Yeah but is it meaner than a junkyard dog? ...😉No problem.
A good reason to use current source instead of resistors. Even the baddest currentsource is 3 times better than 15K. A good lesson. 🙂
(with advance apologies to Jim Croce)
Seriously, that was not at all my point, and thanks again, for helping with the correct math.
The datasheet for the FG series really does not seem to say much (to me, anyway). Any idea what makes these special... well, besides the gold-ish color on the outside... 😀
Reason why I ask is mainly because it seemed to me that one would want to select at least one cap, the one that will supply most of the current for the output, to be the lowest ESR/highest ripple current possible... 😕
I had Panasonic FM in feedback and FC on rails, with better ESR and ripple current than Nichicon FG, but the sound was not so pleasant, mids dry, less resolution, bass not so defined, more shy. Don't ask me why, but that's the case. If someone finds out something better then FG please let me know.

I'd like to see a measurement of the ground integrity. Low ESR caps will also pull more on the ground trace.
Please be gentle, I don't own any high-end audiophile stuff, it is simply beyond my means. Ones I own to directly compare:
Bryston 3B
Bryston 4B
Denon POA-2800
Yamaha AX-590 (I don't use this one anymore at all, it sounds wretched; but then it was the very first one I bought for myself and seemed fine when I was too young to know better)
Yamaha PD-2500
I know these aren't really high end units but they all have different character. The Brystons sound boomy (muddied?) to me, but the rest of the range seems decent. The big Yamaha is decent sounding but somewhat noisy, both electrically and mechanically (forced air cooling). The power amp section of the AX-590 sounds thin (I blame the DC servo and smallish caps in the signal path) and the treble is searing, very fatiguing to listen to. The Denon sounds nicest of my commercial products, punchy and tight with smooth top end.
Having said that about what I can compare the VSSA to, I almost immediately hook the VSSA back up after switching to any one of the others. I'm going to have a hard time taking it down long enough to build a chassis for it!
These all are very good amps, but what stands out in comparison to VSSA is price. VSSA in comparison to Bryston is 10 times cheaper but gives more pleasure, that's the whole point of this project. 😎
Prepare the chassis to the point you just need to transfer VSSA from current position to new location in one hour and shorten hard times as much as possible hehe

LC quote: "Completely true. The best sounding results came out from .....and MKT Vishay-Roederstein, tested."
???Mmm thought EPCOS - B32522C106K sounded better ???
Why? You have tested EPCOS?
I'd like to see a measurement of the ground integrity. Low ESR caps will also pull more on the ground trace.
Soon you could do the measurments by yourself hehe 😉
Yeah but is it meaner than a junkyard dog? ...😉
(with advance apologies to Jim Croce)
Seriously, that was not at all my point, and thanks again, for helping with the correct math.
I did not want to offend you. 🙂
I did not test anything yet 🙁 I just assumed the switch from vishay roe to epcos in later versions of vssa was because epcos sound better.
Were Nichicon KA tried aswell?
Were Nichicon KA tried aswell?
1000uF FC series is rated at 1 amp ripple, 0.068 SR, but also for hi temp @ low cost, not a bad combo for industrial applications $0.65/100. Not really intended for small-sig instruments or audio, I believe.I had Panasonic FM in feedback and FC on rails, with better ESR and ripple current than Nichicon FG, but the sound was not so pleasant, mids dry, less resolution, bass not so defined, more shy. Don't ask me why, but that's the case. If someone finds out something better then FG please let me know.![]()
1000uF FR series is rated 1.8A ripple, 0.028 SR, but almost double the price, $1.10/100.
1000uF FG series is rated 1.1 amp ripple, and same price as the FR series in quantity. However, in low quantity, the price is $1.95 each. It would be interesting to know how the FG series behaves (recovery) when hit by several consecutive high-current pulses, compared to a low ESR cap of the same value, but I have no idea how to test that w. what I have at home.
For the VSSA kit, the $$ difference is not that great, and for those building more than one set of VSSA boards, price will be close to same (Mouser pricing, 25-piece price break).
I used the FR series to build Shaan's circuit, since one of the goals was parts cost under $50.
@sonnya: I was not offended in the least, just wanted to make sure u knew I was not trying to put a resistor up against a FET in terms of performance, and I have a pair of boards on order from the GB. I DO try to read your posts carefully, and respect your knowledge. My goal was to lay out and build Shaan's version of the circuit close to HIS intended goal (low cost etc.) I also provided a few boards to others to spread the wealth a bit in the community, so-to-speak.
My personal intent was to have a little fun, and try a new (to me) freeware layout tool. And I left some space to add components, in the interests of experimentation, and closer compatibility with the VSSA 1.4 schematic. So one day hopefully I can have my own private VSSA shootout (chuckle).
@LC backatcha...

