Greetings All,
I wish to build a RIAA phono stage using opamps to be used with MC cartridges. I have read an earlier thread http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50530&perpage=10&pagenumber=2
with comments by "rjm" where he suggests a two stage passive RIAA approach is a good first step. I am leaning towards this schematic (I'm more of a constructor than a designer!) offered by Linear Tech (see attachment) using the old chestnut - LT1115.
I am seeking advice on several matters:
Does this schematic have any major pitfalls?
Secondly, I would like to alter the over gain of the preamp by -20dB in one instance and alternatively boost the gain by about +10dB in another. Can this be achieved successfully by simply altering the 2 resistor gain network around the second opamp using a dil switch for selection?
Many commercial (e.g. Trichord Dino, Project Phono-Box) phono stages offer “compatibility” with both MM and MC cartridges. Is this attempted by offering a selection of input impedances, loads and gain to suit each type of cartridge but essentially staying with the original topology?
Many thanks for advice, MP.
I wish to build a RIAA phono stage using opamps to be used with MC cartridges. I have read an earlier thread http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50530&perpage=10&pagenumber=2
with comments by "rjm" where he suggests a two stage passive RIAA approach is a good first step. I am leaning towards this schematic (I'm more of a constructor than a designer!) offered by Linear Tech (see attachment) using the old chestnut - LT1115.
I am seeking advice on several matters:
Does this schematic have any major pitfalls?
Secondly, I would like to alter the over gain of the preamp by -20dB in one instance and alternatively boost the gain by about +10dB in another. Can this be achieved successfully by simply altering the 2 resistor gain network around the second opamp using a dil switch for selection?
Many commercial (e.g. Trichord Dino, Project Phono-Box) phono stages offer “compatibility” with both MM and MC cartridges. Is this attempted by offering a selection of input impedances, loads and gain to suit each type of cartridge but essentially staying with the original topology?
Many thanks for advice, MP.
Attachments
Walt Jung has made a deeper study about this design. See the book from Analog Devices which you can download free of charge.mp741 said:Does this schematic have any major pitfalls?
http://www.analog.com/Analog_Root/s...ing/TUTORIALSSEMINARMATERIAL/seminar2_02.html
For the record what I originally said was:
However, that advice was for rather for moving magnet rather than moving coil gains. Ask much more than 50 dB from this circuit and you start to see the stretch marks. A three stage passive (Hag. Tech Bugle?), or two stage active RIAA design (Phonoclone, etc) starts to make increasingly more sense as gain increases.
To answer your questions:
No it has no major pitfalls.
No you cannot just fiddle around with the gain without consequences.
Most commercial MM/MC stages switch in another gain stage when the MC input is selected.
/R
The most ironclad DIY option for those who don't know how to design op-amp circuits is the two stage, passive RIAA, approach [...] Insert your flavor-of-the-month IC and chances are it will have low noise and sound pretty decent.
However, that advice was for rather for moving magnet rather than moving coil gains. Ask much more than 50 dB from this circuit and you start to see the stretch marks. A three stage passive (Hag. Tech Bugle?), or two stage active RIAA design (Phonoclone, etc) starts to make increasingly more sense as gain increases.
To answer your questions:
No it has no major pitfalls.
No you cannot just fiddle around with the gain without consequences.
Most commercial MM/MC stages switch in another gain stage when the MC input is selected.
/R
i'd think very seriously about using the AD797 if i was building for moving coil and using op amps (versus discrete devices)
mlloyd1
mlloyd1
For reasons i don't fully understand (free opamp samples?) the INA103 seems these days completely forgotten. And yet it makes for a very nice input stage compatible with very low output MCs.
I last used the INA103 about 10 years ago with a 100uV cart. It sounded at least as good as any opamp i had at hand; noise was extremely low and it could be configured for balanced input.
I last used the INA103 about 10 years ago with a 100uV cart. It sounded at least as good as any opamp i had at hand; noise was extremely low and it could be configured for balanced input.
Thank you gentlemen for your advice and interest. The phono amp (MC) I wish to build needs to be a little generic to work with a range of cartridges. For example:
Benz-Micro L2 @ internal impedance 13R / 0.3mV and
Ortofon Rondo Blue @ internal impedance 6R / 0.5mV
Considering the earlier comments, I’m leaning towards a two stage device. First opamp (INA103 suggested, looks good – maybe with a DC servo) with about 30dB gain (no RIAA) which feeds into a second opamp stage (AD845?) – single amp with active RIAA and 34dB gain - overall gain of about 64dB.
I’m not against discrete components but I don’t wish to spend long evenings measuring Vgs’s or Hfe’s…besides, you need a technical mind to work those DMM’s… Uncomplicated discrete front end schematics (which can precede the second opamp RIAA stage and replace the first opamp) most welcome here.
This preamp is to feed an M-Audio PCI card resident in a DAW, i.e. archiving LP’s to CD. The front ends range from Linn LP12 with Origin Live tweaks, Rega 3 to MicroSeiki.
I was hoping to include a MM stage as well. Maybe the best solution here is to build a separate MM stage and house it in the same chassis as the MC amp and have the outboard supply plugged into one or the other.
Cheers, MP.
Benz-Micro L2 @ internal impedance 13R / 0.3mV and
Ortofon Rondo Blue @ internal impedance 6R / 0.5mV
Considering the earlier comments, I’m leaning towards a two stage device. First opamp (INA103 suggested, looks good – maybe with a DC servo) with about 30dB gain (no RIAA) which feeds into a second opamp stage (AD845?) – single amp with active RIAA and 34dB gain - overall gain of about 64dB.
