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instruction manual
drip electronics
175b limiting amplifier pcb
errata : partnumber change (wrong part number )
5/30/09 grid resistors hve been changed from 20k to 1k mouser # 273-1K-RC
tube selection
5/22/09
the 5y3gt has been selected as the best tube for operation .
it has a lower b+ and reduces the stress on the input resistors.
(NOS ONLY)
caution
this project uses a high voltage transformer capable of 250 mA
advanced build
drip electronics is proud to announce the release of the new
175 limiting amplifier pcb .
most all footprints on the pcb can fit 1 watt carbon composition resistors
and different types of film capacitors ranging from basic to audiophile .
the power supply remains the same as found in the original design,
but has been upgraded to accommodate modern parts such as the use of cad-
dock power film resistors ,aiding in ultra stability and clarity .
the design uses a GZ34 rectifier tube ,choke , and ob2 regulator backed up
by eight electrolytic filtering capacitors.
this tube rectified design adds a type of beautiful sag to the compres-
sion and overall tone of the unit .
the limiter uses the same variable MU limiting style as the fairchild
660/670 limiters , and has a wonderful range of applications ,
from soft vocals to hard edge guitar and bass.
the pcb has been tested and functions perfectly with hammond / lundahal /
cinemag and sowter transformers.
two 600 ohm attenuators are placed on each side of the audio path as found
in the original design ,
the pcb is massive , with lots of separation from adjacent traces , mea-
suring 7x 16.and has a green solder mask on 3 oz copper
using .093 thick fr4 core.
3oz copper
8 electrolytic capacitors.
power supply resistors are designed for use of to220 caddock 1% mp925/mp821
or ohmite teh70 series power resistors
6 tubes (6bc8/12ax7/6al5/12bh7a/ob2/gz34)
use of 2 / 600 ohm t attenuators for input and output volume control.
CAPACITOR/RESISTOR FOOTPRINTS IN THE AUDIO SECTION CAN ACCOMMODATE MOST HIGH END
BRANDS
pcb mountable audio transformers and interstage using grommet mount type
attachments (3/8 hole) 5.08 spaced pads for use of screw headers for all connections.
selectable input gain from 24db (low) to 34db (high) input and output impedance is 600 ohm line level
(but can be adjusted depending on choices of input and output
attack time from 100 to 1000ms / release time from 27 to 550 ms transformers
info@dripelectronics.com
dripelectronics.com
dripelectronics.com/forum
Warnings|caution
It is important to cover a few safety tips and cautions before you
begin.
13. always use a small PLASTIC handle screw driver when adjusting the
terminal blocks , THE SCREW CONNECTS DIRECTLY TO THE CIRCUIT !!
vintage pcb layout
of the original design
vs
R43 REFER TO POWER TRANSFORMER SECTION FOR VALUE 1 /dpdt switch for gain hi/low
1 /dpdt switch for metering (reduction and output)
R43B 1K 2W ( used for fine tuning b+ voltage if above 310v 1 /spdt switch : if using alternate attack pot without switch
(UNDER MOST CONDITIONS JUMP THIS POSITION) 1 / 2pole 5 position rotary switch for onboard test feature. MOUSER # 105-SR2612F-25-21RN
jump if voltage is 310v mouser # 594-5083NW1K000J 1 /spst on/off switch for power
1 /spdt switch for lift on input xlr
GRID 1K mouser#273-1K-RC 1 /spdt switch for lift on output xlr
GRID 1K mouser# 273-1K-RC
spst toggle switches mouser # 691-110-73
ground lift 1meg mouser# 273-1.0M-RC
ground lift 1meg mouser# 273-1.0M-RC
3-Pack Toggle Switch Kit radioshack.com
4 / 600 OHM resistors (FOR ATTENUATORS) mouser# 273-604-RC Model: 275-322 | Catalog #: 275-322
Includes one DPDT and two SPST toggle switches. Rated 3 amps at 125VAC
R23/220K mouser# 273-220K-RC metal film / carbon comp mouser # 588-OA224KE -----------------------------------------------------------------------
R26/47K 2 WATT mouser# 594-5083NW47K00J spdt toggle for ground lift in and out
R24/220K mouser# 273-220K-RC metal film / carbon comp mouser # 588-OA224KE RADIOSHACK : Model: 275-603 / Catalog #: 275-603
R32/47K mouser# 273-47K-RC metal film / carbon comp mouser # 588-OA473KE very nice heavy duty / radioshack.com
capacitors
C2 .47/400V
mouser# 598-940C8P47K-F
TUBESTORE.COM MOJOTONE : CA-SO-470UF-630Vpad$3.30
tubes
C3 .047 400V mouser# 5984-940C30S47K-F /TUBESTORE.COM MOJOTONE : CA-MO-0047UF-600V $4.75
tubes
C4 .047 400V mouser# 5984-940C30S47K-F / TUBESTORE.COM MOJOTONE : CA-MO-0047UF-600V $4.75
C5 .1 400V mouser# 598-940C6P1K-F /TUBESTORE.COM MOJOTONE : CA-MO-01UF-600Vpad$5.55
5y3gt (new old stock only !)
