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LYNX v3 PDF
LYNX v3 PDF
www.audio-circuit.dk
Content
1. Introduction and Specifications
2. Circuit Description
3. Component List
4. SOA protection calculation
5. PCB assembly
6. Pre-Test
7. Final assembly and test
8. Schematic and PCB layout
9. Basic wiring
10. Power Supply suggestion
Disclaimer
The LYNX Power Amplifier is intended as a non-commercial diy-project, and it is therefore builders responsibility to
assure that assembly and wiring are made correct, and that suitable components are used.
Audio Circuit Denmark can therefore under no circumstances be held responsible for any incorrect information or
documentation, damages to persons and material, loss of money or what so ever.
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1. Introductions and Specifications
Introduction
This project had only one goal, and that was to upgrade the old v2.2 layout and create a rock-solid and powerful
sonic Power Amplifier like those used in recording studios. However, if you are fond of the deceased mighty and
"muscular" Power Amps from Phase Linear, SAE, GAS and Dynaco etc. you may be intrigued by this project as the
result is very close to those.
Components
Components shown in the schematics are only suggestions. The circuit had shown good characteristics and had
produced a clear sound, when build with low cost components. So with this circuit you have the possibility to either
build a low cost dynamic Power Amplifier or a Studio Class Power Amplifier.
Technical Specifications:
With the use of a heavy Power Supply combined with a large Capacitor Bank, the LYNX Power Amplifier are able
to deliver loud and clear sound, and have shown capable of handling loads down to 2 Ohms without any instability.
Specifications rated at +/- 55 Volt DC Supply Voltage with 2x22.000 uF capacitor bank:
The Amplifier can run with supply voltages from +/-30 to +/-60 Volts DC with minor changes of some resistor
values.
2. Circuit Description
The input signal from a Preamp or a Volume Control is applied to the Inverting Input (Pin 2) of the U101 Opamp
through a low-pass filter (R101 and C101), while the feedback signal (determent by R120 and R121) is applied to
the Non-Inverting Input (Pin 3) of the U101 Opamp.
U101 makes the first low Voltage Gain, and provide low output impedance to the Voltage Amplifier stage Q101 and
Q103 (Positive Voltage Amplification) and Q102 and Q104 (Negative Voltage Amplification).
The signal is then feed to the Current Gain Stages, which are build-up as Three Deep Darlington (TDD) circuits,
each consisting of one Pre-Driver (Q106 and Q107), one High Power Driver (Q110 and Q111) and the Output
Transistors (Q112 to Q119).
The Bias circuit consists of Q105, C104 (frequency compensation), R113, R115 and a Potentiometer R114, which
allows the Bias to be adjusted.
The +/-15 VDC Supply to U101 are provided by R122, ZD101 and C107 (Positive Supply) and R123, ZD102 and
C108 (Negative Supply).
A Current Limiting Circuit (R124 to R127, C105 and C106, D103 to D106 and Q108 to Q109) is fitted to protect the
output stage from delivering higher Currents than the SOA specify. The use of C105 and C106 allows high Current
peaks (dynamic peaks) on the output without limiting the output Current. Only if the current flow continues above
"Safety Level" the capacitors are charged and Q108/Q109 limits the output current by lowering the signal to the
Pre-Drivers.
If you are afraid of DC-Voltages on the input (from the outputs of your other equipment) you can add a 1uF to
2.2uF film capacitor to the input in series with R101.
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3. Component List
Misc.
FS101, FS102 See pics next page For fuses 5x20mm
Fuses See chapter 4 5x20mm
8-pin DIL socket for U101 1
Spacers M3 (male- 4 Length 8-10mm
female)
* Watch out. Some old versions (not On Semi) had a different pin layout. Check the manufacturer datasheet
** Beware of fakes (I had to scrap more than 100 transistors bought from a cheap supplier as the blew up in this amp)
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R122/R123 calculation
This is how you calculate R122 and R123 (2W Zener resistors) @ Iz=20mA
(Rail VoltageZV)/0.02A=R (example with +/-55VDC Rail Voltage: (55-15)/0.02 = 40/0.02=2000R = 2K
Q101, 102, 108, 109 Q103 to 107 Q110, 111 Q112 to 119
PCB Pin-layout for R114 Bias trimmer (Bourns are shown) Pin configuration for Opamp
Fuse holder for 5x20mm fuse (both types can be fitted on the PCB)
No that this is only a correction to the silk screen. PCB tracks are correct and match the MJE340/350 transistors.
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4. SOA protection calculation
How to calculate R124 and R125
Below is shown the SOA (Safe Operating Area) for the MJL21193/94.
If you are using other output devices, please use the SOA protection curve for those in the calculations.
Below you see the protection circuit and the R124 and 125 to be calculated
To calculate the protection circuit you need to decide what Rail Voltages you will use for the output stage.
Also you have to decide the value of resistors R128 to R136 (0.22R to 0.47R).
