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Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: Standel 25L15-Do you like it as is or would you like to change something  (Read 19745 times)

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Offline wsscott

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I'm working on the bias circuit in this cathode biased amp, and the schematic gives the option of making the cathode bias resistor adjustable using a 100 ohm pot plus a resistor vs. just a single value resistor.

This option calls for a 100 ohm pot plus a 68 ohm 2 Watt resistor.  I failed to order the 68 ohm 2 watt resistor, I just have 1/2 watts on hand.  But I do have a 100 ohm 2 watt resistor.  Would substituting this resistor create issues in adjusting the bias--or otherwise?

Thanks.

Offline sluckey

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Kinda hard to answer without access to a schematic.

Offline shooter

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Quote
But I do have a 100 ohm 2 watt resistor. 


more R = less I (I= E/R)
so you are "safer"
start WITHOUT the adjustability, get the basics dialed in, then tinker...so install the 100, figure out what the tubes are dissipating, figure out if they go into cut-off, figure out how it sounds......


then tinker
Went Class C for efficiency

Offline wsscott

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Thanks Shooter-I figured there might be a math analysis involved that only some people would know.  Certainly not me!

Offline shooter

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 :laugh:


it's not "math", it's the language of electronics  :icon_biggrin:
Went Class C for efficiency

Offline wsscott

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Does anyone know how the new Standel amps back light their front panels? I think Magnatone also has some models that are backlighted. They look really cool, and I'd like to try it some time.

Offline kagliostro

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HBP did it on his Standel

The light is placed around the panel

Go here
 
https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=13326.msg129564#msg129564

And read the post from Doug

Franco
« Last Edit: May 31, 2026, 07:40:23 am by kagliostro »
The world is a nice place if there is health and there are friends

Offline wsscott

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Thanks!

Offline wsscott

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I've almost completed building the Power Amp section, and wondered if there is a way to test it. This section is where the AC comes in and contains the PT, OT, 2 chokes, and the rectifier and 2 6L6's.  The on/off switch is in the preamp, not this section. Since I haven't started construction of the Preamp, I don't have a way to inject a signal, or anything else, but I want to make sure this section of the amp is wired properly.

Offline sluckey

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How can you continue to ask for help on this project when you won't share the schematic? I understand honoring someone's request to keep the secret, but if everyone honored that secret then you wouldn't have the schematic. Think about it!

Offline shooter

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Quote
wondered if there is a way to test it.


sure, no problem, just provide the following;


total expected;
 filament current/voltage
 preamp current/voltage
 PA current/voltage

then you can calculate a dummyload for testing
Went Class C for efficiency

Offline wsscott

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Thanks Shooter.

Offline wsscott

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Assume the attached Gretsch schematic of the 6165's power amp has the AC power line and fuse attached at the PT's primary windings.  Other than that, no controls and nothing from the Preamp is connected.

Offline kagliostro

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To test if it works you can use the preamp of one other amp or a signal generator or arrange a partition resistor from the output of a small transistor radio

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

Offline wsscott

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I have a question about filament wiring.

I've seen some builders run the 6.3VAC filament wires from the Power Transformer to a terminal strip, and then run 1 pair of wires from there to the Pilot Light, and another set to the pre-amp tubes.  Is there any benefit to doing it that way vs. just running the wires directly from the PT to the Pilot Light and then from there to the pre-amp tubes?

Also, does it matter which pre-amp tube's filaments get wired first in the string?  Assuming you have 3 common preamp tubes, should you start with V1 which is farthest away from the PT or start at V3 and finish at V1?

Offline shooter

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the key to good filament wiring is keeping it "uniform" and away from sensitive AC wires or any AC source where noise coupling can happen. (inductive coupling)


so it doesn't matter to your questions as long as nothing can "couple" into or out of the filament chain n induce 60hz into the amps signal path.


believe this is Steve's example of "clean filament wiring"
Went Class C for efficiency

Offline wsscott

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Thanks Shooter.  Sluckey does nice work!

I have normally used 20AWG wire for wiring up the filaments.  Is that a good choice?

Offline acheld

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20AWG is fine, but you could easily use 22AWG as its ampacity is about 7 amps or more, depending on insulation.

Offline wsscott

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Thanks for the tip.  Good to know if you're out of 20.

Offline Willabe

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From Merlin.

Use the example on the far right, red/white wires.

Offline wsscott

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Thanks.

Offline kagliostro

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First connect the Power Tubes, then PI and down till V1

https://valvewizard.co.uk/heater.html

Franco
« Last Edit: July 05, 2026, 12:23:48 pm by kagliostro »
The world is a nice place if there is health and there are friends

Offline HotBluePlates

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I've seen some builders run the 6.3VAC filament wires from the Power Transformer to a terminal strip, and then run 1 pair of wires from there to the Pilot Light, and another set to the pre-amp tubes.  Is there any benefit to doing it that way vs. just running the wires directly from the PT to the Pilot Light and then from there to the pre-amp tubes?

It doesn't matter, except one may be easier given your physical layout.

... does it matter which pre-amp tube's filaments get wired first in the string?  Assuming you have 3 common preamp tubes, should you start with V1 which is farthest away from the PT or start at V3 and finish at V1?

It doesn't matter, except that you will find your own preference for performing mechanical assembly.

For my own 25L15-style amp, I decided routing the heater wiring over the tube socket would give the shortest path, smallest "hum loop," stayed at roughly right-angles to all important components/wiring, and was feasible with the ~22ga teflon-insulated wire I was using.  I planned ahead to orient the sockets so that the heater-pins were horizontally aligned for this.




It's been too many years, and I don't remember which end I started with.  But today I would probably start on the left-hand side of the image, work my way across each socket, then finish with the run from the last socket to the XLR jack that I used for the power connection to the preamp chassis.
« Last Edit: July 06, 2026, 07:31:47 am by HotBluePlates »

 


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