PART IL NEW POWER AMP MODULES the DC-102 is a DC-coupled power amplifier, with output power de- termined by the number of devices, the heatsink, and the power supply. With three pairs of TO-3P output MOSFETs, it can deliver more than 100W into 80 ‘with less than 0.01% total harmonic dis- lortion (THD) across the audio range. ‘Typical output power into 40 is 150W. Iftheload impedanceisless than 40, use the full complement of five pairs of out- puldevices and reduce thevutput-staze supply voltage to40V for reduced qui- escent power dissipation. By Emo Borbely Contributing Editor Circuit Judge The driver circuit (Fig. 9) is an im proved version of the IXC-100, The original input FETs, the NPDS566 and ‘AHL5020CJ, are not truly complemen- tary devices, Although they perform satistactorily as simple followers, they cannot offer optimum performance in ‘terms of linearity, offset, and noise. Re- placing them with the Tos 25K240/25)75 or the 28K380/5}109 is rot possible because of these devices’ higher input capacitance, which causes instability and high-frequency distor tion, The solution is tu connect a second FET in eascode, which reduces the input capacitance to a very small value. (The DC-102's input capacitance is 5.3pE, which also includes tack capacitances on the PC board) Since these devices are complementary, they also improve linearity across the entie ancio range T kept the input stage Lias voltage at 420V; however, it is now supplied by IIM317T/LM337T regulators rather than the dual-transistor current source and the string of 5.1V zener diodes. This signifi cantly reduces the amplifiers coat With we-102 BBO An FIGURE 9: DC-102 power amplifier driver board 20 The Audio Amateur 4/93out affecting DC stability. The zener i- cles D3 and D4 are unnecessary if the supply voltage is less than #55V. Asmall hheatsink placed on regulators QS and ‘Gib will improve temperature stability Further improvement is offered by 26\1210/26C2912, the new sccond stage transistors (or 6 1407/2SC3601) These high-frequency video devices ave very low collector-base capaci tance which reduces high frequency distortion. Helinearity is very good to approximately 20mA collector current, ‘and the TO-126 package allows easy heatsinking. If you have the 28K216/25179 driver FETs on the hoard, with all four devices mounted on the siunple heatsink, the lemperature willbe too high. In this case, use a wider alumi: rum and maunt small finned heatsinks under the MOSFET drivers. Due ospace limitations [added only standard [M317T/1M337T regulators (Q?5and O24) to theboard to supply the driver circuit with £45-55V regulated voltage. The raw supply voltage must bbe 5-10V higher than this. You can set ‘the output voltage either with resistors, as indicated on the schematic, or with a string of zener diodes replacing R43/R46, At these high voltages, the regulators. are not short-circuit pro- tected. They will fall if the maximum input-output voltage difference (40¥) is exceeded due to a short circuit on the Thoard, If you do not need them, omit their associated components and place 4 shorting wire between each regula- tor’s input and output pin. You can ntild your own regulator for the driver board. Depending upon your preference, this can be ether a Boak- oF Ryan-type (Kit Ryan, "A Power Supply Regulatar Hor the Adcom GKA-39," TAA 4/89, p. 34). Using the Servo-50's discrete regulator s an off board regu- lator is another possibilty. The stuffing guides, both with and without drivers, and driver board lay- outs are offered through TAA (see Re- sources box). Use the stuffing guide with the driver MOSFETs mounted on theboard with the output stage stuffing {guides from Past This versionis also a drop-in replacement for the DC-100,us- ing 10.3 metal-can transistors. Mount- ing the driver MOSFETs ou the output board is the preferred method. In summary, the EB-1091/117 driver board can be used with either the 25K135/25)50 ur 25K175/25)55 melal- can MOSFETs, a8 wellas witha number of TO.SP devices. In any case, keep the distance between board and devices at a minimum, preferably less than 2’. Us- ing the EB-091/109 or 110 boards also allows you to mount the 