Strip Down Power Amplifier Horch Model 3.0 and 3.0s; what TO-3 Power Output Devices?

Unknown reason of constant blown fuses at model 3.0s located in the 230VAC line to transformer's primary input forced me to find out the differences to the reliably operating model 3.0. The following was observed in detail:

With this power amplifier (independent mains transformers for each channel), the fuses between the mains connection and each mains transformer, located at the back plate, often blown away - sometimes only those from the right channel or only from the left channel, sometimes also those from both channels.

As a first step, I switch-on the power amplifier at another place with good daylight conditions near the window without connected loudspeakers and pre-amplifier.
The fuses do not blown here and the DC voltage values ​​as well as the quiescent current match with the 3.0 model on both channels (offset between +/- 2,5mV and 5mV.
The next step was to set up the power amplifier at its usual location near the other audio components, but now also without connected speakers and pre-amplifiers.
One of the fuses blown again immediately.

Faulty wall socket for mains?
No, because now connected to the same wall socket as near the window, the fuses of both channels blown away again.

What's going on here ?

Next I examined the differences in detail between the models "3.0s" and "3.0" (of model 3.0 I create a circuit diagram with the DC measured values ​​a long time ago).
The following differences to the model 3.0 I note (check out also the schematics of the images No 1-4):

1) a. Low-pass filter capacitor is missing in the input (not used on PCB - go to image No 2 and 4 in post #2 - the one from last image and image No 3 in post #2 I have added, the value in the 3.0 is 220pF)
1) b. Enclosure (chassis) not electrically connected to circuit ground (no grounding cable soldered to the present soldering lug in the middle between the cinch input sockets and cinch input sockets of both channels insulated installed - go to image No 5) - therefore the chassis acts as an "antenna" for electrical interference fields of all kinds.

2) Input resistance reduce to 22K (47K for the 3.0)

3) NFB resistance reduced from 1K to 820 Ohm and not on the circuit board but externally in the shrink tube in series to the separate cable to the GND star point on the main capacitors (2x33mF/80V) PCB-holes therefore not used. Go to image No 8+9.
4) LTP resistor (15K) on the complementary input differential amplifier replaced by a constant current diode (possibly J508) in a TO92 outline - go to image No 7
5) MPS-A42/MPS-A92 (for VAS stage, TO-92 outline in the 3.0) replaced by metal versions in the TO18 outline without printed type No - go to image No 1 in post #2
6) Series air coil with parallel resistor 4R7 at the output is missing (but Boucherot network on the speaker terminals at the back plate is present - go to images No 5+6)
7) Bridge rectifier with single diodes in the TO-220 outline - presumably "fast-switching" or "fast recovery time" versions (printed type naming sanded off unfortunately) - see images under
Unknown TO220 Diodes (discrete Bridge Rectifier) for Horch 3.0S and Threshold 4000 (in model 3.0 two normal 35A bridge rectifier are in use on the bottom of the case).
8) Another transformer with the same voltage and the same dimensions, but higher current delivery capability and thus higher value for VA (in both models class II versions with angle brackets are in use - probably made by German's transformer manufacturer "FG-Elektronik" - meanwhile taken over by Uber Uns – Sasse Elektronik)
9) Inrush current limiter on the back of the mains connection plug (IEC inlet C14); missing on model 3.0 - see images in post # 41 under
The ultimate Inrush Current Limiter Solution for large Toroidal Transformers
10) Toothed lock washer (to ensure a perfect electrical connection between the output transistors connected in parallel) on the top of the board (go to image No 9 in post #2) instead of on the conductor track side - go to image No 5-8 in post #2.

Here rises up the question of which differences were wanted and which differences were unwanted - in particular the differences under 1) are unwanted in my opinion and could be responsible for the blown away fuses, because this could be the reason for unwanted high-frequency oscillations which forces the highest possible current flow like with an interrupted VBE pot for adjusting the right value for quiescent resp. idle current.

