His Master's Noise: A Thoroughly Modern Tube Phono Preamp

[tvicol]

I have removed twitter posts as there is a huge compression and this add distortion.
I'll load original files to some sharing server.

I love the Salas phono. It is well designed and sound good.
HMN is in another league. Timbre is different, better clarity, separation, huge soundstage, top spectrum is diamond clear, bass is round and precise.
To my ears and not only, HMN is a clear winner.

Regards,
Tibi

[Brinkman]

Nice Tibi.
What is the record you are playing in the twitter clip?

I was going to originally build HMN but have since decided to go the Equal Opportunity w/ SUT route. The Sowter SUTs were originally intended for the HMN.

[tvicol]

Thanks Brinkman !

Pink Martini - Storm - Album: Dream a little dream
Storm, a song by Pink Martini, The Von Trapps on Spotify

Regards,
Tibi

[978HK]

Hi,

I'd like to ask about capacitors for C12 and C16, input to the regulator IC's at 0.1uF. LM317 data sheets says ceramic, LM337 says solid tantalum. Can anyone please suggest how critical this is, or even better, what is the 'best' type to use for use in this circuit.

Also somewhat related, what is the impact of using 100uF+ in lieu of the usual 10uF from ADJ to 0V.

Thank you
J. Peterman

[Salas]

Originally Posted by tvicol

I have removed twitter posts as there is a huge compression and this add distortion.
I'll load original files to some sharing server.

I love the Salas phono. It is well designed and sound good.
HMN is in another league. Timbre is different, better clarity, separation, huge soundstage, top spectrum is diamond clear, bass is round and precise.
To my ears and not only, HMN is a clear winner.

Regards,
Tibi

Is there a chance your FSP was set somewhat gainy on your cartridge? Possibly bit overloading? There is also the Valve Itch I had compared it to. At its best with rare Soviet 6N2P gold grid large triple mica on input stage and rarest Soviet 1578 at the output. The two designs do sound different as JFET vs Triode based would, but not incomparably different. The Itch is insensitive to proper gain with cartridge though due to high voltage B+

[tvicol]

At the time of comparison, HMN had higher gain, so FSP was for sure not overloaded. In fact FSP was set at lowest gain for a MC cartridge with 2mV max output.
FSP sounded very good and it was the one that set me to look for more.
Initially I have tested HMN with JJ E88CC. Later with Genelex 6922. In the end I settle at the 6N23P which is a fantastic tube.

Beside sound difference, there is a cost difference as well.
To build HMN final cost was almost 2000euro.
To build FSP final cost was ~350euro.
So FSP is a great phono that offer fantastic value for the price.

Regards.
Tibi

[Salas]

Cost consideration is very true. A couple of Sowter SUT for using regular or low output MC carts and a couple of 1578 tubes in the Itch add up to 600EUR about four parts alone. The JFET solution is surely VFM comparably while in latest UFSP version is even better.

[jackinnj]

Originally Posted by Jacopo Peterman

Hi,

I'd like to ask about capacitors for C12 and C16, input to the regulator IC's at 0.1uF. LM317 data sheets says ceramic, LM337 says solid tantalum. Can anyone please suggest how critical this is, or even better, what is the 'best' type to use for use in this circuit.

Also somewhat related, what is the impact of using 100uF+ in lieu of the usual 10uF from ADJ to 0V.

Thank you
J. Peterman

the 10uF at that point is to reduce noise and lower the output impedance of the regulator. In fact it's not necessary at all as the filaments draw a constant current which obviates the need of LowZ regulator. Gilding the lily if you ask me.

C12 and C16 -- only if the regulator is more than a few inches from its supply. Ceramics are fine, and when tantalums fail, they fail spectacularly.

[978HK]

Originally Posted by jackinnj

the 10uF at that point is to reduce noise and lower the output impedance of the regulator. In fact it's not necessary at all as the filaments draw a constant current which obviates the need of LowZ regulator. Gilding the lily if you ask me.

C12 and C16 -- only if the regulator is more than a few inches from its supply. Ceramics are fine, and when tantalums fail, they fail spectacularly.

Thank you, will use what I have on hand - 10uF at ADJ. If C12 and C16 are somewhat flexible, okay to use 0.1uF MKP?.



J. Peterman

[jackinnj]

Thank you, will use what I have on hand - 10uF at ADJ. If C12 and C16 are somewhat flexible, okay to use 0.1uF MKP?.

sure!