25K216/25]79 drivers on the main heatsink with the output devices. (Refer to the discussion of MOSFETs in Part 1) ‘The DC-102's open-loop gain is typi- cally ahout #148, and the open-loop fre- quency response 1s 2kHz. You can decrease the former by connecting a 100k resistor from the collector of G18. and (220 (both sides of the bias circuit) to ground. This reduces the gain to ap- proximately 72dB and increases the fre- quency response to nearly 20kHz. These resistors are accommodated for on the layout. SinceThave been unabletueitiver measure or hear any difference using, thom, I have not included them on the schematic or stutting guide. Power Supply The transformer should he 400VA. or larger. Regardless of whether you use the regulators on the driver board or an off-board discrete regulator, youshould tise separate windings for the driver (2 x 46V RMS/200mA) and output stages (2 +<38-40V RM5/5A). The outputatage iter capacitors should be a minimum ALOOME/75V, and UKE TWOY for the Griver stage. Both supplies must be TABLES DRIVER BOARD PARTS LIST PAN DESCRIPLION Paar DESCRIPTION Certcitore CESCRPTION RS Rieebavnsriiscoyee) BRE Biv amer Wot purest uy Fi 0p SP, PS y2Sceosttie Ps) Se an ae eae Gha.ezt Oayeneovee mo 5th oye at a7 tocar, As Rar atm 20s pare sea) D8 5V mn CH 7, 10,1 IOFRVTA mo TotW rane a fb.20 OAyFOnV Ra, wo zc rae, i ‘trot geen a {pF PS aie) fe ‘Skinttan coma Si Sgr PPPs Semdconauctors a xo 25400501154) 2158 TOMBE ROE EAR (ign iasy) BARE ana Se Seeo7SI IS - {OHO0/ seers cam devine a) Resistors Ge wa a 1H Gn 18 erg g 10 oe ue Hm tiedander 1508 in) me ‘em ae scsroReL en £89" odanozd pete) iia 2st, 2250175) ESE a.48 12,100 co Seatac Fase eat, 2 (100mm <26rm 2-26: 1516 1, (aos 28H, aera 1B obtener awe SOE a8 anew Sesor Ae ann 2 pte neta tne Ws Ro 2k oitate ast eee ea ee Rm 0 ae Grrr epi, 6 (at cmc, emi ann Oe thea ks epee i and pone cameo. mae 2% Gis «Beato zent4or Rint Tax am —_seasrascieo! mie a ipso py gestovensmseae) na tem cz heen 50 ost a Seat & Rew Sk 14 fr repute eh) Pott ce {oAPrV ROE ER HSI 282508 gan win showin) §—-0.2——N824 caren deae uisirr ‘iterodened pd) Ema ora coe date wast my xt ‘Red ce de SRV ser AW may tak Noto: resistors 06/1 moa in, ROE M2 or mar ule atharuiza nots. The Audio Amateur 4/93 21aang? ee FIGURE 4 Proposed grounded at the same point (eg, at the PGND of the driver board, or a star- ground point elsewhere). Figure 10 shows a typical wiring diagram for a DC “Umonoblock using a dual supply. 7 EB-391/109 Fjme Baga Bs oof Sti scan 1 ee om oe) ing diagram for monablack with dual power supply You can also use ane supply for both the driver and output stages. You can sun themeither froma high-curcent regulated supply of $50-55V DC or from a common, high.current regulator mina of the same output voltage. In both cases, omit the regulator-assoctated ‘components onthe driver board. A typi- calwiring diagram or single-supply ss- age is shown in Fig. 71 If you use larger than 20,000uF ca- ppacitors for the output, install a slow turn-on circuit to protect the rectifier bridges/diodes (and to avoid blowing yourhouse fuses every time you switch ‘on your amp). [also recommend using a DC sensing/ protection circuit at the amplifier’s output. Although the plus and animus fuses should protect your load, you can accidentally installamuch smaller fuseon one side. When this fuse blows, the output sitting at the other supply voltage mightdestroy yourspeak- ers, This can also happen ifa component Contd on page 25. ER_a91/110 (ron xsi FIGURE 11; Proposed wing iagram for monoblock wih singe supp 22 The Audio Amateur 4/93 EB 1091/117 (vot bam To scar)2NSS61 (NPN) 25K26 Neat (DR) PSNR. aNoI P3006 (SPX) gleaTHODE, MPSAS6 (PNP) eskeos rein /2sAi407 23K1630 2ecenie /260360: FIGURE unless oterwise note. {Continued fram page 22 fails. Remember, amplifiers can deliver high currents into very low impedances Set-Up Procedure You should invest in a variable trans former (VARIAC—S00VA. should be adequate), as it can save you some ex- pensive vutput devices not W mention the aggravation of replacing blown transistors and other components. Ba- fore turning on the mains, place FS in its maximum resistance