High-End Tube Amplifier Design: A Toolbox for Audio Lovers and Engineers

Publisher Information

This is an Elektor Publication. Elektor is the media brand of Elektor International Media B.V.

PO Box 11, NL-6114-ZG Susteren, The Netherlands

Phone: +31 46 4389444

Editor: Jan Buiting, MA

Prepress Production: D-Vision, Julian van den Berg

Printers: Ipskamp, Enschede, The Netherlands

Elektor is a leading source of technical information and electronics products for engineers and designers. Visit www.elektormagazine.com for more.

ISBN: 978-3-89576-684-8 (Print), 978-3-89576-685-5 (eBook)

Book Structure Overview

Chapter 0: "In Lieu of an Introduction"

I. Units
II. Some Numerical Values and Mathematics
III. Waveforms
IV. Ohm's Law

Chapter 1: Elementary Acoustics

1.1 Sound
1.2 The Loudspeaker
1.3 Required output power of an audio amplifier for listening to music at home
1.4 Conclusion

Chapter 2: Passive Electronic Components

2.1 R RESISTORS

2.1.1 Types of resistors
2.1.2 Axial and Radial Resistors
2.1.3 Standard Resistor Values
2.1.4 Resistor Color Codes
2.1.5 Potentiometers

2.2 C CAPACITORS

2.2.1 Types of Capacitors

Chapter 3: Fundamentals of Vacuum Tubes

3.1 VACUUM TUBES (BASICs)
3.2 TRIODE CHARACTERISTICS
3.3 TRIODE PARAMETERS (μ, S, Ri)
3.4 AMPLIFYING EFFECT OF THE TRIODE
3.4.1 VOLTAGE AMPLIFICATION
3.5 WORKING POINT (QUIESCENT POINT) AND WORKING (LOAD) LINE
3.6 COMPLETE AMPLIFICATION MECHANISM
3.7 BIAS
3.8 PRECAUTIONS WHEN DETERMINING THE OPERATING CONDITIONS OF THE TUBE
3.9 AMPLIFIER CLASSES OF OPERATION
3.10 AMPLIFIER DISTORTION TYPES
3.10.1 HARMONIC DISTORTION
3.10.2 HARMONIC DISTORTION -- GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
3.10.3 NON-HARMONIC DISTORTION
3.10.4 LINEAR (AMPLITUDE; FREQUENCY) DISTORTION
3.11 European Tube Designation Code

Chapter 4: Vacuum Tube Electronic Circuits

4.1 GROUNDED CATHODE (anode follower)
4.2 GROUNDED-ANODE (cathode follower)
4.3 GROUNDED-GRID
4.4 CASCODE
4.5 SRPP (Shunt Regulated Push-Pull)
4.6 THE μ FOLLOWER
4.7 DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIER
4.8 CATHODYNE PHASE INVERTER (CONCERTINA INVERTER)
4.9 MULTI-STAGE AUDIO FREQUENCY AMPLIFIERS
4.9.2 PASSIVE RC FILTERS
4.10 SINGLE-ENDED OUTPUT AMPLIFIER CONFIGURATION
4.10.1 SINGLE ENDED TRIODE OUTPUT STAGE - LOAD LINE DESIGN
4.10.2 Examples of Triode Single Ended Output stage Load Lines
4.10.2.1 Single Ended output stage using directly heated triode 300B (Western Electric)
4.10.2.2 Single-Ended output stage: EL34 power pentode connected as triode-triode mode
4.10.2.3 Single-Ended output stage: KT88 power beam tetrode connected as triode-triode mode
4.10.3 SINGLE-ENDED PENTODE AND TETRODE OUTPUT STAGE
4.10.3.1 Single-Ended output stage: EL84 (6BQ5) medium power pentode
4.10.3.2 Single-Ended output stage: EL34 power pentode
4.10.3.3 Single Ended power beam tetrode output stage
4.11 PUSH-PULL Output stage configuration
4.11.1 TRIODE CLASS A PUSH-PULL Output stage GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
4.11.2 PENTODE and BEAM TETRODE PUSH-PULL Output stage
4.11.3 CLASS-AB PUSH-PULL Output stage
4.11.4 ULTRA LINEAR MODE PUSH-PULL Output Stage

