Bipolar Transistor Power Amplifier Bible

I can't imagine a better book about push-pull, audio bipolar power
amplifiers. Self covers virtually every possible configuration with
circuits, notes, simulations and measurements. This book includes an
excellent chapter on power, heat and reliability based on many years
of design , manufacturing and field service. He is truly an expert in
all aspects of this amplifier topology.
He doesn't hide his disdain for MOSFETS, single-ended amplifiers and
other "subjectivist" high-end concerns. Contrary to the findings of
many others in this field, Self finds Total Harmonic Distortion the
only measurement of amplifier quality that matters. He isn't
convincing to this reviewer.

A "must have" book for anyone designing audio power amplifiers.

"Paul" wrote in message
om
Bipolar Transistor Power Amplifier Bible

Contrary to the findings of
many others in this field, Self finds Total Harmonic Distortion the
only measurement of amplifier quality that matters. He isn't
convincing to this reviewer.

Agreed. Either power output or source impedance are better predictors of the
sound quality of modern power amps.

who needs it?

transistors suck for audio as does all solid state

the best audio is from tubes

DUH!



"Paul" wrote in message
om...
Bipolar Transistor Power Amplifier Bible

I can't imagine a better book about push-pull, audio bipolar power
amplifiers. Self covers virtually every possible configuration with
circuits, notes, simulations and measurements. This book includes an
excellent chapter on power, heat and reliability based on many years
of design , manufacturing and field service. He is truly an expert in
all aspects of this amplifier topology.
He doesn't hide his disdain for MOSFETS, single-ended amplifiers and
other "subjectivist" high-end concerns. Contrary to the findings of
many others in this field, Self finds Total Harmonic Distortion the
only measurement of amplifier quality that matters. He isn't
convincing to this reviewer.

A "must have" book for anyone designing audio power amplifiers.

On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 10:35:10 -0500, "fire bottles"
wrote:

who needs it?

transistors suck for audio as does all solid state

the best audio is from tubes

DUH!

And where exactly do you find any sources of audio that haven't been
through any transistors? Still playing your 78s perhaps?

d
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com

"fire bottles" wrote in message


who needs it?

Anybody in the mainstream of audio who is seriously into power amps.

transistors suck for audio as does all solid state.

Here's a challenge. Provide us with an example of audio that was produced
and widely distributed in the last 20 years that did not pass through at
least one piece of solid state audio gear.

the best audio is from tubes

That's why just about everybody but a few noisy luddites stopped using them.

"Don Pearce" wrote in message


And where exactly do you find any sources of audio that haven't been
through any transistors? Still playing your 78s perhaps?

I suspect that most recordings made through the mid-60s were pretty much
free of contact with solid state audio devices. That includes a lot of LPs
that are probably still kicking around personal collections and thrift
stores.

On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 10:40:14 -0500, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:

"Don Pearce" wrote in message


And where exactly do you find any sources of audio that haven't been
through any transistors? Still playing your 78s perhaps?

I suspect that most recordings made through the mid-60s were pretty much
free of contact with solid state audio devices. That includes a lot of LPs
that are probably still kicking around personal collections and thrift
stores.

Wires, resistors, switches, capacitors, inductors - all solid state.
It is possible, of course to make electron or ion state equivalents
for most of them, but I'm not sure that even a valvophile would want
to try. I bet the sound would be heaps better if they did, though...

d
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com

fire bottles wrote:

who needs it?

transistors suck for audio as does all solid state

the best audio is from tubes

Idiot deaf person !


Graham

"Pooh Bear" wrote in message
...
transistors suck for audio as does all solid state
the best audio is from tubes

Idiot deaf person !

I have never seen a valve hearing aid, although I think some were made in
the forties or fifties. I bet he's glad he doesn't have to carry one of
those!
Yes he's an idiot, but welcome to his opinion.

TonyP.

