The Leach amp 200W amplifier
Menu
- Introduction
- Schematics diagram
- Components
- Component prepairing
- Circuit board
- Assembling
- Heat sink
- Mechanical construction
- Chassis wiring
- Clipping indicator
- Testing
- Photo gallery
This article descripts, how I built amplifier from Mr. Marshall Leach known like "The Leach Amp". I built amplifier from the original instructions on these pages:http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~mleach/lowtim/. Article about bulding of this amplifier I found later in journalA_Radio Praktická elektronika 11/2002. For many years I looked for construction of HiFi amplifier wit a good parameters, enough power reserve and simple construction. I built a couple of amplifiers with integrated circuits MBA810, TDA2005, LM3886, but I was disappointed by their output quality and noise. I decide to built a classic construction with discrete components and bipolar transistors. Construction from Mr. Dudek was interesting, but I didn't like used components and complexity. All of my requirements satisfied construction of theLeach Amp. Circuit author publicates in a February 1976 in american journal. From these days circuit was not practically changed. Little changes are descripted on authors page.
Link to original schematics diagram: http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~mleach/lowtim/graphics/ckt.pdf
Local copy: ckt.pdf
Redrawed schematics diagram for use with NJL transistors with added component values:
Schematics in Eagle5 format: leachamp4_5.sch
I succeeded to find almost all original components on our local market, which was a miracle. Only a bigger problem was a power transformer and filter capacitors. Recommended toroid transformer for power 200W to 4 ohms is 230V/2x 42V. I succeeded to find in a GM Electronic a toroid transformer 2x36V, 300W. Output power will be a little lower, but for home use it will be more than enough. Voltage after rectification and filtering without load will be about +51V and -51V. I couldn't find capacitors with a 10000uF or 20000uF for 75V. I decided to buy electrolytic capacitors 4700uF/63V and place four pieces parallely on positive voltage and 4 on negative voltage. I was thinking about other option to place 3 pieces of 6800uF/63V on power lines. Mica capacitors are not available at all. I used ceramic instead. Someone said, that ceramic capacitors can "play", but I didn't found any problems. Carbon resistors are allegedly better for Hifi because lower noise, but I hear it after I buyed metalised resistors. I used normal electrolytic capacitors, but probably LowESR types will be better. Power transistors are not original Motorola, or today ON semiconductor, but I didn't found any problem.
| number | name | value |
|---|---|---|
| Transistors | ||
| 12x | Q1, Q2, Q5, Q7, Q9, Q10 | MPSA 06 |
| 10x | Q3, Q4, Q6, Q8, Q11 | MPSA 56 |
| 4x | Q13, Q14 | 2N 3439 |
| 4x | Q12, Q15 | 2N 5416 |
| 2x | Q16 | MJE 15030 |
| 2x | Q17 | MJE 15031 |
| 4x | Q18, Q20 | MJ 15003 (NJL3281D) |
| 4x | Q19, Q21 | MJ 15004 (NJL1302D) |
| Diodes | ||
| 12x | D1, D2, D3, D4, D11, D12 | 1N4007 |
| 12x | D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10 | 1N4148 |
| 8x (15x) | D13, D14, D15, D16 | 20 V Zener +5% tolerance, 0.5W |
| Capacitors | ||
| 2x | C1 | 390 pF mica |
| 14x | C2, C3, C15, C16, C23, C24, C25 | 100nF/100V film |
| 8x | C7, C12, C17, C18 | 100nF/50V film |
| 12x | C4, C5, C13, C14, C21, C22 | 100uF/63V radial electrolytic |
| 2x (4x) | C6a, C6b | 220uF/16V bi-polar electrolytic (4x 330uF/16V) |
