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Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT, Choke and other things  (Read 16016 times)

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Offline uki

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Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT, Choke and other things
« on: June 20, 2016, 08:13:44 pm »
Hey guys !

I got this hi-fi monaural  amp, couldn't find anything about it on internet, no schematic, not even some mention about it, nothing  :dontknow: .   The amp does have one socket for reticfier tube, two sockets for power tubes, those were missing, the amp only came with the preamp tubes, 6SL7, 6SN7, EF86, ECC83.

I'm disassembling it to use the parts for a new guitar amp, already figured out the PT wires, and some of the OT wires here what I got so far:

PT primary(see picture):
115v 50cy

PT Secondary:
2x 350v 200mA
5v 4A , 6.3v 5A , CT


OT primary have 5 wires
brown and blue going to pin 3 of the power tubes,
green and black going to 1k big resistor and then to pin 4 of the power tubes,
and red seen to be the center.

OT secondary have 4 wires
black going to ground
red, brown and blue going to 8pin socket which is connected to a 3 way switch.

Here are the impedance between the primary wires I got with the meter only(I did not hook it up on a power source):
brown / red = 150 ohms
blue / red = 170 ohms
green / red = 50 ohms
black / red = 50 ohms

brown / blue = 200 ohms
black / green = 70 ohms

What do you guys think ? Is this OT usable for a guitar amp?

Thanks in advance !
« Last Edit: August 10, 2025, 10:15:28 am by uki »
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Offline drgonzonm

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2016, 09:10:20 pm »
I am sure you can convert the hifi amp to a guitar amp.  You are likely looking at a preamp modification, nothing too serious. 

Did you find any numbers on the O/T.  With this info you might be able to get info on the specs for the o/t.  Post any numbers you find on the O/T.  From the O/T, you can back figure what power tubes you directly plug in. 

Verify the blue/red ohm readings, your reading appears to be an outlier when combined, I would have guessed from the other readings, it should be about 150 ohms and not 2K. 

While there are few guitar amps that use ultralinear trannys, You might want to consider not using the UL taps, those with more experience will likely chime in.

Look at various fender schematics for typical wiring schemes for the input side. 

For tone control, look up duncan amps, looking for the tone calculator, it provides a few designs, if you have bass and treble, I am guessing you have a bandaxel tone control. 

I am guessing the ECC83 is a PI.   

good luck with your project

Offline kagliostro

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2016, 07:16:02 am »
To me the first thing to be done is to reverse engeener the amp and draw the schematic

after that to convert it in a guitar amp will be simpler

as general roule

when you have under hand an amp that you want to convert

keep PI - Power Supply - Output Transformer as in the original amp

this will semplify a lot your life

Franco
The world is a nice place if there is health and there are friends

Offline sluckey

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2016, 07:24:33 am »
Quote
OT primary have 5 wires
brown and blue going to pin 3 of the power tubes,
green and black going to 1k big resistor and then to pin 4 of the power tubes,
and red seen to be the center.

Here are the impedance between the primary wires I got with the meter only(I did not hook it up on a power source):
brown / red = 150 ohms
blue / red = 2k ohms --- NOT GOOD!
green / red = 50 ohms
black / red = 50 ohms
According to those readings the OT is bad.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline uki

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2016, 08:40:21 am »
According to those readings the OT is bad.
  There is something not good indeed and that is my ability to read a analog meter LOL  :laugh:

Verify the blue/red ohm readings, your reading appears to be an outlier when combined, I would have guessed from the other readings, it should be about 150 ohms and not 2K.

I did check it again, and the reading is about 172 ohms, does that sound right?
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Offline sluckey

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2016, 09:06:51 am »
Quote
I did check it again, and the reading is about 172 ohms, does that sound right?
Yes, much better. In a perfect OT each half of the primary winding would be exactly the same. But because of the way OTs are usually wound, one side will have a little more resistance than the other side. 150Ω and 172Ω are close enough, but 150Ω and 2KΩ raises a red flag.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline drgonzonm

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2016, 09:23:21 am »
Do not forget to post any O/T labeled numbers. Look for a 6 or 7 digit number.  With a little luck, those numbers will lead to the specs on the transformer, which will lead you to the question :

What power tubes do I use this this stated impedance? 

