Designing audio power amplifiers

cordellaudio.com

53 points·teleforce··7 comments

I picked up a copy of this book when I needed to design a class AB amplifier for non-audio purposes and found it very helpful. There’s a lot of theory and discussion of different options (transistor types, bias networks, etc.) rather than just presenting one “right” way to do things.

On the opposite side of the spectrum: https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Tube-Preamps-Guitar-Bass/dp...

I designed and created my own single-ended EL34 based guitar amp. This thing sounds bloody incredible when the output tube is in full tilt. It used a solid state power supply to decrease weight (from AliExpress), but ultimate bit the dust because the switching module was so unreliable.

Good to see that it covers class-D amps.

I am a BIG fan of class D amps and I recommend them to everyone. Small, low power, fantastic sound (everywhere, but especially the bass sounds incredibly precise) and dirt cheap.

Indeed. Only sensible way to do things in the 2020s, for both efficiency and power density.

I would love to see a robust and repairable class D design make it to the market as a kit or module. It's the one disadvantage I see of class D. Most techs can fault-find on non-switching amplifiers, but blown commercial class D modules typically just end up in the bin.

Hypex (and Purifi) are fairly repairable, and also sound amazing

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