Circuit : Julius horfilla, Phillipines
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The original drawing as drawn by Julius can be seen here.
Notes (by the webmaster)From left to right. The first 2SC828 transistor works in emitter follower mode and buffers the input signal. This gives the amplifier a high input impedance. The output if this stage is coupled by a 2.2u capacitor to a Baxendall tone control providing separate bass and treble controls. The tone controls are passive so there will be a small loss of signal. This is overcome by the final 2SC828 stage which provides additional voltage gain.
The emitter of the second stage is connected to a 390 ohm resistor. Tone enhancements affects can be made simply by connecting optional components across points A and on the schematic. For a brilliant tweeter effect connect a 0.1 or 0.2u mylar capacitor to terminals a and B. For a SuperBass effect connect the tapped primary winding of a Blue Captain Micro transformer.
Loudness Switch
The output of the right-most 2SC828 is connected to the volume control via the 4.7u coupling capacitor. Connected to the volume
control is another frequency dependant network and switch comprising the loudness control. In the up position, some treble frequencies
will be boosted whilst in the lower position bass frequencies will be boosted.
Frequency Response
I have re-drawn the circuit in LTspice, I can now show a simulated tone control response with the loudness switch activated.
I do not have the exact transistor models, nor the proper primary inductance for the captain micro transformer, Julius used,
so the two diagrams below must be considered as an approximation only.
Loudness Switch On
Loudness Switch Off
Parts List
The MB3730 power amplifier IC is available across Asia and China. I have not been able to find supplies elsewhere. An alternative
integrated circuit is the TDA2030, also capable of delivering up to 20 Watts. European equivalent to the transistors will be BC109C
or BC549C if you cannot find the alternative parts.
An alternative to the Captain Micro (Blue) transformer will be a small choke or inductance. I don't have any specific details for
the transformer but estimate an inductance of either 4.7mH or 10mH.
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