Offline uki

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2016, 09:51:34 am »
Quote
I did check it again, and the reading is about 172 ohms, does that sound right?
Yes, much better. In a perfect OT each half of the primary winding would be exactly the same. But because of the way OTs are usually wound, one side will have a little more resistance than the other side. 150Ω and 172Ω are close enough, but 150Ω and 2KΩ raises a red flag.

The OT can then be used in a new amp?

Do not forget to post any O/T labeled numbers. Look for a 6 or 7 digit number.  With a little luck, those numbers will lead to the specs on the transformer, which will lead you to the question :

What power tubes do I use this this stated impedance? 

There are no printings in the OT unfortunately, and the power tubes were missing. The choke have printing !
200mA 9Hy 140ohms
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Offline Glennjeff

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2016, 10:16:13 am »
Here is a thought,

Get a 6 to 9 volt AC 1 amp wall wart and connect the 6 to 9 volt AC output to the primary side of the OT, through a 10 ohm 10 watt resistor.

Now measure the voltage going into the primary with meter set to AC.            Vin
Now measure the voltage coming out of the secondary with meter set to AC.    Vout

Turns ratio = Vin / Vout

Impedance = Speaker Impedance X (Turns Ratio) X (Turns Ratio)

The math is off the top of my head, someone will soon correct me if its wrong.

Once you know the impedance it presents as a load you can choose a suitable set of tubes.

Offline drgonzonm

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2016, 10:22:25 am »
From the listing of the assumed primary leads on the O/T, The power tubes could have been el34's KT's, 6V6's 5881, or maybe 6L6,

I agree with Franco, you need a schematic.  There is a free download, JSCHEM available.  Quite a few forum members are familar with the program.  Maybe, we can match up parts with common applications. 

Offline uki

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #10 on: June 21, 2016, 09:02:32 pm »
From the listing of the assumed primary leads on the O/T, The power tubes could have been el34's KT's, 6V6's 5881, or maybe 6L6...
I have the same feeling about it, and the OT is probably around 30-50watts output by the looks and size of it.

To me the first thing to be done is to reverse engeener the amp and draw the schematic
after that to convert it in a guitar amp will be simpler
as general roule
when you have under hand an amp that you want to convert
keep PI - Power Supply - Output Transformer as in the original amp
this will semplify a lot your life
Franco

Too late to map the circuit I was already half way disassembling the amp, and now it totally disassembled, thanks for the hint, I didn't want to convert the amp, the plan is to use the components to build a guitar amp, figuring out the OT will be possible to pick one that is known, with a layout and schematic, that way I think will be the best and easiest for me, because I'm not skilled enough in electronics to fiddle that much into an amp to convert it. I would have no clue about what to do, I'm just a noob!!  :laugh:  And this will be my second build !!

Oh by the way  the amp was a real mess, cluttered soldering really nasty and sloppy work was done there, I wouldn't adventure in that "jungle", also there was some visible modifications, several switches(4), 3 of them I had no idea whatsoever what was the purpose.

I got some pics of the components:
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Offline Paul1453

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #11 on: June 21, 2016, 09:05:34 pm »
Lots of vintage quality parts to work with there.

Now that you've removed and cleaned them they are much nicer to work with.   :icon_biggrin:

Offline uki

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #12 on: June 22, 2016, 01:25:00 pm »
Here is a thought,

Get a 6 to 9 volt AC 1 amp wall wart and connect the 6 to 9 volt AC output to the primary side of the OT, through a 10 ohm 10 watt resistor.

Now measure the voltage going into the primary with meter set to AC.            Vin
Now measure the voltage coming out of the secondary with meter set to AC.    Vout

Turns ratio = Vin / Vout

Impedance = Speaker Impedance X (Turns Ratio) X (Turns Ratio)

The math is off the top of my head, someone will soon correct me if its wrong.

Once you know the impedance it presents as a load you can choose a suitable set of tubes.

Figuring out at the moment how to hook the OT to find out  the ratio, but I only have small DC power supplies with: 3, 5, 9 volts, does those have diodes ? (haven't open one yet) if the diodes are rectifying removing those will it give me AC output yes? Would that work to hook in the primary or secondary ?

