VinylSongLCR2.12

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The Vinyl Song Universal Tube Output Stage EZ Phono Installation Manual

The diyhifisupply® Universal Tube Output Stage has been designed to offer a State of the Art tube amplification stage, intended to be applied to CD-Players, DVD-Players and DA-Convertors to completely replace the original solid state analogue circuit and phono stages.

There are many applications for the Universal Output Tube Stage. This manual is specific for using 2 UTS to construct one state-of-the-art MM or MM/MC phono stage.

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The Vinyl Song Universal Tube Output Stage EZ Phono Installation Manual

Table of Contents

THE VINYL SONG UNIVERSAL TUBE OUTPUT STAGE EZ PHONO INSTALLATION MANUAL .................................................................. 2

1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW 3 2 UTS MODULE SPECIFICATIONS: 3 2.1 MECHANICAL: 3 2.2 UTS MODULE ELECTRICAL PERFORMANCE: 3 3 UTS SETTINGS AND WIRING 4 3.1 JUMPER SETTINGS 4 3.2 INPUT/OUTPUT WIRING DIAGRAM MM ONLY 5 4.1 PARTS INCLUDED IN THE KIT: 6 4.2 WIRE UP THE MAINS CONNECTIONS 7 4.3 WIRE UP THE POWER CONNECTIONS, OUTPUTS, LED & SWITCHES 7 4.4 WIRE UP THE LCR EQ MODULES 8 4.5 WIRE UP THE MC STEPUP TRANSFORMERS AND MM INPUTS 8 4.6 PHOTO OF COMPLETELY WIRED INPUT SECTION 9 4.7 BACK PANEL FUNCTIONS: 9 4.8 FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS 9 4.9 TECHNICAL DATA 9 4.10 PHOTO OF COMPLETELY WIRED VINYL SONG, TRANSFORMER SHIELDING OPEN 10 4.11 PHOTO OF COMPLETELY WIRED VINYL SONG, TRANSFORMER SHIELDING CLOSED 11 5 TESTING AND FIRST POWER-UP 12 5.1 BASIC TESTING AND CHECKS 12 5.2 TESTING THE MAINS TRANSFORMER WIRING 12 5.3 FIRST SWITCH-ON 12 APPENDIX A CINEMAG MC STEPUP CONNECTIONS AND PERFORMANCE 13 A.1 TRANSFORMER CONNECTION DIAGRAM 13 A.2 TRANSFORMER TEST RESULTS 14 A.3 TRANSFORMER GROUNDING & SECONDARY HOOKUP 14 APPENDIX B SILK LCR EQ CONNECTIONS AND PERFORMANCE 15 B.1 LCR RIAA CONNECTION DIAGRAM 15 B.2 LCR RIAA RESPONSE 15

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The Vinyl Song Universal Tube Output Stage EZ Phono Installation Manual1 Introduction and Overview

The Vinyl Song is a State of the Art Phono Preamplifier/Equalizer with 38dB (MM) and 62dB/68dB (MC selectable) of gain. By using the Silk 600 Ohm LCR RIAA EQ Modules not only a very precise equalization is attained, but also noise is kept very low. The (optional for the MC version) Cinemag step up transformers provide the extra gain for MC pickups without adding noise or colorations.For ease of application all connections on the Universal Tube Output Stage are provided as screw terminals and all configurations are handled by gold-plated jumpers, so no or only minimal soldering is required on the actual Universal Tube Output Stage Module.

In fact we have found mechanical connections to sound better than soldered. The kit is also supplied with premium RIAA parts – polystyrene capacitors and teflon shielded mini coax. Although contained in one box the transformers have their own iron shielding cage with a net result of state-of-the-art quiet and incredible dynamic range.

2 UTS module Specifications:

2.1 Mechanical:

Tube PCB with 10mm Standoffs (10mm standoffs are required and 10mm clearance must be present below the PCB):140mm deep; 80mm wide; 45mm high Fixing holes in the four corners on a 71mm X 131mm rectangle. Fixing holes require M3 or equivalent screws.