tubestore.com $17.00$
C6 .47/ 400v (marked as .5 UF) mouser# 598-940C8P47K-F
5Y3 IN REVIEW
TUBESTORE.COM / SOLEN : CA-SO-560UF-630V $3.40
6bc8 : TUBESTORE.COM/ NOS-6BC8 $5.95
C7 .47/ 400v (marked AS .5UF) mouser# 598-940C8P47K-F
12bh7 : TUBESTORE.COM/ EH-12BH7 $13.95
TUBESTORE.COM / SOLEN : CA-SO-560UF-630V $3.40
12ax7 : TUBESTORE.COM/ TE-12AX7 $9.95
6al5: TUBESTORE.COM/NOS-6AL5 $6.95
C10 .1 400V mouser# 598-940C6P1K-F
0b2: TUBESTORE.COM/ NOS-0B2 $5.95
TUBESTORE.COM MOJOTONE : CA-MO-01UF-600Vpad$5.55
(get an extra 6bc8 for a spare)
ground lift in .1@200v mouser #75-715P200V0.1
ground lift out .1@200v mouser# 75-715P200V0.1
tube sockets :
ELECTROLYTIC (16mm dia ) 80C DEGREE MINIMUM (105c is best)
3 nine pin (12ax7 size) PCB MOUNT CERAMIC (NO MIDDLE POST)
C8A 22UF 450V mouser # 647-UCS2W220MHD
TUBESTORE.COM / SO-9PIN-PCG $3.50
C8B 22UF 450V mouser # 647-UCS2W220MHD
C9A 10UF 450V mouser # 647-UPM2W100MHD
2 seven PIN PCB MOUNT SOCKETS
C9B 1OUF 450V mouser # 647-UPM2W100MHD
TUBESTORE.COM / SO-7PIN-PC $2.50
C11A 22UF 450V mouser # 647-UCS2W220MHD
C11B 22UF 450V mouser # 647-UCS2W220MHD
1 eight PIN CERAMIC OCATAL SOCKET PCB MOUNT
C11C 22UF 450V mouser # 647-UCS2W220MHD
TUBESTORE.COM / SO-8PIN-PCG $3.50
C11D 22UF 450V mouser # 647-UCS2W220MHD
assorted
10 solder tags (lugs) Terminals LUG LOCKING TINNED#4 mouser#534-7311 (for #4 screw size) $0.15 (1.50)
1 xlr out socket (chassis mount) mouser# 568-NC3MP $3.46 use 5.08mm spaced terminals
1 amp fuse slow blo MOUSER# 504-BK/MDL-V-1-R if using off board transformers , you will need :
4 knobs for pots and attenuators (select to prefrence and shaft size )
3 /9 position terminal blocks
use 9 MOUSER # 651-1706472 (3position blocks)
4 feet shielded wire 3 conductor plus shield wire (foil type) for attenuators and hi/lo switch
2 feet shielded wire 2 conductor plus shield wire (foil type)for release switch.