Chapter 5: Transformers

5.0 TRANSFORMERS
5.1 TRANSFORMERS – BASIC (ELEMENTARY)
5.2 MAGNETIC CORE
5.3 Some general parameters used to design transformers:
5.4 THE OUTPUT TRANSFORMER
5.5 CALCULATION OF SINGLE-ENDED OUTPUT TRANSFORMER
5.6 PUSH-PULL OUTPUT TRANSFORMER CALCULATIONS
5.7 POWER SUPPLY TRANSFORMERS
5.8 CHOKES

Chapter 6: Power Supply Considerations

6.0 THE POWER SUPPLY
6.1 HALF - WAVE RECTIFIER (WITH CAPACITOR)
6.2 FULL - WAVE RECTIFIER (WITH CAPACITOR)
6.3 FULL-WAVE RECTIFIER WITH INPUT INDUCTANCE AND CAPACITOR AS FILTER - L FILTER
6.4 HALF-WAVE RECTIFIER WITH C-L-C OR π FILTER
6.5 FULL - WAVE RECTIFIER WITH C L C OR π FILTER
6.6 BRIDGE RECTIFIER
6.7 REGULATED HIGH-VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLIES
6.7.1 HIGH-VOLTAGE ADJUSTABLE POWER SUPPLY - MAIDA TYPE

Chapter 7: In Practice

7.0 PRACTICAL POWER AMPLIFIER DESIGN

Chapter 8: Measurement and Testing

Introduction Note
Index

	Vanderveen Trans Tube Amplifiers by Menno van der Veen - Technical Guide A technical guide exploring the design, principles, and analysis of Vanderveen Trans tube amplifiers, authored by Menno van der Veen and published by Elektor. Covers circuit design, performance, and historical context.
	High-End Tube Amplifiers: Theory, Practice, and Construction A comprehensive guide to building and understanding high-end tube amplifiers, covering theoretical concepts, practical circuit designs, component selection, and measurement techniques. Features detailed explanations of various amplifier classes, power supplies, and preamplifiers.
	Elektor Special Project: Röhren 1 - December 2005 Table of Contents Table of contents for Elektor Special Project Röhren 1, a December 2005 publication focusing on High-End Hi-Fi Technology with Tubes. Covers fundamentals, practical projects, and technical aspects of audio tubes, including articles on passive components, transformers, triodes, amplifiers, and tube operation.
	Designing and Building Tube Amplifiers: A Comprehensive Guide A detailed guide covering the design, construction, and measurement of tube amplifiers, including topics on power, frequency response, distortion, and subjective listening. This document explores various amplifier circuits, components, and their impact on sound quality.
	High-End Tube Amplifiers: New Theories for New Solutions Explore new theories and solutions for high-end tube amplifiers. This book delves into the characteristics of vacuum tubes, output transformers, and various amplifier configurations, offering insights for both DIY enthusiasts and those seeking to deepen their understanding of audio electronics.
	Designing Tube Amplifiers: A Comprehensive Guide This document provides a detailed guide to designing and understanding tube amplifiers, covering topics from fundamental principles and measurements to practical construction and business considerations. It explores subjective perception versus objective measurements, circuit analysis, and the nuances of audio reproduction.
	Elektor Special: Tube Amplifiers and Electronics - A Comprehensive Guide Explore the world of tube amplifiers and electronics with Elektor Special. This guide covers technical insights, practical applications, new developments in tube technology, and in-depth comparisons of components like the 300B tube. Features articles on line preamplifiers, KT 120 power amplifiers, electronic volume controls, active antennas, and wobbulators.
	Audio Circuits: Preamplifiers, Power Amplifiers, and Other Projects A collection of articles from Elektor magazine detailing DIY audio electronics projects, including preamplifiers, power amplifiers, and various audio accessories. Features practical build guides and technical explanations.

High-End Tube Amplifier Design