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This is the photo of the amp. with 300B instead 2A3.
The main results should match these items:
Lundahl is one of the world´s
leading manufacturer of audio transformers used in many professional studio
recording and radio stations so He have a very big experince and all these
products use a custom audio C-core.
I have used the Lundahl transformers also in my new
transformer
coupled headphone amplifier and in the DAC getting in both case incredible
performances.
The total price of the transformers is about 700$.
About input stage I have tested many combination starting from parallel
6SN7 to the 6H30 russian incredible tube but with
the 5842 Raytheon the sonic result is very more higher.
The other vantage using the 5842 is the voltage gain that allow to connect the amplifier directly to the DAC chip so we will have only two tubes on the signal. Infact I am proposing in this same page also a digital input.
I am using a DACT stepper attenuator instead of the normal ALPS or NOBLE solution, because the the sound is clearer. A good review of these components can be found on the article published in Hi-Fi World.In this schematic also there are no passive components on the signal!
The output tubes used are the 2A3 Valve Art by Part Connections.
About wire forget the teflon ! use only stranded tinned copper wire
with pvc isulator and for loudspeakers I am testing the elevator cables
(paralleled wire with a good section).
About passive components types, I don't leave many choices:
Holco or Caddock resistances on cathode, ELNA Cerafine capacitors on cathode
and power supply.
For all my new projects, I am using the very good ELNA Cerafine capacitors
that I love and which can be find at good price by
Welborne
Labs.
The ELNA Cerafine capacitors contain super fine ceramic particles which,
through chemical reaction, improve the discharging speed between the anode
and electrolyte with very low distortion.
Any other electrolytic or polypropylene capacitor give very lower sonic
performances introducing some alteration. Only the Blackgate WKZ could
give better sound, but I have not tested it and I know of some problems
during startup phase.
If this amplifier will be used with a tube preampl. use a 100K 1/4W Caddock resistance instead the stepper attenuator.
If this amplifier is used after a CDplayer use the DACT 100K +100K stepper attenuator.
The 0.56 ohm resistors could be adjusted to have correct 5V on filaments of tubes and a value range from 0.47 ohm to 0.68 ohm should be good to test and match any rectifier.
I have used 2 x 1Kohm MP816 Caddock resistors for the automatic bias of the 2A3 but a single normal 470ohm 25W could be used but sonic performance could be compromized.
Also this resistors could be adjusted to have the perfect bias current 120mA.
Digital Input stage
This project give a first class sonic performance but this can be easily
compromised by a bad input signal so I suggest you to don't use preampl.
and use one of my DAC projects.
Using one of my top DAC projects all the DIYer's will reach the same
sonic result.
The DAC normally included into commercial CDPlayer (even these of significant
price) have a rather low performance because the common usage of high NFB
operational amplifiers "destroy" the sound given compression effects and
poor soundstage stability.
The sonic performances are the best of all my projects!
This is a very reference amplifier and I suggest it to everyone if
the power output is enougth.
Layout views
click on the images to get real scale
Attention:
some 100uF+100uF 500V ELNA Cerafine capacitors are higher so you should
use an higher chassie or you can use 100uF+100uF 350V!
click on the images to get real scale
3 mm aluminum with external size 490 x 220 mm
3 mm aluminum with external size 490 x 120 mm
