Using the QuantAsylum QA401 for accurate Audio Measurements
in Power amplifiers, Preamplifiers, Technical
The QA 401 from QuantAsylum (superseded by a newer, improved QA 402 and now the QA403) has emerged as a popular, comprehensive audio test instrument in the DIY audio fraternity and the go to instrument in many cases for commercial production testing in the audio industry. It combines a first rate DAC and ADC with […]
Building Quiet Audio Power Amplifiers Requires Best Wiring and Layout Practices
in Power amplifiers, Technical
There is a misconception that noise pickup is reduced by placing the input RCA connectors (and similarly XLR input connectors in a fully balanced system) on opposite sides of the amplifier rear panel and then running short wires to the amplifier modules. This arrangement is the worst of all worlds. The internal loop areas available […]
So Just How Quiet is Your Phono Stage?
in Preamplifiers, Vinyl preamps
You may be in for a surprise: actually not that quiet! The reason of course is that the cartridge inductance and resistance dominate the noise in any decent phono amp. To get the best in terms of noise performance, you really need to keep the input referred noise voltage and noise current to a minimum. […]
Fast transimpedance aka Voltage Amplifier Stages for Audio Power Amplifiers
in Power amplifiers, Technical
Here is a quick look at some of the problems that can occur when the VAS (aka TIS) in an audio amplifier is driven into saturation without considering the effects of base charge storage – a phenomena all bipolar transistor suffer from.
RIAA Equalizer Amplifier Design
in Technical, Vinyl preamps
This article explores the fundamental’s of phono amplifier design, culminating in a few practical designs. Special emphasis is placed on overload margins (critical if you want good sonics from your EQ amp), driving the EQ network adequately and noise. RIAA Equalization Amplifiers V2.0 Below is the RIAA Calculator Excel spread sheet. Please read the article above, […]
Ground Loops
in Technical
Updated with new material 7th January 2019 This set of c. 70 slides is the culmination of my experience over a period of about 25 years building numerous power amplifiers and preamplifiers. I first started out in audio around 1975 or 76 a teenager. Some of my creations were reasonably quiet – through pure luck […]