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Transformerless Feedforward Vari-Mu

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 4:35 pm
by Heikki
Transformerless vari-mu based on the U73 compressor/limiter.

Design files
notU73.zip
(10.92 MiB) Downloaded 181 times
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Schematic
73.pdf
(148.42 KiB) Downloaded 247 times
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Layout
73layout.pdf
(2.37 MiB) Downloaded 216 times
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Fully tried and tested design. I'll post measurements and more pictures later.
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Gerber files here
viewtopic.php?t=75
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Boards for sale
viewtopic.php?t=49
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not73.JPG
not73.JPG (3.72 MiB) Viewed 19646 times

Re: Transformerless Feedforward Vari-Mu

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 6:50 pm
by Heikki
Specifications

Input impedance ≈ 12k ohms, balanced line-to-line *

S/N > 86 dB re +4 dBu, 22 kHz BW, unity gain

Frequency response = 20 - 20 kHz, ±0.5 dB

Gain = 0 dB at limit mode, 6 dB at compress mode

Output impedance = 50 ohms, balanced line-to-line
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* INA2137 Internal resistors are ratio matched but have ±25% absolute value

Re: Transformerless Feedforward Vari-Mu

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2024 12:34 am
by scott2000
I can make out U5 on the DCDC board pic. What model Recom is used?

Re: Transformerless Feedforward Vari-Mu

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2024 9:01 am
by Heikki
Recom R12-150B

Regulators for the DC-DC converters are 12V and regulator for the heaters is 5V.

R1 = 1 ohms

R2 = 2.2 ohms

R3 = 4.7 ohms

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Re: Transformerless Feedforward Vari-Mu

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2025 11:37 pm
by Script
Would 6BA6 tubes work ? Read that they are not fully equivalent to 6K4P, something to do with internal resistance.

Re: Transformerless Feedforward Vari-Mu

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2025 9:29 am
by Heikki
6BA6 is essentially equivalent to 6K4P. Only somewhat significant difference is that in 6KP4 suppressor grid is internally connected to cathode. Difference in internal connections won’t matter since tube pins 2 & 7 are connected together on the board. Any vari-mu pentode with same pinout as 6BA6 or 6K4P will work, with other tubes R13 might need to be changed.