Here a picture of the transformers.
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Offline sluckey

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #13 on: June 22, 2016, 01:32:41 pm »
You have 6.3VAC CT (3.15-0-3.15) available on that big PT. Just connect that 3.15VAC to the secondary to do the voltage ratio measurements.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline uki

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #14 on: June 25, 2016, 12:36:47 pm »
I manage to get ±1vac source connecting some small transformers one after another  :think1: , then I hooked it to the secondary of the OT, here is what I got as result, also follow a diagram of the OT.

prim blue/brown ±32vac }{ sec black/blue ±1vac

prim blue/brown ±25vac }{ sec black/brown ±1vac

prim blue/brown ±19vac }{ sec black/red ±1vac

does it make sense ?
« Last Edit: June 25, 2016, 12:44:55 pm by uki »
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Offline sluckey

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #15 on: June 25, 2016, 12:43:20 pm »
No, it doesn't make sense. In all three cases you put 1v across the black and blue secondary wires but got three very different voltage readings across the primary blue and brown wires.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline uki

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #16 on: June 25, 2016, 12:49:40 pm »
No, it doesn't make sense. In all three cases you put 1v across the black and blue secondary wires but got three very different voltage readings across the primary blue and brown wires.

Ooops I forgot to change the colors and words after copy paste, it is fixed now, also I have a diagram of the connections.
How about now ?
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Offline sluckey

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #17 on: June 25, 2016, 12:59:28 pm »
Much better.  :icon_biggrin:

If you put an 8Ω speaker across the BLK/BLU secondary wires you will reflect an 8192Ω load to the primary.

If you put an 8Ω speaker across the BLK/BRN secondary wires you will reflect a 5000Ω load to the primary.

If you put an 8Ω speaker across the BLK/RED secondary wires you will reflect a 2888Ω load to the primary.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline uki

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #18 on: June 25, 2016, 01:08:37 pm »
Much better.  :icon_biggrin:

If you put an 8Ω speaker across the BLK/BLU secondary wires you will reflect an 8192Ω load to the primary.

If you put an 8Ω speaker across the BLK/BRN secondary wires you will reflect a 5000Ω load to the primary.

If you put an 8Ω speaker across the BLK/RED secondary wires you will reflect a 2888Ω load to the primary.

Which tubes can be used with those values ?

So with this numbers the OT seen to be working ?

I'm guessing the different wires in the secondary could be for 4Ω , 8Ω and 16Ω ? Is that right? Is there a way to find out ?

What amp can be build with this OT ?
« Last Edit: June 26, 2016, 07:35:09 pm by uki »
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Offline Paul1453

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #19 on: June 26, 2016, 09:00:17 pm »
It seems to me the diagram is mislabeled.   :dontknow:

I would expect the Turns Ratio numbers to go in order.
I don't see how the 19 TR could come in between 25 and 32.

Other than that, that OT should make a nice guitar amp.   :icon_biggrin:

Offline uki

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #20 on: June 27, 2016, 12:43:16 pm »
It seems to me the diagram is mislabeled.   :dontknow:

I would expect the Turns Ratio numbers to go in order.
I don't see how the 19 TR could come in between 25 and 32.

Other than that, that OT should make a nice guitar amp.   :icon_biggrin:

Well I have no clue what the order would be... :laugh:

What amp can be build with the OT ?
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Offline shooter

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #21 on: June 27, 2016, 02:08:41 pm »
Quote
What amp can be build with the OT ?
Look at reply#18, then look at tube charts for your favorite ones, match up the primary values with the plate to plate data from the charts, then look up schematics that use them;
example, black-blue gives you 8kish, 6v6s and el84s like that, what amps use them....
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Offline uki

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #22 on: June 27, 2016, 04:51:34 pm »
Quote
What amp can be build with the OT ?
Look at reply#18, then look at tube charts for your favorite ones, match up the primary values with the plate to plate data from the charts, then look up schematics that use them;
example, black-blue gives you 8kish, 6v6s and el84s like that, what amps use them....

