This amplifier was built at the last year. I got a lot of PL509 valves. This valves use in TV, as line driver. I try to use as triode. Mr. Bruce Rozenblit give me help to proper connecting. Then I measure the valve as triode, the result was very nice. Low mu, low plate resistance. I build the first version, wich based on the famous Williamson amplifier. It sound nice, but my friend tell me some idea.
The planning ready, and
under building. The schematic:
First stage has regulated
power supply, it help to minimize drift and improve PSRR. The current regulator
result big AC resistance at the tail of the first stage, it gives good
AC balance. The second stage tail connected to -120V to make better balance.
There are only one coupling
capacitor at the signal path, it gives better sonic performance, better
low frequency response. The overall feedback 16dB only. It's enough to
stabilize the circuit, and gives flat response.
The output stage work in
class AB, quiescent current 100mA each valve. It's results 11W class A
output power. This eliminates the crossover distortion. Plate resistance
2240 ohm plate to plate. 2.5k output transformer gives good performance
and 40W output power. I use home designed transformer.
The power supply schematic:
I found, the simple power
supply give better sound. Hard regulated supply can make hard AC pulses
to the HT voltage. Simple RC filtering gives less noise, and more dinamics.
Large energy storage at
the output stage gives very good bass, two 2200uF capacitor results 200J
energy storage. All electrolytic capacitor bypassed with polypropilene
film capacitors.
I
don't use printed board. Hard wire makes less distortion, and better sonic
performance.