positionand P2 in midposition. If you have an 8Toad resistor with a minimum rating of SOW, connect it to the output. Connect the minus atu plus inputs to the signal ground at the input, Remove one of the ‘output stage supply fuses and connect an ammeter set to 0.5 or 1A across it. If you have a scope and a DC voltmeter, ‘connect both to the output. Turn on the maine very slowly nsing the VARIAC ‘The measured current should not ex- ceed a few hundred milliamps, and the DC voltage at the output should stay close to 0V. ‘Connect the DC voltmeter across re- sistor RS (or R25) and check the voltage drop. It should be approximately 2.2V, far as mitch as 7'7V if you arp using the J508 current diode. Reconnect the DC voltmeter to the output and, with P2, adjust the DC offeet to OV. When using high-bias output transistors which are completely off, you might have prob- lems with this, so momentarily leave the offset and adjust the bias. Adjust it in- itially to approximately 500mA. moni toring dhe curcent Uirvuph the vulput transistors with the ammeter. Now re 2: Pin configuration for devices used in DC-102. All devices are shown bottom view Laer Laser? tum to the DC offset and adjust it as close as possible to OV with P2, With the basic DC adjustments com- plete, remove the short from the plus in- putand connecta 1kHiz/05V RMS signal toit Tumontheamplfierand observe the output with a scope. It should be an un- distorted sine wave, without high-fre- ‘quency oscillation. If you have a THD analyzer, perform the usual measure- ‘ments at diferent frequencies. Once the amp is running properly, ‘youcanconnectitto yoursystem. To get the best sound, you must experiment with the bias. Assuming that you are using large heatsinks, adjust it to 100 250mA per pair of output devices. Mini ‘mum total quicscent current should be 500mA. Ifyou use 250mA per pair, with three pairs of output devices and a sup- ply voltage of 455V, the quiescent power dissipation will be in excess of 80W. This will require a heatsink with a 0.25-03°C/W thermal resistance at 25°C ambient temperature, The SK56 heatsink is sufficient for approximately SOW discipation. I recommend using a thermal breaker witha cut-out tempera- ture of around 70°C on the heatsink. | Loudspeaker Protection Nearly all seniconcductor power ampli fiers use plus/minus supplics and are DC-coupled tothe loudspeaker. While advantageous in terms of sound qual- | aut be dauygerous for your speakers. If you accidentally insert « | Iowevalue fise in one of the supply lines and itblows, the output wil ikely | travel lo the other supply vollage. The Continued on page 27 | Aupio CLassics, Liv. feeaaecaa ae eet cig S149a, Mod 31068, Premiers $9485; eee Roosz0 sizes, NCbassaK $379. CD Processors: Arcam Jetta Black Box $225 Darost erase: Kreis Supagx 1499 Brossovers: Audio Researen 22! Seba gts Mintesn G04 4148 MOG? ‘Audio Research STec $009: BSI esate $555: Gite Sea tn, comadjoiowan PF 729, Kel xB s2669,KSL S490, Keer EVg ak ty coat cob Sah frdoy Can sabe, fsa Moa aS ebrt38. ‘9u0-Two $198, SAESDOUA $208, Shure shy Lae Ca fe a Mpc teanatta lcs Eels ee cue tee Oy Gazi Thorens TDrasi1 $290. FREE ‘The Audio Amateur 4/93 25Audio Amateur Back Issues continued 1986 secre Turtle Spot ost «Cabo ready and Stra TV «Baty Peary (Pat 2) «Tres Charl Sto « 20N Cana A Arp» Sold ase Roly Power Cons ioxinseurerion an « Vacarn Tune Prine Pat) Oo Amps for CD Payers « Yamaha D2 Mas + Heft DH100 Mas « Sigal ter « Borel ovig Cal Prearo Pat)» SiOW MOSFET Ponet ‘Ap Pai)» Dy FM Mod «Foqungy Mir « Ged boat Ress « LDB7 saro' Neng Cal Pasnp (Pat 2) Daa Roads Monel Splany’ Pesta « 00 MOSFET Powe Ar Pa» Wideband Powe’ Sup «np Lg Syelana 1081 Araya » Conracore (Pats 2) «Dit Tape pd Dear» Pe Ge odin Uda « Growbar Paton Powe Sp. a» Pets Rave Thor» Varun Tbs Pir Pat | 2) The Nauro of Sod Pa 1, 2) « Te Ao: Gel PAS Preamp «Vanum Tse Heder Regular 4 Ml Task» 0D Ply Ou Dla Peds ‘naan Oscloscoe Lara at «Powe Susy Instr « Cone Here M10 ABD Dion TesiBoxe ABB poose-t: PriipsMagnavox CD Meds (Pats ,2)¢AusoPome Mae» Ne ul «Phat ShutRepor«OscosineUnrade Part 2)» 40 IE MOSEETPonr Ap « Aad tom Cen Pree Se» Somes For Swlich' Stcion Ae fap Tin Care