Class A Buffering the Correct Way
Here’s a simple way to force an opamp output stage to run in class A when used with a discrete buffer output stage – it takes just 1 resistor to provide a near constant current source load. Operating the opamp (and the output buffer stage) in class A dramatically reduces harmonics on the power rail […]
Hifisonix ‘Symphony’ Line Preamplifier
I designed and built this preamplifier while living in Taiwan a few years ago. The Symphony preamp features Baxandall tone controls, up to 7 inputs, a class A 2 W headphone amplifier and a Goldpoint 24 position attenuator. The write-up describes the design process and choices in some detail and my listening impressions: Part 1 […]
Hifisonix UBx Universal JFET Buffer
A while back, one of the diyAudio forum members who was building the nx-Amp (here’s the thread on DIYaudio.com) enquired about either reducing the amplifier’s overall gain, or providing a volume control facility. Since both the 15 W class A sx-Amplifier and its bigger 100W sibling the nx-Amplifier, are Current Feedback Amplifiers, performance is quite […]
Augmented Feedback Error Correction (AFEC)
AFEC is a simple technique that augments the feedback of an amplifier to dramatically improve the Large Signal Non-linearity (LSN) distortion performance by up to 20 dB across the audio band. Additionally, AFEC acts to remove any DC offsets and also improve PSRR significantly. Augmenting the feedback in a manner similar to that described in […]
The Monolithic Op-Amp: A Tutorial Study
This was an invited paper at the ISSCC in 1974 by James Solomon, who at the time worked for National Semiconductor (acquired in 2011 by TI). Those were heady days in semiconductors, with major process and circuit design breakthroughs taking place at breakneck speed. The general purpose microprocessors’ pivotal role in powering the Apple II […]
12 point checklist for anyone using opamps in an audio design
Opamp User Guide V1.0.pdf