this?
Thanks muchly for the efforts! More maths than I'm used to!
Cheers,
Drew.
Thanks. Drew. No, the MM version will look quite a bit different. I made the mistake of changing jobs and moving to Chicago, so that delayed things a bit. I managed, though, to get some of the basic topology worked out and breadboarded before I relocated, so once my lab is unpacked and set up, things should move pretty quickly (famous last words).
Hey Sy,
I know how that feels, I moved 3 years ago and still trying to sort a listening post!
This is the cart I'm using, the music maker Classic LE:
Variable-reluctance stereo phono cartridge with line-contact stylus and silver coils.
Output: 4.0 mV output
Loading: 47K ohms (not capacitance sensitive.)
Tracking Force: 1.6 grams.
VTA/SRA Alignment: Front face of cartridge perpendicular to record surface (viewed from the side).
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Drew.
I know how that feels, I moved 3 years ago and still trying to sort a listening post!
This is the cart I'm using, the music maker Classic LE:
Variable-reluctance stereo phono cartridge with line-contact stylus and silver coils.
Output: 4.0 mV output
Loading: 47K ohms (not capacitance sensitive.)
Tracking Force: 1.6 grams.
VTA/SRA Alignment: Front face of cartridge perpendicular to record surface (viewed from the side).
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Drew.
If it really isn't capacitance sensitive (I have a hard time believing that!), then you can use the HMV without the stepup transformer, though you lose the advantages of balanced inputs. You'll get superb noise performance.
Hey Sy,
Having an idea to double the stages and run it balanced then perhaps into a circlotron 6SN7 stage and not need the output cap.
Capacitance of course it is irrelevant, it won't do anything to phase......not. Not that I completely understand all this yet but I'm sure it come to me.
Thanks Sy.
Having an idea to double the stages and run it balanced then perhaps into a circlotron 6SN7 stage and not need the output cap.
Capacitance of course it is irrelevant, it won't do anything to phase......not. Not that I completely understand all this yet but I'm sure it come to me.
Thanks Sy.
Hey Sy,
Another question....what do you use for schematic drawing?
Somewhat OT but yerknow?
Thanks,
Drew.
Another question....what do you use for schematic drawing?
Somewhat OT but yerknow?
Thanks,
Drew.
Drew, I can't seem to find an inductance and DCR spec for your cartridge. Do you know it offhand?
My drawings were done with ExpressSCH freeware. There's better out there, I just am incompetent. 😀
My drawings were done with ExpressSCH freeware. There's better out there, I just am incompetent. 😀
Hey Sy,
Not offhand, will ask Mr Gregory....
Will have a geezer at ExpressSCH, they don't look incompetant, they work, that's enough!
Thanks again!
Not offhand, will ask Mr Gregory....
Will have a geezer at ExpressSCH, they don't look incompetant, they work, that's enough!
Thanks again!
Sy,
Will advise when I receive response, have also asked why capacitance has no effect.
Now to find libraries for tubes etc for expressSCH.
Thanks for the heads up!
Will advise when I receive response, have also asked why capacitance has no effect.
Now to find libraries for tubes etc for expressSCH.
Thanks for the heads up!
I wonder if the filament regulator input bypass capacitors (C12,16 0.1uF) aren't better connected to the Chassis ground, rather than the heater common.
Hi SY, just completed your phono amp using DIY-tech boards! Was able to pack all together in single chassis including the power transformers; with shorted inputs it is perfectly quiet; a bit of hum when connected to the cartridge; have to try twisting the wires from input RCA to the board.
Really impressed with the sound, thanks for making this project public!
As well, thanks to Jack for making the PC boards!
I am using SAE 1000E HOMC cartridge, no input transformer, just 47K resistor on input.
SAE spec is: 2.5mV output, Load impedance: 47K (non-critical), Load capacitance: non critical; it was apparently made by Coral.