He D0 He «Bat Dare To ad « MOSFET roe) Nomavox 1-31 Mods» A Suge Pre AG Mao Sabine Contr Programa Spor Vara Cam iis LBD to99 0 Payer Conte « DCA Tube MOSFET 50W/Ghaei Pars, 2) «Car MOSTCT Amp (Patz) Magn Proano Ned »UrecNodsoramnvax | EDR S60CD Payer MubloneDietoron siren | (Pats 1,2) « Tae Gairaion Oscar + Sine CO | Outpt im « AC Sersing Cote! « Opt! Gain Conta ‘hoary « Ford Auto Elodronce Upgrade « Design Seppe Vole Contos « fet Mogravox CO Payers Upat « Fealoward Ener Caealton« Dyna PATA Redesign « ADCOM OFA Power Sup Regula « 199 0s Pram Pats 1,2) « Toosamns Restraion cyssy Pars 1,2) «ABicegy of Mase « High Paromanoe dog Ciety fr CO Flyers» Un- orang IAA Caves «Mu one itorton Measure trent (Pat 3) « Powar Pro Fasaly Uw Prous « Hct Cowes 1-150 Praag «Autry Paceron + sarod Une Dsign « Auto Erginooing Coro + ‘Single Cun Tracer (Pat) Bulb aD Level Cool 1 Parl Aci Regulators « rrp Proceon Cat 1991 improve tre C08-680's OAC + Balancing ‘arp «tin iar RIAA Cat «Silene Tet {Periz} Darton Nie» CectsiteHasiphone rp ' Reno Conv. Volmaaares Sytem + Stel Braap: The Moles» Hea 1672 Sra ave Gare a+ Grau Lops Revised Pse Cole Cable 1 Sapp tramr fr Baad Aad Brg «Ne Gente Peary (Pa §)» IR erie Dave w grove "You Power Sua « Bld a Video Test Genera U9DZ satvoged 350 Power Arp « Now Cool Preamp (Pan 2) + Conraloa Power Conatoner« POOCE:S DACA) Rin of Psteag Parts 12) «Bul anAWogtng Fito» Sale Soler «Balancing er ‘onal Cres» Blanotnack Deena] Auda Project ‘MOSFET Dyta ST 120 Med . Pots: Encopeltod Med des + Bukd Be ATS Powe: Amp (Pat 1) « Arisieck “Turtle rade « High-Oulty AM fom Cal Rado Continued fam page 25 resulting current flow may besutficlent tokill the speaker. Similarly, ifone side of the outputstage blows up and shorts the output fo the supply fine, the 1X voltage might damage the speaker. Toweron and powerdown can also cause problems. The DC voltages inside amplifiers change in discrete steps during, the power supply ramp up and down, causing DC thumps at the output AF though these are not usually harmful to the speakers they are annoying, ‘These problems can besolvedby insert ingarelay between hepowerampoutput and the spoakor. At power-on, therelay is not energized and the speaker is not con- nected to theamplifer. Aftera predefined delay, the relay turns on and the amp ‘works normally. Fa DC voltage occurs at the output the relay turns off and the speaker disconnects, [DC Protection and Delay Circuit The delay circuit (Fig. 13), as suggested by Jean-Claude Gaertner, is built around the well-known 585 timer (Qt) The time delay is defined hy P2+ R14 and capacitor C5. With the values shown, it can be set between six and twelve seconds; a reasonable delay is approximately fen seconds. Ityou wish toallow more time before the speakers are connected, you can inerease the P2 + RM value and/or capacitor C5. RIS and C4, connected to the trigger pin (Pin2),simulateareset pulse and allow the timer to start counting. Pin 5 is decoupled through a 0.1uF/100 co- ramic capacitor. ‘The relays are connected between out- putin 3 and the positivesupply.For this circuit, [am using two relays in parallel order to cope with high-current/high- power amplifiers; however, the contacts are connected in antiparallel to minimize recifying effects. A groen LED, which is connected across the relays. can be ‘mounted on the front panel to indicate proper power amp operation. QIA/QIB (a dual, FET-input op amp) i$ configured as a double-sided "window" detector. QUD's positive ine put i connected fo a reference voltage ‘of approximately 42V, while QUAs negative input is referenced to - 2V. ‘QDs negative input and QLA’s posi tive input are connected to form the DC sensing inpot Both outputs will he posi- tive, and both level-shifting transistors QZ and Q3 will be off, provided the DC inputis within the "window" defined by the +2V/-2V references, When the 1X input moves outside the "window," ether output will change to ~12V, pulling current through the resistor chain R7-R8. Q2/Q3 turn on, and Pins 6/7 and timer Pin 2 are pulled to OV through D7/D8. This resets the timer and therelays disconnect the speaker from the amplifier. When the DC offsets removed