Just completed my PhonoCLone and the sound is just WOW 
I was using a NAD PP2 before and the upgrade is just breathtaking. I can hear layers in the music, the different mike technics used. The sound is organic and fluid.
The noise is almost no existent. It is below the LP surface noise.
The supply noise is there because the supply caps are so small, but you hear it only at deafening sound level with no music. In normal use, it is nothing. If the small caps contribute to this speedy and great sound, I take them anytime
It is the best phono preamp that I had built so far. I'm still working of my ONO preamp but this one is much easier to build and much cheaper too.
Very recommended.
Here a view of the preamp's rear. Both supply connectors on the side. The input and output RCA in the middle.
I was using a NAD PP2 before and the upgrade is just breathtaking. I can hear layers in the music, the different mike technics used. The sound is organic and fluid.
The noise is almost no existent. It is below the LP surface noise.
The supply noise is there because the supply caps are so small, but you hear it only at deafening sound level with no music. In normal use, it is nothing. If the small caps contribute to this speedy and great sound, I take them anytime
It is the best phono preamp that I had built so far. I'm still working of my ONO preamp
but this one is much easier to build and much cheaper too.Very recommended.
Here a view of the preamp's rear. Both supply connectors on the side. The input and output RCA in the middle.
Attachments
noise levels
I have tested the phoneclone now with two cartridges:
DENON 160 (Yes I am aware, high output)but this is my test set-up) and
ZYX RS10-02 (low output) in my real listening set-up.
I do use 4 opa27's and onboard regulation of 15V (78/7915)
The DC comes either from batteries or from a preregulated 18V DC (LM 317/337).
Denon 160
Apart from some hum due to layout, really awsome
At the moment I do prefer the preregulated use, some more steady low. Less spectacular, more musical.
ZYX RS10-02
Relatively high noise level, both with batteries as well as with Prereg DC. Better system thus anyhow better sound.
As the Rs of this cartidge is (only) 4 ohm I brought down R2 to 1k. This did help somewhat with the noise level. The R1 is at 150R because input impedance is quoted >100R.
With no cartridge connected no-noise (ink black), as soon as this cartridge is connected I have noise, far above vinyl surface noise?
I did hear some what longer time ago a ZYX20 on an original phonecube. No relevant noise. The only difference between the 10 and 20 is the shape of the stylus.
In what direction should I search to get rid of the noise?
Thanks for all inputs.
E&E
I have tested the phoneclone now with two cartridges:
DENON 160 (Yes I am aware, high output)but this is my test set-up) and
ZYX RS10-02 (low output) in my real listening set-up.
I do use 4 opa27's and onboard regulation of 15V (78/7915)
The DC comes either from batteries or from a preregulated 18V DC (LM 317/337).
Denon 160
Apart from some hum due to layout, really awsome
At the moment I do prefer the preregulated use, some more steady low. Less spectacular, more musical.
ZYX RS10-02
Relatively high noise level, both with batteries as well as with Prereg DC. Better system thus anyhow better sound.
As the Rs of this cartidge is (only) 4 ohm I brought down R2 to 1k. This did help somewhat with the noise level. The R1 is at 150R because input impedance is quoted >100R.
With no cartridge connected no-noise (ink black), as soon as this cartridge is connected I have noise, far above vinyl surface noise?
I did hear some what longer time ago a ZYX20 on an original phonecube. No relevant noise. The only difference between the 10 and 20 is the shape of the stylus.
In what direction should I search to get rid of the noise?
Thanks for all inputs.
E&E
E&E
- you can only edit text for 1h or so after you post it.
- with the ZYX RS10-02, R1 should be a couple of ohms or zero. Set R2 to about 400 ohms.
- the rest of the noise may be due to layout issues. See back to the discussion earlier in this thread.
- R1 should always be set to the cartridge impedance or less, never the rated load resistance. At 150 ohms, you've unnecessarily added a significant noise source into your circuit.