Paul wrote:

Bipolar Transistor Power Amplifier Bible

snip

He doesn't hide his disdain for MOSFETS,...... and
other "subjectivist" high-end concerns. Contrary to the findings of
many others in this field, Self finds Total Harmonic Distortion the
only measurement of amplifier quality that matters. He isn't
convincing to this reviewer.

Doug Self appears to be a self ( lol ) opiniated self aggrandised bigot.

The best THD figures I've ever achieved from an amplifier was 0.0008% (
measured - AP residual was 0.0006% ) @ 350W into 8 ohms @ 1 kHz.

-102dB SINAD if you prefer.

It was a MOSFET amplifier ! Bipolars don't have much of a chance of even
coming close. So - let THD be the yardstick ! I don't care if it's
subjective that MOSFETs provide excellent performance - not least a
relative absence of odd-order distortion products.

Oh, that amp sounded *stunning* btw. As transparent as I've ever heard.
Has to do comparative listening tests at night to minimise extraneous
sound.


Graham

Pooh Bear said:

Oh, that amp sounded *stunning* btw. As transparent as I've ever heard.
Has to do comparative listening tests at night to minimise extraneous
sound.

"Prove it via a DBT/ABX test".
(Standard Arny Krueger non-answer when someone he disagrees with
states his subjective opinion on amplifier sound).

I already knew for years that MOSFETs, and especially the Hitachi
types, are excellent for use in audio amplifiers.

--
Sander de Waal
" SOA of a KT88? Sufficient. "

On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 17:46:07 +0100, Sander deWaal
wrote:

Pooh Bear said:

Oh, that amp sounded *stunning* btw. As transparent as I've ever heard.
Has to do comparative listening tests at night to minimise extraneous
sound.

"Prove it via a DBT/ABX test".
(Standard Arny Krueger non-answer when someone he disagrees with
states his subjective opinion on amplifier sound).

Actually, just a standard reality check for *anyone* making
extraordinary claims.

I already knew for years that MOSFETs, and especially the Hitachi
types, are excellent for use in audio amplifiers.

Sure, as are bipolar transistors, and even valves if you're good
enough and have the budget for top class transformers.
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

Stewart Pinkerton said:

"Prove it via a DBT/ABX test".
(Standard Arny Krueger non-answer when someone he disagrees with
states his subjective opinion on amplifier sound).

Actually, just a standard reality check for *anyone* making
extraordinary claims.

Graham's claim wasn't that extraordinary IMO.

I already knew for years that MOSFETs, and especially the Hitachi
types, are excellent for use in audio amplifiers.

Sure, as are bipolar transistors, and even valves if you're good
enough and have the budget for top class transformers.

You're so cute when you're sober :-)

--
Sander de Waal
" SOA of a KT88? Sufficient. "

Sander deWaal wrote:

Pooh Bear said:

Oh, that amp sounded *stunning* btw. As transparent as I've ever heard.
Has to do comparative listening tests at night to minimise extraneous
sound.

"Prove it via a DBT/ABX test".
(Standard Arny Krueger non-answer when someone he disagrees with
states his subjective opinion on amplifier sound).

I already knew for years that MOSFETs, and especially the Hitachi
types, are excellent for use in audio amplifiers.

They were indeed Hitachi devices. Quite a few of them in fact.


Graham

On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 13:54:03 -0500, George M. Middius
wrote:



Pukey said:

"Prove it via a DBT/ABX test".
(Standard Arny Krueger non-answer when someone he disagrees with
states his subjective opinion on amplifier sound).

Actually, just a standard reality check for *anyone* making
extraordinary claims.

Propaganda about 'borg propaganda, Pukey?

Such a challenge is a guided snot-missile that has nothing to do with
reality. You would know that if you weren't still trying to spoon out your
own liver and eat it for dinner.