from the input the op amp outputreturns tw +12V and Q2/QS tum off. The timer can now resume counting and, after the predefined delay therelays willswitchon the speaker. Your power amp output has audio signals which must be removed from the input ofthe DC sensing circuit This 4s done with a single-pole RC network consisting of RI and C1-C2, You ust select the ~34B point low cnough to avoid triggering the circuit by low-fre- quency audio signals, but not 50 low thatthe circuit is tv slow. Ifyou select ‘uF for Cl, the circuit will activate at 50H2 with 100W into80—unacceptable inmost applications. With 6 8uF.Imeas- tured full power down to 10Hz without ‘triggering the circuit. With C1 oqual to approximately 11)F (two 22)F caps in series), the-34B pointisatO.15H4zand full power is available down to ST lz. When Resources For This Article Pace cot he flowing compari for ping and oer tomato ass: (lt Colony Sound Lab, PO Box 29, Dept A88, Pterborough NH E3438, (03) $24827, (603) S24 G52; FAX (02 8245457 (24 hour) 1 PC bards ony Doss component: ‘Sav (eea9i25) Derm (eBtcovitn OuiptwiheutOriers (EB 261110), DcPratecton (eisai) Welborne Labs, 871 E. Garden Dx, PO Box 28098, Liteon CO 80126-0198; (203 4706585; FAX (09) 701-7056. {Infomation about the Mii Sano ard tte 0C-60 2 Pb an NineSere (coanats) Le Oapitwin bnvers(£8-82711) Oueutwth riers (EB-204/05) oes (esas) Dorbely Aut, Melchior Fanger Strasse 34, ‘zam> Nev-icing, Federal Kepublc of many 1440-0105 5204; FAX O14 40-0105.21605 (2a ours 1. PC boards andor ts: ‘othe above except n-Seno, le Ogu and C150 For thse interested fbi the cun bar, pints ofl boa pats and stung ques are ‘raat on request Please senda" 12 rarila SAGE wih poeta for? oz (ntmatonl rade please nce posta coupons to. TAA PO Bux378 Bg ES, Phe, NH OSESB.OSTS. ‘The Audio Amateur 4/93 27FIGURE 13: Delay and DC protection circuit (EB-192/132). you drive the amp with 2Fiz at full power, the cizcuit stays permanently shut down, If you wish to prevent sub- sonic signals trom reaching your speak- ers, uy increasing the ~3dB point. Di and D2 serve to prevent the caps from charging to a very high voltage, Which would take a long time to dis- charge. More importantly, they protect the op amp inputs by preventing the input voltage from cither rising above the +12V or below the~12V rails, which would destroy the ICs, Series resistor R2 liens the input current to the op amps. DC inputs St and $2.can be used a ‘extra logic inputs from other protection circuits The logic levels the sameas the ‘output of the op amps: +12V, or no con- nection, and ~12V, With the fora, he circuit simulates normal operation (ic, it is not activated). With the latter, (02/3 turn on instantiy and the speak- ers areswitehed off These inputscanbe ‘used for thermal breakers (the contact ‘must be normally open and connected to -12V), for short circuit testing at the output, for power sensing circuits, and TABLES DELAY AND DG PROTECTION CIRCUIT PARTS LIST PART DESCRIPTION PART DESCRIPTION Capacitors Semiconductors ERP, tov Ben ROE EK orev BERT TRAEEH, norace ua, 50,8. 2h 40V Ceo ROE CKerenui FeTintopame G47 Otue, tov zshare Gye a5vTH a ascr75 lo, 11- 204, 40¥ Eko ROE or equ oF S886ner C2 DOK, eonvow Petz Fizvreq, 10200 a OG 7012-12 ag, 10200 RES simens vzator. 808 12 Di,2 Zep10 TOVISW aes ald pltd cor eonae, AA an NR Resistors 50 GreenLED Ren Too, 1H meta onde ‘ge BeDCTSDO NUIT SA 2, $-12, 108, Trimpory 7 FS musa comet RM 2 ‘ookmitten comet 4,0, 16 100K Miscellaneous RRR 7 EET PC hoard R13,18 22th Pin DIL socket or Ot and Ot Susp 30 (4) uc connect tein Blots, rat or sil and power connec. Net: Alastor ar 01/1 eta fi, nls tris ood 28 The Audio Amateur 4/93 Poweris supplied by wo 12V TO-220 regulators, AC inputis 2» 12-18V, with, center tap, supplied by either thenormal power transformer or a separate trans- former with a rating, of 5-10VA. The relay contacts tse generous size tracks. Be certain you usecannectars and wires with very low resistance. DC Protection Circuit Set-Up You should test the board before install- {ngt. Connect 2 x 12-15V AC to the AC terminals and the center tap to the CT terminal, Measure tho voltages after regulators (5/8 (across C8/C); they should be #12V and -12V, respectively. It should take between six and twelve seconde for the relay to click withont IC signal at the input. With P2, adjust the tiane delay (9 tensexonds,oF loan appro- priate value. The greon LED should light ‘when the relay is operated. IF the relays don’t click. you might see a fault indica- tion from the "window" detector. Connect a DC voltmeter between QIB’s Pinéand ground. With PI adjust the voltage to approximately +2V, The vullaye vt Q1A’s Pit 2 slivul be close to-2V, With no DC voltage atthe input, the opamps’ outpntPins and should be at +12V, The voltage drop across R7/R19 should be zero. Apply *12V to the input; the voltage at QIB's Pin 7 should he~12V, and the relays and LED should switch of Remove the-+12V and wait until the elays are again energized and the LED is lit. Connect =12V to the7 AMP Ne, 1P, FIGURE 14: All ampitiers have + and ~ input IGURE 16: A amples have *and= ret (C101 Series IT Equalizer Anal Measure, Analyze & Equalize + 10 band Real Time Spectrum Analyzer & Calibrated ‘uphune: allows accurate analysis of listeniay 190m using built in digital pink noise generator + Integral trificated sliders: provides highest levels of reliability for ‘equalizer sliders + High-speed, low noise op-amps: advanced components for — improved sound quality FIGURE 16; Ihe negatve input 6 normaly + Digital audio switching: provides shorter signal paths for better i nivise tejection Sharp 18dB/octaye subsonic filter: removes power wasting, speaker damaging subsonic frequencies POWER AMPLI i} input; Q1A’s Pin should be -12V, and Ee oe REET + Fully regulated power supplies: maintains constant power levels Bee gen eniieee aaa for consistent performance and lower distortion elajoand LED switch on after the pre: | Made in USA with a 5 year parts 8: labor warranty defined delay. Audiocontrol, rng ooso seo SOMTECTT Connecting the Circuit STB Sean orcseereaies In order fo minimize the wire length, place the board clase to the amplifier boutput and the output connector. Con- het the amp ouput to the “AMP pad and the output connector to the "LS pad on the PC hoard Use an ontpnt Wiring cable, which you can solder di- PONFR AMPLIFIRR HIN.@ COMPONENTS Whether you order 1 part or all 42,738...MOUSER stocks and...ships same day!! INP. CALL. (800) 992-9943 for your FREE CATALOG 2401 Hwy. 287 N. Mansfield. 7606S MOUSER ELECTRONICS oe Sales & Stocking Locations Nationwide FIGURE 17: Single-input operation FIGURE 18: You can it up HA to access the negate input 1 Fat py abit? The Audio Amateur 4/93 29POWER ANPUPLE +INP © sp, FIGURE 48: Balanced input with 1k input in pedance on both inputs, rectly fo the pads. You van also use solder pins, 63 mm (04") Quick Con- recs, or serewlype terminal blocks for the connection. The ground connection remains the same as before the board's inctallation, Prepare a twisted pair of 18-20 AWG hhook-up wire, and connectthe amplifier output to the input of te protection circuit, Take the ground connection fom the amplifier star-ground. If hese wires must be near the power amp in- put, use a shielded cable rater than the twisted pair. Connect the 2 12-13V AC {nd the center tap to the board to com- plete the installation. Switch on your power amp and check the delay circuit operation. The DC protection circuit Will work only if you have mnwanted DC offset atthe output. Hopefully, this veill ot be a frequent occurrence. Balanced Oper Virtually all amplifiers have a plus (1) and aminus (-) input "Balanced Audio Amplifiers," TAA 1/91, p.14). The post- tive inpul is used as the signal input; negative feedback is connected to the negative input. Figure 15 shows a typi- cal power amplifier: R3 and R4 form the feedback network, and the feedback is connected to the negative input, Hav- ing connected Rd to ground, however, ~POWGR AMPLIFIER | FIGURE 19: You can teed this power amp fom a halanoad preamp, ‘we seem to have lost the amplitior's negative inpul Fortunately, this is not a big problom -you can lift up Ré’s {round side and seit for this purpose, as shown in Fig. 16. The difference between the two in puts in Fig. 16 lcs in the input imped- ance: tor