2 optional 300 ohm potentiometers for fine gain adjust (linear is ok)
power | parts HAMMOND TRAMSFORMER :
certain parts are transformer dependant . for international : hammond 372JX (universal primary)
drip has chosen the hammond 372jx for this build , since it is redily available .
the following parts are intended for a transformer of this same rating . (the primary is the side from which the AC from your houses electric-
ity goes into the transformer. this factor can effect the output voltage of
if you choose a different power transformer , the transformer , so an international primary will allow you to select the
you will have to adjust R44 to control the b+ from being too high or too low correct voltage of your country.
as with you might have to adjust C11D since this capacitor can only handle 450v,
a capacitor of a higher voltage rating is needed and might have to be mounted to the case. as here in the usa it is 110-120v so we use power transformers with
also you will have to use a choke with a higher voltage rating then the hammond 120v primaries
158M (400 volts max) (use alternate choke model : 193G (hammond) rated for 800v
the united kingdom uses 220v , so they use transformers with 220v prima-
these parts are intended for use with a new old stock 5Y3GT rectifier tube. ries.
giving an average voltage drop of 40 volts
tubesandmore.com (antique electronics supply)
using a transformer with a voltage of 290-0-290 would be ideal , but none at the time of this manual
have been found with a current capability of 250 mA.
Hammond 272jx
part # P-T272JX
so the hammond has been selected.
AAVID THERMAL COMPOUND Heyboer Transformers said they will wind this transformer for 90$
(THERMAL GREASE)
290-0-290 / 250MA (minimum) (will have to adjust R44)
Mfr Part#: 250G 5v 2 amp (3 is best)
Allied Stock#: 619-0190 6.3v 2 amp (3 is best)
sowter transformers :
youll have to choose between the 8650e or the 9900s for the output transformer
all transformers are E type 3/8 grommet mount / mu metal encased (be sure to ask for this)
select either
or
CONTACT :
Ruth Loveday
E.A.Sowter Ltd
The Boatyard
Cullingham Road
Ipswich
IP1 2EG
England
Tel: +44 (0) 1473 219390
Fax: +44 (0) 1473 236188
sales@sowter.co.uk
1 pcs type 8650e @ 86.85 each (PPtriode to balanced line output 9:1)
NOTE :
The tube sockets are a very important part of the project,
some tube sockets have bigger pins and will not fit all the way Try to use hi quality ceramic pcb mount sockets.
through the holes in the pcb . molded plastic will work , but often have poor contact
with the tubes.
two options : Sometimes compressing the metal contact in the socket itself
will help insure a good connection.
a. grind the pins on the socket with a dremel so they do fit.
place tube sockets in their footprints on the pcb ,
b. align the pins on top of each designated hole/pad , press solder into place
down and solder . (the pads are plated through , as long
as they are soldered to the pads , a connection is made.)
TUBE SOCKET | location
test switch | location
test switch pin 1 1 / 2pole 5 position rotary switch for onboard test feature.
MOUSER # 105-SR2612F-25-21RN
pin A
pin C
push pull
transformers / audio
input
for this project you will need 3 audio transformers
original transformer is a utc-01 (500ohm to 50k) (with an 0-17 mu metal shield) still available
on ebay once in a while , but theres nothing really special about it . .
the sowter 1009 series transformer is the recommended transformer for the project .
please select the E type mounting . (3/8 grommet type)
this type of mounting will allow the transformer to be integrated into the pcb perfectly ,
the large hole in the pcb also grounds the mu-metal case to the circuit , ensuring perfect shielding.
note :
failure to use an input transformer that is mu-metal shielded can cause noise and hum.
original utc input vs sowter input with pec attenuators
transformers / interstage
the original 175b uses a utc interstage transformer model a-19 wired in reverse.
124e
the 80k side will be wired to the 6bc8 plates and the 15k side to the 12bh7 grids
working with sowter transformers , drip is pleased to announce the new sowter 1133E
The A19 has incredibly high resistances and self capacitance which must cripple the bandwidth
an alternate interstage transformer is the hammond 124E
sowter has re-created this transformer to eliminate these short comings of the original design .
this transformer wire in reverse has been tested with the pcb
and sounds very good .
the new a-19 is encased in a milled mu-metal case , assuring excellent shielding .
it is not shielded and is an open type case .
this model has been tested with the drip 175 and sounds truly amazing .
and its band width is 150hz-15khz
I think I agree with you 8650 is the transformer to recommend for your
application though you might need means to balance the quiescent currents.
