This auction is for ONE bare PCB.
I started this auction by selling extra boards from a personal project. The reception was great so I had more made and made a few improvements. The original goal of this project was to have a compact octal tube OTL headphone amplifier that would drive low impedance headphones (down to 32 Ohm). I chose an Aikido input with a White Cathode Follower output (input/output stage design credit to John Broskie of TubeCad). Sounds easy enough to pull off but the power supply requirements were a bit tricky. I wanted to use a single standard power transformer with high voltage and filament supply. I also wanted an external choke. All those needs forced a custom PCB. The tricky thing was the power supply design with DC heaters in mind. To drive low impedance headphones with the White Cathode Follower circuit requires the use of 6BX7 or 6BL7 output tubes. Those pull 1.5A each. With 6SN7 input tubes the entire heater draw adds up to 4.2A of DC current. That's not trivial. After a few tries I made some great boards that work perfectly. It sounds clean, loud, and amazing. This will drive any pair of headphones you may own.
Heater Circuit:
High Voltage Circuit:
Additional Features:
As described above, I've designed this with jumpers so you can switch between precise operating points for 6BL7 tubes and 6BX7 tubes for headphone in the 32 Ohm range. It's a simple task to use those jumpers to switch between 32 Ohm and 300 Ohm for one of those output tubes instead. Many users love the 6BL7 tubes and uses this amp with 32 Ohm and 300 Ohm headphones. The BOM below defaults to a 32 Ohm setup with tube swapping. Make substitutions from this chart if you want the impedance and operating point options from the jumpers.
What if you're headphones aren't 32 or 300 Ohms? The formula and chart below will help you dial in the value for R17. No need to be super exact, just get close. For example, I have a pair of AKG K702 headphones that have an impedance of 45 ohms. I use the 32 Ohm setting and it works fine, because it's literally a matter of a few ohms difference on R17.
Output Tube | 6BL7 | 6BL7 | 6BX7 | 6BX7 |
Output Impedance | 32Ohm | 300Ohm | 32Ohm | 300Ohm |
Idle Current | 21ma | 21ma | 32ma | 21ma |
rp (approx) | 2000 | 2000 | 1200 | 1450 |
mu (approx) | 15 | 15 | 10 | 10 |
R11 (sets idle current) | 270 | 270 | 290 | 470 |
R17 (output impedance) | 140 | 170 | 127 | 205 |
Formula: R17= (rp + 2 x Output_Impedance) / mu |
A BOM from Mouser is below. I used all high end components (Wima and Nichicon Audio caps, etc). Full schematic and board layout are above. Please know your skill level and knowledge of electronics before considering this PCB. If Mouser is out of something try DigiKey. You should be comfortable specifying substitutions, although I do my best to take care of that below. For example, if a capacitor is out of stock try a slightly higher voltage or capacitance of the same lead spacing and series. Or try another high quality capacitor with the same specs. Also, there's some wiggle room with resistor values of the same wattage. However, I do my best to keep the Mouser BOM up to date and also list alternatives below.
*** The Microchip LDO that's vital to this circuit is out at Mouser (and everywhere else I've looked) and has a long lead time. I have some available that can be purchased with this PCB.