the positive input, it is approximately the value of R2. which can vary for typical power amps be twoon 10k-100k®; for the negative in- Put, it equals Rl due to the negative feedback. This resistor’ values signif- cantly smaller than R2, ranging fein 10001 to a couple of kilohme for fre quency stability. Obviously driving an amplifier with an input Impedance of 1008 is dificult, because it requires a small power amp. Even 1 or 2k might cause problems, although this is cere tainly « more ‘preamp-friendly" value With my previous power amps, the feedback resistor Rd was around 1000. The amps entire frequency compensa- tion must be reworked to allow the change to Ik. My goal for the new amps was fo use TkO for Rd. Since their input Capacitance is very small, the increase dloes not afeut the frequency stability. Normally, I also have a resistor in corios with the positive input (R1 in Fig, 17). Luse the values shown for normal, single-input operation with the nega tive input or R4 connected to ground, ogether with the source's output im- pedance and Cl, Ri forms the usual low-pass filter al the amplifiers input. (Ci mightbe considered too high a value it your sonree has a high outputimpod- ance; you may wish to experiment with this in your setup, Figure 18 shows the input and feed- back circuit modified to operate directly with a balanced source. In order to sat- isfy the equal input impedance require ‘ments, I have changed RI + R2 + Pl to approximately 1k. PT isadjusted forbest ‘common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) at mid frequencies; Cl should be ad- justed for best CMRR at 20kHz, This Power amp now has balanced inputs with approximately 1k input imped- ance on both. If your preamp has bal- anced outputs which are capable of driving 1ki2 Toads. you can connect it directly (o Uhis power amp (Fig. 19). The preamp and power amp combination forms an instrumentation amplifier, as shown in Fig. 16 in TAA 1/91 (p. 18). My preanp inodules previously de- INP 0 FIGURE 20: You can increase the inputimpedanes onthe negative input by using a buffer PO pou | operation FIGURE 21: Buffs on both inputs allow you norm high-impednce 30 The Audio Amateur 4/93scribed in TAA are all eapable of driving this power amp setup in balanced mode. If your preamp can't drive Tk loads. you ‘might consider isolating the negative in- put with a buffer (Tig. 20), an approach used in many high-ond amps. I havo ‘modified the positiveinputtn otter a 10k02 {nputimpedance, which should be within the capabilities of most preamps. The standing the DC currentand power dis- sipation requirements is important, Ba- sically, a Class A amplifier will idle at twice or more its rated output. A 20W Class A amplifier will therefore have a minimum quiescent dissipation of 40W:a SUW amplifier will have a mini mum of 100W, In a practical amplifier, the dissipa- tion will always be larger than this theo- rolical value as a result of losses in the ‘output stage and, to a lesser degree, the voltage swing capability of the driver circuit. A 20-0% higher dissipation is considered normal In order to illustrate the DC current ‘unity-gain buffer, capable of driving a Me High Resolution Vacuum Tube Audio Modules load, should have the same input and output impeances asthe positive input (10k). Borbely Audio also offers amumber of suitable buffers, and one-half of the dual Class A ineamp ialsoapplicablefor this purpose. If you have two buffers of the same type, the circuit in Fig. 21 will give you a close-videal resnlt. They represent equal Toad to your ineaanp and equal source impedance to the power amp's fo ine puts. Also, with the 1k load at the posi- tive buffer’s output, both buffers are uae equally, ensuring equal THD gene eration. The even order THD products will therefore be eliminated in the dilfer- entially connected power amplifier. When snaking, your own buffers, be certain you don tarbitrarly select the IC op amps. Many high-end power amps fail to live up to expectations because thwey are driven from low-quality ICs, For this demanding job, you should use either high-quality devices or, profer- ably, discrete busters. Glass A Push-Pull Operation For those of you who wish to operate your amplifier in Class A, under- 1993 Design Manual and Catalog (Our 1993 160+ page Design Manual and Catalog i loaded with pars, kt, schematics, books, seftvare and how io siuctions Tor bung and modifying high quality solid ile and vacua ‘ube andi equpment For your opy send $10 (nied Star and Canada), or $14 (eraons. PII: 903-470-6585 (evenings bx) ax: 303-791-7856 (24s) ‘We Now Accept Visa and Mastervard audiocratt design Tilleton, co 1.0, box 260198. 