Two things I found strange:
1) From 4 D3a tubes, with CCS adjusted at 20mA (there is 19.8V drop across 1K plate resistor) I got huge plate voltage variations between the tubes: 140V, 163V, 179V and 199V! Did you maybe get simmilar experience? Should I buy some more D3a’s to be able to find two that are more similar?
2) My 160B+ is spot on, at 160.5V, but second B+ instead of 260V is 210V; it is all the same on both channels; my unregulated HV is at 339V. Do you think I should tweak the 260V regulator to get closer to 260V or 210 should be fine?
Really impressed with the sound, thanks for making this project public!
As well, thanks to Jack for making the PC boards!
I am using SAE 1000E HOMC cartridge, no input transformer, just 47K resistor on input.
SAE spec is: 2.5mV output, Load impedance: 47K (non-critical), Load capacitance: non critical; it was apparently made by Coral.
Two things I found strange:
1) From 4 D3a tubes, with CCS adjusted at 20mA (there is 19.8V drop across 1K plate resistor) I got huge plate voltage variations between the tubes: 140V, 163V, 179V and 199V! Did you maybe get simmilar experience? Should I buy some more D3a’s to be able to find two that are more similar?
2) My 160B+ is spot on, at 160.5V, but second B+ instead of 260V is 210V; it is all the same on both channels; my unregulated HV is at 339V. Do you think I should tweak the 260V regulator to get closer to 260V or 210 should be fine?
Yeah, there's a lot of variability in D3a, but 163 and 179 isn't too bad.
I'd want to get the B+ up a bit, maybe 220-230V minimum.
I'd want to get the B+ up a bit, maybe 220-230V minimum.
Thanks, will get my B+ up, closer to 260, as you sugest. I checked all resistors in 260V regulator and they are alll correct; really strange I am getting only 210, especially since 160 regulator is spot on.
Would you mind sugesting resistor values to adjust to get up from 210; I guess R25 and R26 would set the output voltage, but please, if you could help a bit with right way to calculate actual values.
Would you mind sugesting resistor values to adjust to get up from 210; I guess R25 and R26 would set the output voltage, but please, if you could help a bit with right way to calculate actual values.
You might want to look closely at the error amp transistor and the voltage reference. Could you measure the voltages at EBC of both transistors on the oddball channel?
The circuit functions as a basic feedback amp. The reference diode is the noninverting input, the two resistors from output to ground form the feedback voltage divider. I don't remember their numbers offhand, but let's say that the upper one is R1 and the lower one is R2. Vout(R2/(R1 + R2)) = Vref + 0.7V (the Vbe drop of the error amp).
The circuit functions as a basic feedback amp. The reference diode is the noninverting input, the two resistors from output to ground form the feedback voltage divider. I don't remember their numbers offhand, but let's say that the upper one is R1 and the lower one is R2. Vout(R2/(R1 + R2)) = Vref + 0.7V (the Vbe drop of the error amp).
OK, thanks, so it makes sense:
On 160V regulator I got 160V(8.2K/(160K+8.2K))=Vref+.7V; Vref comes to 7.1V; very close to nominal 6.9V for LM329.
On 160V regulator I got now 210V(8.2K/(220K+8.2K))=Vref+.7V; Vref comes to 6.84V; very close to nominal 6.9V for LM329.
In order to get 260 I could adjust R2 to 6.6K to get 260V(6.6K/(220K+6.6K))=Vref+.7V; V ref comes to 6.87V; very close to nominal 6.9V for LM329.
I will parallel my 8.2K with 51K I got here; this should do the trick!
On 160V regulator I got 160V(8.2K/(160K+8.2K))=Vref+.7V; Vref comes to 7.1V; very close to nominal 6.9V for LM329.
On 160V regulator I got now 210V(8.2K/(220K+8.2K))=Vref+.7V; Vref comes to 6.84V; very close to nominal 6.9V for LM329.
In order to get 260 I could adjust R2 to 6.6K to get 260V(6.6K/(220K+6.6K))=Vref+.7V; V ref comes to 6.87V; very close to nominal 6.9V for LM329.
I will parallel my 8.2K with 51K I got here; this should do the trick!