| 2x | C8 | 180pF mica |
| 2x | C9 | 47pF mica |
| 4x | C10, C11 | 10pF mica |
| 4x | C19, C20 | 10nF/50V film |
| Rezistors | ||
| All resistors are 1% carbonic or metalised 0,5W if not noted otherwise | ||
| 2x | R1 | 20 kohm |
| 2x | R2 | 2 kohm |
| 16x | R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 | 300 ohm |
| 6x | R11, R12, R27 | 1.2 kohm |
| 4x | R13, R14 | 2.2 kohm |
| 4x | R15, R16 | 12 kohm |
| 4x | R17, R18 | 11 kohm |
| 2x | R19 | 1.1 kohm |
| 2x | R20 | 22 kohm |
| 4x | R21, R22 | 30 ohm |
| 4x | R23, R24 | 360 ohm |
| 4x | R25, R26 | 1 kohm |
| 4x | R28, R29 | 270 ohm |
| 4x | R30, R31 | 3.9 kohm 1/2 W |
| 6x | R32, R33, R51 | 82 ohm |
| 4x | R34, R35 | 330 ohm |
| 2x | R36 | 220 ohm |
| 8x | R37, R38, R39, R40 | 680 ohm |
| 8x | R41, R42, R43, R44 | 10 ohm 1/2 W |
| 8x | R45, R46, R47, R48 | 0.33 ohm 5 W wire-wound |
| 4x | R49, R50 | 10 ohm, 2 W |
| Other | ||
| 2x | P1 | 2 kohm more turn cermet trimmer |
| 1x | T1 | Toroid power transformer SEC 2x40V AC 300W |
| 8x | C1P, C2P | 4700uF/63V (6x 6800uF/63V 4x 10000uF/63V) |
| 8x | C3P | 100nF/200V |
| 1x | D1P | Bridge rectifier 35A/200V |
| 5x | Fuse casing | |
| 1x | F1 | Fuse 3.15A T |
| 4x | F2, F3, F4, F5 | Fuse 5A F |
| 8x | Insulative bed under transistors + screw insulatives 16x | |
| 20x | Solder eye M4 | |
| 2m | Shrinking spaghetti 4mm | |
Component prepairing
Circuit board
circuit board layout version 4.5 which looks perfectly suitable. Circuit board is one sided, nice symmetrically designed and all components fits to them perfectly. Only one little problem was small solder spots. It's not possible to drill a little bigger holes. First piece of circuit board I redrawed to an Eagle and consequently plot it on cuprextit and etch it. Next I leave them to make at Mr. Kohout which makes simple circuit boards by photo path. I only tell him page, where was circuit board published in Aradio magazine. Concretly "Praktická elektronika A Radio - 11/2002 page 13". Because he already had film negative, that curcuit board was cheaper. Circuit board was varnished to prevent oxidation and better soldering. Before assembling is suitable to check, that all holes are sufficient for components and wires. When I increased hole on an assembled board, I little damaged a case of one electrolytic capacitor.
Original printed circuit board with heatsink drilling: http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~mleach/lowtim/graphics/layouts.pdf
Local copy:layouts.pdf
Rearranged PCB for direct assembling NJL transistors. I had to make smaller PCB than original thanks to limited Light version of Eagle, but I hope that it is OK.
Assembling
Heat sink
I couldn't find suitable heat sink for a long time. I found perfect profile at small vendor, but it was much shorter than I needed it. Finally I obtained contact on a company ALUPA, which has in their list aluminium profile which fits exactly for our amplifier. Profile has marking ZH-2476. 
Unfortunately I doesn't know exactly required size, that I had to cut them with a circular saw, which going very badly, because aluminium "flows". Finally I cut heat sink to lenght 15cm and drilled to them holes according to original PDF document by 4mm drill except diodes. Holes for diodes I drilled to their tight contact with heat sink. Collector of power transistors I connected from upper side with help of solder eye and thick wire. I drilled holes for wires between transistors, but it was not a good idea, because I had to a little nibble mica beds. Better will be to make holes on the side of transistors.
