Raleigh Audio Line Stage Impedance and Gain
(version 2 Combo Input and version 2 Extreme Output)

The Line Stage has options for different gains, input impedances and output impedances.  The transformers are wired so traces can be cut and jumpers can be installed to change the transformer ratios, and thus the gain. Changes to the transformer ratios will give changes to the gain in 6dB steps. Linear changes to the gain within a 6dB step may be achieved by adjusting the ratio of the value of the series resistors (R1-R4) to the value of the potentiometer. Increasing the size of the series resistors decreases the gain. The value of the series resistors should not exceed one-half the value of the volume control, and the smaller the series resistor, the better.  Where it can be used, 5KΩ (+/- 10%) is a good value to use for the series resistors (R1-R4.) The “standard” version of the Line Stage has 8dB of gain, an input impedance of 10KΩ and an output impedance of 400 Ohms.

Combo Input Options

* The gain numbers above are in addition to a base of +26dB.
* The gain assumes that R1-R4 = max
Note 1: K&K refers to the custom RAKK dac stepped attenuator available from K&K Audio.

Extreme Output Options
 

* The gain numbers above are in addition to a base of +26dB.

Recommended Option Combinations
 

Note: The RAKK dac custom stepped attenuator is the preferred option for all gain choices where it is listed.

Wiring Changes

These wiring changes are for version 2.x Extreme Active Output boards and version 2.x Combo Input boards.

The transformers have been provided with wiring pads to facilitate manual wiring. The pads immediately adjacent to, on one or both sides, of each transformer pin are connected to the pin. I will call these pads “transformer pads.  An external trace is connected to another pad adjacent to the transformer pad. I will call these pads “external pads.” A transformer pad is connected to its external pad by a short trace that may be cut to separate an external trace from its transformer pin. Once this short trace is cut, the transformer pad and external pad may be connected to other transformer pads and external pads with jumper wires. In some cases on the Combo Input board, two transformer pads are directly connected together with a trace.

 All wiring changes should be performed on both channel’s transformers.

Wiring Change 1

 This wiring change is performed on the LL1674 transformers on the Extreme Active Output board. It will change the output transformer ratios from 4:1 to 8:1, thereby providing an additional 6dB of attenuation. 

1. Cut the trace between the transformer pad and external pad at pin 1.
2. Cut the trace between the transformer pad and external pad at pin 4.
3. Add a jumper wire between the transformer pad at pin 2 and the transformer pad at pin 4.
4. Add a jumper wire between the transformer pad at pin 1 and the transformer pad at pin 5.

Wiring Change 2

 This wiring change is performed on the LL1676 transformers on the Combo Input board. It will change the input transformer ratios from 1:1 to 2:1, thereby providing an additional 6dB of attenuation.                 

1. Cut the trace between transformer pad 6 and transformer pad 10.
2. Cut the trace between transformer pad 7 and transformer pad 9.
3. Add a jumper wire between the transformer pad at pin 6 and the transformer pad at pin 9.

Wiring Change 3

 This wiring change is performed on the LL1676 transformers on the Combo Input board. It will change the input transformer ratios from 1:1 to 1:2, thereby providing an additional 6dB of gain.                                

1. Cut the trace between transformer pad 6 and transformer pad 10.
2. Cut the trace between transformer pad 7 and transformer pad 9.
3. Cut the trace between the transformer pad and external pad at pin 2.
4. Cut the trace between the transformer pad and external pad at pin 5.
5. Cut the trace between the transformer pad and external pad at pin 7.
6. Cut the trace between the transformer pad and external pad at pin 10.
7. Add a jumper wire between the transformer pad at pin 2 and the external pad at pin 7.
8. Add a jumper wire between the transformer pad at pin 7 and the external pad at pin 2.
9. Add a jumper wire between the transformer pad at pin 5 and the external pad at pin 10.
10. Add a jumper wire between the transformer pad at pin 10 and the external pad at pin 5.
11. Add a jumper wire between the transformer pad at pin 6 and the transformer pad at pin 9.