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Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: Princeton Reverb Build Issue  (Read 3159 times)

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Offline aabbs20

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Princeton Reverb Build Issue
« on: August 21, 2019, 11:22:26 am »
Hey all,

I'm finishing up a Princeton Reverb build and I've got a strange issue.  I've built a number of other PRs and have never encountered this problem.  When I turn the reverb control up it works, I hear great reverb, but the overall volume of the amp is decreased significantly.  I've tried different tubes, reverb tank, cables, 10PF and 500PF caps, 3.3m resistor, and bypass cap on reverb recovery with no change.  I've also measured voltages all over the amp while making the problem occur and haven't seen anything suspicious.

One other piece of info...the amp has a NFB switch.  When I cut the NFB, the issue goes away and the reverb works as it should.  When the NFB is engaged, the problem returns. 

I'm sure I've made a mistake somewhere but I'm stumped!

Thanks.



Offline sluckey

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Re: Princeton Reverb Build Issue
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2019, 12:36:38 pm »
Quote
One other piece of info...the amp has a NFB switch.  When I cut the NFB, the issue goes away and the reverb works as it should.  When the NFB is engaged, the problem returns. 
Maybe you need to swap the OT primary plate leads.

A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline aabbs20

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Re: Princeton Reverb Build Issue
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2019, 12:44:57 pm »
On my initial startup I heard the classic squeal so I swapped them at that time and it went away.  I just tried swapping them back and heard the loud squeal again.
« Last Edit: August 21, 2019, 12:55:41 pm by aabbs20 »

Offline aabbs20

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Re: Princeton Reverb Build Issue
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2019, 07:30:56 pm »
I've tried a few more component swap in the reverb circuit without any luck. Do you guys think it's a reverb oscillation issue or something else that's manifesting itself when I turn the verb up?

Also, the volume drop occurs even when the reverb tank is disconnected and V2 is pulled.  I'm thinking the problem is elsewhere.
« Last Edit: August 21, 2019, 07:34:08 pm by aabbs20 »

Offline shooter

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Re: Princeton Reverb Build Issue
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2019, 07:49:35 pm »
using this for ref;
https://el34world.com/Hoffman/files/Hoffman_PrincetonReverb.pdf

based on what you said verify
R 26 28 29 36 37 and make sure they are who they say they are  :icon_biggrin:
(might have to lift ends)
Went Class C for efficiency

Offline aabbs20

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Re: Princeton Reverb Build Issue
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2019, 07:55:44 pm »
Hey Shooter,

They all measure out and I've even swapped out a bunch of them already just in case.  No change.

Offline PRR

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Re: Princeton Reverb Build Issue
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2019, 08:20:34 pm »
Take it out in the sunlight.

The symptom suggests that the 470k is a 47k (yellow versus orange).

Offline aabbs20

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Re: Princeton Reverb Build Issue
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2019, 08:23:45 pm »
Thanks PRR.  I put it under a flashlight and the resistor in question is definitely a 470k, I've even tried 2 different 470k resistors in that spot.  I just measured it out to be extra sure.

Offline sluckey

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Re: Princeton Reverb Build Issue
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2019, 09:52:16 pm »
Post some hi rez pics.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline aabbs20

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Re: Princeton Reverb Build Issue
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2019, 09:59:29 pm »
Well...chalk that one up to an ID-10-T error. 

I was just getting ready to post some pics and I thought I'd look it over one last time so I didn't miss any wiring errors.  Fresh eyes helped see an obvious mistake. Turns out I had connected the V3 cathode wires to the wrong cathodes...so the nfb was tied to the reverb recovery. Doh! 

Thanks for your help guys. 

Offline PRR

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Re: Princeton Reverb Build Issue
« Reply #10 on: August 22, 2019, 12:46:13 pm »
> the nfb was tied to the reverb recovery.

Thanks for the come-back. Not something I would have suspected.


Offline shooter

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Re: Princeton Reverb Build Issue
« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2019, 02:02:25 pm »
Quote
Fresh eyes helped

 :thumbsup:

I'm myopic by birth, sometimes it creeps into mylogic also :icon_biggrin:
Went Class C for efficiency

 


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