Solid State Guitar Amp Forum | DIY Guitar Amplifiers

Solid State Amplifiers => Tubes and Hybrids => Topic started by: SerpentRuss on December 09, 2020, 01:53:20 PM

Title: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: SerpentRuss on December 09, 2020, 01:53:20 PM
Hey guys, new here.  I've been lurking for a few weeks and enjoying looking back through old posts hoping to gather some knowledge.   I started a project a couple of months ago and I have a couple of questions.

There is a seller on eBay that occasionally sells small tube guitar amplifiers housed in small, unique enclosures.   I have been outbid on the couple that I've tried to buy.  I look on eBay infrequently and he seems to offer amps on a rare basis.  I contacted him directly and asked him if he would sell me a kit and he was kind enough to reply with a schematic, but he wasn't interested in selling me a box of parts or supporting his design.  I get the feeling that he makes each amp a bit differently.

The power supply for the amp I'm trying to build features an inexpensive 7-volt Antec Toroid transformer with the 120-volt coils split, making it a small isolation transformer.  The 7-volt side is used for the tube filament.  The output transformer is a cheap 70-volt distribution transformer. The output is supposed to be in a 1/2 watt range.  I have sourced all the parts and have started working.  I think I have about 30 dollars in the parts.

If I was going to insert a tone stack in this circuit in the solid-state pre-amp, where would it go?  I'm thinking it would insert prior to the gate of the third LND150.  Also, the quality of the schematic jpeg is pretty bad.  I've assumed the gaps in some values are missing decimal points.  For example, this would make the cap in series with the volume pot 4.7N.  Does that seem right?

(https://i.ibb.co/KzwJPjX/s-l500-Cleaned-Up.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R4yqFp9)
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: SerpentRuss on December 09, 2020, 02:05:15 PM

As it happens this seller has an amp up for sale made into a computer power supply.   Interesting build and he included a schematic for this one.  I wonder if he's on this forum.  And no, he's not me.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-Low-Watt-Tube-Push-Pull-Guitar-Amplifier-with-Tone-and-Headphone-Output/133599983433?hash=item1f1b2df749:g:hbkAAOSwsbFfzwds
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: phatt on December 11, 2020, 07:02:57 AM
The problem with tone stacks (assuming a normal Hiz fender type tone circuit)
is that they suck a lot of energy from the signal level (often termed insertion loss)
You can loose as much as 70% of the signal that way and you would need another gain stage otherwise the Amp will be very low on output. xP

A better option might be to add a separate tone circuit in front.
I have a circuit for such situations if you are interested I can post it?

Or maybe just use an EQ type pedal to give you an idea of how well that works.
Phil.
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: SerpentRuss on December 11, 2020, 05:37:26 PM
Phil, I'd like to see it, if you don't mind posting it.
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: phatt on December 13, 2020, 04:59:36 AM
Go here , Schematic is on the 2nd post.

https://www.ssguitar.com/index.php?topic=4895.msg38543#msg38543
Yes I know it does not have a preamp  :o and some think it strange but this does not need a preamp just plug your guitar into it.
I've lost count of how many of these I have built for players and No one has yet complained.
Just make sure you you use a Log pot for the Bass. I doubt you will ever need more treble but if so just lower the value of C8.  will run on 9V or up to the limit of the opamp and cap voltages used.
I run mine on 18V
Have fun, Phil.
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: SerpentRuss on December 14, 2020, 12:38:34 PM
That's interesting.  I really didn't want to build a pedal.   I'm wondering if there will be enough power in the 7 volt AC side to make a 9 volt supply.  I imagine the load is very small for this.
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: phatt on December 16, 2020, 07:15:38 AM
Yes my tone circuit draw little current.
Well you need to research another Fet stage to run a tone section.
Sorry but beyond my scope to design something from scratch like that but you can always just add another stage in front with enough gain to pickup the loss from a tone circuit. I assume it's doable,, outcome unknown??
My thoughts ,, not worth it for such a tiny amp. xP
Phil.
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: SerpentRuss on December 28, 2020, 11:11:24 AM
Rather than screw with this design, since it's my first project, I've decided to build this as drawn as a small combo amp using a switched output jack that will allow me to use another cabinet if I want to experiment.  I will include some build photos as I go.   Wish my luck.
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: phatt on December 28, 2020, 08:14:57 PM
Hang on I just reread the 1st post and as this is your first build,, I'll assume you don't have a lot of teck skill.

