I have just tested and fired up my Zen amp. For those tuned in about a month ago I found out that the problem with my circuit was that I wired in some salvaged transistors for Q3 and got the lead outs wrong. An expensive mistake.
Anyway sofar the results are quite good. I have no noticable hum (apart from the transformer which buzzes a bit). However I am a little disapointed at the thin bass I am getting. Otherwise the sound is lovely and clean and detailed (tube without the mush). I have a few questions though.
1. I am currently driving it with a passive preamp. This isnt really keeping up. Do you think it might be the source of my thin bass.
2. I am running it at a slightly reduced current of 1.6amps, what effect might this be having on the sound.
3. for Q1 I am using an IRF150 which is cooking nicely, however I am using a IRF240 with an on resistance of 0.18 and its running uncomfortably hot. Do you think a substiution with a IRF150 would bring its temp down.
4.When I fired up I tested the votage at the gate to Q1 and it was at 4V. I have R4 set at max. I have made no further adjustment to this. Would adjusting R4 effect the tonal balance any.
Any pointers as to how I might improve the bass response would be appreciated.
Thanks in anticipation.
Shoog
Anyway sofar the results are quite good. I have no noticable hum (apart from the transformer which buzzes a bit). However I am a little disapointed at the thin bass I am getting. Otherwise the sound is lovely and clean and detailed (tube without the mush). I have a few questions though.
1. I am currently driving it with a passive preamp. This isnt really keeping up. Do you think it might be the source of my thin bass.
2. I am running it at a slightly reduced current of 1.6amps, what effect might this be having on the sound.
3. for Q1 I am using an IRF150 which is cooking nicely, however I am using a IRF240 with an on resistance of 0.18 and its running uncomfortably hot. Do you think a substiution with a IRF150 would bring its temp down.
4.When I fired up I tested the votage at the gate to Q1 and it was at 4V. I have R4 set at max. I have made no further adjustment to this. Would adjusting R4 effect the tonal balance any.
Any pointers as to how I might improve the bass response would be appreciated.
Thanks in anticipation.
Shoog
I have build a Zen and matched it with the Aleph L ,
the bass are deep and loud .
YES for the active preamp!!! 😉
the bass are deep and loud .
YES for the active preamp!!! 😉
Thin bass is most probably due to inefficient speakers that you are using. I've got good bass from Klipsch speakers but absolutely no bass from Maggie speakers. I have the original Zen amp.
This is definately not the case.
I am using very sensitive vintage Isophon drivers which performed more than well enough with my Leak stereo20 Amp. Look elsewhere for a solution
I am using very sensitive vintage Isophon drivers which performed more than well enough with my Leak stereo20 Amp. Look elsewhere for a solution
I will try that.
I believe the best approach is to build a Bride of Zen and see what difference that makes. I will hold this sujestion in reserve.
Thank
I believe the best approach is to build a Bride of Zen and see what difference that makes. I will hold this sujestion in reserve.
Thank
I think this thread raises an important question: what voltage and current (power?) is necessary to drive the Zen amp to get its full potential? Of course the speakers will have a big effect on this, but as the gain of pre amplifiers can be adjusted, it would be nice to have some primary figures to point at. I am currently building a ZV4 and I noted in the channel built that I need to increase a bit the gain of my tube pre. But what is the optimum figure?
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