Hello Richard,
Now that I have finished the Emerald preamp, and since I have the VSPS 6.0 board all done and seating on my desk, I am considering putting the VSPS board in an enclosure and building a PSU for it in a separate enclosure. Since the enclosures that I have are little on the small side, the Triad VPM24-1040 may fit but it will be tight. The Triad VPT24-1040 transformer (without a shield or screen) is little smaller that would probably fit little easier in the enclosures that I have. Having that said, I was wondering what is the detriment going with the VPT vs the VPM? Should I expect to have issues with EMI, noise, etc., if I end up using the VPT series transformer, although the PSU is in a separate enclosure?
Thanks.
Now that I have finished the Emerald preamp, and since I have the VSPS 6.0 board all done and seating on my desk, I am considering putting the VSPS board in an enclosure and building a PSU for it in a separate enclosure. Since the enclosures that I have are little on the small side, the Triad VPM24-1040 may fit but it will be tight. The Triad VPT24-1040 transformer (without a shield or screen) is little smaller that would probably fit little easier in the enclosures that I have. Having that said, I was wondering what is the detriment going with the VPT vs the VPM? Should I expect to have issues with EMI, noise, etc., if I end up using the VPT series transformer, although the PSU is in a separate enclosure?
Thanks.
@gda23
As you mentioned, medical-grade VPM transformers are physically larger than standard VPT transformers of the same power rating.
You can use the VPT transformers, though, as I did for some years. The VPM is an upgrade, nothing more, nothing less. It offers peace of mind and possibly a darker background.
As you mentioned, medical-grade VPM transformers are physically larger than standard VPT transformers of the same power rating.
You can use the VPT transformers, though, as I did for some years. The VPM is an upgrade, nothing more, nothing less. It offers peace of mind and possibly a darker background.
Greetings, esteemed contributors and of course, the much-admired author. I want to build a VSPS but make a board for it with the possibility of using modern SMD-components. Here I would like to present some of my thoughts and hear the criticism of more experienced colleagues, if I am somewhere wrong.
1. Some manufacturers specify for their cartridges not only the recommended load resistance, but also the capacitance. So I added such a capacitor in parallel to the input. But not all circuits have them, so I'm not sure if it is needed and would appreciate comments.
2. A 3000pF capacitor in series with a rather large resistor in feedback has less effect on the sound than a 1000pF capacitor. So I thought it was possible to use a COG ceramic capacitor there.
1000pF I plan to use mica or styroflex.
3. As an output capacitor I want to use a smaller polypropylene capacitor, which is not as high quality as the one Richard suggests. Would I get a better sound if I put a 1000pF styroflex capacitor in parallel? If anyone has experience, please share it. I have only shunted electrolytes, no experience with film capacitors.
4. I would be grateful if you could evaluate the board for errors.
I work in KiCad and would be happy to share the project if anyone is interested.
p.s. Pardon my English - I use a translator.
1. Some manufacturers specify for their cartridges not only the recommended load resistance, but also the capacitance. So I added such a capacitor in parallel to the input. But not all circuits have them, so I'm not sure if it is needed and would appreciate comments.
2. A 3000pF capacitor in series with a rather large resistor in feedback has less effect on the sound than a 1000pF capacitor. So I thought it was possible to use a COG ceramic capacitor there.
1000pF I plan to use mica or styroflex.
3. As an output capacitor I want to use a smaller polypropylene capacitor, which is not as high quality as the one Richard suggests. Would I get a better sound if I put a 1000pF styroflex capacitor in parallel? If anyone has experience, please share it. I have only shunted electrolytes, no experience with film capacitors.
4. I would be grateful if you could evaluate the board for errors.
I work in KiCad and would be happy to share the project if anyone is interested.
p.s. Pardon my English - I use a translator.
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Hi RPS75,
Measure the cable capacitance to the turntable and of the input to the preamp. Subtract that from the recommended cartridge load and make the difference up with a capacitor.
Styroflex or a good NP0/C0G ceramic capacitor are both great. Use higher voltage ratings (above 50V) for capacitors, they are better. Polypropylene for higher values of film caps. You are wasting your time bypassing electrolytic coupling capacitors. In a power supply things are different.
The translator is working fine.
Measure the cable capacitance to the turntable and of the input to the preamp. Subtract that from the recommended cartridge load and make the difference up with a capacitor.
Styroflex or a good NP0/C0G ceramic capacitor are both great. Use higher voltage ratings (above 50V) for capacitors, they are better. Polypropylene for higher values of film caps. You are wasting your time bypassing electrolytic coupling capacitors. In a power supply things are different.
The translator is working fine.
Hi. I have been using this phono stage for over a month now and I would like to say that I am very pleased with it. It gives a very "analog", dense, but still intelligible sound. On my cheap turntable with the AT3600L cartridge it sounds great. I'm not saying it's the best. When we compared it on an expensive Torrance with a Naim Nait II clone, you can hear that the Naim is more attentive to detail, aftertouch and quiet sounds, which makes a difference in acoustic chamber ensembles. But when we're listening to something more dynamic and intense, the VSPS plays very well. Thanks Richard! In my design I used OPA1656, 1206 package metal film resistors and stabilizers based on TPS7A49 and TPS7A30. Battery powered is even better. Capacitors are described above. Highly recommended!
currently I'm using it with MUSE opamp and Mundorf Supreme caps for coupling... sounds amazing with the Goldring G1042 on one of my turntables. I'm into highend tube phono stages and it's crazy that this little toy gives it away to equipment so extolled in audiophile magazines. I've been owner of CAT, Audio Research, and many other top phono stages.
Before making this corrector I read a lot of reviews about it, and realized it had a lot of potential with quality parts. Your review confirms this once again. But I was interested to evaluate it on available inexpensive components, so that it would not be more expensive than a turntable). And even this realization shows a decent result. Could you please tell me how you did the power supply on your version?