Gorge, you wouldn't recognise reality if you fell over it on the
street. But we knew that already....................
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 19:56:05 +0100, Sander deWaal
wrote:

Stewart Pinkerton said:

"Prove it via a DBT/ABX test".
(Standard Arny Krueger non-answer when someone he disagrees with
states his subjective opinion on amplifier sound).

Actually, just a standard reality check for *anyone* making
extraordinary claims.

Graham's claim wasn't that extraordinary IMO.

Yes, but since your opinion is as valuable as a Turkish Lira, we won't
worry too much about it...............

I already knew for years that MOSFETs, and especially the Hitachi
types, are excellent for use in audio amplifiers.

Sure, as are bipolar transistors, and even valves if you're good
enough and have the budget for top class transformers.

You're so cute when you're sober :-)

I'm always cute, so the girls tell me :-)
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

(Paul) wrote in message . com...
Bipolar Transistor Power Amplifier Bible

I can't imagine a better book about push-pull, audio bipolar power
amplifiers. Self covers virtually every possible configuration with
circuits, notes, simulations and measurements. This book includes an
excellent chapter on power, heat and reliability based on many years
of design , manufacturing and field service. He is truly an expert in
all aspects of this amplifier topology.
He doesn't hide his disdain for MOSFETS, single-ended amplifiers and
other "subjectivist" high-end concerns. Contrary to the findings of
many others in this field, Self finds Total Harmonic Distortion the
only measurement of amplifier quality that matters. He isn't
convincing to this reviewer.

A "must have" book for anyone designing audio power amplifiers.

Does this bible include IC power amps? Below 100 Watts, is there any
reason to do it with discrete transistors these days? The MOSFET
designs I have looked at all required relatively high power supply
voltages, i.e. they were inefficient. A pair of LM3886's in bridge
mode seems like the way to go.

Stewart Drinkerton said:

Actually, just a standard reality check for *anyone* making
extraordinary claims.

Graham's claim wasn't that extraordinary IMO.

Yes, but since your opinion is as valuable as a Turkish Lira, we won't
worry too much about it...............

Just wait a few years, they'll use Euros by then :-)

You're so cute when you're sober :-)

I'm always cute, so the girls tell me :-)

Next time you ask, leave the Aston Martin keys in the drawer. :-)

--
Sander de Waal
" SOA of a KT88? Sufficient. "

"fire bottles" wrote in message
...
who needs it?

transistors suck for audio as does all solid state

the best audio is from tubes

DUH!

It's silly to argue technology like this. Any technology is only as good as
the engineer that implements it. I've heard great audio from TUBEs, MOSFETs
and BJTs.

Pooh Bear wrote in message ...
fire bottles wrote:

who needs it?

transistors suck for audio as does all solid state

the best audio is from tubes

Idiot deaf person !


Graham

Ha! Ha! You fed the troll!

On 14 Nov 2004 13:38:07 -0800, (Detector195)
wrote:

(Paul) wrote in message . com...
Bipolar Transistor Power Amplifier Bible

I can't imagine a better book about push-pull, audio bipolar power
amplifiers. Self covers virtually every possible configuration with
circuits, notes, simulations and measurements. This book includes an
excellent chapter on power, heat and reliability based on many years
of design , manufacturing and field service. He is truly an expert in
all aspects of this amplifier topology.
He doesn't hide his disdain for MOSFETS, single-ended amplifiers and
other "subjectivist" high-end concerns. Contrary to the findings of
many others in this field, Self finds Total Harmonic Distortion the
only measurement of amplifier quality that matters. He isn't
convincing to this reviewer.

A "must have" book for anyone designing audio power amplifiers.

Does this bible include IC power amps? Below 100 Watts, is there any
reason to do it with discrete transistors these days? The MOSFET
designs I have looked at all required relatively high power supply
voltages, i.e. they were inefficient. A pair of LM3886's in bridge
mode seems like the way to go.

Not if you want to drive low-impedance speakers, it's not........