Were Nichicon KA tried aswell?
Nichicon KA tested in rails in first VSSA pair, stayed there, feedback's Panasonic replaced with FG.
I did not test anything yet 🙁 I just assumed the switch from vishay roe to epcos in later versions of vssa was because epcos sound better.
You see that I do have tests on my mind, these are last two VSSAs to be tested with EPCOS, a little cheaper than Vishay-Roedersteins. 😎
Last edited:
My personal intent was to have a little fun, and try a new (to me) freeware layout tool. And I left some space to add components, in the interests of experimentation, and closer compatibility with the VSSA 1.4 schematic. So one day hopefully I can have my own private VSSA shootout (chuckle).
@LC backatcha...![]()
Tnx, nice to have you here, your CCSless versions are great and you were very generous giving other members opportunity to have fun too. Shootout on schedule soon.

Hi GB members 
73 out of 86 GB members already payed and confirmed VSSA orders. Thanks a lot.
13 GB members still on the move to pay and confirm. If someone from this remaining group intends to cancel the order please let me know soon, cause some new guys are waiting in the row to receive the offers. 🙂
Delivery note (without any price stated) and VSSA installation manual will be included inside the parcels shipped to each delivery address. 😉
Invoices will be send separately to your e-mail addresses. 😉
Tomorrow all pre assembled VSSA modules will finally be delivered to me.
Regards, Andrej

73 out of 86 GB members already payed and confirmed VSSA orders. Thanks a lot.

13 GB members still on the move to pay and confirm. If someone from this remaining group intends to cancel the order please let me know soon, cause some new guys are waiting in the row to receive the offers. 🙂
Delivery note (without any price stated) and VSSA installation manual will be included inside the parcels shipped to each delivery address. 😉
Invoices will be send separately to your e-mail addresses. 😉
Tomorrow all pre assembled VSSA modules will finally be delivered to me.

Regards, Andrej

You can finally stop soldering all those SMDs by hand, and if any boards are left over, you could hold a lottery to see who gets them... 😀
Last edited:
LC,
Since we are talking about capacitors, what about Elna RFS - Silmic II? It is available at parts connexion for 2.85$ a piece. I read a article somewhere comparing different electrolytic capacitors and Elna Silmic were rated highly. The only issue I see is that the diameter is 18mm instead of 16mm available on the board. Thats the reason earlier I asked if 18mm will fit the board. If it does, I can give it a go.
Availability - 1000uF, 50V is available but 2200uF is not. Only 3300uF, 10V is available. Can this be used instead of 2200uF, 6.3V?
Thanks
Since we are talking about capacitors, what about Elna RFS - Silmic II? It is available at parts connexion for 2.85$ a piece. I read a article somewhere comparing different electrolytic capacitors and Elna Silmic were rated highly. The only issue I see is that the diameter is 18mm instead of 16mm available on the board. Thats the reason earlier I asked if 18mm will fit the board. If it does, I can give it a go.
Availability - 1000uF, 50V is available but 2200uF is not. Only 3300uF, 10V is available. Can this be used instead of 2200uF, 6.3V?
Thanks
How about here? Elna RFS SilmicII- 16V222MK9#5- 2200uF/16vdc - Handmade ElectronicsLC,
Since we are talking about capacitors, what about Elna RFS - Silmic II? It is available at parts connexion for 2.85$ a piece. I read a article somewhere comparing different electrolytic capacitors and Elna Silmic were rated highly. The only issue I see is that the diameter is 18mm instead of 16mm available on the board. Thats the reason earlier I asked if 18mm will fit the board. If it does, I can give it a go.
Availability - 1000uF, 50V is available but 2200uF is not. Only 3300uF, 10V is available. Can this be used instead of 2200uF, 6.3V?
Thanks
Hello iaxxaxxai,
Thank you for that link, I have bookmarked it. Did not know about this website.
I can get it shipped to some one in US and get to India, no issues with that. Awaiting LC's confirmation if we can use these caps.
Thanks
Thank you for that link, I have bookmarked it. Did not know about this website.
I can get it shipped to some one in US and get to India, no issues with that. Awaiting LC's confirmation if we can use these caps.
Thanks
- Home
- Vendor's Bazaar
- VSSA Lateral MosFet Amplifier