Hey thanks shooter !  I was looking at that and trying to figure out, when I look at the tube charts I see different names like plate resistance and load resistance, are those the same thing ? Also in the same chart there are different values for the same tube, a bit confusing, I dunno which one to follow, I was wondering if is possible to use a pair of EL34, here 2 charts I was looking at:

http://tubedata.altanatubes.com.br/sheets/010/e/EL34.pdf

http://multcomercial.com.br/doc/valvulas/eh-el34eh.pdf
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Offline shooter

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #23 on: June 27, 2016, 06:45:28 pm »
look at the 1st link, pg 4 Ra-a is 3.4k.  which pair of wires gets you closest?  OR, if you change the speaker from 8ohm to 4ohm, you can halve the primary impedance.  You also need to look at *other stuff* on those charts, like your operating plate voltage, bias type, lots of cool things :laugh:
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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #24 on: June 27, 2016, 07:31:52 pm »
look at the 1st link, pg 4 Ra-a is 3.4k.  which pair of wires gets you closest?  OR, if you change the speaker from 8ohm to 4ohm, you can halve the primary impedance.  You also need to look at *other stuff* on those charts, like your operating plate voltage, bias type, lots of cool things :laugh:

Well the closest is black/red with 2888Ω.

Ok here is where things get confusing, I don't understand when the load is like 8Ω in each pair. there are 4 wires in the secondary of that OT, are the 3 pairs, each for different impedance, like 4Ω, 8Ω and 16Ω , or each pair can be used with any impedance ?

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #25 on: June 27, 2016, 08:02:11 pm »
To know what tubes, you must start with what B+ you can get from your PT and what is the likely power rating of the OT.

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #26 on: June 27, 2016, 08:15:38 pm »
Quote
each for different impedance, like 4Ω, 8Ω and 16Ω , or each pair can be used with any impedance ?
Yes :icon_biggrin:

In a known OT, say you have 8K primary and 3 secondary taps, 4 8 16, hook a 4ohm to the 4 ohm tap, it reflects back 8K.  hook a 8ohm to the 8ohm tap, it reflects back 8K, BUT, hook a 4ohm to the 8ohm tap, it reflects back 4K.  You'll have to hunt up the *why* math though
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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #27 on: June 27, 2016, 08:21:24 pm »
To know what tubes, you must start with what B+ you can get from your PT and what is the likely power rating of the OT.

I have no idea what is the power rating of the OT, all I have is the numbers gathered by reading the wires.

The PT that came with this old amp says:  primary 115v , 50cy
 secondary 2x 350 volts , 200mA
 5v , 4A - 6.3 , 5A , Ct

here is a pic:
« Last Edit: June 28, 2016, 06:48:48 am by uki »
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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #28 on: June 28, 2016, 07:50:08 am »
That OT doesn't appear to be original. The PT and choke both have cloth covered wires. The OT has plastic covered wires that make me think it comes from a later time period.

It's probably too late for this amp, but in the future try to gather as much info as you can about an amp BEFORE you start gutting it. Drawing a complete schematic complete with actual measured voltages would be ideal and yield invaluable info whether you intend to repair, convert, or just salvage iron. But even a partial schematic showing power supply and output tubes will give you a lot of good info. Surely more info than you have right now. At a minimum, try to determine what power tubes go with the amp. And pull the rectifier tube, then measure actual PT voltages.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #29 on: June 28, 2016, 11:39:13 am »
> gather as much info as you can about an amp BEFORE you start gutting it.
> even a partial schematic showing power supply and output tubes will give you a lot of good info.


+1

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #30 on: June 28, 2016, 12:28:23 pm »
That PT was made in Brazil, and on the front panel the word Linha means Line in Portugese.  So looks like your iron at least is brazilian . As far as I know, the company Willkason is still going in Brazil.

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #31 on: June 28, 2016, 12:39:14 pm »
Thanks for the replies guys !!

That PT was made in Brazil, and on the front panel the word Linha means Line in Portugese.  So looks like your iron at least is brazilian . As far as I know, the company Willkason is still going in Brazil.
Yes sir, you are correct, the amp was made down here in Brazil, but unfortunately I couldn't find any information about it, there is nothing online. Well I dunno if the Willkason is still going, but they make very good transformers, or at least they have the fame.


That OT doesn't appear to be original. The PT and choke both have cloth covered wires. The OT has plastic covered wires that make me think it comes from a later time period.
Yes that is what it looks like, they are indeed different.

Ok just want to remind you guys I can build this stuff if I have the schematic and specially a layout but, I dunno much about how it works!!  :laugh:

Been having hard times trying to figure out the output impedances  :BangHead:

It's probably too late for this amp, but in the future try to gather as much info as you can about an amp BEFORE you start gutting it. Drawing a complete schematic complete with actual measured voltages would be ideal and yield invaluable info whether you intend to repair, convert, or just salvage iron. But even a partial schematic showing power supply and output tubes will give you a lot of good info. Surely more info than you have right now. At a minimum, try to determine what power tubes go with the amp. And pull the rectifier tube, then measure actual PT voltages.

