Carlbuilt 400HD vs C400 vs CM400

[TimmyTheTorch]

I have a bone stock Radioddity QT60 Pro I currently use as a base, along with a Carlbuit 200HDC (2 years old, driven by <= 35 watts PEP), Powermax PM4-120 amp power supply and a horizontally mounted Maco M104C antenna and V5/8 above it with the ground plane radials removed. This setup works great, at least until squirrels have at the coax again.

I have an Anytone Q5 NII I am setting up and am looking at getting another Carlbuilt amp, this time a 400 series. It'll still be mainly used for SSB and probably have the upgraded C transistors. I can't decide between a 400HD, a C400 or CM400, but am leaning towards the C400 or CM400 but I don't know why I would choose one over the other. The latter two look the same to me except one uses a 2290 as the driver and the other uses a 2879. I don't know how important this is. Variable power would be nice, but is not critical at all. I can (under)drive the 400HD with the Anytone turned up to 11 (Spinal Tap scale, equals about 50 watts PEP I think), or turn it down and use the C400 or CM400.

It's important to me that the signal sounds very clean and does not splatter all over the place. Will audio coming from a C400 or CM400 that are both 1x4 sound as clean as the 400HD just being driven by the radio? It's probably a dumb question, but it's in line with my knowledge of transistors.

Do you think the 400HD or C400 or CM400 is the way to go for this?

** EDIT ** Just for clarity sake, Carlbuilt amps have a build option for SSB bias/delay. My 200HDC has this SSB bias, and any new amp I get will as well.

Here are the base amp specs from the Carlbuilt site:

My current ride. If the 400 ends up working out, I will probably downsize and sell the 200HDC.

 

[Lost Ram]

They all say Class C in your post. Non of those will be clean for SSB.

 

[sp5it]

Here are the base amp specs from the Carlbuilt site:

View attachment 77496

All of above are C-class splatter boxes, good for FM only.
Those builders still didn't learn how to build proper SSB/AM amplifiers?
Mike

 

[BC Coyote]

None of those are the way to go. As the other posters have noted they are all unfiltered class C amps and will sound awful, especially on SSB, as well as being splatterboxes.
You want class A/B bias so it sounds nice and clean, and you want a filter so you're not radiating crap all up and down the band. Even RM Italy has amps that do that, so not sure why you would spend a small fortune on a Carl Built splatterbox!

 

[AudioShockwav]

Actually Carl does build biased amps, you just have to check the box for it at the time of purchase.
And I do agree
You should run bias for SSB if you want to keep it clean..
With those radios I don't think you need a driver transistor, but I never liked amps with built in drivers anyway

73
Jeff

 

[TimmyTheTorch]

I don't know what to tell you. My class C Carlbuilt 200HDC (as pictured in the original post) has been fantastic on SSB. Nothing but good reports on voice clarity and signal strength. I did have the SSB bias included when I bought this amp, and any new amp I get would include the same SSB bias option.

Maybe I just got lucky in that mine works great on SSB, or everyone else is unlucky that theirs sucks on SSB.

 

[AudioShockwav]

I don't know what to tell you. My class C Carlbuilt 200HDC (as pictured in the original post) has been fantastic on SSB. Nothing but good reports on voice clarity and signal strength. I did have the SSB bias included when I bought this amp, and any new amp I get would include the same SSB bias option.

Maybe I just got lucky in that mine works great on SSB, or everyone else is unlucky that theirs sucks on SSB.

View attachment 77511

View attachment 77512

When they added bias,then, well, It's biased, and that means it's no longer class C.
Anyway that's good for SSB.

73
Jeff

 

[nomadradio]

For sideband stay away from built-in drivers. Stick with as many transistors in one stage as you can afford and drive them directly from the radio. And yeah, you need bias. Sideband audio quality is unforgiving about amplifier drive level. Staying around 2/3 throttle compared to an amplifier's AM performance will always sound smoother.

73

 

[AudioShockwav]

Staying around 2/3 throttle compared to an amplifier's AM performance will always sound smoother.

I Agree
I have a TS 500 that has lived a very long life, I run it at 350/360 watts out and I get compliments on the audio on the air.
Seems to be the sweet spot for 4 Toshiba transistors.

73
Jeff

 

[9C1Driver]

You do not want the C400 or the CM400, they both have a driver final in the amp and would be considered a 1x4 amplifier. Those are usually considered low drive amplifiers. The 400HD is a straight 4 pill and will work better with many different radio's. (your Anytone radio's will do great with the 400HD)

Pay attention to what you are buying and if you plan on running SSB. Class C amplifiers are not intended for SSB use and tend to sound crunchy. A class C amp is THE EXACT definition of a splatter box when driven hard.

Carl has a SSB option where he builds the amp as class B operation. Class AB would be preferred for SSB but his class B amplifiers work very well on SSB. I would think your current 200HD would be set up as class B but I don't know what you ordered.

Another suggestion is you don't have to drive the snot out of an amplifier to make it work and sound good. 35 watts PEP is hitting that 200HD plenty hard, for longevity I would back that down some. (yes I know his web site says up to 50 peak input)

 

[Lost Ram]

I don't know what to tell you. My class C Carlbuilt 200HDC (as pictured in the original post) has been fantastic on SSB. Nothing but good reports on voice clarity and signal strength. I did have the SSB bias included when I bought this amp, and any new amp I get would include the same SSB bias option.

Maybe I just got lucky in that mine works great on SSB, or everyone else is unlucky that theirs sucks on SSB.

View attachment 77511

View attachment 77512

OK, thats the better options, the other info you sent was just class C. I personally would skip the C transistor upgrade, I find the regular HG's to be a bit sturdier. Also, dont drive it hard on SSB as the HG's dont like that. Stick around 6-8 watts PEP per transistor, so a 4 pill would only need 24-32 watts PEP drive for SSB and it will last and perform great. Make sure you keep the fan and vents clear and clean of dust and obstructions.