Monday, April 10, 2006

Upgrading the 33 power-supply voltage


Why is it useful to increase the power-supply voltage and how to do it?

With thanks to Ruud Janssen - see the link on the left in the link-table.

Originally the power-supply voltage of the 33 was 11 Volt. This choice was made at the time to allow for smaller capacitors, bigger ones wouldn't have fit in. As modern capacitors today are a lot smaller there is no problem upgrading the power-supply to 16 Volt and at the same time increase the stability by using larger caps.

This will decrease distortion, specially if the output-signal is 0,5 Volt or more and also increases the maximum voltage on the inputs with 3,2 dB to 2,9 Volt with a Total Harmonic Distortion of less than 0,1%, making the preamp better suited for a CD-player.

You will have to remove the power-supply from the set (some soldering and 2 screws).

Replace R500 and R501 for 28 Ohm resistors, replace the zener-diodes with 16 Volt 1/4 Watt. The capacitors C500 and C501 become 4700 MF 20 Volt, C502 becomes 1000 MF 25 Volt (axial) and the diodes MR501 and MR502 are replaced with 1N4002.

Don't forget to replace R300 on the Phono-preamp with 1500 Ohm when you upgrade the power-supply tension. This is necessary to keep the supply-rail in the Phono-preamp at 10,5 Volt, which gives the best performance and the lowest noise.

And you're done ;-)

Stefaan
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4 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:07 PM

    Check after the upgrade the hum level. In my experience an original Quad 33 trafo has a too low voltage to get a ripple free 16 DC output voltage to feed the amp stages....


    Maurits

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  2. Stefaan3:14 PM

    Hi, Maurits,

    Of course one should also change the capacitors when upgrading the zener to 16 Volt...
    With 4700 MF caps I don'y measure any significant ripple on the power-rail that would have a negative impact on the sound, with my scope.

    Stefaan

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  3. Anonymous9:55 AM

    Hi Stefaan,

    I don't want to upgrade my power-supply voltage rating, but I want to replace the original caps. Do I need to replace the caps with the same µF and Voltage values? Or can I increase the stability bij using caps with a higher µF and the same voltage rating?

    Thanks in advance!

    Maako

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  4. Stefaan1:07 PM

    Hello Maako,

    If you maintain the PSU voltage, replace the caps with a higher value but the same voltage rating or higher, depending on availability. But not lower!

    Joost

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