Even in standard mode, it's only a 40-watt amp with relatively poor
current capability.
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
...
"TonyP" wrote in message
I have never seen a valve hearing aid, although I think some were
made in the forties or fifties. I bet he's glad he doesn't have to
carry one of those!

There definately were tubed hearing aids.
http://www.cs.uu.nl/~gerard/RadioCor...ts/BlaOmni.htm
Note the use of subminiature wire-base tubes.
http://www.lhh.org/archives/hamuseum.htm
http://www.fishbeinhearingaids.com/h...id_history.htm
http://www.roger-russell.com/sonopg/sonoha.htm
http://dept.kent.edu/hearingaidmuseum/development.html
http://www.hearingcenteronline.com/museum.shtml
http://www.ccent.com/PHS/history.html

http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/bae/research...k/otherproject
s/2000/cochlear_00/lizotte/electricaids.html
http://www.uwm.edu/~bobtreat/messages/30.shtml


Impressive search you have done there Arny, there are an awful lot of people
who would say valves are not better in that application though :-)

TonyP.

"TonyP" wrote in message

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
...
"TonyP" wrote in message
I have never seen a valve hearing aid, although I think some were
made in the forties or fifties. I bet he's glad he doesn't have to
carry one of those!

There definately were tubed hearing aids.
http://www.cs.uu.nl/~gerard/RadioCor...ts/BlaOmni.htm
Note the use of subminiature wire-base tubes.
http://www.lhh.org/archives/hamuseum.htm
http://www.fishbeinhearingaids.com/h...id_history.htm
http://www.roger-russell.com/sonopg/sonoha.htm
http://dept.kent.edu/hearingaidmuseum/development.html
http://www.hearingcenteronline.com/museum.shtml
http://www.ccent.com/PHS/history.html

http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/bae/research...k/otherproject
s/2000/cochlear_00/lizotte/electricaids.html
http://www.uwm.edu/~bobtreat/messages/30.shtml

Impressive search you have done there Arny, there are an awful lot of
people who would say valves are not better in that application though
:-)

No doubt. Those were definately the dark ages of assistance for the
hearing-impaired. Other than guitar amps and the like, its hard to imagine a
valid reason to struggle with the well-known limitations of tubes in modern
audio systems.

"Detector195" wrote in message
om


Does this bible include IC power amps?

I doubt it. There's not a lot of technology in hooking up a modern chip amp.
Self's writings are typically about refined technology.

Below 100 Watts, is there any
reason to do it with discrete transistors these days?

As Pinkie points out, the chip amps are not necessarily the best solution
for low impedance loads. If you are impressed by THD numbers with lots of
leading zeroes, chip amps rate only mediocre.

If you look at what people are actually selling for after-market car audio,
other than very low-powered stuff, you still see a lot of discrete
transistor designs at power levels that look on paper like they are
well-covered by these chips.

OTOH, chip amps dominate OEM car audio which is genearlly limited to amps
running off rail voltages limited by car batteries and charging systems.

If you lift the covers on mid-fi receivers, you may see a lot of power
chips, but in many cases they turn out to be only the output devices for the
power amp sections.

The MOSFET
designs I have looked at all required relatively high power supply
voltages, i.e. they were inefficient. A pair of LM3886's in bridge
mode seems like the way to go.

They would seem to only go so far. They may turn out to be more costly than
discrete amps built in places where labor is still cheap.

"Paul Dormer" wrote in message


"Stewart Pinkerton" emitted :

"Sander deWaal" wrote in message
m

"Prove it via a DBT/ABX test".
(Standard Arny Krueger non-answer when someone he disagrees with
states his subjective opinion on amplifier sound).

Actually, the purported quote has only been uttered by one Sander DeWaal,
according to google. I've never said it myself. S

Actually, just a standard reality check for *anyone* making
extraordinary claims.