The amp didn't had rectifier tube or power tubes they were missing, there are no information what so ever on internet about this thing, I've look everywhere, no schematic, no manual, nothing, not even a mention anywhere about it, the amp was modified no doubt, already have mentioned all this before, I don't want to convert it or repair it, I just want to use the parts for a new amp, so it is a salvage operation. It is disassembled already, the OT is working what is good news, someone sujested a Plexi 50, and I do have the impression the power tubes on this amp were el34s, after looking at similar amps of that time many had el34s, so all left is on what known amp can the OT be used ?  Would it work on a Plexi 50 with el34s ?

Thanks in advance !
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Offline sluckey

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #32 on: June 28, 2016, 01:13:47 pm »
Quote
Would it work on a Plexi 50 with el34s ?
Probably. Give it a try. Let us know how it turns out.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline shooter

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #33 on: June 28, 2016, 01:16:33 pm »
Quote
Would it work on a Plexi 50 with el34s ?
go back to your tube chart for el34, find filament current (X2), figure out how many 12XX7's you'll be using, get the fil current for 1 then multiply by tubes you'll use.  Now you know how much PT iron you need to get the tubes warm, next settle on a happy plate voltage for the 34s.  Now you can do some *bench testing* stuff with your unknown PT to see if it's up to the task.

EDIT:  I just seen this from earlier;
Quote
The choke have printing !200mA 9Hy 140ohms
my guess is the manufacturer wouldn't use a 200mA choke in a 50mA circuit, and I'm pretty confident you will come in under 200mA with 2 34's
« Last Edit: June 28, 2016, 01:21:38 pm by shooter »
Went Class C for efficiency

Offline uki

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #34 on: June 28, 2016, 02:08:36 pm »
Quote
Would it work on a Plexi 50 with el34s ?
Probably. Give it a try. Let us know how it turns out.
Ok cool, I still don't know which pairs of wires on the secondary of the OT are for 4Ω, 8Ω and 16Ω, how do I find that out ? :dontknow:

Quote
Would it work on a Plexi 50 with el34s ?
go back to your tube chart for el34, find filament current (X2), figure out how many 12XX7's you'll be using, get the fil current for 1 then multiply by tubes you'll use.  Now you know how much PT iron you need to get the tubes warm, next settle on a happy plate voltage for the 34s.

The PT was running 4 preamp tubes, ecc83, ef86, 6sn7, 6sl7 and 2 power tubes. 
Hmmm I can't find filament current there, but I've found Anode current, Grid No.2 current and Cathode current, which one of those refer to filament current?

Now you can do some *bench testing* stuff with your unknown PT to see if it's up to the task.
Do you mean unknown OT instead ? The PT is known.
The PT that came with this old amp says:  primary 115v , 50cy
 secondary 2x 350 volts , 200mA
 5v , 4A - 6.3 , 5A , Ct

EDIT:  I just seen this from earlier;
Quote
The choke have printing !200mA 9Hy 140ohms
my guess is the manufacturer wouldn't use a 200mA choke in a 50mA circuit, and I'm pretty confident you will come in under 200mA with 2 34's
So the choke isn't for too small stuff.
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Offline Ed_Chambley

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #35 on: June 28, 2016, 03:50:51 pm »
It looks as if you choke was used on the plates as well.  Considering 200ma.  Cannot be certain tho since it is all apart.

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #36 on: June 28, 2016, 03:57:17 pm »
It looks as if you choke was used on the plates as well.  Considering 200ma.  Cannot be certain tho since it is all apart.
The choke was connected to filter caps look this pic:
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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #37 on: June 28, 2016, 04:06:35 pm »
It looks as if you choke was used on the plates as well.  Considering 200ma.  Cannot be certain tho since it is all apart.
The choke was connected to filter caps look this pic:
They usually are.  What I am asking is the choke BEFORE the first filter cap or did it connect the first cap to the second one.  Meaning was it connected after the plates on the power tubes, but before the screens.  If it were filtering the plates and you intend to use it in the same fashion you will have a voltage drop so instead of getting your approximate voltage unloaded using 1.41 multiplier for SS rectification, you multiplier becomes .88-.9.


