Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: johngovan on November 25, 2022, 08:18:00 am

Title: Vox AC4 question. Need explanations.
Post by: johngovan on November 25, 2022, 08:18:00 am
According to the schematic posted, I'm just confused what's the use of the 100nf  coupling cap and 1M grid leak (red circles) in the last triode stage after the voltage divider (yellow circle)?

Why not just connect the grid of the last triode stage after the voltage divider? (Yellow circle)

The first schematic is the original circuit and the second schematic is edited, i purposely removed the two components to show my thoughts on paper. Hopefully you can help me to clear my thoughts on why they put those two components.
Title: Re: Vox AC4 question. Need explanations.
Post by: pdf64 on November 25, 2022, 10:12:05 am
Yes, they seem kinda pointless.
I don’t like that the output valve grid leak path relies on a pot wiper though, I suggest to add a back up resistor.
Title: Re: Vox AC4 question. Need explanations.
Post by: johngovan on November 25, 2022, 11:04:22 am
Yes, they seem kinda pointless.
I don’t like that the output valve grid leak path relies on a pot wiper though, I suggest to add a back up resistor.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Would 2.2M backup resistor enough to do the job?
Title: Re: Vox AC4 question. Need explanations.
Post by: tubeswell on November 25, 2022, 11:23:41 am
What’s the green box? Op Amp?
Title: Re: Vox AC4 question. Need explanations.
Post by: PRR on November 25, 2022, 03:42:48 pm
If you turn MV way down, it is possible to overdrive V2b before the output. Using R-C coupling may grid-block but also may 'duck' with less ugly sound. It *may* be worth trying both ways, altho it may take a long time to find the pot settings where it makes a difference.
Title: Re: Vox AC4 question. Need explanations.
Post by: HotBluePlates on November 25, 2022, 06:01:37 pm
... what's the use of the 100nf  coupling cap ...

Why not just connect the grid of the last triode stage after the voltage divider? ...
What’s the green box? Op Amp?

AC4HW1 Schematic (https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=13952.msg294637#msg294637)

The snipped-away Green Box is the Footswitch that can lift the tone stack for "Hot mode."

The capacitor (C15) is likely "just in case" some small amount of DC volts is present on the footswitch cabling, which would then alter the bias of V2, and be audible as a popping noise when switching the footswitch.
Title: Re: Vox AC4 question. Need explanations.
Post by: johngovan on November 25, 2022, 11:25:13 pm
What’s the green box? Op Amp?

It's the foot switch connection to bypass the tone stack.
Title: Re: Vox AC4 question. Need explanations.
Post by: johngovan on November 25, 2022, 11:27:00 pm
If you turn MV way down, it is possible to overdrive V2b before the output. Using R-C coupling may grid-block but also may 'duck' with less ugly sound. It *may* be worth trying both ways, altho it may take a long time to find the pot settings where it makes a difference.

Thanks PRR. I will try it both ways and decide from there.
Title: Re: Vox AC4 question. Need explanations.
Post by: johngovan on November 25, 2022, 11:30:39 pm
Quote
The capacitor (C15) is likely "just in case" some small amount of DC volts is present on the footswitch cabling, which would then alter the bias of V2, and be audible as a popping noise when switching the footswitch.


I see. It makes more sense now. Thank you Hot Blues.


EDIT: fixed missing quote tag --- HBP
Title: Re: Vox AC4 question. Need explanations.
Post by: kagliostro on November 27, 2022, 03:49:28 pm
Quote
Thank you Hot Blues

 :think1:

Mmmm I was thinking more to this

(https://i.imgur.com/ITpNmZM.jpg)

Thnan this

https://www.google.com/search?q=hot+blues&source=lmns&tbm=vid&bih=767&biw=412&client=ms-android-wiko-rev2&prmd=ivsn&hl=it&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjt9pP3qc_7AhX6yrsIHXlgBsIQ_AUoAnoECAAQBQ#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:1b514dd4,vid:LliNJcpYw8Y (https://www.google.com/search?q=hot+blues&source=lmns&tbm=vid&bih=767&biw=412&client=ms-android-wiko-rev2&prmd=ivsn&hl=it&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjt9pP3qc_7AhX6yrsIHXlgBsIQ_AUoAnoECAAQBQ#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:1b514dd4,vid:LliNJcpYw8Y)

 :icon_biggrin: :icon_biggrin: :icon_biggrin:

Franco