Transistors are attached this way: First I spread his inner side with a thin layer of silicon vaseline. Next I attached on them mica bed. Next I soldered two thicker wires long 10cm, attached a piece of shrinkage spaghetti and shrink with lighter. Wires to collectors must be longer for about 5cm. Next I spreaded mica bed from the other side too. Layer must be very thin, because vaseline tried to push out. Finally I gave transistor on his place on the heat sink, in to the holes I placed screw isolant, under one I gave solder eye with soldered thicker wire and I screw up M3 15mm screws. In to the heat sink I placed and solder up 4 diodes according to original document and I drop them with glue. I drilled a small holes in a corners of the heat sink and I made worm with a M3 screw-cutter. I placed 5mm M3 spacer leg. For better heat removal is good to place blacked heat sink vertically, but I was limited by space and technological possibilities. However I didn't see any problems with overheating.
Mechanical construction
In construction I comes again from original organization. I had available old casing from some device with height 12cm, width 48cm and depth 25cm. On the front panel is placed only power switch and four diodes. Two for positive and negative supply and two for clipping indicator of the left and right channel. Front panel from aluminium I polished, that now it looks almost like a mirror. On them is placed logo made from cuprextit and glued with both sides sealing tape. But it doesn't look much good.
Toroid transformer is placed in a center close to front panel far from electronics due to interference reason. He is attached with a bigger screw to base of the chassis. Nearby is central isolated ground point and bridge rectifier. Protective ground wire is connected from the power plug to the metal chassis. Ground from plug is not connected with a central amplifier ground for preventing ground loops and interference problems.
On the left and right side from the transformer are located filter capacitors placed vertically. Between them is longer screw with a female screw and plastic hose for preventing of wearing through capacitor insulation. On the top of the screw is placed bigger rubber pad with a female screw. Capacitors are binded together. Strong power wires are from one piece of wire and goes from rectifier over all filter capacitors to fuse holders. Maybe is better to connect all capacitors with same long wires to star, but I haven't idea how to do it mechanically. Identically is made second power line and groud line from central ground point.
Circuit boards are placed in a case vertically about 3cm from back side components backward. Originally i want to place boards with components to front, but it is much difficult to solder wires to boards. Circuit boards and transistors on heat sinks are placed mirrored that input of the amplifier has very short connection wires. Boards are placed on the longer distance legs. I hadn't them, that I used longer screws with female screws. Under two female screws I had to place insulation pads, because one of wires was too close screw. All ground wires are leaded independently to central ground point.
Back panel has on one side power plug connector and fuse holder. I made mistake here, because socket is in line with speaker connector, that can conflicts with speaker wires. Beside is speaker terminal and next heat sink of the right channel screwed with four screws on the distance legs. In the middle are two gilded input cinch connectors. They must be isolated from case! Next is heat sink of the left channel and again speaker connector. R50 and C25 are soldered directly on the speaker terminals. I founded only nickeled terminals not gilded, but they are enough massive for big power. TO3 bases or insulation covers are not available on our market.
Chassis wiring
On the circuit we can see connecting of individual components in a chassis. After power socket is connected EMI filter, which reduce interference between amplifier and neighbourhood. It can be seen in compact version in the power socket. In original amplifier I haven't them. In circuit is indicated which wires are thicker. Concrete component placing is seen on photos.
Clipping indicator
It's possible to build a clipping indicator like accesory for amplifier which detects amplifier limitation, when output transistors are fully opened and signal is cutted close to power supply voltage. In this case is acoustic signal distorted in a power amplifier. Circuit as usually is from authors pages. I redraw them in a Eagle and I designed circuit board for two channels. I added place for two LEDs for power supply voltage indicators. This board have small pads, which is not much good. Eagle has these pads too small in default state.
Schematics diagram
Circuit board
Partlist for clipping indicator number name value 2x Q1, Q3 BC639 2x Q2, Q4 BC640 6x D1-D6 1N4148 2x LED1, LED2 LED 2mm flat face, red 2x LED3, LED4 LED 2mm flat face, green 2x C1, C2 10uF/100V 4x R1, R2, R8, R9 12k 4x R3, R4, R10, R11 16k 4x R5, R6, R12, R13 1k5 2W 2x R7, R14 220R 2x R15, R16 22k
Testing
First we must to test power supply part. Fuses F2 to F5 we leave out and for sure we check again circuit of rectifier and capacitor polarity. a zkontrolujeme pro jistotu zapojení usměrňovače a polaritu kondenzátorů. Possible error can be fatal. If is all OK, that on capacitors will be voltage about 51V. Exact voltage depends on used transformer and power line voltage. After disconnecting will be voltage on capacitor for a long time. We can discharge them with a resistor 100R 2W. It's possible, that with power-on blows fuse F1 even all is OK. In my situation is charging current too big, that I had place NTC thermistor in a series with primary transformer side. I get them from old PC power supply, where it has identical function. Better idea is to use "soft start" circuit, which is made from big resistor on primary side of transformer and relay, which short-circuit resistor after few seconds. I didn't found any circuit which I liked it.
