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Schematic
Figure 1 shows the schematic diagram of the
amplifier. The audio input signal on connector K1
is fed to input transformer TR2. The secondary of
this transformer drives the two triode sections of
the tubes in opposite phase via resistors R8 and
R12. The anodes of the pentode sections of tubes
V1 and V2 are connected to the primary winding
of transformer TR1 (an encapsulated PCB-mount
power transformer), which is recast as an output
transformer here. The output signals from the triodes are fed to the control grids of the pentodes
via networks C3/R3 and C5/R16. The two secondary windings of TR1 drive the loudspeaker. You
can fit jumpers on JP1 to connect these windings
in series or in parallel. JP2 and R26 provide the
negative feedback path from the output to the
+Va
R24
1k
R12
1k
R11
1k
47n
P
S
LS+
R26
R18
R17
R25
1k
TR2
3
K1
1
2
K2
JP3
JP2
1k
1
2
JP1
FL14/6
3
8
7
R13
47R
4k7
R9
R16
1k
47R
C4
R8
R7
5
10R
R5
R22
2k7
C2
220R
-Vff
C6
10u
100n
LTEI19/KD-0703
R21
47k
R10
R20
47k
P2
bias
R23
470R
1k
63V P1
balance
10k
bias
R6
R19
1k
1k
K5
-Vff
D1
K4
1N5819
2
C8
100n
IC1
LM337
adj
1
680k
R4
1
2
1k
3
8
7
10u
250V
LS-
100n
V2
PCL86
C7
9
1k
R3
K3
R14
100k
V1
PCL86
680k
R2
100k
100n
TR1
C5
10R
1k
C3
Va
R15
10k
R1
C1
100n
R27
8R2
R28
8R2
130385 - 11
Figure 1.
This simple tube amplifier is
built around a pair of PCL86
(14GW8) tubes.
Projects
The allowable range of the anode supply voltage
Va is 160 VDC to 200 VDC. A suitable power supply
for the amplifier is described below.
PCB design
Elektor Labs designed a double-sided PCB layout
for the tube amplifier. The PCB design is posted at
Component List
Amplifier
Semiconductors
Resistors
(1%, .6W, 350V):
v i c e.c
om
.e l e k
ww
er
r p c bs
to
Figure 2.
The PCB layout for a single
amplifier channel; two of
these must be assembled
for a stereo amplifier.
R1,R3,R6,R8,R9,R11,R12,R15,R16,R19,R25 = 1k
R2,R14 = 100k
R4,R17 = 680k
R5,R18 = 10
R7,R13 = 47
R10 = 220
R20,R21 = 47k
R22 = 2.7k
R23 = 470
R24 = 10k
R26 = 4.7k
R27,R28 = 8.2
P1 = 10k trimpot, 0.15W, horizontal mounting
P2 = 1k trimpot, 0.15W, horizontal mounting
Capacitors
C1,C3,C5 = 100nF 250V, 5%, MKP, 5, 7.5, 10, 15 or
22.5mm pitch
C2,C8 = 100nF 100V, 10%, MKT, 5 or 7.5mm pitch
C4 = 47nF 250V, 10%, MKP, 5, 7.5 or 10 mm
C6 = 10F 100V, radial, 2.5mm pitch, 6.3mm diam.
D1 = 1N4007
IC1 = LM337
Tubes
V1,V2 = PCL86 or 14GW8
Miscellaneous
TR1 = power transformer, Block type FL 14/6, 2x115V
primaries; 2x6V secondaries; 14 VA
TR2 = 1:5 audio transformer, e.g. LTEI19/KD-0703
(Conrad Electronics # 515701-89)
K1,K5,JP2,JP3 = 2-pin pinheader, 0.1 pitch
K2,K4 = 2-way PCB screw terminal block, 5mm pitch
K3 = 2-way PCB screw terminal block, 7.5mm pitch
JP1 = 4-pin pinheader, 0.1 pitch
3 or 4 jumpers for JP1, JP2, JP3
V1,V2 = tube socket, ceramic, 9-pin Noval, PCB
mount
Heatsink for IC1, 30K/W (e.g. Fischer Elektronik SK
12 SA 32)
PCB # 130385-1, see [1]
Power Supply
Resistors
R1 = 270k, .5W, 350V
R2 = 10k, .25W, 250V
Capacitors
C1C4 = 4.7nF 400V
C2C8 = 47nF 100V ceramic
C9 = 100F 350V
C10,C11 = 1000F 50V
Semiconductors
D1D4 = 1N4007
D5D8 = 1N5819
D9,D10 = LED, low-current
Miscellaneous
F1 = fuse, 200mA/T (115VAC: 400mA/T)
with holder
F2 = fuse, 750mA/T with holder
K1,K2 = 2-way PCB screw terminal block,
7.5mm pitch
K3 = 2-way PCB screw terminal block,
5mm pitch
TR1 = power transformer, Block type FL
30/12, 2x115V primaries; 2x12V secondaries, 30VA
TR2 = power transformer, Block type FL
18/12, 2x115V primaries; 2x12V secondaries, 18 VA
Figure 3.
