SSL 9000 build - photos and info :D

[MartyMart]

http://www.pbase.com/martymart/se5a_buildssl9k&page=2

Two pages of gear porn, click on the link and any photo then use the "previous/next" icons to scroll through ( SE5A valve amp here also )


Well, it's my first real "Pro Rack" build other than a couple of amps and various stomp boxes and I'm VERY pleased with it indeed

Build :
Bought boards and parts for 4x 9k's but decided to just do two to start with.
The rack was an old Peavey system processor, a bit scuffed up but the front panel was reversible.
All boards fitted out took 1&1/2 days and a further 2&1/2 days to drill out the rack and fit/ wire all the sections.
I took my time, which thankfully resulted in a working unit on first power-up ! :green:
Keith helped me with my only issue, overheating regulators which was solved with some insulator kits.
Parts were sourced from Farnell and Rapid plus several things that I had here, such as caps/resistors/nuts&bolts etc.
PS is an 18-0 18-0 AC 30Va toroid, primary of dual 115-0 v AC

Working substitutions :
Went for some TLE 2082's instead of the TL052's but used 1N4148 diode pairs from the +18v and -18v rails which gave
me approx +/- 16.7v for this chip ( rated at +/- 19v max )
Used LM394's for the MAT-02 packages, which are pin for pin compatible.
Pots were Audio maintenance dual reverse 2k2's, which are fine but have a small 4mm shaft ( gain knob connection )
JLM Audio go-betweens used for phase/pad/48v connections, Di's also ordered but wouldn't fit this racks front panel, as
it was 3mm steel powder coated - just a hair too thick !!
Several resistor "subs" which included 47k's for 50's and slightly lower values to the gain pots ( 33 ohms and 22 ohms IIRC )
Mixture of metal film & carbon film resistors used and caps were Wima/AVX/MKT and ceramic for all values in pf apart from
2x silva mica 330pf's
Outputs pre- balancing board go to jack sockets for easy monitoring and the balanced outs go direct to my Fireface 800 DAW.
I couldn't detect any issues with this when both are connected ?


Sound / Performance :
Sounds great to me, a BIG and warm tone, I wouldn't say "neutral" as it has a sound of it's own.
Good bottom end and nice sparkly high end too - VERY pleased with it and it's quiet as a mouse, star ground used so it's
totally "Hiss/Hum" free .


Rack labeling :
Yes, I know it's a bit "Heath Robinson" meets "Pete Cornish" but it works for me and turning it up means that it gets LOUDER !!!


Injuries :
One small cut to left index finger and one soldering iron burn to left thumb !

Cost :
Old rack - Free
Ordered parts for 4x units £220
Other stuff I had/scavenged £25

Total £245 ( Under $500 )
Total for 2x 9k's £130 ( Under $270 )

Thanks go to the following :

"Keef" - SSLTech for the original schems and constant good natured help
"Gustav" - for the superb and trouble free board sets
"Aron Nelson" - for getting me into this stuff in the first place in 2003
Everyone else here who's answered my questions and posted such useful stuff in the Meta etc.

 

[kato]

Looks great!!

Glad to hear about the diode solution to get the voltage down for the 082.

What did you use for the 2.2uF input caps?
Did you find something polypropylene that fit?
I'd just resigned myself to using polyester in that spot. But it looks like you found something.

Nice work! :thumb:

 

[MartyMart]

What did you use for the 2.2uF input caps?
Did you find something polypropylene that fit?

Those are the large grey poly caps, MKT 100v 2u2's
I bought them by mistake some time ago and could never fit them
in a gtr stompbox !!
Wierd though, the second pair of 2u2's had to be smaller wima's, as the lead
space was smaller there !!
I have another 18 of those MKT's ... I'll get though them one day ....

MM.

 

[kato]

Hey Marty, Where did you get your LM394??

(It's not stocked by Mouser, Digikey, or Allied, help!!)

 

[shabtek]

a solid diy.

one thing that bugs me and I always speak up when i see it: the washers on the toggle switches--they are not doing anything...flip'em so the nubble faces back and put'em on the other side of the front panel.

on second thought, maybe they are doing something.
nice build, good thing no trouble shooting that

 

[MartyMart]

[quote author="kato"]Hey Marty, Where did you get your LM394??

(It's not stocked by Mouser, Digikey, or Allied, help!!)[/quote]


Farnell or Rapid I believe, that's where I sourced 99% of the parts I needed.

Washers on the front cover my "oversized" drilling !!!

MM

 

[JAY X]

Hi Marty!

Congratulations for your preamp!

I would like to know some details: (i will buy these parts form farnell)

Type of TLE2082 used: CP/ACP  with a slew rate of 45v/us or AIP/IP with a slew rate of 35v/us ?

LM394 : What kind of package? : LM394 H/CH  TO 5-6 from farnell?

Neeno part's list says it is a MAT-02 ¿TO-78 package?  which is difficult to find

Thank you Marty!

JAY X

 

[MartyMart]

I bought LM394CH from Farnell, it's a standard 6 pin package.
My substitute for the TL052 has a MAX voltage of 18v so there is a better one
listed in a very recent SSL thread, the TLE2082 has to have diodes dropping the voltage
as I didn't want to run a second supply to give +/- 15v dc.

MM.

 

[kato]

Jay X - those slew rates are more than double the speed of the original chip so don't worry about that. Get whichever is in stock / cheaper.  (also, no audio is running through this part...)