DIY EAR 834P TRLH Phono Stage - Build Guide / Parts List

[BMP]

Yes, this is a breakout board and edges were filed clean prior to assembly.

[Drummerboy2]

Adding images for psi 3k overheating.

280VAC is too much cause you only need to set the Zener bank up for 285-290Vdc on the regulator, you should be able to get that with a lower AC Voltage from the secondary of 230-250VAC Transformer. It even shows on the PCB in you pic of the AC input line input from 230-280Vac. Plus wall AC can vary from 118VAC to 123Vac from what I see when monitoring the wall AC at my home which will raise the Voltage level at the transformer output. What Transformer are you using? Mine has been on for hours every day listening to the upgrades I have done and I have the choke installed as well but I'm using the Transformer that came with the unit when I bought it assembled and then started my upgrades. I did order a Antek with 250VAC secondary for the bare board kit I bought during covid but never got around to using it. Double check for shorts.

Update: I apologize for my error in the input AC voltage. It's 230-380, I misread it and thought it said 280 instead of 380.

[Drummerboy2]

could it be a ground loop generated by the potentiometer connections?
it is a 50K alps rk27 (the blue one.) the left and right channel screens are connected together both in input and output. The potentiometer is isolated from the chassis by Teflon tape. Is the assembly correct?

Just a heads up in case it hasn't been posted before, the seller assembled EAR 834P Clones have had some grounding issues so if you have bought one it good to double check the grounding scheme is correct.

I found on my One Zone two chassis seller assembled the one the PS PCB was not in the correct place, even though it may have worked it did cause some issue. I moved the main ground to the grounding point on the PS next to the big main caps, this fixed part 1 of the grounding issues. The yesterday as I was upgrading the POT I noticed the main ground on the Phono Preamp PCB was not tighten down when I went to loosen the not. I had a feeling there was another issue when I was troubleshooting the hum issues and it would get louder at times like something wasn't grounded correctly. So check these two point and and correct if needed and you will have a a very quiet hum free EAR Clone. I don't think it was bad assemble just maybe someone forgot to tighten fully, that was the only screw was loose. Other than these two issues it is a very well assembled unit.

Hope this helps

[Drummerboy2]

Just a heads up in case it hasn't been posted before, the seller assembled EAR 834P Clones have had some grounding issues so if you have bought one it good to double check the grounding scheme is correct.

I found on my One Zone two chassis seller assembled the one the PS PCB was not in the correct place, even though it may have worked it did cause some issue. I moved the main ground to the grounding point on the PS next to the big main caps, this fixed part 1 of the grounding issues. The yesterday as I was upgrading the POT I noticed the main ground on the Phono Preamp PCB was not tighten down when I went to loosen the not. I had a feeling there was another issue when I was troubleshooting the hum issues and it would get louder at times like something wasn't grounded correctly. So check these two point and and correct if needed and you will have a a very quiet hum free EAR Clone. I don't think it was bad assemble just maybe someone forgot to tighten fully, that was the only screw was loose. Other than these two issues it is a very well assembled unit.

Hope this helps

Also has anyone used this AC inlet filter with the Clone builds that already have the choke installed? Will the be overkill or even create issues?

[AlexK]

Hello ,
are the three golden capacitors on the left side of the PCB soldered in the right direction ? Here is a picture from my working power supply .
Kind regards , Alexander .

[dtroise]

The strip tells you the negative and the board tells you the negative, therefore verify it.

[AlexK]

The strip tells you the negative and the board tells you the negative, therefore verify it.

You mean me ? My board is working  .
Kind regards , Alexander .

[AlexK]

Hello ,
here a picture from the PCB without parts .
Kind regards and Happy Christmas and soldering days , Alexander .

[dtroise]

You mean me ? My board is working  .
Kind regards , Alexander .






No not you, I was referencing BMP on his problem, sorry for the confusion.

[AlexK]

No problem  .
Kind regards , Alexander .

[Drummerboy2]

Adding images for psi 3k overheating.

Did you ever find out what was going on with your PS for your Zhili PCB?

Let us know so we can help you out.

[Drummerboy2]

Also has anyone used this AC inlet filter with the Clone builds that already have the choke installed? Will the be overkill or even create issues?

I installed my RIAA Inverse Filter today to help speed up the break in process for my EAR Clone, I don't want to put unwanted hours on my my Cartridge if I don't have to.

