Maudio Nova circuit mod

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LevinGuitar

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 13, 2019
Messages
494
I would like to try a mod on my Maudio Nova. It is the second version, with just one small pcb. So instead of going U87 way, why not to try a KM84 circuit? The fet will be 2N3819, maybe different capsule and a T8-T13 transformer.

I took the schematic of the GT55 mic form this very good thread, revised the variations of the circuit (prety much the same without pad or low cut), and did first schematic of the mod.
I did not included R5 and C6 from the original KM84 schematic, are they really needed there? Same with R11, R12 and R13?

Edit: Km84 mod not worth with the original capsule, but with a Neumann K103 or similar becomes stellar.
 

Attachments

  • GT55 schematic.pdf
    75.9 KB
  • km84 schematic.jpg
    km84 schematic.jpg
    184.7 KB
  • Maudio nova inside1.jpg
    Maudio nova inside1.jpg
    80.1 KB
  • Maudio nova inside2.jpg
    Maudio nova inside2.jpg
    69.9 KB
  • Maudio Nova schematic.jpg
    Maudio Nova schematic.jpg
    107.2 KB
  • Maudio Nova schematic Km84 mod.jpg
    Maudio Nova schematic Km84 mod.jpg
    112.5 KB
Last edited:
The best thing to do is clean up the circuit board and try the microphone again

the stock transformer is about 5:1 so think again about the 84 circuit
IMO there is nothing really wrong with the nova circuit. The first stage has selected resistors for gain and biasing
I even leave the stock poly input cap alone sometimes

I have tried different EQs and circuit changes to the ST51/151 circuit that looks to be the same as the nova/ groove tubes circuits.
I have one that I like I might make up a kit of parts for it
however
The stock circuit is OK with the 2SK30
The noise seem to drop a little if you clean the PCBs
The stock transformer is OK

For fun search for the solid state Brauner circuit threads at the forum and compare the schematics.
 
Last edited:
The microphone indeed sound very good for the price, and low noise. Just want to try improving it a bit, more details, more low end. I,m tempted to go 5840 tube but first would like to try a simple fet. I expected a lower ratio transformer, thanks for the info ;)

P.D. Yes, will leave the 1n imput cap and original capsule wiring for now.
 
For now just the basic changes: removed R4, R7, R8, R9, C5 and Q2. Q1 is 2N3819 with drain voltage 12v (a bit high) with 10k on R3, C2 is Elna 22uf, C4 is 1uf MBM and chinese 9.5:1 transformer.

Will drop a bit the voltage on drain and try other capsule.
 

Attachments

  • 108 Maudio Nova original guitar.wav
    6.6 MB
  • 108 Maudio Nova original voice.wav
    5.7 MB
  • 112 Maudio Nova 2N3819 Elna22 MBM T13 guitar.wav
    6.4 MB
  • 112 Maudio Nova 2N3819 Elna22 MBM T13 voice.wav
    5.4 MB
A bit of madness here following Ami M49 circuit and using few original pcb holes. I wonder if the small traces will survive a tube circuit voltage.
 

Attachments

  • Maudio Nova Madness Mod.jpg
    Maudio Nova Madness Mod.jpg
    141 KB
It's not voltage that blows up traces, but current. If anything, it's the heater wiring that you should be concerned with, if you plan on using any PCB traces for that.

Voltage rather concerns the distances between traces (traces that have large voltage differences between them).
 
Here with a K103 capsule, same fet circuit as before but with 8K on R3.

Edit: 122 test without imput cap, polarization to backplate and Rifa MP 2uf in the output.

Can anyone see the attached audio files?
 

Attachments

  • 120 Maudio nova 2N3819 T13 MBM K103.wav
    12.4 MB
  • 122 Maudio nova 2N3819 T13 Rifa 2uf K103 guitar.wav
    6.5 MB
  • 122 Maudio nova 2N3819 T13 Rifa 2uf K103 voice.wav
    5.6 MB
Last edited:
I realized the KM84 circuit should have a lower ratio transformer than the T13, so I tried the WGT "BV8" transformer here. Now have more gain (10v on drain finally) and seems to be well balanced. Still with the K103 capsule and without the 4pf feedback capacitor.
 

Attachments

  • Nova KM84 K103 WGT BV8.wav
    11.3 MB
  • IMG_20211122_134929_150.jpg
    IMG_20211122_134929_150.jpg
    84.1 KB
  • IMG_20211122_134947_886.jpg
    IMG_20211122_134947_886.jpg
    72.9 KB
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