26.03.

2021 200W Leach Amp

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200W Leach Amp

200W Leach Amp

This article describes how to build 200W Leach Amplifier from Mr. Marshall Leach known like “The Leach Amp”. Article
about building of this amplifier I found later in journal A_Radio Praktická elektronika 11/2002. For many years I looked for
construction of HiFi amplifier wit a good parameters, enough power reserve and simple construction. I built a couple of
amplifiers with integrated circuits MBA810, TDA2005, LM3886, but I was disappointed by their output quality and noise. I
decide to built a classic construction with discrete components and bipolar transistors. Construction from Mr. Dudek was
interesting, but I didn’t like used components and complexity. All of my requirements satisfied construction of the Leach
Amp. Circuit author publicates in a February 1976 in american journal. From these days circuit was not practically
changed. Little changes are described on authors page. I succeeded to find almost all original components on our local
market, which was a miracle. Only a bigger problem was a power transformer and filter capacitors. Recommended toroid
transformer for power 200W to 4 ohms is 230V/2x 42V.

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Components

I succeeded to find almost all original components on our local market, which was a miracle. Only a bigger problem was a
power transformer and filter capacitors. Recommended toroid transformer for power 200W to 4 ohms is 230V/2x 42V. I
succeeded to find in a GM Electronic a toroid transformer 2x36V, 300W. Output power will be a little lower, but for home
use it will be more than enough. Voltage after rectification and filtering without load will be about +51V and -51V. I
couldn't find capacitors with a 10000uF or 20000uF for 75V. I decided to buy electrolytic capacitors 4700uF/63V and place
four pieces parallely on positive voltage and 4 on negative voltage. I was thinking about other option to place 3 pieces of
6800uF/63V on power lines. Mica capacitors are not available at all. I used ceramic instead. Someone said, that ceramic
capacitors can "play", but I didn't found any problems. Carbon resistors are allegedly better for Hifi because lower noise,
but I hear it after I buyed metalised resistors. I used normal electrolytic capacitors, but probably LowESR types will be
better. Power transistors are not original Motorola, or today ON semiconductor, but I didn't found any problem.
Part list for two channels number name value
Transistors
12x Q1, Q2, Q5, Q7, Q9, Q10 MPSA 06
10x Q3, Q4, Q6, Q8, Q11 MPSA 56
4x Q13, Q14 2N 3439
4x Q12, Q15 2N 5416
2x Q16 MJE 15030
2x Q17 MJE 15031
4x Q18, Q20 MJ 15003 (NJL3281D)
4x Q19, Q21 MJ 15004 (NJL1302D)
Diodes
12x D1, D2, D3, D4, D11, D12 1N4007
12x D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10 1N4148
8x (15x) D13, D14, D15, D16 20 V Zener +5% tolerance, 0.5W
Capacitors
2x C1 390 pF mica
14x C2, C3, C15, C16, C23, C24, C25 100nF/100V film
8x C7, C12, C17, C18 100nF/50V film
12x C4, C5, C13, C14, C21, C22 100uF/63V radial electrolytic
2x (4x) C6a, C6b 220uF/16V bi-polar electrolytic (4x 330uF/16V)
2x C8 180pF mica
2x C9 47pF mica
4x C10, C11 10pF mica
4x C19, C20 10nF/50V film
Rezistors
All resistors are 1% carbonic or metalised 0,5W if not noted otherwise
2x R1 20 kohm
2x R2 2 kohm
16x R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 300 ohm
6x R11, R12, R27 1.2 kohm
4x R13, R14 2.2 kohm
4x R15, R16 12 kohm
4x R17, R18 11 kohm

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2x R19 1.1 kohm
2x R20 22 kohm
4x R21, R22 30 ohm
4x R23, R24 360 ohm
4x R25, R26 1 kohm
4x R28, R29 270 ohm
4x R30, R31 3.9 kohm 1/2 W
6x R32, R33, R51 82 ohm
4x R34, R35 330 ohm
2x R36 220 ohm
8x R37, R38, R39, R40 680 ohm
8x R41, R42, R43, R44 10 ohm 1/2 W
8x R45, R46, R47, R48 0.33 ohm 5 W wire-wound
4x R49, R50 10 ohm, 2 W
Other
2x P1 2 kohm more turn cermet trimmer
1x T1 Toroid power transformer SEC 2x40V AC 300W
8x C1P, C2P 4700uF/63V (6x 6800uF/63V 4x 10000uF/63V)
8x C3P 100nF/200V
1x D1P Bridge rectifier 35A/200V
5x Fuse casing
1x F1 Fuse 3.15A T
4x F2, F3, F4, F5 Fuse 5A F
8x Insulative bed under transistors + screw insulatives 16x
20x Solder eye M4
2m Shrinking spaghetti 4mm
Component prepairing

To prevent DC offset problems is needed to match transistors Q1-Q4 and zener diodes. In original article is a deep
description how to do it. With transistors I had not any problems at all. Probably today is their producing more precise,
when they are from identical series. With zener diodes it is worse. We connect 20V zener diode in a series with a resistor
on the voltage power supply that to set diode current to a 3.3mA. I discovered, that zener voltage changing according to
temperature and term of connection to voltage. During measuring I tried to keep identical conditions for all diodes and I
waits for steady of value after about 1 minute. I buyed more zener diodes and every piece I measured three times and
write down their values. After measuring I collected diode pairs for match voltages on each board.

