I just acquired a Bryston 10b after a long search for an electronic XO. I wanted analog, high quality and discrete components. And there aren't a ton of choices.
Once receiving it. I downloaded the schematic and popped the cover. Right away I notice that there are 8 100uf electrolytics directly in line right at the outputs. There are also some small ceramics in the signal path right before the high pass resistor array ( I presume the switch shown in the top right is the 6/12/18dB selector labeled N1/2/3)
It is the standard model, not the Sub. it is the balanced version.
I'd like to upgrade whatever components I can to increase performance. Aside from the components I noted, I'd also be grateful for other suggestions.
Part of the challenge is this unit is only about 2" high, and those electrolytics are on top of a board so there's limited room. One option I considered was to move the PS board to an external box, which would open up room.
Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Once receiving it. I downloaded the schematic and popped the cover. Right away I notice that there are 8 100uf electrolytics directly in line right at the outputs. There are also some small ceramics in the signal path right before the high pass resistor array ( I presume the switch shown in the top right is the 6/12/18dB selector labeled N1/2/3)
It is the standard model, not the Sub. it is the balanced version.
I'd like to upgrade whatever components I can to increase performance. Aside from the components I noted, I'd also be grateful for other suggestions.
Part of the challenge is this unit is only about 2" high, and those electrolytics are on top of a board so there's limited room. One option I considered was to move the PS board to an external box, which would open up room.
Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
I wouldn't worry about the 100 uF electrolytics: their impedance at audio frequencies into power amplifier inputs is negligible so any nonlinearity would get lost in the noise.
Which small ceramics concern you? If it's the 220 pf / 47 pf /10 pf jobbies in various feedback loops then they're most likely NP0 or C0G, which are stable and non-distorting. I use that type myself in preamp inputs to keep RF gunge out (and Lordy do I have a story about that).
Which small ceramics concern you? If it's the 220 pf / 47 pf /10 pf jobbies in various feedback loops then they're most likely NP0 or C0G, which are stable and non-distorting. I use that type myself in preamp inputs to keep RF gunge out (and Lordy do I have a story about that).
Why? A close read of the schematic indicates the 100 uF parts are most likely bipolar.
Not going to argue with you, not a Bryston fanboy. Just answering the question from CTS90.
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Neither am I, but I gotta recognise they're not fools.
Anyway, tldr to answer his question I'd guess the parts on board are competent.
Anyway, tldr to answer his question I'd guess the parts on board are competent.
I don't doubt that the unit was built with perfectly adequate components. And a number of the components would not be impacted by any sort of "better" option. And while I'm no electronic engineer, having seen many schematics and looked at lots of equipment, I know manufacturers of higher-end equipment try very hard to keep any sort of capacitor from the signal path and when it's necessary, they use upper end film caps. I have swapped caps many times in lots of different equipment and have experienced the benefits.
I know next to nothing about active crossover design aside from basic function. And the circuit layout looks very similar to other low-level signal devices. So that brings me to;
-I have no idea from a design perspective why those caps are there.
-I know from experience and looking at the practice of others that caps in the signal path are worthy of avoidance.
-You don't see much in the way in upper end designs of electrolytics in any signal path.
-Film caps in my experience always sound better than electrolytics.
What I'm attempting is to expand my knowledge base and understand the why's. I could just move some things around and stick film caps in there. But then I would learn nothing.
Thanks for whatever you can share.
I know next to nothing about active crossover design aside from basic function. And the circuit layout looks very similar to other low-level signal devices. So that brings me to;
-I have no idea from a design perspective why those caps are there.
-I know from experience and looking at the practice of others that caps in the signal path are worthy of avoidance.
-You don't see much in the way in upper end designs of electrolytics in any signal path.
-Film caps in my experience always sound better than electrolytics.
What I'm attempting is to expand my knowledge base and understand the why's. I could just move some things around and stick film caps in there. But then I would learn nothing.
Thanks for whatever you can share.