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Connectors.

75.175.253.66
Posted on November 2, 2009 at 09:07:35
thermionic addictions
Audiophile

Posts: 433
Joined: June 16, 2006
 Anyone have a favorite connector suitable for umbilical cord use?

It will need at least 7 pins and will have a B+ of around 530V.

I have some small ones I bought for another project but I can't
remember where I got them so I don't know what the ratings are.

Any ideas?

Cal
Thanks guys, that gives me some ideas. nt, posted on November 3, 2009 at 08:10:30
thermionic addictions
Audiophile

Posts: 433
Joined: June 16, 2006
 nt

RE: Connectors., posted on November 2, 2009 at 14:24:06
andy evans
Audiophile

Posts: 997
Joined: October 20, 2000
 I use Amphenol 4 pin AP series for the HT and earth and any bias voltage. Rated 650v. Big plastic job and quite cheap - used for loudspecakers sometimes. I just use XLRs for the filaments as suggested. Rated up to 50v. you clearly can't use the 3 pin, but 4 and 5 pin are fine choices. As above I use two different connevtors. I hate those multipin jobs - too fiddly to wire up and harder to use bigger wire for earth and HT.

I only use a connector at the amp end, not the power supply which is fixed. Saves money and makes sure people don't inadvertently connect stuff to the power supply. If you have a male pin on the amp end, like the Amphenol AP, then put a resistor from HT to earth to discharge it if you have caps in the amp. I like the Speakon shrouded connectors but they are only rated 300v.

andy

RE: Connectors., posted on November 2, 2009 at 13:31:36
Ed Sawyer
Audiophile

Posts: 2158
Joined: November 3, 2000
 I'd use Amphenol. That's usually what I do, and they have tons of sizes and ratings available. 530v is no problem. If you really want to get exotic, Lemo is even better made, but more expensive also. Cannon would be another choice, but really unless there's a compelling reason not to, Amphenol (the 3107 series I think) are the ones to use. You can find them cheap(er) on ebay often.

-Ed
RE: Connectors., posted on November 2, 2009 at 13:07:40
Triode_Kingdom
Audiophile

Posts: 623
Location: Travelin' Man
Joined: September 24, 2006
 It might be difficult (and expensive) to buy connectors rated for that much B+ voltage, especially if they're multiconductor. If it were me, I would search for ceramic octal connectors. I don't know if they're still being made, so it might take some time on eBay or scrounging at hamfests.
RE: Connectors., posted on November 2, 2009 at 11:44:02
gusser
Audiophile

Posts: 841
Location: So. California
Joined: September 6, 2006
 Octal tube plugs are popular as well as the vintage look. Amphonel did (does?) make caps with cable clamps that snap down on the plugs.

Another good classis connetor is the Jones plug. The 300 series is good for 6 amps and the more rare 400 series is good for 15 amps which is great for filament feeds.

Now if you want to go high end, get the Amphonel military circular connectors. These have been around since at least the 1950s and are still made as they are that good. DigiKey carries a full line as well as Newark. And now you can even get some models in BLACK versus the clasic olive green military color. They run about $30 per connector (over $60 per set) but well worth it.

AMP (different company than Amphonel) makes a non compatable plastic version but these are a bit cheesey IMO. I do use them at work on commercial stuff but for a vintage tube project I would go with the Amphonel.

For preamps and stuff with less than 300v B+ don't overlook the XLR audio connector. These are made with up to 6 pins. But I'm not sure of they are even rated to 300v - although they seem to look OK for that voltage. As with any modern connector (or any conponent for that matter) be sure to verify the voltage rating. Since the demise of commercial tube equipment over 40 years ago most conponents these days are only tested and listed for 300v or less.

RE: Connectors., posted on November 3, 2009 at 05:04:06
JANDG
Audiophile

Posts: 1564
Location: Washington State
Joined: February 27, 2004
 I am useing "real' Switchcraft XLR's for my umbilical duty on my newest amp build. I would not recommend doing this but I have them & they work + safer then my clip lead & exposed HT amp projects that get scarey looking.
Joe
Wisdom for today.........
A GREAT tube amp or speakers will allways be GREAT & bieng relevant today is irrelevant.
RE: Connectors., posted on November 3, 2009 at 07:12:10
SteveBrown
Audiophile

Posts: 1523
Location: Tulsa!
Joined: November 14, 2002
 I know that most of the XLR stuff is rated for, what, about 300v? So "technically" not suited for say, 450v B+ we might find in a power amp. However, if you look at the connectors, they sure seem to me to be at least as good as an octal tube socket connector. I'd be tempted to try them.

Kind of out there...., posted on November 7, 2009 at 21:15:11
morrisonic
Audiophile

Posts: 29
Joined: October 25, 2009
 the cables used on leslie speaker cabinets used fairly large connectors that might work ...check ebay.
Kelly

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