Perhaps someone also has the model 3.0s in use and could see whether a cable leads away from the soldering lug by removing the dust cover.
And maybe someone already has repair and modification experience with it.

Thank you very much for any advice.

P.S.: for the used power devices in the TO-3 outline there exist only a small range - go to the TO-3 versions in post #1, under number 1) and 4) under
bipolar (bjt) transistor families for audio power output stages
Unfortunately all out of production (obsolete):
1) 2ST5949/2ST2121 250V 17A 250W
https://www.st.com/resource/en/datasheet/cd00178796.pdf
https://www.st.com/resource/en/datasheet/cd00171926.pdf
2) MJ21195/21196 and MJ21193/21194 250V 16A 250W
https://www.onsemi.com/pdf/datasheet/mj21195-d.pdf
https://www.onsemi.com/pdf/datasheet/mj21193-d.pdf
3) additional this older types: MJ15022/15023 200V 16A 250W
https://www.onsemi.com/pdf/datasheet/mj15023-d.pdf
https://www.onsemi.com/pdf/datasheet/mj15022-d.pdf

Are TO-3 versions still available resp.in ongoing production ?
 

Attachments

  • DSCF8108.jpg
    DSCF8108.jpg
    801.8 KB · Views: 234
  • DSCF8107.jpg
    DSCF8107.jpg
    635.9 KB · Views: 258
  • DSCF8105.jpg
    DSCF8105.jpg
    600.3 KB · Views: 203
  • DSCF8106.jpg
    DSCF8106.jpg
    789.3 KB · Views: 221
  • Horch 3.0S Zobel-I.jpg
    Horch 3.0S Zobel-I.jpg
    986.8 KB · Views: 202
  • Horch 3.0S Zobel-II.jpg
    Horch 3.0S Zobel-II.jpg
    980.7 KB · Views: 134
  • DSCF8062.jpg
    DSCF8062.jpg
    978.7 KB · Views: 118
  • Horch 3.0S ext. NFB Resistor-II.jpg
    Horch 3.0S ext. NFB Resistor-II.jpg
    983.2 KB · Views: 110
  • Horch 3.0S ext. NFB Resistor.jpg
    Horch 3.0S ext. NFB Resistor.jpg
    987.6 KB · Views: 105
  • DSCF8052.jpg
    DSCF8052.jpg
    984.5 KB · Views: 161
Last edited:
more images
 

Attachments

  • Horch 3.0S VAS TO-18.jpg
    Horch 3.0S VAS TO-18.jpg
    977.6 KB · Views: 81
  • DSCF8070.jpg
    DSCF8070.jpg
    977.3 KB · Views: 73
  • DSCF8074.jpg
    DSCF8074.jpg
    990.8 KB · Views: 54
  • DSCF8072.jpg
    DSCF8072.jpg
    992.1 KB · Views: 66
  • Horch 3.0S External Toothed Lock Washers-IV.jpg
    Horch 3.0S External Toothed Lock Washers-IV.jpg
    977.1 KB · Views: 56
  • Horch 3.0S External Toothed Lock Washers-II.jpg
    Horch 3.0S External Toothed Lock Washers-II.jpg
    857.3 KB · Views: 54
  • Horch 3.0S External Toothed Lock Washers-III.jpg
    Horch 3.0S External Toothed Lock Washers-III.jpg
    983.1 KB · Views: 52
  • Horch 3.0S External Toothed Lock Washers.jpg
    Horch 3.0S External Toothed Lock Washers.jpg
    869.3 KB · Views: 52
  • Horch 3.0S External Toothed Lock Washers-wrong.jpg
    Horch 3.0S External Toothed Lock Washers-wrong.jpg
    978 KB · Views: 50
  • Horch 3.0S without PCB.jpg
    Horch 3.0S without PCB.jpg
    997.5 KB · Views: 57
continue
 