Exactly, and if the comparison involved one the therminonic audible
distortion and noise generators that DeWall wants to stuff down all of our
throats as having superior reproduction of music, there would be IMO no need
for a DBT. Take music, add audible noise, add audible distortion, and why
wouldn't there be an audible difference?

That argument has been debunked a gazillion times.

Since the purported argument is a fabrication of the tortured mind of Sander
deWall, I've got no problems with that sort of characterization.

Even your mentor
Jim Johnston never subscribed to the idea that consumers are compelled
to gouge out their visual organs.

Nor have I. But deWall's mentor George Middius has suggested that be the
case.

"Arny Krueger" said:

"Paul Dormer" wrote in message


"Stewart Pinkerton" emitted :

"Sander deWaal" wrote in message
om

"Prove it via a DBT/ABX test".
(Standard Arny Krueger non-answer when someone he disagrees with
states his subjective opinion on amplifier sound).

Actually, the purported quote has only been uttered by one Sander DeWaal,
according to google. I've never said it myself. S

Actually, just a standard reality check for *anyone* making
extraordinary claims.

Exactly, and if the comparison involved one the therminonic audible
distortion and noise generators that DeWall wants to stuff down all of our
throats as having superior reproduction of music, there would be IMO no need
for a DBT. Take music, add audible noise, add audible distortion, and why
wouldn't there be an audible difference?

That argument has been debunked a gazillion times.

Since the purported argument is a fabrication of the tortured mind of Sander
deWall, I've got no problems with that sort of characterization.

Even your mentor
Jim Johnston never subscribed to the idea that consumers are compelled
to gouge out their visual organs.

Nor have I. But deWall's mentor George Middius has suggested that be the
case.

Who's this DeWall guy you're talking about?

;-)

--
Sander de Waal
" SOA of a KT88? Sufficient. "

Detector195 wrote:

(Paul) wrote in message . com...
Bipolar Transistor Power Amplifier Bible

I can't imagine a better book about push-pull, audio bipolar power
amplifiers. Self covers virtually every possible configuration with
circuits, notes, simulations and measurements. This book includes an
excellent chapter on power, heat and reliability based on many years
of design , manufacturing and field service. He is truly an expert in
all aspects of this amplifier topology.
He doesn't hide his disdain for MOSFETS, single-ended amplifiers and
other "subjectivist" high-end concerns. Contrary to the findings of
many others in this field, Self finds Total Harmonic Distortion the
only measurement of amplifier quality that matters. He isn't
convincing to this reviewer.

A "must have" book for anyone designing audio power amplifiers.

Does this bible include IC power amps? Below 100 Watts, is there any
reason to do it with discrete transistors these days? The MOSFET
designs I have looked at all required relatively high power supply
voltages, i.e. they were inefficient. A pair of LM3886's in bridge
mode seems like the way to go.

The Mosfet designs simply need a decent drive voltage for their enhancement mode output devices. This can be
done by running the previous voltage gain stage off a slightly higher voltage than the mail rails at mere
milliamps. It has other benefits too - such as avoiding saturating the drivers and results in lower Miller
capacitance effects in the drivers.


Graham

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 16:57:41 +0000, Paul Dormer
wrote:

"Stewart Pinkerton" emitted :

I'm always cute, so the girls tell me :-)

That's highly implausible. Since when was Rab C Nesbitt cute?

Never, but I'm much more Sean Connery............. :-)
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 00:18:31 +0000, Pooh Bear
wrote:


Detector195 wrote:

(Paul) wrote in message . com...
Bipolar Transistor Power Amplifier Bible

I can't imagine a better book about push-pull, audio bipolar power
amplifiers. Self covers virtually every possible configuration with
circuits, notes, simulations and measurements. This book includes an
excellent chapter on power, heat and reliability based on many years
of design , manufacturing and field service. He is truly an expert in
all aspects of this amplifier topology.
He doesn't hide his disdain for MOSFETS, single-ended amplifiers and
other "subjectivist" high-end concerns. Contrary to the findings of
many others in this field, Self finds Total Harmonic Distortion the
only measurement of amplifier quality that matters. He isn't
convincing to this reviewer.

