Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,071
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 26, 2020 9:35:28 GMT
Yes, it didn't measure well either did it? Hilariously, the manufacturer joined ASR and tried to defend it! Said he doesnt design by measurements, but by ear lol I judge by ear and measurements, and it was cack on all fronts. However, it was greatly improved by Firebottle and last time I heard it, I thought it was a very good phonostage so someone has done well nabbing it. I hope you stuck a Firebottle badge in it Al? Dont want folks thinking it sounds like that when they buy one from Lounge
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Post by firebottle on Mar 27, 2020 13:58:37 GMT
Weiliang Audio PGA2311 volume preamp. The pcb is very well done with some quality caps fitted, Elna and Silmic. It also has a mute relay included on board. I have fitted a buffer stage which improved on the as built performance but am still waiting to receive some low noise regulators. Compared to the Mshow it is only a few percent behind, hopefully with low noise regulators fitted it will have equal performance. The soundstage and spacial clues come though exceedingly well, this is in use at the moment. I have received the low noise regulators and have now fitted them. Wow this is now very open, looks like I have two equally as good solid state volume controllers. Putting a buffer before the control chip and substituting low noise regulators really does get the best out of these chips.
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Post by macca on Mar 27, 2020 16:30:31 GMT
Good to see the LED display is the proper colour.
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Post by firebottle on Mar 29, 2020 10:50:32 GMT
Whoahh am I enjoying this combination. The performance off vinyl is stunning, the sheer transparency of the modified Weiliang line controller is allowing such detail and depth through that it is like hearing different records Just listening to Annie Lenox 'Diva'. I have not heard all the subtle mastering before, it's fantastic.
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,071
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 29, 2020 11:02:06 GMT
Whoahh am I enjoying this combination. View AttachmentThe performance off vinyl is stunning, the sheer transparency of the modified Weiliang line controller is allowing such detail and depth through that it is like hearing different records View AttachmentJust listening to Annie Lenox 'Diva'. I have not heard all the subtle mastering before, it's fantastic. Who'd have thunk it! Alan with less valves in his system than ever before and enjoying it more than ever lol Great news and i am really looking forward to trying that preamp. You should hear these bloody jumpers i've stuck in....mad mad mad I suggest you sort your 57's out with something similar.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2020 11:07:51 GMT
I put my jumpers away, as Spring has arrived.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2020 11:09:01 GMT
Whoahh am I enjoying this combination. The performance off vinyl is stunning, the sheer transparency of the modified Weiliang line controller is allowing such detail and depth through that it is like hearing different records Just listening to Annie Lenox 'Diva'. I have not heard all the subtle mastering before, it's fantastic. Stop it... Glad you are enjoying it. I am jealous I don’t have the skill set to do this myself.
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Post by firebottle on Apr 19, 2020 7:52:30 GMT
I think I have got it... no not Covid-19, audiophilia nervosa.
I have bitten a very large bullet (must have been a 0.95 inch - look it up) and ordered a Paradise phono stage. Big itch to scratch? Most definitely.
I have also started on a BigBottle Mk3 build, it seemed a bit lax not to have one, pictures will follow in due course. So some very interesting times ahead with bake-offs, even just for myself.
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,071
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 19, 2020 8:11:13 GMT
I think I have got it... no not Covid-19, audiophilia nervosa. I have bitten a very large bullet (must have been a 0.95 inch - look it up) and ordered a Paradise phono stage. Big itch to scratch? Most definitely. I have also started on a BigBottle Mk3 build, it seemed a bit lax not to have one, pictures will follow in due course. So some very interesting times ahead with bake-offs, even just for myself. Bold moves mate. Cant wait to get this bloody Covid-19 lockdown out of the way.
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Post by jimbo on Apr 19, 2020 8:16:33 GMT
I think I have got it... no not Covid-19, audiophilia nervosa. I have bitten a very large bullet (must have been a 0.95 inch - look it up) and ordered a Paradise phono stage. Big itch to scratch? Most definitely. I have also started on a BigBottle Mk3 build, it seemed a bit lax not to have one, pictures will follow in due course. So some very interesting times ahead with bake-offs, even just for myself. I think this Covid 19 is spurring folk on to doing things which are important before it gets them!
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Post by karma67 on Apr 19, 2020 8:26:18 GMT
I think I have got it... no not Covid-19, audiophilia nervosa. I have bitten a very large bullet (must have been a 0.95 inch - look it up) and ordered a Paradise phono stage. Big itch to scratch? Most definitely. I have also started on a BigBottle Mk3 build, it seemed a bit lax not to have one, pictures will follow in due course. So some very interesting times ahead with bake-offs, even just for myself. well done alan,i doubt very much that you will regret it.
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Post by rexton on Apr 19, 2020 8:37:55 GMT
I think I have got it... no not Covid-19, audiophilia nervosa. I have bitten a very large bullet (must have been a 0.95 inch - look it up) and ordered a Paradise phono stage. Big itch to scratch? Most definitely. I have also started on a BigBottle Mk3 build, it seemed a bit lax not to have one, pictures will follow in due course. So some very interesting times ahead with bake-offs, even just for myself. Are another Paradise owner, welcome to the brethren! Are you going full monty? BB mk3 also sounds interesting, would love to hear one at some point.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2020 10:14:10 GMT
I think I have got it... no not Covid-19, audiophilia nervosa. I have bitten a very large bullet (must have been a 0.95 inch - look it up) and ordered a Paradise phono stage. Big itch to scratch? Most definitely. I have also started on a BigBottle Mk3 build, it seemed a bit lax not to have one, pictures will follow in due course. So some very interesting times ahead with bake-offs, even just for myself. You will have to change your moniker if you get rid of valves from your system.