Warning!!! RE this;
"The power supply for the amp I'm trying to build features an inexpensive 7-volt Antec Toroid transformer with the 120-volt coils split, making it a small isolation transformer.  The 7-volt side is used for the tube filament."

Unless I've missed something in translation,,,that tells me it is a 120/120 split *Primary* so something sounds wrong :loco

Also the way in which the power Tx is drawn up in that schematic seems strange.
Others here may know more but meantime be careful cause if I'm right as it could kill you. :police: :police:

Normally when a Tx states 120/120 split primary that means it can be wired up to either 120 mains ans 240 mains. It is most likely NOT an isolation Tx :-\
Maybe post a picture of the Tx you wish to use ideally showing the label.
Phil.
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: SerpentRuss on December 29, 2020, 01:04:53 AM
This is my first amp build, but I have about 40 years of experience working with electricity all the way up to medium voltage circuits like 4160-volt motors.   I know how to work safely.

You're right, it's not an isolation transformer, but it's being used as one.   This design has a very low current draw because it is a sub-1-watt amp.  The guy who builds these has used this exact transformer in this way on several small amp builds. One primary set of leads on the transformer gets driven by the mains inducing about 120 volts on the other set.  The 7-volt secondary is dropped to 6.3 volts to run the filament on the tube.  The 6CL6 power amp doesn't require a lot of DC voltage.  I think this supply will put out about 135 volts DC.  The OT is wired using the 1/2 watt tap.
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: SerpentRuss on December 29, 2020, 09:37:51 AM
Quote from: phatt on December 28, 2020, 08:14:57 PM

Also the way in which the power Tx is drawn up in that schematic seems strange.


I agree, I would not have drawn it this way.  I would have placed the 117 VAC label under the AC source symbol and I would have put the 7 VAC symbol on the there side of the bottom transformer symbol.  Essentially those two series windings on the left side represent one pair of the 120-volt primary leads.

Here is the web page for the transformer.   Antek makes some inexpensive and interesting toroidal transformers.  I will probably use one of their tub amp models for a Rob Robinette "Deluxe Micro" project.

https://www.antekinc.com/an-0107-10va-7v-transformer/

https://robrobinette.com/Deluxe_Micro.htm

Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: g1 on December 29, 2020, 08:08:11 PM
It should be drawn like antek draws it in the datasheet.
(https://www.ssguitar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4936.0;attach=9054;image)

The two 115V windings are on the same side of the transformer, so they are not transformer (inductive) coupled.
Drawing it like they are on opposite sides of the transformer is just wrong.
I think the coupling would be very limited in terms of current, and it is just lucky that it works.
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: g1 on December 29, 2020, 08:22:06 PM
And if one of the secondary 7V windings is actually in series with a 115V primary winding as the drawing implies, well I don't even want to try and think about that.  ;)
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: phatt on December 30, 2020, 03:38:23 AM
Agree with G1, :dbtu:
Adding;
Well the data sheet tells it as I suspected,, It's Not an *isolated 115v Tx*

It states very clearly it has 2x115v primaries and 2x 7V secondaries.

So unless I've lost it, :loco ,the only way one could get enough HT to run a valve is from one of the primary windings which means it's a death trap waiting to happen as the circuit runs off the primary. ARRRRGH!!!!
OK sure there are tons of old radio circuits that did indeed run direct from mains but most of those old units where bakalite cases and one would never come into contact with the circuit under normal use but this is an electric guitar amplifier and you ARE in direct contact with part of that circuit so if something fails you could end up Dead.
If you want to build it that is your call but I'm writing this to warm other non teck savvy folks that it's a death trap waiting to happen.

