For Sale Ian's (i r French's) LVL LOK in 2024

[mihi_fuchs]

I got 8 PCB sets left it if someone is interested. All data can be found in the thread of Ian: https://groupdiy.com/threads/500-series-level-loc-project.54964/post-1146641



First two PCBs will be donated to the FORUM in Ian's (I r French) and Marek's names. Ian layed out the circuit and Marek provided PCBs to the Forum first, if I got it right. The Frontpanel dimensions you can find in the pdf attached.

I also have the frontpaneldesigner file. Just contact me with your mail address and you can have it.

I'm only selling the PCBs. The BOM you can find in the thread and here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0uxyml0loh16wyv5arf9p/h?rlkey=z4yy28f3glmo9ecob1ixs4fny&dl=0

PCB set (2 PCBs - top and bottom) are 40€. Shipping is extra. I'm situated in the EU/Austria.

Cheers
Michael

 

[grid_stopper]

id like to point out(because i dont think its ever been caught)- there is an error on this schematic, as well as the sherlock schematic. whats listed as R25(22K) on the lvl-lok 500 schematic is off by a factor of 10. it should actually be 2.2k.

 

[materials to outlet]

DM-ed

 

[keninverse]

it’s hard to tell from the photos but how are these finished? HASL? Hard gold?

 

[Colorblind]

id like to point out(because i dont think its ever been caught)- there is an error on this schematic, as well as the sherlock schematic. whats listed as R25(22K) on the lvl-lok 500 schematic is off by a factor of 10. it should actually be 2.2k.

Ah, good to know. Also, is the board layout the same as Ian's original PCB? My boards are v1.13, and are all gold on one side. I recall some the solder pads being really close together. Not sure if that was addressed on a later revision.

 

[Dimitrip]

DM sent.

 

[HerbertR]

Michi, do you have a pair left over to buy?

 

[mihi_fuchs]

it’s hard to tell from the photos but how are these finished? HASL? Hard gold?

it is hard gold fingers due to the card edge connector. Therefore the finish had to be enig gold 1u‘‘

 

[mihi_fuchs]

id like to point out(because i dont think its ever been caught)- there is an error on this schematic, as well as the sherlock schematic. whats listed as R25(22K) on the lvl-lok 500 schematic is off by a factor of 10. it should actually be 2.2k.

This is actually very true - just checked with the original schematic. And I don't remember it ever been caught either - but I did not read the most recent remarks in the thread. Maybe post it there either - people are looking more to the thread than BM threads ...

I'll make a remark in the BOM for the moment until I tried it out. Mine were built with R25 = 22k for sure. So I will maybe rework one and compare. Let's see if there is a difference.

Thanks for pointing it out. I refer to your quote here in the BOM if that's fine for you?

Best regards,
Michael

 

[mihi_fuchs]

All 8 PCBs are gone. Thanks.

If there is more demand I'm running another fab house run by mid-end of June. Just let me know.
Best wishes
Michael

 

[mihi_fuchs]

16 more PCB sets (top+bottom PCB) too have.

 

[mihi_fuchs]

This is actually very true - just checked with the original schematic. And I don't remember it ever been caught either - but I did not read the most recent remarks in the thread. Maybe post it there either - people are looking more to the thread than BM threads ...

I'll make a remark in the BOM for the moment until I tried it out. Mine were built with R25 = 22k for sure. So I will maybe rework one and compare. Let's see if there is a difference.

Thanks for pointing it out. I refer to your quote here in the BOM if that's fine for you?

Best regards,
Michael

Just to give feedback:

The 2k2 did not work in my hands. Levels got too high and I prefer the R25 being 22k. However, you can try of course the original value and see if it works better in your hands.

So maybe it is up on how you work with it, but in my hands the original BOM from Ian works perfectly.

 

[janczmok]

So one set for me pls, located in germany

 

[janczmok]

Finally got mine some days ago, got frontpanel.de design and all finished it today (however waiting for the correct knobs)

 

[grid_stopper]

Just to give feedback:

The 2k2 did not work in my hands. Levels got too high and I prefer the R25 being 22k. However, you can try of course the original value and see if it works better in your hands.

So maybe it is up on how you work with it, but in my hands the original BOM from Ian works perfectly.

mine works flawlessly with 2.2k, and to my ears sounds better, also according to LT spice performance is certainly improved in the output stage. there is no reason that resistor swap should make it not work, and i would suggest you have something else going on preventing the correct value from functioning

 

[materials to outlet]

Just to give feedback:

The 2k2 did not work in my hands. Levels got too high and I prefer the R25 being 22k. However, you can try of course the original value and see if it works better in your hands.

So maybe it is up on how you work with it, but in my hands the original BOM from Ian works perfectly.

I tried both and I like the 2.2k better- it's just gets nastier easier with more room for completely, gloriously way too much. You can always feed it less signal too if you really don't like the sound of ancient screaming gods getting all darkly smote-ish.

 

[Forcemusicgroup]

Are these still available?

 

[mihi_fuchs]

Are these still available?

Yes, few are still available from batch 2.

 

[mihi_fuchs]

I tried both and I like the 2.2k better- it's just gets nastier easier with more room for completely, gloriously way too much. You can always feed it less signal too if you really don't like the sound of ancient screaming gods getting all darkly smote-ish.

perfect! Thanks for the info. Maybe it is a bit dependent on how much signal you feed and taste of course.

mine works flawlessly with 2.2k, and to my ears sounds better, also according to LT spice performance is certainly improved in the output stage. there is no reason that resistor swap should make it not work, and i would suggest you have something else going on preventing the correct value from functioning

Guess it‘s up to taste and feeding level a bit. ;-)
Both seems to work with the boards.

 

[grid_stopper]

Guess it‘s up to taste and feeding level a bit. ;-)
Both seems to work with the boards.

if you like the sound of it, that is all that matters. however, in this configuration you are running the transistor well under unity gain, and as such offers about 19dB less output, and likely higher distortion and noise as well(which, imo, this unit has more than enough of already!)