If you think of it as 3 different supplies:
1 x 300V
1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3
The 300V gnd and the 6.3 gnd are connected together.
The elevated heater GND is not connected to the same GND as the other 2, but rather to a point on the HV supply so that it actually floats at ~1/3 the B+. This point is made by the 2 resistors on the bottom of the PSU sch (220K, 470K). So even without the heater connected, testing voltage at this point should give you 1/3 B+. The bypass cap in parallel with the 220K stops hum.
Post a pic maybe too?
Fran
1 x 300V
1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3
The 300V gnd and the 6.3 gnd are connected together.
The elevated heater GND is not connected to the same GND as the other 2, but rather to a point on the HV supply so that it actually floats at ~1/3 the B+. This point is made by the 2 resistors on the bottom of the PSU sch (220K, 470K). So even without the heater connected, testing voltage at this point should give you 1/3 B+. The bypass cap in parallel with the 220K stops hum.
Post a pic maybe too?
Fran
The 2 heater circuit gnds do not connect together....
"low" heater gnd connects to main circuit circuit gnd only
"high" heater gnd connects to 150v point on hv power supply only
"low" heater gnd connects to main circuit circuit gnd only
"high" heater gnd connects to 150v point on hv power supply only
For the top halve of each totem pole only.
Fran if I understood Salas 150V goes to gnd heaters of valves V3 & V4 right? not to +6.3 heaters?
Yes, connect the GND of the heaters for V3 and V4 to the 150V point on the HV supply. Those heaters do not connect to "normal" or circuit GND at all but that heater then "floats" above ground.
If this is done correctly, then using the DMM, measure:
Circuit GND to elevated heater GND = ~150V
Circuit GND to elevated heater POS = ~156.3V
If this is done correctly, then using the DMM, measure:
Circuit GND to elevated heater GND = ~150V
Circuit GND to elevated heater POS = ~156.3V
Fixed the issue🙂 was connected heater gnd to chassis gnd instead to leave floating, now I have the heaters elevated to 150V 

Capacitor & shunt regulator question for new build
Hi all
I have just spent some time reading most of this thread and deciding I will build the itch phono, I have nearly everything I need. I have some questions.
I have a lot of stock of gas regulators, VR150, VR105 etc, how about a shunt regulator for the HV from an Ixys 10M45S CCS feeding two series VR150 running at 30mA?
I have used this method with gas regulators quite a bit, in a phono stage, and in driver stages for single ended amplifiers with much success. The CCS isolates the rest of the power supply very nicely.
I am having problems finding 1% film caps for the RIAA section. I have used polystyrene capacitors in phono stages before to good affect. Has anyone used polystyrene caps in the RIAA for the itch?
Thanks
Martin
Hi all
I have just spent some time reading most of this thread and deciding I will build the itch phono, I have nearly everything I need. I have some questions.
I have a lot of stock of gas regulators, VR150, VR105 etc, how about a shunt regulator for the HV from an Ixys 10M45S CCS feeding two series VR150 running at 30mA?
I have used this method with gas regulators quite a bit, in a phono stage, and in driver stages for single ended amplifiers with much success. The CCS isolates the rest of the power supply very nicely.
I am having problems finding 1% film caps for the RIAA section. I have used polystyrene capacitors in phono stages before to good affect. Has anyone used polystyrene caps in the RIAA for the itch?
Thanks
Martin
I have a set from the group buy a while back - and it's unlikely now that I will use them. I can't remember what they cost, but not expensive anyway. Let me know if you want them...
Fran
Fran
Any good -quiet- supply is acceptable, the system has some PSRR also due to the upper deck tubes in the schema working as CCS. The solid state shunt reg is an optional peripheral that has some own merit.
I have a set from the group buy a while back - and it's unlikely now that I will use them. I can't remember what they cost, but not expensive anyway. Let me know if you want them...
Fran
Hi Fran
That would be great, yes please I'd like the capacitors. I will send you a PM.
Many thanks
Martin
For heaters instead 9VAC 30VA txs I have on hand 12VAC 3A = 36VA I think I could use, could someone reconfirm?
You'll be fine, but you'll need to watch the heatsinks on the LM317 - the extra few volts will mean more heat at regulation.
Fran
Fran
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
😀
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Last edited:
- Home
- Source & Line
- Analogue Source
- Valve Itch phono