Detail of the 5KΩ resistor in series with the.kω resistor as they appear in the Upgraded amp in location R. Detail of the.7ηf in series with the 0KΩ carbon comp resistor as they appear in the Upgraded amp to the left of the tone potentiometer. VOX ACtv Mercury Studio-Pro Upgrade Kit
VOX ACtv Mercury Studio-Pro Upgrade Kit For the VOX ACtv PCB version / ISSb / 0--09 Shielded jumper from new /6 passthrough hole (solders to far left terminal of pot) to stand-off. See Figure 8 to see how it connects to the underside of the board. Shielded jumper from C6 (left connector) to pin of V FRONT TAG TAG7 TAG8 FS TAG0 TAG R7 Q R Q CON C6 Q R6 R R0 FS TAG TAG6 VR FS = T6.AL.50V FS = T5mAL/50V 680ρF - 500V silver mica coupling from stand-off to R (upper hole) (see Figure 6 for layout) Figure 5 UPGRADING THE MAIN PCB NOTE: THESE DIAGRAMS ARE NOT PRECISELY TO SCALE 7 C R 6 8 5 9 R6 C C VR V C8 R5 CAUTION: REPLACE FUSES ONLY WITH SAME TYPE AND RATING ATTENTION: UTILISER UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE MEME TYPE.07µF - 00V mylar coupling from stand-off to R9 (lower leg) (see Figure 6 for layout) Description: See the next page for more detailed instructions on how the components connect to the Stand-Off. R R0 C0 C C5 R9 C8 C7 R8 R9 µf - 5V electrolytic into C6 (note polarity) 7 6 8 C6 9 C7 INPUT JACK 5 V JS C FB R R C5 R5 R8 C6 C R R R C C SG R Stock ACTV www.voxamps.com VOX ACTV PCB version / ISSb / 0--09 7ρF - 500V silver mica coupling from stand-off to R (upper leg) Note added shielding (see Figure 6 for layout) Schematics drawn and supplied by (88) 998-779 Version: 0--
Figure 6 Stand-off Connections Detail Schematics drawn and supplied by (88) 998-779 Version: 0-- Stand-off 680ρF silver mica coupling from Stand-off to pin of V Polarity note: Cap label faces towards the fuses. Solder into the upper hole of R MAIN PCB EL8 SOCKET.07µF mylar coupling from Stand-off to lower leg of R9 Polarity note: Cap label faces towards the pots. 68KΩ resistor at R9 (blue, grey, orange, gold) 7ρF silver mica coupling from Stand-off to upper leg of R Polarity note: Cap label faces towards the pots. EL8 SOCKET Add shielding to the cap s lead 00KΩ resistor at R (brown, black, yellow, gold) VR Shielded jumper from custom /6 passthrough hole (soldered to far left pin of of Volume pot) to Stand-off LABEL SIDE C6 Shielded jumper from C6 (left) to Pin of V socket 7 6 8 9 EL8 SOCKET 5 V Stand-off LABEL SIDE LABEL SIDE.07µF mylar coupling from Stand-off to lower leg of R9 R9 68KΩ resistor at R9 (blue, grey, orange, gold) 7ρF silver mica coupling from Stand-off to upper leg of R 00KΩ resistor at R (brown, black, yellow, gold) OVERVIEW 680ρF silver mica coupling from Stand-off to pin of V LABEL SIDE R Add shielding to the cap s lead R Use the illustrations on this page as a guide to building the connections to the Stand-off. Steps are cross-sectional giving the ideal layouts of the three s. Step shows you an isolated overview of the Main PCB with ONLY the related connections to the Stand-off on the Main PCB. VOX ACtv Mercury Studio-Pro Upgrade Kit
Detail of the Stand-off component cluster on the Upgraded amp. VOX ACtv Mercury Studio-Pro Upgrade Kit
VOX ACtv Mercury Studio-Pro Upgrade Kit 5 For the VOX ACtv PCB version / ISSb / 0--09 Capacitor Values: µf = micro-farad ρf = pico-farad ηf = nano-farad 7KΩ resistor (yellow, violet, orange, gold) into R0 (top) and R (bottom) See illustration below 0µF - 50V electrolytic into R0 (top) across to R0 (bottom) (note polarity) See illustration below FRONT 70KΩ resistor (yellow, violet, yellow, gold) into R0 (top) across to left leg of TAG6. See illustration below TAG FS TAG7 TAG8 TAG0 STEP STEP STEP STEP R R0 R R0 R R0 R R0 TAG R7 Q R Q CON C6 Q R6 R R0 FS VR FS = T6.AL.50V FS = T5mAL/50V TAG TAG6 0µF - 50V electrolytic (see back of PCB for instructions) (note polarity) Figure 7 UPGRADING THE MAIN PCB 7 C NOTE: THESE DIAGRAMS ARE NOT PRECISELY TO SCALE R 6 8 5 9 R6 C C VR V 7µF - 50V electrolytic (see back of PCB for instructions) (note polarity) C8 C C5 R5 CAUTION: REPLACE FUSES ONLY WITH SAME TYPE AND RATING ATTENTION: UTILISER UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE MEME TYPE R R0 C0 R9 µf - 50V electrolytic into C (see back of PCB for instructions) (note polarity) C8 C7 R8 R9 7 6 8 C6 9 C7 INPUT JACK 5 V JS C FB R R C5 R5 R8 C6 C R R R C C SG R Stock ACTV www.voxamps.com VOX ACTV PCB version / ISSb / 0--09 Description: Note the polarity of these s. See the next page for how these s connect to the underside of the Main PCB. Schematics drawn and supplied by (88) 998-779 Version: 0--