When the power supply works correctly, we can go to test amplifier. First we set trmmer P1 to one end position with maximum resistance. In to the fuse holders for one channel we place resistors 100R 1/4W. With disconnected output and input we can power-on amplifier. On the resistor we would measure maximally 2.5V, which matches current 25mA. If is everything allright, we wait for discharging after power-off and replace resistor with fuses. Initially for testing we can use smaller values. I had switched two wires from power transistors on one channel and resistors smokes and smells. Really is better to everything double check.
Now we must set the bias current. Use amperemeter in place of F2. Turn the trimmer P1, until is current 100mA. How amplifier warming-up current is changing. Regulate current value when it is stabilized, which can be after 15 minutes. Identical procedure repeat for second channel.
With disconnected input we can measure DC offset on the output. In my example I measured 19mV on left channel and 22mV on right channel.
Now we can made regular tests and connects speakers and signal source. I tested with connecting of the amplifier input directly on the output of soundcard. You must carefully increase volume, because amplifier has enough power to destroy small speakers.
Gallery
Heat sink
I couldn't find suitable heat sink for a long time. I found perfect profile at small vendor, but it was much shorter than I needed it. Finally I obtained contact on a company ALUPA, which has in their list aluminium profile which fits exactly for our amplifier. Profile has marking ZH-2476.
Transistors are attached this way: First I spread his inner side with a thin layer of silicon vaseline. Next I attached on them mica bed. Next I soldered two thicker wires long 10cm, attached a piece of shrinkage spaghetti and shrink with lighter. Wires to collectors must be longer for about 5cm. Next I spreaded mica bed from the other side too. Layer must be very thin, because vaseline tried to push out. Finally I gave transistor on his place on the heat sink, in to the holes I placed screw isolant, under one I gave solder eye with soldered thicker wire and I screw up M3 15mm screws. In to the heat sink I placed and solder up 4 diodes according to original document and I drop them with glue. I drilled a small holes in a corners of the heat sink and I made worm with a M3 screw-cutter. I placed 5mm M3 spacer leg. For better heat removal is good to place blacked heat sink vertically, but I was limited by space and technological possibilities. However I didn't see any problems with overheating.
Mechanical construction
In construction I comes again from original organization. I had available old casing from some device with height 12cm, width 48cm and depth 25cm. On the front panel is placed only power switch and four diodes. Two for positive and negative supply and two for clipping indicator of the left and right channel. Front panel from aluminium I polished, that now it looks almost like a mirror. On them is placed logo made from cuprextit and glued with both sides sealing tape. But it doesn't look much good.
Toroid transformer is placed in a center close to front panel far from electronics due to interference reason. He is attached with a bigger screw to base of the chassis. Nearby is central isolated ground point and bridge rectifier. Protective ground wire is connected from the power plug to the metal chassis. Ground from plug is not connected with a central amplifier ground for preventing ground loops and interference problems.
On the left and right side from the transformer are located filter capacitors placed vertically. Between them is longer screw with a female screw and plastic hose for preventing of wearing through capacitor insulation. On the top of the screw is placed bigger rubber pad with a female screw. Capacitors are binded together. Strong power wires are from one piece of wire and goes from rectifier over all filter capacitors to fuse holders. Maybe is better to connect all capacitors with same long wires to star, but I haven't idea how to do it mechanically. Identically is made second power line and groud line from central ground point.