Attachments

  • Horch 3.0S Capacitors.jpg
    Horch 3.0S Capacitors.jpg
    1 MB · Views: 68
  • Horch 3.0S Main Switch.jpg
    Horch 3.0S Main Switch.jpg
    979.8 KB · Views: 61
  • Horch 3.0S Main Switch-II.jpg
    Horch 3.0S Main Switch-II.jpg
    985.8 KB · Views: 51
  • DSCF8022.jpg
    DSCF8022.jpg
    886.7 KB · Views: 58
  • Horch 3.0S PCB-II.jpg
    Horch 3.0S PCB-II.jpg
    808.5 KB · Views: 91
  • Horch 3.0S PCB-III.jpg
    Horch 3.0S PCB-III.jpg
    949.5 KB · Views: 64
  • DSCF8014.jpg
    DSCF8014.jpg
    684.6 KB · Views: 72
  • Horch 3.0S connection PCB-Heatsink-I.jpg
    Horch 3.0S connection PCB-Heatsink-I.jpg
    904.9 KB · Views: 78
  • Horch 3.0S connection PCB-Heatsink-II.jpg
    Horch 3.0S connection PCB-Heatsink-II.jpg
    685.7 KB · Views: 63
  • Horch 3.0S connection PCB-Heatsink-III.jpg
    Horch 3.0S connection PCB-Heatsink-III.jpg
    734.5 KB · Views: 61
more images
 

Attachments

  • Horch 3.0S PCB-I.jpg
    Horch 3.0S PCB-I.jpg
    846.4 KB · Views: 89
  • Horch 3.0S bottom.jpg
    Horch 3.0S bottom.jpg
    999.9 KB · Views: 89
  • Horch 3.0S con-.jpg
    Horch 3.0S con-.jpg
    980.3 KB · Views: 84
  • Horch 3.0S Con+.jpg
    Horch 3.0S Con+.jpg
    862 KB · Views: 65
  • Horch 3.0S Front.jpg
    Horch 3.0S Front.jpg
    977.3 KB · Views: 76
  • Horch 3.0S open top.jpg
    Horch 3.0S open top.jpg
    989.8 KB · Views: 94
  • Horch 3.0S open top-II.jpg
    Horch 3.0S open top-II.jpg
    972.7 KB · Views: 149
  • Horch 3.0S rear.jpg
    Horch 3.0S rear.jpg
    997.2 KB · Views: 74
  • Horch 3.0S sticker.jpg
    Horch 3.0S sticker.jpg
    983.5 KB · Views: 86
  • Horch 3.0S inrush current lim-VII.jpg
    Horch 3.0S inrush current lim-VII.jpg
    1,013.4 KB · Views: 100
Are TO-3 versions still available resp.in ongoing production ?
2) MJ21195/21196 and MJ21193/21194 250V 16A 250W
I bought MJ21193 & MJ21194 2 weeks ago from newark.com the US version of farnell.com . Date codes in '21 . $10.32 ea. All are painted MEX but the newark label says the 93 are COO MY instead of MX .
Newark also stocked MJ21195/96 . Wg-ski tells me one series is a select version of the other, but I can't tell which is the inferior part. There are slight difference in the typical gain curves; nothing in the guaranteed parameters.
Great analysis of possible deficiencies of the modifications.
 
Last edited:
I even have amps that have MJ15022 and 024 in the same parallel bank, that came from the factory that way. Only allowing 250 volt capable parts to be sold would have been a significant yield hit, judging by the fact that the 022 hasn’t gotten phased out yet. Differences between 21193 and 5 are even smaller - I don’t know why they even bothered unless it was Marketing’s decision. There is a bump in the SOA at 80 volts, but it’s only a BUMP, and not something that would compel me to use one over the other.

That particular amp topology likes to OSCILLATE. It doesn’t surprise me that there were changes over time as problems that weren’t there before crop up and they needed to “fix” them.