MPP

The XCEN is a balanced to unbalanced converter that i designed with EUVL. Actually i did not design much but had the idea for the input stage. You may remember the time when Sampler was more active here. I had shown that idea to convert from balanced to unbalanced right at the input.
The XCEN design is a folded cascode though like the Blowtorch and does not use mirrors.
The circuits works in my place and we have a PCB but i am still fine tuning it.
The XCEN can also be used after a balanced I/V stage in a DA converter.
There are good integrated solutions from Thats for example but we wanted something discrete.
 
Congratulations on what seems to be a great design!

One more question on psu. I read earlier that:
a) the shunt regs are very good, and
b) the stage itself has very good PSRR.

Now what are requirements for rectification and preregulation?
What are really the requirements and how much difference will it make?
 

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Yes.. amtrans.. They sound ok but I will never use those again as they differ more than 20% from spec and present great variations between samples.

The yellow cap is my fav... Polystyrene on tin foil... quite juicy stuff.

The vertical trim pot I use for cart load is a bulk metal from vishay... quite good.

The 6800u caps are FR and the others are 2200 FM + 470u BG

I am currently rediscovering my LP collection... incredible mixture of detail and integrity.