MKC3 voltage (answered)

[Anonymous]

Since the MKC3 doesn’t have the MAX1044 voltage doubler, I’m thinking about raising the supply voltage.

Would it be possible to raise the input voltage to 24V (I don’t see a reason why it shouldn’t)? And do you think the sound would benefit from this?

[Barry]

Since this is an easy as well as subjective test your only concern is that Capacitor voltages meet your needs. That said let us know what you think after your tests.

[Cybercow]

I’m with Barry in the concern for the capacitor voltage ratings. I’d ensure they were all rated for at least 35v; preferably 50v.

[Anonymous]

So a voltage doubler  to take it to 18v can be used with this pedal Barry ,will try with 9v first ,caps are are well over voltage rating

[Barry]

You can have a go but that is not how the 1044 works in the Klon.

Ultimately it might sound different but not for the reason you think.

In a real Klon 9v is used in the first stages of the circuit (input buffer and op-amp amplifier) and 18V is used in the last stages of the circuit to allow “more headroom”. In our experience however you are just creating more headroom space in a circuit that already has plenty of headroom to begin with making it really moot and we have put ours up against a Real Klon and there is not a discernible difference to our ears switching between them which is why we removed it from the circuit since the 1044 chip is finicky and if you use the wrong one introduces noise.

Finally since we did not add headroom, upon headroom you can now use our Ultra Gain Mod to switch between stock and a higher gain version of the circuit.

At the end of the day there will be stories of sniffing corks and slew rates but there is a huge amount of dynamics and rich harmonics to be found in our version of the circuit. Considering guitar pedals are not high end audio gear I am certainly satisfied.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Barry I  haven’t  finished it yet but will be adding  the ultra gain mod  was thinking of the madbean doubler or a veroboard with 7660S just for curiosity

[Author]

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