Following example is the calculation for +/-50VDC Rail Voltage and the value 0.22R for R128 to R136.
In the SOA curve we can see that at 50V the MJLs can handle 4A for 1 sec (red lines) @25Co. Knowing the value
of R128 to R136 (0.22R) we can calculate the Voltage across these at 4A. Using Ohms Law (IxR=V) 4Ax0.22R =
0.88V.
As Q108 will turn on at Vbe at app. 0.6V, the current across R126 at 0.6V will always be 6mA.
Now the Voltage across R124 can be calculated: 0.88V-0.6V=0.28V. Knowing that the Current through R124 and
R126 must be the same (not taking Base Current of Q108 into consideration), the Current through R124 is 0.006A
(6mA) at 0.28V. Using V/I=R we get 0.28V/0.006A= 46.7R (to be on the safe side and to take into mind that
Voltage and Current can be up to 45 degrees out of phase, select a resistor value lower than 46.7R e.g. 39R).
As the MJLs are rough devices, you may be extra careful when using other output devices.
Select fuses according to the above calculation. In the above shown case the suitable value would be 16AT (app.
3.5A for each of the four output devices = 14A and then a little extra)
Read more on SOA on Elliott Sound Products great site: http://sound.westhost.com/soa.htm
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5. PCB assembly
Components
Components should easily be soldered in if you use following order:
1. Start with all 0.6W resistors according to the Component List
Always measure the resistance of each resistor before attaching it to the PCB!
2. Zener diodes ZD101 and ZD102 and all diodes D101 to D108
Raise Zeners app. 5 mm from the PCB, as they get warm
4. Opamp U101. Be careful to inset the opamp correctly.
Note that pin 1 is marked on the silk screen and by a square pad on the PCB
5. Transistors Q101, Q102, Q108 and Q109.
6. Capacitors (all)
7. 2W and 5W resistors (all) and potentiometer R114
Raise resistors app. 5-10 mm from the PCB as they can get warm
8. Transistors Q103, Q104, Q106 and Q107
9. L1, fuse holders and Terminal blocks (if used)
10. Now fit the four M3 spacers with the flat end down at each corner of the pcb.
Now you are ready to fit the Bias transistor Q105 and the Drivers Q110 and Q111.
Bend the legs 90 degrees as shown below and fit the transistors from the solder side.
Now place the pcb on the four spacers on a flat clean surface (or use the heatsink you intend to use), and adjust
the transistor placement so that the back of the transistors are laying flat on the surface.
Start by only soldering the middle legs (on component side), and then carefully align the transistors before
soldering the remaining legs (also on component side).
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6. Pre-test
You can now make a pre-test without the output devices attached.
Note! Depending on Rail Voltages the driver transistors Q110 and Q111
can get very hot or even blow up if not fitted with heat sinks !
Connect the Power Supply GND to both the Supply GND and the Input GND
terminal.
If not, make quick measurement across each Zener diode to confirm that the
+/-15V to the Opamp are present.
IMPORTANT! REMEMBER TO USE INSULATING PADS AND HEAT CONDUCTING PASTE BETWEEN ALL
TRANSISTORS IN CONTACT WITH THE HEATSINK!
Image here
After fitting the PCB, use a Ohm Meter to check that none of the Bias, Driver and Output transistors has connection
to the heat sink.
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Final test
Measure the Voltage across R128 (tp E and tp F) and adjust the Bias
trimmer R114 according following to set Bias to 50mA:
If R128=0.22R: 10mV, if R128=0.33R: 16mV and if R128=0.47R: 23mV
Then measure across R129 (tp G and tp H). The readings should be
app. the same.
Check the readings and adjust the Bias trimmer to the above for every 5
min. for 30 minutes. After 30 min. the Bias should have stabilized and
only measure small variations.
As the amplifier has a gain of app. 25, you should now see a clear 2.5V
sine wave. If you observe any crossover distortion, then adjust the Bias
trimmer R114 until distortion disappears.
Slowly raise the Input Signal level until the amplifier clips, while checking
for abnormal signal handling or oscillation on the output.
Image here
Image here
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8. Schematic and PCB layout
LYNX v3.0 Power Amplifier by Jan Dupont, Audio Circuit Denmark Page 9
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Silk Screen
Top Copper
Bottom Copper
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9. Basic wiring
Here shown with one common Ground point (Start Ground)
Red: +DC
Black: Ground
Blue -DC
For those in countries using Safety Ground, I think a 10R/5W resistor from Common Ground point to Safety Ground
should do it, however as we do not use this in Denmark Im not sure
You can read more on Elliott Sound Products: http://sound.westhost.com/psu-wiring.htm
Below is shown an example of a simple Power Supply for the LYNX Power Amp
AC To
Main Amplifier
Thanks to Rod Elliott for his permission to link to his very informative site: http://sound.westhost.com
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