6 VOX ACtv Mercury Studio-Pro Upgrade Kit For the VOX ACtv PCB version / ISSb / 0--09 BACK Stand-off lock-washer & nut Figure 8 UPGRADING THE MAIN PCB NOTE: THESE DIAGRAMS ARE NOT PRECISELY TO SCALE Location of µf electrolytic (lower hole is the negative lead connection) Location of 7µF electrolytic (lower hole is the negative lead connection) Location of 0µF electrolytic (left hole is the negative lead connection) Jumper from upper board to the Stand-off (note to jumper the lead to the volume pot s terminal as indicated here) Jumper from upper board to pin of V s tube socket Note: You may need to make trace repairs, or extend leads by soldering them onto revealed traces, etc. See appendices for tips and tricks for working with traces. Stock ACTV www.voxamps.com VOX ACTV PCB version / ISSb / 0--09 Schematics drawn and supplied by (88) 998-779 Version: 06--0
Important Note: These jumpers have been removed. Do not be confused by the whites printed line on the PCB! Reference photos: Shows front and back of a Main PCB with the completed upgrade, ready to reinstall in the ACtv chassis. VOX ACtv Mercury Studio-Pro Upgrade Kit 7
In the final sequence (Figures 9 thru ) you ll be reassembling your amp. Use the illustrations and notes to guide you through the procedure. Here s an overview of the steps: Triple-check your modifications. If you have any questions the time to get them answered is now. Call Mercury if you are in doubt about anything. First, bolt in the transformers and the Mini-Choke. Bolt down the grounding leads. Solder the output transformer s blue lead to the OP Level Switch PCB (as shown). Apply Loctite 90 (green) to the retaining nut heads of the transformers, Mini- Choke and the chassis grounds. Now, solder the two brown Mini-Choke leads into place on the Main PCB so that they pass over all the other components. Then, pass the LED s leads between the ON/OFF switch terminals and under the OP Level Switch PCB s wires, soldering its leads into place onto the Main PCB. The Main PCB is now bolted onto the chassis (do not use Loctite, yet) until the amp has been tested (you may have to pull the board to make adjustments or repairs). Use the retaining nuts to temporarily bolt on the Volume, Tone and Input Jack. Clip the following leads to the Main PCB. Output transformer s yellow & black leads.. Power transformer s red & black leads, being sure to tightly twist the twin white leads before connecting. Twisting these wires substantially reduces amp noise. Position all leads as high off the Main PCB and as close to the power transformer as possible. th SEQUENCE Inspect the illustrations to ensure that all other connections from the power transformer and the I.E.C. (AC cord) are in place. Replace the tubes and attach the tube retainers. If you have a combo amp, connect the speaker leads. If you have a head, connect a 6W speaker. DO NOT BYPASS THIS STEP! After triple-checking your assembly, connect the amp s power to a Variac, or even better, a variable AC power supply, and with a current metter ready follow the testing/start-up proceedure as outlined in this manual s appendix. Debug if necessary and repeat this process until you are satisfied that the Upgraded amp is working correctly. When the amp is working to your satisfaction use the cable ties (supplied) to group and hold the various wires away from the Main PCB (especially the tubes they ll melt the leads!). In particular, gather up the red, black, double-white and blue leads tying them as close to the Power transformer as possible. See final photographs for examples. Apply Loctite 90 (green) to the two retaining bolts and screws of the Main PCB. Reassemble the chassis into the case. If you own a combo, attach the black speaker wire to the unmarked negative terminal and the white speaker wire to the + (positive) terminal on the speaker. Apply the Mercury metal place to properly I.D. your Mercury Upgraded VOX ACtv. And you are done! 8 VOX ACtv Mercury Studio-Pro Upgrade Kit
Figure 9 Re-assembly Part : Preparation for the final assembly. Ensure that these leads are in place. Your chassis should look like this. INDICATOR LAMP Plugs into UPPER connector of switch ON/OFF OP LEVEL MAINS INPUT (I.E.C.) & FUSE OUTPUT JACK To speaker Note: ferrite ring is not necessary (combo only) CHASSIS Schematics drawn and supplied by (88) 998-779 Version: 0--0 VOX ACtv Mercury Studio-Pro Upgrade Kit 9
Figure 0a Re-assembly Part : Start by installing the power transformer. It s a little trickier to bolt down than the output. Install the output transformer and choke as shown. Connect the indicated ground leads. And solder the output s blue lead into TAG of the OP Level Switch PCB. See the next page for a detail of the OP Level Switch PCB. On the 0V version of the PT this lead is BROWN. ALIGN HERE Mini-Choke butts up against the chassis frame and is aligned to the Power transformer s core MINI-CHOKE ON/OFF OP LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP TO CON Black from PT plugs into LOWER connector of switch Black from I.E.C. plugs into UPPER connector of switch BLUE to TAG of the OP LEVEL PCB TO CUSTOM LOCATION INTO TAG OR INTO TAG 6 INTO TAG INTO TAG OR INTO TAG 7 INTO TAG 8 OR 0 INTO TAG 8 OR 0 POWER TRANSFORMER VXO-AC-95 MAINS INPUT (I.E.C.) & FUSE OUTPUT JACK NOTE: On the 0V version of the PT this lead is BLUE. (88) 998-779 Version: 0-- OUTPUT TRANSFORMER CHASSIS 0 VOX ACtv Mercury Studio-Pro Upgrade Kit