FirstWatt J2

Attachments

  • Version 1.jpg
    Version 1.jpg
    146.3 KB · Views: 942
  • Version 3.jpg
    Version 3.jpg
    370.6 KB · Views: 902
Member
Joined 2006
Paid Member
I've built my clone on EUVL's boards and had everything per his schematic. I was only getting about 4.5 mA through R33. Bias was about 1.35 A on the output devices with the output offset nulled. Seemed reasonable at just a bit over the 1.2 A I've seen suggested.

Trying to get the current through the frontend up to 8.5mA, I changed R33 to 187 Ohms but now I can't null the offset. The Rdg pot is turned all the way down to 0.5 Ohms and I still have about 3.5 volts on the output.

Not understanding how to get the offset further down I'm actually thinking that I was good at the start before changing R33. Isn't the drop across R33 the current through just Q2? So at about 4.5 mA across R33 and the output nulled the current should be the same through both Q2 and Q3 at about 9mA total. Is this correct?

Cheers
Rick
 
> Trying to get the current through the frontend up to 8.5mA, I changed R33 to 187 Ohms

8.5mA refers to the current in Q1, and NOT R33.
R33 will normally see half of that, i.e. 4.3mA.
There is NO need to change the value of R33 unless you want to change the front end bias to 17mA at Q1.
I see no reason for that, but if that is what you want, then you have to double up to use 2x Q1 (either 2SK170 or J113) in parallel.
A single JFET will not take the dissipation.

For trimming DC offset, you should only adjust Rdg, and not R33.
Rdg will allow you to fine adjust the current through Q1.


Patrick
 
Single input transistor, positive rail supply (but separate secondaries, one for each channel ...it seems... the PS PCB says Dual Mono Power Supply...) an optocoupler and AC sound coupling capacitor bank at the output. I am not that familiar with the FW amps range... maybe someone else can narrow it down?

On a separate note, I think the guy should stop selling publicly the blatant rip off of the original design. That's what I call a hardened criminal.
 

Attachments

  • Untitled-1.jpg
    Untitled-1.jpg
    622.3 KB · Views: 608
Member
Joined 2008
Paid Member
I’ve put aside some pairs of curve trace matched R100 and some j109/j74 in case, by miracle, production ever ends and the circuit is made public and blessed by Papa.

I’ve also hoarded some other matched and unmatched pairs.
I’ve got a bit if a JFETish.

So in the mean time, I build using sockets to avoid damage to my unobtanium so I can reuse them in different designs.

Most recent build is a pair of Babelfish J2. I’ve built them all IRFP first for testing…still troubleshooting some noise in one. Once they are both good I’ll plug in the SS and make appropriate resistor adjustments and reset bias and offset.

I’m curious to compare ZMs all IRFP to SS down and possibly an all SS version.

I also have Jeff Youngs J2 boards that I wanted to try.

Currently using F2J in my sunroom system with OB and the J2 were last in the main system bi-amping Tannoys.

I’ve tried SS down in ACA as well…they added the usual improvements. I left them in for now even though I don’t use them much. I would like to build two more channels and bridge them along with SS to see the results.

I work slow…🐌
 

Attachments

  • A15214E5-8F4B-451F-816B-42C8D61C51B8.jpeg
    A15214E5-8F4B-451F-816B-42C8D61C51B8.jpeg
    299.2 KB · Views: 140
  • 12C86F39-BCB8-4169-9FCB-F2864559421A.jpeg
    12C86F39-BCB8-4169-9FCB-F2864559421A.jpeg
    337.8 KB · Views: 146
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user