As of last night my EAR clone really took a huge leap in sound, the clarity, depth, width, and ambience of the music is just awesome. Its the best I have had in my system to date and I had a very good Phono Preamp before this in the SPL Phonos.

[Drummerboy2]

I installed my RIAA Inverse Filter today to help speed up the break in process for my EAR Clone, I don't want to put unwanted hours on my my Cartridge if I don't have to.

As of last night my EAR clone really took a huge leap in sound, the clarity, depth, width, and ambience of the music is just awesome. Its the best I have had in my system to date and I had a very good Phono Preamp before this in the SPL Phonos.

OK, I finally pulled out my Chassis that I bought back when I first ordered the EAR 834P Zhili PCB kit, it's been in the shed for 3 years and today I pulled it out of the shed to start the Dry Run Fit with PCB layout and Transformer position. It' a good size and great build quality. I still may move the transformer outside but will try it inside the chassis first.

This will be an all out build, the EAR 834P clone I got a few months ago that I have done quite a bit of upgrades and mods has turned out so good, I decided to go ahead with what I had bought back during when covid first hit. As you can see there is plenty of room and height to this chassis and now I can use all the TOTL parts that I have order and will fit. Just don't know if I'm going to separate the Zhili pcb's or keep them together and if I want to place the Cinemag SUT inside the chassis. Too many components and I cab reduce 3 into one. As you can also see the Transformer with have a think cover to eliminate the stray fields that may induce hum. I ordered the Transformer from Antek.

I already have all the Rhodium Plated RCA connectors. Mogami wire, AC Inlet with EMI/RFI filtering, and Hi grade IEC Plug. Also will be adding some nice isolation feet to it when its all done and working correctly.

I have learned so much with the EAR clone I have upgraded that this "Should" go well without a hitch.

Any constructive feedback is welcomed.

[Drummerboy2]

OK, I finally pulled out my Chassis that I bought back when I first ordered the EAR 834P Zhili PCB kit, it's been in the shed for 3 years and today I pulled it out of the shed to start the Dry Run Fit with PCB layout and Transformer position. It' a good size and great build quality. I still may move the transformer outside but will try it inside the chassis first.

This will be an all out build, the EAR 834P clone I got a few months ago that I have done quite a bit of upgrades and mods has turned out so good, I decided to go ahead with what I had bought back during when covid first hit. As you can see there is plenty of room and height to this chassis and now I can use all the TOTL parts that I have order and will fit. Just don't know if I'm going to separate the Zhili pcb's or keep them together and if I want to place the Cinemag SUT inside the chassis. Too many components and I cab reduce 3 into one. As you can also see the Transformer with have a think cover to eliminate the stray fields that may induce hum. I ordered the Transformer from Antek.

I already have all the Rhodium Plated RCA connectors. Mogami wire, AC Inlet with EMI/RFI filtering, and Hi grade IEC Plug. Also will be adding some nice isolation feet to it when its all done and working correctly.

I have learned so much with the EAR clone I have upgraded that this "Should" go well without a hitch.

Any constructive feedback is welcomed.

Today a did a dry run to make sure all the main PS and Preamp board caps fit with no issue. I have to clean the pcb because the seller wrapped the bare Zhili pcb in regular plastic wrap and left marks on the traces where the plastic touched.   I also thinking of mounting the Transformer in a separate enclosure to reduce the vibration within the Main chassis.







After I clean the board up, I will start populating the pcb's with the diodes, Silver Mica, little caps and resistors bore I move on to the big main PS caps. On this build I think I will keep the two pcb's together and re-enforce the solder joints where the pcb's break apart.

[Drummerboy2]

Today a did a dry run to make sure all the main PS and Preamp board caps fit with no issue. I have to clean the pcb because the seller wrapped the bare Zhili pcb in regular plastic wrap and left marks on the traces where the plastic touched.   I also thinking of mounting the Transformer in a separate enclosure to reduce the vibration within the Main chassis.







After I clean the board up, I will start populating the pcb's with the diodes, Silver Mica, little caps and resistors bore I move on to the big main PS caps. On this build I think I will keep the two pcb's together and re-enforce the solder joints where the pcb's break apart.

Here is an update on my Final EAR 834P Build with mods and upgrades. Just waiting on the rest of the parts to come in today. It's about 95% done. Here is a pic.