• WARNING: Tube/Valve amplifiers use potentially LETHAL HIGH VOLTAGES.
    Building, troubleshooting and testing of these amplifiers should only be
    performed by someone who is thoroughly familiar with
    the safety precautions around high voltages.

"Serious Pre" Tube Build

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Hello to the city of Belgrado,
Indeed in series 20k and parallel 5K at Hashimoto and Tangp np216 datasheet.
But at np126 they write 20 and 10 K .
I know that just like putting two 20H chokes in parallel will not give you ten but five H so it must be an error on the Np126 sheet.
Greetings,Eduard

Hello

Best than to check with Tango ( distributor ? ) for NP126 data - since these are not cheap items i personally would not dare to assume error but would try to find out what is the true state, if i could.

Regards, Krca
 
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I have written to ISO Tango and asked them to confirm this which I found on the reseller site. I also received a quote to buy direct from the company.

———————-

The Tango NP-126 has 2 primary windings and can be used as Single-ended (SE) to SE, or PP to SE, or SE to PP.

With the 2 primary windings connected in series the NP-126 can be used with tubes which internal resistance is between 10K and 20K. (tubes with lower internal resistance are always possible) When the primary windings are connected in parallel the NP-126 can be used with tubes which internal resistance is between 2K5 and 5K.
 
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I think I'm closer on the schematic after working for more on it and getting advice. Also here is a screen shot of the PSUD I am trying to model. I get close to proper voltage. I am guessing at impedance of the used TRIO power transformer and stuff. Also on the schematic removed the 5k resistor at the input to the output transformer as we dropped the voltage on the PSU side before that I think. I drew it in as a resistor with 0 ohms to remind me it used to be there in the Japanese circuit we started with. Tried to draw in the black magic choke stuff based on some emails from the power guru.

IMG_8571.jpeg
 

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Hello,
He will need 5kohm so the lower diagram will fit. So 20K in series and 5k in parallel.
But Iso/ Tango datasheet np126 is mentioning 20K and 10K
And Tango np216 is talking about 20k or 5K
So we need the knowledge base on this website or someone with better eyes than an average Japanese technician.
Greetings,Eduard
I've asked ISO via email. See another post.
 
You should check how much current draws R1 shunt resistor ( first after the choke ) and see how much power it burns to size it in Watts properly.

PSUD - change the rectifier configuration to full wave - on the picture is half wave ( assuming You are using transformer with Center Tap - also 6X5 rectifier tube is for full wave rectification - as drawn in Your schematic ).
 
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Thank you @krca45 . Now I know full wave vs half wave means centre tap. But i can't make PSUD insert a dual coil input choke as I have drawn in my circuit. Today I'm going to start reading the building valve amp books. The power stuff is mind boggling to me.
 
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Tried to put resistor in the lower branch ( 0 Volts ) in PSUD and could not do it.

Try to find Morgan Jones - Valve Amplifiers fourth edition - apart from being a good book there is an extended chapter about chokes - You can buy a book or maybe find it in pdf format for free download. Also Morgan Jones - Building Valve Amplifiers for lot of practical advices.

For the books about building valve amps - there are links at Pette Millett's web site - the major one is Radiotron Designer's Handbook 4th edition, downloadable for free since it is was printed in 1953 - this is one of the reference books.
 
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What is the point of a 0 Ohm resistor?
Do not guess at the resistance of the primary or secondaries of the transformer. Measure them with an ohm meter. Same for the choke.
You do not need to be able to insert a resistor onto the 0V or "ground" rail of the PSU. If you want a resistor on the "+" rail and the "0V" rail, these can be considered as in series and can be represented with one resistor in PSUD.
E.g., two resistors, each 50ohm, equals one 100 ohm resistor.

Look at DHT Rob's guidance on how to use PSUD. (Google that name and PSUD.)

Your primary checks will be voltages at capacitors, not the transformer.

What is a dual coil choke? Can it not be modeled as a single choke with a definite inductance and DC resistance?

You should know the total current draw of your preamp circuit. Use that (current source) as the load on the PSU in PSUD instead of a resistance.

KISS
 
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Hello,
It seems only the old people amongst us have a clue about choke input. They probably remember Allen Wright saying the input choke should be bigger than the power transformer.
Lundahl chokes always behaved very well when used in choke input circuitry and on top of that they are constructed with two identical coils.
Don't tell us now we have bigger caps and we dont need chokes anymore.
Greetings,Eduard
 
Hi fusion360guy,
I'll agree. The very best thing you could possibly do is find a copy of Morgan Jones "Building Valve Amplifiers", BVA for short. Morgan knows precisely what he is talking about, and comes from a common sense perspective.

Powered speakers are always problematic. The good news is that you can use your design to drive a better solution. Keep in mind your amplifiers are far better located with the rest of your gear. The worst cable to run long distance is the signal feed to the amplifier.
 
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Thanks @anatech it’s awaiting me in my Apple Books! I love common sense! But find it in short supply! Maybe bedtime reading tonight. I’ve been so busy following up on the advice of all here this weekend! I will eventually build the power amp and speakers! II came to that angle from being a semi pro musician. I retire next May and will have time to build something I could never afford. Same with the Serious pre I hope and Franken DAC I just built.

My cable from DAC to serious pre will be short. But my speakers are on the other side of the room. xLR transformers cheaper than new house 🏡! Especially in post COVID market !
 
Hi Michael C,
Choke input power supply only way to go, beats any other type of voltage regulation..
Ahhh, nope! Not even close.

You may prefer this for various reasons. There are solid reasons why electronic voltage regulators were developed, and they were constantly improved over decades and decades. Also, a choke is a choke as long as it has reasonable quality. Leakage factors and series resistance come into play, and higher resistance isn't always a bad thing. Being stuck on one brand doesn't make any sense at all.

So you may say "only way to go", but that is for you alone. The rest of the world moved on a long time ago. Choke input - sure (it has problems you need to be aware of), followed by electronic regulation. The choke attenuates high frequencies effectively, couple that with electronic regulation and you've got something. Resistive input also works well in a pi configuration with a smaller input cap. than most use.