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Cheapie hybrid

post #1 of 4
Thread Starter 

I just finished a small hybrid, to keep me patient while a proper tube amp is very slowly getting built. In line with the NE5534 cheapie ( http://gilmore2.chem.northwestern.edu/ubb/showpage.php?fnum=3&tid=7773 ), the aim was to use what was in my junkbox. The schematic is a mix of ideas, none of which I could call mine: very conventionnal SRPP input stage, simple CFP follower using the heaters in serie as load for the output. Coupling caps are 0.33uf MKP caps (also coming from computer PS) and output caps are simply two panasonic M 100uF/35V in parallel. The 12au7's are a pair of Mullard pulled from a dead oscilloscope. The low voltage power supply is very simple; a 18VAC/1A transformer, 4 diodes, 2 4700uf caps. I'm using 2 small chokes (1500uH) in a LCLC fashion to tame the ripple. The high voltage supply uses a smaller xformer backwards, followed by a HV bridge and a CRC filter (using caps salvaged from computer power supplies). While it is silent with my K340 there's quite a bit of hum with lower impedance/higher sensitivity headphones.

 

Certainly not a "boutique amplifier", but it sounds good enough to be used on a computer with a small usb dac. Schematic below, I'll post a pair of pictures when I can borrow a digital camera.

 

cheapie tube.png

post #2 of 4

interesting.  why did you choose srpp vs. common cathode?

post #3 of 4
Thread Starter 

Fashion victim ? It's a cute circuit, isn't it ?

 

Seriously, I wanted to run the 12au7 at 3ma minimum and I needed a dual tube by channel (for the 12V heaters string) but my B+ is a bit weak and I didn't want to load it with 12ma. Thus, no paralleling. The SRPP lets me run the tubes in serie, limiting the current drawn from the B+.  I tried to take the output from the top anode and it didn't sound any better.

post #4 of 4

Yes, it's a cute circuit. :)  I noticed the MAD Ear+ HD Super II is using SRPP as well.

 

I might put something like this together, but with different tubes (6AS7 perhaps).  I need to learn more about setting up SRPP configurations and this might be a good start.

 

Your reasons work for me. :)  I was wondering if this might start a "SRPP is better" debate that you see crop up now and then. :P

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