Dear Forumers
I had the chance to listen to the MBL 6010D, an expensive machine and I was truly impressed how it compared with my references in my primary system (Threshold Fet10, and Counterpoint SA5000).
Finally I was amazed to learn that the MBL preamp has its own heart base on AD797s opamps.... This op must be really good, Oh Well MBL mates must also be very smart for getting all that sound out of it!
Now I am putting up a second system with on all-DIY-chain. I was thinking to build a preamp based on the AD797.
I found a Chinese kit:
6010D Preamp PCB Board MBL Circuit DIY Dual to Mono P006 | eBay
Often these Chinese kits are overlooked and sloppy thought. Can somebody tell me whether the circuit above is any reasonable? Do you find any mistakes? Do you think I can get something out of it?
Best Wishes
Pierre
I had the chance to listen to the MBL 6010D, an expensive machine and I was truly impressed how it compared with my references in my primary system (Threshold Fet10, and Counterpoint SA5000).
Finally I was amazed to learn that the MBL preamp has its own heart base on AD797s opamps.... This op must be really good, Oh Well MBL mates must also be very smart for getting all that sound out of it!
Now I am putting up a second system with on all-DIY-chain. I was thinking to build a preamp based on the AD797.
I found a Chinese kit:
6010D Preamp PCB Board MBL Circuit DIY Dual to Mono P006 | eBay
Often these Chinese kits are overlooked and sloppy thought. Can somebody tell me whether the circuit above is any reasonable? Do you find any mistakes? Do you think I can get something out of it?
Best Wishes
Pierre
There is certainly at least one more Chinese interpretation of the 6010D circuit floating around. The ebay circuit does not show where the volume pot connects. Is it between the stages? If not, then what's the point of two amplification stages?
Other than that the circuit will certainly work but i fail to notice any magical properties. No output resistor does seem a bit risky too. Even if the original MBL shares the same circuit, power supply design, regulation (none on board???) and parts choice can make all the difference.
Other than that the circuit will certainly work but i fail to notice any magical properties. No output resistor does seem a bit risky too. Even if the original MBL shares the same circuit, power supply design, regulation (none on board???) and parts choice can make all the difference.
There are two stages because first is 5x and second 10x amplification - which is perfectly acceptable.
Going all the way to 50x with just one stage limits the output top frequency limit (due to BW product being limited) and also increases the distortions (due to reduced feedback).
Sure, if you don't need that level of gain, just ommit first stage or adjust the feedback network to suit.
No output resistor increses the capability to drive capacitive loads (next stage input).
PS: Looks like the pot is connected at the input of first stage.
Going all the way to 50x with just one stage limits the output top frequency limit (due to BW product being limited) and also increases the distortions (due to reduced feedback).
Sure, if you don't need that level of gain, just ommit first stage or adjust the feedback network to suit.
No output resistor increses the capability to drive capacitive loads (next stage input).
PS: Looks like the pot is connected at the input of first stage.
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Are we looking at the same circuit? Gain of x50 perfectly acceptable for a line stage???
First stage gain seems to be over x6 and second - x2 which is a bit more acceptable. In the "other" Chinese circuit i've seen the pot is sandwiched between the stages which makes a lot more sense. And input stage is a buffer which also makes more sense.
The 797 is a really nice sounding opamp. Layout and decoupling are absolutely critical though. I guess an output resistor is also essential for use with most cables. Other than that even a textbook circuit can sound great with it.
Never really looked for one. At the time i built a truly text-book, single stage preamp on a protoboard and probably even used 3-terminal regs. Just keep in mind it's prone to oscillations with poor layout and insufficient decoupling.
The ebay board may be a good starting point as the layout is probably good enough and decoupling appears to be ok. Up to you whether to use it as a single stage or as a buffered pot. I would probably do some surgery and fit a daughter board with some nice regulators close to the opamps. Maybe order more than one board
The ebay board may be a good starting point as the layout is probably good enough and decoupling appears to be ok. Up to you whether to use it as a single stage or as a buffered pot. I would probably do some surgery and fit a daughter board with some nice regulators close to the opamps. Maybe order more than one board
Unless my eyes deceive me, I calculate a net gain of about 10.6x or 20.5dB. This is a common amount of gain for a line stage. This figure includes the small attenuation due to the two low-pass R.F. filters at the input to each op-amp. Not too many interesting design details are evidenced in the schematic. I've already mentioned the R.C. input filters. Some audio engineers feel that bandlimiting the input to an op-amp is among the most importants design details. Perhaps, what's more interesting are the details not in evidence.
Using a second stage to deliver another 6dB in gain appears unecessary. It looks as though the output (second) op-amp could have been wrapped inside the feedback-loop of the first, ala' Walt Jung. Such as, matching the source impedance as seen by the op-amp input terminals.
Using a second stage to deliver another 6dB in gain appears unecessary. It looks as though the output (second) op-amp could have been wrapped inside the feedback-loop of the first, ala' Walt Jung. Such as, matching the source impedance as seen by the op-amp input terminals.
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I wonder whether it is too complicated. I thought a simple two stage AD797 could do the job anyway.
P
I dont see how it can get simpler then that. The DIYGENE PCB has 3 inputs and single ended or balanced output, thats why it looks complicated. If you only use one input with singled ended output, its really just one NE5534 for input stage and one AD797 for output stage. You can leave the rest of the pcb unpopulated.
If you know the correct component values or have the schematics would you mind sharing them with us?
![CIMG2975[1]23.JPG](/community/data/attachments/241/241088-aeec201f35fa81fa54c0c7cd332f6d1d.jpg)
I dont know if you realize many of the projects in this forum are based on "clones" Those of us who are interested in "clones" dont expect nor are we interested in an exact replica of the original. Its true that these designs are sometimes incompetently executed. Thats why many of these long threads about a certain "ebay clone" end up being tweaked until they are un-recognizable. But still, they are a good and inexpensive starting point for us diyers.
Here is the definition of trademark infringement:
Infringement may occur when one party, the "infringer", uses a trademark which is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark owned by another party, in relation to products or services which are identical or similar to the products or services which the registration covers.
Please note the word identical
Here's MBL's trademark
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
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I dont see it anywhere on the PCB. I really doubt MBL has the rights to just the words "MBL 6010D"