Circuit boards are placed in a case vertically about 3cm from back side components backward. Originally i want to place boards with components to front, but it is much difficult to solder wires to boards. Circuit boards and transistors on heat sinks are placed mirrored that input of the amplifier has very short connection wires. Boards are placed on the longer distance legs. I hadn't them, that I used longer screws with female screws. Under two female screws I had to place insulation pads, because one of wires was too close screw. All ground wires are leaded independently to central ground point.
Back panel has on one side power plug connector and fuse holder. I made mistake here, because socket is in line with speaker connector, that can conflicts with speaker wires. Beside is speaker terminal and next heat sink of the right channel screwed with four screws on the distance legs. In the middle are two gilded input cinch connectors. They must be isolated from case! Next is heat sink of the left channel and again speaker connector. R50 and C25 are soldered directly on the speaker terminals. I founded only nickeled terminals not gilded, but they are enough massive for big power. TO3 bases or insulation covers are not available on our market.
Chassis wiring
On the circuit we can see connecting of individual components in a chassis. After power socket is connected EMI filter, which reduce interference between amplifier and neighbourhood. It can be seen in compact version in the power socket. In original amplifier I haven't them. In circuit is indicated which wires are thicker. Concrete component placing is seen on photos.
Clipping indicator
It's possible to build a clipping indicator like accesory for amplifier which detects amplifier limitation, when output transistors are fully opened and signal is cutted close to power supply voltage. In this case is acoustic signal distorted in a power amplifier. Circuit as usually is from authors pages. I redraw them in a Eagle and I designed circuit board for two channels. I added place for two LEDs for power supply voltage indicators. This board have small pads, which is not much good. Eagle has these pads too small in default state.
Schematics diagram
Circuit board
| number | name | value |
|---|---|---|
| 2x | Q1, Q3 | BC639 |
| 2x | Q2, Q4 | BC640 |
| 6x | D1-D6 | 1N4148 |
| 2x | LED1, LED2 | LED 2mm flat face, red |
| 2x | LED3, LED4 | LED 2mm flat face, green |
| 2x | C1, C2 | 10uF/100V |
| 4x | R1, R2, R8, R9 | 12k |
| 4x | R3, R4, R10, R11 | 16k |
| 4x | R5, R6, R12, R13 | 1k5 2W |
| 2x | R7, R14 | 220R |
| 2x | R15, R16 | 22k |
Testing
First we must to test power supply part. Fuses F2 to F5 we leave out and for sure we check again circuit of rectifier and capacitor polarity. a zkontrolujeme pro jistotu zapojení usměrňovače a polaritu kondenzátorů. Possible error can be fatal. If is all OK, that on capacitors will be voltage about 51V. Exact voltage depends on used transformer and power line voltage. After disconnecting will be voltage on capacitor for a long time. We can discharge them with a resistor 100R 2W. It's possible, that with power-on blows fuse F1 even all is OK. In my situation is charging current too big, that I had place NTC thermistor in a series with primary transformer side. I get them from old PC power supply, where it has identical function. Better idea is to use "soft start" circuit, which is made from big resistor on primary side of transformer and relay, which short-circuit resistor after few seconds. I didn't found any circuit which I liked it.
When the power supply works correctly, we can go to test amplifier. First we set trmmer P1 to one end position with maximum resistance. In to the fuse holders for one channel we place resistors 100R 1/4W. With disconnected output and input we can power-on amplifier. On the resistor we would measure maximally 2.5V, which matches current 25mA. If is everything allright, we wait for discharging after power-off and replace resistor with fuses. Initially for testing we can use smaller values. I had switched two wires from power transistors on one channel and resistors smokes and smells. Really is better to everything double check.
Now we must set the bias current. Use amperemeter in place of F2. Turn the trimmer P1, until is current 100mA. How amplifier warming-up current is changing. Regulate current value when it is stabilized, which can be after 15 minutes. Identical procedure repeat for second channel.
With disconnected input we can measure DC offset on the output. In my example I measured 19mV on left channel and 22mV on right channel.
Now we can made regular tests and connects speakers and signal source. I tested with connecting of the amplifier input directly on the output of soundcard. You must carefully increase volume, because amplifier has enough power to destroy small speakers.
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