I’m not against discrete components but I don’t wish to spend long evenings measuring Vgs’s or Hfe’s…besides, you need a technical mind to work those DMM’s… Uncomplicated discrete front end schematics (which can precede the second opamp RIAA stage and replace the first opamp) most welcome here.
This preamp is to feed an M-Audio PCI card resident in a DAW, i.e. archiving LP’s to CD. The front ends range from Linn LP12 with Origin Live tweaks, Rega 3 to MicroSeiki.
I was hoping to include a MM stage as well. Maybe the best solution here is to build a separate MM stage and house it in the same chassis as the MC amp and have the outboard supply plugged into one or the other.
Cheers, MP.
analog_sa:
good point. the INA103 is a nice part, too.
i'm thinking the AD797 a better choice in some aspects, but not having built a RIAA moving coil preamp with either, i guess i really can't say.
your feedback sounds consistent with users who i know have used the INA103 in such a way.
mlloyd1
good point. the INA103 is a nice part, too.
i'm thinking the AD797 a better choice in some aspects, but not having built a RIAA moving coil preamp with either, i guess i really can't say.
your feedback sounds consistent with users who i know have used the INA103 in such a way.
mlloyd1
analog_sa said:... the INA103 seems ... forgotten ... It sounded at least as good as any opamp i had at hand ...
Are you sure that you want to use a '797????
BJT inputs...........connected to an antenna. WJ switched from using that part in his reg, if I am correct, to eliminate RFI/EMI issues.
I guess we could ask our resident "fact collector". He has gleaned most everything possible from WJ already. [joke]
A buddy said that he used an '825, and it was great. I have never heard it, so we only have his word. I believe he paid for the op-amp, so he may be biased.
Jocko
BJT inputs...........connected to an antenna. WJ switched from using that part in his reg, if I am correct, to eliminate RFI/EMI issues.
I guess we could ask our resident "fact collector". He has gleaned most everything possible from WJ already. [joke]
A buddy said that he used an '825, and it was great. I have never heard it, so we only have his word. I believe he paid for the op-amp, so he may be biased.
Jocko
I tried the AD825 in a single op amp TI application note RIAA (MM) stage once and it was very good sounding. Better then OPA176, 604, 134, 712, 847 and 275. (I know there are duals and singlles in this list, i used adaptors.)
I used a 3 op amp electronics and wireless world design for many years that sounded very good.
Passive RIAA, shunt feedback I think. Still have spare boards somewhere.....
I used a 3 op amp electronics and wireless world design for many years that sounded very good.
Passive RIAA, shunt feedback I think. Still have spare boards somewhere.....
... mmm, that was true but that is comparing cherries with strawberries.Jocko Homo said:Are you sure that you want to use a '797????
BJT inputs...........connected to an antenna. WJ switched from using that part in his reg, if I am correct, to eliminate RFI/EMI issues.
Walt's application was a gain 1 application together with a power stage AND with a certain pcb, a pretty difficult task I must say. This is a high gain application with no extra circuits involved at the output, a completely different task. If the amp is designed properly with options for RFI filters an AD797 will work pretty good.
Personally I have tested, LT1115, LT1028, AD797, NE5534(!), uA741 (as a test only, not so good...

mp741 said:Uncomplicated discrete front end schematics (which can precede the second opamp RIAA stage and replace the first opamp) most welcome here.
like this?
http://www.fortunecity.com/rivendell/xentar/1179/projects/aaphono/aaphono.html
mp741, if you are in to a two amp RIAA I really recommend that you take a look at Walt Jung's description in his book. Walt has also made it easier in choosing 100nF caps instead of very odd combinations as in the example from Linear.
http://www.analog.com/library/analogDialogue/archives/39-05/op_amp_applications_handbook.html
http://www.analog.com/library/analogDialogue/archives/39-05/Web_Ch6_final_I.pdf
Check page 6.11
http://www.analog.com/library/analogDialogue/archives/39-05/op_amp_applications_handbook.html
http://www.analog.com/library/analogDialogue/archives/39-05/Web_Ch6_final_I.pdf
Check page 6.11
I last used the INA103 about 10 years ago with a 100uV cart. It sounded at least as good as any opamp i had at hand; noise was extremely low and it could be configured for balanced input.
Can you post the circuit?
I am very interested in a balanced front end.
Tom
EE
I found this project at a website.
It uses 3 OP-amp stages.
LT1028 - OPA627 - OPA134
Optional one AD797 instead of LT1028.
SUPER FAST & ULTRA LOW NOISE MC PREAMP
It uses 3 OP-amp stages.
LT1028 - OPA627 - OPA134
Optional one AD797 instead of LT1028.
SUPER FAST & ULTRA LOW NOISE MC PREAMP
Performances of this preamp are very low noise and it’s fast.
I hope, we can together made better preamp of this
and I expect your suggestions.
Best regards, Dioklecijan.
I would like to use the INA103 in balanced mode for MM/MC.
Anyone have a schematic or further information on this configuration?
Tom
EE
Anyone have a schematic or further information on this configuration?
Tom
EE
For MC you should build the PhonoClone. I just completed it and the sound is just gorgeous. Noise level is very low and you can adjust the gain easily. I made my own PCB with jumpers to choose between two gains.
Very recommended and easy/cheap to build.
Very recommended and easy/cheap to build.
Algar_emi said:For MC you should build the PhonoClone. I just completed it and the sound is just gorgeous. Noise level is very low and you can adjust the gain easily. I made my own PCB with jumpers to choose between two gains.
Very recommended and easy/cheap to build.
If I remember you build the ono clone too, did you compare the phonoclone to it?
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