Mains transformer: 76mm diameter, 40mm highFixing with either central M4/M5 bolt or via 4 racetrack shaped 8mm X 5mm Holes centered on a 60mm square. This means for the mains transformer to fit at least 40mm clearance above it is required, the tube stage needs 45mm.

2.2 UTS Module Electrical Performance: S/N- > 100dbA (approx 5nv/hz). THD- <0.15% (<0.1% typical); <1%THD (10Vout, 100K

load) 20Hz – 20KHz (< -0.5db with IHF 10K/1nf load) Output Impedance <100 Ohm Can use 6N11,ECC 88, 6DJ8, 6922, tube family only in this

implementation. gain as supplied for phono: MM 38db; with optional

Cinemag step up transformer: Lo 62db, Hi 68db MM input impedance: 47K MC input impedance (ie load cartridge sees for load

purposes): Hi (36:1) - 36ohms; Lo (18:1) – 140 ohms

The best sound is by using the inherent loading offered by the transformer.

The Universal Tube Output Stage is fitted with a relay based muting circuit which also performs a turn-on delay. This is of the type so it is completely disconnected when unmuted.

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The Vinyl Song Universal Tube Output Stage EZ Phono Installation Manual

3 UTS Settings and wiring

This application will produce a moving magnet and high output moving coil cartridge compatible Phono stage. It use two Universal Tube Output Stages together with a LCR 600 ohm module to form the RIAA Equalisation network as Phonostage. One UTS Module will be used for each channel, so Tubes used should be identical in manufacturing and preferably matched.

The resulting Phono Stage will offer 47kOhm input impedance and around 38db Gain in MM mode. Gain with the Cinemag MC stepup transformers will be 62/68db with a load of 140/36ohms.

Our implementation produces the most accurate RIAA EQ we have ever seen from an LCR type phono stage:

We include military specification polystyrene caps with the kit to meet these specs. Such adherence to RIAA standard results in very quiet playback that minimizes grove noise and diminishes the presence of tics and pops.

3.1 Jumper SettingsThis type of Application requires the jumper settings shown below:

Please note that Capacitor C109 is (intentionally) not fitted. It is not used and should be left off the PCB. The connection pad on the PCB near the upper end of the PCB (as above) is used to take off the signal feeding the LCR RIAA.

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The Vinyl Song Universal Tube Output Stage EZ Phono Installation Manual3.2 Input/Output Wiring Diagram MM Only

Please note that the Mute and Mono Switches may be safely omitted. If the mono Switch is omitted the four 33 Ohm Resistors also can be removed.

In most Phono Stages using LCR RIAA Equalization the LCR RIAA Module is coupled using either capacitors or transformers. In our circuit no such coupling device is needed.

The LCR RIAA Module is coupled directly to the output of the input gain stage using only a single Tantalum resistor to present the correct impedance to the LCR RIAA module.

In order to allow this direct coupled circuit, the wire feeding the LCR EQ Module via the 680 Ohm resistor is soldered on the PCB to the connection for the omitted C109, nearest to the edge of the PCB that contains the audio connections.

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The Vinyl Song Universal Tube Output Stage EZ Phono Installation Manual4 Wiring the chassis and Modules

Please check your Kit content against the list to the right.

Take care to first review the steps outlined below, assemble the necessary tools, parts etc..

Many of the required connections can be made without using a soldering iron. However the connections for the RCA Jacks and from the MC Stepup Transformers as well as the LCR Modules require soldering. For the RCA Jack ring connections and the ground binding post we recommend a soldering iron of at least 50-60Watt power. All other solder connections should use a smaller soldering iron with 25Watt power or (better) be of the electronically regulated type.

When making connections to the IEC sockets and the mains transformers take great care to make solid connections and to isolate the bare connections using the included heat shrink

sleeving. Please avoid pulling the wires exiting from the Transformer, as too much tension may cause internal shorts or disconnect the wire, rendering the transformer unusable.

The iron cover of the transformer shielding cage is set into place on the blue mastic provided. This provides a non-vibrating fit and makes removal easy.