Be very careful grabbing ideas off the net some are really bad designs. 8|

To attain HT for a small valve amp there are much SAFER ways,, here is a better option for High voltage, uses back to back Tx's.
https://valveheaven.com/diy-amp-designs/the-lamington-junior/the-lamington-junior-design/

The added bonus is that it uses a 12Volt wall wart which keeps you a long way away from dangerous main voltages.
HTHelps, Phil.
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: SerpentRuss on December 30, 2020, 10:47:50 AM
We agree that is drawn incorrectly, and I've already stated it's not an isolation transformer, but it does work.  The primary windings and secondary windings are wound around the same toroid core so they are definitely "coupled" inductively.   In most applications, this transformer would have both primary and secondary winding sets paired in parallel.  That said all the winding sets are independent.  I've tested. 

In this design execution, the secondary windings are paralleled since the filament of the valve has the highest current draw.  I estimate that the TOTAL current on the 2nd primary (used as a secondary) winding is about 20 mA.

Here is a picture of one of this guy's builds, kind of sloppy point-to-point wiring, but you can clearly see that one black and red set of primaries are connected to power and the other set are connected to a diode bridge in the upper left-hand part of the photo.  The blue and green 7 volt AC secondaries are twisted together and are wired to the tube socket and dropping resistors. 

I appreciate the other design, but I've already purchased the parts for this amp and started, so I will definitely attempt to complete it.  I will be done with this soon and I will post photos and sound files if it works.

(https://i.ibb.co/7RG9SvP/s-l1600-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3M0JT12)
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: SerpentRuss on December 30, 2020, 11:11:28 AM
Here is my start on the pre-amp of this build.  I decided to squeeze it onto a little project board to try and keep things small and neat.

(https://i.ibb.co/5jz7dP5/20201229-170537.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KsQ1YJ9)
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: phatt on December 31, 2020, 12:58:56 AM
OK thanks for the pics and explanation I now see how it has been done, i.e, the second primary is used inductively. (I kept thinking of Centre tapped primary :duh)
But still it's my understanding that most modern Mains Tx's are wound with extra isolation between Pri/Sec.
So are you aware there is normally extra insulation between Pri/Sec windings?

I do know that most IE type Tx's now use split bobbins so there is even better isolation than the old overlay winding system.

I'm not up to speed on the physical structure of Torids but I'm assuming something similar would be in place. If so that would put both primaries on the same stack with far less insulation which makes it a potential hazard if something ever shorts in the primary stack.
Tiss a fair bet that design concept would never pass most Electrical regulations that I'm aware of.  :-X

OK it will work but I still see it as a potential hazard and I would never build such a circuit based on that Tx trick.
When I build stuff I always think of the wotiffs?
What if your best mate uses this and he dies,,, how would you feel? xP

I have several muso mates who often use gear that I have built and I feel much better knowing that I have used as much safety margins as possible to ensure no one gets zapped.
Layout and wiring of Mains is often overlooked even in big name gear, often I find mains wires zip tied to secondary wires. OK it may never fail but if those wires did melt you have mains on the circuit,, of which you are directly connected to when holding an electric guitar or microphone. I choose to remove that possibility by keeping those mains wires well away from the working circuit wires. One less gotcha in the equation and it only takes a minute to layout a couple of wires to remove that danger.
In this case I can only assume the idea has inadvertently put the mains/secondaries dangerously close together.
Likely the person who designed it never realized the danger he created.
Phil.
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: SerpentRuss on December 31, 2020, 02:41:43 PM
I understand your concerns.  They are valid.  One thing to consider here is that shocks from 120-volt mains are very rarely life-threatening.  In a perfectly coupled system, there would be a maximum of 120-volts AC (RMS) induced on the secondary.  A shorted system could never produce more than 120 volts and in many cases would cause the 1 amp fuse to blow since the AC supply ground and the amplifier's ground will be tied together.  This is not the case on many tube amplifier designs.  I'm interested to see if it will be noisy.
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: Loudthud on December 31, 2020, 08:15:44 PM
It should be noted that when you hijack one of the primary windings to make high Voltage, you should de-rate the VA of the transformer by half.
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: SerpentRuss on January 14, 2021, 05:17:43 PM
Well, my project is currently a bust.   I finished soldering everything together (without breadboarding, LOL)  and it didn't work.  When I was trying to diagnose the issue, I shorted out one of the LND150s.  I have spares, but I'm going to start over and build the circuit between terminals so I can follow the signal path

I tested by using my phone with a guitar tuner app.  It was supplying 196 hz at 45 mV which I scoped before I connected it.  When the amp was turned on, it produced a 6k tone whether the input was connected or not.  The volume knob seemed to work making the squeal louder and softer.

