Valve Amplifiers

Chapter 1. Circuit Analysis

• Publisher Summary
• Mathematical Symbols
• Electrons and Definitions
• Potential Dividers
• Alternating Current (AC)
• Active Devices
• Silicon Diodes
• Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs)
• General Observations on BJTs
• Feedback
• The Operational Amplifier
• References
• Recommended Further Reading

Chapter 2. Basic Building Blocks

• Publisher Summary
• The Common Cathode Triode Amplifier
• The Tetrode
• The Beam Tetrode and the Pentode
• The Cascode
• The Charge Amplifier
• The Cathode Follower
• Sources and Sinks: Definitions
• The Common Cathode Amplifier as a Constant Current Sink (CCS)
• The Cathode Follower with Active Load
• The White Cathode Follower
• The μ-Follower
• The Shunt-Regulated Push–Pull Amplifier (SRPP)
• The β-Follower
• The Cathode-Coupled Amplifier
• The Differential Pair
• Semiconductor Constant Current Sinks
• References
• Recommended Further Reading

Chapter 3. Dynamic Range: Distortion and Noise

• Publisher Summary
• Distortion
• Digital Concepts
• The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)
• Designing for Low Distortion
• Signal Amplitude
• Grid Current
• Distortion Reduction by Parameter Restriction
• Distortion Reduction by Cancellation
• DC Bias Problems
• Individual Valve Choice
• Coupling from One Stage to the Next
• Distortion and Negative Feedback
• Carbon Resistors and Distortion
• Noise
• Noise from Resistances
• Noise from Amplifying Devices
• Noise in DC references
• References
• Recommended Further Reading

Chapter 4. Component Technology

• Publisher Summary
• Resistors
• General Considerations on Choosing Resistors
• Capacitors
• Different Types of Capacitors
• General Considerations in Choosing Capacitors
• Magnetic Components
• Inductors
• Transformers
• Why Should I Use a Transformer?
• General Considerations in Choosing Transformers
• Uses and Abuses of Audio Transformers
• Thermionic Valves
• Individual Elements of the Valve Structure
• Thoriated Tungsten Filament Fragility
• References
• Recommended Further Reading

Chapter 5. Power Supplies

• Publisher Summary
• The Major Blocks
• Rectification and Smoothing
• Regulators
• Common-Mode Interference
• Practical Issues
• A Practical Design
• Adapting the Power Supply to the EC8010 RIAA Stage
• References
• Recommended Further Reading

Chapter 6. The Power Amplifier

• Publisher Summary
• The Output Stage
• Classes of Amplifiers
• The Push–Pull Output Stage and the Output Transformer
• Output Transformer-Less (OTL) Amplifiers
• The Entire Amplifier
• The Driver Stage
• The Phase Splitter
• The Input Stage
• Stability
• Classic Power Amplifiers
• New Designs
• Single-Ended Madness
• The Scrapbox Challenge Single-Ended Amplifier
• Obtaining more than Single Digit Output Power
• Driving Higher Power Output Stages
• The Crystal Palace Amplifier
• The Bulwer-Lytton Scalable Parallel Push–Pull Amplifier
• References
• Further Reading

Chapter 7. The Pre-Amplifier

• Publisher Summary
• Input Selection
• Volume Control
• Balance Control
• Cable Driver
• Tone Control
• Obtaining a Clean Signal from Analogue Disc
• RIAA Stage Design
• A Simplified Example RIAA Stage
• 3180 μs and 318 μs Equalisation
• The EC8010 RIAA Stage
• The Balanced Hybrid RIAA Stage
• References
• Recommended Further Reading

Appendix

• Valve Data
• Standard Component Values
• Resistor Colour Code
• Plastic Capacitor Coding
• Cable
• Square Wave Sag and Low Frequency f_−3 dB
• Playing 78s
• Equalisation
• Sourcing Components: Bargains and Dealing Directly
• References