4.1 Parts included in the kit:1pc Projekt box 70 x 300 x3201set steel box transformer shielding4pcs Isomount feet1pc IEC connector1pc power switch1pcs 4.7K/0.25W resistor1pc 1N4007 (FR107) diode1pc LED (power indicator)3pair RCA DIYers friend silver2pcs MUMetal Cinemag Stepup Transformer (optional)2pcs Silk LCR EQ modules 600Ohm2pc Universal Tube Stage 2pcs Power Transformer for UTS2pc Tesla ECC882pcs 0.68uf polystyrene capacitor2pcs 680r 1w tantalum resistor2pcs 100K/0.25W resistor4pcs 33R/0.25W resistor4pcs premium Japan silver contact switches

(MM/MC, high low, mono, mute) 1m teflon connection wire0.5m Pair of mains wiring wires (black/white)1set Other wires1set 30um MuMetal Shielding for LCR EQ modules30cm mesh shield for power wires

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The Vinyl Song Universal Tube Output Stage EZ Phono Installation Manual4.2 Wire up the mains connections 4.3 Wire up the Power connections, outputs, Led & Switches

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The Vinyl Song Universal Tube Output Stage EZ Phono Installation Manual4.4 Wire up the LCR EQ Modules 4.5 Wire up the MC Stepup Transformers and MM Inputs

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The Vinyl Song Universal Tube Output Stage EZ Phono Installation Manual4.6 Photo of completely wired input section

4.7 Back panel functions:(Looking at back panel from back)

Right RCA: output to linestageMiddle RCA: MM inputMM/MC select: right – MM; left – MC MC Gain select: up – high / down – low

Left RCA: MC inputGround post: Tonearm Ground wire connection4.8 Front Panel Functions(Looking at front panel from front)

Left switch: up – On / down – OffCentral LED: Power indicator – On = Power OnMono/Mute Switch group to the right of the Power Indictor LEDLeft switch: up – Stereo / down - MonoRight Switch: up – Play / down - Mute

4.9 Technical DataPower: 110 to 240V AC 40WTHD: 0.1% at 1V RMSGain MM: 38dBInput Imp. MM: 47KOhmGain MC Lo: 62dBInput Imp. MC Lo: 140 OhmGain MC Hi 68dBInput Imp. MC Hi: 36 OhmFrequency Response: 22hz to 30k +-0.6db RIAAOutput Impedance : < 200 OhmSignal to Noise: 86dBInputs: 2 sets RCA, MM/MCOutputs: Left and Right RCAGrounding Interface: 1Size with feet (mm): 300 x 320 x 90 (LWH)Shipping Weight: 15Kg

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The Vinyl Song Universal Tube Output Stage EZ Phono Installation Manual4.10 Photo of completely wired Vinyl Song, transformer shielding open

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The Vinyl Song Universal Tube Output Stage EZ Phono Installation Manual4.11 Photo of completely wired Vinyl Song, transformer shielding closed

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The Vinyl Song Universal Tube Output Stage EZ Phono Installation Manual5 Testing and first power-up

The modules making up your Vinyl Song Kit are individually tested before shipping. So no extensive testing is required. However, we recommend a set of basic checks before first switch-on.

5.1 Basic testing and checks Please re-check all the wiring and connections against the drawings and Photos. Check that no components on the PCB have been shifted or pushed from their correct position and that no components make any contact with others.

You should especially check Q2 and Q102, located near the tube socket. You can find their exact location by checking the component designators on the PCB Overlay.

Check that for 115V Mains a 1A slow blow fuse is fitted to the IEC Sockets fuse holder. For 230V the Fuse should be 0.5A.

5.2 Testing the Mains Transformer WiringUsing a multimeter set to resistance measurement check the following conditions are present on the IEC Connector:

1) There is no continuity or resistance from either the L(ive) or N(eutral) pin to the E(arth) Pin.

2) There is a zero ohm or very close to zero ohm (<<1Ohm) resistance between the E(arth) pin and the Vinyl Song Chassis.

3) If your Vinyl Song Kit is wired for 115V you should measure around 15 to 20 Ohm between L(ive) and N(eutral).

4) If your Vinyl Song Kit is wired for 230V you should measure around 60 to 80 Ohm between L(ive) and N(eutral).