The heater Voltage was dead on 6.3 volts AC with the tube up to temp.  B+ was a scant 123 Volts DC.  I could not find my test signal anywhere in the circuit, starting at the input jack.  It was being sucked away by some soldering or component mistake.   DC power was clean and steady, but as stated, lower than I expected.  I didn't troubleshoot long before I let the smoke out so I didn't learn much other than the output was quiet as a tomb after I killed the MOSFET.  :lmao: :trouble

(https://i.ibb.co/S6FFQ1c/20210114-113932.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kGNN3rJ)
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: SerpentRuss on February 01, 2021, 11:21:30 AM
I got back to this project and got it working on a breadboard.  I'm transferring that design to terminal strips and when I get that working I'll post some audio samples.  I'm not much of a guitarist, but I should be able to give some examples of the tone.   Initially, it was pretty noisy, but I'm currently rebuilding it using a shielded heater run and shielded input wiring.  The tone is never quite clean, and the amp has a very interesting distortion at full bore.  It is never really loud, so it would only work as a practice amp.

Here is a photo of the amp near its final configuration, re-mounted in the phenolic board "chassis"  I re-worked the tube mount using a piece of aluminum to remove flammable material from the build.

(https://i.ibb.co/B6Cy7M1/20210207-153315-LR.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: SerpentRuss on February 18, 2021, 01:53:07 PM
Well, I "finished" my first junkyard amp project.  I decided to make this a small combo with an external speaker jack that will bypass the internal speaker.  I goofed on the dimensions of the cabinet cross pieces.  Where there is a triple thickness of wood on the sides, I only planned for a double thickness.  My idea was that a three-inch tall strip attached to each side would support the top board of the cabinet and the middle board of the cabinet which served as both the shelf for the amp innards and the top of the sealed speaker enclosure.  The bottom, front, and back of the "chassis" are pieces of phenolic board salvaged from computer floor tiles.  This was salvaged from floor purchased new around 2006, so it probably doesn't contain asbestos but I wore a respirator when I cut it, just in case.

The speaker is an Oxford 6x9 speaker from an old Chrysler complete with a high-tech whizzer cone. :lmao:  I know these trunk speakers pretty much operated in an infinite baffle environment, but I tried the amp both ways and I liked the sound better with the back sealed.

All in all, I have about 45 dollars in parts.  The PT was $10, the OT was $3 and the tube was less than $2.  Speaker was junk, the floor tiles were junk, wood was lying around the shop.  The biggest expenses were the filter caps and the grill cloth.

Modifications to the original circuit included a couple of high-frequency shunt capacitors to prevent oscillation in the SS preamp, two cathode bypass capacitors (one in all the time, the second put in circuit by the right-hand switch),  a bright capacitor around the volume control, and a tone control pot between the 1st and 2nd stages.  I played around with values for all of these but ultimately the differences in tone are all very subtle, the volume pot has more impact on the "tone" of the amp.  Turning down the amp to where it plays cleanly makes it really quiet but the tone is warm and round.  About half-way up, things get interesting, and running full-tilt there are bizarre things happening to the low frequencies that may or may not be musical, depending on your personal taste.

I truly hope to have sound samples soon.

(https://i.ibb.co/1T94TD1/20210217-184812-LR.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
Title: Re: Help with Hybrid Design
Post by: Tassieviking on February 04, 2022, 09:23:33 AM
This reminded me of this nice design I found ages ago, I have drawn up the way I thing he connected the transformers.
I think its how Phatt ? said it was safer to  do it.
I think it has also been posted on  FreeStompboxes at a later date.