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Line Arplifer Unity Gain Duffer Stage Several Regulated Power Supplies Z the Audio Amateur 4/98 31OF Mockingbirds And Other Irrelevancies by Edward T, Dell, Jr. 20 eas of wal om the pages of The Audio Amateur ‘ona Satan stn nett Scoeal At ie fut calc faye ce ete tam ee tenn Se ee spc couse: ne bes Sohal atets cguce bres bins ach oak Peper a res os A aha acme logical fight, a erative relationship with machines, and the human appetite for and quest afer tsi, These essays effect othe nature wf mii the world intriguing tiles "Cash vs. Con- selousness” "Beer and Bach,” "OT Mock- ingbieds,” "Ears and Science,” "Myths Warfare” and "Tracking Truth’—are fol Towed by equally intriguing prose. The realm of sound becomes the lens through ‘which Dells readers sce the world, Says the author, "This entrancing hobby of ours isa satisfying cn in itself a a craft is as well, a means to unleek one of the gre, inyserious eaalysts of vu hur Woven trough the essays, many writen in the 1970s, rea number of uncanny prophe- es about both uo technology and soc {ty in general, Dell is a philosopher and a ‘writer who clestly delights in both. This collection is rich, musical and full of wis ‘dom for our time From the stacker 1993, hardbound, 96pp.. Marshall Jones Co,, $9.95 MAKES A GREAT GIFT! Yes, plesae cond me___coptie) of Mockingbird (KAAS) @s35exn Pie shiping ($3 USA $ other surtacr S10 oer a) Chaco MCL Lisa Tals, a ‘OLD COLONY SOUND LAB PO Box 243 Dept. A93 Peterborough, NH 03458 USA & Tel (603) 924.6371 (603) 924-6526 ‘32 ‘The Audio Amateur 4/93 FAX (605) 924.9467 sand quiescent power dissipation re- | quirements, we will calculate these fora 20W /80 amp. The RMS output voltage is: | Vous PER —OT8reosvios | Thisisequivalentto17.84V peak. Dis- regording all losses in the amplifier, you would neod a2 17.84V supply for this amp. The RMS load current is me VE S| Fier eer ee : Iw 2: 1.12A = 10W in your amp. For practical amplifiers, you need to consider the losses in the output stage and operate them at a higher supply voltage. You would probably usea£20V supply and select a higher quiescent curtentso your amp 1s well into Class A. continuously (a minimum of 1.3A is in- dicated). This will raise the quiescent power dissipation tn 52W, which is 30% higher than the theoretical value. You might go even higher for linearity rea- sons, but don’t forgot that the necessary heatsinking also creases with the power dissipation. If you consider run- ning youramp at 50W Class A, the mini ‘mum requirements are: [pc=1.77A, and supply voltage of #28V. fora theoretical dissipation of 100W. Ina practical stu- ation, you would run the amp close to 2A DC current with a minimum supply voltage of 435-40, for a quiescent power dissipation of more than 140W. You would need a very large heatsink, or you might consider using a fan. You can actually buy very low-noise fans and use a Uuee-speed fan control. For high-power Class A applications, a forced-canvection cooler with fan is al- ‘most mandatory. o BOXES & BINDERS FOR YOUR TECHNICAL LIBRARY THE BINDER A "loose wire," heavy book binder lth constuction case hos weve magazines in a readily accessible format, The me- tallic logo is hot stamped on the cover and spine, $9.95 EACH THE BOX Library quality boxes. 474 x9V4 12" high, brown woodgrain, folding cor rugated hoxes with lahel to identity contents. Holds 12 issues of Audio Anatewr, Speaker Builder, Elekeor Electronics USA, Glass Audio, oF other valuable magazines in ‘your technical li- brary. Fach order supplied with pre-printed la- bels for each $25 Paice an. 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