5.3 First Switch-onWe recommend you carry out the first switch-on without the E88CC Tubes fitted, with the case open and the cover from the shielding case for the transformers removed.

Upon connecting the mains cable and turning the power switch to “On” the power LED should light up, followed by one each Blue LED on the UTS Boards.

There should be no smoke or burning smell. If you notice any such, please immediately switch off and disconnect the mains cable. Then check your work and rectify any faults.

If all appears okay leave the Vinyl Song on for another minute or two. Then switch off, disconnect the mains-cable and check the temperature of the mains transformers.

If they are at room temperature all is okay. If they have a very elevated temperature you may have a short somewhere in your wiring or a damaged transformer.

If everything is okay, you can fit the transformer shield cover, the tubes and complete the assembly of the Vinyl Song.

For a final check connect the mains cable and switch on. After around 1 minute measure with your multimeter the DC voltage on each RCA Output. This should be no more than a few millivolt.

If all is as expected, you can move your Vinyl Song into your system for a first listen.

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The Vinyl Song Universal Tube Output Stage EZ Phono Installation Manual

Appendix A Cinemag MC Stepup Connections and Performance

CineMag was founded in 1979 in North Hollywood, California. Its mission is to manufacture the very best audio magnetic components in the world. However, its history goes back to 1953 when its founder, Tom Reichenbach, was a youngster and was already making transformers with his father, Ed. Edward Reichenbach's experience in the audio transformer business goes back to Altec Lansing during World War II.

In order to obtain the very best results in an audio design, it is imperative that each and every detail of manufacturing be closely watched. The smallest deviation from ideal manufacturing processes will result in product which does not meet our criteria. For this reason, CineMag carries out all manufacturing at their own facility at Canoga Park, California.

The CineMag CMQEE-3440A’s design derives from the classic “Quad 8” Range designed originally for Electrodyne Mixing Desks. It can be connected with impedance ratios of 37.5/150 and 600 ohm to 50KOhm, translating into step-up ratios of 1:36, 1:18 and 1:9.

A.1 Transformer connection diagram

For 37.5 Ohm / 1:36 – Tie Brown to Yellow & Red to GreenInput Connections to Brown/Yellow (+) & Red/Green (-)

For 150 Ohm / 1:18 – Tie Brown to Yellow & Orange to BlueInput Connections to Brown/Yellow (+) & Orange/Blue (-)

For 600 Ohm / 1:9 – Tie Yellow to OrangeInput Connections to Brown (+) & Blue (-)

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The Vinyl Song Universal Tube Output Stage EZ Phono Installation ManualA.2 Transformer Test Results A.3 Transformer grounding & Secondary Hookup

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The Vinyl Song Universal Tube Output Stage EZ Phono Installation ManualAppendix B Silk LCR EQ Connections and Performance

Silk Transformers of Thailand have been manufacturing a wide range of conventional and uncommon magnetic components for many years.

The trend to use vacuum tube phono stage circuits has been back to the high-end scene for several years. Most designs based high impedance, high loss R/C networks in either feedback loop or passive, to provide RIAA compensation.

Even though this scheme has been implemented to most of available phono stage circuits, due to ease of design, implementation and low cost, for many audiophiles, those phono stages still do not provide enough sense of reality.

Recently the trend of alternative design called LCR RIAA phono stage circuit is now on rising and gain popularity among discerned audiophiles. This is only natural, as the pre-emhasis RIAA networks in many Cutting Lathes for cutting LP’s also used LCR Circuits to shape the original equalization.

The LCR RIAA comprises of inductors, resistors and capacitors to form a low impedance constant impedance T-network that functions to compensate for RIAA playback standard. This low impedance characteristic yields exceptional signal transfer that usually lost from high impedance R/C RIAA network.

The Silk LCR RIAA is built based on the best Superpermalloy core inductor and performs within +/- 0.5dB from RIAA standard (from 20Hz-20KHz) and on average less than +0.15dB from the RIAA standard. The SILK LCR RIAA requires either 600 ohm source impedance or 600 Ohm load impedance.

B.1 LCR RIAA connection diagram

B.2 LCR RIAA Response