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Ergo-Ella: Slam Dunk!

121.202.252.177
Posted on July 22, 2009 at 02:06:24
bcherry
Manufacturer

Posts: 2216
Joined: March 11, 2001
Contributor
  Since: June 1, 2001


On the right:
All the AC stuff - IEC connector, transformers, power switch
power transformer matrix:
-1 large one for B+ and 2 small ones for filament supply
- terminal strips allow easy switching and adding/subtracting voltages for many circuits, KT88/2A3 PP, 300b or what-have-you SE

On the left:
All the DC stuff - FCUPS (film cap universal power supply), ABS (active bias supply), input filter caps
- FCUPS: all film caps power supply in a package comparable in size to toxic electrolytics.
- electronic choke on board with equivalent 500h allows use as virtual battery supply.
- ABS modules. These lock the bias of each tube so anode current is in perfect balance so no DC goes across the OPT core.
- FCUPS/ABS Protection Link. Any fault with a tube - runaway, whatever, Protect shuts dowe B+

Down the middle:
All the signal stuff
- includes adapter plates so completely configurable from 6 to 8 tube, SE or PP, octal, UX4, noval or blank out one section with included cover plate.

More tomorrow. Playing now. Ella would say: "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got swing." Wish she was here to hear this.
DIY - Done Right!
Ergo-Ella and a Power Supply that Delivers Like a Fire Hydrant, posted on July 28, 2009 at 06:09:20
bcherry
Manufacturer

Posts: 2216
Joined: March 11, 2001
Contributor
  Since: June 1, 2001



Questions from customers are good because they remind of features not yet discussed:
Why doesn't the Ergo-Ella have dual-mono power supplies like the previous Ella?

1. Actually the power transformer does have dual secondaries, both being connected in parallel to the FCUPS. This gives a very low output source impedance from the power transformer and power on demand
2. The FCUPS is set to run in virtual battery mode. It has the energy storage equivalency of about a 2 FARAD capacitor but the delivery and recovery speed of a 500h choke!
3. The point of a dual mono power supply is to avoid intermodulation effects between channels due to voltage sag. As per above you can see this is never likely to happen with paralleled HT feeds and the FCUPS.

This one single supply delivers like a fire hydrant compared to the two garden hoses of a dual mono supply.

If you already own an Ella, consider installing the FCUPS and ABS.
DIY - Done Right!
Ergo-Ella Instruction Manual, posted on July 27, 2009 at 04:03:40
bcherry
Manufacturer

Posts: 2216
Joined: March 11, 2001
Contributor
  Since: June 1, 2001
 I've posted a reduced resolution version of the Ergo-Ella instruction manual. Please take a look. The main part of it is picture based as many have requested.
We'll continue to add some polish and gratefully receive suggestions for improvement.
DIY - Done Right!
Ergo-Ella: Slam Dunk 2!, posted on July 22, 2009 at 23:50:14
bcherry
Manufacturer

Posts: 2216
Joined: March 11, 2001
Contributor
  Since: June 1, 2001



The Top Side

Left:
- main power transformer under the vented cover
- 2 filament transformers under the forward cover
btw, our heater voltages were running a bit high but all other voltages spot on. With separate filament transformers (and 105+10+10 x 2 primaries) tweeking the voltages is just a matter of changing a bus wire on the primary side. So EZ.

Right:
- 2 film caps for loading the input or output of the FCUPS power supply. We are running in virtual battery mode so we put the film caps on the input side
- Output transformer covers (4/8/16ohm standard)

Middle:
- 2ea x ECC88, 6SN7 and 4 ea EL34
- there are 8 holes in the top deck and each one can handle octal/9-pin/UX4 sockets with the adapter plates. Also blanking plates for SE driver + power tube x 2 configurations.

So far we've built up a 300b/CCS6SL7/5AR4 x 2 and been running that one for about 6 months. Now the Ergo-Ella as shown. Next we'll do a 2A3 push pull (Ergo-Joplin).

How does the Ergo-Ella sound? Getting the measure and will report more later...but, mama-jama! this is the most dynamic and quiet amplifier we've ever had here. This is not a difference measured by shades. We were playing La Folia and when those pistol shots rang out, everyone jumped! And everyone here is pretty much used to that piece. Maybe it's the virtual battery mode? First time we've run the FCUPS that way. The bamboo is adding some nice tone too....well let's leave something for next time.

BTW, I haven't priced this out yet so can't answer that question yet. The buildup diagrams are being drawn up now and we have stock.

Olay!
DIY - Done Right!

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