Vacuum Tube
Balanced Input Amplifier

12AT7 Balanced Line Level Input Amplifier

The following circuit provides both a balanced and unbalanced input using a 12AT7 vacuum tube; balanced input is a high impedance bridging input. The first 12AT7 stage is used to provide signal inverting for one side of the balanced signal input. The other signal side does not use any active circuits prior to mixing the signals. The second 12AT7 stage is used to make up for lost gain plus provides an unbalanced input with 10dB more gain than the balanced input. This provides a balanced input with a 0dB input level and an unbalanced input with a −10dB input level.

Many professional balanced inputs and outputs are low impedance. This active high impedance input is considered a bridging input. Active means the use of an amplifying stage without the use of an input transformer. Bridging refers to placing one circuit over another. High impedance bridging inputs will work across either high or low impedance. The coupling capacitors and resistors must be the values indicated or else common mode rejection will be less effective. The two 1M resistors on the balanced input serve to allow input capacitors to charge and equalize potential. This helps reduce the static pop when a connector is plugged into the balanced input.

There is a component layout drawing provided for the amplifier circuits that can be used as a guideline or you can come up with your own layout. The component layout drawings are not to scale, use actual components as a template when drilling holes. Remember to space tube sockets and terminal strips so there is plenty of room to fit and wire capacitors and resistors without crowding everything. Tubing on component leads will help prevent the leads from shorting to other components.

Power supply requirements
High Voltage B+ Supply = +250VDC to +300VDC @ 4-mA
Filament voltage = 6.3VCT @ .3-amp
Stranded 22 AWG size wire can handle up to 7 amps of current and can be used for all wiring in this project including filament wiring.

Component List.
Double quantities for dual channel stereo.
(1) – 12AT7
(1) – 9 pin miniature tube socket
(1) – 1K ohm resistor ½ watt 5%
(1) – 33K ohm resistor ½ watt 5%
(1) – 51K ohm resistor ½ watt 5%
(8) – 100K ohm resistor ½ watt 5%
(2) – 150K ohm resistor ½ watt 5%
(1) – 470K ohm resistor ½ watt 5%
(2) – 1M ohm resistor ½ watt 5%
(1) – 50K potentiometer linear taper
(2) – .22uF 400VDC capacitor axial leads
(3) – .47uF 400VDC capacitor axial leads
(2) – Terminal strip, 3-terminal center terminal ground
(3) – Terminal strip, 5-terminal center terminal ground

NOTE: If you would like to save some room, the .47uF input capacitors C1 and C2 may be rated 100VDC.

ADJUSTING BALANCE NULL
Connect the two balanced signal inputs A and B together. Connect an unbalanced audio source between the balanced inputs (A and B tied together) and ground. The output of the second 12AT7 stage should be connected to a system so you can hear what you are doing. Power up the circuit and allow the tube to warm up for a few minutes. While playing the audio source adjust the balance null potentiometer for minimum audio out.

The balance null may need to be touched up as circuit components age.

OPERATING SPECIFICATIONS
Maximum input level balanced input = +30dB.
Maximum input level unbalanced input = +30dB.
Frequency response −1dB points = 20Hz and 20KHz.
Distortion @ +10dB out = less than 1% 20Hz to 20KHz.
Maximum output level, output loaded 100K = +30dB.

NOTE: This circuit works best with a 12AT7 vacuum tube. Using higher gain tubes such as a 12AX7 will result in null balancing to be more critical and the unbalanced input sensitivity will be increased to −15dB.