The combination Mumetal/M6 core is one of those engineering tricks which
works really well. At mid and high frequencies virtually all the magnetic
flux flows in the Mumetal so the signal path in your unit is via 100%
Mumetal which is a nice feature. It is only at high power and at the lowest
frequencies that the Mumetal saturates (and behaves like air) and the
process is completely seamless. Our company founder Dr GAV Sowter
introduced this idea in the 1970s for Dolby Laboratories.
transformers / output
9900s
the sowter 9900s is a brilliant sounding transformer
a 4:1 ratio or 8:1 and a forgiving design for up to 5mA of dc
unbalance.
the lundahl 1660 p-p is a 1:4 ratio transformer
power requirements :
it has very little temperature rise in the transformer body when in operation with the pcb.
after prolonged use , the transformer case barely rises above 94F (33c) degrees.
it is above and beyond what is needed for the 5v by 2amps (only 2 amps is needed)
and this transformer has 4 amps / 5v
use of this transformer allows for less strain on the input capacitors and the power resistors.
and you will use a 680 ohm ohmite teh70 resistor in the R44 position .
this will give a b+ voltage of about 315v (+/-5%) depending on the ac mains of your location.
weight : 7 lbs
this transformer has a large emi field , so its best to not put the unit directly next to your mixing board.
hold the wire at the end near the transformer , so you dont
pull the wires out of the transformer.
twist twist
black/black
(primary)
one of the main concerns is the amount of voltage that these tubes will put out .
a gz34 tube puts out more voltage then wanted and puts the components in the power supply
very close to operational tolerances.
the 5YGT3 has been chosen for the drip 175 pcb , mainly due to its lower voltage output and a nice
balance of perceived sag on the overall sound of the unit .
sag meaning when a lot of power is pushed through the compressor , the voltage drops , thus
sagging the volume of the output.
the sovtek brand of tubes must be avoided, too many people state that these are re-labeled tubes
drip has tested several sovtek tubes and has found them inconsistent with what a 5ygt3 should be rated at.
a NOS 5ygt3 (with a 300-0-300 transformer) should put out 360 volts after the rectifier
340 after choke and 315 volts b+ (through a 500 ohm caddock mp820 for r44)
this is perfect and puts all the voltages within operational ranges of the power supply components.
note : the gz34 can be used by the pcb if the transformer is dropped to a 290-0-290 @ 250MA
R44 will have to be adjusted accordingly.
the tube will need a 5v tap rated at 2amps minimum . (3 amp is best)
this will be used for the tubes heater supply ,
rectifier tube selection
some care should be considered if using a tube like the gz34 (5ar4)
that put out higher rectified voltages .
this can be done by soldering twisted leads to the pcb one for negative and one for positive ,
using this configuration will also aid in adding a bleeder resistor to the
circuit.
the ideal setup would be a 5y3gt tube and a 290-0-290 transformer at 250Ma (minimum).
3 amp 5v for the rectifier tube heater and 6.3v for the tube heaters @ 3 amps .
if looking at the octal socket from the top , you will see a bump in the center ,
between pins 1 and 8 .
you will align this to the line on the foot print on the pcb .
choke | location
choke
for the power supply you will need a 10H (henri) choke ,
a minimum of 100mA is recommended .
the hammond 158m is a great choke and works with this design ,
it is compact enough to be placed in side the case .
you will need to use the 5y3gt for this model since the operational voltage is 400v
the 5y3gt in tandem with the 272jx transformer will put your rectified voltage
at around 340v . (use of a gz34 will push too close to the rated voltage)
alternately for a higher performance choke you can use the hammond 193G
this reactor (choke) is rated for 800v and allows for use of higher rated rectifier
tubes.
the weight is apox 4 lbs
this will mount outside the case .
choke
hooking up the choke is very easy ,
black/black twist strip the leads leaving about 1/4 inch of bare wire.