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Post by electronumpty on Apr 19, 2020 10:19:22 GMT
"Firetranny"?? 🤣🤣
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,071
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 19, 2020 10:33:54 GMT
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Post by firebottle on Apr 19, 2020 11:54:19 GMT
I don't think I will ever be without a valve phono stage at least. I still have the KIN line/phono hybrid, I don't think that will be going anywhere. Anyway. progress on the BB3. Resistors and diodes fitted, plus one cap.
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,071
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 19, 2020 12:10:31 GMT
I don't think I will ever be without a valve phono stage at least. I still have the KIN line/phono hybrid, I don't think that will be going anywhere. Anyway. progress on the BB3. View AttachmentResistors and diodes fitted, plus one cap. Looking good! I see you are populating the rear of the PCB....exposed valves coming
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Post by electronumpty on Apr 19, 2020 12:36:33 GMT
Started mine last night, nice board to work on.
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Post by firebottle on Apr 19, 2020 17:27:46 GMT
It is a really nice pcb. I have everything fitted now, some temporary output caps fitted just to test it. I am using a different transformer to actual spec as I have it to hand. Valve side, these will be protruding from the top of the case, which is on order. Because of the different transformer I have had to fit a bridge rectifier on the LT heater input, plus because the HT winding gives a bit more voltage I have altered the capacitor multiplier HT filter to reduce the voltage a little. Very easy to do with the addition of a single resistor. The large heatsink will be dispensed with once the pcb is fitted to the case lid, the heater regulator will be bolted to said lid to act as heatsink. Now I have to wait for the case to arrive.
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,071
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 19, 2020 17:28:53 GMT
Ha! I love it
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2020 21:24:10 GMT
Valve side, these will be protruding from the top of the case, which is on order. How are the boards for heat from the regs being mounted below? Just thinking any heat will rise and there’s nowhere for it to go apart from the underside of the board. Interested as I’d like to build mine this way too......
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Post by firebottle on Apr 20, 2020 7:19:31 GMT
That's a good question.
I have mounted the two 27K resistors (R18 L+R) on short ceramic standoffs to give airflow around them.
The three smaller heatsinks are oversize for the dissipation required so are perfectly OK. They are for physical stability as much as heat dissipation. If you look at my photo you will see I have used smaller ones for Q1 supported by copper wire, perfectly adequate.
The larger heatsink with the heater regulator dissipates a lot more, hence the plan to mount the regulator to the case lid. I shall bend the leads 90 degrees to mate with the pcb. The regulator could be mounted elsewhere on the case using flying leads but must be isolated from the case.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2020 8:30:59 GMT
Thanks. I'm making a wooden case so I could mount on the lid or the base (using flying leads). I hadn't intended the lid or base to be of a metal construction but I guess if I made them of aluminium with flying leads I wouldn't even have to worry about any isolation as it wouldn't be connected to anything anyway so one great big heatsink.
I assume that would be ok?
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,071
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 20, 2020 8:41:34 GMT
Thanks. I'm making a wooden case so I could mount on the lid or the base (using flying leads). I hadn't intended the lid or base to be of a metal construction but I guess if I made them of aluminium with flying leads I wouldn't even have to worry about any isolation as it wouldn't be connected to anything anyway so one great big heatsink. I assume that would be ok? No, you'd still need to isolate the 7805. All it takes is a pad and a bolt isolator.
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Post by firebottle on Apr 20, 2020 8:44:46 GMT
Yes but you can't put all 4 devices on one heatsink without isolation. There are 3 different potentials across the 4 devices. Leave the 3 small ones on the board.
The heatsink regulator will have about +60V on it wrt ground so cannot touch anything conductive, including yourself.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2020 8:44:50 GMT
Thanks. I'm making a wooden case so I could mount on the lid or the base (using flying leads). I hadn't intended the lid or base to be of a metal construction but I guess if I made them of aluminium with flying leads I wouldn't even have to worry about any isolation as it wouldn't be connected to anything anyway so one great big heatsink. I assume that would be ok? No, you'd still need to isolate the 7805. All it takes is a pad and a bolt isolator. Yeah I realise that but why, isolate it from what it wouldn't be connected to anything? Imagine the base just being a continuation of the back of the regulator ie it's a massive 7805 with little legs .....
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2020 8:46:04 GMT
Yes but you can't put all 4 devices on one heatsink without isolation. There are 3 different potentials across the 4 devices. Leave the 3 small ones on the board. The heatsink regulator will have about +60V on it wrt ground so cannot touch anything conductive, including yourself.
Yep, I thought that's what I said, it's only the 7805 that's coming off the board, same as you.....
But agreed I can isolate it no big deal, was just pondering....
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2020 11:58:36 GMT
Another quick question for the folk that don't do a lot of this and hence may not have/need a stock of parts.....
Some of the components are multiples of pounds each so do folk buy just what they need or buy lots in order to find best matched pairs etc?
Example being C1L & R are a couple of pounds each so do I just buy 2 or more? Farnell has a min of 5 as it happens but Mouser doesn't....
Assumption being the ones not used are then "going in the bin" so to speak.
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Post by firebottle on Apr 20, 2020 12:05:14 GMT
C1 is the MM loading capacitor and I would suggest that +/-2.5% polystyrene is most adequate, unless you want real precision.
The critical comps for accuracy are C4 and C6.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2020 12:56:20 GMT
Thanks, that doesn't answer the point I was trying to make though and probably chose a bad example. So, do folk buy multiples of the "important" bits and "throw away" the ones they don't use even though the things could cost a couple of quid each?
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