/R
- you can only edit text for 1h or so after you post it.
- with the ZYX RS10-02, R1 should be a couple of ohms or zero. Set R2 to about 400 ohms.
- the rest of the noise may be due to layout issues. See back to the discussion earlier in this thread.
- R1 should always be set to the cartridge impedance or less, never the rated load resistance. At 150 ohms, you've unnecessarily added a significant noise source into your circuit.
/R
Need some help troubleshooting
Hey All,
I designed my powersupply and wired it exactly as layed out in the phonoclone hint page. Each channel board works perfectly when they are wired by themselves to the powersupply and fed a signal from the source. I also tested sending the signal from both channels of the source. The problem happens when both boards are wired to the powersupply and fed both l/r signals. Only one side will play and the other is completely distorted and/or not play at all. If I hold the point where both COM lines to the boards connect in the case, the distortion on the bad channel clears up a bit and starts playing.
It's definitely a grounding problem but for the love of all things good I can't figure out what's causing it. Could someone help me troubleshoot this?
thanks!
-erik
Hey All,
I designed my powersupply and wired it exactly as layed out in the phonoclone hint page. Each channel board works perfectly when they are wired by themselves to the powersupply and fed a signal from the source. I also tested sending the signal from both channels of the source. The problem happens when both boards are wired to the powersupply and fed both l/r signals. Only one side will play and the other is completely distorted and/or not play at all. If I hold the point where both COM lines to the boards connect in the case, the distortion on the bad channel clears up a bit and starts playing.
It's definitely a grounding problem but for the love of all things good I can't figure out what's causing it. Could someone help me troubleshoot this?
thanks!
-erik
In the meantime I converted the VSPS ultra in the ethernet hub box to a VSPS.
I compared this double mono VSPS to the stereo battery operated VSPS I used at the ETF 05.
The main differences, between the two (both based on OPA134 and Audyn Cap outputcaps, bypassed by sowjet MKP's):
New: double mono, 2 x 50VA trannies, LM7808/7908, Oscon. RIAA caps NOS polystyrene.
ETF 05: stereo, battery operated at 15-0-15V, Panasonic FC and Oscon, RIAA caps silver mica.
Conclusion:
- The double mono amp has remarkable better soundstage
- The double mono is less noisy (infact dead silence) than the battery operated. The difference must be the lower voltage and some grounding issues.
- Soundwise, I prefer the polystyrene caps over the micas.
This was now the second VSPS, I presented to a friend and was not allowed to bring it back home
As I still use my first phonoclone, based on a double opamp OPA2227, I want to consolidate my system an will build a double mono phonoclone, based on AD797 and OPA228P.
Here the assembled board. The black MKP 4 coupling caps 0.47uF will be replaced by 1uF Audyn Cap after christmas holidays.
Franz
I compared this double mono VSPS to the stereo battery operated VSPS I used at the ETF 05.
The main differences, between the two (both based on OPA134 and Audyn Cap outputcaps, bypassed by sowjet MKP's):
New: double mono, 2 x 50VA trannies, LM7808/7908, Oscon. RIAA caps NOS polystyrene.
ETF 05: stereo, battery operated at 15-0-15V, Panasonic FC and Oscon, RIAA caps silver mica.
Conclusion:
- The double mono amp has remarkable better soundstage
- The double mono is less noisy (infact dead silence) than the battery operated. The difference must be the lower voltage and some grounding issues.
- Soundwise, I prefer the polystyrene caps over the micas.
This was now the second VSPS, I presented to a friend and was not allowed to bring it back home
As I still use my first phonoclone, based on a double opamp OPA2227, I want to consolidate my system an will build a double mono phonoclone, based on AD797 and OPA228P.
Here the assembled board. The black MKP 4 coupling caps 0.47uF will be replaced by 1uF Audyn Cap after christmas holidays.
Franz
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