tin the ends with a little solder ,
this will help avoid any frayed wires from
shorting against anything.
the choke can be placed inside the chassis if using the 158m.
if using the 193g , you will have to mount this out side the case
next to the power transformer .
but just the same , it is only two wires to connect to the pcb .
a vintage 175 using the 158m
it is important to grind the paint off the case
where this star is attached
ground | location
star ground hook up
for the input ground
a better place is a solder tag next to the
input xlr socket / both work
optional to star jump arrange them so they form the star as show in in the illustration.
will send the audio ground to the star
located at the PWR GND
great care has been taken in the design of your pcbs ground scheme.
the use of a star in the power supply helps reduce noise and hum.
the pcb has a location for hooking up your vu meter .
vu meter hook up
the pcb allows you to view gain reduction / input level / output level .
most users only need to monitor gain reduction and output level
as the LA2a does.
to vu positive
pole
+4 out reduction
pole
read view of dpdt switch
to vu negative
metering | location
to vu negative
to vu positive
optionally you can use a 2 pole 3 position rotary switch if you would like to use
the input level monitoring feature.
input transformer
input transformer | location
input transformer hook up
high
high
secondary
high primary ground
high
secondary
primary
low
low
low low
no
connect
you will use these pads to hold extra unneeded wires like center taps etc.
depending on the model of transformer you select, some times you will need to to link
two coils together , the pads 5 and 6 are linked together (as shown on the pcb legend )
center tap
5&6 linked the sowter 1009 has only a center tap lead , no need for joining coils together .
together
any transformer you use should have a schematic supplied with it .
the pcb has been marked with the words hi and low this corresponds to the schematic of
most transformers, the top of the schematic coil being hi and the bottom of the schematic coil low
this will help create consistency with the manufacturers design and intentions.
as with the sowter 1009 , line level goes into the primary , and a boosted signal goes out the
secondary and into the circuit.
the pcb has been designed with holes to mount 3/8 grommet type transformers
the pad surrounding the transformer hole is connected to the ground of the pcb , so that
once the transformer is attached it becomes apart of the circuit .
for added convenience , the pcb is also silk screened on the bottom of the pcb .
this will allow you to bolt the transformer to the pcb and then directly solder each lead
to the corresponding pcb pad .
this approach allows for a very direct connection from the transformer to the pcb .
this transformer uses both high and low connections of the primary.
the high of the primary connects directly to the pin 1 (plate 1) of the 12bh7 tube
the low of the primary connection connects directly to the pin 6 of the 12bh7 tube
both sides of the plates will be pushing aprox 295 volts to the transformer.
310v (b+) will be applied to the center tap of the primary side of the output transformer.
b+
(310v)
DIRECT TO
PLATES CONNECTION
USE FOR PCB MOUNTED
TRANSFORMERS
JUMP TO EXTEND
CIRCUIT TO BOTTOM OF PCB
(FOR EXTERNAL TRANSFORM-
ER HOOK UP
B+(310V) JUMP
TO SEND B+ TO CENTER
TAP
USE FOR PCB MOUNTED
TRANSFORMERS
if you use a transformer that does not mount on the pcb , you can use jumpers to extend
the circuit all the way to the bottom of the pcb for a cleaner hook up .
feed the two primary wires through the pcb pads designated for
them
red = primary high so feed through pcb pad 7
green=primary low so feed through pcb pad 2
once the two primary wires are threaded and connected to their pads on the top side of the pcb ,
you can begin attaching the rest of the wires .
interstage transformer hook up | location
interstage transformer hook up
hi hi
blue brown
primary white pink secondary
grey green
low low
JUMP TO EXTEND
CIRCUIT TO PCB TERMINALS
(FOR EXTERNAL TRANSFORM-
ER HOOK UP
OPTION TO ROUTE
B+ TO PRIMARY CENTER
HOOK UP TERMINALS TAP
5.08 SPACED
UNDER MOST CONDITIONS
DO NOT USE
GROUNDED
MOUNTING HOLE.
cut / strip / and solder the pink and white wires to separate (important) pcb pad marked CT on the bottom side of the
board.