Quick way to load the BOM below is to do a web search for "Mouser Project & Cart Sharing". Follow the first link and then enter this project ID: b3769f5416
Part | Value | Mouser | Alternative | Additional Needed | Other |
C20 | 56uF | 647-LKX2W560MESY25 | |||
C21 | 100uF | 647-LKX2W101MESY40 | |||
C24 | 100uF | 647-LKX2W101MESY40 | |||
C34 | 10kuF - 15kuF | 647-UKW1A153MHD | 647-UFW1A153MHD | ||
C31 | 10kuF - 15kuF | 647-UKW1C103MHD | 647-UFW1C103MHD | ||
C32 | 10kuF - 15kuF | 647-UKW1C103MHD | 647-UFW1C103MHD | ||
C3.1L | 1kuF | 647-UFG1C102MHM | |||
C3.1R | 1kuF | 647-UFG1C102MHM | |||
C1.1L | 470uF | 871-B43647B5477M057 | |||
C1.1R | 470uF | 871-B43647B5477M057 | |||
C1L | 30uF 400V | Parts Express | |||
C1R | 30uF 400V | Parts Express | |||
C27 | .01uF | 505-MKP20.01/100/5 | |||
C28 | .01uF | 505-MKP20.01/100/5 | |||
C29 | .01uF | 505-MKP20.01/100/5 | |||
C30 | .01uF | 505-MKP20.01/100/5 | |||
C33 | .1uF | 505-MKP20.1/100/5 | 505-MKP20.1/100/10 | ||
C35 | .1uF | 505-MKP20.1/100/5 | 505-MKP20.1/100/10 | ||
C26 | .1uF | 505-MKP4F031003C00JF | |||
C60 | .1uF | 505-MKP4F031003C00JF | |||
C22 | .1uF | 505-MKP4-0.1/630/5 | |||
C23 | .1uF | 505-MKP4-0.1/630/5 | |||
C25 | .1uF | 505-MKP4-0.1/630/5 | |||
C3.2L | .22uF | 505-MKP2D032201K00JO | |||
C3.2R | .22uF | 505-MKP2D032201K00JO | |||
C6L | .22uF | 505-MKP4J032204J00KF | |||
C6R | .22uF | 505-MKP4J032204J00KF | |||
C5 | 4.7uF 400V | 505-MKP44.7/400/10 | Parts Express | ||
D1 | 1N4007 | 621-1N4007 | |||
D3 | 1N4007 | 621-1N4007 | |||
D4 | 1N4007 | 621-1N4007 | |||
D2 | 1N5341 | 833-1N5341B-TP | |||
D5 | 625-SBLF10L25-E3 | 625-SBLF10L25-E3 | |||
D6 | 625-SBLF10L25-E3 | 625-SBLF10L25-E3 | |||
D7 | 625-SBLF10L25-E3 | 625-SBLF10L25-E3 | |||
D8 | 625-SBLF10L25-E3 | 625-SBLF10L25-E3 | |||
KK1 | SK104-PAD | 532-513102B25 | 532-4880M | ||
KK2 | SK104-PAD | 532-513102B25 | 532-4880M | ||
KK3 | SK104-PAD | 532-513102B25 | 532-4880M | ||
KK4 | SK104-PAD | 532-513102B25 | 532-4880M | ||
KK5 | SK104-PAD | 532-513102B25 | 532-4880M | ||
KK6 | SK129-PAD | 532-529802B25G | 532-4880M | ||
JP11L | 3X1X2.54 | 571-3-644456-3 | 538-15-29-1024 | ||
JP11R | 3X1X2.54 | 571-3-644456-3 | 538-15-29-1024 | ||
JP17L | 3X1X2.54 | 571-3-644456-3 | 538-15-29-1024 | ||
JP17R | 3X1X2.54 | 571-3-644456-3 | 538-15-29-1024 | ||
TR1 | 0-1000 | 594-64W102 | |||
TR2 | 0-1000 | 594-64W102 | |||
B1 | RECTIFIER-GBU4 | 512-GBU6M | 512-GBU8M | ||
R10L | 300 | 71-RN60C300F0F | |||
R10R | 300 | 71-RN60C300F0F | |||
R11L(A) | 270 | 71-RN60D2700F | |||
R11L(B) | 287-291 | 71-RN60D-F-287 | |||
R11R(A) | 270 | 71-RN60D2700F | |||
R11R(B) | 287-291 | 71-RN60D-F-287 | |||
R12L | 1M | 71-RN60D-F-1M | |||
R12R | 1M | 71-RN60D-F-1M | |||
R13L | 10k | 71-RN60D-F-10K | |||
R13R | 10k | 71-RN60D-F-10K | |||
R16L | 470K | 71-RN60D-F-470K | |||
R16R | 470K | 71-RN60D-F-470K | |||
R17L(A) | 140 | 71-RN60D-F-140 | |||
R17L(B) | 127 | 71-RN60D1270F | |||
R17R(A) | 140 | 71-RN60D-F-140 | |||
R17R(B) | 127 | 71-RN60D1270F | |||