A suitable power supply
configuration for the
amplifier. Here two power
transformers are connected
back to back.
F1
4x 1N4007
4x4n7/400V
JP2
JP3
115V: F1=400mA/T
230V: F1=200mA/T
TR1
1
2
3
TR2
8
12V
750mA/T
C1
C3
12V
4
5
FL30/12
D1
D3
D2
D4
C4
Va
R1
C2
270k
K1
F2
C9
0W5
100u
350V
D9
K2
5
4
FL18/12
C5
D5
D6
47n
C7
47n
D7
D8
C8
Vff
R2
C6
10k
JP1
115
230
Power supply
large losses will occur when the filter capacitors are being charged by short current spikes.
In our test setup, the measured voltage with
no input signal was slightly more than 188 VDC,
dropping by ten volts or so at maximum output
power. Pay attention to the voltage ratings of the
various capacitors in the amplifier circuit. With
a higher supply voltage, it is advisable to use
350-V types instead.
For both supply voltages there is an LED indicator that shows whether the voltage is present.
The LED for the high voltage supply also forms a
115
C10
K3
C11
1000u 1000u
50V 50V
D10
0
47n
47n
4x 1N5819
130385 - 12
Projects
A Few Measurements
Plot A shows the total harmonic distortion plus noise versus frequency at an output power of
1 watt into 8 at 1 kHz. The two secondary windings are connected in parallel, and feedback
jumpers JP2 and JP3 are fitted. This clearly shows the effect of the inferior characteristics of a
power transformer in comparison to a real output transformer.
Plot B shows the frequency characteristic of the amplifier at 1 watt into 8 ohms. The two
secondary windings are connected in parallel. The curve with the larger bandwidth was
measured with negative feedback (input level 850 mV); the other curve was measured without
negative feedback (input level 235 mV).
For comparison, the two curves were
normalized at 1 kHz.
100
50
100
50
20
20
10
10
%
2
1
0.5
0.2
0.1
60
100
200
500
1k
2k
10k
5k
20k
130385 - 13A
Hz
%
2
1
0.5
0.2
0.1
1m
2m
5m
10m
20m
50m
100m
200m
500m
130385 - 13C
+12
+9
+6
+3
-10
-20
-30
-40
+0
-3
-50
-60
d
B
r
-6
-9
d
B -70
r
-80
-12
A -15
-18
-21
-24
-90
-100
-110
-120
-27
-30
-130
-140
-33
20
50
100
200
500
1k
Hz
2k
5k
10k
-150
20k
130385 - 13B
10
20
50
100
200
500
1k
2k
Hz
5k
10k
20k
50k
100k
130385 - 13D
Measured Performance
Input sensitivity
Input impedance
Continuous output power
at 1 kHz:
(parallel connection):
(series connection):
Power bandwidth
S/N ratio at 1 W / 8
THD + noise at 1 W / 8
0.4%
Current consumption
46 Hz 4.8 kHz
5%
2.75
1.25
59 mA (P = 3 W, Va = 181 V)
Then youre ready to start listening to the amplifier. The author obtained the best results with
the two output windings connected in parallel
and a 4.7-k resistor in the feedback path, as
indicated on the schematic.
With various speakers (either box enclosure or
panel type, and regardless of the impedance)
it sounds like what you would expect from a
tube amplifier: good detailing at low volume and
smooth overdriving at high signal levels. Although
the measured bandwidth at full power may be
somewhat disappointing, in practical listening
situations you dont miss anything because the
bandwidth is fairly large at lower output levels,
extending to above 10 kHz.
(130385-I)
Internet Link
[1] www.elektor-magazine.com/130385
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Further information at
www.elektor.com/rf-app
m//rf