SA-3A (LA-3A Clone) Support Thread

[North]

My mono build. Front Panel Express was awesome to work with!

North, do you have the fpd file for that mono build? I would love to get that going. Also where is everyone getting their EA-11184 and T4B. I see Hairball has the EA-11184 but without the frame.

  I'm looking but don't know where in the world I put it. She 's tidied up and I cant find anything I'll keep looking. I got my auto-former and output transformer from Studio Electronics. Great people to work with. The Neve panel I painted years ago and used rub off lettering for the texts. I sprayed a clear over it all and later on it all checked. It gave it a real vintage look for sure. My next project is the EZ1290 which i will be designing a face in FPD and using their anodized blue face plate. I used the Kenetek T4B and I'm thoroughly happy with it. It is very smooth and transparent.

 

[spneca]

Hello all,

I am building a stereo pair of this latest run and I noticed that the BOM does not specify a particular model for the SPDT front panel switches.  Could anyone share which part they used and, if possible, a corresponding Mouser part#?

Thanks

 

[North]

Its in the BOM. Mouser part # 108-1MS1T2B3M1QE-EVX SWITCH, TOGGLE, SPDT, ON-ON, 2A @ 230V.
The quality is ok but I would go a little more for a smoother one 
For a mono build, you'll need 7 or 8 of them.

 

[spneca]

Its in the BOM. Mouser part # 108-1MS1T2B3M1QE-EVX SWITCH, TOGGLE, SPDT, ON-ON, 2A @ 230V.
The quality is ok but I would go a little more for a smoother one 
For a mono build, you'll need 7 or 8 of them.

Thanks!  I see now.  I was looking at the stereo BOM, which lists the part as "Various Options," but it is right there in the mono build.

 

[spacecho]

Hey all,

I built up the power supply on a pair of sa3a's and forgot that it needs a +/- 15v torroid (oops) I connected it to my 1176's torroid (+/-25v) and fried the bridge rectifier and possibly a few other parts.

My question is - the kit came with a w08g rectifier (800v), I can get a w04g readily (400v). Will the w04g be okay in this circuit?

cheers

 

[Harpo]

I built up the power supply on a pair of sa3a's and forgot that it needs a +/- 15v torroid (oops) I connected it to my 1176's torroid (+/-25v) and fried the bridge rectifier and possibly a few other parts.

My question is - the kit came with a w08g rectifier (800v), I can get a w04g readily (400v). Will the w04g be okay in this circuit?

The W04 (or nearly any other bridge rectifier with correct order of ~+~- terminals in a WOG package) will only work when you exchange the other blown parts (that caused the excessive current demand exceeding the W08 parts limits).
BTW there is no such thing as a +/- 15V torroid. Transformer is AC voltage in/AC voltage out. This circuits psu calls for a 30VAC secondary (or two series connected 15VAC secondary windings). Your 50VAC (+ unloaded transformer regulation, +/-10% mains under-/overvoltage) get rectified to above 70V raw DC, exceeding parts limits of the caps in front of the LM317HV voltage regulators and the HV type regulators will need a little luck to have survived. If you fitted standard LM317 vregs, these will be blown hopefully open circuit, else expect even more parts gone south downstream. Good luck.

 

[spacecho]

Thanks Harpo,

yes, I will swap out the voltage regulators and caps, just wondering if it is okay to use a w04g in place of the w08g,
will swap out the parts and report back,

Thanks!

 

[jason baliban]

Do you guys recommend any other opto besides this guy?

http://www.gearslut.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=189

Thanks!

jB

 

[Biasrocks]

Not if you want the best, aside from an original Urie.

Regards,
Mark

Do you guys recommend any other opto besides this guy?

http://www.gearslut.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=189

Thanks!

jB

 

[jason baliban]

Not if you want the best, aside from an original Urie.

Regards,
Mark

Do you guys recommend any other opto besides this guy?

http://www.gearslut.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=189

Thanks!

jB

HAHAH, fair enough

jB

 

[rainton]

I use T4Bs from Drip Electronics and I am very happy with results!!

 

[jason baliban]

I use T4Bs from Drip Electronics and I am very happy with results!!

I cant seem to find the Drip versions.  Do they still sell them?

jB

 

[North]

I love my Kenetek T4B, it is smooth and very transparent. I have heard nothing but praise from this unit.

 

[rob61]

I have a matched pair of Kenetek's in mine, and I couldn't be happier. Love the SA-3A.

 

[rainton]

I use T4Bs from Drip Electronics and I am very happy with results!!

I cant seem to find the Drip versions.  Do they still sell them?

jB

I'm not sure, but I think they do still sell them even though they're not listed on their website.
Last time I needed one I just dropped them an email and they sent me one...

 

[jason baliban]

Thank you for the insight here!

Do you guys think it is worth spending the extra $50 for a matched pair?  I dont know how often i will use the unit in a stereo situation.

jB

 

[ding]

Anyone tried making your own T4B? I found the PCB, EL Panel, matched Silonex NSL5910 and relay housing for a pretty reasonable price. It doesn't seem like that difficult of a build. Anyone had any success?

 

[Biasrocks]

There were a few extensive threads on this a few years ago.

Search is your friend.

Mark

Anyone tried making your own T4B?

 

[ding]

Maybe I should refrase the question. I found those threads about the T4Bs before I posted here. I guess why I was posting in this specific thread is I wanted to know if anyone working on this particular build has made there own and how the feel it sounded in their la3a. I know there are several comparison threads I just posted in this one cause I felt it to be more relevant.

 

[mulletchuck]

I rolled my own for the PeterPurpose LA3A-500.  i bought EL panels off of a guy selling them on Ebay for $15, and bought the LDRs online from some supplier (unmatched).  I also have an SA3A with kenetech T4Bs.  The two units sound identical!  no audible difference to my ears when i run the same signal thru either the PPLA3A or the SA3A, with the controls on the same setting.