Read up:
http://www.aikenamps.com/index.php/chokes-explained

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #38 on: June 28, 2016, 04:22:28 pm »
It looks as if you choke was used on the plates as well.  Considering 200ma.  Cannot be certain tho since it is all apart.
The choke was connected to filter caps look this pic:
They usually are.  What I am asking is the choke BEFORE the first filter cap or did it connect the first cap to the second one.  Meaning was it connected after the plates on the power tubes, but before the screens.  If it were filtering the plates and you intend to use it in the same fashion you will have a voltage drop so instead of getting your approximate voltage unloaded using 1.41 multiplier for SS rectification, you multiplier becomes .88-.9.


Read up:
http://www.aikenamps.com/index.php/chokes-explained
Oh this seen to be a very good point, although I don't understand well how it works I can see the importance of matching the parts.

The wires of the choke were connected to a cap can  32+32µF/450-500v , each wire on the positive side of each cap in the can(the ground was in the other side of the chassis). At least that is what it looks like to me.
There is a pic of the cap cans at post #10.
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Offline sluckey

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #39 on: June 28, 2016, 04:26:32 pm »
That's a nice pic of the choke wires! If you have some nice pics of the recto and output tube sockets post them as well. We may be able to get a good estimate of the tube types.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline pompeiisneaks

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #40 on: June 28, 2016, 04:37:31 pm »
From your question:
Quote
Ok cool, I still don't know which pairs of wires on the secondary of the OT are for 4Ω, 8Ω and 16Ω, how do I find that out ? :dontknow:
Sluckey showed the math on the impedance for 8 ohm speaker on each.  The idea then becomes could do the same math for 4 or 16 ohms and see what those gave you.  You'll likely find that the all come up to one consistently matching impendance when they're 'right' since there are three taps, probably 4,8,16, I'd guess the middle impedance of 5k would be the 8 ohm, and the other two would have a matching 5k impedance.  Look at his math and compare.  I'm probably going to get it backwards, but the 8ish k impedance one is likely 16 ohm and the 2ish one was the 4 ohm.  Again, just repeat his math. 

I may do it here in a second to confirm ;)

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #41 on: June 28, 2016, 04:43:02 pm »
Ok so here's that math, lets see if this is right:

The windings ratio's per your check were:

32:1
25:1
19:1

I see the 8ohm was 5k at the 25:1 winding: 25^2 * 8
lets try 32:1 for 16 ohm
32^2 * 16
OOPS I had it backwards, that's  16,384

But if I do it for 4 ohm I get 4096, closer to that 5k impedance

Then that means if I do 19:1 with 16 ohm I get: 5776 also close to that 5k. 

If you want to use the 4/8/16 windings, you'd want a tube output of around 5k.  BUT you can just as well choose tubes that fit the ones I show above or any variation of the impedance on the secondary that you want, so long as the windings ratio and current capability of the transformer works.

~Phil
 

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #42 on: June 28, 2016, 05:01:26 pm »
Ok so here's that math, lets see if this is right:

The windings ratio's per your check were:

32:1
25:1
19:1

I see the 8ohm was 5k at the 25:1 winding: 25^2 * 8
lets try 32:1 for 16 ohm
32^2 * 16
OOPS I had it backwards, that's  16,384

But if I do it for 4 ohm I get 4096, closer to that 5k impedance

Then that means if I do 19:1 with 16 ohm I get: 5776 also close to that 5k. 

If you want to use the 4/8/16 windings, you'd want a tube output of around 5k.  BUT you can just as well choose tubes that fit the ones I show above or any variation of the impedance on the secondary that you want, so long as the windings ratio and current capability of the transformer works.

~Phil

I see !! That is what I was trying to figure out, yet I'm not sure how to pick the tube since some charts shows different values for the same tube, like in this chart: http://tubedata.altanatubes.com.br/sheets/010/e/EL34.pdf
So much to learn!!