L1 Next was needed to wind L1 around R49. First I doesn't know which select wire and how their best wind on the resistor.
I used lacquered wire from output inductor from an old PC power supply with diameter about 1mm. I wounded 11 turns
on a screwdriver with a similar diameter like a R49. Finished inductor I placed on R49, turn their ends and solder them on
the resistor terminals. Resistor with an inductor is normally soldered to board.
Circuit board

PCB I used original circuit board layout version 4.5 which looks perfectly suitable. Circuit board is one sided, nice
symmetrically designed and all components fits to them perfectly. Only one little problem was small solder spots. It's not
possible to drill a little bigger holes. First piece of circuit board I redrawed to an Eagle and consequently plot it on
cuprextit and etch it. Next I leave them to make at Mr. Kohout which makes simple circuit boards by photo path. I only tell
him page, where was circuit board published in Aradio magazine. Concretly "Praktická elektronika A Radio - 11/2002 page
13". Because he already had film negative, that curcuit board was cheaper. Circuit board was varnished to prevent
oxidation and better soldering. Before assembling is suitable to check, that all holes are sufficient for components and
wires. When I increased hole on an assembled board, I little damaged a case of one electrolytic capacitor.

Original printed circuit board with heatsink drilling: http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~mleach/lowtim/graphics/layouts.pdf

Local copy:layouts.pdf

Rearranged PCB for direct assembling NJL transistors. I had to make smaller PCB than original thanks to limited Light
version of Eagle, but I hope that it is OK.

Printed circuit board

Printed circuit board in Eagle5 format: leachamp4_5.brd

Printed circuit board in PDF: leachamp4_5brd.pdf
Printed circuit board in Postscript: leachamp4_5.brd.ps

Assembling

Workbench It's good to begin assembling of circuit board from the smallest components to largest. First I soldered short-
circuit jumper. Next I assembled all small resistors and after them diodes. I checked resistor values and diode polarity
with a multimeter before assembling. Next I assembled small capacitors and smallest, middle and largest transistors.
Specially I doublechecked their position. There remaining only big resistors and electrolytic capacitors, where I specially
check polarity. It's needed to right turn pins on Q16 and Q17 in line with hole position and thickness of small heat sink.
Heat sink

I couldn't find suitable heat sink for a long time. I found perfect profile at small vendor, but it was much shorter than I
needed it. Finally I obtained contact on a company ALUPA, which has in their list aluminium profile which fits exactly for
our amplifier. Profile has marking ZH-2476. heat sink Unfortunately I doesn't know exactly required size, that I had to cut

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them with a circular saw, which going very badly, because aluminium "flows". Finally I cut heat sink to lenght 15cm and
drilled to them holes according to original PDF document by 4mm drill except diodes. Holes for diodes I drilled to their
tight contact with heat sink. Collector of power transistors I connected from upper side with help of solder eye and thick
wire. I drilled holes for wires between transistors, but it was not a good idea, because I had to a little nibble mica beds.
Better will be to make holes on the side of transistors. transistors

Transistors are attached this way: First I spread his inner side with a thin layer of silicon vaseline. Next I attached on them
mica bed. Next I soldered two thicker wires long 10cm, attached a piece of shrinkage spaghetti and shrink with lighter.
Wires to collectors must be longer for about 5cm. Next I spreaded mica bed from the other side too. Layer must be very
thin, because vaseline tried to push out. Finally I gave transistor on his place on the heat sink, in to the holes I placed
screw isolant, under one I gave solder eye with soldered thicker wire and I screw up M3 15mm screws. In to the heat sink
I placed and solder up 4 diodes according to original document and I drop them with glue. I drilled a small holes in a
corners of the heat sink and I made worm with a M3 screw-cutter. I placed 5mm M3 spacer leg. For better heat removal is
good to place blacked heat sink vertically, but I was limited by space and technological possibilities. However I didn't see
any problems with overheating.
Mechanical construction

Overview In construction I comes again from original organization. I had available old casing from some device with
height 12cm, width 48cm and depth 25cm. On the front panel is placed only power switch and four diodes. Two for
positive and negative supply and two for clipping indicator of the left and right channel. Front panel from aluminium I
polished, that now it looks almost like a mirror. On them is placed logo made from cuprextit and glued with both sides
sealing tape. But it doesn't look much good.

Logo in a Eagle fromat

Logo in a PDF format

Toroid transformer is placed in a center close to front panel far from electronics due to interference reason. He is attached
with a bigger screw to base of the chassis. Nearby is central isolated ground point and bridge rectifier. Protective ground
wire is connected from the power plug to the metal chassis. Ground from plug is not connected with a central amplifier
ground for preventing ground loops and interference problems.