A "must have" book for anyone designing audio power amplifiers.

Does this bible include IC power amps? Below 100 Watts, is there any
reason to do it with discrete transistors these days? The MOSFET
designs I have looked at all required relatively high power supply
voltages, i.e. they were inefficient. A pair of LM3886's in bridge
mode seems like the way to go.

The Mosfet designs simply need a decent drive voltage for their enhancement mode output devices. This can be
done by running the previous voltage gain stage off a slightly higher voltage than the mail rails at mere
milliamps. It has other benefits too - such as avoiding saturating the drivers and results in lower Miller
capacitance effects in the drivers.

Indeed so, and I recall designing just such an amplifier in the late
'70s. Worked pretty well, and had less than 0.1% IMD up to 90kHz. The
multiple rails would probably prove too expensive for a commercial
unit, however.
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message

the best audio is from tubes

That's why just about everybody but a few noisy luddites stopped using
them.

Recorded music is just crap. Live or nothing !

geoff

"Detector195" wrote in message

Does this bible include IC power amps? Below 100 Watts, is there any
reason to do it with discrete transistors these days? The MOSFET
designs I have looked at all required relatively high power supply
voltages, i.e. they were inefficient. A pair of LM3886's in bridge
mode seems like the way to go.

Seems to be pretty standard in most of the active speakers made in teh last
ten years, for tweeters.

geoff

Stewart Pinkerton said:

The Mosfet designs simply need a decent drive voltage for their enhancement mode output devices. This can be
done by running the previous voltage gain stage off a slightly higher voltage than the mail rails at mere
milliamps. It has other benefits too - such as avoiding saturating the drivers and results in lower Miller
capacitance effects in the drivers.

Indeed so, and I recall designing just such an amplifier in the late
'70s. Worked pretty well, and had less than 0.1% IMD up to 90kHz. The
multiple rails would probably prove too expensive for a commercial
unit, however.

Why not? Most NADs using soft clipping have multiple supply rails.
And you can't accuse NAD for being expensive.......

--
Sander de Waal
" SOA of a KT88? Sufficient. "

Stewart Pinkerton wrote:

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 00:18:31 +0000, Pooh Bear
wrote:

Detector195 wrote:

(Paul) wrote in message . com...
Bipolar Transistor Power Amplifier Bible

I can't imagine a better book about push-pull, audio bipolar power
amplifiers. Self covers virtually every possible configuration with
circuits, notes, simulations and measurements. This book includes an
excellent chapter on power, heat and reliability based on many years
of design , manufacturing and field service. He is truly an expert in
all aspects of this amplifier topology.
He doesn't hide his disdain for MOSFETS, single-ended amplifiers and
other "subjectivist" high-end concerns. Contrary to the findings of
many others in this field, Self finds Total Harmonic Distortion the
only measurement of amplifier quality that matters. He isn't
convincing to this reviewer.

A "must have" book for anyone designing audio power amplifiers.

Does this bible include IC power amps? Below 100 Watts, is there any
reason to do it with discrete transistors these days? The MOSFET
designs I have looked at all required relatively high power supply
voltages, i.e. they were inefficient. A pair of LM3886's in bridge
mode seems like the way to go.

The Mosfet designs simply need a decent drive voltage for their enhancement mode output devices. This can be
done by running the previous voltage gain stage off a slightly higher voltage than the mail rails at mere
milliamps. It has other benefits too - such as avoiding saturating the drivers and results in lower Miller
capacitance effects in the drivers.

Indeed so, and I recall designing just such an amplifier in the late
'70s. Worked pretty well, and had less than 0.1% IMD up to 90kHz. The
multiple rails would probably prove too expensive for a commercial
unit, however.

