FINISHED PROJECT: SSL 9k preamp, single channel in a compact case

[kato]

SSL9k clone - single channel
Thanks! Keef, Gustav, Neeno, Marty, Andy Millar, Mitsos, Svart, Dr. pat, Harpo, gltech, s2udio, and gosh, everybody who helped out in the SSL thread. I could not have built this without all the help. Thanks men.

Generic sound sample | speech | 658k .mp3

overhead shot

main board

PSU - torroid got moved to cramped location because induced hum sounded quieter in this spot for some reason.

input board

gain pot

output board

 

[keefaz]

Very nice build, nice etching too Mr ConnectorMan Look very pro, congrats!
What does "nimbleswitch" mean?

 

[lsskmki]

Nice and tidy Congrats!

 

[okgb]

looks a nice clean build , good work
what do you use it on the most  [ so far ]

 

[s2udio]

Nice build m8,like the panel design !!

 

[MartyMart]

Great build
What made you move the 2u2 input caps to the little board for the 48v ?

MM.

 

[kazper]

Great build
What made you move the 2u2 input caps to the little board for the 48v ?

MM.

Judging from the pictures I think "Size matters"

Caps look to big for the PCB...

 

[MartyMart]

HA !
Yes they are rather large .... didn't need to be 250v caps but that's cool

MM.

 

[kato]

Yep, the 2.2uF caps wouldn't fit onboard - not even close.
(I eventually found more suitable caps.)

Thanks for all the kind comments.

[quote author="okgb"]looks a nice clean build , good work
what do you use it on the most  [ so far ][/quote]
The first time I powered it on was Saturday so the only use it's gotten is recording my two-year old daughter sing twinkle twinkle little star. And it certainly excelled in that application.  I imagine it will be an all-around all-purpose pre.

[quote author="keefaz"]Very nice build, nice etching too Mr ConnectorMan Smiley Look very pro, congrats!
What does "nimbleswitch" mean?[/quote]

What? A board with 3 caps, 3 resistors, and 4 connectors is overkill?

I built it so every board could be removed individually for easier troubleshooting / repair. Ironically it worked perfectly the first time I powered it on - minus some toroid rotation for less emi noise. (nimbleswitch is just my imaginary company / fake brand.)

 

[MartyMart]

I used MKT polyprop 100v which luckily did fit in the first locations but won't in the second pair !!

random cap board sizes do my head in !

MM

 

[kato]

Yeah, I remember you mentioning that in the main thread. For some reason I thought MKT meant PET.

Oh well, I'd usually choose to finagle the parts I have than re-order to get the perfect sizes. Plus I needed some way to add phantom so why not do both on one board. It didn't take long to make. I originally added the inductors to the board too but I realized I was on a slippery slope toward moving every last part. (just kidding.)

For the other two 2u2's I used Wima PPS. And they were too small to fit the footprint! (But I made it work.)

 

[Stagefright13]

That's awesome Kato. You did an excellent job. I especially like all the plugs for removing boards easy. I am usually too lazy to do that and regret it later LOL.

And it looks really cool too! Congrats.

 

[swesolid]

Hello!

I just started this project myself.
I know the thread is a bit old but I've got a question.
The red wire coming from the phantom switch, ending up under the input pcb. Is that ground?

 

[kato]

You have keen eyes. Yes. It is ground.  The header on the PCB was mistakenly designed with 2 pins.  I realized the error while building and attached a ground wire to the copper flood on the underside.

Good luck with your build!  I later revisited this project and shielded the input wires; without shielding, I detected a faint hum from the toroid at full volume.