I have a pair of Counterpoint SA12s that are both working perfectly well but I understand the output devices are no longer available and if anything goes wrong with them I would have to look elsewhere.
So my question is - could I retrofit hypex modules and if so which ones. A peek inside at the circuit boards says that the rails are +/- 40v (I haven't measured this, but assume it is right for the time being). From the hypex site this suggests ucd 180 modules. Assuming the ucd 180 will work with this rail voltage can I assume that I could connect the hypex into the power supply of the counterpoint, mate up the hypex heat sinks to the existing heat sinks of the counterpoint and connect the input and output connectors and have a nice new (nice sounding, cooler running and hopefully long-lived) amp using my existing case, transformer etc.
The one issue I can think of is do I need to organise any sort of soft start on the Counterpoint's power supply. The amp currently takes quite a while to start which I assume is a timer module or the warming up of the valve stages. From what I can see the power connects straight into the transformer and that there is no soft start or similar on this side of the amp. If anyone is familiar with the sa12 or has done a similar conversion I would be very pleased to hear from you.
regards,
Nigel.
So my question is - could I retrofit hypex modules and if so which ones. A peek inside at the circuit boards says that the rails are +/- 40v (I haven't measured this, but assume it is right for the time being). From the hypex site this suggests ucd 180 modules. Assuming the ucd 180 will work with this rail voltage can I assume that I could connect the hypex into the power supply of the counterpoint, mate up the hypex heat sinks to the existing heat sinks of the counterpoint and connect the input and output connectors and have a nice new (nice sounding, cooler running and hopefully long-lived) amp using my existing case, transformer etc.
The one issue I can think of is do I need to organise any sort of soft start on the Counterpoint's power supply. The amp currently takes quite a while to start which I assume is a timer module or the warming up of the valve stages. From what I can see the power connects straight into the transformer and that there is no soft start or similar on this side of the amp. If anyone is familiar with the sa12 or has done a similar conversion I would be very pleased to hear from you.
regards,
Nigel.
This is correct - subject to variations in the mains input voltage.
The softstart in the SA12 is solely for the benefit of the MOSFET output stage. So unless the UCD180 requires a soft start, you can just remove the SA12 main board and output transistors and you are away.
The output MOSFETs are not difficult to replace though. Much more of a problem with the SA20/220
UCD 180
UCD180 would work at that voltage. Will your inputs be balanced? It is best to purchase the Hypex input cables to connect to the amp modules as the pins for the molex are rather small and the cables provide a nice all in one solution.
The UCD180's don't really require a heat sink, as they can just be screwed to the amplifier case floor or wall and that will provide enough of a sink. Of course mounting them on an existing heat sink is just fine as well.
I am a big fan of the Hypex modules. Best of luck.
UCD180 would work at that voltage. Will your inputs be balanced? It is best to purchase the Hypex input cables to connect to the amp modules as the pins for the molex are rather small and the cables provide a nice all in one solution.
The UCD180's don't really require a heat sink, as they can just be screwed to the amplifier case floor or wall and that will provide enough of a sink. Of course mounting them on an existing heat sink is just fine as well.
I am a big fan of the Hypex modules. Best of luck.
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