On the left and right side from the transformer are located filter capacitors placed vertically. Between them is longer screw
with a female screw and plastic hose for preventing of wearing through capacitor insulation. On the top of the screw is
placed bigger rubber pad with a female screw. Capacitors are binded together. Strong power wires are from one piece of
wire and goes from rectifier over all filter capacitors to fuse holders. Maybe is better to connect all capacitors with same
long wires to star, but I haven't idea how to do it mechanically. Identically is made second power line and groud line from
central ground point.

Circuit boards are placed in a case vertically about 3cm from back side components backward. Originally i want to place
boards with components to front, but it is much difficult to solder wires to boards. Circuit boards and transistors on heat
sinks are placed mirrored that input of the amplifier has very short connection wires. Boards are placed on the longer
distance legs. I hadn't them, that I used longer screws with female screws. Under two female screws I had to place
insulation pads, because one of wires was too close screw. All ground wires are leaded independently to central ground
point.

Back panel has on one side power plug connector and fuse holder. I made mistake here, because socket is in line with
speaker connector, that can conflicts with speaker wires. Beside is speaker terminal and next heat sink of the right
channel screwed with four screws on the distance legs. In the middle are two gilded input cinch connectors. They must be
isolated from case! Next is heat sink of the left channel and again speaker connector. R50 and C25 are soldered directly
on the speaker terminals. I founded only nickeled terminals not gilded, but they are enough massive for big power. TO3
bases or insulation covers are not available on our market.
Chassis wiring

Chassis wiring

On the circuit we can see connecting of individual components in a chassis. After power socket is connected EMI filter,
which reduce interference between amplifier and neighbourhood. It can be seen in compact version in the power socket.
In original amplifier I haven't them. In circuit is indicated which wires are thicker. Concrete component placing is seen on
photos.
Clipping indicator

It's possible to build a clipping indicator like accesory for amplifier which detects amplifier limitation, when output
transistors are fully opened and signal is cutted close to power supply voltage. In this case is acoustic signal distorted in a
power amplifier. Circuit as usually is from authors pages. I redraw them in a Eagle and I designed circuit board for two
channels. I added place for two LEDs for power supply voltage indicators. This board have small pads, which is not much
good. Eagle has these pads too small in default state.
Schematics diagram

clip schema

Schematics in an Eagle

Circuit board

clip board

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Circuit board in an Eagle
Circuit board in a PDF

Partlist for clipping indicator number name value

2x Q1, Q3 BC639
2x Q2, Q4 BC640
6x D1-D6 1N4148
2x LED1, LED2 LED 2mm flat face, red
2x LED3, LED4 LED 2mm flat face, green
2x C1, C2 10uF/100V
4x R1, R2, R8, R9 12k
4x R3, R4, R10, R11 16k
4x R5, R6, R12, R13 1k5 2W
2x R7, R14 220R
2x R15, R16 22k
Testing

First we must to test power supply part. Fuses F2 to F5 we leave out and for sure we check again circuit of rectifier and
capacitor polarity. a zkontrolujeme pro jistotu zapojení usměrňovače a polaritu kondenzátorů. Possible error can be fatal.
If is all OK, that on capacitors will be voltage about 51V. Exact voltage depends on used transformer and power line
voltage. After disconnecting will be voltage on capacitor for a long time. We can discharge them with a resistor 100R 2W.
It's possible, that with power-on blows fuse F1 even all is OK. In my situation is charging current too big, that I had place
NTC thermistor in a series with primary transformer side. I get them from old PC power supply, where it has identical
function. Better idea is to use "soft start" circuit, which is made from big resistor on primary side of transformer and relay,
which short-circuit resistor after few seconds. I didn't found any circuit which I liked it.

When the power supply works correctly, we can go to test amplifier. First we set trmmer P1 to one end position with
maximum resistance. In to the fuse holders for one channel we place resistors 100R 1/4W. With disconnected output and
input we can power-on amplifier. On the resistor we would measure maximally 2.5V, which matches current 25mA. If is
everything allright, we wait for discharging after power-off and replace resistor with fuses. Initially for testing we can use
smaller values. I had switched two wires from power transistors on one channel and resistors smokes and smells. Really is
better to everything double check.

Now we must set the bias current. Use amperemeter in place of F2. Turn the trimmer P1, until is current 100mA. How
amplifier warming-up current is changing. Regulate current value when it is stabilized, which can be after 15 minutes.
Identical procedure repeat for second channel.

With disconnected input we can measure DC offset on the output. In my example I measured 19mV on left channel and
22mV on right channel.

Now we can made regular tests and connects speakers and signal source. I tested with connecting of the amplifier input
directly on the output of soundcard. You must carefully increase volume, because amplifier has enough power to destroy
small speakers.

http://www.pavouk.org/hw/leachamp/en_index.html#introduction

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Downloads

200W Leach Amp - Link

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equipment for testing and finding out the frequency of various
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Be "On Air" with your own radio station! BA1404 HI-FI Stereo
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electronics-diy.com/200w-leach-amp.php
200W Leach Amp
accuracy. The output waveforms can be both amplitude and
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Arduino Prototype Kit 200m 4-Channel 433MHz Wireless RF Remote

Control
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