Here what I did (note I got the ratio with a rudimentary apparatus giving about 1vac and the reading was done with an analog meter so I can't say for sure what is the exact number but very close to 19,25,32 :

32 * 32 = 1024    1024 * 4Ω = 4096Ω

25 * 25 = 625     625  * 4Ω = 2500Ω

19 * 19 = 361     361  * 4Ω = 1444Ω



32 * 32 = 1024    1024 * 8Ω = 8192Ω

25 * 25 = 625     625  * 8Ω = 5000Ω

19 * 19 = 361     361  * 8Ω = 2888Ω



32 * 32 = 1024    1024 * 16Ω = 16384Ω

25 * 25 = 625     625  * 16Ω = 10000Ω

19 * 19 = 361     361  * 16Ω = 5776Ω

That's a nice pic of the choke wires! If you have some nice pics of the recto and output tube sockets post them as well. We may be able to get a good estimate of the tube types.

Cool !!!  Yeah here some pics !!

The white resistors are 50 ohms each on the PT_wires pic.

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #43 on: June 28, 2016, 05:13:05 pm »

I see !! That is what I was trying to figure out, yet I'm not sure how to pick the tube since some charts shows different values for the same tube, like in this chart: http://tubedata.altanatubes.com.br/sheets/010/e/EL34.pdf
So much to learn!!

Here what I did (note I got the ratio with a rudimentary apparatus giving about 1vac and the reading was done with an analog meter so I can't say for sure what is the exact number but very close to 19,25,32 :

32 * 32 = 1024    1024 * 4Ω = 4096Ω

25 * 25 = 625     625  * 4Ω = 2500Ω

19 * 19 = 361     361  * 4Ω = 1444Ω



32 * 32 = 1024    1024 * 8Ω = 8192Ω

25 * 25 = 625     625  * 8Ω = 5000Ω

19 * 19 = 361     361  * 8Ω = 2888Ω



32 * 32 = 1024    1024 * 16Ω = 16384Ω

25 * 25 = 625     625  * 16Ω = 10000Ω

19 * 19 = 361     361  * 16Ω = 5776Ω


Yeah basically now you can try and match anything that fits any of those.  Then you just use the specific tap that matches that impedance on either side that you want.  (i.e. if you like the 16k impedance you'll need to use a 16 ohm speaker and the 32:1 winding).  If you want switchability between 4/8/16, you need to match up them all to be approximately that 5k level, and then choose output tubes that do push around 5k.

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Offline uki

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #44 on: June 28, 2016, 06:27:58 pm »

Yeah basically now you can try and match anything that fits any of those.  Then you just use the specific tap that matches that impedance on either side that you want.  (i.e. if you like the 16k impedance you'll need to use a 16 ohm speaker and the 32:1 winding).  If you want switchability between 4/8/16, you need to match up them all to be approximately that 5k level, and then choose output tubes that do push around 5k.

~Phil

Thanks man , It is much clear now what it is all about, I think I got this !!  So then if the desired impedance is 8k then use 8ohm speaker in the 32:1 wiring ? And all those numbers is what the OT can handle yes?
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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #45 on: June 29, 2016, 12:01:53 pm »
@Ed_Chambley

I did read that info on the link you posted, thanks for the link.

I was looking at the classic tone choke for Plexi 50 stile here is the specifications:

Calssic tone Plexi 50: 3Hy  250mA  112Ω

Now this is the choke I have(Willkason):  9Hy  200mA  140Ω

Is the choke too big or too small or  too big ?
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Offline sluckey

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT, Choke and other things
« Reply #46 on: June 29, 2016, 12:13:35 pm »
It's just right. The one in your hand is worth 10 in the bush.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT, Choke and other things
« Reply #47 on: June 29, 2016, 01:14:42 pm »
Thanks Sluckey !! By the way I got the pics you asked in the post #42 !!
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Offline sluckey

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT, Choke and other things
« Reply #48 on: June 29, 2016, 01:29:24 pm »
I saw them.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

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Re: Fidelius amp, ultralinear OT
« Reply #49 on: June 29, 2016, 02:12:34 pm »
Thanks man , It is much clear now what it is all about, I think I got this !!  So then if the desired impedance is 8k then use 8ohm speaker in the 32:1 wiring ? And all those numbers is what the OT can handle yes?

Yes, that's correct, but that also means you wouldn't want to use the other windings and you should just cover them and make a single output jack.  Some minor variances are okay, because the output tubes mirror what the OT is reflecting to them within reason, in your sample case a 16 ohm speaker may work fine in the 25:1 winding because its 10k and that's 'close' to the 8200 you're seeing in the 32:1, but I may be mistaken that it is safe, I don't yet understand what is a tolerable variance there. 

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