R1L | 1M | 71-RN60D-F-1M | |||
R1R | 1M | 71-RN60D-F-1M | |||
R20 | 100 | 660-MOS3CT631R101J | |||
R21 | 100 | 660-MOS3CT631R101J | |||
R22 | 200k-300k | 603-RSF3WSJT-73-270K | |||
R23 | 200k-300k | 603-RSF3WSJT-73-270K | |||
R24 | 22K | 279-ROX3SJ22K | |||
R25 | 10 | 660-MOS3C100J | 660-MOS3CT631R100J | ||
R26 | 10 | 660-MOS3C100J | 660-MOS3CT631R100J | ||
R27 | 68k | 660-MOS3CT631R683J | |||
R28 | 300K | 603-RSF100JB-73-300K | |||
R29 | 100K | 603-RSF100JT-73-100K | 66-CMO11003JLFTR | ||
R2L | 470 | 71-RN60D4700F | |||
R2R | 470 | 71-RN60D4700F | |||
R30 | 100 | 603-RSF1WSGT-52-100R | |||
R3L | 300 | 71-RN60C300F0F | |||
R3R | 300 | 71-RN60C300F0F | |||
R4L | 470 | 71-RN60D4700F | |||
R4R | 470 | 71-RN60D4700F | |||
R5L | 1M | 71-RN60D-F-1M | |||
R5R | 1M | 71-RN60D-F-1M | |||
R60 | 10 | 660-MOS3C100J | 660-MOS3CT631R100J | ||
R6L | 1M | 71-RN60D-F-1M | |||
R6R | 1M | 71-RN60D-F-1M | |||
R7L | 1M | 71-RN60D-F-1M | |||
R7R | 1M | 71-RN60D-F-1M | |||
R9L | 300 | 71-RN60C300F0F | |||
R9R | 300 | 71-RN60C300F0F | |||
IC1 | LM317 | 511-LM317T | |||
IC2 | BUT11A | 512-BUT11A | |||
IC3 | MC29502 | 998-MIC29502WT | |||
TRAN | 272JX | 546-272JX | |||
CHOKE | 193B | 546-193B | Parts Express | ||
V1(6SN7) | OCTAL | Parts Express | |||
V2 | OCTAL | Parts Express | |||
V3(6SN7) | OCTAL | Parts Express | |||
V4 | OCTAL | Parts Express | |||
V5(5AR4) | OCTAL |
LIABILITY DISCLAIMER
A person who constructs or works on electronic equipment may be exposed to hazards, including physical injury, the risk of electric shock or electrocution, and exposure to hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, and other inorganic or organic compounds. These hazards can result in health problems, injury, or death. Only qualified persons who understand and are willing to bear these risks themselves should attempt the construction of electronic equipment. By purchasing this item, the buyer acknowledges these risks.
Vacuum tubes operate at high temperatures, may contain toxic substances, and may have exposed parts that carry hazardous voltages. There is a risk of electric shock, electrocution, burns, or fires that is inherent in the construction and use of vacuum tube equipment. By purchasing this item, the buyer acknowledges these risks.
IN NO EVENT SHALL THE SELLER BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY NATURE including, but not limited to, property damage, personal injury, death or legal expenses. Buyer's recovery from Seller for any claim shall not exceed the purchase price paid by Buyer for the goods, irrespective of the nature of the claim, whether in warrant, contract or otherwise. By purchasing this item, BUYER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD SELLER HARMLESS FROM ANY CLAIMS BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY REGARDING ITEMS SUPPLIED BY SELLER AND INCORPORATED INTO THE BUYER'S PRODUCT.
If you do not agree to this disclaimer, DO NOT BUY THIS ITEM.