feed through the brown/green/grey/blue wires through the holes in the bottom of the pcb and pull through from the top
side.
solder here
solder here
connect from top side of the pcb to their corresponding pads in the square marked DIRECT
this configuration is best because it passes the audio interstage wires over the top side ground
plane and away from the b+ power traces below.
feed the primary and secondary wires through the pcb pads
attack and release| location
attack and release potentiometer
hook up location
attack and release pots
2
2
1 1
3 3
seperate attack switch
SHIELD WIRE
3 2 1
to r33 attack
the other two pins as shown will be for the on and off positions.
do not use spade connectors for anything. when it says star ground it does not mean this .
always solder your connections , especially on the IEC mains inlet
use up to 6 solder tags and create a star
notice the paint is not grinded from the chassis where the bolt connects to the case .
this can prevent the safety ground from blowing the fuse incase of a catastrophic
error.
things to avoid
leave enough slack so you can blossom the wires away from each other in twisted pairs.
attenuator hook up | location
input output
cable routing
doing a poor job in this area will create hum and noise.
then zip tie them and secure with a couple of fasteners to the case.
xlr 3
top
top
1 2 3
1
2 3
bottom
bottom
1 2 3
1 2 3
step 1 step 2
connect a 600 ohm resistor from top pin 2 to bottom pin 1
(a 604 ohm resistor is shown , depending on your parts supplier connect a 600 ohm resistor from pin 3 top to pin 1 bottom
get as close to 600 as you can , 1/2 watt is good) its best to insert both resistors in place so you only solder
once per pin.
step 3
for input attenuator
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3 xlr 3
xlr 2
1 2 3
shield step 3
for output attenuator
the output attenuator pad located
above the xlr output hook up .
high low switch | location
hi/low switch
this switch is helpful for different types of source input.
it is basically a 10db pad .
you will use a DPDT switch for this .
optionally you can use a 2 pole 2 position rotary switch.
you can jumper and by pass this switch as indicated on the pcb .
simply by placing a piece of wire connecting the p (pole) to
either the hi or low position .
you must select the same position for the top and the bottom
pcb pads.
pole
low hi
pole
read view of dpdt switch
optional fine adjust potentiometers
use shielded wire
they can be bypassed by simply jumping the pads as indicated on the pcb .
you will need to use 3 conductor plus shield wire for these connections ,
since they will extend the audio signal across the case to the front panel.
r44
r43
the caddock mp925 is a fantastic resistor
the caddock mp850 works in this position and is available from
allied electronics.. it is a 50w resistor capable of 600v (but is rated for 300vrms)
it would be best to use the ohmite teh70 series available at allied electronics
and is capable of 25 watts and 500v .
(the teh70 is 70 watts rated @ 500v)
680 ohm works very well for a 300-0-300 transformer.
any where from 2k to 500 ohms dependingif your using alternate
power transformer.
note :
OMITE TEH70
680 OHM
75 WATT
you can use a 5.08 header in place of r44 and use an off pcb aluminum housed power resistor
mounted to the case .
using ohmite TE70 series
Mfr Part#: TEH70M680RJE
Allied Stock#: 296-2707
it is in a to-247 package ,
but the pins can be easily bent to work in the to-220 foot print that is on the pcb .
this will match the heatsink recommended , as it also has holes for to-220 and to247 mounting.
the international
this is the positive side
symbol
c9b/c8b
are combined together
forming a 32uf filter bank .
this filters the b+
electrolytic capacitor
locations
output XLR
input
xlr connectors
XLR INPUT GROUND LIFT in some situations when interfacing your unit with other equipment
a ground lift is helpful in eliminating many different types of
unwanted noise or hum often associated with ground loops and
interference.
the circuit here illustrates how to create a ground lift switch for
the back of your unit .
normally this set up is only used for the xlr input pin 1
but having this on the output xlr can help dealing with interfacing
problems as well.
SPDT SWITCH
TO XLR SOCKET
PIN # 1
.01/200V materials :
you will use the zero 1k trimmer for adjusting the meter to zero
when the meter is in gain reduction mode.
bleeder
DRIPELECTRONICS.COM
drip electronics
175b limiting amplifier pcb