My first solid state amplifier build, in 2009, was the Penultimate Zen, aka Zen Variations Part 4, aka ZenV4. It was built with the parts I could find back then, without knowing where to look. It ended up big, heavy with two 400VA toroidal transformers, ugly inside with some electrical tape here and there, without proper grounding, etc., etc. I was as disappointed with the sound as my wife was disappointed with that heavy black metal brick gathering dust.
My first mod was to rebuild the power supply. I threw away one of the toroids, added a softstart circuit from Hypex, and put in a CRC filter with some Mundorf HC caps. One power supply for two single ended channels forced me to learn about grounding and add input transformers and balanced inputs. The sound improvement was there, but it was almost negligible. Oops.
My second mod was to replace the only important MOSFET in ZenV4 with a power JFET from Semisouth (now, sadly, defunct). I actually rebuilt each PCB with the best parts I could find - Nichicon FGs and KGs, 715P Orange Drops, etc. The sound with the JFET got a BIG improvement! The measurements confirmed that, too - I reported on that earlier in this blog.
My third mod was again in the power supply. I replaced the 400VA 2x18V toroid with a 500VA 2x36V R-core, so that I can again enjoy separate supplies for each channel and remove the input transformers. The new transformer is heavy and sits in the middle of the chassis, so I added a separate foot to support it, hoping it may also help with the sonics.
More importantly, I replaced a single CRC filter with two CLCs, one per channel, each consisting of two 22000uF Mundorf HC caps separated by a 10mH/5A Hammond 159ZJ choke. My simulation with PSUD2 promised a substantial decrease in the post-filter ripple, which I did not believe I need, as the filter is followed by a voltage regulator anyway. Nevertheless, I had the chokes and had fun cramming them into the enclosure.
With the new PSU, the bass improved vastly, and the spatial definition of the modded ZenV4 was much better than I can remember from any of my amps. I suddenly realized that I hear the details I've never been aware of in these familiar recordings. I found myself listening to the music, although my intention was to listen to the amp.
The system was the Audio Analogue Crescendo CD player, a First Watt B1 clone, the ZenV4, and a pair of vintage Celestion DITTON XR 15's.
My first mod was to rebuild the power supply. I threw away one of the toroids, added a softstart circuit from Hypex, and put in a CRC filter with some Mundorf HC caps. One power supply for two single ended channels forced me to learn about grounding and add input transformers and balanced inputs. The sound improvement was there, but it was almost negligible. Oops.
My second mod was to replace the only important MOSFET in ZenV4 with a power JFET from Semisouth (now, sadly, defunct). I actually rebuilt each PCB with the best parts I could find - Nichicon FGs and KGs, 715P Orange Drops, etc. The sound with the JFET got a BIG improvement! The measurements confirmed that, too - I reported on that earlier in this blog.
My third mod was again in the power supply. I replaced the 400VA 2x18V toroid with a 500VA 2x36V R-core, so that I can again enjoy separate supplies for each channel and remove the input transformers. The new transformer is heavy and sits in the middle of the chassis, so I added a separate foot to support it, hoping it may also help with the sonics.
More importantly, I replaced a single CRC filter with two CLCs, one per channel, each consisting of two 22000uF Mundorf HC caps separated by a 10mH/5A Hammond 159ZJ choke. My simulation with PSUD2 promised a substantial decrease in the post-filter ripple, which I did not believe I need, as the filter is followed by a voltage regulator anyway. Nevertheless, I had the chokes and had fun cramming them into the enclosure.
With the new PSU, the bass improved vastly, and the spatial definition of the modded ZenV4 was much better than I can remember from any of my amps. I suddenly realized that I hear the details I've never been aware of in these familiar recordings. I found myself listening to the music, although my intention was to listen to the amp.
The system was the Audio Analogue Crescendo CD player, a First Watt B1 clone, the ZenV4, and a pair of vintage Celestion DITTON XR 15's.