My designs using this method have gone into production in the pro-audio sector. It just involves a few more small
gauge turns on the power TX, a small bridge and some small caps.

Yes, it costs extra but it's the only sensible way to drive mosfets. Look at it like this - you get more watts
out for the same main supply rail voltage way more economically than increasing the main rails. Total cost / watt
is probably actually lower. Less dissipation in the output devices too.

I've used the technique for bipolar designs as well.


Graham

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 20:10:45 +0000, Paul Dormer
wrote:

"Stewart Pinkerton" emitted :

I'm always cute, so the girls tell me :-)

That's highly implausible. Since when was Rab C Nesbitt cute?

Never, but I'm much more Sean Connery............. :-)

Me too!

At least.. I'm hankering after a DB9.. :-)

OK, I take back every bad thing I may ever have said about you. Anyone
who loves the DB9 can't be all bad! :-)
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 20:33:26 +0000, Pooh Bear
wrote:

Stewart Pinkerton wrote:

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 00:18:31 +0000, Pooh Bear
wrote:

Detector195 wrote:

(Paul) wrote in message . com...
Bipolar Transistor Power Amplifier Bible

I can't imagine a better book about push-pull, audio bipolar power
amplifiers. Self covers virtually every possible configuration with
circuits, notes, simulations and measurements. This book includes an
excellent chapter on power, heat and reliability based on many years
of design , manufacturing and field service. He is truly an expert in
all aspects of this amplifier topology.
He doesn't hide his disdain for MOSFETS, single-ended amplifiers and
other "subjectivist" high-end concerns. Contrary to the findings of
many others in this field, Self finds Total Harmonic Distortion the
only measurement of amplifier quality that matters. He isn't
convincing to this reviewer.

A "must have" book for anyone designing audio power amplifiers.

Does this bible include IC power amps? Below 100 Watts, is there any
reason to do it with discrete transistors these days? The MOSFET
designs I have looked at all required relatively high power supply
voltages, i.e. they were inefficient. A pair of LM3886's in bridge
mode seems like the way to go.

The Mosfet designs simply need a decent drive voltage for their enhancement mode output devices. This can be
done by running the previous voltage gain stage off a slightly higher voltage than the mail rails at mere
milliamps. It has other benefits too - such as avoiding saturating the drivers and results in lower Miller
capacitance effects in the drivers.

Indeed so, and I recall designing just such an amplifier in the late
'70s. Worked pretty well, and had less than 0.1% IMD up to 90kHz. The
multiple rails would probably prove too expensive for a commercial
unit, however.

My designs using this method have gone into production in the pro-audio sector. It just involves a few more small
gauge turns on the power TX, a small bridge and some small caps.

Good point, that seems an excellent cost-effective solution.
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

"Stewart Pinkerton" wrote in message

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 20:10:45 +0000, Paul Dormer
wrote:

"Stewart Pinkerton" emitted :

I'm always cute, so the girls tell me :-)

That's highly implausible. Since when was Rab C Nesbitt cute?

Never, but I'm much more Sean Connery............. :-)

Me too!

At least.. I'm hankering after a DB9.. :-)

OK, I take back every bad thing I may ever have said about you. Anyone
who loves the DB9 can't be all bad! :-)

About as close to owning a DB9 that Dormer will ever get is a serial port.

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 18:18:00 -0500, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:

"Stewart Pinkerton" wrote in message

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 20:10:45 +0000, Paul Dormer
wrote:

"Stewart Pinkerton" emitted :

I'm always cute, so the girls tell me :-)

That's highly implausible. Since when was Rab C Nesbitt cute?

Never, but I'm much more Sean Connery............. :-)

Me too!

At least.. I'm hankering after a DB9.. :-)

OK, I take back every bad thing I may ever have said about you. Anyone
who loves the DB9 can't be all bad! :-)

About as close to owning a DB9 that Dormer will ever get is a serial port.

LOL - good lateral thinking! :-)
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Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering